This was my first exposure to Ted Bell, and I will have to read his other books. "Tsar" is the latest in the ongoing saga of Hawke, a British secret agent who is a little bit of James Bond and a lot of John Clark. There is an interesting cast of characters, and the book held my interest throughout. If you are a fan of the spy thriller, you will enjoy this read. So, why four stars instead of five? I'm not going to put any spoilers in here, but you will see when you read it. And, you should read it.

I am a lifelong fan of spy thrillers. I still have a boxed set of the first 5 James Bond novels that my parents gave me when I was a teen. So I will plow through a lot of drivel to get to the action parts of one of these spy/hero/action thriller novels (a little something for everyone.) Unfortunately, some plowing is necessary to enjoy Bell's latest book in his Lord Alexander Hawke series. I have read two prior Hawke books and enjoyed them immensely. They moved right along, had real detail that made them almost believable, and very well done action scenes that kept you reading well past lights out. This novel doesn't start until the middle of the book. The first half is just unending details and introduction of characters that may or may not be part of the real story.

Let me assure you it is worth the plowing to get to the meat of the story. I would recommend that you read a couple of the earlier books first just so you'll know that it worth the wait in this one to get to the great action scenes that Bell finally provides. These are lightweight novels that you read for fun so plan on taking them on the airplane or to the beach.

Though described as a "thriller," this book does not become a page-turner for the first 34 of 65 chapters. The material in those chapters necessary to the rest of the plot could easily be condensed and made more dramatic. Once the reader makes it to Chapter 35, where Salina, Kansas, is blown off the map, the pace does pick up, though there are problems on all fronts of the novel. Regarding characters, Bell depends a lot on stereotypes. Being from Kansas, married to a police investigator, and a bit familiar with Salina, I can tell you the police-doughnut connection just does not reach the caliber of great fiction. In the post-911 era, Homeland Security has made great efforts to train law enforcement departments regarding the types of terrorism that might be encountered in their areas, not to mention the fact that Timothy McVeigh's activities in Kansas (in areas near Salina) raised everyone's consciousness about strangers operating out of suspicious vehicles. Though the pace of the novel does pick up about midway through the book, the plot depends too much on coincidence to be satisfying, and I "willingly suspended disbelief" so many times that my brain finally rebelled. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that the ending was a disappointment, leaving me wondering why I had gone to the trouble of finishing the book. For those who enjoy the spy thriller genre, as I do, I'd suggest looking elsewhere for a satisfying experience.

An entertaining look at a resurgent Russia rebounding from the Cold War with its sights set on a return to the ranks of world Super Power. The fact that it all seems mostly possible makes it that much better.

If you are at all intrigued by such characters as James Bond, Sam Fisher or Jack Ryan you will feel right at home with Alex Hawke. His part spy, part action hero approach to problem solving kept me entertained throughout.

I had never read an Alex Hawke novel before reading TSAR and found the manner in which Ted Bell relates the story and fills in the background information pertinent to his current adventure refreshing, making it easy to embrace the main characters as if I had known them all along.

The character development and plot twists contained within keep you guessing as to how it will all end, often times leading you down a path that seems obvious only to have a different outcome at the conclusion of the story.

I wish I could have been one of the chosen few to write the Praise for Ted Bell quotes on the back cover. Those guys must have been paid pretty handsomely to give this book a positive review.

There are several aspects of this book that are bad, questionable, unnecessary or that just plain baffle me, but I'll just give you the big ones and move on:

-- There is a terribly long and fairly pointless buildup to what is eventually the main plot line. It isn't until page 140 or so that the primary plot line is finally put forth.

-- Bell is overly descriptive on pointless things but not nearly descriptive enough on others. A pack of Marlboro Lights, a bottle of rum and a ferry pilot's pipe in a window are broken down like an errant pass play in the Super Bowl. Crucial plot points like an air ship seige over the Atlantic, how Alex Hawke got from the middle of the Atlantic to Stockholm and how MI6 got their hands on a Russian political giant and the Tsar's right hand man (without the Tsar being any the wiser) are glanced over or not mentioned at all.

-- There are about a billion characters in this novel. How many do you need? Who gives a toss about the Russian movie moguls who are only there to prop up a weak plot aspect anyway? Same with the Tsar's two young sons who are mentioned once and never again.

-- Czechoslovakia? Really? When was this book written? 1981?

-- There is very poor flow throughout the book, making it a choppy and ultimately unfulfilling read.

-- The main character is bland not unlikeable, but someone I was indifferent toward. The only reason I rooted for Hawke was because he was less ingratiating than Tsar Korsakov.

This is my first time reading from author Bell. Tsar for me was one of the more enjoyable reads I had in the past month. Without giving away the plot I found the book to be a page turner, criss crossing the globe the author takes the reader into the heart of the main villain's lar, Count Ivan- behind the curtain in more ways then one to the like able Hawke, fit and charming with the ladies working for the British Intel. fast pace and interesting to read as well.

