The China Formula: Crisis in the Party by Ray Simmons

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The China Formula by Ray Simmons is an action packed book. Leonidas Lambros, a Canadian student, has developed a formula with which he can predict currency fluctuations; this means that if any country could get a hold on this formula, they can, literally, control the world by getting an edge in the trading market. This formula has grabbed an attention of very high-ranking officials of the Chinese government. They have come up with a plan to seize this formula before anybody else can. For this, Guo Hong Yu, Intelligence Minister, sends his granddaughter to this mission. At the same time, Al Qaeda and CIA are also trying to get a hold on this formula. Reading about their mission is very interesting. Throughout the read, I was eager to know who would be able to grab the formula.

The best part about the book is that it does not stick to only describing the mission; that could have been very boring. Ray has included very interesting facts about China to keep the interest of the readers elevated. The characters are introduced with perfection. The conversation among the officers is convincing. The attraction between Xin Tong, who is the granddaughter of Hong Yu, and Leonidas Lambros is a good distraction from all the action going on around them.

The book is a subtle combination of action, romance, and a little bit of humor. Ray’s style of writing is descriptive and captivating. When he introduces a character, he does not just describe the physical characteristics of the individual; he gives a background of the character that helps the readers in connecting with the person. The part of the book, where Hong Yu remembers the birth of Xin Tong in his family, is my favorite. Apparently, his wife wished to have a boy and was very disappointed to know that her daughter-in-law has conceived a girl. Beyond all the hard times given by her mother-in-law, how she raised her daughter, Xin Tong, is very inspiring and empowering.

The action scenes are written with perfection. I could visualize each scene as if I was present at the scene. I liked the action scenes involving Xin Tong a lot. This was refreshing to see that Ray wrote her dominance over men flawlessly. Her dilemma between her heart and her head is narrated with required elegance. I believed each event happening in the book, thanks to the beautiful diction of the author. I think the author could benefit a lot if the title of the book was a little catching; The China Formula, this title does not have a ring to it.

I would recommend this book to action-loving readers, who enjoy a little romance mixed with action. All said and done, it is an entertaining book and I enjoyed reading it. Believe it or not, I was so mesmerized by the book that I finished it in only two hours.

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