By: Don A. Martinez
Published February 23, 2011 by CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781456431075
Available Format: Paperback, ebook
My Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis: In 2015, the author discovered by accident a budget accounting for a mysterious Special Forces team operated solely by the CIA. In questioning its origins, he was put in contact with Ariel Sharpe, one of the team's members, who agreed to meet with him in a secret location to share the story of the team and that of her own life. Ariel's life is one of isolated existence, both physically in the Arizona desert and emotionally from her surrounding peers. The isolation becomes even greater when she volunteers to become among the first wave of the nation's new Super Soldiers, only to wind up bound to a genetically-engineered dragon, complete with the scaly complexion and beastly abilities.
When she escapes this sinister project, she crosses paths with a Navy man who steers her into Special Forces. This team of professional soldiers, all of which embody legendary archetypes, becomes her new family, a place where she truly feels welcomed among people for the first time. The team's adventures in the shadowy supernatural world, though, hold the fate of the entire world in the balance, culminating in their final mission to stop Armageddon itself from commencing in the place where Ariel's story first began, the deserts and mesas of the American southwest. Through pain and joy, through suicide attempts and vicious fighting, Ariel survived to tell her tale. Learn how she not only reached a peaceful existence...she truly earned it.
This book has a little bit of everything! Native American life, college, military operations, supernatural soldiers, terrorists, religion, demons, angels, magic, and a sweet love story or two. Phew! Martinez does a fantastic job of weaving such a diverse story together to make sense and above all, entertain. I was very impressed.
My favorite part was near the end where the team essentially prevents Armageddon, led by “Gabe.” I don’t want to give anything away, but having a certain someone call on the cell phone and perform a miracle—priceless! I was a little surprised that it took a more religious turn toward the end. It worked, but earlier in the book, the tone isn’t quite the same. They are fighting evil, but it’s not necessarily a demon/angel sort of thing. It didn’t bother me; the shift just struck me.
I definitely recommend this one for anyone who is into the supernatural, especially mixed in with military themes. It might get off to a teensy bit of a slow start, but it is well worth the read!