A lot of corollaries have been drawn between James Bond and this book, and for good reason. You are reentered into your childhood spy imagination, but with more action (not to mention a love story).

The description and others have better reviewed the plot, so I'll leave that be. However, I did have some issues staying focused in the book, the action pulled me in, but occasionally some of the superfluous sentences didn't keep my attention and I found myself wandering. It's still a great read.

Despite the fact that I'm a fan of Lord Alexander Hawke and the fact that the plot of Ted Bell's newest thriller seems to have involved a bit of timely real-life clairvoyance (the invasion of Georgia), if I hadn't agreed to review it, I might not have persevered in finishing this tome. Mr. Bell's prose is, as always, incredibly and wonderfully descriptive, such that the reader feels transported to the same locale as his characters, but alas, there is not enough real action in the beginning to draw the reader in and keep him there. I put the book down so many times that it took me four days to finish.

Once past the first 150 pages or so, the action and the plot start to jump into high gear, and our hero, Alex Hawke, comes back to life and doesn't disappoint. The reader's interest is finally engaged, and the book becomes the real page turner one has come to expect from Mr. Bell. If one pushes through the rather slow beginning, this book is actually quite fascinating.

Carol Ann Hopkins 11/25/2008

The basic plot is 007 up against a SPECTRE that's taken years to distribute powerful bombs all around the world, and now wants ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS! in blackmail. 007 gets the girl, defeats SPECTRE, loses the girl, almost dies, but fetches up in a tropical paradise, back to eliminating free radicals.

Oh, and yes, a submarine harpoons an airship.

The book starts kind of slow. And, to be honest, spends waaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on lingering descriptions of the two God- and Goddess-like characters at the center of the plot. I almost tossed it aside, the writing was that over the top. (Oh, and the SAW is the "M-249". "2", dammit! Minor niggle.)

Which would have been a pity, because about half-way through things start to speed up, finishing with a bang. Literally.

This is a fun read, not too heavy, and turns into a real page-turner about half-way in. Other than that, well, it might be a good book to read before vacationing in Bermuda.

WOW plot and characters. Story line well thought out and exciting. Loved the characters and their interaction. The story kept switching locales, but never lost the plot line or the interest of this reader. Highly recommend for readers of the Clancy, Fleming ilk. You won't be sorry.

TSAR is a thriller for perfect light entertaintment on holiday or vacation as something to keep you occupied, but it's also easy to put down and pick up where you left off.

Obviously inspired as to its protagonist Hawke by Ian Fleming's James Bond, Bell handles the differences in the contemporary-set plot with enough aplomb to maintain interest. The plot has nods to both "Dr No" and "From Russian with Love". Despite all the Bondisms, this writer has more style-wise in common with latter-day Tom Clancy than he does to Ian Fleming.

Characterization owes more to descriptions of people and their motives than it does to their actions in the novel.

Because it's a sequel, Bell must convey enough background invite the new to establish the new reader with the necessary back story without dragging down the story. Despite Bell's efforts to move things along, this slows the first half of the book.

The basic plot is nefarious elements are afoot in Russia to resurrect the Tsarist empire and rule the world, and only one man -- our Lord Hawke, has the combination of instinct, experience, connections, ruthlessness and charm to stop whoever is at the top behind the plot. Putin has been overcome by a Russian coup and replaced by a more extremist nationalist goverment. Unknowingly, there is also a personal stake in the matter for Hawke because of an act of his father in "First Cold War" and in a mysterious and beautiful Russian woman with whom he falls in love on his way to unraveling the surprising truth. It takes about half of the 500 pages for the plot to get up to speed, but then one gets the twists and turns and double-crosses that favorably remind one of Fleming at his best. The Bond reader will recognize at once the exotic and beautiful locales and playgrounds of the super-rich and the exotic and deadly villains. Sadly, to me there is more action than thought in our hero.

Bell lacks Fleming's knack for succinctly advancing the plot while keeping the action at a high pitch. His hero is more likeable than the Bond of the novels. There are the occasional sentences that make one groan: "He had never witnessed such raw animal beauty; her presence as she drew near seemed to give him vertigo."

If you are a fan of this genre, is this book worth reading? Yes, there are some inventive plot twists and technical gimickry that really work here, and the last 200 or so pages form (at last) a compelling thriller. As simple entertainment goes, TSAR works in its conclusion.

Within the book's 65 chapters, you are treated to a true tale of international espionage. Alex Hawke is James Bond with real human flaws. His story is interesting and complex, if you can wade through the first part of the book.

Up until almost Part Two, reading the book was a chore. My will kept me reading, not a gripping story. Although the story in Part One was cohesive and somewhat interesting, the chapters switch to different characters' stories. Like the movie Vantage Point -- great idea, but the execution gets old after a while. The author uses this technique later in Part Two, but less frequently and the tale has picked up enough speed to keep you interested. Also, Part One seemed to be provide a lot of context and background for characters I just didn't care about. I'm sure it was meant to provide both breadth and depth; I found it boring.

