Product details: - Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
- Author: John Whitman
- Publisher: HarperEntertainment
- Publication Date: 2007-01-01
- Release Date: 2006-12-26
- Studio: HarperEntertainment
- Manufacturer: HarperEntertainment
- Package Dimensions: 6.6 x 47 x 75 inches
Features: - ISBN13: 9780060842277
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
The world's most powerful leaders are gathering in Los Angeles for the G-8 summit, unaware that they have been targeted by two separate terrorist groups, each with its own lethal agenda. Uncovering and disarming one bomb would be difficult enough; eliminating both will be nearly impossible. On the trail of a rabid Islamic assassin, rogue CTU agent Jack Bauer doesn't know that another conspiracy is brewing around him—a poisonous plot to violently dictate the future of the free world. If Bauer does nothing, in twenty-four hours the entire planet may be plunged into chaos, its primary heads of state ruthlessly destroyed. But if he acts, his daughter Kim will die instead. Customer reviews:  Jack Bauer Undergoes a Literary Spin, 2009-05-31
This was the first 24 Declassified book I've read, and although I enjoyed it to an extent, it was a typical holiday read for me, and not particularly special. There is not much of great interest here and those who don't read it aren't missing anything important. That said, there was a decent amount of action, although the descriptions were often too long and meandering - particularly when we cut to the bad guys. Just like in Season 6 and 7 where Jack's scenes seem to be rationed, we get limited time with the main character when he is the main reason people like 24 in the first place.
Despite the cover art being taken from Season 6, this 24 novel is in fact set before the very first season, and includes many characters who have since left the series. Of course, our hero Jack Bauer remains, along with Series 1 regulars and Counter Terrorist Unit colleagues Tony Almeida and Nina Myers, plus daughter Kim, who - typical of the misfortunes befalling the character - gets injected with a lethal chemical poison. If Jack wants his daughter to be given the vaccine, he must do everything the bad guy wants.
And after a lot of tedious preamble, only appreciated once the ending is read, 24 Declassified: Cat's Claw begins. We are introduced to several non-canon characters, most significantly Detective Mercy Bennett, who just happens to have a "history" with Jack. The story is pretty much balanced between Mercy and Jack. It could have easily have been a potential flaw in having a non-cannon character taking up some much of the book, but in this case the character of Mercy Bennett is ultimately successful, and is just as interesting as Jack Bauer.
There are a few flaws with the book, such as too many pages focusing on what the bad guys are doing; more mystery would have been welcome, but instead we're told from the outset who the enemies are and the general attitude is bordering on racial stereotyping. Another down side is one of the weakest characters in the series, Terri Bauer, Jack's wife. Although thankfully she isn't seen much, her role here is typically poor; generally, all she does is stay at home wondering where Jack is and what he's doing, and speak to him coldly over the phone. Another weak character is Kim Bauer. 24 fans have often voiced their dislike for the character, with the improbable and dangerous situations she finds herself in; they often resemble a corny teen drama than a prime time action thriller. As I've mentioned, she is in danger once again, and as always, it's up to Jack to save her.
The major plot of bio-chemical poisoning was used in Season 3 and once again in Season 7 (which hadn't been made when this book was written) so it does feel a little like retreading over old ground.
Another flaw is the time scale. At the beginning, the chapters last for around twenty - thirty pages each, as we're taken through an entire hour, but by the end they're only three or four pages long.
Pretty much all the 24 characters here apart from Jack have left the series for one reason or another, and many of them were in seperate seasons and it's strange having them interact. George Mason, Ryan Chappelle, Christopher Henderson - they're all here, and at times the whole thing resembles a curtain call of past characters.
One of the advantages of writing a book about 24 instead of just seeing it is we get to go inside Jack Bauer's head and find out what he's thinking. Many of his thoughts aren't surprising, however, and focus on his various moral choices which he voices in the series.
It would be nice if the 24 Declassified books moved past Day 1 and show us what happened between seasons, but typically, the whole series is focused on CTU in days gone by and looks incredibly dated to those who are used to later series with Bill, Curtis or even Larry. It also suffered from the major problem of many prequels: we know the characters survive: we've seem them afterward.
At times, the book was hard to put down, and at others, it was rather pedestrian, but, ultimately, you know what you're going in for and it doesn't strain your intellect too much.
Jack, being the tortured beast he is, entertains as usual and although I wouldn't rush out and by another Declassified book, it was enjoyable while it lasted.
 I give you my word, 2008-09-19
If you're a 24 (the tv show) fan, you will like any title of those series: 24 Declassified.
I've already read three of them and they are amazing
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