Tom Clancy Shadow State: A Jack Ryan Jr. Novel, Book 12

Jack Ryan, Jr. #18

by M.P. Woodward, Scott Brick (Narrator)

Book #12? from the series: A Jack Ryan Jr. Novel
🎧Run Time = 10 hours and 58 minutes

An installment in a #1 New York Times bestselling series, delivered by an AudioFile Golden Voice: Analyst Jack Ryan Jr. heads to Vietnam to investigate a mining company — but when his helicopter is shot down, he quickly discovers that there is more to this international operation than meets the eye… A pulse-pounding thriller!

Surviving a helicopter crash in the Vietnamese Highlands is only the start of the challenges facing Jack Ryan, Jr., in the latest propulsive thriller of this #1 New York Times bestselling series.

The vibrant economy of the new Vietnam is a shiny lure for Western capital. Companies are racing to uncover ideal opportunities. Not wanting to be left behind, Hendley Associates has sent their best analyst, Jack Ryan, Jr., to mine for investment gold. And he may have found some in a rare earth mining company—GeoTech.

But a trip with a Hendley colleague to the Highlands to observe the company’s operations takes a treacherous turn when their helicopter is shot down. Some things haven’t changed, and Vietnam is still the plaything of powerful neighbors. The Chinese are determined to keep Jack from finding the truth about what exactly is being processed at the isolated factory.

Now Jack is in a race for his life. He’s got to stay one step ahead of a pack of killers while supporting his wounded friend. He’ll get no help from the government, because in the jungle, it’s the shadow state that rules.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Spy Thriller, Political Thriller

Audible Audio

First published August 20, 2024

About the author

M.P. Woodward is the NYT bestselling author of the Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan Jr. books (SHADOW STATE, LINE OF DEMARCATION, and TERMINAL VELOCITY). His latest war fiction thriller RED TIDE, A NOVEL OF THE NEXT PACIFIC WAR comes out 9/16/25. He has also authored the Handler CIA espionage series from Penguin Random House (THE HANDLER and DEAD DROP). He served as a Naval Intelligence officer before transitioning to a career in tech.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trite. The movie will be better as it will eliminate the unexciting.

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his first entry into the Tom Clancy universe with Shadow State, M.P. Woodward hits the ground running. Woodward is a relatively new author; his debut The Handler is lights-out good. Shadow State doesn’t reinvent the wheel; it’s a smooth and fast ride with a great new character and enough misdirection to keep your attention. Tom Clancy would approve and will you, too.

Thanks to G.P. Putnam and Sons for a copy of Tom Clancy’s Shadow State via NetGalley.

[John (LHBC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Clancy Shadow State by M.P. Woodward is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that thrusts Jack Ryan Jr. into the growing economic landscape of Vietnam. What begins as a routine trip to explore an investment opportunity in a rare earth mining company quickly spirals into a deadly game of survival when Ryan’s helicopter is shot down, revealing a hidden web of secrets. From the dangerous jungle to the looming presence of Chinese forces, Ryan must outwit his enemies, protect his wounded colleague, and uncover the truth behind the factory's covert activities.

Woodward, stepping into the shoes of a legacy author, delivers a solid story full of twists, turns, and a relentless cat-and-mouse chase to the finish. The characters are well-developed, and the setting of Vietnam is a refreshing departure from more traditional backdrops, adding depth to the military espionage plot. While the story occasionally feels overly dense with action, teetering on the edge of being overwhelming, it remains an entertaining read that provides a subtle review of historical and geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Overall, Shadow State is an engaging and suspenseful read for Jack Ryan fans, blending history, espionage, and high-stakes action in a way that keeps you turning the pages.

A big thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an Advance Reader’s Copy.

[matt theis · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok story but the whole Jack jr. on his own has gotten old. How many times can you be working a white side operation and get stuck in a mess. Campus stories are great but him on his own is played out.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good story. Having a lot of seemingly realistic adventure was sure a nice touch. Lots of adventure and I must admit, I never saw the ending that appeared in the last page. Excellent read and plot. Way to go Mr Woodward.