With that said, I don't regret reading the book. Once I got to Part Two, I couldn't put the book down and had to read it straight through. The story really picks up speed and the reader starts to work out the plot along with the characters. The ending was phenomenal! Two days later and I'm still thinking about Hawke.

The narrator has a stong vocabulary. The smart word choice helped make this an intelligent read. The author is also gifted at describing locations with deep, but crisp texture. I was temporarily transported to the islands and frigid Russia.

All in all, this is a good read, not a great read. I would share the book with a friend.

Within the book's 65 chapters, you are treated to a true tale of international espionage. Alex Hawke is James Bond with real human flaws. His story is interesting and complex, if you can wade through the first part of the book.

Up until almost Part Two, reading the book was a chore. My will kept me reading, not a gripping story. Although the story in Part One was cohesive and somewhat interesting, almost every chapter switches to a different character's story. Like the movie Vantage Point -- great idea, but the execution gets old after a while. The author uses this technique later in Part Two, but less frequently and the tale has picked up enough speed to keep you interested. Also, part one seemed to be provide a lot of context and background for charachters I just didn't care about. I'm sure it was meant to provide both breadth and depth; I found it boring.

With that said, I don't regret reading the book. Once I got to Part Two, I couldn't put the book down and had to read it straight through. The story really picks up speed and the reader starts to work out the plot along with the characters. The ending was phenomenal!

The narrator has a stong vocabulary. The smart word choice helped make this an intelligent read. The author is also gifted at describing locations with deep, but crisp texture. I was temporarily transported to the islands and frigid Russia.

All in all, this is a good read, not a great read. I would share the book with a friend.

Within the book's 65 chapters, you are treated to a true tale of international espionage. Alex Hawke is James Bond with real human flaws. His story is interesting and complex, if you can wade through the first part of the book.

Up until almost Part Two, reading the book was a chore. My will kept me reading, not a gripping story. Although the story in Part One was cohesive and somewhat interesting, almost every chapter switches to a different character's story. Like the movie Vantage Point -- great idea, but the execution gets old after a while. The author uses this technique later in Part Two, but less frequently and the tale has picked up enough speed to keep you interested.

With that said, I don't regret reading the book. Once I got to Part Two, I couldn't put the book down and had to read it straight through. The ending was phenomenal!

The narrator has a stong vocabulary. The smart word choice helped make this an intelligent read. The author is also gifted at describing locations with deep, but crisp texture. I was temporarily transported to the islands and frigid Russia.

All in all, this is a good read, not a great read. I would share the book with a friend.

One would imagine that fans of Ted Bell's style of action adventure novel would find this novel very much to their liking. This reviewer is not familiar with his work, but presumes that the hero of this tale, Alex Hawke, is a recurring character rather like Ian Fleming's creation James Bond.

Also rather like Fleming, Bell seems to enjoy creating powerful and supremely evil villains. In this book this role is filled by one Count Ivan Korsakov, whose title presumably is granted to successful oligarchs in the post-Putin Russia of this novel.
Korsakov is a powerful Russian oligarch who is the sole owner of a multinational corporation improbably named, the `Technology, Science & Applied Research' (TSAR) Corporation. Korsakov like any true villain has plans for world domination through a resurgent Russia with himself as the"ruler of all the Russias" as the first of a new line of Tsars. (The title of the book is clearly a double entendre.) Of course in addition to the immensely advanced technological gadgetry produced by the folks at TSAR, Korsakov has the assistance of various renegades in the New Russia's security apparatus, front of senior and aging Russian leaders, and of the usual assortment of thugs of whom the most prominent is a third generation Russian-American hit man named (Beef) Paddy Strelnikov.

As the novel unfolds Hawke is introduced as wealthy British nobleman and a top UK intelligence agent from MI6. He is on Bermuda recovering from a rather rough operation against Arab terrorists in Brazil. As both UK and U.S. intelligence services have gotten wind of Korsakov's plans, but not his identity, Hawke is asked to head up a new joint CIA-MI6 operational station to be based in Bermuda and direct a counter effort known as operation `Red Banner'. Rather oddly Hawke does not actually get involved in the main action of the story until towards the end of the book. Indeed except for an essentially senseless fight with a Jamaican thug, he does not really seem to have anything to do until he makes the move to Russia. Most the action appears to revolve around the murderous Strelnikov who has been ordered to apparently test out tremendously powerful explosive against couple of places in the American mid-West and on board a Japanese Trawler off Alaska. With additional action in Miami and Russia involving Hawke's agents, Stokely Jones and the beautiful singer Fancha.

Although the coincidences and improbabilities multiply as the plot moves forward, in the end Korsakov and his evil plans are defeated, Strelnikov gets his, all is made right in world. A fun read for those who like this sort of thing, but a bit tedious for those who don't.

