Title: The Hawk Enigma
Author: J.L. Hancock
Publisher: James Harvey
ISBN: 9781737150114
Pages: 472
Genre: Thriller / Action / Adventure / Sci-fi
Reviewed by: Manik Chaturmutha
Hollywood Book Reviews
The Hawk Enigma, written by J.L. Hancock, is an incredibly well-written novel with mind-blowing themes and a fantastic storyline. This military techno-thriller gives subtle hints to PTSD and the race to secure a powerful AI program. This book is hard to put down once started; the first chapter creates an atmosphere of suspicion and urgency, sending the readers to the front lines of an AI arms race filled with violence and technology.
Voodoo, the book’s protagonist, is ex-military technical support suffering from PTSD-induced insomnia. Every night is torture for him, waking up from nightmares and a tiny prophetic voice. Then, one day, years after his last deployment in Iraq and after the loss of his wife, his life is turned upside down when his old friends and soldiers Frisco and Stu ask for his support in an overseas rescue and reconnaissance mission.
The mission includes the rescue of two missing renowned scientists, Dr. Kenzo Ichikawa and Dr. Kerry Hawkins, who were working on a powerful artificial intelligence called “The God Algorithm,” whose data has been wiped out. In the process, what they discover is much more disturbing than expected. The only thing that remains to be seen is whether the mission is a success or the fate of the world falls into the wrong hands with The God Algorithm.
A prophetic poem recited by a young dying girl in her last moments to her father became an inspiration to create The God Algorithm. The author wonderfully fills in all the gaps in the creation of The God Algorithm by introducing a simple poem “On the rough river, the crane that will guide will go to the sky. The hawk that was lost is the path to return to the nest.” This statement makes us wonder what would have happened if Dr. Ichikawa had not created The God Algorithm. Ironically, this quote is the reason that started a chain of reactions.
With a fast-paced storyline, the author covers all the gaps in the story and creates an atmosphere that will send a chill down the reader’s spine. The book also covers the darker aspects of being a part of the military. PTSD, one of the most common disorders developed by military personnel, is described in detail with exceptional accuracy, which makes the reader empathize with the character. The flawless writing style of the author plays a significant role in making this book a success. The details of the military operations and the depth of the character’s presence are one such instance where the book’s writing comes to a perfect collaboration.
The action-packed sequences and the surprising plot twists make the readers bite their nails and keep them on the edge of their seats throughout the book. This book is suitable for adults with subtle references to sexual harassment, violence, kidnapping, and minimal profanity. I recommend this book to anyone who loves action-packed sequences with many incredible twists and turns that have readers jumping from their seats in awe. This book is a techno-thriller novel with a military angle that is one of its kind and should be read by everybody once in their lifetime.