Review: Target Zero

Target Zero by Jack Mars
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wanting to give Reid/Kent a 3.5 star review, but having to round down, I'm back to 3.

My frustration with #1 being the sort of wonky balance between "Who am I Reid/Kent/Zero" was thankfully improved in #2 but still peppered in. I did enjoy it a bit more, characters started to resonate with me a bit more, and admittedly I think the second half was closer to 4-star. Where thus far any "twists" were mostly predictable, Jack Mars starts to get some legit curve balls into the plot. Speaking of plot, these editions really build on each as a rolling story, I would not recommend any as a stand-alone (not in a bad way, just would be confusing.) Although I've only read two, Target Zero clearly ends in a manner where #3 will absolutely have to pick up exactly where it left off. And to that, Mars does well to make sure I continue reading :)

Based on prehistoric strand of Smallpox resurfacing and falling into the hands of bearded badmen, albeit, smart virology type badmen. Reid Lawson is forced by CIA handler "you're either in or your out, right now." Meaning go back to your quiet life as Professor Lawson and get back to being Zero. As you can imagine, the Kent Steele side of him can't say no and in we go. A teetering romance between him and Maria carries throughout. Reis and his demonic nine-lives keeps ticking and he's on the hunt, oddly just as a side plot but well peppered into the story. A bit cringe worthy reading about another outbreak, especially since I'm quite literally reading this book while working in a Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit. But hey, prehistoric Smallpox sounds WAY worse. Zero teams up, unwillingly, with a few familiar faces from #1 and they're tasked to find the source, reason, creator of the virus which has now been modified/weaponized.

My attention did drift a few times. Some aspects were just too far a stretch or too convenient for our heroin, as seen in the first edition as well. But overall I enjoyed it. As I mentioned, Jack Mars seems to hit stride about halfway through this one and hopefully keeps that momentum going in #3. Which I plan to start in 3....2.....1

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