Threat Vector: A Jack Ryan Novel

Before I read this book, I looked at some of the 1-star reviews. Then after having read less than half the book I began to wonder if we (the low reviewers, and I)were considering the same book. When I read a book, unless I'm researching something, I read it for enjoyment. On that count this book delivers, and very, very well. I don't care if there are minor factual discrepancies between this, and prior "Ryanverse" novels. I might feel differently if a previously killed character suddenly came back to life, but apart from some glaring problem, why obsess about something minor? Threat Vector is nearly non-stop action, and the violence being dished out isn't unilateral. I can tell you that if you have previously enjoyed Clarke, and Ding, they figure heavily in the overall story. I'll not go any further into it than that. I'll just say that any of the books featuring Clarke and Ding, have always delivered satisfaction, and so will this one. Yes, the fact that this book is co-written, does make it somewhat different than the average Clancy book, but in this particular story, that difference isn't a negative one. Read the book. Make up your own mind independently of the naysayers. My bet is that 99% of the readers of this book will be well satisfied when they are done. ***** While ruminating on this book and the review that I'd written, it occurred to me that there was one thing that I failed to mention about it. This book gives a very plausible "What If" scenario about how things could eventually play out between the USA and China. China does, in fact, have people dedicated to cyber-warfare, and it only stands to reason that their prime target is the United States. With that in mind, it's very easy to see that the book is more than just entertaining; it's relevant! It should serve as a warning to any still unaware of just what it is that China is preparing, if not intending, to do.

A lot of Clancy's readers really like the "Jack Ryan" series of novels with their vivid characters such as John Clark, "Ding" Dominguez, and of course Jack Ryan Sr. and Jr. So we were disappointed when several books of this "series" (term loosely applied) were bloated and not that interesting or plausible. The first novel that Clancy co-authored with Greaney, "Locked On" was pretty good, but imperfect in a number of ways that "Threat Vector" seems to correct. This novel, "Threat Vector" approaches Clancy's very best novels -- I will go out on a limb and say that Mark Greaney seems to be serving as something that Clancy desperately needed -- an editor. This novel is fairly tightly written, not bloated, and has an excellent storyline that hold the reader's interest throughout. Just like the early "Tom Clancy" novels of old, e.g. Hunt for Red October, Red Storm Rising, Patriot Games, and others. This one reads similarly and is in fact a ripping read in its own right. Others have said that Mr. Greaney did the bulk of the writing (don't ask me if this is true), but if this is so he has successfully preserved much or most of the best parts of Clancy's writing -- the skillful integration of high technology into a suspenseful plot involving geopolitics and conflict.The theme of this novel is a low-intensity conflict between the US and an aggressive Communist China. The story is plausible and disturbing, and gives a fascinating and insightful look at cyber-warfare and America's vulnerability to attacks of this kind. As the authors say, America has never been good at preparing for new forms of warfare, and she is likely very vulnerable to an aggressive cyber-assault from China or others. The authors carry off the story with elan and alacrity, managing to acquaint the reader with some of the intricacies of cyber-warfare without crossing the line and becoming bogged down. Further, in this novel the characterizations are very good and one wonders what will happen as between Jack Ryan Jr. and Melanie Kraft (no spoilers here.)"Threat Vector" ends on a satisfactory note but nevertheless leaves an opening for a follow-on novel that I hope we will see. Recommended. RJB.

Quality

Pas de surprise, c'est comme d'hab

Starts off slowly but grips you as it is advances. Seems more of a possibility than fiction. Must read thriller

Very Good

We are Tom clancy fans at our house, and I was trying to find the last book where he participated in the story line and the writing. This is the best of Clancy at his best, it fits in with his most popular novels. Action in multi layered story lines, and easy to follow and enjoy the highly charged narrative. Highly recommended.