Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This was supposed to be a quick and simple trip to pick up the license Jack needed for his latest corporate investment to be able to operate in Guyanese waters. But is anything ever really quick or simple when you’re last name is Ryan? While Jack Ryan, Jr., has established a great cover for himself in the business world, he easily slips into the covert world after his government contact and several others are assassinated in an attempted coup that threatens not only the stability of the Guyana government, but also his own black ops team when one of their covers is blown. Will Jack be able to exfiltrate himself from behind enemy lines and help rescue a teammate in the process, or is this the end for the Hendley Associates black ops team?
M.P. Woodward brings readers the 13th installment in the Jack Ryan, Jr. series with Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation – his second in the Ryanverse.. A former Naval Intelligence Officer, Woodward utilizes that knowledge to make the plot from each of his books, Ryanverse and others, come alive for readers without coming in with too much military or political jargon or too little explanation. While many other great writers have picked up the quill to pen books in the Ryanverse since Clancy, on a few have delivered works in the same tenor and intention as the originator of these characters – Woodward is one. This is a novel of unlikely heroics and exemplary military skills, and learning that, in politics, there’s really no one you can trust.
I give Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation 5 out of 5 stars. To say I was blown away by this novel might be an understatement. This is one of the best Ryanverse novels I have read in a while from the newer writers. One aspect I truly appreciate here is that Woodward took time to not only develop Jack Jr.’s character and his abilities as an operator, but also those of his supporting operators. I can almost see who will take Ding or John Clark’s place if they decide to step away based on the way Woodward developed some of these characters. This was one of two novels to receive perfect 5.0 ratings in February – I could find no faults here!
If you’re like me and late to the Jack Ryan Jr novels, don’t worry! Much like the original series, you can jump into these at any point and follow along pretty well. I did find that knowing some storylines from other earlier novels did help, but this could be a standalone read. I would caution you if you’re sensitive to assaults against women and children during war and prisoner torture – while not explicit, it is lightly referenced here. Given the subject matter, I would direct this to more mature readers over 16.
I jumped at the chance to request this book on Netgalley last month when I saw it. If you have been following the blog long, you will know how much I love the Ryanverse – I’m on a mission to read all the books and have my work cut out for me! How many books have you read in the Ryanverse?
Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation will release May 20th. You can pre-order your copy today on our Bookshop.org page!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: The Secret Book of Flora Lea, Patti Callahan Henry
- Current audio book: The Book Club for Troublesome Women, Marie Bostwock
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Light a Penny Candle, Maeve Binchy
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