I thoroughly enjoyed the last Ted Bell book, SPY. I would encourage any of those who are pondering this title, to read that one instead. I was expecting something similar where although the book is long, the pages turn themselves. Not so with this one. There are a number of different agendas and numerous characters with Russian names that are hard to keep track of. After reading almost half I realized that I was bored and didn't care what happened at the end. In essence, if this book was significantly condensed, it had potential. Ultimately, however I found it boring and did not finish after about 250 pages of reading. If there is nothing thrilling up through that amount of reading, I don't care what happens in the end. Reading after all is about the journey as much as if not more than the destination.

This is a good vs evil kind of book. Reminded me a little to the movie Quantum of Solace where James Bond is trying to capture som eguys he does not know about. Nobody in the governing position (Prime Minister) believes these evil organization exists. and disregard M's and Bond's theories. This is a good book on a long flight. During a trip, just for entertainment.
The end though is definitely not like Quantum of Solace, so you will have to read it to know what happens.

I had a really, really difficult time getting into this book.
To be fair, I do not usually read this kind of book - while I like thrillers, they are not one of my favorite genres. I picked this up because I had just finished reading Child 44 by Tom Smith and I wanted to read more along those lines (which is really good, by the way).
I honestly could not get past like, the first third of the book. I found the writing style to be flat and almost comical to the point of irritating. A lot of "telling" and not "showing," which is the first rule of successful fiction writing. It was kind of like watching a poorly done action film - which is okay for a summer flick, not so much what I want to read. I'd recommend this for fans of his previous work, because it would seem that the writing style does not turn them off, and perhaps for people who like reading action flicks in book form.

This is the first Ted Bell book I have read. It won't be my last! Well written, great subject matter and a very intriguing story.

Tsar is Ted Bell's fifth thriller, and once again our hero is Alex Hawke. This time he is taking on Russian leaders after the overthrow of President Putin. These leaders are mysterious and pose an extremely ominous threat to the United States. Hawke appears to be the only one who can stop them. To further complicate matters, a small Midwestern town in the U. S. is literally flattened and an innocent family murdered. Can Hawke thwart the plans to return Mother Russia to her rightful place in the world? To find out, we read through some excellent action scenes, meet some nasty people, and watch the military in action. Tsar is fun to read.

Bell has an excellent premise for a novel, but his execution in writing a story around it really disappoints. I have never read a Ted Bell tome before, so I cannot compare this with his previous ones, but after reading this, I just can't see myself picking up another.

It's not BAD writing, but it's completely lackluster. Part of this reaction on my part could be the letdown from the chain of endorsements on the cover, particularly Glenn Beck's "Think Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum meet Stephen King." Ok, Bell may be in the same league as Stephen King, but I see nothing that suggests he remotely has the plotting or suspense-weaving talents of either of the first two writers.

Probably more on target is the NYT's "Very Bond-like." This is true, in a sense. In almost every scene, I felt I was reliving some part of a Bond movie I'd seen before (I'm not accusing the author of copycatting!) but couldn't quite remember. However, this feeling also was tinged with that of farce: there's so much hyperbole surrounding many characters as to make them almost cartoonish. In fact, I can't imagine this book being made into a movie unless the visual vehicle was animation.

A thriller? No. That's an insult to the genre. Only one thing in the book actually surprised me (I won't be a spoiler), and the only "pulse-pumping" kicked in for maybe the last 60 pages. So if only 60/486 pages are "thrilling," how should one characterize the book?

One off-putting thing for me -- the "romance" content. There is very little romance, which is fine, but what there is is mainly one of two types, fairly evenly distributed: what I'd call the adolescent and the forbidden (this latter not being "romance," but I can't sling out the real label since this is a public board). The first defines itself; the latter would probably be best euphemistically described as non-consensual. Neither of the two are pleasing; one is revolting. What type of audience is the author trying to "reach"?

Outside of that negative content, the book does sort of flow along with some sense of direction, so I hate to pan it too hard. It may just be a low in an otherwise-talented career. But I won't know the answer to that because I have found it to be rare for an author to stumble badly on good material, only to turn around and succeed upon lesser.

Review of Ted Bell's "Tsar."

This is my first experience with one of author Ted Bell's works. For the sake of expediency and clarity and without repeating the multitude of reviews Bell's protagonist is "Alex Hawke," ascribed "espionage agent extraordinaire" and neo-cold warrior who is of Noble English birth and enjoys a high degree of personal wealth. It should be mentioned that Hawke is a former Harrier Pilot who attained the rank of Commander in the British Navy; is well trained in (among other things) close quarters combat, military special operations, and is a fine physical specimen sporting a full head of "untamable" black hair and "glacial" blue eyes.

Translation for me? A clone of James Bond of Ian Fleming fame. I apologize but I could not get that cliche out of my head. I tried to give the book an objective read from cover to cover but, in my opinion, Bell kept dropping allusions to Fleming's work. Example: The first part of the book in Chapters 1 & 2 the stage was set similar to scenes from "Dr. No," the middle of the book draws from numerous "Sean Connery" like interactions and even the last page of the book the protagonist kept repeating the phrase "a diamond is forever." There are more and for anyone familiar with Fleming/Bond the parallels will be obvious.

