I liked this book, for all the same reasons I liked the first one, but although it had a slightly different storyline, the tropes were mostly the same. However, we did get to see some character development that I am excited to see more of going foreward. John Rain is more complex in this book, although his simplicity as a fighting tool who loves jazz and classical music never bothered me in the first, because I still thought he had depth and backstory. Now he's also heartbroken.
I'd love to see him pick up a more active hobby somewhere down the line, one that's not related to fighting of any kind, but right now he's a nomad, so that doesn't make any sense for him at the moment. I gave the book four stars only because I felt it was a little repetitive, but aside from that I had fun.

The stars seemed to melt away as I approached the finish. Eisner's characters and action are good. The story floats when our hero connects with the women in his life. In between, however, is a droll, bureaucratic challenge to surmount that's pure tedium. A third of the way through this was a four-star book. By two-thirds, it was an average three. By the end, barely two. Which is too bad, because I like Rain.

I enjoyed the action in this second installment of the John Rain series but, like the first one, a lot of the scenes are set in Japan - a country I have never visited and the language of which I do not speak. I found myself glossing over most of the proper names except for Rain's main antagonists whose identities feature prominently in the plot (e.g., Yamaoto). Eisler is an exceptional story-teller and the writing is logical, clear, and easy to follow. I look forward to reading #3 in the series...

#38 - 2010

More about assassin John Rain. Tied up some more loose ends while dishing out more about life in Japan, however, also dishing up more violence and some graphic sex (which I could have done without but I suppose is du rigeur for a book like this). I do enjoy his friendly adversarial relationship with Tatsu though ...

John Rain continues the action and trying to escape Japan and the CIA. Its the 2nd book and I'm really getting into this series.

Интересна еволюция на света на Рейн. Първата книга е оставила в мен лошо впечатление. Втората е по-добра, но по един начин, по който Рамбо 3 е добър филм. Нинджи, ММА, черно-бели образи. Рейн е невъзможен герой, нещата които върши са подходящи за Чигур, не за човек със съвест.

Смятам да прочета още книги от поредицата, защото серията за Рейн се преплита с тази за Ливия Лоун. Ливия Лоун е герой с известна дълбочина и ми допада, а и Бари Айслър описва с подготовка. В книгите му има референции към Дейл Карнеги, Гавин де Бекър и т.н.

John Rain is a hard character to like. He´s a cold, calculating, killer for hire. He´s a bit of a paranoid. He´s basically someone you wouldn't want to meet!
Barry Eisler´s writing is also sometimes hard to enjoy. He´s in love with Japan and takes you on a tour. You read about subway stations, train stations, streets, the characters use japanese expressions which are then translated to english. It gets tiresome and annoying fast.
With all this its surprising just how compelling this book is. Rain is like that disaster you cant help but look at. By disaster I mean the devastation that surrounds him. He kills without mercy, tortures, manipulates or threatens people and you can hardly wait to turn the page and see what he will do next. Then you get his walks through Tokyo, the night time, the bars, and suddenly you find yourself immersed, like you´re really there, through Eisler´s vivid descriptions. You can almost “smell” the whiskey Rain´s drinking, listen to the Jazz and feel the danger he´s in.
Its an elegant journey to a seedy, bloody existence.
The plot follows the events from the first book. This time Rain is a bit more human. Its a story of revenge. The enemy is ruthless. He´s a true “monster” and Eisler, who has made Rain an almost unstoppable killing machine manages to create a worthy foe, someone you truly believe is a threat and may be even better than our “hero”. Its a fantastic duel and an awesome build-up of tension until the satisfying conclusion.
The rest of the plot relies on a bit of spy stuff and its interesting enough. But John Rain is the star and the reason to read.
By now you get used to his way of thinking, his paranoid behavior and his own code of conduct.
To be honest, John Rain scares me. I just cant turn away. There´s something brutally raw in Eisler´s writing and the violence here has weight, feels real and even shocks you. Its a feat.
The book has a better pace than the original and there´s a bit more action. Its still not a book for everybody. You need to be patient with the still somewhat slow rhythm. You also need to be a bit twisted to be honest.
But be warned. You just might get addicted to the world of shadows where John Rain is waiting!

I'm on a real Barry Eisler spree at the moment; I've read three books in the Livia Lone series (love them) and this second book in the John Rain series (read the first one some time ago but forgot how much I enjoyed it!).
All of these are fast-paced, hard-hitting, super-violent, high-action books and I'm really loving Eisler's style.
I love the details about tactics/weapons and the blow by blow account of how Rain gets the upper hand in a seemingly unwinnable situation. Help me but I really like the problem solving element!
There is some character assessment/background which gives the story a little depth and I do want to find out more about what happens to John but any emotions explored are of the raw/reactionary/instinct kind rather than complex lovey stuff...which suits me just fine! I love the Tokyo setting too.
I understand there will be some crossover between John Rain & Livia Lone so I'm looking forward to that.
This was a very satisfying and entertaining read if you are into action/thrillers (audio recommended).

My paranoia levels are up