Colonel Anthony is a rugged, battle-scarred, hard-bitten agent in the best tradition of lone-wolf ex-military operatives. Hubbard ensures that he remains somewhat enigmatic but he is immensely readable and capably carries the action forward.
All the characters are acutely observed. Even with minor players, care has been taken to give subtle yet defining details to establish their individuality, making them well-rounded and convincing.
The elderly Jesuit Priest, Brother Gómez, is developed with the right amount of compelling intensity without becoming stereotypical. Lt. Colonel Indigo Kashasini was charmingly engaging, with his fussing disguising a razor-sharp mind.
Arie Rosenberg, the former head of the Israeli Secret Service, was nicely avuncular and very likable. Further, the reliance on strong, highly intelligent, female personalities from all walks of life is refreshing in a book of this genre.
Geographically, the story hurls the reader around multitudinous landscapes, showcasing a meticulous level of research and knowledge into the differing environments, languages, and cultures. The scenes in Venice are particularly atmospheric, as are those set in the hostile terrain of the Middle Eastern desert.
Similarly, the standard of detail in terms of high-level espionage, military, and technological hardware and tactics is absorbingly comprehensive despite being fairly specialized. However, Hubbard manages to make it thoroughly accessible and supremely interesting without becoming confusing.
Notwithstanding, it could be debated that a more ruthless edit would have been advantageous. Areas of the plot may have benefitted from streamlining to have made them more impactful. There are also an unfortunate number of typographical errors and an over-use of exclamation marks. Although humor can be found in the bleakest of circumstances, the occasional levity felt a touch misplaced.
The first book in The Tears of Blood trilogy is a gripping, high-octane page-turner that is rewarding, entertaining, and thought-provoking to read. Boasting an incredibly ambitious plotline, impeccable research, and a diverse, interesting cast, Peter A. Hubbard delivers on his promise to take the reader into an unprecedented world of absolute terror.