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A review by jacqueshol
Red Metal by H. Ripley Rawlings, Mark Greaney
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.