www.WarrenMurphy.com

[Ogami]

[b]Review: Guardian Angel
by Ogami[/b]

[b]***[/b] stars (out of four)

When I went to read the Michael Crichton book State of Fear, I understood that the book's premise was to critique global warming hysteria. Unfortunately, there was very little worth reading in the novel itself. It was like one long lecture on global warming skepticism. Crichton would have been better off writing an essay somewhere and doing the book separately, or making his findings more in the background of the plot.

Guardian Angel, by Warren Murphy and James Mullaney, takes on a similar current issue, illegal immigration, but manages to keep the analysis in the background of the plot. This is as it should be.

The book's release could not be timelier, considering the sudden massive surge in immigration "reform" in Washington this month. Seeing the news media use various ridiculous terms like "undocumented immigrant" makes the story that more topical.

There were some rough spots in the story but overall it was a very good Supernovel (large-size Destroyer) story.

Some random thoughts:

* By the Sun Source, why is Remo pictured on the cover with fighting fists? The last time I remember him doing that was when he lost his memory in the jungles of Vietnam, back in the #70s-80s. Then, he forced his hands into fists and killed people with Sinanju power, but the fists didn't feel right to him for some reason. Picturing Remo in a boxer stance is like showing Superman holding a gun.

* The opening notes by the authors (much appreciated by the way) claim that they are ignoring the last 12 Destroyers. Thus it was to my great surprise to see Smith's assistant, Mark Howard, show up. Has he really been around longer than 12 books? I don't remember.

* Also at the open, there is a promise of "no squids". Please explain, somebody. I remember Remo learning to control his allure many books back by eating shark fin. Does eating squid have a similar effect?

* It was kind of odd that the President and U.S. military were kind of AWOL from the story. In this case the executive consultation with Smith was the bare minimum: President bites fingernails, Smith says his people are on the case. It was almost like it was checked off.

* While I usually laugh at the comments the Masters of Sinanju make about different nationalities and groups, the Canadian "jokes" at the end of the book fell flat. Last time I checked, each Destroyer novel has a second Canadian price on the cover. With this book, the authors just told the entire country of Canada not to buy any of their work in the future.

Worse, the authors were remiss in not looking up the extremely valiant service that Canadian soldiers are rendering in Afghanistan right now. Here's just one article of thousands that the authors could have researched:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070526/op_hoover_070526?s_name=&no_ads=

Maybe it's my fault for laughing at "Yo Quero Taco Bell" jokes and not the Canadian ones, but I have a great admiration for Canadian soldiers over here in Afghanistan with me. And American PXs is where they can read this book, I doubt they'd see much humor in it.

* Yes, I laughed out loud at "Yo Quero Taco Bell", and a few of Chiun's exchanges with Remo. Especially, "You can do better" to Conchita.

* I was glad to see Ruby Gonzales mentioned from long ago, she was a great addition to the series.

* Speaking of Conchita, I liked the fact that she was inserted to remind us male readers of one of the best imports from Central America. Legal immigration has added to the richness of this country, nice to see that come through in the story.

* What happened to the mysticism? Was that all Sapir's idea? I remember great battles with Chinese vampires, Remo and Kali, and spider Devas! (Speaking of which, did Ted Kennedy's character survive that story?)

* Near the end of the book, where Remo went to whack Santa Anna's descendent at his tourist shop, I was wondering why those two treasonous senators weren't getting similar visits. Then Smith called in saying they were killed in a stampede. Rather convenient, as I would have preferred Remo and Chiun to have paid a visit to these self-aggrandizing characters. (Who, of course, bear a passing resemblance to the Honorable senators from Arizona and Massachusetts.)

* I just finished reading a double-issue of the science fiction magazine Analog, and threw it away in disgust. It had several near-future stories warning of apocalyptic weather, ruthless police states, and the end of science because of the evil Bush and Cheney. The stories look like they were written by the Democratic National Committee or MoveOn. In my view, they could have replaced those stories with just a short message to "Vote Democrat". It's getting to the point where I only feel comfortable reading older science fiction now, as the genre has become so politicized now. You'd think the writers could just save time and say "I hate Bush" and save us the money of buying their partisan crap.

With that in mind, I am pleased Guardian Angel in no way has a message that says "Vote Republican". Sure, the book speaks of values and ideals uniquely American, but those are not the providence of any political party. So while the book is sure to infuriate liberals, who will recognize many of their sacred cows, it is quite fair in its assessment of the world and American culture.

I give the book three out of four stars, vintage Destroyer with some good repartee along the way.

-Ogami

[Donna]

[quote="Ogami"]
* By the Sun Source, why is Remo pictured on the cover with fighting fists? [/quote]

That's because the cover artist hasn't read the book. I guess it's not mandatory, but I wish Tor would have given a few guidelines.

Warren posted a note to House of Sinanju about the cover. I copied it [URL=http://www.destroyerclub.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=19883#19883]here[/URL] for DClub.

