Review: Created, The Destroyer by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir.

Sphere, August 2014.

Created, The Destroyer was originally published in the early 70’s and has now been republished by Sphere. It was released on e-book on 21st August 2014.

About the book:

Sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit, ex-cop Remo Williams is rescued from the electric chair at the eleventh hour and recruited by a secret government organisation named CURE. From this moment, he ceases to officially exist.

From now on, he will be an assassin, targeting criminals who are beyond the law. Remo’s trainer is a grouchy old Korean named Chiun, whose mastery of the terrifyingly powerful martial art of Sinanju makes him the deadliest man alive.

Together Remo and Chiun set forth on their epic, impossible mission to vanquish every enemy of democracy – every bad guy who thinks they can escape justice.

This is a new era in man’s fight against the forces of evil.

This is the time of the Destroyer.

I wasn’t sure what to make of this book. I had very little knowledge of it before reading aside from the fact that I knew it was a series.

This book began well and drew me in. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Of course I knew Remo was going to escape his execution but how was a mystery and it was interesting to see how his rescuers got him out of that situation.

Remo is a believable hero (you don’t find out too much about his past aside from the fact that he was in Vietnam. I would have liked to have known more about him.)

The book was originally published in the 70’s. It’s set in a man’s world full of secret government agencies and crime syndicates. It’s not a book I would normally read. The writing is a little clunky in places and there wasn’t really a relatable strong female character but I still found it an enjoyable read and a story that I couldn’t put down (I read it in a day.)

I didn’t actually notice the lack of technology, which would be very present if the book was written today. The book still felt current to me and that’s a good sign. It didn’t feel dated. To me, it still seemed contemporary. However, I could tell it was the first book in the series. Everything moved rather quickly and there were a few characters to introduce and establish (I would have liked to have known more about the main characters,) but that didn’t stop my overall enjoyment of the book.

Whilst reading, I could see it being adapted into a modern TV Series before finding out that a film is in production (the director being Shane Black who directed Iron Man 3.) I will be interested to see what direction this will be taken in and who will be cast to play Remo.

This book surprised me (in a good way,) and if you like crime, mystery and a novel with a solid hero then the Created The Destroyer books are great. I’m thinking fans of Andy McNab and Lee Child would enjoy this series.

Find out more about the Remo Williams series at www.thecrimevault.com

You can also sign up to the Destroyer newsletter at http://www.thecrimevault.com/exclusives/the-destroyer/

The e-book of Created, The Destroyer is available to buy from Amazon. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.