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Future War #1
Bering Strait
Without warning, Russia starts a lightning operation to seize control of a vital arctic waterway off the Alaska coast.
For America, it's a threat to national sovereignty.
For Russia, it's a matter of life or death.
For hot-wired naval aviator, Karen 'Bunny' O'Hare, it's about to be a bad day at the office.
NOT everyone takes impending nuclear armageddon as calmly as O'Hare. Dug in deep behind enemy lines, half a mile under the arctic ice, US Navy Airboss Alicia Rodriguez suddenly finds herself in command of the wrong unit, in the wrong place, at just the right time.
FROM a forward airfield at Lavrentiya in the Russian Far East, Major-General Yevgeny Bondarev, is leading a war he doesn't understand against a foe who fights with machines instead of men.
IN labyrinthine tunnels under the New Annexe of the US Embassy in Moscow, Ambassador Devlin McCarthy discovers she can follow her conscience, or follow the orders of her Secretary of State, but not both.
AND staggering through the rubble of cruise missile strikes on Saint Lawrence Island, Yu'pik teenager Perri Tungyan learns just how far his country is willing to go to protect its national interests, and how far he'll go himself.
For America, it's a threat to national sovereignty.
For Russia, it's a matter of life or death.
For hot-wired naval aviator, Karen 'Bunny' O'Hare, it's about to be a bad day at the office.
NOT everyone takes impending nuclear armageddon as calmly as O'Hare. Dug in deep behind enemy lines, half a mile under the arctic ice, US Navy Airboss Alicia Rodriguez suddenly finds herself in command of the wrong unit, in the wrong place, at just the right time.
FROM a forward airfield at Lavrentiya in the Russian Far East, Major-General Yevgeny Bondarev, is leading a war he doesn't understand against a foe who fights with machines instead of men.
IN labyrinthine tunnels under the New Annexe of the US Embassy in Moscow, Ambassador Devlin McCarthy discovers she can follow her conscience, or follow the orders of her Secretary of State, but not both.
AND staggering through the rubble of cruise missile strikes on Saint Lawrence Island, Yu'pik teenager Perri Tungyan learns just how far his country is willing to go to protect its national interests, and how far he'll go himself.
526 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
1745 people are currently reading
3635 people want to read
About the author
F.X. Holden
22 books193 followersFX Holden writes action thrillers (The 'Aggressor' and 'Future War' Series) and Science Fiction (The 'Coruscant' and 'Red Legion' Series). He has been awarded two US Publishers' Weekly Stars (the Michelin Star of publishing), the US Readers' Favorite award for Best Political Thriller (twice, including in 2025), and the US Book Excellence award for Best Military Fiction!
FX Holden is a pen name for author Tim (TJ) Slee, winner of the HarperCollins Banjo Prize for Australian fiction and the US Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction.
FX Holden is a pen name for author Tim (TJ) Slee, winner of the HarperCollins Banjo Prize for Australian fiction and the US Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
January 7, 2020
I won this ebook in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I enjoyed this book, but it took a few chapters to draw me in. It felt like the book was a long one, and Amazon says 543 pages. Set in 2031, the book features a Russian invasion of Alaska and the American response. I liked the story because it is all too plausible. It even sent me to Google Maps where I found the exact locations mentioned in the book, which allowed me to picture the tactics.
I liked the characters and their relationships, especially between HOLMES and the U. S. Ambassador in Moscow and between Rodriguez and Bunny. In any military confrontation, there is also heartbreak. Fair warning.
There are quite a few governmental groups and military organizations, commands, vehicles, weaponry, etc. to keep straight, and their acronyms sometimes became too much. Might make some readers’ eyes glaze over.
There were two incidents that were written about, but then no further effects from them were mentioned. These might be minor, or I might have misunderstood.
I will happily read the next book, Deep Core, now available by Mr. Holden.
I enjoyed this book, but it took a few chapters to draw me in. It felt like the book was a long one, and Amazon says 543 pages. Set in 2031, the book features a Russian invasion of Alaska and the American response. I liked the story because it is all too plausible. It even sent me to Google Maps where I found the exact locations mentioned in the book, which allowed me to picture the tactics.
I liked the characters and their relationships, especially between HOLMES and the U. S. Ambassador in Moscow and between Rodriguez and Bunny. In any military confrontation, there is also heartbreak. Fair warning.
