Better the second time around

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Without a doubt! I have now relistened to all of the John Rain books. I really like this series a lot. I had previously listened to a couple of them by a different narrator and was not to impressed with the books but with Eisler narrating they are fantastic. I can not believe the difference. I had originally found them to drag but I do believe that was due totally to the narrator. These books really move right along at a fast pace. WOW!

What other book might you compare A Lonely Resurrection to and why?

The other John Rain books, the Gray Man books (Greaney),Victor the Assassin (Woods) and the El Ray books (Blake).

What about Barry Eisler’s performance did you like?

Excellent job narrating. He brings his characters to life.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this series now that they have been rereleased with the author narrating. They are at a lower price then they had been previously and are a much better listen.

18 people found this helpful

Not as good as the first one in the series

This book is true to John Rain but it really dragged in the middle. Also I understand why Eisler reads his own novels with all the Japanese phraseology , but his voice makes me doze off. Also he tends to read faster to express action and I find that annoying. The story line is okay but nothing exceptional. I will be taking a break from John Rain after this one.

7 people found this helpful

Wish there were more stars to give.

Barry Eisler not only has serious chops as a writer, his narration skills are on par with Scott Brick. Finding this series of audio books has been like Christmas in March.

3 people found this helpful

Hard Rain

A Lonely Resurrection was originally published with the title Hard Rain, but like several other novels in the John Rain series it was later republished with a new title. Eisler also changed the narrator of the Audible editions to himself when he retitled the books. Eisler is an excellent narrator, but not significantly better than the prior one (Brian Nishii).

My review style here is to give my impression of the book without spoiling the plot. As such my reviews tend to be shorter than many.

John Rain results from the marriage of a Japanese father and American mother, but physically he looks Japanese. He served in the US military and later becomes a killer for hire. This book is the second in Eisler's John Rain series. After finishing his assignment in Book 1 he is dissatisfied with his life and is seeking to move permanently to Brazil, but he has some matters that he must complete before the move. The task proves difficult/impossible.

Barry Eisler writes good thrillers, but in my opinion he s in the second tier of modern action thriller writers. The first tier includes Brad Thor, Karin Slaughter, Lee Child, Vince Flynn, Daniel Silva, Mark Greaney, Louise Penny, Mark Dawson, Brett Battles, Ben Coes, Brad Taylor, Chuck Barrett, Dalton Fury, Brad Metzler, Bob Mayer,Don Winslow, James Rollins, Nelson DeMille, Lisa Gardner, Marc Cameron, Michael Koryta, Thomas Perry, Alex Barenson, Brian Haig, and others.

13 people found this helpful

A talented writer and narrator

Rarely does a great writer ALSO make a terrific narrator. Barry Eisler is the best in the business in both regards. This series is brutal, honest and incredibly well written. The John Rain and Livia Lone series are about as real as it gets in the world of modern intrigue, murder and espionage. Get the first book and you'll be hooked!

2 people found this helpful

First author

In 20 years have never found the author of their book capable of quality narration...
Until now my # one narrator was Lou Diamond Phillips...
You are authentic, talented, able to wear many hats...GREAT JOB!

2 people found this helpful

DNF Too much "male gaze" in this one - too graphic

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. The writing was good, and the narration too. After a binge on the video series Midnight Diner, I was still in the mood for a Tokyo experience. The first book in the John Rain series was perfect for that. ---- That said, I don't care for the "male gaze" experience when I am spending my time and money on a book to entertain me. In the first book, the character was smitten with a woman, so the physical descriptions were tolerable. In this second book the male gaze is more of an older male author's self-indulgent expression of lustful thoughts. I don't enjoy it when older male authors do this. Especially the worn out trope of older guy/younger woman and detailed description of women's bodies or writing sex scenes from start to finish. (So Boring To Read Old Man Fantasies.) So, 56% through in book two, this is going to be a DNF

1 person found this helpful

More excellent prose

Amazing story telling ability.
Reacher in Japan . . .
With the time to listen and learn about Japan and life there.

Weak plot

I really liked the first John Tain book and picked up the next three in the series during a recent sale, but this second book was disappointing. The characters were good, but the overall plot was very weak. It ended and I was still waiting for some larger picture to emerge.

Japan, judo and jazz

“Sad- like making love to a beautiful woman, but not the one you love.”
I liked book 1, but loved this book 2. Not sure if it was because I bumped the speed up or if the ratio of refinement/mood to action/plot got better, but the entire book went down smooth like Thelonious Monk. From the Japanese culture to the world of espionage, it all felt very credible and complex. And, unlike some authors whose real-life credentials just make their books feel like condescending know-it-alls,
I didn’t feel like MC John Rain was trying to impress me with the size of his deadly skill set.

“You have rules?!
You sound like a wh0re who wants credit for virtue because she won’t kiss the clients she Fx.”
I appreciate that this series doesn’t stick with your average, pulpy, honorable killer schtick. There’s a lot more finesse and grit, not to mention creative and detailed violence. The author’s willingness to sacrifice characters and upend rules and moral codes keeps things interesting.

“(Club) Tantra is like sex; every generation is convinced they discovered it.”
My only quibble (and perhaps it’s just more of a head-scratcher) is his clunky approach to women.
He’s pretty good writing/narrating the Sam Spade “a dame walks in” meet cutes, but I sort of
wish the get-togethers faded to black. And then there’s his romantic euphemisms, similes, and metaphors…they’re at once suave and silly. Actually, given that they were impactful enough for me to jot them down, I have to say this part of his writing style worked for me too. I doff my hat to you sir!