Featured Official Review: Sins of the Younger Sons by Jan Reid

[Jocelyn Eastman]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sins of the Younger Sons" by Jan Reid.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Sins of the Younger Sons, by Jan Reid, is the story of ex-Marine Luken Burgoa and his exploits as a member of The Outfit, a clandestine organization which operates spies around the world, and later as a fugitive. Luken has been sent to deal with the head of the Euskadi ta Askatasuna (ETA), Peru Madariaga. They meet in France on a trail ride through the mountains. Luken immediately falls in love with Madariaga’s wife Ysolina, and she returns his feelings. After completing an undercover armament deal with Madariaga, Luken cuts ties with The Outfit and escorts Ysolina to Spain so she can complete research for her schooling. In the background is the politics of Basque territory in Spain, and the building of a new Guggenheim Museum in Basque territory. What will happen to the two lovers? Will they survive? What is ETA planning? Where does the museum factor in to ETA plans?

This novel was extremely well edited. I felt that it took an intermediate skill of reading, as it often switched between languages, and I found myself going back to repronounce words I was unfamiliar with. There wasn’t any profanity in the book. However, there is a scene of rape in the book, for those who are sensitive to this topic.

The thing I liked most about this book was that everything that was laid out eventually came to a brilliant conclusion. Even though the good guys didn’t totally win, I felt like this was what life would have actually been like under the circumstances presented in the book. It didn’t feel like a cheesy riding off into the sunset moment when the book ended. Yes, there were parts that were shocking, but the book is about people who are spies and working with and against dangerous people. The shocking moments felt like they belonged.

The thing I disliked most was the length of the exposition of the book. There were a few times during the book where I wished it would hurry up and get back to the real action of it. There may be readers who appreciate this, because it adds to the shock of abrupt happenings in the book, but I felt this could have been shorter. I think the author was really making an effort to introduce us to Basque culture, and for us to appreciate it as much as they do, but it was a little lost on me.

Overall, this was a really great book, and even though there was a thing I disliked about it, I would definitely recommend it to others. Anyone who likes crime, spy or historical fiction novels will like it. Get ready to curl up and not put it down, because I give it 4 out of 4 stars.

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Sins of the Younger Sons
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[Stephanie Elizabeth]

This sounds like a great spy book! Thanks for the engaging review.

[mszn]

This sounds fascinating! The fact that there was something you disliked but that you gave it a full 4 out of 4 stars anyway really speaks volumes to how well written and well structured the book must be overall. You've definitely got me interested in picking it up soon!

[Nisha Ward]

Oh no, falling in love with Ysolina can't be good for Luken's life expectancy. It sounds like quite the action filled novel and the look into Basque history and culture at the time is a definite plus.

[Jocelyn Eastman]

Oh no, falling in love with Ysolina can't be good for Luken's life expectancy. It sounds like quite the action filled novel and the look into Basque history and culture at the time is a definite plus.

There are a lot of short life expectancies in this book! It’s pretty unpredictable in some parts and it was great.

[Jocelyn Eastman]

This sounds like a great spy book! Thanks for the engaging review.

Thank you for commenting!

[Ogoskino]

I love spy books and this is a marvellous piece of review. I would read this book soon.

[Stephanie Runyon]

An interesting perspective on a book with conflict around every corner. I agree with you when a commentary seems to slow down the storyline. I am placing this ony want to read shelf.

[Kevsona]

i am impressed with your review as wholesome i feel like i have already read it

[Kenesha Latoya Fowler]

I admit that I'm not much into spy novel, but I really liked this review. Clear and smooth, I feel like you have told us what is necessary to know about the book. All in all, it does sound like a great book (I mean, you gave it full rating despite the parts you didn't enjoy). Nicely done.

As for me, I can't say that it's a book I will be picking up any time soon. A well-edited book can make for good reading, but lengthy expositions turn me off.

[Reny94]

Great review! It really gave me an idea of what to expect.

[Gacau]

This seems to be an interesting action filled read. Two aspects that the book have that I really love are; the aspect of spying and unpredictive nature of it. To add on this, the review itself makes me to want to read the book. Good job.

[Brenda Creech]

Thank you for the great review! I may have to try this one out. I love historical fiction, and I love a good, fast-paced crime story. I am relieved there is no profanity in this book! You can have plenty of thrills and action in a book without spoiling it with profanity! Thanks for the recommendation!

[Redink97]

Super interesting! I love spy books.

[WildFern]

This seems like something I would pick up, as I'm interested in reading spy/crime novels, and I love historical fiction. Thanks for the review!