Declared Hostile

Battle Born #4

by Jack Stewart

A treasonous plot. Clandestine actors. World order hanging in the balance.

Elite NCIS investigator Emmy "Punky" King, seasoned in global espionage, uncovers the edges of an intricate international conspiracy following the arrest of a U.S. Marine. Relying solely on her sharp intuition, she starts peeling back layers of a complex mystery that links the U.S. president to a clandestine corporation. As she navigates the corruption, Punky finds herself deep in an escalating game that threatens more than just national security.

Halfway across the world in Eastern Europe, Colt Bancroft and the Black Ponies are thrust into a high-stakes mission to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of rogue Russian operatives. But when their operation spirals into chaos following an ambush by an unexpected adversary, Colt finds himself navigating the deadly terrain of enemy territory, fighting for survival.

Although separated by continents, their missions are fatally intertwined. Colt must battle against overwhelming odds while Punky races against time to uncover the traitor behind it all—both unaware that if either fails, the world will plunge into chaos.

From Jack Stewart, former US Navy Top Gun instructor pilot, comes Declared Hostile, the intense fourth installment in the acclaimed Battle Born series. This riveting narrative is a must-read for fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown, packing high-stakes action and intricate conspiracy into every chapter.

_____________________

Praise for the Battle Born

“Stewart clearly knows his way around a jet…”—Publisher’s Weekly

“The Battle Born series is a jet fuel-laced thrill ride!” —Jack Carr, Former Navy SEAL sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series

"Strongly evocative of classic Clancy…Intensely paced and skillfully plotted." —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Gray Man

"Puts you right up front in the action - in the cockpit and on the ground. Supremely authentic and absolutely unputdownable." —Marc Cameron, New York Times bestselling author of Breakneck

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Declared Hostile by Jack Stewart is the fourth installment in the Battle Born series with main protagonists Emmy King aka "Punky" and Colt Bancroft. Emmy is still trying to chase down the spy ring that she believes is still active and Colt is tasked with going to Ukraine and seize some portable nukes before the evil russians can. Is there a connection between the two things and why is King crashing all these cars? Well if you get the book although I recommend that you start from the beginning you will find out, maybe. I found this book just as well written as the previous and I am glad I jumped aboard this journey. I get the feeling that Stewart knows what he writes about, especially the flying bits. I also had a blast looking for easter eggs in this book. I like the fact that this series is not stuck on one type of main character, most writers do this. Here we get an active duty pilot and all that comes with that and we also get to follow a NCIS agent on the ground. It's like two for the price of one. Who doesn't like a good deal. This comes highly recommended.

[Khurley424 · Rating 5 out of 5]

In absolutely no uncertain terms, and I do not take saying this lightly: This is my absolute favorite series, and I cannot wait for more. Jack Stewart creates gripping stories, with interesting, dynamic characters that keep me on the edge of my seat, and I cannot wait for more!! I hope book 5 isn't too far behind Declared Hostile, because after blitzing through it I don't know what I will do in the interim (.....ok, that's a mild lie, there's a new Chris Hadfield Apollo Murders book coming soon and those are also stellar- fighter jockeys write damn good thrillers, full stop).

Fantastic to the last drop. Would give a 6th star if I could.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Another great read in Stewart's Battle Born series.
Colt Bancroft, ace fighter pilot and crew are sent to the Russian battlefields to help the Ukraine's fighters retrieve old nuclear suitcase bombs left over and hidden from the fall of the Soviet Union.
Meanwhile in DC, Punky, using her FBI credentials to move around, is working to uncover the real story behind convicted treasonous Adam Garrett's past and connection to the former VP but now, President.
Great action, suspense and riveting storyline.
Great read.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC from the publisher. Having fully enjoyed the first three books in the series, I was expecting a good page turner. I was not disappointed. In fact, I believe this is the best of the four. Great characters, multiple subplots and fast paced action are always key ingredients in a great novel. Starting with a treasonable plot and a cast of highly motivated characters, the novel keeps one engaged. Highly recommend

[Jonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced and entertaining read. Overall, 4.5 stars but I rounded up because I like Colt and this series. Plus, the narration was excellent. I liked that the book was set in two locations, Ukraine and DC. The Ukraine action was more interesting and more fast paced to me than the political maneuverings in DC. I'm not a huge fan of Punky mainly because I don't always understand her reasonings and actions.

