Review: Progression Could Have Been Better
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 30, 2013
This story has me intrigued, yet I'm torn between a 3 & 4 star on this second book.  Going into this second book, I really thought the author was going to move the story line along and get the crew out of L.A.  That STILL does not happen.  The entire story takes place over a 24 hour timeline, or less.****SPOILER INFO****  If you don't want to know, don't read below.There are three major events that occur in this book.  The scenario at Danny's place, the scenario with Matt & Sarah and Kade going Rambo on the mexican gang...or whomever they were.The first contact with Eddie at Danny's house was not too bright.  It didn't turn out too well, so Kade, Jeremy and Karina move on to the airport.  This ended up being an interlude 'filler' for the next scene, which brought the three back to Danny's house and a "plan" to get into the house.  This too, did not turn out very well.  The entire scenario was predictable.Kade had told Matt and Sarah to stay inside the apartment and NOT to go out.  They don't heed the advice.  It doesn't turn out well. It was predictable as to what was going to happen.Kade and team figure out what happened to Matt and Sarah.  Kade puts on his Rambo outfit in preparation to go kick some butt...whatever. (roll eyes)  The shootout was rather ludicrous and unrealistic.  I mean, one guy against 15+ guys.  Of course, with Kade telling all of them afterward that; the element of surprise and the bad guy's lack of discipline made it possible for him to wipe out the boogie man wanna-be's.  Oh, I forgot...the dog helps too.  It took pages upon pages just to lead up to Kade finally getting inside...it became boring.  There's other questionable tactical stuff which could have been used (or not), but won't go into all that.***End SPOILER stuff**We are introduced to Paula in this book, with her character being the only one which was built upon.  We learn alot about her...and then some.  By the time I got to the end of this book, I found myself not really caring what happens to Karina, Sarah or Matt.  They're just not getting it.  After all Kade has tried to impress upon them, the seriousness of their situation and the importance of survival, what do they do?  Oh, they leave the apartment to go get bike trailors.  This is just plain dumb.I'm not sure how the author is intending to tie all this stupidity and very bad decision making into an apocalyptic lesson for them all, but it needs to become very apparent in the third book, or I'm done.  If Kade, Jeremy and Karina would have done what they finally did at Danny's place the first time there, and Matt and Sarah would have stayed in the apartment and waited for them to return, this second book would have been completed in 100 pages.I'm mentally committed to the third book, but only to the extent of wanting to see if the author wises up these people and builds their characters to more than idiotic moves, stupid decisions and rambo tactics.  I don't expect SEAL Team members here, but for crying out loud, provide them with logic, common sense and the ability to listen to an intuitive sixth sense.  If the third book does not enhance these characters, then I will not complete this series.  I will not pay good money to read about people who 'don't get it' by the end of the third book.  I guess I'll see...