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Red Dragon Rising #4
Larry Bond's Red Dragon Rising: Blood of War
As depression and drought wrack China, the country's new premier has launched a deadly war with Vietnam. The assault has left the world on the precipice of disaster.... U.S. Army Major Zeus Murphy disobeys his commander and plunges headlong into the conflict, leading the Vietnamese in a covert attack against the Chinese army massing on the border. If the gambit fails, China will roll over Vietnam―and Zeus will lose the only woman he has ever loved, kept prisoner in a secret base north of Hanoi. In the South China Sea, the USS McLane becomes a deadly pawn in a game of international chicken between the U.S. and China. If the American ship won't leave, the Chinese are prepared to sink it. Vietnam prepares a doomsday weapon that will not only extract revenge but render much of Southeast Asia uninhabitable for decades. Hoping to prevent this, the U.S. President sends SEAL Lieutenant Ric Kerfer to destroy the weapon. Operating on land and sea, American heroes are caught in a desperate struggle to prevent the unthinkable from becoming reality. But are they enough to turn back the might of the rising Red Dragon?
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First published January 15, 2013
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About the author
Larry Bond
75 books412 followersLarry Bond is the author of several bestselling military thrillers, including Crash Dive, Cold Choices, Dangerous Ground, Red Phoenix and the Larry Bond’s First Team and Larry Bond’s Red Dragon Rising series. He was a naval officer for six years, serving four on a destroyer and two on shore duty in the Washington DC area. He's also worked as a warfare analyst and antisubmarine technology expert, and he now writes and designs computer games, including Harpoon and Command at Sea. He makes his home in Springfield, Virginia.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larrybond
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larrybond
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 14, 2013
A cleverly written book that is filled with colorful characters, rich vocabulary and an interesting plot to boot. Probably the best of the series so far.
This book continues as the others have – strong on the strategizing and weaponry, reasonable in the supply and depiction of action, so-so on the depiction of today’s Vietnam, weak on the characterization. Bond’s background in Pentagon-level war-gaming provides a dimension not always present in technothrillers – a realistic sense of how wars develop, how commanders plot and foresee moves, the ebb and flow of battles and wars, and the many real-life limitations.
The war-gamers are represented here by Murphy, whose background in that is what’s gotten him detailed to advise the beleaguered Vietnamese Army. In this volume he sees a bold stroke by the Vietnamese underdogs can buy time or even stop the Chinese in their tracks.
There are certain limitations in this kind of realistic, what-if, set-in-the-present book. It’s tougher to dramatize automated forms of warfare – like the missiles and anti-missile systems used by the warships. The human actors make some decisions, give some orders, push some buttons and stand around while bombs go hurtling through the sky. (The era of drones and other robot weapons is going to change the thriller genre, as there are fewer guys with guns and more deskbound geeks in flipflops operating Predators out of an office in Nevada.)
Bond is strong on the weaponry and uses that as a form of realistic detail. Now, there are times when you want to know that the Chinese are using a (I’m making this up) EK-68A-BL personnel carrier originally built by the Russians, and other times when it’s just alphanumeric gobbledygook, unnecessarily cluttering up the writing because it doesn’t tell you anything important. I understand that with the on-the-ground viewpoint he’s providing, that stuff does matter – is this a vehicle, say, that the Vietnamese can shoot their AB6-89-43-X (also made up) rocket-propelled grenade at? Or not? This is a realistic book and that stuff, in real life, matters. But lapsing into too much hardware-speak gets a writer onto shaky stylistic grounds. The writer must walk a fine line.
Of great value, though, is the big picture and the whole scenario: Changing climate (plausible) causing draught and food riots (plausible) in the world’s most densely populated nation, causing it to eye a fertile neighbor and historic rival next door (quite plausible.)
What’s also plausible is how and why the Chinese invasion falters: the army is too hidebound. Its commanders are too nervous to take any chances – for good reason, as they face death in their party-dictatorship system if they fail. Its midlevel officers have neither the authority nor experience to improvise in the field. They are slaves to caution. Everyone sugarcoats failures as they report up the line, meaning those at the top don’t have accurate information.
Bond has also chosen an intriguing scenario overall – the U.S. quietly looking for ways to aid those who had been our enemies in a long, difficult and politically damaging war within recent memory, against a nation that could become a far greater threat if it chose an aggressive path. It also offers some benefits from the writer's angle: this is not that much of a high-tech war. It's still being slugged out on the ground by tanks and troops, and whether to take that hill still matters, and makes better reading than pushbutton warfare does.
