Book Review: The Bourne Betrayal

Robert Ludlum created Bourne in the classic 'Bourne Identity'. Then the movies came, featuring Matt Damon(Yes, I've seen the TV versions featuring Richard Chamberlain but those are forgettable.)

The movie Bourne was different from the orginal one Ludlum created. The latter was brought forth to flush out Carlos the Jackal, the real life legend in the 80s. The movies leave out the Carlos angle and add their own reason for Bourne's existence.

Now, once again Jason Bourne is back, but this time he's no longer Ludlum's Bourne who faces the conflicting ideals of David Web, his other personality with his own. This Bourne is neither like Damon's character nor Ludlum's legendary assasin. Revived by Eric Lustbader in the Bourne Betrayal, he closely resembles one of Lustbader's own creations, Nicholas Linear. Like Linear, he is a widower, and can focus his breath when he is injured thus prevent further damage.

However, Bourne is not free of mental trauma.In this installment he must face a new nemesis, Islamic fundamentalists(sign of the times?) who have managed to alter his memory, have men masquerading as government officials, who can hack into the defense system and have the potential to cause colossal damage to American cities.

The villain has kidnapped Bourne's best friend, an has a vendetta against Bourne and it is up to Bourne to save the day. Of course he has a beautiful sidekick to aid him. Then there is the enemy from within.(The title gave away that part, didn't it). To save the day, Bourne, using his chameleon-like talents must infiltrate the Islamic world.


Bourne Betrayal is faced paced and worth reading, but hardcore Jason Bourne fans may be disappointed by this rendition of their hero. Lusbader, unfortunately is no Ludlum.

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Eric Lustbader's Ninja Series

I must confess, that I have only experienced the audio versions of these books. However, I found them extremely enjoyable. I have always been a fan of books that combine the Eastern mysticism with Western technology like Michael Crichton's Rising Sun or the Star Wars Series(The entire Jedi philosophy is merely recycled Zen Teachings). The protagonist in all these books is a half British half Japanese mystical martial artist and part owner of the Tomkin-Sato Electronics corporation,Nicolas Linear.


White Ninja



In this novel, Linear and his wife Justine are mourning the loss of their child, Nicolas has lost his mystical abilities and as a result become the 'White Ninja'. Washington is prone to a political scandal as someone has hacked into a defence computer and a killer is on the loose in Tokyo.

Can Linear recover in time to save the day? This book was a thriller from start to finish and a trifle hard to follow for a newbie like yours truly, who had not read Lusbader's earlier books in the series.The plot was fast paced, moving from the US to Tokyo and generous in action and sex even in its abridged audio version.

Floating City


Lustbader has killed off Justine in one of his earlier novels in the series. In the jungles of Vietnam is an entire city, operated by two merchants of death, Rock and Leonforte. The task of infiltrating this city and stopping these men rests on the broad shoulders of Nicolas. This book is well narrated and fast paced. I loved it.

Second Skin



Nicolas has destroyed Floating city but Mick Leonforte has survived. Lustbader portrays Leonforte as a charming bearded and vicious killer, as memorable as any other villain. He is an intellectual who worships Nietzsche and is in love with Nicolas' new woman. Has Nicolas methis match? This book marks the finale to the Linear series. Definitely worth a listen!

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