I got a free copy of this book in return for a review. My first solicited review! The next book in this series, Hail Warning is coming out soon.

Let’s start off by saying I enjoyed the story. It is a clever and inventive read. Since it involves North Korea and ICBMs, it’s certainly topical.

Call this a bloodless techno-thriller with Marvel-like cinematic aspirations. Unlike the Tom Wood, Victor the Assassin books I’ve also been reading, there’s not much in the way of brain matter splattered anywhere. In that way, it feels like a YA work.

The Hail in the title is Marshall Hail, a MIT brainiac who made zillions from a new form of nuclear power. In fact, he’s solved the world’s energy problems.

But his quiet life is shattered by a supersized 9/11 event that takes his family. Hail turns his attention to building next-gen drones to take revenge on the villains.

His quest runs him up against the CIA and US military which are more than a little distressed to find an organization with capabilities they don’t possess and are determined to co-opt.

The story is just off the horizon. The scene is recognizable but the tech is nicely over the top. The poles are equally familiar: Russians and North Koreans are bad guys. Americans are basically good. The private sector is way out in front of the race.

Go ahead. Suspend belief and enjoy the ride.