A one-star book by a four-star admiral

To quote another reviewer with whom I completely agree: "Thermonuclear exchanges are glossed over without as much attention as a fender bender in a mall parking lot. The cast of characters are sketched in as stick figures with zero insight into the decision making processes that brought about this disaster." Climate change is mentioned only once, as having reset global geopolitics, without describing what was done and who mainly benefited (presumably the Chinese). But this is in 2034, barely a dozen years from now! The main characters seem to be involved at many intersections of the plot, completely unbelievably. The ending is pure Dr. Strangelove.

The admiral is the "game theorist" part of the authorial partnership and the plot is unimpressive, whereas the novelist partner fails to meet his obligations in this novel.

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A bit of Battlestar Galactica and Tom Clancy

For the first half of the book, I thought I had not enjoyed a fictional book like this since reading the first few Tom Clancy books as a teenager in the early 90s. But then, towards the end, I found that it seemed to lose steam. While there's a coda, and an interview with the author (which I've never seen in an audibook before), I think the book should have gone on for a few more chapters and, um, ended. I was not satisfied in that regard. Maybe the authors had to hit a delivery deadline?
This book also takes pains to hit every nearly social justice warrior item you can imagine. It even takes a swing at fracking.
Spoilers:
The book draws heavily from the 2003 Battlestar Galactica mini-series, where the Cylons have the ability to hack the colonial navy's networked fighters and ships, leaving them defenceless destroying them. The authors might as well called the Chinese "Cylons." They even resort to using ancient fighters as their go-to to fight back, just like BSG. That whole plot-line is very poorly paid off, however. Indeed, I don't think it was paid off much at all. I think they should be sending Ronald D. Moore and David Eick royalty checks.
Written by an admiral, I expected fewer flights of fantasy. I didn't know an F-18 could carry Tsar Bomba, because that's what it would have needed to accomplish what happens, twice, in this book. So much for only using "tactical" nukes. As for the two American cities hit by nukes, one makes perfect sense, the second does not. It should have been Bremerton.
As an admiral, you would think somewhere in this book, U.S Navy submarines would have played a part? Like a salvo or ten of Tomahawks? Maybe a torpedo? I realize that might be pining for Tom Clancy, but there's no way a naval war with Japan does not involve the U.S. Navy's nuclear fleet.
And, given the impact last week of one ship stuck in the Suez Canal, this book doesn't even touch on what would happen to global trade in a war with China. What, are all those container ships going to keep flowing from China to Long Beach while all this is going on? Who would buy the West's exports?
Russia's involvement seemed hackneyed, at best. And they could magically make a whole division of Spetsnaz appear, only to have a "divine wind" intervene? Because that's what happened.
These are some of the reasons why the second half seemed to fall apart for me. After a good setup, it was a poor ending.

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Boardrooms instead of battlefields

Huge military events are given one sentence descriptions, mundane conversations are given pages.

Not sure why this is set in 2034...
Other than some random references to cyber warfare there’s nothing that requires this tale being set any other time than now.

Ambitious, but falls short.

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It was ok... it was a bookclub book

interesting idea but fell short on the character depth. overall cool idea for the future

1 person found this helpful

Save Your Credit

Very concerned the authors have no real understanding of our current world (let alone 2034). To say this book is unrealistic feels equivalent to saying 2020 was mildly unpleasant, lol. Plot doesn’t make sense, characterization sure as shit doesn’t and let’s not even talk about basic facts (M*di is India’s PM, not President). This book is very clearly trying to cash in on current events today and anti-racism movements (and doing a bad job). I would recommend getting this book if you’re in the mood to waste a credit or are for some reason trying to support people who can’t proof read. Voice actors also missed the mark.

1 person found this helpful

Unimaginative, poorly written

The format was interesting, having different readers for each character.

That said, the novel was horrendously cliché, brutally politically correct and lacked actual depth.

You have better ways to spend your time

Fiction needs to be believable and there are too many wait a second, how did that happen and if it did, why isn't it happening to these guys.

I have an hour forty left and I'm just not going to go any more

Macguffins, magic & stupidity drive the story

The author combines conventional thinking, with use of magical, unrealistic tech by an enemy, and Curtis Lemay-esque morons in USA & China to drive an unbelievable narrative full of social justice virtue signalling. This is a waste of your time unless you already hate America and want to see it knocked down several pegs. Voice actors were very good.

intriguing but highly improbable story

The story bounces between world centers, looks at a world crisis thru the lense of major and minor countries. "The good guy wins" will lead you to cheer for USA. but views from other world leaders creates an irreconcilable difference. The story is really character oriented not a military story, in the end.

Overall good story, some flaws

Too many stereotypes but a good tactical and strategic analysis. Some of the subplots are corny/cheesy, and some of the characters predictable, but the big picture with the roles of India and Iran make it quite intriguing as a plot.