Review of Savage Son by Jack Carr

With Savage Son, Jack Carr delivers his most primal and brutal novel yet, a story that strips everything down to the core of what it means to survive, to kill, and to be hunted. Inspired by Richard Connell’s classic The Most Dangerous Game, Carr takes James Reece into a darker, more savage world—one where the line between hunter and hunted blurs, and survival becomes the only law.

The novel begins with Reece trying to rebuild some semblance of a life after the chaos of True Believer. But peace is short-lived. A Russian oligarch’s sadistic son, obsessed with hunting the most dangerous prey, sets his sights on Reece. What follows is a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across remote wilderness, where every skill Reece has honed over years as a Navy SEAL is tested.

This book feels different from the first two in the best way. Where The Terminal List was fueled by vengeance and True Believer by geopolitics, Savage Son is stripped bare, a visceral survival thriller at its core. The violence is raw, close-quarters, and often shocking—but never gratuitous. Each moment is written with Carr’s signature authenticity, reminding readers that this is not fantasy; this is how men trained to kill would actually fight to stay alive.

Raife Hastings takes on a much larger role here, and fans will be glad he does. His Montana ranch becomes a key setting, offering both a sanctuary and a battleground. As a rancher and warrior in his own right, Raife is a perfect complement to Reece—steadier, more grounded, but equally formidable. Their bond deepens in this novel, and it’s clear that Raife is no side character—he is becoming one of the central pillars of Carr’s universe.

Katie Buranek, the fearless journalist, also continues to stand out. Her loyalty to Reece and her willingness to dive into danger for the truth make her more than a supporting player; she’s an essential piece of Reece’s fragile humanity. Together, these characters form a circle around Reece that grounds the series, even as the violence escalates.

Savage Son is, at its core, a meditation on the nature of violence. Carr forces Reece—and the reader—to confront the question: is killing simply a skill, or is it something deeper, primal, and embedded in certain souls? The novel doesn’t flinch from the darkness inside its characters, but it also explores loyalty, family, and the possibility of redemption even in the most brutal circumstances.

Readers will find the story both shocking and refreshing compared to what they’ve seen on screen. Where the series emphasized conspiracy and betrayal, Savage Son strips away politics and focuses on the timeless struggle of man versus man, predator versus prey. It’s more intimate, more savage, and arguably Carr’s most personal work.

Savage Son is Jack Carr at his most primal—brutal, gripping, and unforgettable. It proves that Carr isn’t content to repeat himself; each book pushes James Reece into new territory, both geographically and emotionally. With Raife Hastings stepping firmly into the spotlight and the wilderness itself becoming a character, Savage Son is a standout entry in the series, cementing Carr as one of the most authentic and fearless voices in modern thrillers.