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Jake Bendel Thrillers #2
Waterborne
When Californians start getting sick with flu-like symptoms, traumatized engineer Jake Bendel is once again forced to work with the FBI to discover the cause.
With his new desalination plants behind schedule and searing pressure from the California Governor, Jake uncovers a secret network of vengeful terrorists planning catastrophic genetic modifications.
But before the engineer can find a way to cure the masses, he himself is injected with the virus, forcing him to dig deep to track down the leader of the terrorist group.
Using strength from recent losses in order to save the lives of millions, Jake overcomes drone strikes and bunker bombs to discover the mastermind behind the plot, but not until the very end does he realize he’s been chasing someone who can’t possibly be caught.
With his new desalination plants behind schedule and searing pressure from the California Governor, Jake uncovers a secret network of vengeful terrorists planning catastrophic genetic modifications.
But before the engineer can find a way to cure the masses, he himself is injected with the virus, forcing him to dig deep to track down the leader of the terrorist group.
Using strength from recent losses in order to save the lives of millions, Jake overcomes drone strikes and bunker bombs to discover the mastermind behind the plot, but not until the very end does he realize he’s been chasing someone who can’t possibly be caught.
Paperback
First published November 12, 2019
About the author
J. Luke Bennecke
6 books82 followersJ. Luke Bennecke is a veteran civil engineer who has spent his career helping people by improving Southern California roadways. He has a civil engineering degree, an MBA, a private pilot's certificate, and is a partner in an engineering firm. In his role as philanthropist, he awards scholarships annually to high school seniors at his alma mater.
In addition to his first book, Civil Terror: Gridlock, an Amazon bestseller, Bennecke has written several other novels and screenplays, a creative process he thoroughly enjoys. His second Jake Bendel thriller, Waterborne, was published in 2021 by Black Rose Writing.
Bennecke resides in Southern California with his wife of over 30 years and three spunky cats. In his leisure time he enjoys traveling, flying, golfing, learning about innovative tech, and spending time with his grown daughters.
Bennecke is a member of International Thriller Writers and looks forward to attending ThrillerFest every year in New York.
In addition to his first book, Civil Terror: Gridlock, an Amazon bestseller, Bennecke has written several other novels and screenplays, a creative process he thoroughly enjoys. His second Jake Bendel thriller, Waterborne, was published in 2021 by Black Rose Writing.
Bennecke resides in Southern California with his wife of over 30 years and three spunky cats. In his leisure time he enjoys traveling, flying, golfing, learning about innovative tech, and spending time with his grown daughters.
Bennecke is a member of International Thriller Writers and looks forward to attending ThrillerFest every year in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 23, 2021
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
WATERBORNE by J. Luke Bennecke is the second book in the Civil Terror thriller series featuring Civil Engineer Jake Bendel. This is an action packed, fast paced thriller set in the immediate future that is equal parts thought provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrilling, but also a fun read with characters good and bad that remind me of an over-the-top movie adventure. While you can read this book as a standalone, I believe all the main characters and their motivations are better understood if you read the first book, “Civil Terror: Gridlock” first.
Jake Bendel is “the” civil engineer in California who has big ideas and answers to many of California’s and the nation’s climate problems. Jake is working to get five desalination plants up and running which are powered by an environmentally friendly nuclear reactor to solve the shortage of fresh water problem and the nuclear waste problem together.
A criminal mastermind works to weaponize the water flowing from the plants with a waterborne virus that effects not only humans, but plant life, also. Can Jake, his friends and the FBI discover who is behind this plot and find a way to neutralize the virus and save the infected?
I really enjoy reading this series of thrillers! Mr. Bennecke writes a protagonist who makes being a civil engineer exciting and demonstrates the many solutions they work on for the good of civilization. Jake is an average man thrown into extraordinary circumstances and danger. The premise of the book is interesting, realistic and thought provoking. It is easy to read and fast paced with plenty of thrills, but it is the characters that pull me in and keep me turning the pages. The characters are over the top, especially the evil antagonists and so are the FBI agents.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For me, this series of books are an action-adventure thrill ride based on a realistic premise.
WATERBORNE by J. Luke Bennecke is the second book in the Civil Terror thriller series featuring Civil Engineer Jake Bendel. This is an action packed, fast paced thriller set in the immediate future that is equal parts thought provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrilling, but also a fun read with characters good and bad that remind me of an over-the-top movie adventure. While you can read this book as a standalone, I believe all the main characters and their motivations are better understood if you read the first book, “Civil Terror: Gridlock” first.
Jake Bendel is “the” civil engineer in California who has big ideas and answers to many of California’s and the nation’s climate problems. Jake is working to get five desalination plants up and running which are powered by an environmentally friendly nuclear reactor to solve the shortage of fresh water problem and the nuclear waste problem together.
A criminal mastermind works to weaponize the water flowing from the plants with a waterborne virus that effects not only humans, but plant life, also. Can Jake, his friends and the FBI discover who is behind this plot and find a way to neutralize the virus and save the infected?
I really enjoy reading this series of thrillers! Mr. Bennecke writes a protagonist who makes being a civil engineer exciting and demonstrates the many solutions they work on for the good of civilization. Jake is an average man thrown into extraordinary circumstances and danger. The premise of the book is interesting, realistic and thought provoking. It is easy to read and fast paced with plenty of thrills, but it is the characters that pull me in and keep me turning the pages. The characters are over the top, especially the evil antagonists and so are the FBI agents.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For me, this series of books are an action-adventure thrill ride based on a realistic premise.
