Jack Ryan is no stranger to Russian political affairs. He made quite the name for himself in the American intelligence community after the Red October affair and landed a high-level overt role in the CIA that’s put him on a delegation negotiating with Russian officials. In true Ryan fashion, what should have been a simple negotiation at face value turns into a master class in espionage complete with the capture of spies from both countries while he tries to evacuate a high-level asset. Will Jack succeed at the evacuation or will he be captured, too?
The Cardinal of the Kremlin is the third release in Tom Clancy’s Ryanverse. First released in 1989, this book pulls inspiration from the space race and Cold War between America and Russia. With Clancy’s signature suspense and domestic thrills, this book takes readers to legendary landmarks of espionage in both countries. This is a book about loyalty to country, but, more importantly, loyalty to self.
I give The Cardinal of the Kremlin 4 out of 5 stars. This was not my top book read in the Ryanverse so far, but I really enjoyed this one. After hearing about the Cardinal in books set earlier in the franchise, it was nice to get to meet him on these pages. I will say hearing about laser technology and weaponry in a book set 35 years ago was a bit surreal. I appreciate the way Clancy wove multiple settings and characters together. I did have trouble understanding the inclusion of the Afghani storyline until the very end and I appreciated that little surprise! I do wish the book had focused more on Jack, but loved the inclusion of so many characters new and old.
As with most Ryanverse books, this book would be best directed to audiences over 16 given the themes of war, murder, and torture. If you’ve loved other Jack Ryan books or Tom Clancy works, you will like this book, too! While this is third in the series, this can be read as a stand-alone novel as well. I would add an additional caution here for readers who may be triggered by assault or gun violence – more than just wartime violence, this book has some domestic terrorism and assault that could be more triggering.
I chose The Cardinal of the Kremlin for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “military character”. With appearances by the Russian military and also the American Navy, this one definitely fits the bill. The newest stewards of the Ryanverse revisited some of this plot in the latest release coming out in December Defense Protocol – amphibious rescue, air drop onto submarine, rescue of a high value asset by John Clark. If you’ve read The Cardinal, consider picking up Defense Protocol in a few weeks!
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