Wow! This story certainly packs a punch. The Forsaken is a perfect title for the book, given that its main characters are exactly that. Logan Booth hs spent ten years working as a hitman for the CIA, though he didn’t know that organisation was his employer until he was sacked, having outlived his usefulness. He’s 200 lbs of muscle and finely honed fighting skills but Logan is no fool. He has a masters degree and is a computer sciences whizz. As the story opens, he’s also pretty depressed and into his whisky in a big way wirh not much purpose in his life until his only friend, Jorge, a reporter wanting to do an in-depth piece on the area of New York where Logan lives is murdered. With little to go on, Logan rouses himself to find out what led to the murder and revenge his friend, in the process coming across crack addict Alice. Tension builds as Logan and Alice confront one drama after another, leaving numerous bodies in their wake. Theirs is not just a story of violence and bloodshed, however. As they work to discover the truth behind Jorge’s death, they also work together to fight their addictions. This story is definitely on the violent side, but it is compelling and page-turning as well.

This felt like an action movie my husband would love but unfortunately that’s not really my vibe, so I found this one a bit of a challenging read (2.5 weeks to finish a book is very unlike me!).

The first half left me confused, as the plot jumps in quickly without much time to settle into the characters or their world. There’s a lot of physical action, but for me, the dialogue was the most enjoyable part.

I didn't believe the central friendship, especially since our MMC, Logan, is portrayed as a lone ranger with a very black-and-white view of the world. His constant internal debates about right and wrong, along with the repeated emphasis on his looks and capabilities, started to feel a bit repetitive.

If you’re into action-driven stories with high stakes and intense energy, this one could be right up your alley. Thank you for the opportunity to review this eARC!

My 6P review: Premise, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise

Logan believed he was a contract killer for the CIA but when the realisation hits that he was a mere rogue hitman, he is destroyed. When his best friend Jorge is murdered, he enlists the help of Alice.

The story lacked a coherent plot, and Alice’s character seemed to exist solely for Logan to rescue. Her presence felt more like an obstacle, and their friendship was unconvincing.

Whilst there was lots of action, the abundance of action scenes did little to enhance the weak storyline.

There was no character development either.

I really did want to like this book, but it just wasn’t for me.

The author appears to be making this into a series. I won’t be reading it.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one was really tricky for me to figure out how to rate.
Part of me wanted to rate it 3/3.5, but the fact that I want to read book 2 right away makes me inclined to give it a 4.

It was a really interesting premise, and would make a stellar Jason Bourne-esque film.

I think it lost me a little in some of the fight scenes (i.e, the stairs), as well as the jumping around between POVs and timelines.
It just was a little hard to keep up and keep track of what was happening.

Overall though, it kept me interested for the most part, and I'm keen to see where we're taken next.

Sitting down to read THE FORSAKEN (late to the party as usual), wasn't at all sure what to expect. The blurb explains that for ten years, Logan Booth, served as a contract killer for the CIA, never knowing that was what he was doing. Finding out he wasn't a rogue hitman for a band of vigilantes, but rather a means by which governments of the USA furthered their own interests is .. well it's a lot. Starting out reading a book about somebody who is fine with the killing bit, but very particular about the motivation element is something to think about.

Although to be honest, thinking about motivations, morals, rights and wrongs, became somewhat secondary to the wild, bare-knuckle, no holds barred, violent, extreme and, uncomfortably horribly train wreck that became an equally uncomfortably enjoyable crazy ride, that is Logan Booth, and just about everybody who comes into contact with him.

Don't get me wrong - this is NOT a novel for the squeamish, or violence intolerant. It's also not a novel that's necessarily going to drag readers into deep contemplation of human nature and the choices we make. Only, it kind of is that latter bit. You can "get" how it would be that somebody who thought they were a lone-wolf, vigilante killer with a "reason" for the job, might be more than a bit miffed to discover that a government was pulling the strings. Grey, faceless, suit wearing, desk sitting behind men who were simply powering through anybody or anything that they felt was in the road of their aims and machinations. It's easy to see how that would screw up your head just a little, and acceptance of that is helped by Logan Booth being a great character. Superhuman freaky violent, dangerous, utterly controlled and clear headed about what he's doing, he's also oblivious to pain, mad, bad, and more than a bit crazy, alcoholic and suicidal, and he's had a lot going on. So he's not at all pleased when people won't just bugger off and leave him alone. Then, they murder his oldest, only really, friend and the switch from despair to fury saves him, although it makes life very short for a lot of other people.