April 22, 2021
This fast-paced thriller intrigued me, frightened me, and kept me on the edge of my seat. How would this virus affect the population and crops?
The crux of this story takes place over a few days but the whole book spans about two weeks from the initial chapter until the end. The story begins with Jake kidnapped leaving a diner and injected with a drug that made him susceptible to coercion but won't remember anything that he said or did afterward. That is until weeks later when his project with a water plant starts to go awry. That is when everything starts unraveling.
While it isn't necessary to read the first book by this author, Civil Terror: Gridlock, I think it would be very helpful. I will admit I was a bit confused at the beginning not understanding the relationship between Jake and Viktor and how their lives intersected and why there was such animosity between the two. However, I did finally put the pieces together, but had I read the first book I wouldn't have felt discombobulated in the beginning.
The book does have some technical jargon peppered throughout, but I didn't find it to be overwhelming or take away from the story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their relationships with one another. There are some surprising twists in the story, so don't think you have it all figured out! We do know who is behind everything early in the book and there is a surprise near the end that has me intrigued and ready to read the next book to find the answer.
This book hits a range of emotions and is well done. Sure some of it may not be realistic, but that is the great thing about fiction, you can make anything possible and in the future, it just might become a reality.
We give this 4 paws up.
The crux of this story takes place over a few days but the whole book spans about two weeks from the initial chapter until the end. The story begins with Jake kidnapped leaving a diner and injected with a drug that made him susceptible to coercion but won't remember anything that he said or did afterward. That is until weeks later when his project with a water plant starts to go awry. That is when everything starts unraveling.
While it isn't necessary to read the first book by this author, Civil Terror: Gridlock, I think it would be very helpful. I will admit I was a bit confused at the beginning not understanding the relationship between Jake and Viktor and how their lives intersected and why there was such animosity between the two. However, I did finally put the pieces together, but had I read the first book I wouldn't have felt discombobulated in the beginning.
The book does have some technical jargon peppered throughout, but I didn't find it to be overwhelming or take away from the story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their relationships with one another. There are some surprising twists in the story, so don't think you have it all figured out! We do know who is behind everything early in the book and there is a surprise near the end that has me intrigued and ready to read the next book to find the answer.
This book hits a range of emotions and is well done. Sure some of it may not be realistic, but that is the great thing about fiction, you can make anything possible and in the future, it just might become a reality.
We give this 4 paws up.
August 2, 2020
“Civil Terror – Waterborne” is part of a series, but there is a quick review of past events so new readers will easily follow along. The plot is current and believable; it deals with a critical social, environmental, and political problem – water.
Bennecke structures the book to depict the same scene multiple times, from the point of view of each participant. Readers learn what all the characters see, hear, and feel, and know what other characters do not. Jake Bendel engineered the concept of treating seawater with energy created by a new form of inexpensive, safe nuclear power. Water is a precious commodity, a basic human resource needed for California’s booming population. Three plants are finished and ready to go online. These will provide clean purified water that just a few weeks previously had contained ocean fish contently swimming.
The pace is frantic; the abduction that took less than ten seconds, hangs over everything. Tension mounts, and things happen that no one expects. There are explosions, near death events, threats, financial identity theft, surveillance, murders, and worst of all, a dead cat. The danger finally becomes clear; everyone is getting sick, but the resolution is not easily accomplished.
Bennecke created a non-stop thriller with the feel of a nightly news incident. There is action, drama, and peril on every page. I received a review copy of “Civil Terror Waterborne” from J. Luke Bennecke, and Jaytech Publishing. It was compelling and terrifying in its implications. I could not put it down, and I certainly did not stop to get a drink of water (shudder).
Bennecke structures the book to depict the same scene multiple times, from the point of view of each participant. Readers learn what all the characters see, hear, and feel, and know what other characters do not. Jake Bendel engineered the concept of treating seawater with energy created by a new form of inexpensive, safe nuclear power. Water is a precious commodity, a basic human resource needed for California’s booming population. Three plants are finished and ready to go online. These will provide clean purified water that just a few weeks previously had contained ocean fish contently swimming.
The pace is frantic; the abduction that took less than ten seconds, hangs over everything. Tension mounts, and things happen that no one expects. There are explosions, near death events, threats, financial identity theft, surveillance, murders, and worst of all, a dead cat. The danger finally becomes clear; everyone is getting sick, but the resolution is not easily accomplished.
Bennecke created a non-stop thriller with the feel of a nightly news incident. There is action, drama, and peril on every page. I received a review copy of “Civil Terror Waterborne” from J. Luke Bennecke, and Jaytech Publishing. It was compelling and terrifying in its implications. I could not put it down, and I certainly did not stop to get a drink of water (shudder).
March 30, 2021
This book is the second installment of the series, featuring Jake, an engineer and “Big Man” in the California climate crisis. He has spearheaded designing and building five water treatment plants, that take ocean (salt) water and purify it to essentially end the California drought crisis.
