The Cleansweep Counterstrike by Chuck Waldron : A Review

BOOK TITLE: The Cleansweep Counterstrike

AUTHOR: Chuck Waldron

ISBN/ASIN: B079QJ2J8B

GENRE:Fiction - Thriller / dystopian

NUMBER OF PAGES: 312

FORMAT: Digital

SERIES / STANDALONE: A Matt Tremain Technothriller Book 2

HOW I GOT THIS BOOK: I thank iRead Book Tours for this review copy.

SUMMARY:

In this sequel, Matt Tremain is back, facing an even deadlier threat. Deceit and intrigue lie hidden behind the collapse of Operation CleanSweep. It’s time for revenge.

Instrumental in exposing the evil behind Operation CleanSweep—a diabolical “cultural cleansing” plot masterminded by Toronto billionaire Charles Claussen—investigative blogger Tremain now faces the madman’s desire for vengeance. Claussen intends to settle the score personally by luring Matt into a deadly trap.

But the clock is ticking for Claussen, too. Fraternité des Aigles, The Brotherhood of Eagles—a shadowy group that secretly financed Claussen’s Operation CleanSweep—wants answers and their money back. Consumed with rage, Claussen risks everything to get to Matt before the Brotherhood gets to him. Tremain is once again partnering with a police detective, Carling. Knowing they are being lured into a possible trap, they decide to face their nemesis, Charles Claussen.

Across four continents, Claussen sets traps, pursues Tremain, and continues to execute his signature brand of global chaos. When his fiancé’s life is on the line, can Tremain stop Claussen’s madness and still avoid getting killed?

FIRST IMPRESSION:

I had already read the first book in the series, but it has been a while since, so I had to brush up a bit before I began reading this. The Cleansweep Counterstrike, however, is a standalone and does not mandatorily require the readers to have read the first book in the series.

Dystopian novels are not from my favourite genre. But since I really enjoyed reading the first book in the series, I picked this one up without much hesitation. The cover was simple, sending a direct message with crosshairs locked on the head in a man's silhouette. The summary clearly picks up from where the previous book ended, but the plot of that one had been summarised in a way that would make even new readers understand the important events that had happened when the protagonist recognised, unravelled and brought down a plot to cleanse people based on their sexuality, religious identity and so on.

Book 2 refers to the natural desire for revenge that has arisen in the face behind that CleanSweep conspiracy, the billionaire Claussen who now anxiously waits for his chance to take revenge against Matt, the whistleblower. The summary, though, led me to believe that maybe reading book 1 would mean a better enjoyment of this book.

REVIEW:

Thriller novels and almost any dystopian novels do not always end on a clean note. Much like the jagged edges of a cut from a serrated knife, there are uneven edges that are not really softened. These are not loose ends, but the author's attempt to bring the novel to a realistic conclusion. But when those jagged edges are clear openings for further events to happen, forming another entirely new story that is equally, if not more, thrilling.

While the usual trope in many stories is the hero running out of time to save the world from the villain's scheming plans to destroy mankind and its resources, there is a small change in this one, where the negative lead, billionaire Clussen, is also in a position to answer to those who funded his nefarious operations. He doggedly pursues Matt, hoping to take him down in revenge for bringing down his grand plans. This story develops as a Clussen versus Tremain war, where those who helped overthrow the cleansweep conspiracy are also suddenly targets for the injured animal in Clussen.

The one who was foiled and banished (apparently not killed) finds it hard to forget all that brought his ruin, while Matt, the blogger protagonist has moved on in life. But the moving on has not been smooth, for there is always a lingering fear that says that the danger is not completely past. They are justified in their fears, as the danger that awaits them begins to materialize in random simple forms. A villain who is himself on the run from more powerful forces is a novelty, and it makes his chase of the heroes much more exciting. This novelty kept me engrossed from the start to finish, as I had already picked sides in the first book and only reinforced my opinion on the individual characters with this book.

I love how the book details that there will be repercussions for any actions, even if they were done for the greater good, and that there are no clean ends. Those who felt that book 1 ended without a few clearer answers, or felt like a meal without dessert would love to read this book as it would just pick up from the fall out of the events in the first book and feel like the next episode of the series. But those who have no idea what happened in book one might not really understand why some characters act the way they do.

The author's specialty lies in trying to make these two books as independent as possible, while making sure those who are already fans of book 1 are not disappointed. This book leaves way for a sequel, which promises to be more exciting. This book is a treat to conspiracy enthusiasts, and an awakening to those who did not believe in them. Waldron's unique style of writing sends chills down the spine with a constant thrill between the who is who, and what next. The language suits the genre well, and keeps the pace of the book engrossing. There are minor complaints but none strong enough in any way to hinder the reading. This book is a fitting sequel to one of my favourite dystopian novels, and also finds a place in my favourite books list.

P.S.: Although I had read the previous book in the series a while ago, the book has now undergone a brand new makeover that makes it look like more books are planned with such an interesting theme. I am looking forward to those.

WHAT I LIKED:

• The book scores in having an entirely different thrilling premise despite taking on the residue of the previous book's characters
• The story is so engrossing - almost enough to ignore any inconsistencies or confusions.
• The book does not disappoint as a sequel and flows smoothly.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• The book was vague in parts about some important events' timelines.
• The story picks up pace only after a while, and this might not be right for a dystopian thriller.
• While reading book 1 is not mandatory, it feels important to know the story in detail before picking this up, or some important characters seem to lack lustre.

VERDICT:

A fitting sequel to the first book, and enjoyable as a standalone too.

RATING: 3.8/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chuck Waldron is the author of four riveting mystery, thriller and suspense novels and more than fifty short stories. Inspired by his grandfather’s tales of the Ozark Mountains and local caves rumored to be havens for notorious gangsters, Waldron was destined to write about crime and the human condition. Those childhood legends ignited his imagination and filled his head with unforgettable characters, surprising plots and a keen interest in supernatural and historical subplots.

With literary roots planted in the American Midwest and South, and enriched by many years living in the fertile cultural soil of metropolitan Ontario, Waldron now resides on Florida’s fabled Treasure Coast with his wife, Suzanne. While keeping an eye out for hurricanes, alligators, and the occasional Burmese python, visitors will find Waldron busy writing his next crime thriller.

EDITIONS AVAILABLE: Kindle, Paperback

PRICE $3.56 for Kindle, $7.04 for Paperback

BOOK LINKS: Amazon