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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Definite page turner and interesting to be reading in Asia.
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It hits the "Political thriller with extensive details about the weapons, vehicles, and tactics involved" spot just as well as the books that preceded it. Clancy was a master at juggling a huge cast while effectively using them to make a vast, multifaceted conflict approachable and human.
It does feel like this is the point where Clancy's success started to catch up to him, to the point where editors were afraid to tell him to pare things down. The preceding books in the series were kept rather tight, but this one sprawls with descriptions and reflections that verged on unnecessary.
It does feel like this is the point where Clancy's success started to catch up to him, to the point where editors were afraid to tell him to pare things down. The preceding books in the series were kept rather tight, but this one sprawls with descriptions and reflections that verged on unnecessary.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One of the best in the series, politics, spying, military battles, subs, planes, and more. While it's a bit of a slow burn it's engaging throughout and has a very exciting and interesting third act. This is the first book in the series where I've been immediately excited to pick up the next novel! Highly recommended!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This had an exciting military slant toward the end. Unfortunately, for me, it didn’t make up for the hundreds and hundreds of pages detailing auto making processes, how the Federal Reserve and Wall Street functions, along with ongoing diplomatic workings. On top of all that, there had to be at least 50 different characters, which I couldn’t keep straight-maybe just my failing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oof. I have previously liked the characters of Ryan and his family, but this book was chock full of issues. I needed to keep in mind this came out in 1994. Even then…
Every time a military character is female it’s commented on in some way that seems like it’s trying to be progressive but really just comes across as othering and patronizing. There are some other times where sexism sticks out, too. The “enemy” characters are stilted and one dimensional, and often described in racist tropes. (When it comes to race and gender, it appears we’ve come a ways since 1994! Let’s not go back there.) Plus the ending is absurd and feels unearned; Clancy jumped the shark here.
I’m conflicted about continuing with the series. It’s like that TV show “Lost,” where you’re like “this is so ridiculous it’s not worth my time, but also I must know what happens next.” I may just have to stick to the cinematic reboots.
Every time a military character is female it’s commented on in some way that seems like it’s trying to be progressive but really just comes across as othering and patronizing. There are some other times where sexism sticks out, too. The “enemy” characters are stilted and one dimensional, and often described in racist tropes. (When it comes to race and gender, it appears we’ve come a ways since 1994! Let’s not go back there.) Plus the ending is absurd and feels unearned; Clancy jumped the shark here.
I’m conflicted about continuing with the series. It’s like that TV show “Lost,” where you’re like “this is so ridiculous it’s not worth my time, but also I must know what happens next.” I may just have to stick to the cinematic reboots.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Trafficking, War
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No