Scan barcode
jacqueshol's review against another edition
4.0
My favourite book of all time is Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising. Red Metal is very similar and, quite oddly, depicts a very realistic scenario. However, it does lack the engaging storytelling and punch of Red Storm Rising. I felt the author missed an opportunity to write a great epic. The story was told on a too small scale - while the battles were well described, it was localised in two smaller operational theatres.
I felt the other scenarios should have been investigated too. Firstly, hardly anything is mentioned of diplomatic channels or what the countries' presidents and their councils are thinking. Secondly, China featured strongly initially, ignored for the next 90% of the book and then suddenly raised again in the final pages. Thirdly, a submarine makes its appearance early on in the story, just to be forgotten for most of the book. It only resurfaces (no pun intended) when the author seemingly ran out of an idea on how to sway the battle. It's storyline could have been fleshed out a bit more.
Criticisms aside, if I haven't read Red Storm Rising (3 times) before, I probably would have rated Red Metal 5 stars. Still, in my mind, Red Storm Rising will always be the novel to set the standards for any war story. Don't let my negative comments above deter you. Red Metal is a very enjoyable book. It is not a short book at 21 hours on Audible or over 600 pages, which allows for good character and story development. Have fun reading it.
I felt the other scenarios should have been investigated too. Firstly, hardly anything is mentioned of diplomatic channels or what the countries' presidents and their councils are thinking. Secondly, China featured strongly initially, ignored for the next 90% of the book and then suddenly raised again in the final pages. Thirdly, a submarine makes its appearance early on in the story, just to be forgotten for most of the book. It only resurfaces (no pun intended) when the author seemingly ran out of an idea on how to sway the battle. It's storyline could have been fleshed out a bit more.
Criticisms aside, if I haven't read Red Storm Rising (3 times) before, I probably would have rated Red Metal 5 stars. Still, in my mind, Red Storm Rising will always be the novel to set the standards for any war story. Don't let my negative comments above deter you. Red Metal is a very enjoyable book. It is not a short book at 21 hours on Audible or over 600 pages, which allows for good character and story development. Have fun reading it.
clark_w's review against another edition
5.0
I really like what I call "military procedurals" -- analogous to "police procedurals," which include a lot of details about police procedures and practices. Indeed, in police procedurals the police practices provide the main chronological framework for the story. For instance, I like reading radio traffic. And I like to read tactical military stuff. I'm not interested in the grand flow of strategy or in the geopolitics, but in a single ship or a pilot & wingman or a platoon, company, or battalion. Also I prefer to have as little romantic love interest as possible in a military book. I have trouble finding military procedurals that I like.
This book matched my preferences exactly, and it was executed superbly: interesting, three-dimensional characters, significant details of the right kind, plausible ratio of losses between our forces and theirs, excellent plotting and pacing. There was even an old guy in it. (I'm an old guy.)
I would pre-order the next book in the series today, if I could.
This book matched my preferences exactly, and it was executed superbly: interesting, three-dimensional characters, significant details of the right kind, plausible ratio of losses between our forces and theirs, excellent plotting and pacing. There was even an old guy in it. (I'm an old guy.)
I would pre-order the next book in the series today, if I could.
gimpyknee's review against another edition
5.0
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Mark Greaney is a worthy successor to Tom Clancy,
kitkates213's review against another edition
3.0
Good military action/suspense novel. I wasn't sure about it at first, but the plot was compelling and after a couple chapters I was hooked. Not very strong character development, but that's not the reason I read chose to read it. Would make a very good movie.
cdeane61's review against another edition
5.0
Not exactly on my wheelhouse, although I do enjoy military Sci-fi, but this was a very enjoyable read.
From the workings of NATO to the plotting of the Russians this is a fascinating tale of wartime, and the mechanizations of the war machine.
Very believable, and very readable, even somewhat emotional.
Highly recommended.
From the workings of NATO to the plotting of the Russians this is a fascinating tale of wartime, and the mechanizations of the war machine.
Very believable, and very readable, even somewhat emotional.
Highly recommended.
auspea's review against another edition
3.0
Good military thriller with some inconsistencies and plot holes, but highly entertaining.
dlsmall's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5…Largely follows the formula of those Cold War WWIII classics of the 80s. Well-enough executed, though.
lbermingham7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
cfl97's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lwalker77's review against another edition
4.0
7.1/10 Really good military thriller. I’m a big fan of Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series, but this is a much different book. My only critique could be that the battle scenes seemed to drag on at different points. I did however greatly enjoy the submarine scenes in particular. Lovers of military thrillers will enjoy this book!