Unfortunately, Jake has some history with criminal mastermind Viktor, who killed Jake’s wife in the first installment of the book. Viktor becomes involved with attempting to contaminate the water in the plants with a biological weapon affecting the men who drink it. The book is a huge game of cat and mouse between Jake and Viktor, and other twists and turns thrown in.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t feel that the first book was a necessary need, as a lot of needed details were provided. It may have helped a little with understanding Jake’s backstory and motivations, but overall not necessary to understand and enjoy this story. Some of the writing got a little technical, but things were “dumbed down” for the novice reader (my knowledge of engineering, for example, is pretty limited.). I would recommend this to people who want an entertaining read, with a lot of action, twists and turns, and enjoy speculative fiction (as some of the concepts and technology mentioned in the book are not available or mainstream, as of yet.).
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!
Unfortunately, Jake has some history with criminal mastermind Viktor, who killed Jake’s wife in the first installment of the book. Viktor becomes involved with attempting to contaminate the water in the plants with a biological weapon affecting the men who drink it. The book is a huge game of cat and mouse between Jake and Viktor, and other twists and turns thrown in.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t feel that the first book was a necessary need, as a lot of needed details were provided. It may have helped a little with understanding Jake’s backstory and motivations, but overall not necessary to understand and enjoy this story. Some of the writing got a little technical, but things were “dumbed down” for the novice reader (my knowledge of engineering, for example, is pretty limited.). I would recommend this to people who want an entertaining read, with a lot of action, twists and turns, and enjoy speculative fiction (as some of the concepts and technology mentioned in the book are not available or mainstream, as of yet.).
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!
March 12, 2021
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of the other Jake Bengal books so felt at a bit of a disadvantage as I like to get to know the characters as they grow.
But after this one I may have to have a look to find more in this series.
What would happen if a virus is put in the water supply? We need water, we rely on water, so this would and does cause problems. Set in California it’s up to Paige, Jake and Cavanaugh of the FBI to look at and solve how the virus was added. Can they stop it in time before it infects the whole of California. In the middle is Victor who they believed to be dead!
This is a fast paced gripping read as the heroes try to stop terrorists from winning. This is a story that certainly makes you think, possibly more so as we are living through a pandemic. Water is something we all need to survive, so if someone pollutes that how can we survive. A heart pounding read, that at times will have you gripped.
I would like to thank #netgalley and #blackrosewriting for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
But after this one I may have to have a look to find more in this series.
What would happen if a virus is put in the water supply? We need water, we rely on water, so this would and does cause problems. Set in California it’s up to Paige, Jake and Cavanaugh of the FBI to look at and solve how the virus was added. Can they stop it in time before it infects the whole of California. In the middle is Victor who they believed to be dead!
This is a fast paced gripping read as the heroes try to stop terrorists from winning. This is a story that certainly makes you think, possibly more so as we are living through a pandemic. Water is something we all need to survive, so if someone pollutes that how can we survive. A heart pounding read, that at times will have you gripped.
I would like to thank #netgalley and #blackrosewriting for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
March 7, 2021
This was my first Jake Bendel book but it won’t be the last! I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the Publishers in exchange for this review, however the views are my own.
I was hooked right away. I devoured this book over a couple hrs spread over the course of my busy Saturday. I couldn’t wait to find out how everything turned out.
The premise is that a virus that genetically modules DNA is injected into the water supply in California. We follow Paige and Jake along with Cavanaugh from the FBI on their quest to solve how this happened. At the heart of it is Viktor who they thought was dead.
This book is a quick read and you won’t want to put it down.
I was hooked right away. I devoured this book over a couple hrs spread over the course of my busy Saturday. I couldn’t wait to find out how everything turned out.
The premise is that a virus that genetically modules DNA is injected into the water supply in California. We follow Paige and Jake along with Cavanaugh from the FBI on their quest to solve how this happened. At the heart of it is Viktor who they thought was dead.
This book is a quick read and you won’t want to put it down.
April 26, 2021
A quick escape read that kept me turning the pages until the very end. Engineer Jake Bendel and FBI agent Cavanaugh are fighting against the clock to stop an old enemy from affecting Californian men with a virus that will adversely affect future generations. Having not read the first book featuring these characters, I was a bit confused in the beginning as the author kept referring to the events of the earlier book but I quickly became immersed in this story. I did find the ending a bit of a letdown as it felt rushed. I found the authors notes at the beginning on the difference between Light-water nuclear reactors and Molten Salt Reactors fascinating and something I hope to hear more about. This book reminded me of Nelson DeMille’s or Dan Silva’s novels but not quite as polished so I rounded up from 3.5 stars. Next up to read is the first book, Civil Terror: Gridlock. I want to thank Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 4, 2021
Set in a futuristic time, this action-packed story spans over roughly two weeks. The investigation happens in less than 48 hours.
This the second book in the series, and the author has given enough information from the earlier book to fill in the gaps.
Dr. Jake Bendel is a man with a good heart, but he is no superhero. He is a very regular guy with anxieties from the tragedies of his life. But Jake keeps them at bay. He is an engineer, and it reflects the way he talks and interacts with his team. Paige is his closest friend and shared a similar fate in his personal life as Bendel (again, it relates to Book 1).
Bendel’s archenemy is Viktor, whose idea of revenge has consumed him. He is stubborn and will do everything to stop Bendel.
The book has a small pool of characters, and it very easy to navigate through them. There’s a sense of impending danger, and this tension pushes the reader through the book. The writing is easy to read and free-flowing. Not for a moment reader will lose their attention. The book starts with a punch and carries its thrill until the end. The author described the scenes well, and readers can imagine them with ease. The first page also gives facts related to the MSRs and nuclear reactors.
I will read book one to understand the characters better, even though one can enjoy this one without reading the first book.
Waterborne is an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Jake Bendel has to run against time to save the people of Earth.
My rating for the book is 3.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Black Rose publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
This the second book in the series, and the author has given enough information from the earlier book to fill in the gaps.
Dr. Jake Bendel is a man with a good heart, but he is no superhero. He is a very regular guy with anxieties from the tragedies of his life. But Jake keeps them at bay. He is an engineer, and it reflects the way he talks and interacts with his team. Paige is his closest friend and shared a similar fate in his personal life as Bendel (again, it relates to Book 1).
Bendel’s archenemy is Viktor, whose idea of revenge has consumed him. He is stubborn and will do everything to stop Bendel.
The book has a small pool of characters, and it very easy to navigate through them. There’s a sense of impending danger, and this tension pushes the reader through the book. The writing is easy to read and free-flowing. Not for a moment reader will lose their attention. The book starts with a punch and carries its thrill until the end. The author described the scenes well, and readers can imagine them with ease. The first page also gives facts related to the MSRs and nuclear reactors.
I will read book one to understand the characters better, even though one can enjoy this one without reading the first book.
Waterborne is an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Jake Bendel has to run against time to save the people of Earth.
My rating for the book is 3.5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Black Rose publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
July 23, 2020
The water, the food chain, had been poisoned and they were trying to kill the person who could fix the problem. The big question, then, who is “they”?
Jake Bendal had designed a system that could produce clean water from the Pacific Ocean waters off the coast of California and cheap and safe energy using Molton Salt Reactors which recycled the salt from the waste created while purifying the ocean’s saltwater. A win for many, but “they” wanted to put a stop to it by creating a virus that changes the sperm that would create the next generation of children and would destroy the next year’s crop production - a virus that was spread through a poison found in the freshwater coming from Jake Bendal’s facilities that created both freshwater and clean/safe energy.
The book was a good story from the very beginning. Part of a series, the book can almost be read alone - yet by not reading the earlier book in the series and missing the next book in the series, this reader felt like he was missing parts of the story. I will be watching for the next book. Part 1, Civil Terror:Gridlock was published in 2018. No hint as to when to expect book 3 of the series was provided. I am hoping that I will not have to wait for the two to three years that separated book 1 and book 2.
For the reader looking for his or her next thriller, J. Luke Bennecke’s Civil Terror:Waterborne would make a great choice.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Jake Bendal had designed a system that could produce clean water from the Pacific Ocean waters off the coast of California and cheap and safe energy using Molton Salt Reactors which recycled the salt from the waste created while purifying the ocean’s saltwater. A win for many, but “they” wanted to put a stop to it by creating a virus that changes the sperm that would create the next generation of children and would destroy the next year’s crop production - a virus that was spread through a poison found in the freshwater coming from Jake Bendal’s facilities that created both freshwater and clean/safe energy.
The book was a good story from the very beginning. Part of a series, the book can almost be read alone - yet by not reading the earlier book in the series and missing the next book in the series, this reader felt like he was missing parts of the story. I will be watching for the next book. Part 1, Civil Terror:Gridlock was published in 2018. No hint as to when to expect book 3 of the series was provided. I am hoping that I will not have to wait for the two to three years that separated book 1 and book 2.
For the reader looking for his or her next thriller, J. Luke Bennecke’s Civil Terror:Waterborne would make a great choice.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 31, 2022
A truly thrilling read that is chillingly reminiscent of the times we’re living in today, especially when it comes to climate change and Covid-19.
June 20, 2021
This book reads like a spy novel for young adult males. If you are part of that audience, you might enjoy this book. As an avid reader and writer, I did not enjoy this book. There was entirely too much exposition, too much telling instead of showing, and too many outlandish events that made it impossible for me to suspend my sense of disbelief. At times I often felt like this should be the second book in a series.
The book starts with 4 facts. These facts REALLY work to get you interested in the book. Unfortunately, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book to really get the reader invested in the characters. So...brilliant premise, lousy execution. The criminals are dull and stupid.
There were too many times where the writing in this book seems forced. Too many times where the author has included something because it is suggested as something a book needs...like a count down, for instance.
Brilliant hook, lousy execution.
The book starts with 4 facts. These facts REALLY work to get you interested in the book. Unfortunately, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book to really get the reader invested in the characters. So...brilliant premise, lousy execution. The criminals are dull and stupid.
There were too many times where the writing in this book seems forced. Too many times where the author has included something because it is suggested as something a book needs...like a count down, for instance.
Brilliant hook, lousy execution.
August 21, 2023
Bio Terrorism in California
What if a mega-destructive virus was introduced into our water supply. One so horrific that it genetically altered human emotions for generations to come. Dr. Jake Bendel, engineer, is working on ways to help California solve there energy problems through the use of hydro-electric power. He’s designed desalination plants that not only removes the salt from ocean water and turns it into drinking water l, it also will supply fresh water for agriculture.
Enter the villains who, using a drug designed to make a person highly open to suggestion but also leaves them not remembering what it was they did or how they contributed to the activity.
So begins our story. One easy to follow read. One tough FBI Senior Agent, one engineering marvel, and one specific Evil dude (with a billionaire financing his evil plans).
I suggest you might want to pick this on up, it’s pretty darn good!
What if a mega-destructive virus was introduced into our water supply. One so horrific that it genetically altered human emotions for generations to come. Dr. Jake Bendel, engineer, is working on ways to help California solve there energy problems through the use of hydro-electric power. He’s designed desalination plants that not only removes the salt from ocean water and turns it into drinking water l, it also will supply fresh water for agriculture.
Enter the villains who, using a drug designed to make a person highly open to suggestion but also leaves them not remembering what it was they did or how they contributed to the activity.
So begins our story. One easy to follow read. One tough FBI Senior Agent, one engineering marvel, and one specific Evil dude (with a billionaire financing his evil plans).
I suggest you might want to pick this on up, it’s pretty darn good!
September 13, 2023
Heaven help us if this ever happens--unfortunately it could!! Science has come a long way--and there are probably people who would use the knowledge for terrible reasons and outcomes. And although we usually think of foreign terrorists--it could be rich, greedy business people-or a combination of the two--It brought to mind the saying " The enemy of my enemy is my friend. "
There is a lot of action in this book, I could not put it down!
There is a lot of action in this book, I could not put it down!
January 21, 2020
So the first thing that I want to say about Civil Terror: Waterborne is that it is part of a series, book 2 in fact, even though it isn't linked as a series on Goodreads. This meant that I went into the book at a disadvantage. It definitely felt like I was stepping in to the middle of a story so I wouldn't recommend to anyone to try to read it as a standalone.
I'd read the synopsis a few times before requesting and then reading the book and I still hadn't figured out where it was going to fall, whether it would be an action novel or a virus outbreak story.
Civil Terror: Waterborne tells the story of a civil engineer, Jake, who is trying to create systems to provide water to the residents of California, where there has been a shortage for some time. As his system starts to provide the water a virus is put in to the system by terrorists meaning that contaminated water is being provided and drank by unsuspecting citizens who then become unwell with flu type symptoms. The virus is designed to genetically modify males in order to create an elite race of men in generations to come. Jake is helping the FBI to investigate and is getting close to uncovering some leads when he is injected with the virus and becomes unwell. The race to solve the mystery as to who did it and create a cure is on!
The book landed firmly on the action side of things. It basically felt like the book version of an Arnold Schwarzenegger film i.e there was lots of macho action moments and it was all a bit unrealistic.
I really struggled with Paige, one of the other main characters. She just came across as quite undeveloped and her repeated use of the word 'Dude' drove me crazy.
Overall this book left me feeling a bit underwhelmed although I think that was possibly partly down to the fact that I was hoping it would focus more on the virus/epidemic rather than macho action.
It just wasn't my type of book in the end but if you do like action novels then this has a good story line and would probably hit the sweet spot for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I'd read the synopsis a few times before requesting and then reading the book and I still hadn't figured out where it was going to fall, whether it would be an action novel or a virus outbreak story.
Civil Terror: Waterborne tells the story of a civil engineer, Jake, who is trying to create systems to provide water to the residents of California, where there has been a shortage for some time. As his system starts to provide the water a virus is put in to the system by terrorists meaning that contaminated water is being provided and drank by unsuspecting citizens who then become unwell with flu type symptoms. The virus is designed to genetically modify males in order to create an elite race of men in generations to come. Jake is helping the FBI to investigate and is getting close to uncovering some leads when he is injected with the virus and becomes unwell. The race to solve the mystery as to who did it and create a cure is on!
The book landed firmly on the action side of things. It basically felt like the book version of an Arnold Schwarzenegger film i.e there was lots of macho action moments and it was all a bit unrealistic.
I really struggled with Paige, one of the other main characters. She just came across as quite undeveloped and her repeated use of the word 'Dude' drove me crazy.
Overall this book left me feeling a bit underwhelmed although I think that was possibly partly down to the fact that I was hoping it would focus more on the virus/epidemic rather than macho action.
It just wasn't my type of book in the end but if you do like action novels then this has a good story line and would probably hit the sweet spot for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 19, 2021
Genius engineer Jake Bendel is at it again. After designing self-driving car technology to improve the highway system in California, he has moved on to solve the drought problem that has been plaguing the state. His new desalination plants use advanced technology that will create safe, healthy water sources while remaining environmentally friendly. Government officials and environmentalists alike are eager to see the project succeed, but not everyone is happy about the technology shift...
Full-length OnlineBookClub review: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
I received a review copy from OnlineBookClub.org. My opinions are my own.
Full-length OnlineBookClub review: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
I received a review copy from OnlineBookClub.org. My opinions are my own.
June 29, 2021
This suspense thriller was a timely read that centers on a waterborne illness that only affects certain people in a specific area. Surprising developments in the story keep it moving at a great pace! A lot of action as well keeps it interesting!
Want to read
January 21, 2020This is quite good. It has all the right elements -- engaging plot, good dialog, interesting characters, etc. The story is complicated enough to be engaging plus there are some good twists along the way. A solid thriller. Recommended.
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!
March 31, 2021
Waterborne by J. Luke Bennecke is a recommended action/thriller set in the near future and the second novel in the series featuring Jake Bendel.
Jake Bendel with a team of experts has invented a desalination system that will radically innovate the availability of clean, safe water for Californians. The system is powered by environmentally friendly molten salt reactors and once complete the project will consist of five plants running, making ocean water safe to drink. Water will never be a problem for California again. Jake and his team are behind schedule, but are working hard to get the whole system up and running.
