Jack: Secret Vengeance (Repairman Jack Book 3)

For $7.18 including tax I expected a paperback but got a hard cover book in excellent condition. Delivery was much faster than expected with free shipping too. For fans of Repairman Jack I highly recommend starting with this young adult series. There are many things that come up later in Jack's life that are first mentioned in these books. I've read all the Repairman Jack books and have now collected the "Jack" series to pass along to my grandson when he gets a little older.

"Jack - Secret Vengeance" is the third and (presumably, as announced a couple of years ago by the author) last in the "Secret" series of YA Repairman Jack novels after "Secret Histories" and "Secret Circles". All take place within a few months in 1983 when Jack was 14 years old. All are stand-alone novels, but at the same time, all feature significant foreshadowing of ideas and characters that will play major roles in the adult RJ novels. While chock-full of interesting tidbits that help tie together some of the events in the years to come, none is essential to a full and complete appreciation of the RJ universe and saga. That being said, of course all RJ fans (like me) will consider these YA novels to be essential reading, nonetheless.In some ways, Secret Vengeance is the best of the three. Although the trademark foreshadowing of the "Secret History of the World" aspects of the Adversary Cycle and RJ series is much in evidence, here for the first time we see hints of the fixer - repairman that Jack will become. This comes about when Weezy is attacked and defamed, and the perp seems invulnerable. Jack decides that action must be taken, and then carefully thinks through (or tries to) the consequences of various approaches, quickly eschewing a brute force violent frontal assault for a much cleverer and indirect method. Of course, things are never as simple as they seem, and there are always unexpected consequences.The novel clearly targets a YA audience - it is sanitized of the violence and language that is a necessary (and enjoyable) part of the adult Jack novels, and the sentence structure and vocabulary are likewise designed for a YA audience. FPW is extremely skilled at his craft, so this does not significantly detract from the enjoyment for older readers (albeit making for an ultra-quick read of the ~300 pages), while making it completely appropriate and approachable for a younger audience.An excellent read for YA and A alike. One doesn't need to be a Repairman Jack fan to jump in and enjoy, but it undoubtedly helps. Highly recommended for YA and all Jack fansJMT

The final volume in Wilson's young-adult Jack books, Secret Vengeance ends the series with its strongest volume; even though it never quite answers the question of why exactly these stories needed to be told, it still makes for a fun ride. The setup of the book is simple enough, with Jack trying to find a way to avenge his friend's honor in a covert way, and at its best, the book hearkens back to the first few Jack books, where the fixes were as much about their creativity and their ingenuity as their goals. And while Wilson doesn't tie up all of the loose ends of the series, he does a great job setting this up as the Jack we know and love (although with the recent announcement that he'll be writing some books about Jack's life before The Tomb, we may have some more steps to come), all while giving hints about what's to come. Best of all, the book sheds most of the cringe-worthy "those wacky 80s!" moments and proceeds on a much more even keel, even though there are still a couple of ham-handed moments along the way, including the abrupt and jarring introduction of a well-known supporting figure. But all of that being said, this is the best of the YA Jack books by a long shot, and it's really a blast to read; it reminds you of how much fun Jack can be as a character, and gives him a chance to play a little bit before moving into the dark setting of the Adversary Cycle. Lots of fun, and a must for any fan of the series.

Repairman Jack stories are always educational and informative. These glimpses of Jack in his youth are fantastic.Believable characters, educational, informative and makes one think dialogue. Excellent story line.“TANSTAAFL. It’s from a sci- fi book I read. It stands for ‘There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.’ And that’s what it is with this thing, this power inside me. The healings don’t come free, Jack. Somebody pays, somebody always pays. And that somebody is me.”“A U.S. senator named Daniel Webster once said, ‘There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters.’ We’ll keep that in mind as we listen to the palaver.”I will re-read this story and always look forward to Repairman Jack.

Wife and I both finished reading the third and final edition of young Repairman Jack in less than a day. Later, we agreed it was an outstanding book and a fitting climax to the series. We enjoyed the parade of reoccurring characters sprinkled in other RJ novels: RJ's siblings; lady and her dog; alcoholic glove wearing hobo; white suit wearing Septimus Actuator; future gun selling Saul; and even the pre-teen kid buying target marbles (Nightkill)in RJ's second hand store. 1983 Johnson, New Jersey must have been a busy year for Young Jack. He must have worn out his bicycle driving to all his adventures, day and night. Plus, he was working two part-time jobs and going to school full time. Of course to a 14 year old, that one year must have dragged on to seem like five years. I think I would like to read the adventures of an older RJ, in his mid-to late 20s. Dr. Wilson could call the series: The Developing Repairman Jack. When the RJ character is first introduced, he has all his skills finely honed, with a few demons percolating under the surface.

After reading other repair man Jack books I found this series just as good as the other books I know these are aimed at younger. Readers but they help with the time line in the main Jack books if you haven't read these give them ago

I am a big repairman jack fan and have read all the series so was very pleased that F.Paul was going to do these for the early years as they give a good insight into the man that jack becomes

three great reads for all ages i loved them brilliant for young and old give them ago you won't bedisappointed.

Having read one of this series of books I'm hooked! I can't get enough of this writer. I'll miss Jack when he hangs up his tool belt for the final time.

Just like all F. Paul Wilson books great.....Not much more to say.....Repair Man Jack a n Iinteresting hero for a book, but works well. Well worth a read..