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Aggressor #4
Midnight: A gripping Aggressor Inc. action thriller
Volume 4 of 5 in the Aggressor Series Coming March 2024
The night is always darkest before the dawn. For the surviving Aggressor Inc. pilots, dawn can't come fast enough.The Taiwan government is on the brink of collapse.From their hiding place on Xiuguluan Mountain, a US-Taiwanese special ops team prepares to wage guerilla warfare. Their mission may demand the ultimate sacrifice, but could change the course of the war.The fog of war has become a pea soup.And from the fog, a massive Sino-Russian fleet emerges. China launches strikes on US bases in Japan and the Philippines, but also across the ocean on Guam, Wake Island, Midway … and Hawaii.The Battle for Taiwan is not yet over. But the Battle for Hawaii is about to begin.US President, Carmen Carliotti, faces crises on multiple fronts - in the Pacific, and at home, as rioting and unrest force her to implement extreme measures.But who is behind the suspiciously well-organized and funded civil uprising?NATO and the Shanghai Pact nations face off as the battle—for global supremacy and for the very soul of America—rages.
The night is always darkest before the dawn. For the surviving Aggressor Inc. pilots, dawn can't come fast enough.The Taiwan government is on the brink of collapse.From their hiding place on Xiuguluan Mountain, a US-Taiwanese special ops team prepares to wage guerilla warfare. Their mission may demand the ultimate sacrifice, but could change the course of the war.The fog of war has become a pea soup.And from the fog, a massive Sino-Russian fleet emerges. China launches strikes on US bases in Japan and the Philippines, but also across the ocean on Guam, Wake Island, Midway … and Hawaii.The Battle for Taiwan is not yet over. But the Battle for Hawaii is about to begin.US President, Carmen Carliotti, faces crises on multiple fronts - in the Pacific, and at home, as rioting and unrest force her to implement extreme measures.But who is behind the suspiciously well-organized and funded civil uprising?NATO and the Shanghai Pact nations face off as the battle—for global supremacy and for the very soul of America—rages.
585 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2024
281 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
F.X. Holden
24 books192 followersFX Holden writes action thrillers (The 'Aggressor' and 'Future War' Series) and Science Fiction (The 'Coruscant' and 'Red Legion' Series). He has been awarded two US Publishers' Weekly Stars (the Michelin Star of publishing), the US Readers' Favorite award for Best Political Thriller (twice, including in 2025), and the US Book Excellence award for Best Military Fiction!
FX Holden is a pen name for author Tim (TJ) Slee, winner of the HarperCollins Banjo Prize for Australian fiction and the US Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction.
FX Holden is a pen name for author Tim (TJ) Slee, winner of the HarperCollins Banjo Prize for Australian fiction and the US Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 2, 2024
Hi - This is not a review, more an 'author note' about the writing of MIDNIGHT!
Up front, let me say that the AGGRESSOR series describes a future I hope never comes to pass. Both in terms of the events it describes, but also the technologies. These novels are meant as a warning about a future we can still avoid. But each is inspired by current events so...
The inspiration for MIDNIGHT was simple—what if China took the current US Pacific warfighting strategy and used it against the USA? The US strategy is no secret, it is published in document after document, most recently in 'Force Design 2030', 'Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment,' and 'Tentative Manual for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations'. These playbooks explain:
Given the exponential growth of anti-access and areadenial capabilities, coupled with the increasing range of sensors, and expanding weapons-engagement zones, we will begin experimenting with amphibious platforms as motherships to distribute and extend the range of our capabilities. These platforms will host a variety of manned, minimally-manned, and unmanned systems— air, surface, and subsurface — to sense and enable our forces with the aim of confounding adversaries and complicating their ability to target the joint force.
So my thinking was, what if an enemy turned this strategy against the USA-not in a war of conquest, but simply one of denying the US the ability to use its possessions in the Pacific to project power. If the strategy is supposed to work FOR the USA, what would happen if it was used AGAINST US bases from Guam to Hawaii?
Think of MIDNIGHT as a novel length wargaming of this idea!