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fighting the elements and some really nasty bad guys in the middle of a Vietnamese jungle isn't a particularly desirable topic for my reading enjoyment, I must admit. But if anyone could entice me to stick with it it's Jack Ryan Jr., the son of U.S. President Jack Ryan. He's a pretty cool dude, after all, and it's always an extra treat to re-meet his teammates at the mostly clandestine Hendley Associates - including his fiance.

The situation here is that the United States has developed a device that somehow masks airplanes so they can move in and out of other countries' air space without detection. Making more of them, though, requires hard-to-find rare earth minerals; one company, GeoTech, is a highly successful miner of these minerals. To that end, the "legitimate" business of Hendley is in serious negotiations to acquire the company for an astronomical sum. Wanting to avoid taking a financial bath, Jack Jr. is sent to Vietnam to do an up-close-and-personal audit to satisfy the lender and Hendley execs before the final handshake takes place.

But early on, it all goes sideways; Jack begins to smell a rat and demands to visit one of the company's facilities in that remote jungle location. On the way, the helicopter in which he's [reluctantly] traveling goes down, taking with it all but Jack and one other passenger. With no food, no water and no bars on their cell phones, the two must try to find their way to some semblance of safety before the jungle eats them alive (trust me, the mosquitos do more than their fair share). And that's before they meet up with some characters who seem bent on making sure they don't survive - or worse, are captured by a foreign enemy.

The whole thing is a race to the finish, accompanied by a few surprises as to what's really going on behind the scenes. The action heats up toward the end to the point that I stayed up late so as to not wait to finish the last half-dozen chapters till the next morning. Another series winner, for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read a pre-release copy (and lose a little sleep).

[Vonny Hirchert · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 2.5. Just didn't have good character development

[Sue Beatson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a comfortable sweater

I'm so glad that Tom Clancy made arrangements for both Jack Ryan series (senior and junior) to carry on after his passing, picking one of the books up is like catching up with old friends.
Shadow State is no different, same action, thrills and story we've come to know and expect.

[Diane Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Ryan is back with all the usual suspense and adventure that come with him. A good addition to the series. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Ryan Junior is on assignment for Henley and associates to determine whether they should acquire GeoTech, accompany that mines rare earth minerals. It is a completely white side of the company job, but as Jack Junior finds out this assignment is not as easy as it seems. As Jack Junior begins to do his due diligence on the company, he decides he needs to see the mining operation in person. This leads to his helicopter going down and him being pitted versus a Vietnamese gang who traffics children. Jack Junior must not only, Survive the jungles of Vietnam, while being chased by the Vietnamese gang, but he also must find out who is behind the sabotage.

I thought this was a good, not great entry into the series. I did like the plot, but it did seem to drag at points. Having the story take place in Vietnam was something different, and I enjoyed a new setting for this series. There was plenty of action to keep you engaged. it was an enjoyable read. The summer installment is not as inclusive of the Jack Ryan universe, as some of the other winter installments, but it was still enjoyable I do like how these Jack Ryan Junior installments tend to involve part of the campus employees in the story

While this wasn’t the best installment in the series, it was still a fun read that is worth your time. There is plenty of action, and Jack Ryan Junior is a fun character to follow. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, The family of Tom Clancy, and MP Woodward for a free advanced copy for an honest review.

[Stacia Pache · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things I loved about this book, but here are a few that stand out:

1. Excellent character development: SHADOW STATE provides a glimpse into Jack Ryan, Jr.’s “white-side” duties, letting me see a different side of JRJ while showing how corporate espionage can seriously impact national security. I absolutely love the new character, Master Chief Moore, and was thrilled to see Cary and Jad return.
2. A gamut of emotions: This book made me laugh out loud, surprised me with twists and turns, and delivered despicable bad guys to root against. The emotional rollercoaster kept me hooked from start to finish.
3. Entertaining and informative: Woodward’s storytelling provided an homage to Vietnam and an overview of rare earth minerals as he masterfully picked up the reins of this Clancy series. I was both entertained and educated – a rare combination!

If you’re a fan of thrillers, SHADOW STATE is a must-read. I’ve pre-ordered Woodward’s next JRJ novel, LINE OF DEMARCATION, excited to see this crew in South America!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do think this book was the best Jack Jr. book in the series. The plot involves a rare earth minerals company and The Campus' efforts to acquire it. The book also deals with human trafficking, a difficult subject, but necessary to view as a great evil to be defeated. We also deal with other current hot button issues such as a rail strike and the looming eight-hundred pound elephant in the room better known as communist China. Overall a very good effort. M.P. Woodward: Welcome to the Tom Clancy franchise and WELL DONE!!!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and the Jack Ryan Jr series. He picks up the story seamlessly, with a very good feel for the characters.

As usual, Jack Jr is on an assignment that shouldn't have any risk but of course he runs into trouble. He's in Hong Kong on a task for the "white side" of Hendley's business doing a risk assessment on a company they're looking to buy.

Soon he finds himself, along with a banker trudging through the jungles of Vietnam. An enticing book by the new author and I look forward to his next installment.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow State was a good read, but lacked a bit more action to make it great. Another reviewer called it "routine" and it was. I would call it pedestrian. Hopefully M. P. Woodward cranks it up in his next novel. The plot was good, had a great cast of characters, and the ending didn't leave
you hanging. I would recommend this novel and for an ARC, there weren't many typos/errors.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Erick Mertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my first read of anything in the Clancy/Jack Ryan universe... and I think I enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and the world felt rich. I thought that Woodward brought to life my fascination with SE Asia, the politics and the shadows of the Vietnam war.

But all the tech-talk slowed the read for me. I understand that Clancy (and Woodward) know their audience loves all the technology, but it takes something away for me.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this hit or miss series; This is one of the better stories

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Ryan, Jr. in the Golden Triangle, riverboat warfare in Laos, gangs in Hong Kong, and surviving assassins in Southeast Asia.

[Ryan Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book, but nothing special. Enjoyable and a bit predictable.

[Tom Petit · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, plausible real world scenarios, with not so plausible near escapes. Still, new character and the ending with him epic.

[Jerry Jonckheere · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book in the Jack Ryan series. The writing and the flow is excellent. I rated it a four only because the ending was a bit predictable and unsatisfying.

[Elliott Owusu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic Jack Ryan story. Like shifting the focus away from Jack to Moore at the end and acknowledging the role he played in saving the day.

[thewanderingjew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Clancy Shadow State: A Jack Ryan Jr. Novel, Book 12; M. P. Woodward, author; Scott Brick, narrator
Contrary to many reviewers, I did not find this Jack Ryan Jr. book that coherent. Yes, it was action packed, but often the action was so overwhelming, it was distracting. When the book begins, The Campus is working on an operation in the Philippines. Jack Ryan Jr.’s fiancée, Lisanne Robertson, is involved. When that op goes south, the scene rapidly changes to one in Vietnam with Jack Ryan Jr. He is investigating the purchase of a rare earth mineral company for Hendley Associates, a front for a government run company. Jack wears two hats. He also worked for The Campus like Lisanne, his fiancée. This rare earth mineral is necessary to make batteries. In order to make the US less reliant on China, a major sources for this important and rare mineral, the United States is searching to purchase a company to provide another source. An upstanding American from Texas, Bruce Stevenson, runs the company being explored. He collects and restores WWII "tools", like helicopters and boats, and he is one of the good guys.
At the same time, there is a nefarious group of Chinese working with a Laotian gang. They have teamed up to try to stop Jack and Howard Brennan, the banker involved, from auditing the company. They want the deal to go through, but since the company is also a front for a very lucrative human trafficking organization run by the "Snakeheads”, a vicious Laotian gang, they want no eyes on the mining operation site.
A French couple and an English nobleman, of very questionable character, are also involved in this scheme to pull the wool over the American’s eyes about the smuggling. The Chinese use them to prevent interference in the mining operation and allow them to conduct their illicit business in exchange. They also don’t want The Campus to discover that their stealth aircraft was not as stealthy as it appeared to be. The rare earth mineral is necessary for the batteries in the stealth aircraft. There is also a Muslim theme lurking about since the operation against Abu Sayyef compromised some of The Campus operators.
This is what I think the book is about. Sometimes, as each new danger erupted, its resolution remained a bit incomplete and because there are so many themes that were not knitted together that seamlessly, the story often seemed opaque. Perhaps it would be better understood in a print book. I listened to the audio and found it hard to follow all of the threads. So, yes, it was action packed, with one gruesome battle following another, so much so, that at one point, I had to suspend disbelief in order to believe there would be any survivors in the end. I am really dumbfounded by the lack of more critical reviews, unless they are being censored and prevented from seeing the light of day.

[Scott M. Sacchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh... Keeps the Jack Ryan Jr. thread going, I guess

Tom Clancy gained notoriety for his attention to detail and technical accuracy coupled with the ability to tell a great story. Maybe Mr. Woodward is still getting his feet wet?
The story line was kind of flat and just didn't carry water for me. ,maybe I am nit-picking, but a couple of examples
Pg.48, they may have changed our ID colors, but my retired ID is blue and all the ones I have seen recently are the same color as active CAC (common access cards). And most of the Vets I know still refer to retired IDs as Blue Cards, not white.
Pg.117, M4s are not 7.62. People , civilians, occasionally build AR platforms with 7.62 uppercut even that is rare and they are not "M4s"
Pg.244, "...couple hundred rounds of five six two..." I am not sure what 5-6-2 is, but sounds like somebody mixed 7.62 and 5.56.
Pg.298 worried about hypothermia for how long they had been in the river? A-the water temp in those rivers are not hypothermia levels unless you are there for hours and how would the rescue crew have any idea whether it was minutes or hours.
Pg.333 what's her name leaves the mic open so she can do something else while waiting for responses. NO ONE on the net can receive when another radio has the mic open.
General historical comment - in an earlier book, after getting nearly killed, Jack Jr. started getting serious into "combatives" etc. All of the sudden he is a neophyte in all things hand to hand? He selects a folding pen knife that he carries on a chain around his neck? And NO ONE "clips" a gun to their belt unless it is in a low budget film.
Add to all of that, pulling the disgraced SPECOPS NCO story line into the story line made me write a review and give 3 stars.
Just my opinion. Hopefully this was a warm up and it will get better. I'm willing to give him one more shot, but it will be with a critical eye.

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books



Make sure to check out the full review

[Kymber Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

M.P. Woodward's Shadow State is part of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan/Jack Ryan Jr. series,, and is the first book I have read by this particular author. The action, intrigue, military jargon and know how, are all top knotch, just as it was with Mr. Clancy before he passed, and if I were to bet, I would hazard a guess that Mr. Clancy would be proud of Mr. Woodward's take of his characters and how he brought them to life in Shadow State. I started reading Mr. Clancy because of his Naval books and the fact that I am a Naval Veteran. They brought back a lot of memories, some good, some bad, but all of them made me who I am today, and I wouldn't change them. As I read Shadow State, I kept going back to some of the guys I served with and the pain in the ass they were, but how much I miss them and I wouldn't have traded them for anything, because no matter how big a pain they were, they were, and still are, some of the best people I have ever had the privilege of knowing and getting to work with. Not many stories can make me wish I were back in the service, I'm glad to be where I am, back home with my family, but Mr. Woodward managed to do just that. And the description of Viet Nam, I felt like my dad was telling me one of his stories about the place again, and going through some of his pictures from the Vietnam War.. I really hope Mr. Woodward keeps on writing more books in the Jack Ryan series. It would be a shame for the series to end too soon.

[William de_Rham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers seeking a good dose of action and adventure might want to take a close look at “Shadow State,” a Tom Clancy novel starring many of his well-known characters. It is the twelfth offering in the “Jack Ryan, Jr.” series and the first by former naval intelligence officer M.P Woodward. It’s a well-written, high-stakes espionage tale filled with exotic settings and lots of suspense.

Jack Ryan, Jr. is the son of Jack Ryan, currently President of the United States. He also works for Hendley Associates, a firm that runs a “white-side” and a “black-side.” On the white-side, it operates as a private equity firm. On the black-side, it hosts “The Campus,” a national security team of intelligence officers and operators (including former Green Berets and Navy Seals) directly controlled by the President.

On the white-side, Jack has been tasked with auditing the books of a company mining rare strategic minerals in Viet Nam that Hendley Associates is in the process of buying. Jack’s not keen to do it. He’d rather be operating on the black-side with his fiancée, Lisanne, taking down a dangerous terrorist in the Philippines. But the mining company is important since China has virtually “cornered the market” on these minerals which new technologies being developed for the US military need badly.

While attending business meetings in Kowloon and Hong Kong, Jack has a nasty encounter with agents of MSS, China’s security service. Why? Jack isn’t sure (which is one of the hooks that kept me engaged).

In Vietnam, his audit uncovers questions about a remote mine near the Laotian border. On his way to investigate that mine, Jack’s helicopter crashes and he and a business colleague must trek out of the jungle to safety. But they’re right in the middle of the “Golden Triangle,” a region known for drug and human trafficking; and MSS, who controls some of that trade, wants Jack found. Can Lisanne and her team of operators rescue him and his colleague before the Chinese capture and transport them back to Beijing?

There’s lots of action in this story. Author M.P. Woodward is adept at creating scenes of risk and danger designed to keep readers on the edges of their seats turning the pages. Special ops missions, knife fights, helicopter crashes, and gun battles aboard high-speed riverboats are just some of the adventures that fill the novel’s pages. Mr. Woodward’s settings are well-drawn and add an alluring flavor to his tale. He has a good command of the technical details necessary for his story and writes about them with specificity.

Although I’m familiar with many Tom Clancy novels, this is my first “Jack Ryan, Jr.” and the first book I’ve read by Mr. Woodward. I liked it enough to check out his other tales unrelated to the Clancy franchise. If he pens additional volumes in this series, I’ll read them.

[Tt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I confess I am probably not this book's target audience - I had three books to choose from in an airport and went with this out of desperation. I regret my decision.

I knew I was in trouble when the book starts with a list and description of a dozen characters, as though the reader is not trustworthy enough to keep track of figures like "the main character", "the main antagonist", or "the President of the United States and also the guy the original series was about". If you are reading a Jack Ryan Jr. novel and forget, while reading, who Jack Ryan Jr. is, I cannot help you.

If you are a parent who has a couple of kids and gets the chance to read infrequently for maybe ten pages at a time at soccer practice but gets very excited by scenes where the characters say the names of guns and likes to imagine a scenario in which your day job (accountant) becomes relevant to thwarting the evil plot of an international cabal, this book may be for you.

If you are capable of reading more than thirty pages in a sitting and would grow tired of the author repeatedly explaining acronyms every single time he uses the phrase ("HVT" means "High-Value Target"!), just in case you may have forgotten in the intervening twelve pages since he last used it, this book is probably not for you. If you know anything beyond a middle-school level about computers, government, or the military, this book is probably not for you. If the phrase "the underlying code used blockchain-based non-fungible tokens to authenticate each user to a secure, virtual private network" makes your brain itch in an unpleasant way, this book is probably not for you.

The book also frequently trotted out some weird racial tropes with "exotic" Asians and "mystical" East Asian religions that were strange and offputting. It also seemed fixated on demonstrating its military cred by using - and expanding - every acronym possible whenever possible even when completely irrelevant or awkward to do so. As an example, for some bizarre reason the book abbreviates the M249 SAW one time and then spells out "Squad Automatic Weapon" every single time going forward, as if feeling the need to demonstrate that they really do know what it stands for. Unless you're being paid by the character, there is no good reason to do this and it makes the already-awkward writing even more uncomfortable.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.P. Woodward (https://www.mpwoodward.com) is the author of four novels. Tom Clancy Shadow State was published this past August and is the 12th novel in the Jack Ryan Jr. series. It is the 74th book I completed reading in 2024.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

The US has new stealth technology that seems to render aircraft invisible to Chinese radar. The technology relies on super magnets supplied by GepTech in Vietnam.

Analyst Jack Ryan, Jr. and Chief Financial Officer Howard Brennan are representing Hendley Associates on a trip to Hong Kong. Hendley is in the final stages of negotiations to buy GeoTech. This will establish a solid supply of magnet material for the stealth tech the US has developed.

As Ryan delves into the records of GeoTech, he finds what may be anomalies in their accounting. He insists that he and Howard visit the GeoTeh mines in the Vietnam highlands. The CEO of GeoTech, Bruce Stephenson, offers to fly them in his refurbished Huey helicopter. As they approach the highland area, their helicopter suffers a malfunction. They go down in the dense jungle.

The area is part of the Golden Triangle, home to gangs, drug traffickers, and human traffickers. Soon, the survivors of the helo crash are being chased. Clearly, the search is not to rescue them.

A Campus team has been in the Philippines in pursuit of a terrorist. After that mission, they are directed to Vietnam to look for the survivors of the helicopter crash. Signal intelligence gets them to the proper region. It then becomes a race as to who will get to the survivors first.

I enjoyed the 11+ hours I spent reading this 374-page thriller. The story is based on a long-term Chinese plot, but other plots are woven into the story. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 3.8 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.P. Woodward's "Shadow State" is a thrilling 39th addition to the Jack Ryan Jr. series that seamlessly blends high-stakes action with intricate geopolitical intrigue. Set against the backdrop of Vietnam's burgeoning economy, the novel follows Jack Ryan Jr. as he investigates GeoTech, a rare earth mining company that may be more than it appears. Woodward, a former naval intelligence officer, brings his real-world experience to bear, crafting a narrative that feels both authentic and timely. The author deftly explores themes of industrial espionage, American dependence on Chinese mineral refining, and the shadowy world of international crime syndicates. The plot kicks into high gear when Jack's helicopter is shot down over the Vietnamese jungle, plunging him into a desperate fight for survival. Woodward's vivid descriptions bring the unforgiving terrain to life, turning the jungle itself into a formidable adversary. The author excels at creating suspenseful action sequences that are both intellectually engaging and viscerally thrilling. One of the novel's strengths is its character development. Jack Ryan Jr. is portrayed as a mature and complex protagonist, shaped by his past experiences and driven by a strong sense of duty. The introduction of Master Chief Moore, a new character with a compelling backstory, adds depth to the cast and provides an intriguing mentor figure for Jack. Woodward skillfully weaves multiple plot threads together, connecting industrial espionage, human trafficking, and geopolitical maneuvering into a cohesive and gripping narrative. The author's attention to detail and understanding of global politics lend credibility to the story, making it feel like a reflection of real-world conflicts. “Shadow State" is a worthy addition to the Clancy universe, offering a fresh perspective while honoring the legacy of the series. Woodward's debut in the franchise sets a high bar for future installments, promising an exciting new chapter for Jack Ryan Jr. and his allies.

[Ross Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a recent trip I decided to play what I deemed the "Airport Novel Game." The rules are simple, visit any Hudson News and purchase a so-called "airport novel," and during only the time you spend in the airport and on the plane, try to see how far you get. Obviously, the ultimate goal being to finish the book during that window. Which is how I found myself reading "Shadow State: A Jack Ryan, Jr. Novel" by M.P. Woodward.

First, let's address the elephant: I'm not familiar with Jack Ryan outside of his blockbuster movies and the Prime TV show. I mean, I know he started in the Tom Clancy novels, but I've never read any of them or the others written after Mr. Clancy's death. I am certainly not familiar with the exploits of Jack Ryan, Jr. who I didn't know existed let alone had his own series. So I truly went into this blind.

And I gotta say, once I got over the shock of learning the Jack Ryan, Sr. I was familiar with was now the PRESIDENT, the rest of Junior's tale of intrigue was perfectly fine. In fact, only knowing the visual media versions of Senior made it easier for me to immerse myself in the world: President Jack Ryan was Harrison Ford and Junior was Chris Pine.

As for Junior's tale of intrigue and espionage, white side and black side ops, and Vietnam War history lesson... it was absolutely an airport novel. This was a great way to pass my travel time. I can't necessarily say I'm excited to read more about Junior, but given this was written by M.P. Woodward for the universe Tom Clancy created, I'm very interested in reading one of the original Jack Ryan novels written by the master himself. You don't get multiple blockbuster movie adaptations - and a streaming service show I'm sure somebody watches - for nothing.

AIRPORT NOVEL GAME RESULTS: almost finished 100%. Had to finish the last 4 chapters at home.