Publishers Weekly
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Andrews and Wilson’s second entry in Clancy’s Jack Ryan series (after Act of Defiance) is a solid shoot-’em-up centered on tensions between China and the United States. At the outset, China’s defense minister and top diplomat have just been “disappeared.” The new defense minister, Qin Haiyu, has authored a plan to reintegrate Taiwan into mainland China, which Chinese president Li is preparing to execute despite its likelihood of igniting a war with the U.S. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Katie Ryan—President Jack Ryan’s daughter—is an up-and-coming analyst for the Office of Naval Intelligence. Hoping to avert a war, Qin warns the Americans of the looming attack on Taiwan, setting the stage for a clash between President Ryan and President Li. Katie leads the U.S. effort against China alongside John Clark, director of operations for a secret task force called the Campus. With the exception of an intriguing new character—a Chinese superspy for the Americans known as “the Spider”—this is mostly business as usual, with Katie now firmly established as one of the Ryan family’s freedom fighters. Series fans will be satisfied. Agent: Tracy Fisher, WME. (Dec.)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Chinese president Li Jian Jun plans a sneak attack on Taiwan, and it’s up to the Jack Ryan administration to stop him without going to war. President Li announces a naval exercise, but his real plan is Operation Sea Serpent, the lightning reunification of Taiwan. His minister of defense, Admiral Qin Hâiyû, thinks the idea is crazy because a great number of people would die, but he can’t say so. Li is not a man to be challenged, and he’s already had one of his ministers executed. But Qin wants to stop the war before it begins. Perhaps he can get word to the Americans so they can cut off the mad scheme, and he’s troubled by whether his actions will make him a traitor or a patriot. A Western asset nicknamed the Spider helps facilitate his dangerous disappearance as he attempts to leave China, and authorities in Beijing don’t know if he’s been kidnapped or has defected. Meanwhile, the Ryan administration wants to get him safely extracted from mainland China. President Ryan orders that an American naval vessel will transit through the Strait of Taiwan, which the People’s Republic has blockaded. Will there be a bloody showdown that triggers a major war? So much can go wrong, and there are series regulars like John Clark and Ding Chavez at the tip of the spear. And there’s also Katie Ryan, a lieutenant commander with the Office of Naval Intelligence who’s deployed to Taiwan because she’s “one hell of an intelligence analyst” who “thinks outside the box.” She’s a “rising star” who refuses to trade on her relationship with her father, President Ryan. There’s not much violence, although there’s enough to call it a military thriller. One brave American is fading fast from a round to his chest, but he has time to smile about that “hot” Katie Ryan. (Yes, yes, we all like the Ryans.) The novel’s big question is not which nation wins, but whether they fight. Bravery and clear thinking will have to come from both sides. By the way, Jack Junior isn’t in this one—it’s Katie’s time to shine. Plenty of excitement for Clancy fans. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.