REVIEW | Sons of Valor Series by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

I'm going to cheat a little here because I got lazy and busy and didn't write my individual reviews as I finished each book in the Sons of Valor series. So, I'm going to write this review for the entire three-book series.

The Sons of Valor series by Andrews and Wilson follows Navy SEAL Keith "Chunk" Redman. Chunk leads a special, covert team of Tier One SEALs - the best and most kick-ass operators on the planet.

I'm a big fan of SEAL Team on CBS and I pictured A.J. Buckley (Sonny) when I was reading about Chunk. The way Andrews and Wilson describe Chunk in the books, for some reason I just thought of A.J. Buckley.

I digress.

Authenticity is paramount, no matter what you're doing. If you aren't authentic, most people will see through that very quickly. I'm not an author, but if I were to write a book, I would lean on my on background and experiences to shape my narrative. I think this is where the top-notch authors separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Andrews and Wilson are no different. As Navy veterans, they joined forces and created a series that is authentic. From the way the characters interact with one another to the tactics used throughout the series, it's easy to see these guys know their stuff and they aren't simply using what Hollywood tries to tell us what war and covet operations are.

One thing I like about this series is the relatability of the characters. Whether it's Chunk and his SEALs shooting the bull or one of the team members going through a dark patch, they are relatable. The way Andrews and Wilson write this series really pulls you into the minds and hearts of their protagonists and even their antagonists.

Another aspect of these three books that I enjoyed was how easy they are to read. Now, when I say easy, I don't mean elementary or juvenile. They are easy to read in the sense that Andrews and Wilson give their readers enough information to move the story forward and keep you engaged without getting too far down in the weeds. If explanation about a weapon system or tactical maneuver is needed, they tell us in straightforward terms and then move the story along. This is something I appreciate as a reader. I hate it when i have to read the same page two or three times to comprehend what is trying to be communicated. Clear and concise. I think that's what most readers want and Andrews and Wilson deliver on that front.

All in all, these books are just fun to read. There is a nice mixture of levity and seriousness throughout the series. I don't know any SEALs personally, but I do know they aren't robots (even if they seem like it sometimes because they're awesome). SEALs, like everyone else, aren't always "turned on." They're human, with human emotions. I think Andrews and Wilson do a really good job of showing the reader that their characters are people that know how to relax and like to have fun, but can also switch into hard-charging, all business operators at a moments notice.