There are quite a few governmental groups and military organizations, commands, vehicles, weaponry, etc. to keep straight, and their acronyms sometimes became too much. Might make some readers’ eyes glaze over.
There were two incidents that were written about, but then no further effects from them were mentioned. These might be minor, or I might have misunderstood.
I will happily read the next book, Deep Core, now available by Mr. Holden.
March 17, 2020
As I am the author (under pen name FX Holden) I can't provide objective input but I thought as you can read the Goodreads reviews here, I would put up the full Readers' Favorite review:
Author: FX Holden
Genre: Fiction - Thriller
Cover: 4
Plot: 5
Development: 5
Formatting: 5
Marketability: 5
Overall Opinion: 5 stars
BERING STRAIT is a riveting thriller. It is 2031 and a new cold war between America and Russia is starting. Perri Tungyan is a Yup'ik fisherman, just 17 years old. He lives on Saint Lawrence Island in the Bering Strait and, as he awaits the weekly shopping drone at the Gambell airstrip, he notices several specks in the sky. These loom larger and larger, identifying as aircraft, and Perri suddenly realizes that he is the only one who knows what is happening. Russia has started to take control of the Strait. Russian ships move in to block the entrance and exit to the Strait and a no-fly zone is imposed over Western Alaska. The lives of eight people are about to be turned upside down as Armageddon approaches.
When I started reading. I found it a bit slow going and didn't think I would be able to get into it but, wow, it soon picks up the pace and becomes impossible to put down. The action is intense and the plot unique. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes and keep their attention while it soars along at a fast pace. The characters are developed nicely throughout the story, each having their own part to play and meshing with one another seamlessly. You soon begin to empathize with them and they are a likable bunch of people too. This story is unmissable and slightly scary because it isn't set very far in the future and, given recent world events, isn't out of the realms of possibility.
Great story, highly recommended for those who want a tight, gripping tale to lose themselves in.
Author: FX Holden
Genre: Fiction - Thriller
Cover: 4
Plot: 5
Development: 5
Formatting: 5
Marketability: 5
Overall Opinion: 5 stars
BERING STRAIT is a riveting thriller. It is 2031 and a new cold war between America and Russia is starting. Perri Tungyan is a Yup'ik fisherman, just 17 years old. He lives on Saint Lawrence Island in the Bering Strait and, as he awaits the weekly shopping drone at the Gambell airstrip, he notices several specks in the sky. These loom larger and larger, identifying as aircraft, and Perri suddenly realizes that he is the only one who knows what is happening. Russia has started to take control of the Strait. Russian ships move in to block the entrance and exit to the Strait and a no-fly zone is imposed over Western Alaska. The lives of eight people are about to be turned upside down as Armageddon approaches.
When I started reading. I found it a bit slow going and didn't think I would be able to get into it but, wow, it soon picks up the pace and becomes impossible to put down. The action is intense and the plot unique. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes and keep their attention while it soars along at a fast pace. The characters are developed nicely throughout the story, each having their own part to play and meshing with one another seamlessly. You soon begin to empathize with them and they are a likable bunch of people too. This story is unmissable and slightly scary because it isn't set very far in the future and, given recent world events, isn't out of the realms of possibility.
Great story, highly recommended for those who want a tight, gripping tale to lose themselves in.
November 22, 2019
Let’s call this an Author Note as it’s not a review. This is a look back on how Bering Strait came to be written! Minor (very minor) spoilers follow which is why I have held off dropping this until now.
Growing up I read a book by British adventure writer, Brian Callison, called ‘The Dawn Attack’. It was an hour by hour account of a fictional British commando raid on a Norwegian port in World War Two but what sets it apart is the use of multiple perspectives - both land, sea and air, and of both sides of the conflict – which served to highlight that wars are started by politicians and generals but fought by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It does not glorify war; the author successfully paints the picture of an ultimately meaningless action in a brutal war, and of painful, lonely and pointless battlefield deaths, but it is an exhilarating read. I’d guess I have read it at least twenty times over the years.
I always told myself, one day I’ll try to write a book in the style of ‘Dawn Attack’. This pale attempt is that. So if you enjoyed this one, I strongly recommend you go back and read the book that was the inspiration - it’s available on Kindle these days.