In MIDNIGHT there is also a Chinese-inspired insurrection subplot that takes place on Hawaii. The ‘Hawaiian Freedom Alliance’ in MIDNIGHT is an entirely fictitious organization and bears no intentional resemblance to any of the several independence or sovereignty movements that do exist on Hawaii. These movements to date have only employed peaceful means to lobby for sovereignty or independence, and there is no evidence of Chinese interference in their activities.
This book simply speculates on how China might inflitrate and misuse such organizations, in the context of total war.
The situation in which military commanders on Hawaii find themselves in MIDNIGHT —under-resourced and scrambling to put together the assets needed to mount a defense of the islands when most INDOPACOM resources are forward deployed—is not exaggerated. US strategic defense planners have put a lot of faith in the belief that an amphibious attack of the type foreseen in MIDNIGHT would be impossible for an enemy to achieve.
History is littered with examples of militaries winning victory by doing the “impossible.”
MIDNIGHT also explores the potential application of an orbital bombardment weapon. This was prompted by the claim by US lawmakers in 2024 that Russia was planning to deploy a nuclear weapon in space, and speculation that, if not nuclear, the weapon could be a Kinetic Energy Projectile or orbital bombardment weapon.
For a more complete exploration of the implications if this became a reality, just read Orbital!
Which leads me to this … what is next for the Aggressor series?
FULCRUM will be the last episode of the series, and I want to do it right. It will feature all your favorite (surviving) characters from the first four books, and be the most ambitious of the series, covering multiple theaters and spanning multiple years.
Final release of Vol V, FULCRUM, is planned for September 2024.
But don’t despair. I will release a preview of the first few chapters of FULCRUM during summer 2024 FOR FREE. Just go to www.fxholden.com and sign up for my mailing list to get the preview.
And, did I say … FREE?
Go to www.fxholden.com now and subscribe!
Up front, let me say that the AGGRESSOR series describes a future I hope never comes to pass. Both in terms of the events it describes, but also the technologies. These novels are meant as a warning about a future we can still avoid. But each is inspired by current events so...
The inspiration for MIDNIGHT was simple—what if China took the current US Pacific warfighting strategy and used it against the USA? The US strategy is no secret, it is published in document after document, most recently in 'Force Design 2030', 'Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment,' and 'Tentative Manual for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations'. These playbooks explain:
Given the exponential growth of anti-access and areadenial capabilities, coupled with the increasing range of sensors, and expanding weapons-engagement zones, we will begin experimenting with amphibious platforms as motherships to distribute and extend the range of our capabilities. These platforms will host a variety of manned, minimally-manned, and unmanned systems— air, surface, and subsurface — to sense and enable our forces with the aim of confounding adversaries and complicating their ability to target the joint force.
So my thinking was, what if an enemy turned this strategy against the USA-not in a war of conquest, but simply one of denying the US the ability to use its possessions in the Pacific to project power. If the strategy is supposed to work FOR the USA, what would happen if it was used AGAINST US bases from Guam to Hawaii?
Think of MIDNIGHT as a novel length wargaming of this idea!
In MIDNIGHT there is also a Chinese-inspired insurrection subplot that takes place on Hawaii. The ‘Hawaiian Freedom Alliance’ in MIDNIGHT is an entirely fictitious organization and bears no intentional resemblance to any of the several independence or sovereignty movements that do exist on Hawaii. These movements to date have only employed peaceful means to lobby for sovereignty or independence, and there is no evidence of Chinese interference in their activities.
This book simply speculates on how China might inflitrate and misuse such organizations, in the context of total war.
The situation in which military commanders on Hawaii find themselves in MIDNIGHT —under-resourced and scrambling to put together the assets needed to mount a defense of the islands when most INDOPACOM resources are forward deployed—is not exaggerated. US strategic defense planners have put a lot of faith in the belief that an amphibious attack of the type foreseen in MIDNIGHT would be impossible for an enemy to achieve.
History is littered with examples of militaries winning victory by doing the “impossible.”
MIDNIGHT also explores the potential application of an orbital bombardment weapon. This was prompted by the claim by US lawmakers in 2024 that Russia was planning to deploy a nuclear weapon in space, and speculation that, if not nuclear, the weapon could be a Kinetic Energy Projectile or orbital bombardment weapon.