Oh, and a ship's name change from Mclane to McCampbell, which was a little annoying, but whatever.
This book continues as the others have – strong on the strategizing and weaponry, reasonable in the supply and depiction of action, so-so on the depiction of today’s Vietnam, weak on the characterization. Bond’s background in Pentagon-level war-gaming provides a dimension not always present in technothrillers – a realistic sense of how wars develop, how commanders plot and foresee moves, the ebb and flow of battles and wars, and the many real-life limitations.
The war-gamers are represented here by Murphy, whose background in that is what’s gotten him detailed to advise the beleaguered Vietnamese Army. In this volume he sees a bold stroke by the Vietnamese underdogs can buy time or even stop the Chinese in their tracks.
There are certain limitations in this kind of realistic, what-if, set-in-the-present book. It’s tougher to dramatize automated forms of warfare – like the missiles and anti-missile systems used by the warships. The human actors make some decisions, give some orders, push some buttons and stand around while bombs go hurtling through the sky. (The era of drones and other robot weapons is going to change the thriller genre, as there are fewer guys with guns and more deskbound geeks in flipflops operating Predators out of an office in Nevada.)
Bond is strong on the weaponry and uses that as a form of realistic detail. Now, there are times when you want to know that the Chinese are using a (I’m making this up) EK-68A-BL personnel carrier originally built by the Russians, and other times when it’s just alphanumeric gobbledygook, unnecessarily cluttering up the writing because it doesn’t tell you anything important. I understand that with the on-the-ground viewpoint he’s providing, that stuff does matter – is this a vehicle, say, that the Vietnamese can shoot their AB6-89-43-X (also made up) rocket-propelled grenade at? Or not? This is a realistic book and that stuff, in real life, matters. But lapsing into too much hardware-speak gets a writer onto shaky stylistic grounds. The writer must walk a fine line.
Of great value, though, is the big picture and the whole scenario: Changing climate (plausible) causing draught and food riots (plausible) in the world’s most densely populated nation, causing it to eye a fertile neighbor and historic rival next door (quite plausible.)
What’s also plausible is how and why the Chinese invasion falters: the army is too hidebound. Its commanders are too nervous to take any chances – for good reason, as they face death in their party-dictatorship system if they fail. Its midlevel officers have neither the authority nor experience to improvise in the field. They are slaves to caution. Everyone sugarcoats failures as they report up the line, meaning those at the top don’t have accurate information.
Bond has also chosen an intriguing scenario overall – the U.S. quietly looking for ways to aid those who had been our enemies in a long, difficult and politically damaging war within recent memory, against a nation that could become a far greater threat if it chose an aggressive path. It also offers some benefits from the writer's angle: this is not that much of a high-tech war. It's still being slugged out on the ground by tanks and troops, and whether to take that hill still matters, and makes better reading than pushbutton warfare does.
Oh, and a ship's name change from Mclane to McCampbell, which was a little annoying, but whatever.
June 16, 2020
To be fair, it is the last book in a series so I jumped in at the end. Just OK read.
June 18, 2013
The problem with reading a "war" series where a new book comes out every year (and then sometimes waiting 6 months to read it on top of that) is that you have trouble seeing the continuity. You DEFINITELY cannot read this book if you haven't read the previous three; too many things just won't make sense. I can't quite tell if this will be the last one or not. My advice is to wait a few years and then read them consecutively.
That being said, I just found myself bogging down in this one. It just didn't bind together and I started speed-reading toward the end just to finish. The interspersing of a story involving Josh, the main character from other books, an over-used and obvious plot with a hohum ending, detracts from the overall tale.
That being said, I just found myself bogging down in this one. It just didn't bind together and I started speed-reading toward the end just to finish. The interspersing of a story involving Josh, the main character from other books, an over-used and obvious plot with a hohum ending, detracts from the overall tale.
September 8, 2015
I'm in love! (oh I better shoot this guy) I can't comprehend how she makes me feel! (just let me toss this grenade in here) I've never felt this way before! (die enemy scum! die!) One of those poorly-written series that you can't quit reading, but make you ashamed to review. Just put down the series and back away.
October 27, 2021
Unfortunately I had not read any of the previous books by the author. I read the first 16 chapters and decided to bail. After almost 100 pages I really didn’t understand the plot. Yes China is at war with Vietnam, really…. And we have an American scientist needing to escape from Vietnam and a Chinese operative chasing him. That covers 100 pages….really dull. Too many gifted authors out there. I’m moving on!