Picking up a most unexpected ally along the way in the person of homeless, crack addict, Alice Mason, Booth starts out avenging his friend's death, making sure that whoever killed him doesn't get Alice as well, and generally dishing out a bit of vengeance and justice for everybody and everything, before he finds himself chasing corruption, money, influence and rotten power into a lot of dark corners. All while facing the same sort of demons he's insisting Alice front up to as well.

As weird as this sounds, this was a thoroughly enjoyable, absolutely engaging, enthralling, extremely violent, over the top thriller with great characters and a core of humanity in amongst the blood, sweat, flying teeth, gunshots, broken bones, flying bodies, falling bodies, tripped over bodies, and corruption. As always it comes down to corruption and the pursuit of money.

I was excited to get my hands on this ARC as the elements of the plot seemed right in my wheelhouse for a great thriller.

Contract killer Logan Booth has just found out he's been working for the very people he despises - the CIA. He has unknowingly been blindsided into this role by his handler, James and is not, in fact, a rogue vigilante. Now Logan finds himself on the brink of self-destruction when his only friend, Jorge, gets inexplicably murdered.

Alice Mason is a drug addict. She is in the throes of addiction and isn't lasting more than hours before her next hit. She helps Logan with information about Jorge's whereabouts and what was happening. Alice becomes an unlikely ally to Logan as he seeks justice, not only for his friend, but for the 10 years of his own life he's unknowlingly dedicated to the enemy.

I loved the premise of this book but felt the execution was off. I enjoyed the very start but then it became confusing. The jumping between what was happening in the present and the back information was very clunky and was leaving me disoriented.

I didn't really believe in Logan and Alice's friendship as being genuine or real. When he'd been this cliche lone ranger for 10+ years on the brink of breaking and was suddenly opening up to her about things he'd never talked to anyone about. Then he magically convinced her to get clean in 24 hours seemed a bit too convenient for the story. I'm not sure if it was the ARC with kindle formatting, but it was a weird set up to read and I unfortunately wasn't itching to sit down with this every night.

In saying that, there have been several great reviews posted on this one, so it may have been my busy week that made me struggle to appreciate the details. If a CIA / vigilante contract killer book is your vibe, you might have better luck with this one.

Expected Publication Date: 2 July, 2025.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to love this book so much but for me it just fell a little flat!

It was still a good fast paced novel with so much happening all the time and a bit of an adrenaline rush! It would make a great movie or tv show! I just found so much of it quite predictable and I struggled to connect with the characters on a deep level.

I also really struggled with the fact this was written in third person.

Thank you for the early access to this book.
The detail in the storyline, the suspense. It was hard to put this book down.

The Forsaken is an action thriller with lots of big moments and charged situations but it also manages to be thoughtful and introspective.
Logan Booth is a jaded ex-assassin, trying to find a way to keep going after the loss of a close friend when he gets tangled in a web of deception, politics and powerful people trying to further themselves. Alice is the drug addict who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, who Logan can't help trying to keep safe. They're an odd pair, both damaged in different ways, but they prop each other up as the story develops.
The plot twists and turns and I was along for the ride - I couldn't quite work out where we were going with this one or what the motivation was going to be for the events that take place. We get multiple POVs throughout the book and it's interesting getting a look at the villain as he becomes more and more unhinged.
I could definitely see the parallels between Logan Booth and other reluctant heroes - the guys who just want to be left alone but stumble upon situations that they need to become involved in for the greater good - but I feel like the Forsaken was darker than a lot of the others I've read - not so much in terms of the violence and action but the character backgrounds and the early death of Logan's friend Jorge. When an author kills off the MMC's closest friend so early, it's clear that no one is safe and anything can happen.
I enjoyed this one, I'd read another Logan Booth book for sure.

I love this author's back story, a story I didn't know until I Googled him. This is not Matt Rogers' first book. He has authored and self-published 36 novels and 13 novellas, but in some ways this could be considered his debut novel because it's his first book to be released through a traditional publisher (Simon & Schuster). He has independently achieved 'bestselling thriller author' status, having sold more than a million copies of his books through Amazon's Kindle direct publishing format, which makes this next step in his career super exciting given he already has a huge fan base.

The Forsaken is the first instalment in a three-part series which takes up the story of professional hitman Logan Booth after he finds out he’s been working for the CIA, not the vigilante group he thought he was serving. The discovery destroys him and has him contemplating the end, but a series of events conspire to pull him out of his wallowing. After his best friend, an investigative journalist, is brutally murdered in front of him, and Alice Mason, a recovering drug addict, becomes a witness to a murder plot, Logan declares war, becoming a one-man army against some of the country's most powerful forces.

This book is go, go, go from page one to done. The pages are full of bloody fist fights, flying bullets and action scenes so detailed that I sometimes forgot I was reading. The cinematic quality of the writing is so good that it played out in my mind like a film (which I have no doubt is in this book's future). If you hadn't already guessed, this is a dark and gritty story. The drug use is explicit and the glimpse into the seedier side of town is penned so convincingly, I really felt like I was there.

I was shocked at Rogers' show of no mercy when it came to who he killed off and when. Shocked! In a good way, though, because it immediately told me that this was not your predictable kind of action story. Another surprise was the revealing of Logan's character, shattering my assumptions of him as a hard and unfeeling killing machine. Yes, he's as tough as they come but there is a soft and philosophical side to his nature, which I did not expect. It didn't entirely feel natural, if I'm honest, but I suspect that's because it's breaking a stereotype, which I'm all for.

I'd describe this book as a HIIT workout – bursts of high-intensity activity, followed by an interval of rest to allow the heart rate to recover. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because I would have liked those moments of relief to last just a tad longer. Mind you, I say the same thing at the gym. 😂

The Forsaken is due for release on July 2. Get your snacks ready and your work up to date because you may not put this explosive and addictive book down once you start.

The Forsaken by Matt Rogers is a gripping, action-packed thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Rogers has once again delivered a high-stakes, adrenaline fuelled story that showcases his talent for fast-paced plotting and gritty, believable characters.

The novel follows elite operative Jason King, a formidable yet deeply human protagonist whose relentless drive and moral code make him impossible not to root for. When King is drawn into a deadly mission filled with betrayal, covert agendas and ruthless enemies, the pace never lets up. Rogers masterfully blends brutal combat scenes with moments of introspection, giving readers both explosive action and emotional depth.

What sets The Forsaken apart is the sheer intensity of the writing, Rogers crafts each chapter with precision, building tension and suspense while keeping the story grounded in realism. His detailed knowledge of tactics, weaponry and global settings adds authenticity to the narrative, making every scene feel immediate and cinematic.

Fans of military thrillers and covert-ops fiction will not be disappointed. The Forsaken is a thrilling ride, packed with sharp dialogue, relentless action and a protagonist worth following. Perfect for readers who love Jack Reacher style heroes (which I do!!) and unrelenting suspense.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

The forsaken is the first book in the Logan booth series by Matt Roger’s.

I enjoyed reading this book it was actioned packed in all the right ways, the story was gripping and addictive.

The storyline was easy to follow and understand what the author was aiming to portray with the story.

I’m a huge fan of any book that can grab my attention right from the first chapter and this book did that for me.

The Forsaken would make a great action movie, with a good balance of explosive action and quieter moments. On the page some aspects didn’t quite work for me, but many will find it a good read.

For a decade, Logan Booth thought he was a hitman for a band of vigilantes, working to achieve certain ideological goals. When he discovers he’s actually working for the CIA, he goes off the rails. Badly.

But when his friend, an investigative reporter, is murdered, Logan’s drive for justice leads him to go after those behind the murder. His violent campaign may save him, but it’ll doom plenty of others.

The basic plot idea is interesting and well executed. I did have a question about why his handlers told Logan they’d tricked him – why not just dump him without giving him this information? I felt those scenes lacked credibility. However, the overall idea was strong enough to carry me past this reservation.

The action pieces are well choregraphed and strongly depicted. It’s one of the reasons I say this would make a good action movie: it was easy to see these playing out as I read.

Another of my reservations about the novel is that Logan didn’t seem a fully believable character to me, and the philosophizing he and his mentor engage in didn’t really work for me. It seemed self indulgent and frankly, didn’t ring true at all.