The plot involves Hawke's meeting with and the subsequent "taking to task" of one Count Ivan Korsakov, a genius billionaire Russian Nobel Prize recipient and inventor who is plotting nothing less than becoming modern Russia's first Tsar (and of course taking over the world) whilst tooling across the globe in a huge modern airship dirigible fashioned Hindenburg style (reminiscent of the one used by Max Zorin in "A View To A Kill").

Korsakov has covertly created and commercially packaged a unique weapon system (no spoilers here!) that allows its introduction into nearly every home in the world, that if used, threatens Anglo-American hegemony of the globe ... (you get the picture).

Bottom line: I had heard this book hyped on a few talk shows. I actually could not wait to get it. Well, as I like this particular genre I gave the book three stars for effort. I am not dumping on the book but it seemed like a repackaged or even "leftover" Bond to me. I could not shake the parallels. I found the reading predictable and cliche. Caveat Emptor!

First time for me with a Ted Bell book. Seems to me to be another novel in a long line of Fleming-Clancy-Ludlum-LeCarre mode of an agent of counter spy and counter terror, one Alex Hawke. The last name presumably was chosen with implication, possibly the characteristics of the hawk.

A large 500 page novel of Russia concerning the power behind the power. The power that controls the man in the limelight. A very controlled changing of the guard, with not just a new 'president' but one named 'Tsar' and a man to be all that reactionary title implies, enabling Russia to be a country of conquest. Meanwhile in America, a killer is killing bent on obeying instructions from the Kremlin. America is to come under the shadow of blackmail.

Though the novel is not to my taste, as being just another of the numerous overworked spy-counterspy field, it is a well written novel and should hold many reader's attention. The maps inserted in front and rear covers do the book great justice.

Ted Bell, being a best selling author, appeals to many readers and this lastest from him should have wide appeal, doing equally well in both hardcover and mass market paperback editions.

Semper Fi.

this book had it all, thrills,action and of course a bit of romance. The book is taut and sharply written,a fine thriller-adventure book of the times.The characters are tops, the action is swift. You'll be taken on a trip around the world from Miami to beautiful Bermuda to bustling Moscow and way inside the Kremlin walls to the sophisticated Stockholm all without using your passport. Ted Bell has a gift of making you feel like you're right there with the hero,Alex Hawke taking on the bad boys of Russia once again. If you thought the Cold War was dead,look out.And read this book...........Maureen Patrick

In baseball, it's the ambition of every player to make it to The Show, that is, the Major Leagues. In spy fiction, there is a similar major league, with players like Ian Fleming, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy and Ken Follett. Some may be retired, some may not quite be at their peak anymore, but they've all been major leaguers. Ted Bell, on the other hand, seems more of a triple-A player: one on the brink of stardom, but lacking the last bit of talent to make it all the way.

Tsar is his most recent book (as of this writing) to feature his superspy Alex Hawke. "Superspy" is the right term as Hawke has more assets than even James Bond. In addition to being in peak physical health and well-skilled in combat and international intrigue, he is a British Lord and is incredibly wealthy. Such a character needs a larger-than-life adversary, and in Tsar, that is Count Ivan Korsakov, a billionaire Russian who is the literary equivalent of Lex Luthor: he is a Nobel Prize winning scientist, a classical musical composer and genius inventor who is plotting nothing less than becoming Russia's first Tsar in around a century and then taking over the world.

Hawke is recruited by the head of MI-6 to head an organization called Red Banner, a joint English-U.S. intelligence organization dedicated to stopping Russia from becoming a hostile superpower again. There are definitely suspicious goings-on that are linked to Russia, including terrorist attacks in the U.S., but Korsakov is not the immediate suspect. By incredible coincidence, Alex has started seeing the beautiful daughter of Korsakov, and the coincidences don't stop there: Alex and Korsakov have another link that dates back to the days of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Taking place in the near future, Tsar has a slightly science-fiction quality to it, but even then, sometimes Bell goes over-the-top with his plot developments and characters. Just when Bell has you believing in a well-constructed world, he throws in something that comes off as silly (for example, he doesn't even seem to know that omega, not zeta is the last letter in the Greek alphabet). This is especially the case in the first half of the book, but as the story kicks into high gear, it gets more entertaining and less absurd. It's this second half that saves Tsar from a bad review, but it is still at best a high three stars. Bell may be a big-leaguer someday, but Tsar shows he's not quite there yet.

Having read many of the reviews already posted on this book I must say that I am also dissapointed in the knowledge of the general reading public.

I trust the reader will agree with me that the best Fiction comes out of fact!.....Having said that this author essentieally lost me in the first paragraph. First of all- There were NO Soviet Battleships involved in the Cuban Missle Crisis! The Soviets did not Have any Battleships in the first place. I am of the impression the Author does not know what a Battleship is. We did not have any in the Crisis either! The only Soviet Navel vessels involved in the Missle Crisis were Soviet Submarines.......Number two- The authors grasp of geography is pretty poor. Cuba is NOT in the South Atlantic! The South Atlantic is below the equator. All the incidents between the U.S. and the Soviets took place above the Equator. In addition, the rise and fall of the tide in the Bahamas is about 6 inches! Therefore the entire scene in the Blowhole is impossible!

