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Troy Pearce #3
Drone Command
Troy Pearce and his elite team of drone experts are called in when rising tensions between China and Japan threaten to dramatically change the geopolitical climate of the world.
When China stakes a dubious claim in the hotly disputed waters of the East China Sea, the prime minister of Japan threatens to dispatch the country’s naval assets and tear up its antiwar constitution unless the Americans forcefully intervene. The war-weary Americans are reluctant to confront the powerful Chinese navy directly, but if the Japanese provoke a military conflict with their historic enemy, treaty obligations would draw the United States into the fight.
In order to deescalate the first foreign policy crisis of his administration, U.S. president Lane dispatches Troy Pearce and his team to Tokyo to defuse the situation. What they find is a quagmire of hawkish politicians, nationalistic fervor, special interests with their own hidden agendas, and possibly the greatest military threat that America has ever faced. In this treacherous atmosphere it will require all of Pearce’s cunning—and his team’s technological prowess—to separate the truth from misdirection, and prevent the world from plunging into war.
When China stakes a dubious claim in the hotly disputed waters of the East China Sea, the prime minister of Japan threatens to dispatch the country’s naval assets and tear up its antiwar constitution unless the Americans forcefully intervene. The war-weary Americans are reluctant to confront the powerful Chinese navy directly, but if the Japanese provoke a military conflict with their historic enemy, treaty obligations would draw the United States into the fight.
In order to deescalate the first foreign policy crisis of his administration, U.S. president Lane dispatches Troy Pearce and his team to Tokyo to defuse the situation. What they find is a quagmire of hawkish politicians, nationalistic fervor, special interests with their own hidden agendas, and possibly the greatest military threat that America has ever faced. In this treacherous atmosphere it will require all of Pearce’s cunning—and his team’s technological prowess—to separate the truth from misdirection, and prevent the world from plunging into war.
432 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
214 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Mike Maden
28 books412 followersI grew up working in the canneries, feed mills and slaughterhouses of California’s San Joaquin Valley. A lifelong fascination with history and warfare ultimately lead to a Ph.D. in political science focused on conflict and technology in international relations. Like millions of others, I first became a Tom Clancy fan after reading The Hunt for Red October, and began my published fiction career in the same techno-thriller genre, starting with DRONE and the sequels, BLUE WARRIOR, DRONE COMMAND and DRONE THREAT. I’m honored to be joining “The Campus” as a writer in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Jr., series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 13, 2015
As one who has read countless thrillers, the occasion to read a truly unique and special novel in that genre is very rare indeed. After reading Mike Maden's previous Troy Pearce efforts, Drone and Blue Warrior, I had extremely high expectations for this third Pearce novel. I can state without any reservations that Mr. Maden has hit a seat of your pants, adrenaline fueled and perfectly plotted home-run with Drone Command. I do not take it lightly comparing any writer to one whom I hold in such reverences as the late Vince Flynn. Mike Maden, after three books, has now earned my enthusiastic and heartfelt belief that he is the legitimate heir to Vince Flynn. He is that damn good.
Drone Command immediately draws the reader into its all encompassing world of high tech gadgets, drones, danger and adventure. A world that is so perfectly weaved by Mr. Maden that it is hard to believe that this is just his third novel. I have read books by writers with decades of experience and dozens of novels,who do not come close to Mr. Maden in creating a sense of place and character.
DRONE COMMAND centers around former U.S. President Margaret Myers and the inimitable lead character Troy Pearce as they embark on a mission that takes them to Japan and China with the goal of disrupting the Chinese intention of perfecting..and perhaps utilizing its game-changing warhead (the WU-14) which will allow China to dominate the Far East and beyond. There is so very much more to Drone Command than the main plot. Mr. Maden is far too astute a writer to limit himself to a single plot thread. The various characters, from devout Chinese leaders to defiant Japanese officials are presented in such multifaceted portraits that each stand out as individuals. No easy feat for a book that boasts a large cast of protagonists as well as antagonists. I love Mr. Maden's ability to make each event literally jump of the page. While certainly complex, the reader is easily able to follow the various schemes and subplots that make Drone Command the top thriller of 2015.
