I started this series without any expectations. I had just finished the series The Event Group Thrillers by David L. Golemon and was pleasantly surprised by the genre so I quickly looked up similar style books. After starting a few series by popular writers, I found that I was not drawn into the world or characters of the super duper elite fighting teams of detailed Special Forces. I knew that there had to be something that I could emurge myself into while carpooling to work on my van-pool. I soon found this series first book, Prime. I immediately found the characters individually entertaining and uniquely robust.

I really enjoyed all the locations that the team visits and the dangerous threats they must overcome together as a team. From ancient folklore to futuristic science, the team overcomes staggering odds that seem to project them into their next mission. With state of the art weapons and pure military instincts; Jack Sigler leads "Queen", "Rook", "Bishop" and "Knight" across the globe in action packed, after action packed adventures.

Each member of the team has his or her own unique set of character traits that is key to their individual call sign. These call signs are based on the game of chess. The villains and pawns are believable and help shoot you into "could be" and "what ifs". The chess piece names are perfect for the maneuvering of the characters the author defines through the team’s handler A.K.A. Deep Blue.

The missions the team embarks upon are based on genetic sciences and anomalies. Pure fantasy with a taste of realism that will grab your inner childhood dreams of fighting monsters and modified humans. After a few books I realized that there are parallel books that develop each individual team member according to their call sign. I did some research and had to stop reading the book I was on to go back and read the individual books. I had noticed that it seemed like I had missed an episode or fallen asleep during a movie and was trying to catch up. Once I deciphered the timeline order, I was off to the races!

I have to add that these books are quick reads and great for my attention span (which my wife says if that of a sixteen year old). Overall I have to say I've recommended this series to other people who enjoy a fantastical thriller with pseudoscience and cryptology running a muck in a world of mystery and suspense. ( )

ABR's full Prime (A Jack Sigler Thriller Book 0.5) audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

This is definitely my kind of book. It has everything that makes a really good thriller/adventure/military read. I loved the added mythology angle that was backed up by real sites. The science angle was believable and a the human experimentation added to the spine tingling parts.

The action starts with the first page and you hardly have time to breath between pages. Robinson takes the reader on a rocket ride of adventure, treachery, treason and death. Each of his characters has special talents. Melding them into a fighting team is King's (Jack) job. In this story you get a lot of background about each team member.
How and why the "Chess Team" was formed. Why Jack chose each name. Where Stan got his Desert Eagles. The first time Jack and Zelda met and what happened. How he won her respect and the rest of the teams. The bonds they formed with each other to become the fighting unit they are.

Their first mission is to rescue a scientist who can translate an ancient manuscript. She has been kidnapped by unknown persons. The Chess Team follows the bad guys from Afghanistan to Iran and finally to France. They fight the Chinese tong, mutated humans, and unspeakable horrors. Finally in France they face the end of all life and maybe, the end of the planet.

This is my first book by Robinson but not my last. I have already got his other Chess Team books on my "to get" list. I wish they were all audio books narrated by Jeffery Kafer. He has a very pleasing voice and gives life to the characters. He gets the dialogue between the team just perfect. Sometimes too perfect. LOL.

The production of the audio was perfect. No static, dead spots, or skips. Everything was professional and well recorded.

If you have read any of Jeremy Robinson Chess Team books you HAVE to read this one. The start of it all.

Audiobook provided for review by the narrator. ( )