In the back of Jake's mind is always the fact that Viktor, a vicious criminal featured in the first book, is still out there, wishing him harm. He is right to be concerned because Viktor does have nefarious plans and eliminating Jake is part of it. Simultaneously, someone has released an unknown virus into the water system, weaponizing the water, and Viktor is the prime suspect. Jake works with the FBI to uncover who is responsible and stop them before all of California is infected, while at the same time Jake needs to watch out for his own safety.
The premise of Waterborne is thought-provoking and the idea of someone weaponizing the water supply is always frightening, which makes it exciting escapism. The premise of the novel and the details require you to suspend disbelief, go with the flow of the action-movie plot, and avoid asking any questions about details. An attack by drone is one of the exciting chase scenes, although it was handled a bit too easily. There is information provided about the plot in the first novel, but I still felt as if I was missing some important details and information by starting with the second book. Also the writing felt off to me. It was as if in all the descriptions of people and places Bennecke tried a bit too hard to be trendy and cool. The character development is also light, but often this doesn't matter in a thriller where the action is the main event. This was previously published as Civil Terror: Waterborne; the first book is Civil Terror: Gridlock.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Black Rose Writing in exchange for my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
Jake Bendel with a team of experts has invented a desalination system that will radically innovate the availability of clean, safe water for Californians. The system is powered by environmentally friendly molten salt reactors and once complete the project will consist of five plants running, making ocean water safe to drink. Water will never be a problem for California again. Jake and his team are behind schedule, but are working hard to get the whole system up and running.
In the back of Jake's mind is always the fact that Viktor, a vicious criminal featured in the first book, is still out there, wishing him harm. He is right to be concerned because Viktor does have nefarious plans and eliminating Jake is part of it. Simultaneously, someone has released an unknown virus into the water system, weaponizing the water, and Viktor is the prime suspect. Jake works with the FBI to uncover who is responsible and stop them before all of California is infected, while at the same time Jake needs to watch out for his own safety.
The premise of Waterborne is thought-provoking and the idea of someone weaponizing the water supply is always frightening, which makes it exciting escapism. The premise of the novel and the details require you to suspend disbelief, go with the flow of the action-movie plot, and avoid asking any questions about details. An attack by drone is one of the exciting chase scenes, although it was handled a bit too easily. There is information provided about the plot in the first novel, but I still felt as if I was missing some important details and information by starting with the second book. Also the writing felt off to me. It was as if in all the descriptions of people and places Bennecke tried a bit too hard to be trendy and cool. The character development is also light, but often this doesn't matter in a thriller where the action is the main event. This was previously published as Civil Terror: Waterborne; the first book is Civil Terror: Gridlock.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Black Rose Writing in exchange for my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
April 24, 2024
I thought this would be an interesting read for a recent trip I made to Florida. I read this on my kindle reader on the plane coming and going and finished about 75% of the story in one day. I could see that this writer knows a lot about military operations and terminology that would be used in a military thriller. Since there are a lot of dynamics to the threat (biological terrorism, engineering, the inner workings of the CIA and FBI, etc) the author either did a lot of research or he knows a lot of stuff that makes the details of the story seem very realistic. I liked the concept of the story and the way the plot came together. There was some cursing and overly descriptive gore, but for the most part it was an enjoyable read. It makes you think about what if scenarios... like what if a similar situation played out in our country today? There were many details in this story that kept me grounded in the situation and the thriller aspect of the novel. I really didn't find anything that pulled me out of the story. I did get the feeling that there was a previous book given what happened in this story and the many references to the villain killing the hero's wife and the villain disappearing after jumping out of a plane. There were just enough details to fill you in on the gist of the prior book, which I had not read. I felt like the information provided was adequate so I didn't feel lost when they referenced past events. Overall, I found the story compelling and I actually finished reading it, which is big for me since I often give up on books if they start to lose my attention.
December 2, 2022
fast-paced thriller best read with a glass of ice water
This book is a fast-paced bioterrorism thriller that will keep you up too late at night. I appreciated reading a fictional book that included biology and engineering concepts. As a teacher, I try to get my students to understand that scientific progress can have a dark side of unintended consequences like the example in the book about CRISPR modifying DNA to save lives… or to destroy them (although I wouldn’t recommend this to students because of the violence and gory scenes).
I do often think about how so many people are terrified of big dangerous predators like grizzly bears and sharks but I feel like we are way more likely to be wiped out by something microscopic like a virus or super resistant bacteria or some kind of man-made variant. That thought makes this book even more terrifying to me. It took me awhile to read this book since reading a story about viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t appeal to me but I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. It’s much better than I anticipated!
One thing that I didn’t like as much was that I felt like there were too many acronyms in the book and that made it hard to read at times. I had to keep looking them up. There are some random words missing and some other grammatical errors but I’m not sure if my copy was a final copy or not. Overall, good book!
This book is a fast-paced bioterrorism thriller that will keep you up too late at night. I appreciated reading a fictional book that included biology and engineering concepts. As a teacher, I try to get my students to understand that scientific progress can have a dark side of unintended consequences like the example in the book about CRISPR modifying DNA to save lives… or to destroy them (although I wouldn’t recommend this to students because of the violence and gory scenes).