Since the authors grasp of fact is incorrect right from the get-go, I can not recommed this book.

Ted Bell does a good job of keeping you turning the pages after you reach the half way point of this book. A spy, espionage thriller with the question, can a mad Russian gain control of the world? Apparently so.

A lot of comparisons to James Bond have been made, and that's fairly true. But if you like the kind of good storytelling that can speed time away, then check this one out.

As always, the beginning of a novel over 400 pages, there is a lot of plot setting and character development, it is after all kind of a long book. So, to toss it aside after only a hundred pages or so, wouldn't be fair to yourself, or to the author. Give it time to rumble around your mind.

With an explosive, climactic ending, and thrills a minute, you might find yourself looking up more of Ted Bell's books.

I would say if you like movies like any of the Bourne movies, or yes, even James Bond-type flicks, then you could do worse than to read this book.

Not a bad way to spend a few long afternoons in your favorite reading chair.

Tsar is my first novel by this author. And I must agree with many others that when you first start reading this novel, you want to put it down. But I have a rule, if you start to read a book, you must finish it. I am pleased I have that self-imposed rule. The book gets better the further you get into it.

As you get over a third of the way through the book you decide, OK this is not bad. You are becoming invested in the characters and the story. The last part of the book is an actual page-turner. Who would have thought it! I could not put it down. So the beginning is very misleading. I do not know if all his books have this same formula...but it is worth reading for the end. The ending of the book is worth the read!

To add what I think is another layer to the novel Tsar has the premise of what if there was an incredibly powerful man who literally was pulling all the strings of power in Russia. This man would do anything to keep himself in power and rule like the Tsar's of old. A Russian who wanted to force a return to the old status and power of the Soviet Union regardless of what would be required. But a man smart enough to develop a strategy of using a common item, a simple item that would give him control of the world.

When you think about when this novel was written and you read his fictional story, it seems to be coming to life before our eyes in Russia...it makes you wonder...can Ted predict the future? I sure hope not, for I do not think a larger than life hero like Alexander Hawke exists. The new James Bond?

Ted Bell is Tom Clancy for our generation. He writes stories about espionage, terrorism, and world affairs that are poignant and timely.

Just when you thought the cold war was over and a threat from a mad man in Russia was behind us, he brings us Tsar. A story that asks the question what would happen if a new Tsar-like madman was in power behind the new red curtain.

The pages will keep turning with this thriller as you want to find out how spy superhero Alexander Hawke tries to find out what exactly is happening to our world, and who is really behind the increasingly fragile makeup of it.

It is a great thriller, and the last third will keep you up all night turning pages to see how it ends. You won't be dissapointed!!

James Bond fans will enjoy Tsar; since I am not a fan I did not.The exploits of the protagonists are beyond belief,and their purported interaction with real Russian personalties borders on the absurd. However one of the basic tenets of the book, the resurgence of the old Soviet Union as a world power is a scary possibility.

After reading the description for this book, I thought for sure it would be one that I'd have a hard time putting it down. Even after receiving it and reading the one-line reviews on the back, I was sure I'd like it. Glen Beck, for instance, said it was like a Tom Clancy with some Robert Ludlum. I like both author's books, but, unfortunately, can't say the same about Tsar. After getting nearly half-way through the book, I still didn't find much that was grabbing me. Maybe its just the fact that I prefer more fast-paced books that keep me wanting to read them all the time. This book, I literally had to just keep reading and hoping something more interesting and grabbing would happen. I'll keep chugging along to see if I'm able to do that, and will update this review accordingly at that time, but, at this point, not too impressed.

That being said, Ted Bell, does seem to be a talented author. There is, no doubt, a reason his books are on the NY Times Bestseller list. I can see his abilities in this book, but, in my opinion, this book is severely lacking what an action-spy thriller needs to be successful.

I can forgive wooden dialogue, and cardboard characters trying out for a starring role in a hot harlequin novel.... but I draw the line at meaningless risky business. (hunky hero meets most beautiful woman in the world and about the 3rd meeting later they're all hormones... and why can't these two keep their clothes on?)

All should be proud though, I refrained from chucking the book across the room. The cover's pretty cool, the concept sounded neat, but the follow through was just plain painful. I believe in giving books a second and third chance, but when I'm bored through more than the first third, then plain disgusted, well, needless to say this ain't gonna be a glowing review.

I thought Chelsea Cain wrote raunchy, pointless books, but this one takes the proverbial exploding cake.

Save yourself! Go read something else.

This is an excellent book, about Alex Hawke, a retired military man who has to save the world from Russian blackmail.

