Rapport de Force

Tom Clancy's Op-Center #5

by Jeff Rovin, Tom Clancy (Series Creator), Steve Pieczenik (Series Creator)

Tragique événement pour Op-Center : l'un de ses agents vient d'être abattu en pleine rue, à Madrid où il menait une mission diplomatique secrète. Les meurtriers ? Les terroristes basques sont bien sûr soupçonnés. Mais ne s'agit-il pas plutôt d'une machination ? Dans une Espagne sous pression, déchirée par les tensions séparatistes, les dissensions politiques et les ambitions des nostalgiques du passé franquiste, tout est possible. Dépêchés sur place, les hommes d'Op-Center, commandos d'élite et spécialistes des actions délicates, vont devoir jouer serré et agir vite. Le pays, encore marqué par le sanglant souvenir de la Guerre civile, est au bord de l'explosion. Bien pire encore, c'est l'Europe tout entière qui risque de se transformer en une véritable poudrière.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Action, Adventure, Military Fiction, Mystery, Espionage

468 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 1998

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

With ethnic tensions suddenly boiling to the surface, Spain looks like it might go the way of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union or be kept together by a strong man in the image of Franco until Op-Center is put into the crossfire. Balance of Power, the fifth book of the Op-Center series written by Jeff Rovin, ghosting for the titular Tom Clancy, once again finds Op-Center operatives in the middle of an international crisis but this time one of their own is set up with deadly consequences and vengeance is on everyone’s mind only to find that taken away by a man who allowed the attack to happen in an effort to forge Spain in his own image.

Sent to Madrid to help negotiate between two ethnic factions of the country, Martha Mackell is murdered by an assassin contracted by the very people she had been sent to help. The men who ordered her assassination are then killed on the orders of the Spanish Chief of Staff who is looking to become the next Franco by inciting ethnic riots around the country, especially in his native Castile. With one of their own killed and a NATO ally tilting between violently separating and a totalitarian regime, Op-Center must do everything in their power with the help of local Interpol officers to contain the situation. Yet Director Paul Hood must also confront a situation in his marriage while Darrel McCaskey, Op-Center’s FBI liaison deals with his old love interest an Interpol agent who decides to take out the would be Franco herself which complicates things with Striker and McCaskey personally.

Released in 1998, Balance of Power uses the tensions in Spain which resonates today given the situation in Catalonia and effectively conveys the tensions in the country. Unlike the previous book in which a character’s stupidity—General Mike Rodgers—basically drove the plot, it was conspiracies against conspiracies with independent human actors fighting for their country, honor, and more driving the plot which was a vast improvement. Maria Corneja, McCaskey’s ex and Interpol agent, is the most prominent secondary character and while she was fine overall, yet if you had changed her name to Mario (Italian I know) and “she” to “he” nothing would have changed—save the romantic angle—but to say Corneja was a man with tits would be going too far. While there were little things here and there that seem like tiny plot holes, nothing really stood out as completely awful but if I were to choose the worst part of the book, it’s once again Paul and Sharon Hood’s marriage which has been choreographed to be doomed since the first book.

Like several books before it, Balance of Power is another Op-Center book with an intriguing plot idea but for once Jeff Rovin writes the characters and narrative to carry it instead of undermining it like the three previous installments. While it’s not the greatest action thriller, it’s a solid story with interesting characters which is considerably better than all the other books in the series maybe even including the original Op-Center.

[Aitziber · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book resembles Spanish politics about as much as a giant George W. Bush climbing King Kong-style up to the top of the Twin Towers resembles American politics, and is just as offensive as the image I just conjured up.

The idea that 1. people might read this book and think they've learned anything about Spain, or 2. that it doesn't matter that this book doesn't have anything to do with Spain because lol, who cares amiright! entertainment!!! are both absolutely revolting.

If you see this book in a book shop, make sure to buy it and feed it to your fireplace.

[Raymond Gettins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great melding of political dynamics and action with a real life characters.

