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SILICON: THE BATTLE FOR TAIWAN
SILICON is a fast-paced geopolitical thriller that explores the world’s dependence on the advanced semiconductor chips that only Taiwan can produce.
The story begins with Kira Sokolova, a staffer on the Kremlin Security Council, who attends a secret meeting at which the President of China asks Russia to participate in a naval blockade of Taiwan. Both China and Russia are falling far behind the West in areas such as artificial intelligence due to American sanctions. If the blockade isn’t successful, China is prepared to invade. Many thousands and perhaps millions of lives are at risk.
Shortly thereafter, Kira learns through unofficial channels that her fiancé, while serving in Ukraine, has been murdered by a Russian soldier. Her boss and Russia’s president lie to her about the circumstances, leaving her increasingly disillusioned. As war the Pacific approaches, she resolves to feed intelligence to the United States to avert another debacle.
Kira soon comes under suspicion by the head of Russian intelligence, but is partly protected by her powerful boss and mentor. Carelessness on the part of a senior US official compromises a vital US intelligence asset, making Kira a critical US resource, forcing her to stay in place despite growing dangers.
Meanwhile, political dynamics and the momentum of conflict force fateful Chinese decisions, and soon the White House, Taipei, and Beijing must determine who will ultimately control Taiwan’s factories. Playing for the highest of stakes, the choices are as extreme as they are surprising, all while Kira’s life hangs in the balance.
This is a carefully researched, insightful novel that could be taken from tomorrow’s headlines.
The story begins with Kira Sokolova, a staffer on the Kremlin Security Council, who attends a secret meeting at which the President of China asks Russia to participate in a naval blockade of Taiwan. Both China and Russia are falling far behind the West in areas such as artificial intelligence due to American sanctions. If the blockade isn’t successful, China is prepared to invade. Many thousands and perhaps millions of lives are at risk.
Shortly thereafter, Kira learns through unofficial channels that her fiancé, while serving in Ukraine, has been murdered by a Russian soldier. Her boss and Russia’s president lie to her about the circumstances, leaving her increasingly disillusioned. As war the Pacific approaches, she resolves to feed intelligence to the United States to avert another debacle.
Kira soon comes under suspicion by the head of Russian intelligence, but is partly protected by her powerful boss and mentor. Carelessness on the part of a senior US official compromises a vital US intelligence asset, making Kira a critical US resource, forcing her to stay in place despite growing dangers.
Meanwhile, political dynamics and the momentum of conflict force fateful Chinese decisions, and soon the White House, Taipei, and Beijing must determine who will ultimately control Taiwan’s factories. Playing for the highest of stakes, the choices are as extreme as they are surprising, all while Kira’s life hangs in the balance.
This is a carefully researched, insightful novel that could be taken from tomorrow’s headlines.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2024
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November 16, 2025
The plot revolves around the plans of China to blockade and invade Taiwan because of export restrictions imposed by the United States on advanced chips (hence silicon). The key characters include high officials in Russia, the United States, China and Taiwan. The author appears to be well acquainted with the main issues involved in US-China competition in semiconductors and also has a good understanding of how and why the Russians might intervene. The story has many twists and turns. I think this is a pretty good example of speculative fiction.
Displaying 1 of 1 review