Customer Reviews1.A worthy tale in the CTUniverse., February 27, 2007
By Kendal B. Hunter (Provo, UT United States)
I am a bit skeptical about the "Expanded Universe"-type fiction from TV series. Much of it is glorified fan fiction, with the stellar stories being few and far between. Fortunately, "Cat's Claw" falls into the latter category. I was super-impressed how well Whitman kept the flavor, format, and series continuity, all the while adding a worthy tale in the CTUniverse.
Before reading these books, keep in mind they happen between the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and Day 1 of the series. So don't expect Chloe or Morris, who were introduced later on. This is the prequel days, when Jack worked under Chris Henderson (I'd love to see more of him in these books), and the CTU was run by Chappelle--remember him?
Although I liked this book, it contains one mistake, one inside joke, and one flaw. The mistake is that the disease comes from lusophonic Brazil, but it is called "U?a de Gato" which is Spanish. This is a common mistake, but an eyesore for a lusophile.
The joke is the page 240 reference to "Alias," the series main rival in the early days. Since she is out of work, maybe Jennifer Garner can swing a position on the "24" movie. Hey--it worked for Robocop.
The flaw of the book is twofold knot. First, the format. It attempts to follow the manner of the TV series by chopping the chapters in to the small time-fractions. For a teleplay this is quite effective; for a book, this is like riding on fifty miles of potholes. Thus this format kills the flow and continuity.
Second, the structure. Although the plot works in crescendo, the chapters run diminuendo--as I read, I was treated to smaller and smaller chapters. Of course this is necessary, due to using space to set up the situation and non-cannon characters. But it was done overmuch: chapter 1 is 14 pages long, while chapter 24 is a measly 3 pages. In a sense, this approach enhances the actions, as we rush roller-coaster to the end. But it blurs the increasing action and tension. Coupling this with the pervious problem, the time-fraction, the read is even bumpier. It was hard on the eyes, and therefore, a dagger to the mind.
I'm not sure that the format can be changed--this is, after all, "24." The structure, however, can be tweaked, so that we roll, and do not jerk, to a stop.
Despite these flaws, I recommend this book for the entre-season fix, and when the reruns won't do. Whitman, keep on writing!
2.Twice the Terrorism, February 7, 2007
By Jeffrey Clinard "Jeffrey" (Las Vegas, NV USA)
Crowds protest the G8 conference in Los Angeles, and among them are Kim Bauer and Janet York. However, the event carries interest to not one, but two different terrorist groups, an extreme environmentalist group with a deadly virus, and another group with an even more extreme agenda. The stakes get personal when Kim Bauer is infected, and Jack has less than 24 hours to get her an antidote... while foiling the best laid plots of two terrorist groups...
3.Jack takes a day off and relaxes... psych!, April 3, 2007
By M. D. Tudahl (Van Nuys, CA)
Overall, it's a pretty good book. Very well paced, and as it is for all of these novels, it is fun to see how Jack interacted with many of the characters how are now dead on the show (Tony, Terri, Nina, Chappelle, etc.). Obviously this is never as deep and rich as the television show, in fact, most of what happens in the book could have been covered in 3-5 episodes, but as a book, it does keep up the pace we expect on 24.
My biggest complaint is John Whitman's lack of continuity. For example, in the first sentence of the book, Detective Mercy Bennett is driving an Audi A4, but on page 25 she was driving a white Crown Victoria (probably her police cruiser, but never explained). He later describes someone else driving a Toyota Sentra (no such car exists-it is actually Nissan that makes the Sentra). His descriptions of the Federal building were accurate and it was obvious that he'd spent a little time there.
I think books like this are a great addition to the 24 world. I love that they are including characters like Henderson and some of Jack's other bosses... now that I think about it, I think being jack's boss is a lethal position. Eventually he'll have something to do with your death! Lol
Anyway back to the book. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys the show. I just wish they'd come out with these books during the off season of 24 so that they'd fill in the dead time for us 24 addicts.
John Whitman is the author of numerous books and projects, including the "Star Wars: Galaxy of Fear" series, Zorro and the Witch's Curse, and, most recently, the trading cards for "24 Day 3." He is a 4th-degree black belt and defensive tactics instructor in Krav Maga, the official hand-to-hand combat system of the Israeli military, has trained in protective services and defensive tactics in both the United States and in Israel, and has served as an instructor of U.S. law enforcement agencies and military anti-terrorist units.
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