[Juan Navarro · Rating 1 out of 5]

what a moronic book, ok the book is about fiction but in this case about science fiction maybe. it should take some real facts into it, but instead make a crazy invention about Spain's situation. Also very funny is the spanish in the book. even i that has spoke spanish all my life didn't understand some phrases. also there is a fun fact for Jeff Rovin : Spanish is a very complex language, with some difficult sounds for the english native speaker, i have only met one american in all my life that spoke spanish perfectly and spend 30 years in Venezuela to do so. the fact Aideen speaking Mexican Spanish in Spain with english accent to '' cover the facts that they were foreigners'' is hilarious. it is more probable that people hearing her would think that is more probable that she was born on Mars than in any spanish talking country in the world. i laughed aloud that her weapon on Northern Mexico against dangerous thugs is dog crap. Jeff, people there carry guns and big ones. This book also has political facts wrong : Catalonians and Basques doesn't want to rule Spain , the want to have a separate country. Also is weird that 7 Strikers + 1 FBI Agent + 2 Interpol Agents + 2 local mafia guys could face an entire army and defuse a coup. the exageration is just too great. the writing is confusing and annoying and the Washington part of the story is totally worthless, the sub plot about Paul and Sharon is boring. my recommendation do not read this book at all

[Tacuazin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book holds the dubious honor of being the only one I've ever thrown to the recycling bin. And that after managing to read barely 100 pages.
The moment I read that the best place to find a priest in San Sebastian (Northern Spain) at dawn is in the harbour, blessing the boats for the fishermen, the book flew straight into the paper bin. I wouldn't have touched it again with a stick.
That single detail showed an ignorance of epic proportions. If that was an example of the research to write that novel, I don't need to know more.

[Kiko Fábregas · Rating 3 out of 5]

08/04/2000
nota: 6

Es la una novela q se desarolla en España. Donde la trama es el evitar un golpe de estado de un general español. Se ponen de manifiesto de una forma muy superficial los problemas de los nacionalismos en españa. Es una americanada, en la que los americanos salva
España. Es distraido, pero no muy bueno.

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

[Hector López · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bien:
La construcción del entorno. El ambiente, el abordar un tópico de actualidad para España y del cual no nos imaginamos de su existencia.
España está más dividido que Mexico!
La caracterización de los perosnajes españoles.

Pobre:

La trama. algo superficial, muy lineal. Así escribe Clancy?
Desearía el desarrollo de sus personajes con más profundidad

[carl clause · Rating 5 out of 5]

CC1

Great book great series. Can't believe that how relevant these books are to today's world. I think Paul learned the hard way that he has to trust that when he's not there the rest of operation of team can me forward while he lives his personal life. Also Sharon is right and wrong. But what a great way to enjoy reading. Thanks, Carl Clause

[Sergio Ramírezrojas bacconnier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written

The author does not have a clue about the Spanish language or culture. On top of it the supposed Castilian General got an Italian surname. The numerous errors could have been avoided by the simple use of Google, a ridiculous book!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series of books! They still hold true some 20 years later and I enjoy hearing them talk about high tech items like flip phones and dial up computers :-)

[Christopher DuMont · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book - very consistent in the Op-Center series - see more characters get developed and nice to see previous stories still playing a role

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the usual Tom Clancy fare of highly militaristic juggernauts and technical descriptions of advanced weapons. Co-creator Steve Pieczenik has added a human touch of moral considerations and human emotions.
Spain is coming apart at its ethnic seams, and the factions are jockeying for position to rule the entire country. If Spain falls, neighboring Portugal and France may follow along with the rest of Europe. It is up to the Op-Center and its Stryker force to put Humpty Dumpty back together. More than 20 years after this book was written, there are still many Basque and Catalonian separatists who would like nothing more than to create independent countries.
The book is well-written with good character development. There is palpable tension and action throughout – not just in the last few pages as you might find in this genre. One nitpick though: In any army the privates are the untrained grunts, i.e., cannon fodder. Yet in the Stryker force, there are many highly trained operatives who are only “privates.”