A word about Troy Pearce, the linchpin for this book and the overall series. Mr. Maden has so very adroitly created a hero who is both human and courageous. He has incorporated several scenes from Pearce's early life which makes the character one of literature's most fully realized creations. A real person..not a superhero is Troy. His love and concern for his team, his sense of duty, his weaknesses and his extraordinary strengths bring to mind the last truly perfectly molded character I have encountered..Vince Flynn's Mitt Rapp. With the tragic and so very untimely death of of Mr. Flynn, there has been a huge vacuum in the thriller field. I feared it would never be filled (and as Mr Maden would agree, Flynn will always live on as the gold standard) yet Mike Maden had indeed laid claim to the crown of "Top Thriller Writer" currently active.
I cannot recommend Drone Command enough. For those new to Mr. Maden, you are in for a major treat, For those returning readers, you will no doubt agree with me when I say, Mike Maden's Troy Pearce thrillers are the best thing out there for lovers of great writing and original plots and characters. Drone Command and Mike Maden are as good as it gets.
Rick Friedman
Founder/Moderator
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
8,000 PLUS MEMBERS
Drone Command immediately draws the reader into its all encompassing world of high tech gadgets, drones, danger and adventure. A world that is so perfectly weaved by Mr. Maden that it is hard to believe that this is just his third novel. I have read books by writers with decades of experience and dozens of novels,who do not come close to Mr. Maden in creating a sense of place and character.
DRONE COMMAND centers around former U.S. President Margaret Myers and the inimitable lead character Troy Pearce as they embark on a mission that takes them to Japan and China with the goal of disrupting the Chinese intention of perfecting..and perhaps utilizing its game-changing warhead (the WU-14) which will allow China to dominate the Far East and beyond. There is so very much more to Drone Command than the main plot. Mr. Maden is far too astute a writer to limit himself to a single plot thread. The various characters, from devout Chinese leaders to defiant Japanese officials are presented in such multifaceted portraits that each stand out as individuals. No easy feat for a book that boasts a large cast of protagonists as well as antagonists. I love Mr. Maden's ability to make each event literally jump of the page. While certainly complex, the reader is easily able to follow the various schemes and subplots that make Drone Command the top thriller of 2015.
A word about Troy Pearce, the linchpin for this book and the overall series. Mr. Maden has so very adroitly created a hero who is both human and courageous. He has incorporated several scenes from Pearce's early life which makes the character one of literature's most fully realized creations. A real person..not a superhero is Troy. His love and concern for his team, his sense of duty, his weaknesses and his extraordinary strengths bring to mind the last truly perfectly molded character I have encountered..Vince Flynn's Mitt Rapp. With the tragic and so very untimely death of of Mr. Flynn, there has been a huge vacuum in the thriller field. I feared it would never be filled (and as Mr Maden would agree, Flynn will always live on as the gold standard) yet Mike Maden had indeed laid claim to the crown of "Top Thriller Writer" currently active.
I cannot recommend Drone Command enough. For those new to Mr. Maden, you are in for a major treat, For those returning readers, you will no doubt agree with me when I say, Mike Maden's Troy Pearce thrillers are the best thing out there for lovers of great writing and original plots and characters. Drone Command and Mike Maden are as good as it gets.
Rick Friedman
Founder/Moderator
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
8,000 PLUS MEMBERS
October 9, 2017
This would have made a good comic book if it had illustrations. The main character is an ideal Superman and his friend (the lady ex-president of the US) a good Lois Lane. Really!! I was looking for a bit of escapism, but I would have liked a little realism along with it. I think the author took too many liberties with his characters and the story line.
April 17, 2016
Suspense thriller writers walk a fine line as they navigate their characters through potentially world-shattering events -- even when they've saved the day, there may still be significant consequences to the baddie's thwarted plot. The world in which our heroes have saved the day can start to diverge from the one in which we live, adding a degree of difficulty to maintaining plausibility and reader interest. Over the course of three novels, Mike Maden's Troy Pearce has been fighting that battle as well as the ones that threaten his country.
By 2015's Drone Command, the gap is widening at the same time that the novels are becoming less and less interesting. The first novel in the series offered several members of Pearce's team, deployed for private intelligence operations along with the high-tech unmanned vehicles of the title. But the follow-up starting trimming the cast and Command pares it down some more, tightening the focus on Pearce and his unofficial partner, former U.S. President Margaret Myers. Confrontation between Japan and China threatens to become full-out war, but the current president has sent Pearce and Myers into the mix with a plan to defuse the situation and covertly take out the Chinese technological edge that makes the situation so dangerous. But the stakes may be high enough that the players will risk the diplomatic disaster that would follow harm to Pearce or Myers.
Command dials back the he-man grunt-grunt overload that hobbled Blue Warrior, the second novel in the series. But it adds in plenty of character speeches that tell us exactly what author Maden thinks is wrong with the world today, as well as the backstory that tells us how Troy came to be the fellow he is today. Agree or not with the first, they drag the pace to a crawl too many times. And while the second could definitely have its place, there's nothing about the main storyline of Command that connects to it. Those problems, combined with mostly cameo roles for the rest of Pearce's team and a distinct dearth of actual drones, push Drone Command a lot closer to other meanings of the word drone -- like "a monotonous low humming sound," emphasis on the "monotonous."
Original available here.
By 2015's Drone Command, the gap is widening at the same time that the novels are becoming less and less interesting. The first novel in the series offered several members of Pearce's team, deployed for private intelligence operations along with the high-tech unmanned vehicles of the title. But the follow-up starting trimming the cast and Command pares it down some more, tightening the focus on Pearce and his unofficial partner, former U.S. President Margaret Myers. Confrontation between Japan and China threatens to become full-out war, but the current president has sent Pearce and Myers into the mix with a plan to defuse the situation and covertly take out the Chinese technological edge that makes the situation so dangerous. But the stakes may be high enough that the players will risk the diplomatic disaster that would follow harm to Pearce or Myers.
Command dials back the he-man grunt-grunt overload that hobbled Blue Warrior, the second novel in the series. But it adds in plenty of character speeches that tell us exactly what author Maden thinks is wrong with the world today, as well as the backstory that tells us how Troy came to be the fellow he is today. Agree or not with the first, they drag the pace to a crawl too many times. And while the second could definitely have its place, there's nothing about the main storyline of Command that connects to it. Those problems, combined with mostly cameo roles for the rest of Pearce's team and a distinct dearth of actual drones, push Drone Command a lot closer to other meanings of the word drone -- like "a monotonous low humming sound," emphasis on the "monotonous."
Original available here.
October 14, 2015
“Drone Command” eBook was published in 2015 (October) and was written by Mike Maden (http://www.mikemaden.com). This is Mr. Maden’s third novel and the third in his “Troy Pearce” series.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Violence, Mature Language and Mature Situations. This Thriller novel is set in the very near future. The primary character is Troy Pearce, former Special Ops and now head of a very successful drone company.
There is growing tension between China and the US and it’s ally Japan. Pearce, along with former US president Margaret Myers, are sent to Japan and China to try and defuse the situation. They encounter political maneuvering both within the Japanese and Chinese governments that are not always in the best interest of the US. They are also the target of violence and they loose more than one close friend.
As the situation intensifies, Pearce uses the technology his company has developed and his team of drone experts to try and counter a military move by the Chinese before it can escalate into a full war.