I do often think about how so many people are terrified of big dangerous predators like grizzly bears and sharks but I feel like we are way more likely to be wiped out by something microscopic like a virus or super resistant bacteria or some kind of man-made variant. That thought makes this book even more terrifying to me. It took me awhile to read this book since reading a story about viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t appeal to me but I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. It’s much better than I anticipated!
One thing that I didn’t like as much was that I felt like there were too many acronyms in the book and that made it hard to read at times. I had to keep looking them up. There are some random words missing and some other grammatical errors but I’m not sure if my copy was a final copy or not. Overall, good book!
April 22, 2021
I received a free copy of this book.
I'm giving this book a 3-star review. It's not lower because the book is fun, with nicely written action sequences, fascinating albeit improbable ideas, and compelling in a way. However the rating is this low because it's less a book and more a bunch of pages seeking a movie option--and I hope it gets it 'cause this would make a great movie.
This book continues the adventurous life of Jake Bendel, who was featured in the 2019 book Civil Terror: Gridlock, and his current effort is to provide easy and inexpensive water and energy to California via molten salt nuclear reactors. A noble cause made difficult due to the machinations of evil genius Viktor who uses a variety of direct and indirect actions to harm Jake and his friends as well as derail his engineering projects. This might sound dry but it's anything but. We encounter exploding houses, an disembodied eye, an ex-military assassin and his team, killer drones, industrial sabotage that harms hundreds of thousands and even plant blight. I almost forgot a Tesla with only half of its windows--too close to that exploding house. Unfortunately the author force feeds info to the reader via data dumps and the plot often advances in very forced ways. Lots of good ideas here but not presented very well and a kinda odd obsession with pens.
I'm giving this book a 3-star review. It's not lower because the book is fun, with nicely written action sequences, fascinating albeit improbable ideas, and compelling in a way. However the rating is this low because it's less a book and more a bunch of pages seeking a movie option--and I hope it gets it 'cause this would make a great movie.
This book continues the adventurous life of Jake Bendel, who was featured in the 2019 book Civil Terror: Gridlock, and his current effort is to provide easy and inexpensive water and energy to California via molten salt nuclear reactors. A noble cause made difficult due to the machinations of evil genius Viktor who uses a variety of direct and indirect actions to harm Jake and his friends as well as derail his engineering projects. This might sound dry but it's anything but. We encounter exploding houses, an disembodied eye, an ex-military assassin and his team, killer drones, industrial sabotage that harms hundreds of thousands and even plant blight. I almost forgot a Tesla with only half of its windows--too close to that exploding house. Unfortunately the author force feeds info to the reader via data dumps and the plot often advances in very forced ways. Lots of good ideas here but not presented very well and a kinda odd obsession with pens.
May 1, 2021
"Mass murder can be complicated. But profitable."
Consider me hooked and frantically flipping through the pages. This is the opening line to author J. Luke Bennecke's new novel, WATERBORNE (BlackRoseWriting) and this thriller only gets better.
Jake Bendel is a techno-geek for the United States Department of Energy who is about to make desalination plants go on-line. The plants produce environmentally friendly molten salt reactors - providing healthy drinking water. The plan is to start in California where forty-million people consume one-hundred and nine gallons of fresh, pure water every day during the summer months. But not everyone is happy, particularly the oil business, which will take a humongous hit. Light-water nuclear reactors provide twenty-percent of the US electricity and the powers who be, realize its the way to go to provide energy since water sources are limited.
There's a dark side, a group of jihadists who see this as a chance to take revenge on the USA. If they weaponize their system, more than all Americans killed in WWII will die. It's up to Jake and the Feds to make sure this doesn't happen.
WATERBORNE is a E-ride - strap yourself in and be ready for a smart, fast-paced thriller. Bennecke writes about very real threats to life as we know it. Running out of water would affect everyone. He's a futurist who writes about topics we all should worry about.
Consider me hooked and frantically flipping through the pages. This is the opening line to author J. Luke Bennecke's new novel, WATERBORNE (BlackRoseWriting) and this thriller only gets better.
Jake Bendel is a techno-geek for the United States Department of Energy who is about to make desalination plants go on-line. The plants produce environmentally friendly molten salt reactors - providing healthy drinking water. The plan is to start in California where forty-million people consume one-hundred and nine gallons of fresh, pure water every day during the summer months. But not everyone is happy, particularly the oil business, which will take a humongous hit. Light-water nuclear reactors provide twenty-percent of the US electricity and the powers who be, realize its the way to go to provide energy since water sources are limited.
There's a dark side, a group of jihadists who see this as a chance to take revenge on the USA. If they weaponize their system, more than all Americans killed in WWII will die. It's up to Jake and the Feds to make sure this doesn't happen.
WATERBORNE is a E-ride - strap yourself in and be ready for a smart, fast-paced thriller. Bennecke writes about very real threats to life as we know it. Running out of water would affect everyone. He's a futurist who writes about topics we all should worry about.
April 22, 2021
3.5 stars
Jake Bendel is a genius engineer, having manufactured environmentally friendly water plants, to provide clean drinking water to millions of California residents...ending the water drought forever.
He has made an enemy with a Jihad extremist, Viktor, who was thought to have died two years ago.
Men and plants in California start turning up sick and the government has evidence against Jake that he may have put in a waterborne virus in his water treatment plants.
This book was a sci-fi thriller book and I enjoyed learning more about bioterrorism. The virus spread had a tri-fold design. Only attacking males with a flu like virus AND it also had a harmful side effect that would change the males DNA and it would affect all off-spring with the lack of fear and anger in their DNA! It also, contained a virus specifically for plants that caused them to die. All this from the public’s water supply! Talk about scary.