[Sharon Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying the Op Center series, but this one left me a bit disappointed. When I got to about 66% of the way through the book, while Paul Hood was having a serious conversation with his wife, the text suddenly shifted to a page I had read about two chapters back. I thought something may have happened because I was reading on a kindle, but after shutting down and reopening, the error was still there. I even checked on a different source and it was the same. I have never seen that gross of an editing error before. The mistaken insert lasted for about 5 paragraphs and then returned to the exact spot where the husband and wife conversation had left off. I know this was published in 2009 and that the issue was most likely commented on by others, but I felt that it was very sloppy and distracting.

[Azza Dino · Rating 3 out of 5]

-SPOILERS AHEAD-
As a person who has never known any of Tom Clancy's books besides from games that are inspired by his works, I don't think this book is my cup of tea. While the book is filled with a bunch of details, there were times when they would introduce a new character, giving you the impression that the character is important, just for them to kill or forget about the character after 3 chapters. Furthermore. I usually couldn't tell who was speaking because of the way he wrote the characters' dialogues.

However, There were some parts that I liked, for example the relationship between Paul Hood and Sharon or the part where they used El Cid and other historical figures in Spain. All things considered, I would recommend this book to those who are mostly interested into military.

[Drew Keim · Rating 3 out of 5]

__________________________________________
1 star = Did not finish / did not like
2 stars = Had trouble keeping attention to finish
3 stars = Good enjoyable book. A great way to spend my time.
4 stars = Couldn't set the book down. Engaging. Great Book.
Will likely reread when more of the series is released.
5 stars = (4 stars) plus such a good book I will re-read it periodically.
___________________________________________

[Gil Smolinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always fascinating to see how relevant Tom Clancy’s books are to what’s going on in the world. In this Op-Center book, Clancy takes the reader to Spain where tensions are threatening to boil over into an international crisis. As always, Hood and the Op-center operatives are in the thick of the action.
https://smolinskiblog.co/2021/04/04/o...

[Lars Farabee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Character development and growth? Interpersonal relationships having a direct impact on the story that also raise the stakes? Color me surprised! What has consistently been a techno-thriller series with cardboard characters steps up its game with this fifth entry. Not great literature, but fun and exciting and the added depth makes this the best of the bunch so far.

[Kevin Stumpf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best Op-Center novel BY FAR. And it still was not great but after suffering through the previous four books this was breath of fresh air. Still not a lot of action, but the storyline was interesting. Sent me down a few rabbit holes related to the topic including the documentary called, Surveilled, which was quite fascinating. I look forward to the next installment.

[Christine Roff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I would have enjoyed this more when I was younger and sharper. I found it quite hard work; there were too many characters, and it jumped all over the place. I have several other Tom Clancy novels that were given to me that are intimidatingly long, so I thought I would read this shorter one first. They will now be going to the op shop.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the story. Once again, a book under Tom Clancy's banner has amazingly detailed and somewhat accurate details. I did enjoy the book setting in Spain and the byplay of the main characters.

[Felis2305 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guter Military/Politthriller um die Unabhängigkeitsbewegungen der spanischen Minderheiten Ende der Neunzigerjahre.
Die Autoren folgen dabei einem Szenario wie es durchaus hätte eintreffen können bzw. im ehemaligen Jugoslawien auch eingetreten ist.

[Ian McGaffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Op Center adventure. Even though this was written around the turn of the century a lot of the topics of discussion are still quite relevant. Kind of brings the current world situainto focus.

[Tuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I dislike the details of torture scene.

Drama between Paul Hood and his wife is getting irritating.
I really like Juan Martinez, despite what he did. I wish it had a happy ending

[Brandy Pelzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A political thriller that has held up well even though it was published almost 30 years ago. It didn't seem too dated. I enjoyed learning a little bit about Spain. There were a lot of characters and sometimes it was difficult to keep them all straight.

[John Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Op-Center good

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Hari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book with one enemy killing another enemy and the enemy of the first enemy killing the second enemy to save Europe.

[Dev Gurupatham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Al]

Love it