None of the characters felt completely real. Each seemed to be a “type”, the sort of shorthand you use to tell a reader/viewer who this person is without going into detail. Partly as a result of this, none really felt distinctive either. Still, they fill their assigned roles well.

For those who can skate over these things, it’s a good read. The action is fast paced and well depicted, the overall plot idea is interesting and reasonably original, and it’s not too hard to turn a blind eye to the weaker aspects of the novel.

Wow! An action packed and intriguing read! It feels like I am watching the book.
Great story and characters are amazing.

I can’t wait for the next instalment.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Simon & Schuster for an incredible ARC.

An action thriller, The Forsaken (2025) by Matt Rogers is your average macho-hero noir tale. Former CIA covert wet operator, Logan Booth is shocked to discover who his actual puppet masters were. Misled by his handler, known as Thoreau, Logan’s life spirals into alcohol induced disarray, until his best friend and investigative journalist, Jorge Romero is killed. Having befriended homeless Anna Mason, they must confront powerful forces as each battles their own demons. Although a good stock-standard action tale, the protagonist fails to truly capture the requisite endearing character and so makes for a three stars thriller read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Simon & Schuster (Australia) and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

Action-packed, gritty, and relentlessly fast-paced — The Forsaken grabs you from page one and doesn't let up. Matt Rogers delivers a high-octane thriller with a protagonist you can't help but root for, even when the odds are stacked sky-high.

Unbeknownst to Logan, he has spent the past ten years working as a contract killer for the CIA. When he uncovers the truth, it sends him spiraling toward self-destruction. After the murder of his only friend, Jorge, Logan forms an unlikely bond with a witness, Alice—a homeless drug addict. United by pain and a thirst for justice, they join forces to seek revenge and, in the process, become each other's lifeline out of the darkness they’ve both come to know.

I loved the raw intensity and vivid combat scenes. The writing is lean and cinematic, perfect for fans of Jack Reacher-style lone wolves. While I wished for a bit more depth in character development, it absolutely delivered on suspense and adrenaline. I imagine the characters will continue to evolve in subsequent books.

If you're into dark revenge stories, conspiracies and corruption thrillers with bite, this one’s for you.

A fast paced, edge of your seat, nail biting thriller packed with high octane action from start to finish. One of the most gripping books I have read so far this year.

For ten years, Logan Booth served as a contract killer for the CIA - he just never knew it. At the end of his career, Logan learns he has been furthering government interests and the revelation destroys him and sets him on a spiral of self-loathing.

When Logan’s oldest friend, Jorge Romero, is brutally murdered, Logan allows his fury to deliver him from despair.

Logan is once again back at war, but this time the enemy is a powerful force close to home. With only Alice, a homeless drug addict caught in the crosshairs, Logan must face his demons just to survive.

This was so interesting and I loved the close timeline, how everything happens pretty much over the course of a night. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Alice and Logan. Very much a trauma bond, they hold each other accountable and I think it gives a bit of humanity back to Logan which he is desperately searching for at the start of the book.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia, NetGalley and the author for my copy of this book in exchange for a review

An adrenaline-fueled, action-packed, thrilling read.

Logan Booth thought he has been a rogue assassin for a group of vigilantes for the past decade. He is devastated to learn he has been used by the CIA as a contract killer to further government interests. When his long-time friend and investigate journalist Jorge Romero is murdered for attempting to uncover political corruption, Logan seeks vengeance in the only way he knows how. An unlikely friendship of desperation develops between Logan and Alice, a homeless, drug-addict who becomes embroiled in the chaos of murder and violence.

The writing is vivid, propulsive and cleverly intertwines philosophy, greed, corruption, violence, guilt and politics. Logan Booth is a memorable and morally complex character. I am interested to read what comes next for him.

If you enjoy cinematic fast-paced, action thrillers, then give this one a go.

This book is fast paced and big on murderous intent, action and a fair amount of violence keeps the reader’s attention.
The storyline is either a love it or hate it cycle, at times I felt lost in what was happening and why it mattered and other times I was caught up in the action.
The main character Logan is devastated to hear that his career wasn’t what it seemed, killing was much more orchestrated by others.
Logan is messed up, seeking to make sense of his life and he becomes more involved with corruption than before,
Murder and Mayhem is the name of the game, but I failed to really connect with the characters fully.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.