It has everything you expect in a thriller, including frequent danger, liaisons with beautiful women, high stakes diplomatic threats, etc.

The book reminds me of Robert Ludlum, although without the frequent chase scenes and shoot-em-ups. There is intrigue, the threat of world destruction through a novel non-nuclear explosive, and lots of excitement. The characters and plot are carefully sketched, and there are no loose ends. The ending, while fairly predictable, has enough surprises to keep the reader on the edge of his seat.

I would like to read more of Ted Bell's books. Tsar was eminently satisfying.

I knew what Tsar was about from listening to Fox newsreporters and Rush Limbaugh had talked about it and both said it was thrilling and scary. I didn't think it was scary. I lived thru most of it. Wasn't true. Far fetched. A very good read. I gave it 5 stars. Holds your attention but will never happen.

Thank you, the book came fast and was everything it was advertised to be. Count me very happy with Amazon and sender

With over 129 reader reviews already ahead of this one, I'll keep my comments and observations pithy. Ted Bell's character "Alex Hawke...a creature of radiant violence...a hale fellow well met whom men wanted to stand a drink and whom women much preferred horizontal" immediately grabbed this reviewer by his private parts and didn't let go until this hair-raising, roller coaster ride of an action thriller ended. Bravo! Encore! A thrill a minute!

I'm waiting for a spy novel featuring a guy who is broke, lacks resources, is ugly as a mud fence and has no real connections. It seems all the characters I'm seeing are either from wealth or nobility, with more gizmos than James Bond. They can get what they want, when they want it and of course answer only to the president or prime minister.

This book is another in that school of writing. Alex Hawke is a second generation spook from a wealthy aristocratic family. He has tremedous personal resources and he is the ultimate operator. He meets and falls in love with a wealthy Russian girl whose Father is a supremely powerful meglomaniac with designs of restoring the Soviet empire AND the Tsars. Much of what happens is predictacle, but it is an enjoyable read. The book moves quickly and the action scenes are vivid.

I recommend the book if you just want a fast paced story to entertain you. If you are looking for complexity or characters who struggle with great themes (see John LeCarre) this is not for you. This is solid, but very predictable

The setting of this action packed thriller takes place in the Soviet Union/ Russia.

The author has penned a fast paced espionage thriller. His characters are well developed and believable. The character Alex Hawke is a great character you will fall in love with.

The author has also a incorporated the art of great detail which makes the reading experience that much more enjoyable. The detail in which the story is written will draw you in as if you were watching instead of reading. I will be reading the other books by Ted Bell.

Easily the worst read in the Hawke series. For all of you who read Tsar and it was your first Ted Bell novel, please read the series from the beginning-I assure you that you won't be disappointed. I typically enjoy the whimsical adventure yarns that Mr. Bell creates, but the air ship, Happy the Baker and the silly computer plot took too much away from Hawke's usual exploits. All the other Hawke novels have a certain edge to them with almost surreal villains who don't hide behind curtains and ride in air ships so I hope Mr. Bell finds that formula again for his next novel.

I have a problem with Amazon not listing the number of pages on these Vine review novels. This was the largest to date at nearly 500 pages, and to be honest, I don't read many books this big due to constraints on my time. Fortunately, the book was written with the notion of digesting it bit by bit. The chapters often change focus to follow separate plot tracks, sometimes four or five, which continued through the novel. Each one of these from a different persons perspective, sometimes good guys, sometimes bad ones. Most of the time this works, but sometimes they leave a location at a very climatic moment, and I can hardly read the unrelated section, waiting to get back to that good story arc I just left!

While plot elements are released slowly, building towards the climax, if you are astute, you will at least know what the main threats are. The plot has some original elements, and others that may be "borrowed" from recent episodes of Dr. Who. This is the first novel I've read by Ted Bell, and my first encounter with super agent Alex Hawke, so I'm not sure of the past history. One of the weak points was, I found he didn't engage in much spying in this book. He sort of fell upon the plot due to a chance intersection with a woman, someone who turns out to be the daughter of the principal antagonist. I found that plot element a little far fetched.

Still the story rolls along very well, it seemed very interesting to follow the exploits from Happy the Baker's perspective, as he carries out his dreadfull, and deadly assignments. There was a definate touch of Ian Fleming here, similar to the colorful characters he created in the Bond novels. There are other Bondisms here, some were darn close to direct copies, so much so I'd have to return to the novels to confirm there was any difference. The timing of this novel is pretty good right now, as in todays news the Western world, seems to be having more concerns about what's going on in Russia today.

While some chapters are a little on the dry side, the book keeps gaining momentum as it races in the end towards it's conclusion. Along the way some surprise characters pop up, one of which may actually challenge what you thought about who actually was described in the stories preview summary. Not quite classic status, but all in all a good novel, the only thing I'd ask in future AH novels is, keep the page count down by a hundred or so. I really need to sleep once and a while!

This book was a little confusing to me because there are many characters and seemingly a lot of other side stories going on. It also helps if you do some background reading on Russian history to help you understand some things.