That deals with the ambition! Next I needed to find inspiration for the plot. For that I can thank a coincidence. During a visit to Moscow with my lovely mom (her big 70th birthday wish was to see Red Square, I know not why...) I saw a map of the world on a restaurant wall which had the former USSR at the center of the world. To the West, Europe, to the East, across just 30 miles of water - USA. Seeing the world in this way made me realise I’d never thought of the two countries as neighbors. Next event, not long after this, I read a BBC article about Moscow being in the top 10 cities most likely to run out of drinking water.
START MINOR SPOILER>In Bering Strait I took that thought to an extreme conclusion (what if Russia itself became dangerously, desperately short of water, due to climate change). This laid the basis for a superpower conflict. A few climate-change sceptical readers have taken issue with this, as is their right. To them I say a) sorry, climate change is real and b) Bering Strait is fiction! /END SPOILER
Lastly, Bering Strait gave me a chance to do something I’ve always wanted to do, to imagine a world not far into the future where prototype weapons of today, including battlefield AI, are now in the arsenals of the world’s superpowers. How would wars be fought if armed drones ruled the skies? How would networked, data linked air, sea and land assets work together? How would AI change the role of the human pilot or soldier, or even intelligence and diplomacy?
To answer these questions I did a lot of research myself and was helped by a wide range of experts who are thanked in the frontispiece - flight engineers, radar specialists, veterans and servicemen and women with backgrounds in land and air combat. As I finished each chapter of the book I posted it for them to pull apart and debate and they started by critiquing just the military tech and tactics, but by the end of the book they were arguing about plot points and who should live or die! If you found Bering Strait authentic, it is them you should thank! (And if your favorite character died ... blame them too!)
Bering Strait has been well received by readers which is gratifying, and has also attracted the attention of a publisher, with an audiobook deal now signed and audiobook coming out in early 2020! If you enjoyed the ride, the next novel in the same vein is out in November 2019, OKINAWA. It’s not a sequel, (though one or two characters from Bering Strait make an appearance). But it uses the same plot devices - take current prototype weapons, put them into a plausible future conflict scenario viewed from multiple sides and then ... see what happens!
https://www.amazon.com/Okinawa-This-F...
Growing up I read a book by British adventure writer, Brian Callison, called ‘The Dawn Attack’. It was an hour by hour account of a fictional British commando raid on a Norwegian port in World War Two but what sets it apart is the use of multiple perspectives - both land, sea and air, and of both sides of the conflict – which served to highlight that wars are started by politicians and generals but fought by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It does not glorify war; the author successfully paints the picture of an ultimately meaningless action in a brutal war, and of painful, lonely and pointless battlefield deaths, but it is an exhilarating read. I’d guess I have read it at least twenty times over the years.
I always told myself, one day I’ll try to write a book in the style of ‘Dawn Attack’. This pale attempt is that. So if you enjoyed this one, I strongly recommend you go back and read the book that was the inspiration - it’s available on Kindle these days.
That deals with the ambition! Next I needed to find inspiration for the plot. For that I can thank a coincidence. During a visit to Moscow with my lovely mom (her big 70th birthday wish was to see Red Square, I know not why...) I saw a map of the world on a restaurant wall which had the former USSR at the center of the world. To the West, Europe, to the East, across just 30 miles of water - USA. Seeing the world in this way made me realise I’d never thought of the two countries as neighbors. Next event, not long after this, I read a BBC article about Moscow being in the top 10 cities most likely to run out of drinking water.
START MINOR SPOILER>In Bering Strait I took that thought to an extreme conclusion (what if Russia itself became dangerously, desperately short of water, due to climate change). This laid the basis for a superpower conflict. A few climate-change sceptical readers have taken issue with this, as is their right. To them I say a) sorry, climate change is real and b) Bering Strait is fiction! /END SPOILER
Lastly, Bering Strait gave me a chance to do something I’ve always wanted to do, to imagine a world not far into the future where prototype weapons of today, including battlefield AI, are now in the arsenals of the world’s superpowers. How would wars be fought if armed drones ruled the skies? How would networked, data linked air, sea and land assets work together? How would AI change the role of the human pilot or soldier, or even intelligence and diplomacy?
To answer these questions I did a lot of research myself and was helped by a wide range of experts who are thanked in the frontispiece - flight engineers, radar specialists, veterans and servicemen and women with backgrounds in land and air combat. As I finished each chapter of the book I posted it for them to pull apart and debate and they started by critiquing just the military tech and tactics, but by the end of the book they were arguing about plot points and who should live or die! If you found Bering Strait authentic, it is them you should thank! (And if your favorite character died ... blame them too!)
Bering Strait has been well received by readers which is gratifying, and has also attracted the attention of a publisher, with an audiobook deal now signed and audiobook coming out in early 2020! If you enjoyed the ride, the next novel in the same vein is out in November 2019, OKINAWA. It’s not a sequel, (though one or two characters from Bering Strait make an appearance). But it uses the same plot devices - take current prototype weapons, put them into a plausible future conflict scenario viewed from multiple sides and then ... see what happens!
https://www.amazon.com/Okinawa-This-F...
November 8, 2018
Bering Strait is a very fast-paced technothriller, great for fans of Tom Clancy and the likes. The idea of the Russians wanting to invade Alaska is not new but Tim Slee (F.X. Holden is a pseudonym) has a whole new approach.
I had a little difficulty with the 'techno' parts because there were so many, sometimes too much to understand and grasp the details of everything that was explained. However, I liked the story line and the characters and I think all in all that Bering Strait is worthy a big public.
I had a little difficulty with the 'techno' parts because there were so many, sometimes too much to understand and grasp the details of everything that was explained. However, I liked the story line and the characters and I think all in all that Bering Strait is worthy a big public.
January 28, 2019
Sometimes its the author who makes the book. In this case, it is the enormous intellect behind the story that is so impressive. This is a military thriller with all the military jargon, language, thinking, details, and personalities one would expect to find in that genre. It will not disappoint anyone who wants to get buried in the minutiae of what it takes to wage war.
Additionally, the author layered realistic geo politics into the story to give the conflict credibility.
He adds in characters that are believable and likeable without going boringly deep into unnecessary backgrounds that have nothing to do with the story (as is so often the case with other writers who seem to just want to fill pages with words).
The plot twists and turns that are fun make the story more than just battle scenes. The story takes the reader on a lineal path from the first gripping international event to the "Superpowers" reaction to the next reaction and so on in a way that doesn't insult the readers intelligence.
As with all stories like this, there is a required suspension of disbelief, but in this case it is so very small. One walks away saying, "Could happen". Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.
Loved it. Am looking forward to the next book.
Additionally, the author layered realistic geo politics into the story to give the conflict credibility.
He adds in characters that are believable and likeable without going boringly deep into unnecessary backgrounds that have nothing to do with the story (as is so often the case with other writers who seem to just want to fill pages with words).
The plot twists and turns that are fun make the story more than just battle scenes. The story takes the reader on a lineal path from the first gripping international event to the "Superpowers" reaction to the next reaction and so on in a way that doesn't insult the readers intelligence.
As with all stories like this, there is a required suspension of disbelief, but in this case it is so very small. One walks away saying, "Could happen". Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.
Loved it. Am looking forward to the next book.
March 7, 2019
Future war action thriller
Very detailed of projections of drones, AI and strategic implementation of those enhancements. Clever use of alternate perspectives, esp two native Alaskan boys and an Aussie female drone pilot that added to the excitement and flow of the story.
Very detailed of projections of drones, AI and strategic implementation of those enhancements. Clever use of alternate perspectives, esp two native Alaskan boys and an Aussie female drone pilot that added to the excitement and flow of the story.
August 11, 2019
This is one of the best future war techno-thrillers I’ve ever read. The book doesn’t glorify war, but vividly shows the impact that it has on not only the military personnel involved, but the ordinary people, affected by the conflict.
Three women, the USA Ambassador to Russia, a drone pilot and a US naval officer and two Inuit teenagers are the main characters and the story centres around the actions they take, when a surprise attack on Alaska takes place. As usual I won’t give away anymore of the plotline, but will say that the book totally engrossed me, and I didn’t want to put it down.
This is the first book in a planned series, and I can’t wait for the next one, a preview of which is included at the end of the book. At 5oo plus pages it is great value for money, or a great read on Kindle Unlimited, as it was for me.
Three women, the USA Ambassador to Russia, a drone pilot and a US naval officer and two Inuit teenagers are the main characters and the story centres around the actions they take, when a surprise attack on Alaska takes place. As usual I won’t give away anymore of the plotline, but will say that the book totally engrossed me, and I didn’t want to put it down.
This is the first book in a planned series, and I can’t wait for the next one, a preview of which is included at the end of the book. At 5oo plus pages it is great value for money, or a great read on Kindle Unlimited, as it was for me.
January 19, 2019
Once you start this book, it's really hard to put down! What I enjoyed the most in this techo-thriller, was the different points of view in a geopolitical conflict. Holden goes way beyond a juxtaposition of American and Russian ideologies, and describes the conflict from many different perspectives. This includes isolated innocent civilians who have no idea how their small actions could become the trigger point for a full-scale nuclear war. I was also really impressed by the extremely detailed description of futurist military technology and the evolving role of AI. As described in the book, this is going to require a new kind of solider.
It's also very cool that the author wrote this book as a charity project and is donating all of the proceeds. Well done!
It's also very cool that the author wrote this book as a charity project and is donating all of the proceeds. Well done!
January 21, 2020
Fantastic Read
Gripping tale of possible future high tech warfare between U.S. and Russia. How does author have access to such info?
Gripping tale of possible future high tech warfare between U.S. and Russia. How does author have access to such info?
February 21, 2020
You can feel the G's!
The writing is taunt and although it involves technology that isn't here yet (maybe), it reads like a play by play of real warfare.
The writing is taunt and although it involves technology that isn't here yet (maybe), it reads like a play by play of real warfare.
August 12, 2021
This very straightforward, solidly written and plot-driven techno thriller takes place in a plausible and not too distant future. Russia braves a possible nuclear response from the United States to annex parts of Alaska & the Bearing Straight.
The characters are not complex, nor are they the standard brand ultra patriotic superheroes, but reasonably well sketched and believable men & women who find themselves in a series of conflicts which make demands upon them.
The characters are not complex, nor are they the standard brand ultra patriotic superheroes, but reasonably well sketched and believable men & women who find themselves in a series of conflicts which make demands upon them.
August 25, 2021
I loved this book. It's probably the closest thing I've read to Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy...which has always been one of my favorites. Story being told from a number of perspectives on both sides of the battles is awesome. Can't wait to read more of this Future War books.
September 23, 2021
Great slightly in future techno war book. Characters are well developed. Fun read!
July 21, 2022
Up to date and probably more topical than the author expected when they wrote the book i.e. pre Ukraine. Yes, it was very woke and PC, but men can also be drone pilots as well. Insight into the future when 6th and 7th gen fighters come on stream. Pilots will be the weak link.
October 3, 2021
This book was super interesting. The fictional war set in about ten years time from now seems very realistic given the technology currently available to us and the state of the world. It was also a pretty interesting speculation on how climate change could affect the world in the next fifteen years.
July 5, 2020
Good fast read about futuristic warfare.
October 22, 2022
Wow! This series, and this book, is both gripping and thrilling. I liked the fast-paced development of the plot.
June 30, 2022
Excellent
November 29, 2018
Wasn't sure at first.
But it just sucked me right in! Fascinating premise. After I got used to the switching points of view, I really liked it. Now, I'm off to read the book that inspired Mr. Holden to write this book!
But it just sucked me right in! Fascinating premise. After I got used to the switching points of view, I really liked it. Now, I'm off to read the book that inspired Mr. Holden to write this book!
March 1, 2022
Ver well written, and engaging.
Third one iI read of the series. Will go on to the next. Recommended.
Third one iI read of the series. Will go on to the next. Recommended.
February 26, 2022
Captivating Read
I enjoyed reading this book especially the combat scenes were riveting and exciting. The characters from both sides were interesting and believable.
I enjoyed reading this book especially the combat scenes were riveting and exciting. The characters from both sides were interesting and believable.
March 9, 2020
Bering Strait is the best war/thriller novel I've read in ages. FX Holden delivers non-stop action while somehow managing to develop very relatable characters. He takes you to the brink of nuclear annihilation while coming up with some unlikely, but believable, heroes. Best of all he delivers a complete novel that doesn't end in a cliff-hanger just to get you to buy the next one. I love that.
As for me, I'm already reading Okinawa, his second book in his future war series. I'm hooked and if you read Bering Strait you will be too.
As for me, I'm already reading Okinawa, his second book in his future war series. I'm hooked and if you read Bering Strait you will be too.
June 12, 2019
Outstanding
I was really looking forward to reading this book.I was not disappointed with the story or the ending. But surprised that it was down to a uav to bring the bomber down I didn't think it had that capacity. Notwithstanding this was an enjoyable read whilst lying in bed I'll for the past four days. Well done. Looking forward to the next book. Just hope it is as good a story.
I was really looking forward to reading this book.I was not disappointed with the story or the ending. But surprised that it was down to a uav to bring the bomber down I didn't think it had that capacity. Notwithstanding this was an enjoyable read whilst lying in bed I'll for the past four days. Well done. Looking forward to the next book. Just hope it is as good a story.
December 22, 2018
Full attack
Bunny is the expert on the guidance system. She can shoot a target miles away before they ever see it coming. Then the Russians came. They took over the islands and part of Alaska. They wipe out all of the military except the cave where the drones where. Bunny was waiting for just the right time to attack.
Bunny is the expert on the guidance system. She can shoot a target miles away before they ever see it coming. Then the Russians came. They took over the islands and part of Alaska. They wipe out all of the military except the cave where the drones where. Bunny was waiting for just the right time to attack.
June 9, 2019
May be " on point"
Plot is great, story arc compelling, characters seem real. All hinges on consequences of global warming in the near future. A cross between military science fiction and techno thriller. If you like those categories -you will probably like this book...I certainly did.
Plot is great, story arc compelling, characters seem real. All hinges on consequences of global warming in the near future. A cross between military science fiction and techno thriller. If you like those categories -you will probably like this book...I certainly did.
March 7, 2020
This is the first futuristic war novel I've read. While initially dubious, I found i struggled to put it down. Author FX Holden, if that is his/her real name, is a wonderful storyteller and in Bering Straight (an area that has always fascinated me) has crafted a fascinating tale. Quite amazing. And I'm now looking out for his first book. Thank you, FX!
March 3, 2020
This is an author channelling Clancy and his Cold War thrillers while giving them a thoroughly modern overhaul with fascinating technology in an intriguing near-future scenario which made quite chilling sense as the motivations for the key actors were revealed. Set in the 2030s it's full of action, contains lots of details about weapons especially missiles and drones and some strong characters, with females taking very powerful leads. I see that another reviewer was not so impressed and I definitely understand where that view is coming from because there is a fair amount of tactical, political and technical description. I certainly wasn't gripped immediately but Holden seems to be a patient author and those characters do come shining through as things develop.
Narration of course is vital for any audiobook, many will feel that this kind of book would be crying out for someone like RC Bray but with so many important characters being women Lyssa Brown makes a decent choice. Clear, eloquent and with good turns of emphasis and slight changes of pace she carries the story well though I chose just to give her a bit of pep and played this at 1.05x speed. However, there are also a broad range of accents required for this story and this isn't a strong point. I'm a normally tolerant reader, as long as I can tell who is talking that's most of what I need either through text or the actor's voices. But if you do like authentic sounding accents you could well have some issues listening to this but with the Audible refund options it's worth giving it a try, you should pick up quickly whether it will be an issue or not. Unfortunately I checked and the sample doesn't contain any examples.
Having gone through it though, I'm a happy customer. An exciting book with plenty of action that marries technical detail with one or two original, to me at least, political ideas. 20 hours of very good listening that completes a full story arc while hinting at more to come, I'll be donning my earphones to enjoy the next instalment.
Narration of course is vital for any audiobook, many will feel that this kind of book would be crying out for someone like RC Bray but with so many important characters being women Lyssa Brown makes a decent choice. Clear, eloquent and with good turns of emphasis and slight changes of pace she carries the story well though I chose just to give her a bit of pep and played this at 1.05x speed. However, there are also a broad range of accents required for this story and this isn't a strong point. I'm a normally tolerant reader, as long as I can tell who is talking that's most of what I need either through text or the actor's voices. But if you do like authentic sounding accents you could well have some issues listening to this but with the Audible refund options it's worth giving it a try, you should pick up quickly whether it will be an issue or not. Unfortunately I checked and the sample doesn't contain any examples.
Having gone through it though, I'm a happy customer. An exciting book with plenty of action that marries technical detail with one or two original, to me at least, political ideas. 20 hours of very good listening that completes a full story arc while hinting at more to come, I'll be donning my earphones to enjoy the next instalment.
May 29, 2021
I came across the author when looking for fiction books to read. I get bad headaches from time to time, so I always want a bunch of escapist fun books on tap to distract my brain. What caught my attention is the title of the 2nd book in the series, _Okinawa_, a place I’ve been. I always think it is a good idea to start at the beginning.
The book is a lot of fun. Think of it as a bit lighter version of Larry Bond’s earlier work. A lot of story lines that swirl around a singular event, to give us readers a feel of what is happening at all levels of society. Here, the author has us in the middle of a secret US military base, Russian air force command and US Embassy personel in Russia. Though there is a lot going on, it clicks. Yes, there are a couple situations that feel more like soap opera plot solutions, but overall it is a lot of fun.
The fun is in following Bunny & her ass-kicking use of Fantom drones. No props here. Hydrogen powered, AI controlled, supersonic all aspect badass planes. The whole idea of sticking a base that flies the Fantom inside a mountain on an island is just awesome. It doesn’t have to be real, just realistic enough to be possible. Bunny rocks in numerous ways.
On to the 2nd book.
The book is a lot of fun. Think of it as a bit lighter version of Larry Bond’s earlier work. A lot of story lines that swirl around a singular event, to give us readers a feel of what is happening at all levels of society. Here, the author has us in the middle of a secret US military base, Russian air force command and US Embassy personel in Russia. Though there is a lot going on, it clicks. Yes, there are a couple situations that feel more like soap opera plot solutions, but overall it is a lot of fun.
The fun is in following Bunny & her ass-kicking use of Fantom drones. No props here. Hydrogen powered, AI controlled, supersonic all aspect badass planes. The whole idea of sticking a base that flies the Fantom inside a mountain on an island is just awesome. It doesn’t have to be real, just realistic enough to be possible. Bunny rocks in numerous ways.
On to the 2nd book.
August 19, 2021
Water Wars in the Not-Too-Distant Future
Mr. Holden listened to my last review and made it clear what we were fighting for in this book. Well, he wrote this book before my review, but he made clear the real cause was lack of water due to climate change caused by global warming. That is so close to home that it scares me to death as I live in Southern California and we are currently having the worst drought on record. Reservoirs are 1/3 full and no rain or snow in sight. People will do desperate things to stay alive. The big problem with Mr. Holden's book is the action is so intense that I can't put it down! But that's a good thing. I don't have a clue what to do about global warming, but I thank FX Holden for helping me to forget about it for awhile (sort of) with a good book.
Mr. Holden listened to my last review and made it clear what we were fighting for in this book. Well, he wrote this book before my review, but he made clear the real cause was lack of water due to climate change caused by global warming. That is so close to home that it scares me to death as I live in Southern California and we are currently having the worst drought on record. Reservoirs are 1/3 full and no rain or snow in sight. People will do desperate things to stay alive. The big problem with Mr. Holden's book is the action is so intense that I can't put it down! But that's a good thing. I don't have a clue what to do about global warming, but I thank FX Holden for helping me to forget about it for awhile (sort of) with a good book.
March 27, 2019
A really interesting take on wars "of the future" - both the US and Russian air forces consist of a mix of drones and manned jets. For reasons that start out mysterious and remain murky for most of the book, the Russians decide to invade Alaska and take over both sides of the Bering Strait. Most of the action focuses on a covert American drone base located under an island in the Strait.
"Bunny" O'Hare is the primary drone pilot, and Alicia Rodriguez is the commander, and they take the fight to the Russians when the rest of the American military is conveniently out of commission. There are other characters too (the main secondary plot takes place in Alaska) so it's not just focused on the drone war.
I thought the action was really well done, and the American characters were really well done. The Russians maybe have been a little too cookie cutter, but you can't have everything.
"Bunny" O'Hare is the primary drone pilot, and Alicia Rodriguez is the commander, and they take the fight to the Russians when the rest of the American military is conveniently out of commission. There are other characters too (the main secondary plot takes place in Alaska) so it's not just focused on the drone war.
I thought the action was really well done, and the American characters were really well done. The Russians maybe have been a little too cookie cutter, but you can't have everything.
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