Of all four books, I think this book stretched the envelope more than the other three. Maybe a few too many situations where the actions were either too auspicious or incongruous. It's not that the story was convoluted but something felt a forced about tying everything up neatly. My recommendation is to definitely read the previous books in this series to fully understand the characters and situations mentioned in this story. It's been a while since I read the first two books and was glad that the author refreshed my memory of the different connections.

If you like the other books in this series, then I recommend reading this one.

[Trad Leatherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth installment of the Battle Born series by former Top Gun pilot and author Jack Stewart. A traitor in the White House, a futuristic weapon that is deadly, and a race to prevent Russian zealots from stealing nuclear devices is what the reader is in store for in this adventure. The author's obvious knowledge of flying and aircraft is on display in this series and writes in such a way that transports the reader inside the cockpit. The two main characters, pilot Colt Bancroft and NCIS Agent Emmy "Punky" King, are well written characters that feel authentic. This is a very enjoyable series with the books being short, quick reads that give just enough details not to bog down the reader. Highly recommended.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not read any of the previous books in this series, but after having the opportunity to listen to this installment, I am intrigued to see how it all began. The narrator does a very good job of ramping up the tension through his voice! The character's voices are distinct and easy to keep straight. The storyline is fast paced and action packed. The tactical and technical information is just enough to inform readers without overwhelming them with too much detail. When you pick up this book, buckle up and settle in for a heart thumping, adrenaline fueled ride.

[Christopher Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Battle Born series went from 0-100 fast. Emmy King, Colt, and Dave have just enough depth and just enough swag to carry the story. Jack’s experience as a naval aviator, though, is the vein that carries the stories blood. Ray Porter, being the GOAT that he is, was again fantastic. Can’t wait for number 5. Jack is prolific and drops books quicker than most, so we may not need to wait long.

[Jim Flagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. This is a continuation of a great series about espionage and military heroes. There are great characters going after the bad guys. The story keep you guessing throughout the book. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. As with most book series they are better read in order to learn about the main characters.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth in the series pivots to the Russians as the main villains and continues a plot line from the first three novels. Well done and very enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next Colt and Emmy adventure!

[Daniel Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how end a series, with a bang

Sad to see the end to this series but it ended great. It was not just dropped. It had an actual conclusion. Punky and Colt are interesting enough characters that Stewart can continue if he ever decides to. All 4 books are wrapped up nicely in the end. And what an end. There was a lot of an unfamiliar aviation terminology that actually did not lose my interest. A sign of a talented writer. My only complaint is I would have liked Colt included in the Epilogue. I assume he ended up in a hospital. Pilot career over? Plans? Cannot recommend this series and author enough.

[Allen Kuhns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

This is an Outstanding Book in the Battle Born Series. I found it to be a Wonderfully exciting and hard to put down. I am sorry to se the series end.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I haven't read anything this intense and accurate since Tom Clancy in the 1980's. Book 4 of the series. Is this the end or more adventures for Colt and Punky? Hard to tell.

[Matty Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series

I really hope for a book 5. What a shame to end it here. I doubt I will get my wish

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect way to bring the series into one at the end. What I liked most is how it pulled everything together from the earlier books—characters like Adam Garrett, the Russian plot with the dragon line, and Punky King—all of it comes full circle here. The action is nonstop, but it also feels meaningful because you see how much has been building to this point. By the end, it ties the whole series together in a really satisfying way and makes you appreciate the journey even more. Loved the local aspect to this one too, being from Maryland it was awesome to hear the local spots shouted out.

Cannot wait for the next one by Jack Stewart from Severn River Publishing.

[Chris Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good next book in the series. A continuation of the story with good amount of action.

[Steven Netter · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books



Make sure to check out the full review

[William Viergever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another FTW Book

Awesome follow up to the prior book.
Slick plot, great action, and intense ending; although I have questions. It’s not clear if the next book will address these.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colt and Punky on separate missions? Or are they...and who really is Adam Garret? Across the US and into Ukraine its a race against time

[Michael Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic fourth and best book so far!

The Battle Born series by Jack Stewart is a collection of military thrillers with a focus on aviation and espionage. All of the books have been enjoyable and should be read in sequence starting with Unknown Rider.

[W. R. Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good theme, but drags on and on and on, unnecessarily. Too much irrelevant information that is unneeded. Very unusual for me, as I read 2-3 books/week, I had a hard time staying interested and not discarding.

[Jacques Hollands · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s be clear upfront — Declared Hostile is not a bad book. It’s a solid read, and Jack Stewart still knows how to pull off slick military scenes and punchy pacing. But if I’m honest, the series has lost a bit of its shine.

The main gripe? Why on earth are we swapping out the F-35s — the pinnacle of aviation tech and a core part of what made earlier books so exciting for Tucanos? I mean... really? This isn’t a diss on Tucanos, but they’re light aircraft, not stealthy fifth-gen fighters capable of breaking the sound barrier and launching cutting-edge missions. It feels like going to a monster truck rally and finding a lineup of souped-up golf carts instead. I wanted afterburners and dogfights, not training aircraft and propellers.

The plot itself has its moments, and there’s no denying that Stewart can write action well. But that adrenaline-fueled energy that kept the previous books flying has taken a bit of a nosedive. The shift in hardware isn’t just cosmetic — it changes the tone of the entire book. The stakes feel... smaller. And in a series built around elite fighter pilots and global conflict, that shift is hard to ignore.

I still enjoyed it enough to finish. Stewart writes clean, well-paced chapters that keep you turning pages. But I can’t help but feel a little cheated. I came here for F-35s doing what they do best. Instead, I got Tucanos puttering around. Fun? Sure. Thrilling? Not quite.

A decent read — but only 3 stars from me this time. I really hope the next one returns to form.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "Severn River" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Jack Stewart definitely has another winner in this series. The story begins with Nikolai, a Russian, transferring an item that he had stolen into a train car from a van. The story then picks up with Punky, an NCIS agent, at the Marine brig, to interrogate Adam Garrett, a traitor known as KMART, that Punky had captured. Punky was trying to obtain information relating to a meeting that Adam had with the Vice President. Punky did not have any luck, but she was sure he was hiding something. The story then picks up with Colt training a group with a new type of aircraft. They had just completed their training and landed when they were advised that they were being sent to Poland for a mission.

Punky and Colt didn't realize that there was a connection with what Punky was trying to learn as well as the mission that Colt and his team were assigned.

Learn why Colt was sent to Poland in addition what events Punky got involved in as she slowly put all of the pieces together. Learn what Adam's role in the story was and how it impacted the U.S. Govt. The ending is well done and has two separate conclusions: one for Colt and one for Punky.

This definitely a story well worth reading!

[Ryan Pote · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fans of Jack Carr and Brad Taylor crave the pulse of elite operators—now buckle up for Declared Hostile by Jack Stewart, where the sky is your battlefield! NCIS investigator Emmy "Punky" King, rips through a treacherous conspiracy linking a U.S. Marine’s arrest to the White House itself. Her razor-sharp intuition drives her deep into a web of corruption threatening global chaos. Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe’s deadly shadows, Colt Bancroft and his crew face a brutal ambush while racing to stop rogue Russian operatives from seizing nuclear weapons. Boots on the ground action meets high-flying entertainment. Crafted by a former Navy TOPGUN pilot, this jet-fueled page-turner screams authenticity, plunging you into the heart of aerial combat. Declared Hostile punches the throttles to the firewall in a thrill ride you won't want to eject from!”
— Ryan Pote, Veteran Navy pilot and author of BLOOD AND TREASURE

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced action with secrets, betrayal, and highly capable players on both sides. I listened to the audiobook and it was easy to keep up with the transitions and keep track of all the players. Americans on the ground (or in flight with fancy spec ops aircraft) are shown as absolutely stellar individuals and true to their fellow Americans and their country. I also enjoyed the interaction with the Ukrainian Air Force – mainly through one of their pilots – and their absolute dedication to defending their country. Fantastic coordination and mutual respect and support. The dark side of the US government is exposed through one story line while the other tries to save the world from terrorists gaining nuclear suitcase bombs. Great listen!

[Jason Dowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished up Book 4 and man… just really loved this series. So glad Jack’s wife recommended his series when I asked in our neighborhood FB page. More people need to stumble upon this thing. I’ve told quite a few folks about it. And with Ray narrating… perfection! I need another!

[Steven Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Jack

This was a hell of a series. The action was nonstop and the move to the brisk paste. You used characters we were familiar with that grew throughout the series. Loved it!

[Dick Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Punky is back with another action packed adventure. Don't miss it!

[Gerald Brywczynski · Rating 1 out of 5]

More pro-Ukraine BS. Stewart lost me on this one. Disappointed

[Cheryl Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was glad to get the last book in this series to get to the outcome of the hunt for Victor’s cohorts. I enjoyed the series. Would recommend to anyone that likes to read this genre.