Breach Zone: A fast-paced military fantasy thriller (Shadow Ops Book 3)

The Shadow Ops trilogy comes to a climatic and satisfying end with 'Breach Zone', and is definitely Cole's best yet.The book is almost pure action, focusing on one big battle, but there's enough of a cast keeping busy in enough places to maintain the reader's interest, while interjecting here and there with a powerful backstory on the trilogy's main antagonist - Scylla. In fact, it's the backstory that really made this book for me.There is no black and white in 'Breach Zone'. Even using the word 'villain' sounds problematic here. Beyond her devastating magical ability, Scylla hadn't made much of an impression on me in the fist two books. But now Cole gives us the woman she was before she turned up Latent, and the tragic web of events that created the eventual monster. It was almost hard to read because I expected Scylla to lose, but her reasoning was so understandable. All you want is peace for her.A lot of reviewers for Book I of the trilogy really didn't like Oscar Britton, and I urge those people to give the other books a go - Britton shares the stage with Bookbinder (my favourite 'good guy') in Book II, and in Book III, he pretty much takes a back-seat till near the end. Harlequin takes centre stage in 'Breach Zone', and he's more than capable of carrying the book.Great characters wouldn't mean much if the actual writing and the setting weren't good, but there are no problems in this regard. Cole's world(s) are crazily inventive, an LSD mix of mythical creatures, magic and human technology. I'm assuming the giant spiders are a tribute to Tolkien. One aspect that particularly impresses me is how the author manages to write so many battles without a sense of repetition to the descriptions of people wielding their magic (something I think I struggle with in my own writing). It helps that the spacing between the books has been about right (not too short, not too long), but it also reflects Cole's skill. And there are moments of true horror, maliciously described.Although this is the trilogy's end, there seems to be plenty of potential for more forays into Cole's world. Even if they don't happen, consider me happy.

Once again Myke Cole has impressed me with another immersion into a world changed by Magic & the source.Fast paced, this is a war story more than the last two instalments, like the last two, set in the same view with a different protagonist’s viewpoint, we now experience the world from Harlequin the aeromancer.Publically Harlequin is the poster boy for the US government, propping up the new President’s regime & latency laws (laws about people who manifest magical powers). Privately he’s been promoted to side line him & to punish him for bring down the previous president to rescue the 30,000 trapped servicemen in the Source.The best laid plans fall through pretty much straight away, as Scylla launches a full scale invasion of Manhattan. Harlequin is the only available senior mage available to lead the defence.Set only in New York, with only a few short pages in the Source this time the story is over far too quickly. It was a superb fun read, clearly concluding the series, I really hope Myke Cole writes more set in the same universe

I loved the first two parts to this magic meets military series so was very keen to read this. I was in no way disappointed by this third part. If it is the last in the series it is a very satisfying conclusion with plenty of the military and magical terms that are a part of its universe. The pace is still pleasingly fast. The characters may be a little stereotypical but are used so well it's hard not to feel the sense of camaraderie Myke Cole communicates so well. I am afraid to talk about the plot at all really for fear of spoiling it so please just make sure you have read the previous two first as they are superb fun. Myke Cole has established a universe much like in X-men and Heroes but with the idea of how magic/powers might be used practically by some authorities, abused by some and how science may search to understand it all. I would happily read more adventures in the established universe and characters if they were to continue the series. This would be perfect for a film or TV adaptation. Maybe even a graphic novel adaptation. More please!

Positives:Scylla's background being fleshed out improved on an already compelling character. Could completely understand how someone could end up as she did.Battle scenes were as usual well scripted and coherent.Harlequin was an excellent choice as the protagonist and his journey through the 3 books reaches a satisfying conclusion.Cole keeps the action interesting after 3 books and continues to come up with original ways the characters use their abilities.Negatives:Many of the characters from the first two books are reduced to mere cameo appearances or even left out all together and are greatly missed. The most glaring being Oscar Britton.Many plot threads left unexplored, almost like Cole had too many ideas and tried to squeeze them all into one book.The ending still doesn't offer a clear and decisive ending to the series despite it being billed as a trilogy.Overall i enjoyed the book and was pleased to enter back into the World Cole has created however there was for me, far too much going on and many interesting ideas were never fully explored. I have heard rumours that there might be a fourth book on the way that will run parallel to the events of Breach Zone which would be very welcome.

Myke Cole has created an entirely believable reaction to magic appearing in the world. Like the previous books there is no let up in the pace and the excitement. The switches of viewpoint keep it all moving and it brings together all the characters of the previous books. More than that it makes it very clear how they have been changed by their experience. Recommended to all!

Oh. My. Word.I've long since loved this series, and quailed at the prospect of it coming to an end. However, if it had to end - it ends in style.

Brilliant. Have got whole series.

Fantastic third book in the shadow ops series action keeps coming and widens the amazing world of LatentsI only hope Myke Cole keeps them coming

I have read all of Myke Coles military / fantasy books and they are highly entertaining and original and very well written

The first book in the trilogy is the best, but the other two (of which this the last) are still quite good.

Absolutely amazing book. Just like the other 2 brilliant story that just keeps you gripped, I hope there is another :)

Great book,very nicely tied into the first two in the series without being a direct follow on,displays new characters with existing ones seamlessly

good story and great model on front cover worth a read not the most intellectual but a good fantasy story

The focus shifts to Harlequin for this, Not sure I approve.Still its soldiers and magic, great combo.worth a read

First time in this genre and the whole trilogy was a great journey.I only read it at weekends and the whole week without it, it was in my thoughts.