If there is one thing that mankind excels at it is fighting. Since the earliest days of our species we’ve fought over food, territory, shelter, resources and of course, the fairer sex.
And, in fighting to ensure that you come out on top, you need the sharpest stick. So, along with fighting, mankind has perfected his weapons. Sticks and stones to swords and maces, to firearms and of course explosives and even energy weapons.
Because of our built in aggression and tendency to get violent, the man with the biggest weapon tends to be the winner. Although there typically is collateral damage in the offing.
Nuclear weapons anyone?
What if a weapon so powerful that it could change the face of the global political landscape forever suddenly was placed on the open market, to be sold off to the highest bidder?
Taking that into consideration, how would the various nations react? What would each nation do to try and ensure that they were the ones to get their hands on this weapon, to prevent it from falling into long time enemy hands?
That’s the whole premise behind Destroyer 101: Bidding War.
Several months have passed since Remo found his estranged father and both he and Chiun have settled down for a quite life on the reservation.
Remo is content. He has his real father, and he now has people to call his own.
Chiun on the other hand is heartbroken. He feels that he’s lost his son, and that there is nothing left for him in America but bitter memories and heart ache.
Because of this, and the fact that his contract with Smith is coming to a close, he decides to put the house and his skills as a master assassin on the open market.
I have to admit that this novel didn’t make me laugh quite as hard as Last Rites, but I still enjoyed it.
First of all, who would have ever thought that the United Nations would turn into a version of the WWE?
Secondly, I’ve always suspected it, but gee, who’d have thought about the internal competition between the various departments in the states? The CIA, FBI, NID, etc, etc. Everyone wants to be the one to present the ground breaking news, but no one wants to be responsible if this news turns out to be incorrect.
Now, consider this. Bidding Wars is only my second Destroyer novel, but already I’ve learned to expect certain things from the series. First and foremost is the humour and the interaction between Remo and Chiun.
I love the way certain leaders are presented in the novel, like the President of the United States, and the lil’ evil dictator from North Korea.
It takes serious imagination to come up with scenarios the like they’ve been presented in this novel.
And, despite being a Canadian, I thoroughly enjoyed the shot that was directed at my fair country. It really made me laugh!
Of course, after listening to the novel, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Team America and the way the North Korean dictator was portrayed in that, or for some strange reason, the Family guy and the way the president and the first lady interacted.
Why on god’s green earth did I think of Quagmire when I heard him? I don’t know, but still it was hilarious to listen to.
Even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as Last Rites, it was definitely worth listening to, and I will more than likely be picking up the next in the series in the near future.
One last parting comment. Sorry if it spoils things for any readers out there, but you’ve been warned…
I’ve always been wondering if and when North Korea would decide to try and invade South Korea. Many people in the forces believe that this is inevitable.
But, South Korea invading the north? Heh, now THAT is something people wouldn’t expect!
5 out of 5
Either we suck or hes really that good! - Hertz from Shoot em up.