[Betley's] most action-packed thriller to date ... A former Marine himself, action and quick-witted dialogue have been Matthew Betley’s calling card throughout his writing career. And while the action and laugh-out-loud-funny one-liners are plentiful, he doesn’t receive enough credit for his ability to manipulate readers’ emotions ... Betley—like everything else he does—takes it to the next level here, revealing a masterful touch in his handling of emotionally-charged scenes and a smooth prose to go with it. Bottom line: he’s no one-trick pony, and Betley, like his alter-ego protagonist, lays it all on the line here ... Told with blazing speed, Rules of War is another fun, timely, action-filled thriller from Matthew Betley—who packs more gunfights and daring sequences into his books than anyone else in the business.
Those who have read the previous novels in this series know what to expect, and no doubt will have a defibrillator on hand when they crack the binding. Betley wastes little time in setting up a few dominoes before getting Logan rolling. And roll he does ... Betley has walked the walk in some of the world’s most dangerous areas, and it is reflected in the talk he talks here. Rules of War is shot through with his own experiences to the extent that one wonders at various points where the fiction ends and the reality begins. The result is an exhilarating and passionate read that you won’t soon forget.
Some of the connections in this account of international intrigue appear somewhat loose, but there is a surplus of gunplay and military tactics to keep the pages turning for fans ... An action-packed tale of deep-state double crossings and the elite soldiers charged with ensuring American interests.
... stirring ... During pauses in the action, the tone can get syrupy or cornball. For instance, Logan frets about his young family back home, wondering if he 'can be the father I know I should be.' This is a bit incongruous coming from a man who once fed an enemy combatant to a hungry hammerhead shark. Those who enjoy a mix of heated dialogue, nearly continuous violence, and lots of military jargon will be rewarded.
