APOK CROSSFIRE

A soldier on the run strives to save humanity in Walton’s intense conclusion to an action-packed trilogy.

Army Ranger Col. Miguel Mejia, aka APOK, is a fugitive after abducting Reficuel Nomed, one of the leaders of the one-world government who can prove that a shadowy group called the Board is secretly ruling the world. Miguel is lying low, as many believe that he was killed in action after drones bombed his mountain-cavern hiding place. The Board has killed almost everyone Miguel cares about, but he’s still driven to complete his mission and expose them. He’s separated from his allies, who include computer whiz Victor Moretti; Victor’s business partner, Joseph Connie; Joseph’s daughter, Paula, who’s in the military; and newswoman Carrie Warren, and all secretly work to resist the Board’s efforts. Fortunately, mistrust among the ambitious villains—including scheming Board underling Azzo, world leader Lindsey, and other Board members looking to consolidate power—gives the heroes opportunities they can exploit. Eventually, Miguel rejoins fellow members of the resistance, but only for a short while before mistakenly teaming up with an unreliable ally. Ultimately, however, his determination draws an unlikely army to him to combat the Board’s final attack. Walton leaves the conclusion open-ended enough for possible future volumes in the APOK fictional universe. For those who’ve read the previous two books in Walton’s series, this is likely to be a satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. However, those picking up the series for the first time may find that Miguel’s occasional flashbacks provide an unsatisfying amount of backstory. A few pages of recap would have been welcome, as it’s been a dozen years since the series began in 2013. This absence affects characterization, as well, as readers may find it difficult to connect with the various secondary players. Still, there’s no faulting Walton’s nonstop action, which will carry even newcomers along: “Raising her gun, Paula follows the buzzing sounds and aims at the red light hovering in the sky. She pulls the trigger. Brrrap!”

A closer whose gunplay satisfies, but some readers may wish for deeper characterization.