For a more complete exploration of the implications if this became a reality, just read Orbital!
Which leads me to this … what is next for the Aggressor series?
FULCRUM will be the last episode of the series, and I want to do it right. It will feature all your favorite (surviving) characters from the first four books, and be the most ambitious of the series, covering multiple theaters and spanning multiple years.
Final release of Vol V, FULCRUM, is planned for September 2024.
But don’t despair. I will release a preview of the first few chapters of FULCRUM during summer 2024 FOR FREE. Just go to www.fxholden.com and sign up for my mailing list to get the preview.
And, did I say … FREE?
Go to www.fxholden.com now and subscribe!
August 30, 2024
Outstanding, fast-paced, interesting read!
I really like the characters Holden puts in his stories. He developed them well, even going into their weaknesses, memories, and motivations for what they do. I am really amazed at Holder's depth of knowledge about operations and equipment of Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force's both on our side and of the Chinese and Russians.
I really like the characters Holden puts in his stories. He developed them well, even going into their weaknesses, memories, and motivations for what they do. I am really amazed at Holder's depth of knowledge about operations and equipment of Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force's both on our side and of the Chinese and Russians.
April 14, 2024
This one pushes all of the buttons and will have you looking forward to every chance you get to pickup where you left off and find out what happens next! As is the usual case, F. X. Holden has written another nail biter that is extremely entertaining and will make you howl for the next book in the series. Great book!
April 19, 2024
issue with the lacking of side events missing
I felt the lack of comment on no mention of the death of the chacthers hunting the moles was weird has I figured the president would’ve been informed and also the boarder skirmishes with china from book 2 are we ever going to see more from that.
I felt the lack of comment on no mention of the death of the chacthers hunting the moles was weird has I figured the president would’ve been informed and also the boarder skirmishes with china from book 2 are we ever going to see more from that.
April 10, 2024
CHINA THREATENS HAWAII
ActiOn, tension, friepndship, passion, everything is packed into this story. The author really knows how to create tension. And the choreography of battles flow forward with the help of interesting characters. B
ActiOn, tension, friepndship, passion, everything is packed into this story. The author really knows how to create tension. And the choreography of battles flow forward with the help of interesting characters. B
April 12, 2024
Always finished to soon.
I look forward to the next link in this chain. What a great warfighter series! Great character dev
elopment, once introduced the reasons become clear. I strongly recommend this series to everyone.
I look forward to the next link in this chain. What a great warfighter series! Great character dev
elopment, once introduced the reasons become clear. I strongly recommend this series to everyone.
April 15, 2024
Midnight Delivers
FX Holden elevates the techno thriller to the highest elevation. The interweaving of current geopolitical fact and his combination of great human storytelling make for a great read. The Aggressor Inc series is 1st class.
FX Holden elevates the techno thriller to the highest elevation. The interweaving of current geopolitical fact and his combination of great human storytelling make for a great read. The Aggressor Inc series is 1st class.
April 28, 2024
Terrific series about WWlll and events leading up to it.
The author has intrigued me with his ballsy characters and terrific storylines. Highly recommend this series. Just bring Bunny back, please.
The author has intrigued me with his ballsy characters and terrific storylines. Highly recommend this series. Just bring Bunny back, please.
May 1, 2024
Brilliant edge of the seat reading
From the start to the finish this series was on the edge OF the seat reading. Constant action. Great characters . Really need a follow on for this series.
From the start to the finish this series was on the edge OF the seat reading. Constant action. Great characters . Really need a follow on for this series.
May 5, 2024
another great techno thriller
Better hope China doesn’t have all the tech the author writes about- or we’re in deep doo doo!
Well written and way over most people’s heads but well written!
Can’t wait till August!!
Better hope China doesn’t have all the tech the author writes about- or we’re in deep doo doo!
Well written and way over most people’s heads but well written!
Can’t wait till August!!
February 6, 2025
And so it continues
Midnight continues this outstanding series with just as much action and intrigue as the books before it. The plot and characters are highly believable and interesting. Both excited and sad to read the next and final book and in this great series.
Midnight continues this outstanding series with just as much action and intrigue as the books before it. The plot and characters are highly believable and interesting. Both excited and sad to read the next and final book and in this great series.
July 29, 2025
Many Plots - All Perfectly Managed
I typically cannot follow lots of characters. Midnight is a cacophony of separate plots and actors that come alive like a robotic slide show. I didn't get a chance to catch my breath. Awesome adventure!
I typically cannot follow lots of characters. Midnight is a cacophony of separate plots and actors that come alive like a robotic slide show. I didn't get a chance to catch my breath. Awesome adventure!
October 1, 2025
I Sure Hope FX Holden’s Books Are Required War College Reading
I have loved reading the Aggressor Series by FX Holden. He lays out a very plausible scenario for future conflicts that we can expect with China in our support for Taiwan.
I have loved reading the Aggressor Series by FX Holden. He lays out a very plausible scenario for future conflicts that we can expect with China in our support for Taiwan.
March 30, 2024
Midnight
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant
Tom Clancy eat your heart out with this series, Bunny 'O'. Hare is one helluva pilot and lady
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant
Tom Clancy eat your heart out with this series, Bunny 'O'. Hare is one helluva pilot and lady
April 3, 2024
Oops
Overall a good read as is all. But whoever proofed missed a few. They we're not terminal to the story. Looking forward to the next book.
Overall a good read as is all. But whoever proofed missed a few. They we're not terminal to the story. Looking forward to the next book.
April 7, 2024
Lots of action and interesting ideas. The huge number of characters sometimes confused me.
May 5, 2024
Have enjoy the entire series to date. Waiting until Book 5 comes out in Aug 2024 to finish an excellent series. Have been following Bunny for all of the books she appeared in.
May 12, 2024
An exciting thriller
A nail biting thriller, filled with war action. A continuation from previous book in the series, eagerly looking for the final.part in this series.
A nail biting thriller, filled with war action. A continuation from previous book in the series, eagerly looking for the final.part in this series.
May 19, 2024
Striking back
The storyline is getting real of what a WW3 would look like. . Reality , we’ll written. Looking forward to book 5
The storyline is getting real of what a WW3 would look like. . Reality , we’ll written. Looking forward to book 5
June 10, 2024
over the top details
The amount of details in the many different scenes are remarkable. The scansions depicted in the events seem very plausible!
The amount of details in the many different scenes are remarkable. The scansions depicted in the events seem very plausible!
June 14, 2024
Great Thriller
Amazing how FX. Put the realism in the future war…I’ve not been able to put down all the books in this series. Love Bunny O’hare.
Amazing how FX. Put the realism in the future war…I’ve not been able to put down all the books in this series. Love Bunny O’hare.
June 15, 2024
Great reading.
I appreciate good reading. The suspense of future wars is what I love reading about. The Aggressor series fits the bill nicely.
I appreciate good reading. The suspense of future wars is what I love reading about. The Aggressor series fits the bill nicely.
July 26, 2024
loved it
Another page turner for me. I’ve enjoyed this whole series for both the forward and imaginative military thinking and the characters themselves.
Another page turner for me. I’ve enjoyed this whole series for both the forward and imaginative military thinking and the characters themselves.
August 23, 2024
Great series
If you want fast paced action, good characters and a potential view of the future this is a must read series.
If you want fast paced action, good characters and a potential view of the future this is a must read series.
February 7, 2025
fantastic series!
Stupendous writing, great plots with surprise twists, realistic characters, great grasp of military technology. Can’t get enough! Looking forward to other series!
Stupendous writing, great plots with surprise twists, realistic characters, great grasp of military technology. Can’t get enough! Looking forward to other series!
February 20, 2025
Great Read
Keeps you captivated throughout the entire book. A great point in the series can not wait for the next one
Keeps you captivated throughout the entire book. A great point in the series can not wait for the next one
April 30, 2025
Aggressive with attitude!
This novel is the best so far. All I can say is I WANT MORE!!!! Waiting with breath bated for book 5.
This novel is the best so far. All I can say is I WANT MORE!!!! Waiting with breath bated for book 5.
November 8, 2025
AWESOMENESS
This book was frustrating at first but ended nicely. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and look forward to book 5.
This book was frustrating at first but ended nicely. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and look forward to book 5.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews