Operation Red Jericho: The Guild Specialists Book 1 (Guild Specialists) 
asked by runabout on November 19, 2006 11:06 PM
A sister and brother's search for their missing parents uncovers a mysterious secret society in an action-filled sea-and-land saga centered in 1920s Shanghai.
For Joshua Mowll, it was the surprise of a lifetime. There, among the archives inherited from his great-aunt Rebecca MacKenzie, was a 1920s journal recounting the thrilling and dangerous adventures of fifteen-year-old Rebecca and her younger brother, Doug, in the wake of their parents' mysterious disappearance in the deserts of China. Now carefully re-created in a lavish volume — complete with cloth binding and a journal-style elastic clasp — the siblings' tale begins aboard the Expedient, their uncle's enigmatic research ship, and moves at a breathless pace through the streets of Shanghai and on to a terrifying island fortress. Along the way, Doug and Becca encounter an ancient order of Chinese mercenaries, a brutal pirate warlord, a feisty Texan heiress, and a stolen cache of a volatile explosive called zoridium. By their saga's end, the intrepid duo has exposed a murderous plot involving their parents and uncovered a high-minded secret society hidden from the world for hundreds of years. Interspersed are such "archival" elements as:
— elaborate diagrams and maps
— vintage photos and illustrations
— documents with stamps, seals, and watermarks
— four full-color gatefolds, the largest a six-page foldout
— extensive appendices and notes
Painstakingly researched and packed with authentic detail, OPERATION RED JERICHO is the first of three nonstop-action tales of intrigue by first-time author Joshua Mowll — historical fiction at its finest.
For Joshua Mowll, it was the surprise of a lifetime. There, among the archives inherited from his great-aunt Rebecca MacKenzie, was a 1920s journal recounting the thrilling and dangerous adventures of fifteen-year-old Rebecca and her younger brother, Doug, in the wake of their parents' mysterious disappearance in the deserts of China. Now carefully re-created in a lavish volume — complete with cloth binding and a journal-style elastic clasp — the siblings' tale begins aboard the Expedient, their uncle's enigmatic research ship, and moves at a breathless pace through the streets of Shanghai and on to a terrifying island fortress. Along the way, Doug and Becca encounter an ancient order of Chinese mercenaries, a brutal pirate warlord, a feisty Texan heiress, and a stolen cache of a volatile explosive called zoridium. By their saga's end, the intrepid duo has exposed a murderous plot involving their parents and uncovered a high-minded secret society hidden from the world for hundreds of years. Interspersed are such "archival" elements as:
— elaborate diagrams and maps
— vintage photos and illustrations
— documents with stamps, seals, and watermarks
— four full-color gatefolds, the largest a six-page foldout
— extensive appendices and notes
Painstakingly researched and packed with authentic detail, OPERATION RED JERICHO is the first of three nonstop-action tales of intrigue by first-time author Joshua Mowll — historical fiction at its finest.
Reviews
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This book is a lot of fun. Inventive, good characters, not overwritten. Fast paced. One of the more delightful books I've read in a long time. I hope some studio makes a movie out of this. The detail in the illustations, the additional information all makes the story much more full and rich. Can't wait to read the next one.
reviewed by borat on November 23, 2006 6:28 AM
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I love this book. Operation Red Jericho is right up there with Phillip Pullman's Sally Lockhart series. This book is filled with evil villians, really good good guys and a really drawing mystery.
I also loved how Joshua Mowll used Becka's diary, real maps, blueprints, and real bad guys. This is an historical ficition book through and through. I would seriously recomend this book to any Phillip Pullman lovers.
I also loved how Joshua Mowll used Becka's diary, real maps, blueprints, and real bad guys. This is an historical ficition book through and through. I would seriously recomend this book to any Phillip Pullman lovers.
reviewed by perfect10 on November 27, 2006 1:58 AM
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Note: This book is written for kids but I'm an adult. Sorry.
I really wanted to like this book more. I came across it in the book store several months ago and it seemed really cool. The design, layout and entire package are top notch.
Now I've read it and I'm not such a fan. The story itself is good, as are the settings, and the illustrations are great. But the two young heroes really put me off. I just plain didn't like them. They were whiny, dishonest brats. There was nothing endearing about them at all to me and it was a chore to stick with the book until it got going. Believe me, I fully understand what the author was trying to do, and it's not like the hero always needs to be a great person, but I don't think he pulled off the balance that's necessary (for me anyway) for characters like this. Time and time again, Doug and Becca, the young heroes, break rules (and laws) and go against the direct orders of people who are trying to help them, then they have the audacity to be angry over the consequences. And then they turn right around and do it again... and again... and again. Do they ever learn their lesson? No. In fact, at the end of the book they make a pact to CONTINUE DOING IT. To be sure, there are times when this leads them into a positive outcome, but just as often it causes that problem to begin with. And it's not like following the rules and direct orders would have resulted in defeat, so the attitude of "you're lucky we disobeyed our orders, because the bad guys would have won if we didn't" is wrong.
You might be thinking, "the Potter kids disobey and break rules too," and you're right. But, and this is important, they tend to only do it after exhausting other avenues. For example, Harry almost always tries to get help from Dumbledore or the proper authorities first. He's a little mischievous at heart, but he's honest and tries to do the right thing. And he surely hasn't made a pact amongst his freinds to deliberately disobey the people who are trying to help him.
I got the feeling that the author expects the reader to proud of Doug and Becca's rebellious nature, but it thoroughly annoyed me. They weren't "thinking for themselves," they were "thinking only about themselves," which is a very different and less noble thing. And their back-story, I won't spoil it but it has to do with their parents, doesn't excuse or give me any sympathy for their actions. They are, quite simply, a bad example for kids to follow.
Judging from the other reviews here I have a feeling I'm in the minority, but I figured a differing view might be helpful to some prospective readers.
I really wanted to like this book more. I came across it in the book store several months ago and it seemed really cool. The design, layout and entire package are top notch.
Now I've read it and I'm not such a fan. The story itself is good, as are the settings, and the illustrations are great. But the two young heroes really put me off. I just plain didn't like them. They were whiny, dishonest brats. There was nothing endearing about them at all to me and it was a chore to stick with the book until it got going. Believe me, I fully understand what the author was trying to do, and it's not like the hero always needs to be a great person, but I don't think he pulled off the balance that's necessary (for me anyway) for characters like this. Time and time again, Doug and Becca, the young heroes, break rules (and laws) and go against the direct orders of people who are trying to help them, then they have the audacity to be angry over the consequences. And then they turn right around and do it again... and again... and again. Do they ever learn their lesson? No. In fact, at the end of the book they make a pact to CONTINUE DOING IT. To be sure, there are times when this leads them into a positive outcome, but just as often it causes that problem to begin with. And it's not like following the rules and direct orders would have resulted in defeat, so the attitude of "you're lucky we disobeyed our orders, because the bad guys would have won if we didn't" is wrong.
You might be thinking, "the Potter kids disobey and break rules too," and you're right. But, and this is important, they tend to only do it after exhausting other avenues. For example, Harry almost always tries to get help from Dumbledore or the proper authorities first. He's a little mischievous at heart, but he's honest and tries to do the right thing. And he surely hasn't made a pact amongst his freinds to deliberately disobey the people who are trying to help him.
I got the feeling that the author expects the reader to proud of Doug and Becca's rebellious nature, but it thoroughly annoyed me. They weren't "thinking for themselves," they were "thinking only about themselves," which is a very different and less noble thing. And their back-story, I won't spoil it but it has to do with their parents, doesn't excuse or give me any sympathy for their actions. They are, quite simply, a bad example for kids to follow.
Judging from the other reviews here I have a feeling I'm in the minority, but I figured a differing view might be helpful to some prospective readers.
reviewed by avi on November 27, 2006 12:09 PM
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This book is one of the best reads to come along in quite some time. From concept design to execution the book is a delight to the eye and to the soul. A gripping original story line, setting, characters, illustrations, fold-out maps and diagrams make this book a MUST READ for both children and adults. Mowll's writing is some of the best writing to be found in this genre. Why this book has not gotten more media attention is the greatest mystery. I write and illustrate children's books and this is one that holds a place of honor in my library. I'm counting the days until the second book is released!
reviewed by bigdv on November 28, 2006 1:57 AM
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Doug and Rebecca are looking for their parents who mysteriously disappeared. In the meantime their living on their uncle's ship. Joshua Mowll is an amazing writer. If there is one book that you absolutely MUST read it is Operation: Red Jerricho. The novel really leaves you hanging at the end. If you are like me then you will be anxious to read the next novel in this wonderful trilogy, Operation: Typhoon Shore! Joshua Mowll gets 10 stars as a writer and 9 stars for this novel, in my opinion of course. This wonderful page-turner will show just how far Doug and Rebcca Mackenzie will go to find their missing parents. This is such a compelling novel. I can't wait to find out what happens next! Buy Operation: Red Jericho TODAY!!! Trust me, you won't be sorry. If you already have this book but haven't read it yet then what are you doing reading my review when you could be finding out how exquisette this novel is! Happy Reading!
reviewed by mountaindew on November 29, 2006 2:52 AM