I almost put this book down after reading the first few pages. The writing came across like Dashiell Hammett, and I don't care for that kind of writing. However, I persevered and was rewarded with a very exciting read. The author knows how to get the reader involved... I actually decided to read the last half yesterday without a break. If you like spy thrillers, this ones for you!!! I enjoyed this book.
Low notes: 1) there were several points where the author skipped over obvious short cuts like simple interpersonal communication or simple action... one glaring example is at the end where he could have easily ended it with one shot, but no! It "dragged" on to a different conclusion. 2) The ending, for me, was quite unsatisfactory.

The plot in Tsar takes secret agent Alex Hawke from a steamy tryst in the Caribbean to a snow-covered forest in Mother Russia, battling villains ranging from ganja gangs to ex-KGB thugs. Tsar features plenty of action and an entertaining story involving a secret cabal's attempt to make their leader the Tsar of a newly revived and menacing Russian empire, but some of the main characters were a little too good to be true.

I have read all of Ted Bell's books and I can't wait for the next one. He is an amazing writer and this book is one of his best. It is believable, scary, spellbinding, and has you riveted from the first page to the last. His characters are more than likeable and they are believable. I only hope that we have a "Hawke" out there somewhere looking out for our country. It is a must read.

When a Russian megalomaniac hatches a devious plan to bring the world to its knees and reconsolidate Russian power over former Soviet States, the book has a "made-for-success" plot. I couldn't help but wonder as I read this book, when the movie will be made. The rapid-fire action and twists kept the book suspenseful and interesting. Alex Hawke, the protagonist and good-guy of the book is recuperating from a previous mission on a warm Bermuda beach, when he gets drawn into his next mission unwittingly. Swept up in romance, he's drawn perilously close to the heart of the danger, while he and his fellow operatives have to solve the mystery of who is behind terror attacks in the U.S., and how Russia's new self-styled Tsar will rise to world power. At times the author goes into too much detail about the characters' sexual liasons for my taste, but this doesn't dominate the book. With memorable characters and political intrigue, "Tsar" is a entertaining read.

I don't read many spy espionage thrillers anymore. I was a big fan of Ian Fleming's 007 when I was a kid, and I still enjoy James Bond movies and the "Bourne" series, so I thought I'd give "Tsar" a try. I had seen an interview with the author on some late night show a couple of weeks ago, and the host was enthusiastic about it. Certainly Russia is in the news because of the escalating tensions over the situations in Poland and Georgia.

Well, um, the author is very enthusiastic, and he got the book done, so thumbs up on those counts. Anybody who actually finishes writing a book, even a not-so-good one, I admire their perseverance. The thing is this: every time I started trying to lose myself in the story, just surrender to the flow, suddenly a obviously incorrect fact would jump up and ruin it for a while. Shoot, I'm okay with the protagonist being much like a short-haired Conan with a gun ("Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet") but when he says Cuba is 90 miles from Miami (ouch-wrong) or had ICBMs (wrong-ouch), it just throws a wrench into the works.

I am ok with the story part being fantastical and nothing more than something to read on the plane or on a beach, hey, that's cool with me. If 8-foot sullen-eyed reaver Hawke wanted to hunt a unicorn in the wild woods or foggy heath, in between saving nations and bedding goddesses, I'll pull up a chair, I like yarns and escapism. But, sorry, can't we have fantasy with sound fact-checking on the parts that ARE amenable to fact-checking? I can deal with Godzilla trashing Tokyo, but when it attacks Billings the beachside capital of Montana, well, you lost me, bub (there isn't any ocean in Montana, not since the Cretaceous I hear, and Helena has always been the capital).

So, I give the story two-stars, one for gettin' 'er done, and another because it has a timely premise. Otherwise, well, hire a decent fact-checker for the parts that can be checked, and then have fun adding to the modern Nemedian Chronicles...or maybe Hawke can encounter Yog-Sothoth while crashing the next Hezbollah shindig ;-)

Actually, I thought it was difficult to get into, but I hung in there because of Alex Hawke. A lot of the drivel leading up to the meat of the story in my opinion, was unnecessary and very boring.

After hearing all hype about Bell's new book, Tsar, predicting Russia's taking back the Soviet Union's territories, I bought a copy. Since this is my first Ted Bell novel, and based upon other comments, I assume Alex Hawk is a regular character, and that his exploits are typical of his other adventures.

I was disappointed with the plot, which seemed childish. Putin in a radioactive dungeon?

Small computers with seven ounces of some new explosive that can destroy a house? A control device with fourteen ounces of the same explosive that has a 500 yard radius of destruction? Too much for me.

Another author, Lee Boyland, has Russia regaining its lost "Stans" in a very believable story. Check out Behold, an Ashen Horse An exciting story with lots of weapons, written by an author that knows his subject.

good book. exciting... author needs to pay a little more attention to detail... still a great read.

This book is both a source of fast paced entertainment and some insights into the former evil empire. An entertaining read.