[quote="Ogami"]* The opening notes by the authors (much appreciated by the way) claim that they are ignoring the last 12 Destroyers. Thus it was to my great surprise to see Smith's assistant, Mark Howard, show up. Has he really been around longer than 12 books? I don't remember.[/quote]

Mark was Jim's creation. He became Smith's assistant in #122: Syndication Rites, though he was introduced a few books before that.

[quote="Ogami"]* Also at the open, there is a promise of "no squids". Please explain, somebody. [/quote]

That's a joke referring to a recurring theme in Somheil's Destroyers. Dale (Sunnyjoe of sinanju.net and Yahoo's House of Sinanju group) calculated that squids figured into about half the books.

[quote="Ogami"]* While I usually laugh at the comments the Masters of Sinanju make about different nationalities and groups, the Canadian "jokes" at the end of the book fell flat. Last time I checked, each Destroyer novel has a second Canadian price on the cover. With this book, the authors just told the entire country of Canada not to buy any of their work in the future. [/quote]

I think any Canada bashing was actually Gold Eagle bashing (the Canadian based publishers who ran the Destroyer into the ground).

[quote="Ogami"]* I was glad to see Ruby Gonzales mentioned from long ago, she was a great addition to the series.

* Speaking of Conchita, I liked the fact that she was inserted to remind us male readers of one of the best imports from Central America. Legal immigration has added to the richness of this country, nice to see that come through in the story.[/quote]

It was great that Warren and Jim touched on past events and characters from the series. And nice to see a new character who's around them for a good chunk of the book and survives.

[quote="Ogami"]With that in mind, I am pleased Guardian Angel in no way has a message that says "Vote Republican". Sure, the book speaks of values and ideals uniquely American, but those are not the providence of any political party. [/quote]

That's what I've always loved about the series too. It lambastes fools and ill-considered beliefs from both ends of the political spectrum. GA's not an "immigration = bad" tirade. It takes on [i]illegal[/i] immigration while honoring the contributions made by the different nationalities who have found a home here.
_________________
The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life. -- Teddy Roosevelt

[Ogami]

Donna wrote:

[i]That's because the cover artist hasn't read the book. I guess it's not mandatory, but I wish Tor would have given a few guidelines. [/i]

LOL Well, ask a stupid question... I had hoped it was some deeper reason than the cover artist being a dumbs--t. I guess when this person draws the Mona Lisa, he might put a Mohawk on her cause it's too hard to do research!

[i]Warren posted a note to House of Sinanju about the cover. I copied it here for DClub. [/i]

Cool, I will check it out when I can go to the website (The military blocks us from reaching most message boards, they don't want us to talk.)

[i]Mark was Jim's creation. He became Smith's assistant in #122: Syndication Rites, though he was introduced a few books before that. [/i]

So Mark's been around longer than I thought. Well good, I am glad he survived the transition in publishers. (And I'm also glad they didn't try to revive "Remo's son" from about 45 books back, what a terrible character that was.

[i]That's a joke referring to a recurring theme in Somheil's Destroyers. Dale (Sunnyjoe of sinanju.net and Yahoo's House of Sinanju group) calculated that squids figured into about half the books.[/i]

Okay, thanks! Another mystery solved!

[i]I think any Canada bashing was actually Gold Eagle bashing (the Canadian based publishers who ran the Destroyer into the ground). [/i]

I never did scratch off their inserts promising "great rewards". I found the notion so insulting that I never participated. I was insulted by the assumption of the intelligence of the Destroyer reader by inserting such a scratch-off game in every issue. Why not just say "Here's some discounted books if you'll try them out"?

[i]It was great that Warren and Jim touched on past events and characters from the series. And nice to see a new character who's around them for a good chunk of the book and survives. [/i]

This is why I love tv shows like Buffy, Angel, Stargate, Babylon 5, and Battlesar Galactica. Continuity is key. (Even if we see Mr. Gordons, Friend, the Dutchman, and all the others 5 or 6 times.)

Ogami wrote:
With that in mind, I am pleased Guardian Angel in no way has a message that says "Vote Republican". Sure, the book speaks of values and ideals uniquely American, but those are not the providence of any political party.

[i]That's what I've always loved about the series too. It lambastes fools and ill-considered beliefs from both ends of the political spectrum. GA's not an "immigration = bad" tirade. It takes on illegal immigration while honoring the contributions made by the different nationalities who have found a home here.[/i]

That's certainly something I agree with. In my neighborhood back home, we have a large Puerto Rican community of legal immigrants. They are living the American dream, buying nice cars, paying their taxes. Seeing them and living with them helped me think better of immigrants.

[i]The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life. -- Teddy Roosevelt [/i]

Or votes at any price.

Thanks for the thoughtful response!

-Ogami

[WilBarn99]

Ver good review Ogami

I'd like to see you review some more Destroyer novels.
_________________
Take Care & God Bless
From Jill

[Ogami]

Thanks, Wilbarn. I've read them all, so I'm glad to talk about them. (Okay, I missed a few novels after they hit #125, although I think I've all of them before that.)