I however thought the book was very convoluted bringing into play too many unexplained explosive twists.
All in all, I would recommend if you enjoy sci-fi thrillers, that could potentially teach you something in the world of biotech engineering.
Jake Bendel is a genius engineer, having manufactured environmentally friendly water plants, to provide clean drinking water to millions of California residents...ending the water drought forever.
He has made an enemy with a Jihad extremist, Viktor, who was thought to have died two years ago.
Men and plants in California start turning up sick and the government has evidence against Jake that he may have put in a waterborne virus in his water treatment plants.
This book was a sci-fi thriller book and I enjoyed learning more about bioterrorism. The virus spread had a tri-fold design. Only attacking males with a flu like virus AND it also had a harmful side effect that would change the males DNA and it would affect all off-spring with the lack of fear and anger in their DNA! It also, contained a virus specifically for plants that caused them to die. All this from the public’s water supply! Talk about scary.
I however thought the book was very convoluted bringing into play too many unexplained explosive twists.
All in all, I would recommend if you enjoy sci-fi thrillers, that could potentially teach you something in the world of biotech engineering.
June 20, 2021
This book reads like a spy novel for young adult males. If you are part of that audience, you might enjoy this book. As an avid reader and writer, I did not enjoy this book. There was entirely too much exposition, too much telling instead of showing, and too many outlandish events that made it impossible for me to suspend my sense of disbelief. At times I often felt like this should be the second book in a series.
The book starts with 4 facts. These facts REALLY work to get you interested in the book. Unfortunately, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book to really get the reader invested in the characters. So...brilliant premise, lousy execution. The criminals are dull and stupid.
There were too many times where the writing in this book seems forced. Too many times where the author has included something because it is suggested as something a book needs...like a count down, for instance.
Brilliant hook, lousy execution.
The book starts with 4 facts. These facts REALLY work to get you interested in the book. Unfortunately, there is too much exposition in the beginning of the book to really get the reader invested in the characters. So...brilliant premise, lousy execution. The criminals are dull and stupid.
There were too many times where the writing in this book seems forced. Too many times where the author has included something because it is suggested as something a book needs...like a count down, for instance.
Brilliant hook, lousy execution.
June 28, 2021
I read this book way back in 2020, but only just gotten around to writing my thoughts on it.
Some things I loved about this book were its explanation on scientific and technical aspects. Sprinkling some fast-paced action on top of it creates a movie-like effect, which helped grip my attention. The mystery and revelation aspects of the plot were satisfying, too.
Although this book is the second installment in the Civil Terror series, I had no problem engaging with the story right from the start. However, I didn’t feel any real connection with our protagonist, Jake Bendel, which was probably the reason this book couldn’t get a 4-star rating from me.
Thanks to Jaytech Publishing for providing me with a copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and are based on the advanced digital review copy.
Some things I loved about this book were its explanation on scientific and technical aspects. Sprinkling some fast-paced action on top of it creates a movie-like effect, which helped grip my attention. The mystery and revelation aspects of the plot were satisfying, too.
Although this book is the second installment in the Civil Terror series, I had no problem engaging with the story right from the start. However, I didn’t feel any real connection with our protagonist, Jake Bendel, which was probably the reason this book couldn’t get a 4-star rating from me.
Thanks to Jaytech Publishing for providing me with a copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and are based on the advanced digital review copy.
April 26, 2021
Bennecke is showing his growth as a writer with this one with better flow and plenty of edgy moments that make you want to keep reading. Pretty realistic possibilities regarding the potential insecurities of our drinking water supply and especially timely with the virus after the 2020 pandemic, although my guess is this story was hatched long before then. Look forward to learning more about the powerful (and evil) forces at work in the next Jake Bendel thriller, which it totally leaves it open for at the end.
April 27, 2021
I really enjoyed this thriller that was very scary in that what if it really happened. This type of story makes you wonder if something similar to this has really happened. It would be hard to drink tap or bottled water if you heard this had happened. I enjoyed Jake and Paige. There were quite a few twists and turns. I recommend reading the book that comes before this one so you know a little more about what happened to Jake and Paige before. I received a copy of this book from Mindbuck Media Book Publicity for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
April 26, 2021
Thought-provoking thriller that makes you think twice about the the availability of fresh clean drinking water that most of us take for granted. Fast pacing, fun characters, and a few interesting twists that keep you guessing who the bad guy is.
July 31, 2023
good plot poor characters
This book has a great and complex plot. However the characters are hard to engage with. They don’t pull you into the story. I also found the lack of research into viruses and DNA with all the mistakes made this very hard to read.
This book has a great and complex plot. However the characters are hard to engage with. They don’t pull you into the story. I also found the lack of research into viruses and DNA with all the mistakes made this very hard to read.
September 6, 2023
Wow!
This was a wonderful book, I enjoyed the heck out of it even if I did lose sleep trying to read just one more chapter...just one more chapter. I didn't want to put it down. I will definitely buy book 2 to follow Jake and see what happens between him and Tracy.
This was a wonderful book, I enjoyed the heck out of it even if I did lose sleep trying to read just one more chapter...just one more chapter. I didn't want to put it down. I will definitely buy book 2 to follow Jake and see what happens between him and Tracy.
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