I enjoyed the 7+ hours I spent with this Thriller even though I had not read the first two volumes in the series. There was a lot of action and intrigue, and I will be on the lookout for new books in this series. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Violence, Mature Language and Mature Situations. This Thriller novel is set in the very near future. The primary character is Troy Pearce, former Special Ops and now head of a very successful drone company.
There is growing tension between China and the US and it’s ally Japan. Pearce, along with former US president Margaret Myers, are sent to Japan and China to try and defuse the situation. They encounter political maneuvering both within the Japanese and Chinese governments that are not always in the best interest of the US. They are also the target of violence and they loose more than one close friend.
As the situation intensifies, Pearce uses the technology his company has developed and his team of drone experts to try and counter a military move by the Chinese before it can escalate into a full war.
I enjoyed the 7+ hours I spent with this Thriller even though I had not read the first two volumes in the series. There was a lot of action and intrigue, and I will be on the lookout for new books in this series. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
April 28, 2017
First book that I've read from this author and I'm impressed. it has a nice balance between characters, technology, politics and overall storyline.
I'll throw in my opinion that I am in 100% agreement with the author about what is wrong with the USA's political ills, and especially am happy that he's covered the sell out of America's best and brightest STEM graduates and workers by both political parties.
For #4, let's unleash Troy Pearce on the evil US politicians, CEOs and lobbyists!
I'll throw in my opinion that I am in 100% agreement with the author about what is wrong with the USA's political ills, and especially am happy that he's covered the sell out of America's best and brightest STEM graduates and workers by both political parties.
For #4, let's unleash Troy Pearce on the evil US politicians, CEOs and lobbyists!
October 9, 2015
The Newest Troy Pearce novel. Top notch thriller about Drone warfare with China!!
September 20, 2017
Troy #3 is now history- and I wish it were actual history! Our country would be better off, by far! This book presents the continuing development of Troy Pearce, a hero like no other, with technology and understanding like no other I've read. His role in warfare- both upfront and covert, is captivating and intriguing to read. Mike Maden (the new keeper of Tom Clancy Jack Jr. series) shows why he earned his stripes, with his detailed descriptions and vivid scene-painting. There's an extra emotional layer to this novel than most, with the backstory of Troy Pearce revealed more deeply. It's brilliant character development and helps you 'feel' him being pulled in different scenarios, because of his past. The drone tech is downright creepy and will have you looking over your shoulder- not just overhead, but down by your feet, underwater, everywhere!
I've enjoyed the first three books in this series, with ascending interest. Can't wait to drop in on number 4, Drone Threat. Starting now!
I've enjoyed the first three books in this series, with ascending interest. Can't wait to drop in on number 4, Drone Threat. Starting now!
June 15, 2017
A techno-thriller that blends the latest in drone developments with an all too real possible conflict in East Asia, Mike Maden shows a thorough understanding of unmanned systems and their relevance to warfare in the modern day. While this story had a smaller portion directly involving the use of drones in the plot, this was more than made up for by the high tech, well planned espionage that was used to infiltrate and steal the data on the Chinese made hypersonic glide vehicle.
While the future of warfare as portrayed in this book may not be as drone dependent, this book is a must read for all those interested in geo-political thrillers mixed with military technologies reminiscent of Tom Clancy and Patrick Robinson.
While the future of warfare as portrayed in this book may not be as drone dependent, this book is a must read for all those interested in geo-political thrillers mixed with military technologies reminiscent of Tom Clancy and Patrick Robinson.
July 30, 2020
Well written techno-thriller novel, with a lot of action and suspense, however too political. Troy Pearce is the CEO of Pearce Systems, which develops technology, particularly drone technologies. China claims the Japanese Senkaku Islands as well as islands and maritime passage in the South China Sea. The tension between Japan and China growing and war is imminent. USA President David Lane dispatches Pearce and his team to Japan, along with former USA President Margaret Myers, to try and find a way to diminish tensions. The growth of characters is well crafted. I enjoyed. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
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July 14, 2019Mike Maden’s Drone Command presents the current situation in China and Japan in an exciting and informative fashion. Troy Pearce and former president Margaret Meyers try to diplomatically settle a potential conflict between China and Japan which could erupt and drag the US into war. As usual, I learn much about drone technology and am impressed with Maden’s knowledge about China and Japan.
May 14, 2021
False advertising! I enjoy cool hi-tech techno-spy thriller books, like the first two. But This was a geo-political military book bringing real world concerns about the Japan, China and the US in the story. Some cool technologies brought on line in this story but fell short of the first two Drone books
January 15, 2019
As usual a good Mike Maden book.
Troy Pearce and the ex-president of the United States. I wonder how that will turn out. This book has a lot of action and not quite as much techno as the first two books. It makes you wonder what will be in the next book.
Troy Pearce and the ex-president of the United States. I wonder how that will turn out. This book has a lot of action and not quite as much techno as the first two books. It makes you wonder what will be in the next book.
August 3, 2019
A few bad people.
Excellent plot and sub plots with great characters. Suspenseful, fast moving with political intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend that you start with book one and continue through book three. I have already ordered book four.
Excellent plot and sub plots with great characters. Suspenseful, fast moving with political intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend that you start with book one and continue through book three. I have already ordered book four.
October 1, 2019
Another great adventure with Troy Pearce and his drone company. This time he has to stop a war from happening between China and Japan which would put the US at war as well. Lots of action but also a solid political thriller. Looking forward to grabbing book 4, highly recommended.
January 29, 2019
A lot more diplomacy than the previous books. Still a good read.
May 1, 2021
The characterisation and technology in the series will not appeal to everyone but I read this book quickly as I enjoyed it, and was keen to see where it went. I am swiftly working my through book 4 of the series now.
May 6, 2021
finished yesterday 5th may 2021 good read four stars really liked it kindle owned liked the use of drones, good read just for that. on the last one now, 4th and i think the last in the series.
June 5, 2023
A fabulous read
Excellent action packed read. many characters but all tied together to keep yu wonderibg what will happen next. Wellworth a read
Excellent action packed read. many characters but all tied together to keep yu wonderibg what will happen next. Wellworth a read
November 28, 2023
a great adventure and a great series.
February 14, 2017
2 stars = it was ok.
It's a pretty conventional military action book. The characters are standard 2-dimensional comic book type characters who are par for the course for this type of action book. They are there to move the story along and all basically have the same flat personalities. At best, it felt like characters all reading their lines out loud instead of acting them out.
The action part was pretty good but without compelling characters, this book didn't hit the spot for me. As an OK book I would rate this 3 out of 5 but according to GR's rating system an OK book only rates 2 stars.
I would not read this book again but it's perfect for those looking for action books.
I got this copy as a free review copy.
It's a pretty conventional military action book. The characters are standard 2-dimensional comic book type characters who are par for the course for this type of action book. They are there to move the story along and all basically have the same flat personalities. At best, it felt like characters all reading their lines out loud instead of acting them out.
The action part was pretty good but without compelling characters, this book didn't hit the spot for me. As an OK book I would rate this 3 out of 5 but according to GR's rating system an OK book only rates 2 stars.
I would not read this book again but it's perfect for those looking for action books.
I got this copy as a free review copy.
September 10, 2015
I received this book for free in a GoodReads giveaway. It is an uncorrected proof for limited distribution--it says on the cover.
Overall, I liked the book, but parts of it were difficult to read and slowed down my normal reading pace...I am specifically referring to the detailed description of military terms and acronyms. Yes, there is a glossary in the beginning of the book that tells what they mean, but I was having to flip back and forth a lot. Also, there were many characters in this book--they were listed in the character list (with their prospective titles and which country they represented) at the beginning of the book.
I learned a lot about the politics of China and Japan...and how governments work together.
The book had an excellent and realistic plot. I enjoyed reading it when I did not feel inhibited by too much technical jargon. The author developed the main characters well...and I loved the ending!
I would recommend this book to people who like drones and who are military buffs...the rapid development of drone technology will change the way wars are being fought now and will be fought in the future...that I do believe.
Overall, I liked the book, but parts of it were difficult to read and slowed down my normal reading pace...I am specifically referring to the detailed description of military terms and acronyms. Yes, there is a glossary in the beginning of the book that tells what they mean, but I was having to flip back and forth a lot. Also, there were many characters in this book--they were listed in the character list (with their prospective titles and which country they represented) at the beginning of the book.
I learned a lot about the politics of China and Japan...and how governments work together.
The book had an excellent and realistic plot. I enjoyed reading it when I did not feel inhibited by too much technical jargon. The author developed the main characters well...and I loved the ending!
I would recommend this book to people who like drones and who are military buffs...the rapid development of drone technology will change the way wars are being fought now and will be fought in the future...that I do believe.
March 31, 2021
Book Review - Mike Maden’s Drone Command presents the continuing development of Troy Pearce, a hero like no other, with technology and understanding like no other. He’s a ‘techno-nerd badass’! His role in warfare-both upfront and covert, is captivating and intriguing to read. Dr. Mike Maden (the new keeper of Tom Clancy Jack Jr. series) shows why he earned his stripes, with his detailed descriptions and vivid scene-painting. If he’s writing Tom Clancy novels, then he must be pretty damn good... There's an extra emotional layer to this novel than most, with the backstory of Troy Pearce revealed more deeply. It's brilliant character development and helps the reader 'feel' Pearce being pulled in different directions, because of his past. The drone technology is downright ‘creepy’ and will have you looking over your shoulder and not just overhead, but down at your feet, underwater and everywhere else you might go! I've enjoyed the first three books in this series and can’t wait to read Drone Threat, Book 4 in the four book Drone series. Great read, especially the techno stuff! And don’t ever under estimate a techno-nerd...wait until you meet Troy Pearce...WoW!
December 18, 2016
What might an international crisis, pitting China against Japan and the United States, look like? In this expertly-detailed, grippingly-plotted thriller (part espionage, part geopolitics), Mike Maden sketches a chillingly plausible scenario. (And, in light of recent events, Maden's scenario, which revolves around China's artificial islands, grows even more plausible by the day...)
Maden holds advanced degrees in international relations and comparative politics; his expertise sparkles in every chapter. He knows the nuances of the Chinese and Japanese sociopolitical cultures--and the result is a novel which educates as it enthralls. I'd gladly read this book again.
Maden holds advanced degrees in international relations and comparative politics; his expertise sparkles in every chapter. He knows the nuances of the Chinese and Japanese sociopolitical cultures--and the result is a novel which educates as it enthralls. I'd gladly read this book again.
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October 22, 2016Not as good as the first 3....this one dragged a little. It still should entertain those with an interest in drones and their potential uses. This one does delve into the hostile relationship between China & Japan, as well as the US's involvement in a historical context, in addition to the current angst surrounding the Senkaku islands. Here's a good link for some context before reading:
http://www.pewglobal.org/2016/09/13/h...
http://www.pewglobal.org/2016/09/13/h...
January 3, 2023
The Troy Pierce novels are great! I wish there were more of these! Could not stop reading them once I started.
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February 6, 2016I couldn't read this book after the 2nd chapter! There are 33 characters most of them with Japanese or Chinese names! Additionally, the reader is burdened with almost 2 pages of abbreviations. I would not recommend this book.
May 24, 2016
Another great Troy Pearce adventure! You get to know more about his origins. The story moves fast and is plotted perfectly; a great read.
January 25, 2016
I was really expecting a bit more drone action in the story. Compared to the previous 2 books, this only occurred in the last 20% of the book.
September 3, 2016
Decent, if not predictable book. Tells a good story
October 21, 2016
An easy read , some interesting views on drone technology. I found it a little too violent to want to chase up others in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews