Kendig begins her third military series with Raptor 6 with Captain Dean Watters and his team in Afghanistan. A local school is blown up and when Dean and his team show up with an assist, he meets missionary Zahrah Zarrick. An American with Afghan bloodlines, Z is a contradiction who holds secrets which will make her a target either of her own people or the American soldiers fighting against terrorists. As their lives continue to intertwine and nefarious plans come to light, Dean battles his history as it shapes his future.
I enjoyed Raptor 6 more than Kendig's last tale in her Military Working Dog series. I connected with Dean and Z almost from introduction. My only complaint is real life kept me from finishing the book in one sitting. The plot moved at a pace which meant putting the book down was torture.
Kendig's fictional work is an homage to our men and women and the sacrifices, burdens they shoulder, and the honor with which they live their lives. There were roughly five chapters in Raptor 6 which were hard to read because Kendig writes with respect and realism. She doesn't glorify the soldiers as unbreakable, perfect men and women. She gives them faults and allows them to make mistakes, but doesn't shy away from the realities they face on the battlefield.
Reading Raptor 6 so close to Easter brought to mind the photos which make their way around Facebook periodically. On Good Friday we watched The Passion of the Christ. Raptor 6 tied in to the sacrifice our Lord made for us. He bore the pain and suffering we earned. He endured the cross to save us from the torment.
The ending of Raptor 6 gave us a brief glimpse this ride isn't over. We'll be revisiting Dean and his team as they neutralize the continued threat.
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