May 21, 2017
Really good book, however I found it jumped around a lot not always easy to follow. I will try and read the rest of the books in the series it was the first one in the series I've read and maybe it would've been easier to follow it I read the first ones in the series. But sometimes I found I was not comprehending which character I was reading about. Great geopolitical plot
August 18, 2025
I enjoyed this book overall. Again, as with the prior books in this series, I was disappointed with the various spelling and grammatical errors. The story itself was good...in a James Bond sort of way. All of the heroes were incredibly brave and noble and all of the women were described as being brilliant and gorgeous. It was escapism and an enjoyable read so I'd recommend the book!
June 29, 2018
This book is very thorough and believable. It reads more like an action report than a novel, though, so I didn't find it very exciting. It reminds me of why I quit reading Tom Clancy: too much detail and not enough story.
November 16, 2020
Excellent series, satisfying wrap up
Well paced, with character development. Lots of action, with some romance tossed in. The series ended on a satisfying note. Four books was fine; I would not have wanted it dragged out further.
Well paced, with character development. Lots of action, with some romance tossed in. The series ended on a satisfying note. Four books was fine; I would not have wanted it dragged out further.
April 7, 2019
It was only inertia that kept me reading this. The romance was so cringey - the female love interests were merely props for the men to pine after.
October 24, 2020
Fantastic series.
December 8, 2022
Glad it ended; was getting tired of the story. Nothing special in this book, just more of the preceding narrative.
January 16, 2017
Entertaining but not too deep.
March 13, 2017
Good book. Moved well. Good characters. Obviously not the first in the series. I'd read the previous ones I think. I wish books would say when they r part of a series. Some do. Must be marketing!
November 3, 2023
It's supposed to be a type of "Ripped from the Headlines" type of novel, and it is. The characters are believable up to a certain point.
I do have some problems with the overall plot:
1. Is everyone not a field officer have issues making decisions? General Perry seems to run the gamut from competent officers, to purely political and petty, and then lands on being the "anonymous senior official leaking information to the press." The CIA directors are horrible too; if they are following their own agendas, it's hard to tell. If they are following presidential directives faithfully, it's also hard to tell. In fact, only the President, Commander Silas of the USS McCampbell, Zeus, and Kerfer seem to know what they're doing or supposed to be doing and why.
2. It's supposed to be fourth and last book. However, there are so many other unresolved issues. Does Zeus and Anna reunite and go some place out of the war zone? How will the brass react to Zeus and the legacy of Commander Silas? Will Kerfer be recognized and decorated, or swept under the rug? Does the President survive the threat of impeachment or will his actions give more ammo to his enemies? And does the Premier of China and the PRC survive the failed war - China's "Vietnam War / Quagmire"?
I do have some problems with the overall plot:
1. Is everyone not a field officer have issues making decisions? General Perry seems to run the gamut from competent officers, to purely political and petty, and then lands on being the "anonymous senior official leaking information to the press." The CIA directors are horrible too; if they are following their own agendas, it's hard to tell. If they are following presidential directives faithfully, it's also hard to tell. In fact, only the President, Commander Silas of the USS McCampbell, Zeus, and Kerfer seem to know what they're doing or supposed to be doing and why.
2. It's supposed to be fourth and last book. However, there are so many other unresolved issues. Does Zeus and Anna reunite and go some place out of the war zone? How will the brass react to Zeus and the legacy of Commander Silas? Will Kerfer be recognized and decorated, or swept under the rug? Does the President survive the threat of impeachment or will his actions give more ammo to his enemies? And does the Premier of China and the PRC survive the failed war - China's "Vietnam War / Quagmire"?
February 2, 2021
Blood of War concludes Larry Bond’s Red Dragon Rising quartet. Most of this story focusses on Zeus Murphy and efforts to help the Vietnamese in the ongoing struggle with the Chinese and on President Green’s continuing battle with congress who are against the US getting involved and helping these Vietnamese in any way. There are cameo appearances from most of the characters in the first three books as Bond looks to tie up the story lines.
As a series it has been entertaining enough but I feel it could have been shorter and punchier which Bond has done before (Vortex or Red Phoenix). The action scenes were excellent, detailed and at the same time terrifying as the people we have come to know through the pages face death in a number of different ways. Interspersed between the action is the political manoeuvring but whilst this was necessary for the overall story line they often felt ponderous and slowed the pace of the whole novel. In the single volume Vortex for example the political manoeuvring is necessarily snappy and keeps the novel moving along. So overall would give the whole series 6 -7 /10.
As a series it has been entertaining enough but I feel it could have been shorter and punchier which Bond has done before (Vortex or Red Phoenix). The action scenes were excellent, detailed and at the same time terrifying as the people we have come to know through the pages face death in a number of different ways. Interspersed between the action is the political manoeuvring but whilst this was necessary for the overall story line they often felt ponderous and slowed the pace of the whole novel. In the single volume Vortex for example the political manoeuvring is necessarily snappy and keeps the novel moving along. So overall would give the whole series 6 -7 /10.
April 4, 2014
Entertaining, action-packed, with intriguing plotline and interesting characters. Perhaps I've watched too much "NCIS: Los Angeles," but if I were the Central Casting guy picking actors to star in a hypothetical adaptation of this book, I'd choose L.L. Cool J to portray U.S. Army Special Forces Major Zeus Murphy and Chris O'Donnell as Navy SEAL Lieutenant Ric Kerfer. Meanwhile, I'd also cast Lucy Liu as Lt Commander Li of the USS Campbell, Tommy Lee Jones as CDR Dirk Silas (the Campbell's skipper), Samuel L. Jackson as National Security Advisor Walter Jackson, and Jet Li as PRC Lt Jing Yo. And while not an actor, I get the impression that Larry Bond & Jim DeFelice as least partially modeled the President George Chester Greene character based upon Sen. John McCain (wishful thinking on the authors' part vis-à-vis the 2008 election, perhaps?).
February 22, 2013
I found myself constantly out of the story, laughing at Bond’s wanna be special ops dialouge. “Man you’re fast” “As tough and dark as you?” might be the gushing of a special ops wanna be author hanging around a SEAL bar, but an author who thinks any special operator would say anything like that to another embarrasses himself. An operator from any service would rather bleed out than talk like that. Army Special Forces/Green Berets veterans expect to see SF written down by fans of other Services in their novels, but this thing came off as written by a besotted cheerleader. Guys, read a lot more early Tom Clancy, run your next ms past that Marchinko SEAL fellow and try again. Joe Lewis josephmaxlewis.com
August 5, 2013
Zeus Murphy continues his one-man crusade to assist the Vietnamese in their war against China, Josh MacArthur spends some time in the Midwest pining after the spy who saved him from doom, and two one-dimensional Special Ops guys help out. Yawn.
In the final analysis, this series never really took off. The ending was far too tidy, with no real effort devoted to seeing how the war ending would affect the Chinese or the Vietnamese. Very disappointing.
In the final analysis, this series never really took off. The ending was far too tidy, with no real effort devoted to seeing how the war ending would affect the Chinese or the Vietnamese. Very disappointing.
May 25, 2014
The red dragon series reiterates why Larry Bond is one of the best out there. From back in the days of the simulation series Harpoon to Red Phoenix and now Red storm Rising. It has great plausibility from geopolitics to climate change. Mixed with Shattered Trident it seems Larry Bond has an insight that few authors can attain.
March 12, 2013
A confusing, but somewhat entertaining novel about war and politics. There was a lot of focus on the conflict between Zeus's military mission and his love for Anna. Good for war buffs, but not my cup of tea.
March 20, 2013
Basic war story where the US comes to the aid of Vietnam after China has invaded it to get at their resources. While not early Tom Clancy the book has a interesting story with good characters that kept me involved.
June 11, 2015
The first three books of this series portraying a future invasion by China of Vietnam ( with USA quietly supporting Vietnam )driven by climate change were well told and quite credible . The finale goes off reservation of credibility .
August 2, 2020
What a finish!
This book was a culmination of the Red Dragon series. Only a book that successfully concluded all the story lines gets the five star rating. Some things turned out as I hoped, some did not. A well written, exciting conclusion. Wish all authors were this good!
This book was a culmination of the Red Dragon series. Only a book that successfully concluded all the story lines gets the five star rating. Some things turned out as I hoped, some did not. A well written, exciting conclusion. Wish all authors were this good!
July 17, 2013
Your basic techno-thriller dealing with a Chinese invasion IntoVietnam...Also a basic soap opera with continuing characters and subplots from 3 earlier stories involving same
July 7, 2013
Meh, it's light and fast and candy reading...but it's not very good...
July 26, 2013
I enjoyed it. Good details. A lot happening.
August 15, 2016
Two out of five stars.
November 23, 2016
China. Vietnam. Commandos. Naval battles. Dropped into this series at book four, but still found the plot surprisingly easy to follow.
June 18, 2014
A fast paced read read to kill the time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews