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Jack Ryan Universe #31
Tom Clancy Shadow of the Dragon
A missing Chinese scientist, unexplained noises emanating from under the Arctic ice, and a possible mole in American intelligence are just some of the problems that plague President Jack Ryan in the latest entry in Tom Clancy's #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Aboard an icebreaker in the Arctic Ocean a sonar operator hears an unusual noise coming from the ocean floor. She can't isolate it and chalks the event up to an anomaly in a newly installed system.
Meanwhile, operatives with the Chinese Ministry of State Security are dealing with their own mystery--the disappearance of brilliant but eccentric scientist, Liu Wangshu. They're desperate to keep his crucial knowledge of aerospace and naval technology out of their rivals' hands.
Finding Liu is too great an opportunity for any intelligence service to pass up, but there's one more problem. A high-level Chinese mole, codenamed Surveyor, has managed to infiltrate American Intelligence. President Jack Ryan has only one choice: send John Clark and his Campus team deep into China to find an old graduate student of the professor's who may hold the key to his whereabouts. It's a dangerous gamble, but with John Clark holding the cards, Jack Ryan is all in.
Aboard an icebreaker in the Arctic Ocean a sonar operator hears an unusual noise coming from the ocean floor. She can't isolate it and chalks the event up to an anomaly in a newly installed system.
Meanwhile, operatives with the Chinese Ministry of State Security are dealing with their own mystery--the disappearance of brilliant but eccentric scientist, Liu Wangshu. They're desperate to keep his crucial knowledge of aerospace and naval technology out of their rivals' hands.
Finding Liu is too great an opportunity for any intelligence service to pass up, but there's one more problem. A high-level Chinese mole, codenamed Surveyor, has managed to infiltrate American Intelligence. President Jack Ryan has only one choice: send John Clark and his Campus team deep into China to find an old graduate student of the professor's who may hold the key to his whereabouts. It's a dangerous gamble, but with John Clark holding the cards, Jack Ryan is all in.
544 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2020
2807 people are currently reading
3371 people want to read
About the author
Marc Cameron
47 books2,015 followersA native of Texas, Marc Cameron is a retired Chief Deputy US Marshal who spent nearly thirty years in law enforcement. His assignments have taken him from rural Alaska to Manhattan, from Canada to Mexico and points in between. A second degree black belt in jujitsu, he often teaches defensive tactics to other law enforcement agencies and civilian groups. Cameron lives in Alaska with his wife and BMW motorcycle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
January 1, 2021
I avidly await each and every "Jack Ryan Universe" novel...All of the Tom Clancy estate's "legacy authors" have been wonderful in maintaining this fabulous storyline...This one seemed "Ripped From the Headlines" worthy...Chinese spies, Uyghur oppression & resistance and a lost Chinese submarine are at the heart of this page-turning thriller involving all our old friends...Loved it!!!
December 4, 2020
In Shadow of the Dragon, the twentieth in the Jack Ryan series, President Jack Ryan has his hands full. There's a missing Chinese scientist America is accused of kidnapping. Strange noises are heard under the Arctic ice that may or may not be a disabled Chinese submarine. There's a mole in the US Intelligence community. And, President Ryan's son, Jack, is right in the middle of all of this. How the team unravels this many problems without breaking their metaphorical Rubric's Cube is why we-all keep reading these books.
Make no mistake. I love this series and have read all of the books, some with a bit less enthusiasm than others, but their cleverness, twisted plots, and intellectual gravitas never fails to entertain. Tom Clancy's ghost writer, Marc Cameron, is excellent. He knows Clancy’s voice well and delivers it perfectly but here’s why I gave this particular book 4 instead of 5 stars. Cameron adds so much background information, pretty close to data dumps, that I often lose track of the passion and action. I don't want to do that. The plots--all five or ten of them--are riveting, intricate, and devious. I want to turn the page and find out what happens, not enter into the backstory of a new or returning character. Sometimes, by the time Cameron returns to where the plot left me hanging (a submarine is stranded below the Arctic ocean, a crewmember who could rescue them is freezing to death on an ice flow, the girl that might solve a world dilemma is being attacked), I;ve lost my passion for what was happening. That might just be me. Others might be fine with that.
None of that takes away from the great lines always found in Clancy books:
"Petty Officer Ward’s demeanor was relaxed—because calm was contagious..."
"Their hunches were basically weaponized with mathematical formulas..."
"Clark had what Ding called “old-man strength,” which was really not strength at all, but cunning and pure meanness in the face of battle."
Overall, an excellent read with a ton of detail. Recommended for fans of Tom Clancy, James Michener, and the like.
Make no mistake. I love this series and have read all of the books, some with a bit less enthusiasm than others, but their cleverness, twisted plots, and intellectual gravitas never fails to entertain. Tom Clancy's ghost writer, Marc Cameron, is excellent. He knows Clancy’s voice well and delivers it perfectly but here’s why I gave this particular book 4 instead of 5 stars. Cameron adds so much background information, pretty close to data dumps, that I often lose track of the passion and action. I don't want to do that. The plots--all five or ten of them--are riveting, intricate, and devious. I want to turn the page and find out what happens, not enter into the backstory of a new or returning character. Sometimes, by the time Cameron returns to where the plot left me hanging (a submarine is stranded below the Arctic ocean, a crewmember who could rescue them is freezing to death on an ice flow, the girl that might solve a world dilemma is being attacked), I;ve lost my passion for what was happening. That might just be me. Others might be fine with that.
None of that takes away from the great lines always found in Clancy books:
"Petty Officer Ward’s demeanor was relaxed—because calm was contagious..."
"Their hunches were basically weaponized with mathematical formulas..."
"Clark had what Ding called “old-man strength,” which was really not strength at all, but cunning and pure meanness in the face of battle."
Overall, an excellent read with a ton of detail. Recommended for fans of Tom Clancy, James Michener, and the like.
February 27, 2021
So hopeful but such a badly thought out book and not worthy of being in the jack Ryan series
December 21, 2021
By way of Tom Clancy knock offs, this one works quite well.
The bad guys here are China (generally shown in a pretty bad light) and their treatment of the Uyghurs. The Chinese are trying to track down a UU activist/terrorist and US President Jack Ryan’s advisers think it might be worth finding out why. So cue the secret Campus team being assigned, while back in the US, a hunt for a Chinese mole commences.
It all works pretty well, the switch between the people on the ground and in Washington. President Jack gets more focus while Jack Junior plays a far lesser role (thank Goodness, he’s been the weakest plot point for many recent books) and John Clark is the main Campus focus.
The book tries hard to blend its characters with the techno thriller stuff fans tend to enjoy and generally gets the balance right.
The bad guys here are China (generally shown in a pretty bad light) and their treatment of the Uyghurs. The Chinese are trying to track down a UU activist/terrorist and US President Jack Ryan’s advisers think it might be worth finding out why. So cue the secret Campus team being assigned, while back in the US, a hunt for a Chinese mole commences.
It all works pretty well, the switch between the people on the ground and in Washington. President Jack gets more focus while Jack Junior plays a far lesser role (thank Goodness, he’s been the weakest plot point for many recent books) and John Clark is the main Campus focus.
The book tries hard to blend its characters with the techno thriller stuff fans tend to enjoy and generally gets the balance right.
April 15, 2021
Not much to say. Thoroughly mediocre in every possible way. To be expected, but the posthumous Clancy books written by Greany were actually good and maybe better than some of Clancy's own later work. I've read 2 by Marc Cameron now, and they were both meh. The plot here is forgettable and the stakes relatively low for one of these types of novels.
November 28, 2020
Classic Tom Clancy fare even though he has left us, and this is from writers for his estate. This one is from Marc Cameron. Spy vs. Spy (ala Mad Magazine style) on an international level from the USA, Albania, Canada, Russia, and China as well as Silk road -stans. Jack Ryan senior and junior, Uighur freedom fighters, the Campus, and an assorted cast of characters bring the plot to a rollicking conclusion.
November 17, 2020
Marc Cameron continues to entertain, intrigue, and amaze in his latest Jack Ryan Sr. novel.
Exploring what might occur when global powers battle for the supremacy in the ever changing Arctic waters and the technology necessary to do so, Cameron takes us on a sweeping journey stretching from the government offices of Washington D.C. to the wilds of Northwestern China.
Readers follow members of The Campus as they track down a pair of high value targets, including a 10 year old girl, as they evade various police and military operatives in the unparalleled surveillance state that is modern day China. All the while, unknown forces are actively looking to uncover the identity of the NOC agent leading the hunt.
With the skill that only the likes of Cameron can bring to the page, readers are transported amongst various viewpoints including how events are playing out on the global scale to the very person relationships amongst the cast of characters.
Make sure to pick up a copy ASAP.
Exploring what might occur when global powers battle for the supremacy in the ever changing Arctic waters and the technology necessary to do so, Cameron takes us on a sweeping journey stretching from the government offices of Washington D.C. to the wilds of Northwestern China.
Readers follow members of The Campus as they track down a pair of high value targets, including a 10 year old girl, as they evade various police and military operatives in the unparalleled surveillance state that is modern day China. All the while, unknown forces are actively looking to uncover the identity of the NOC agent leading the hunt.
With the skill that only the likes of Cameron can bring to the page, readers are transported amongst various viewpoints including how events are playing out on the global scale to the very person relationships amongst the cast of characters.
Make sure to pick up a copy ASAP.
March 5, 2021
If you are looking for a book with a high body count, this book is for you. If you are looking for a book with serious John Clark content, this book is for you. But if you are looking for a book living up to the Tom Clancy standard for excellence, this book is definitely NOT for you. The protagonists are all B-grade assassins. I would expect more from a plot focused on the Chinese. The Campus operators are featured, but not for long. I really can't say more without giving away the plot. Bottom line, if you are reading the series, this book gets honorable mention. Otherwise, pass it by.
September 23, 2020
I am a big fan of Marc Cameron's Jethro Quinn books but this was the first of his Tom Clancy books I have read. While this copy had a few mistakes and the formatting wasn't the greatest, it didn't detract from the story or the pleasure of reading it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I have ordered Cameron's previous Tom Clancy novels.
November 28, 2020
Old-fashioned Clancy spy vs spy novel.
Much better than the Jack Ryan Jr novels. Junior's in it but he's where he should be a secondary character.
John Clark and Ding Chavez are prominent in this one.
Get rid of Junior's books and keep writing ones like this
Much better than the Jack Ryan Jr novels. Junior's in it but he's where he should be a secondary character.
John Clark and Ding Chavez are prominent in this one.
Get rid of Junior's books and keep writing ones like this
August 11, 2024
Entretenida. Un profesor chino de dinámica de fluidos desaparece, un operador de sónar escucha algo raro bajo el hilo del casquete polar ártico, una madre deja a su hija Uygur con su tía y huye mientras es perseguida por el gobierno chino, y Jack Ryan manda a el Campus a desfacer el entuerto. Ágil y medianamente creíble.
November 24, 2020
There was probably a reason why I stopped reading these novels. 2.5*
December 16, 2020
Well, at this point I understand that this series is a lazy cash grab by the Clancy estate, and I don’t blame them. I keep reading this series because.... well, I guess I like the setup and the characters. But this one just felt like an even lazier cash grab than usual.
At one point I thought back to the early books in the series, you know, the ones that actually had a decent story? And maybe it’s just a rosy memory, but it seems like there was actually a lot of plot and a lot that happens. In this case there’s just the barest elements of a plot, and then it resolves and really it just doesn’t matter. No one cares... I’m going to get a Christmas cookie.
At one point I thought back to the early books in the series, you know, the ones that actually had a decent story? And maybe it’s just a rosy memory, but it seems like there was actually a lot of plot and a lot that happens. In this case there’s just the barest elements of a plot, and then it resolves and really it just doesn’t matter. No one cares... I’m going to get a Christmas cookie.
November 27, 2020
It started off good then hit a lull about half way into it. Then the ending was what I waited for since the beginning and hearing how good the book is. I like the way Marc used all of the characters but didn’t focus on just one. One of the added bonus to the book is Marc knowledge of Alaska. This does rank as one of the better books since Tom Clancy passing. So if you are a fan don’t pass this one up.
December 7, 2020
First, I must openly admit that I am a HUGE Marc Cameron fan and have loved all his books. And as thrilled as I was to hear that he was penning a Tom Clancy Jack Ryan book, I was even more thrilled to read Shadow of the Dragon. This is a great story and a MUST READ written by an expect action-thriller writer and helps me close the door on a fantastic 2020 for thriller novels. I can't wait to read the next Jack Ryan novel written by Marc Cameron!!
November 23, 2020
Cameron (whose Jericho Quinn novels I love) is the best to write Clancy since Tom himself, but I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much. And I felt it wrapped up in far too much of a hurry. Nonetheless, an above-average military/espionage thriller and any Jack Ryan novel is better than none at all.
August 26, 2023
Been awhile since I read a Tom Clancy novel - always a good yarn. Thought this one was paced differently than I expected - moved along gradually building the plot and story lines then a flurry of action towards the end. I would recommend it.
January 16, 2021
GREAT READ!!!
In SHADOW OF THE DRAGON, author Marc Cameron creates a stunning new entry into the Tom Clancy canon. The story is complex and deep, with a great cast of supporting characters, many of whom we've met before: Jack Ryan, John Clark, Ding Chavez, Mary Patricia Foley, Jack Jr., the list goes on. The beauty of that is the characters are all fully-realized. They feel like friends we've known for years.
Cameron does a magnificent job of painting for us a vivid picture of the settings, however foreign and distant the locales. I felt like I was right there in the action. And speaking of the action, it's non-stop!
SHADOW OF THE DRAGON will stand as one of the best in the 30-volume collection in the Ryanverse. I highly recommend this great novel, as well as Cameron's other series!
In SHADOW OF THE DRAGON, author Marc Cameron creates a stunning new entry into the Tom Clancy canon. The story is complex and deep, with a great cast of supporting characters, many of whom we've met before: Jack Ryan, John Clark, Ding Chavez, Mary Patricia Foley, Jack Jr., the list goes on. The beauty of that is the characters are all fully-realized. They feel like friends we've known for years.
Cameron does a magnificent job of painting for us a vivid picture of the settings, however foreign and distant the locales. I felt like I was right there in the action. And speaking of the action, it's non-stop!
SHADOW OF THE DRAGON will stand as one of the best in the 30-volume collection in the Ryanverse. I highly recommend this great novel, as well as Cameron's other series!
March 7, 2021
This was light reading escapist dad lit, but took me longer than usual as work has been busy of late. It is set in the Clancyverse and uses the familiar characters to set up an espionage based plot. The plot, while sufficiently escapist and entertaining seemed disjointed to me. There parts come together in the end but roughly and the resolution felt a bit incomplete. Fans of Child, Greaney or Clancy will like this. I think if you are not already into the series there is no particular reason to start with this one. Perhaps the plots centered around the new characters needed to be expanded or there needed to be more bad guy POV I am not sure and for a book I enjoyed I know this sounds critical but it could have hit on a few more cylinders. Check it out if you love the genre or Clancy.
June 29, 2021
Tom Clancy books never seem to disappoint even when written by other authors. Evolving as the political climate changes, themes are relevant to the modern world.
Language and violence, which seems to be present in most any realistic spy thriller and is expected, keep this as an adult read.
The audio book version was a great medium with an exceptional reading by Scott Brick.
Language and violence, which seems to be present in most any realistic spy thriller and is expected, keep this as an adult read.
The audio book version was a great medium with an exceptional reading by Scott Brick.
July 6, 2021
My first Clancy novel in quite some time. I read all the solo Tom Clancy novels and I think the first one Ryan book he co-authored with Grant Blackwood? Still, that was like 9 to 10 years ago. I saw Marc Cameron was the writer of this novel and thought I would give him a chance. Turned out well for me.
I will go back and forth on the Marc Cameron Clancy novels and then move on to some of the other authors like Mark Greaney. Guess I am back in the world of Jack Ryan. Still not crazy about his son as a character, but it was nice to see Clark and the other characters back from the good ole "Without Remorse" and "Rainbow Six" days.
I will go back and forth on the Marc Cameron Clancy novels and then move on to some of the other authors like Mark Greaney. Guess I am back in the world of Jack Ryan. Still not crazy about his son as a character, but it was nice to see Clark and the other characters back from the good ole "Without Remorse" and "Rainbow Six" days.
December 26, 2020
Excellent story well told. Completely captured my attention and interest
January 15, 2021
I can't give it 5 stars, but it is better than just 4. More like 4.5. The story is gripping. The writing is good. The characters are old friends and introduce new ones.
March 18, 2021
It was action packed but dragged at times. Scott Brick is an excellent narrator and I always enjoy listening to him but this book is not one of the best books I have read from Marc Cameron.
April 21, 2022
Jack Ryan is such a great character.
May 21, 2024
Breaking a bit from the normal story but keeping the extraordinary accurate details of global politics (written as fiction but the author knows better)
January 24, 2025
Very abrupt ending. The ending had a feel to it, it was missing chapters.
April 10, 2021
Feels like everything ties together a little too loosely and rapidly at the end. The adventure deep into China is cool, but that's about it for this book. There is cool spy vs spy action. Worth a read if you like the series.
June 10, 2024
Tom Clancy would’ve been proud at this one. Great story line. The submarine aspect brings back good memories of Red October. Excellent story. Good involvement from all characters.
December 4, 2024
A bit boring. Characters are all poorly developed and too many plot points to be invested in any
Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews