What do you think?
Rate this book
Spine of the Hindu Kush
Extrajudicial–adj.–done in contravention of due process of law.
The Warlock. He is unseen and anonymous. A covert agent in charge of a program designed to disrupt one of the most dangerous alliances in the history of the world. Although the black budgets fund his work, no American authority has issued his orders or given him permission to act. He simply does what he must.
With Russia and China pulling the strings for the rest of their partners in Iran, Turkey, and North Korea, the Warlock's mission is all too clear. Conduct preemptive operations against economic targets. Cripple America's enemy, not by direct action, but by removing their ability to travel, talk, and trade.
As the Warlock pushes against the Alliance, a series of well-orchestrated deceptions puts China at Russia's throat, while the Russians accuse their allies in Turkey of foul play. If the operation hits hard, the Alliance crumbles, and no one suspects the Warlock was ever in play.
For the fans of Mark Sibley's Mongol Moon world, there is a parallel universe in which the Warlock keeps America's enemies at bay.
The Warlock. He is unseen and anonymous. A covert agent in charge of a program designed to disrupt one of the most dangerous alliances in the history of the world. Although the black budgets fund his work, no American authority has issued his orders or given him permission to act. He simply does what he must.
With Russia and China pulling the strings for the rest of their partners in Iran, Turkey, and North Korea, the Warlock's mission is all too clear. Conduct preemptive operations against economic targets. Cripple America's enemy, not by direct action, but by removing their ability to travel, talk, and trade.
As the Warlock pushes against the Alliance, a series of well-orchestrated deceptions puts China at Russia's throat, while the Russians accuse their allies in Turkey of foul play. If the operation hits hard, the Alliance crumbles, and no one suspects the Warlock was ever in play.
For the fans of Mark Sibley's Mongol Moon world, there is a parallel universe in which the Warlock keeps America's enemies at bay.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
About the author
Mike Bennett
131 books62 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 23, 2026
Spine of the Hindu Kush, by Mike Bennett, is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that plunges readers into the world of extrajudicial covert operations in an era that is eerily similar to relatively recent current events and that also dovetails nicely into the Mongol Moon Universe.
There is a genre in Science Fiction called Hard Science Fiction. It is Sci-Fi written by real scientists or engineers. Mike has written, with this book, and his previous books, a book that can be described as a Hard Military Thriller. This chapter in the Warlock adventure is a Tour de Force of extrajudicial actions, the constant training the paramilitary spies go through, the strategic planning and the tactical & technical know how needed to pull off missions. Remember, the goals, among others, are non-attribution and zero casualties in this covert game. And the explanations and story arc bring the reader through these with a bird’s eye view. By the way, Mike is the real deal: a veteran, a former Green Beret and an Engineer.
If there was one criticism from me, it is I did not want this chapter of the Warlock tales to end. I am hoping for a continuation of “Spine” and the further development of the characters. Read this book. You will be entertained, you will learn new things about this gray world and your views of geopolitics will be altered for the better.
There is a genre in Science Fiction called Hard Science Fiction. It is Sci-Fi written by real scientists or engineers. Mike has written, with this book, and his previous books, a book that can be described as a Hard Military Thriller. This chapter in the Warlock adventure is a Tour de Force of extrajudicial actions, the constant training the paramilitary spies go through, the strategic planning and the tactical & technical know how needed to pull off missions. Remember, the goals, among others, are non-attribution and zero casualties in this covert game. And the explanations and story arc bring the reader through these with a bird’s eye view. By the way, Mike is the real deal: a veteran, a former Green Beret and an Engineer.
If there was one criticism from me, it is I did not want this chapter of the Warlock tales to end. I am hoping for a continuation of “Spine” and the further development of the characters. Read this book. You will be entertained, you will learn new things about this gray world and your views of geopolitics will be altered for the better.
March 21, 2026
is it Fiction?
Another superb tale from Mike, this one set in the timeline of the hottest fiction universe today, Mark Sibley’s Mongol Moon. A modest suggestion for the reader. When you get to a chapter or concept that is outside of your wheelhouse, use Al Gore’s amazing internet and do some research. “Why in the hell would I do that Reid? That’s so damn boring looking up how to speak Dolphin and Klingon”. True, but the headache you give yourself will also make your luddite ass appreciate that a very small group of individuals (allegedly) did cowboy shit like this all over the globe during the GWOT with the end result of the ops being tossing a hooded and cuffed miscreant on a unmarked jet or collecting DNA samples. Could dive into details for pages but I admit that the (then) 99 year NDA scares me more than any ex wife. Enjoy the book and some (allegedly) non official history of some of your covert and clandestine operative brothers and sisters of the greatest nation in history. Well done Mike, cheers and congrats for having Helen Keller as your pre publication approval officer. DOL/Send Me.
Another superb tale from Mike, this one set in the timeline of the hottest fiction universe today, Mark Sibley’s Mongol Moon. A modest suggestion for the reader. When you get to a chapter or concept that is outside of your wheelhouse, use Al Gore’s amazing internet and do some research. “Why in the hell would I do that Reid? That’s so damn boring looking up how to speak Dolphin and Klingon”. True, but the headache you give yourself will also make your luddite ass appreciate that a very small group of individuals (allegedly) did cowboy shit like this all over the globe during the GWOT with the end result of the ops being tossing a hooded and cuffed miscreant on a unmarked jet or collecting DNA samples. Could dive into details for pages but I admit that the (then) 99 year NDA scares me more than any ex wife. Enjoy the book and some (allegedly) non official history of some of your covert and clandestine operative brothers and sisters of the greatest nation in history. Well done Mike, cheers and congrats for having Helen Keller as your pre publication approval officer. DOL/Send Me.
April 12, 2026
If you're a fan of Tom Clancy-style techno-thrillers, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, or the intricate plotting of authors like Mark Greaney, Spine of the Hindu Kush will scratch that itch.
Highly recommended for military fiction enthusiasts and Mongol Moon fans alike. Bennett has crafted a credible, entertaining addition to the Mongol Moon universe that entertains while subtly educating. I couldn't put it down and, like others, found myself hoping for more in this Warlock thread.
Highly recommended for military fiction enthusiasts and Mongol Moon fans alike. Bennett has crafted a credible, entertaining addition to the Mongol Moon universe that entertains while subtly educating. I couldn't put it down and, like others, found myself hoping for more in this Warlock thread.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews