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Monroe Doctrine #5

Monroe Doctrine: Volume V

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Its name was Jade Dragon

…and it said, “I am the future.”

Had the Chinese government gone too far?

Deep in an underground production facility, far away from prying eyes, President Yao Jintao stood and watched—row after row of machines busily working to build other machines that would fight and destroy their enemies. Killers were creating killers for as far as he could see.

The terror was immediate.

President Yao sensed they’d crossed a line.

Was it too late to turn back?

South Korean and American soldiers stared down their Chinese counterparts along the Yalu River, just like they had 75 years before. With winter on the way and both armies dug in, who might make the first move?

Nobody was prepared for what came next.

Out of the swirling snow and ice, there was movement. Someone was out there, or worse, some thing. Jade Dragon has just launched Project Terracotta, and the world would never be the same.

Would humanity be able to stop the evolution of the machines?

You’ll love this tense fifth book in the series because this one strikes close to home, and we must all be prepared for when science-fiction becomes our reality.

Get it now.

496 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2022

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James Rosone

253 books383 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Omar Iquira.
185 reviews12 followers
March 22, 2025
LE DOY 3 ESTRELLAS PORQUE EN ESTE PUNTO SE NOS MUESTRAN BATALLAS DE TODO TIPO EN DISTINTOS Y VARIADOS ESCENARIOS DE GUERRA. Y PORQUE HACE MUCHO HINCAPIÉ EN EL IMPACTO DE LA GUERRA SOBRE LOS DISTINTOS ESTRATOS DE LA SOCIEDAD... YA DICHO ESO, EL NIVEL DE "PRO AMERICANISMO" ES ALGO DESVERGONZADO, POR MOMENTOS.

La 3ra Guerra Mundial continua en los volúmenes 5 y 6 de esta saga. Como ya había mencionado antes, subiré las reseñas de estos libros de dos en dos, ya que no son muy largos y es mejor hacerlo así para entender mejor la cadena de eventos que se suceden a lo largo de la historia. En las entregas anteriores vimos como la República Popular China declara una guerra contra las naciones de occidente ayudada por su nueva, mejor y más poderosa arma, la primera inteligencia artificial (IA) ciento por ciento funcional del planeta, bautizada por su creador como: "Dragón de Jade" (Jade Dragon).

Los libros 1, 2, 3 y 4 mostraron como el conflicto se expande desde Norteamérica, a Centroamérica (Cuba) y finalmente llega a Sudamérica (Venezuela). Al mismo tiempo se nos mostraron grandes combates navales en el Océano Pacifico, el Atlántico, El Mar de Jade y el Mar Amarillo. Hasta que finalmente las fuerzas aliadas logran llegar a Territorio Chino después de un cruento ataque a Corea del Norte... todo eso sin mencionar las terribles y sangrientas batallas que se libran a lo largo de todo el territorio ruso por parte de las fuerzas de la OTAN y las fuerzas locales en contra de los invasores chinos.

El VOLUMEN V empieza oficialmente con el traslado de toda la maquinaria bélica de Sudamérica a Asia. Ahora que el continente Americano entero esta fuera del control chino, los americanos y sus aliados inician un monumental esfuerzo logístico para transportar todas sus fuerzas de un escenario de guerra a otro. Mientras todo esto tiene lugar, se hacen planes estratégicos para las siguientes operaciones en Asia, especialmente la toma de Taiwán, que ha caído en manos de la armada china. Taiwán es un punto estratégico y político importante para todos los aliados, ya que mientras el ejercito enemigo lo tenga en su poder podrían montar una contraofensiva en el el Mar de China Oriental y tomar por sorpresa al ejercito aliado. Por otra parte, la independencia de Taiwan ante el dominio chino es un punto de inflexión importante en la política internacional, y ninguno de los países aliados quiere que China se anexe ese territorio o lo reclame una vez más después de la guerra.

Pero mientras se trazan estos planes, los ejércitos americanos y japoneses mantienen cruentas batallas a lo largo de toda la frontera entre Corea del Norte y China. Al tiempo que tratan de eliminar a todas los bases, los barcos y submarinos chinos del Mar Amarillo. Las batallas navales son cruentas, pero poco a poco se logran resultados positivos para los aliados. Lamentablemente, la campaña terrestre no logra los mismos resultados, ya que la armada china concentra su poder militar a lo largo de toda la frontera con Corea del Norte y Rusia, y responde a cada intento de avance por parte de los aliados con brutalidad y cada vez más y más soldados.

En este punto de la guerra, el "Dragon de Jade" no escatima en inmolar a sus propios soldados con tal de logar sus objetivos, y las campañas en la frontera de Corea del Norte y en Rusia se vuelven más cruentas, debido a que los chinos mandan a sus operativos casi como escuadrones suicidas en contra de los aliados. Otro problema se presenta en la forma de los vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAV) chinos. Estas son aeronaves que pueden volar sin la intervención de ningún humano a bordo. Los UAV pueden ser autónomos o pilotados a distancia. Y ente caso, el Dragón de Jade empieza a dar muestras de haber asimilado grandes cantidades de información de pilotos humanos, lo cual le permite manejar un ejercito aéreo muy poderoso a distancia, y causar grandes estragos a lo largo de todas las líneas de batalla.

Lamentablemente, las batallas en Rusia dan muestras de ser cada vez más desesperadas, y las fuerzas aliadas pierden cada vez más terreno en la región de Primorsky, sin que los americanos puedan mandar ayuda ya que no pueden abandonar su posición en la frontera china. Al final, el ejercito comunista rodea a Vladivostok, y el ejercito ruso se prepara para defender la ciudad hasta el último hombre. Al mismo tiempo, los americanos logran enviar una avanzada de fuerzas especiales en secreto a Taiwan, para que prepare el terreno para la invasión que esta a punto de desatarse.

El VOLUMEN VI se centra principalmente en los preparativos antes de la invasión que todos esperan será el inicio del fin de la guerra. Los americanos ponen en acción toda su maquinaria industrial y militar en preparación para la batalla. Pero el Dragón de Jade logra retrasarlos al desmantelar vía hackeos muchas de las fabricas de municiones que abastecen al ejercito. Al final, la mismísima presidenta de EEUU debe aceptar que la invasión de Taiwan debe ser retrasada, ya que no esta dispuesta a mandar a sus hombres a la batalla sin todo el equipo y apoyo logístico necesario.

Pero por supuesto, esto no quiere decir que los conflictos se detengan en otras partes del mundo. En una jugada que toma por sorpresa al Dragón de Jade y a todo el gobierno chino, los americanos inician una campaña para destruir todos los satélites militares y civiles en la orbita terrestre con los que cuenta el enemigo. Esta es una jugada de doble filo, ya que los americanos saben perfectamente que los chinos contratacaran haciendo lo mismo con los satélites aliados. Esta destrucción satelital a gran escala prácticamente lisia a toda la "World Wide Web" (red informática mundial), haciendo que el acceso a internet sea limitado a solo ciertas partes del mundo. Pero la presidenta de EEUU se reúne en secreto con las cabezas de las principales empresas de informática del mundo (Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Google, etc.) y logran crear un respaldo de casi toda la información importante en la red, al mismo tiempo que crean una red secundaria con ayuda de dirigibles especiales que operan a 1200 metros sobre la superficie terrestre en cientos puntos estratégicos del país. Lamentablemente, los chinos hacen lo propio con la ayuda de unos drones especialmente diseñados que cumplen la misma función que los dirigibles, pero en su propio territorio.

Con todo, esta jugada logra limitar el alcance informático del Dragón de Jade, y mientras tanto las fuerzas aliadas se concentran en prepararse para la próxima batalla. Pero un grave problema surge cuando se descubre que los chinos están cerca de completar el terrorífico programa de "Guerreros Terracota". Esta iniciativa del Dragón de Jade ya había sido mencionada desde el tercer libro, y esta enfocada en la creación de robots de combate terrestre altamente especializados, que pueden ser operados por la IA para atacar casi cualquier blanco enemigo en tierra. Los Guerreros Terracota, que luego pasan a llamarse "Asesinos Terracota" (o TK en ingles por "Terracota Killers") tienen forma humana, y se mueven como lo haría un soldado humano. Pero son mucho más rápidos y fuertes que cualquier persona de carne y hueso. Y con la ayuda de la IA, son capaces de adaptarse y aprender tácticas de batalla mejor que cualquier soldado experimentado. La única debilidad de los TK por el momento, se presenta en sus fuentes de energía. Estas se agotan muy rápidamente y deben de ser recargadas por generadores especiales ubicados en camiones, los cuales deben de estar siempre cerca a los puntos de batalla donde los TK han sido desplegados. Esta es una debilidad importante, que los aliados buscan explotar cuando se encuentren con las infernales máquinas en el campo de batalla. Pero el Dragón de Jade busca incesantemente eliminar esta debilidad, y para eso despliega a algunos de los TK en Taiwan a manera de beta test (fase de pruebas). Esto dificulta las operaciones del equipo de avanzada que se había infiltrado en Taiwan en preparación para la batalla. Pero al mismo tiempo les da oportunidad de observar a los TK en acción, y tal vez capturar a alguno de los científicos encargado del proyecto, que acompañan a los robots para observar su fase de pruebas.

Al final, la invasión a Taiwan empieza por fases. Los aliados toman primero las bases chinas que se encuentran en el Mar de China Oriental y el Mar Amarillo, para luego lanzar múltiples ataques aéreos con aviones y helicópteros contra la isla. El ataque aéreo cumple la función de cubrir a las fuerzas de desembarque que atacaran por tierra, y a los portaviones y destructores que rodearan a la isla para cubrir a las tropas. El ejercito chino responde al ataque con todo el contingente de armas antiaéreas y misiles de largo alcance que defienden la isla, y si bien los aliados logran desembarcar en varios puntos, se pierden cientos de vidas durante el desembarco.

Un punto importante a destacar sobre el desembarco, es que son las fuerzas especiales de Australia, compuestas por el Comando de Operaciones Especiales (SOCOMD) y unidades de la Marina Real Australiana, quienes tocan tierra primero durante la invasión de Taiwan. Y es gracias al desempeño de estos soldados que el resto tropas aliadas empiezan poco a poco a posicionarse en partes estratégicas de la costa taiwanesa. Pero con lo que no contaba nadie, es que el Dragón de Jade lanzase ataque kamikaze sorpresa con sus vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAV), en contra de los barcos de apoyo alrededor de la isla. Este ataque se logra debido a que ciertos capitanes de barcos aliados olvidan iniciar el bloqueo electrónico reglamentario en sus naves antes de la batalla. Esto, sumado al hecho de que ciertos marineros olvidan apagar sus smartphones (teléfonos inteligentes) antes de entrar en combate, hace que la IA logre accesar a esos dispositivos y usarlos como balizas para guiar a los UAV en contra de los barcos alrededor de la isla. El ataque acaba con la vida de más de 4 mil soldados y marineros aliados estacionados en varios barcos, todo debido al siempre presente e inesperado factor denominado: "Error Humano". Pero los aliados no pueden detenerse en este punto, y la invasión continua.

El libro termina con la invasión en curso, pero sin saber que bando lleva la ventaja. Pero el punto de inflexión se da cuando el grupo de avanzada en Taiwan logra capturar a una de las científicas en jefe encargadas del proyecto Terracota. La cual, a cambio de inmunidad y asilo político, les revela a los americanos la ubicación exacta de donde se encuentra el núcleo de la IA Dragon de Jade. Dándoles por primera vez a los aliados la oportunidad de acabar con la inteligencia artificial de una vez por todas. Pero la científica les advierte que el Dragón de Jade esta evolucionando a un ritmo cada vez más acelerado, y que si no se dan prisa en destruirlo, la IA podría pronto liberarse de sus limitaciones físicas (las cuales fueron puestas a propósito como salvaguardas por sus programadores durante su creación). Lo cual hace que la presidenta autorice de inmediato un ataque contra el núcleo central.

Al final, solo se puede decir que ha empezado la recta final de la guerra. Siempre he dicho que lo mejor de la saga de la "Doctrina Monroe", es que nos muestra con todo lujo de detalles como seria un conflicto mundial con armas avanzadas en el futuro próximo. El ritmo que se nos muestra en cuanto al avance de la tecnología bélica es de lo mejor de estos libros, ya que uno puede imaginar como seria vivir esta clase de enfrentamientos y adversidades si uno fuera un soldado.

Ahora solo me quedan dos libros más para acabar la saga... y me muero por leerlos.

Son muy buenos.
100% recomendados.
Profile Image for R.A. Flannagan.
Author 6 books19 followers
November 16, 2022
Audio book review

The authors continue to deliver some of the best World War III fiction around. The action is intense, fast-paced, and entirely realistic. It also continues to be the case that story features a large number of storylines each of which is deftly weaved. It gives the story an epic feel.

It continues to be the case that the authors do a nice job of making their story international in scope. Though in this volume, the spotlight on the various European countries, Australia and Japan is less pronounced. Nevertheless, as a Canadian, I greatly appreciate Rosone and Aaronson's effort to deliver a story that involves countries beyond the main protagonists (US vs China). Hopefully, in Volume VI the supporting cast gets a higher page count.

Speaking of realism, in this volume of the Monroe Doctrine the authors managed to capture the Ukrainian conflict within their back story. This conflict wasn't mentioned in previous volumes because Russia hadn't yet invaded, but because Russia plays such a big role in this volume, the Ukrainian mess couldn't be avoided. Capturing this element couldn't have been easy, but they do it very well and it serves to make the story stronger and more authentic.

For all the reasons mentioned above, I once again highly recommend Monroe Doctrine. I finished it in one weekend. Well done James and Alex!

Oh, and the narrator is terrific!
608 reviews11 followers
November 25, 2022
This was an exciting author that I was turned onto by a Facebook group that I had joined back in the summer, Military Thriller Book Group , and when I had researched the author...he had reached out to me and had asked me to check out this latest series (and I am glad that I did !!!).

This particular volume detailed the interaction of the American military and the combined armed forces of China and Venezuela as the war of attrition that had been wargames out by the superior Chinese AI, Jade Dragon. This book dealt with lingering results of the war in Cuba and Venezuela, the ongoing
War in Siberia, the uneasy detente and alliance between America and Russia and finally, the planning and the beginnings of the final chapters of World War III- the invasion of China.

This was another exciting chapter in a World War III tale, spliced with a minute amount of (potential) sci-fi, that reads as though it might be ripped from the headlines. I believe that this novel would be enjoyed by an action or international intrigue afficiendo and would easily rate this book a solid five stars out of five.

As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents worth.
Profile Image for SteVen Hendricks.
719 reviews34 followers
July 8, 2023
Book Review – Monroe Doctrine, Volume Five – James Rosone & Alex Aaronson
“Monroe Doctrine, Volume V” is a tense military, sci-fi technothriller that reminds us that we must be prepared for when science-fiction becomes our reality. Coauthors James Rosone and Alex Aaronson have created a ‘Tom Clancy-like’ military novel that will keep action thriller readers on the edge of their seats. The story has lots of techno military action that is not too far from where we’re headed in our military technology and our possible future conflict with China. The futuristic technology - Artificial Intelligence (AI) - in this narrative is very plausible, the action is powerfully intense, and the characters are characteristically real. Stellar combat scenarios on land, sea, air, and even in space! Some stirring writing and fine storytelling by Rosone and Aaronson. They crafted and told a ‘foreshadowing’ tale filled with many elaborate plots, subplots, and twists involving the Chinese, Russians, and NATO Forces. The depiction of high-tech futuristic weaponry is scary! Awesome book cover as well. Frightening but exciting techno military series that keeps me engaged and interested in the next book.
Profile Image for Bill Harper.
210 reviews3 followers
July 12, 2024
I love reading James Rosone and Miranda Watson's books they always are action packed and thought provoking. The Monroe Doctrine series is about the Chinese creating an AI call Jade Dragon that learns as it goes and has come up with a plan that will defeat America and Europe and make China the only Super Power. As the battle continues across the Pacific. The Allies are preparing a plan to defeat the Chinese. They plan to attack Taiwan as a deception to get Jade Dragon looking in the wrong direction and hit China closer to Beijing. As new systems come online the Allies are catching up but not in numbers of manpower. Jade Dragon is testing the Terracotta Killers the new robotic soldiers before unleashing on the Allies and defeating them. Absolutely a most read that love a good political/military thriller.
40 reviews
October 7, 2024
Fifth in the series. The military representations are so realistic. It's very easy to imagine a war such as this, especially given all the current conflicts going on right now (2024). Some of the military science and armaments we are seeing right now were just fictional, not too long ago.

I've read several historical and fictional novels on war over my lifetime. The reality of war or armed conflict always seems to be one or a few people who are able to energize vast numbers of supporters to right a perceived wrong, even if the wrong isn't even real. Ancient wars, such as what the Hebrew people went through in Old Testament times, so often were based on kings or leaders disagreeing.
Profile Image for Chance.
1,163 reviews21 followers
April 17, 2022
teaser you bully

I’ll be honest I’m getting really annoyed waiting for the full human vs terminator war. The story is great but you keep teasing the robot army is bit annoying and one other problem was the aburt addition of the mini or plot line of the western hate thowrds the Russians has there was no tone of it in other novels but I f do realize that it’s because of the current events in Ukraine that it was said but it became to strange to add it has threw off the world minutely from previous books to ,age seem like it was a bigger surprise for there actions then it really was.
287 reviews5 followers
May 25, 2022
From page 1 all the way thru this novel checks all the boxes needed for a really good addition to a great series. The scenery description and research really put the reader on scene and in the moment. These two authors work in such great synchronization that you cannot tell where one ends and the other begins. As a series, the suspense and action get ratcheted up progressively from novel to novel. The plot twists and turns are easy to follow and are entertaining throughout. I look forward to continuing this series.
231 reviews
June 17, 2022
The realisms is chilling. The possibilities and events described not only in this book but also the series is a stark reminder of what can happen. The situation in Latin America can definitely go that way and I think the author never thought Ukraine would happen so soon. But what is most alarming to me is the AI profiles from our data. The story is gripping and the different perspectives from the characters is truly well done done. each one is his/her own persona and not a copy paste all around. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for George.
1,787 reviews6 followers
March 29, 2024
The first volume was great--inventive and fresh. But, as I have read/slogged through the next three, the writing got stale and repetitive. There are five or six unit level fights that thread through the tome and the reader knows the serial number of each round fired. It's too detailed and my brain can't absorb those details and still follow the story. So, I quit listening about an hour into this Vol 5; I don't think that I'll read Vol VI nor will I read any more of this author. The concept of a wartime artificial intelligence was squandered on bad writing.
3 reviews
January 23, 2025
All in all it is a great story. I was a bit bored with the sometimes very long detailing of the “minutia” of the description of the lines of hierarchy of the fighting units. ABOVE ALL….what happened to the editing of the manuscript. Starting in book 5, it appears that no one did any proofreading before the final printing. Numerous grammatical errors and mixed up sentence structure caused quite a lot of confusion in concentration of the storyline. This continued through book 7. Did anyone else have a problem with this?
1,477 reviews27 followers
April 24, 2022
Monroe Doctrine : Volume V

America and it's allies are finally starting to see daylight. China's AI Jade Dragon has developed a human like conscious and questions Chinas leaders. They are worried they might dispense them. Through deception and excellent leadership Chinia could be forced into surrender. Hopefully the end of this war will come in a few months. Another excellent read in this series!!!
3 reviews
May 21, 2022
It was all very real

As a former combat commander in southeast Asia, it was great to read through the many factors that required a great deal of coordination. It was one thing to read about the guts and glory of battlefield action, but without the planning effort that goes into each frag order, it wouldn't make sense. Great read and look forward to the other Monroe Doctrine volumes.
34 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2022
Another Barnstormer

Brilliant continuation of series.
Attention to detail and a fast moving storyline keeps the reader hooked.
As usual I almost threw my Samsung tablet at wall when book finished.

Great story, great delivery, the undersea battles with the Submarines was my favourite part.
Brilliant, loved it.
7 reviews
May 5, 2022
Better than III and IV….. less emphasis on female combat soldiers… he stuck to the story line - which is good. Rosone tends to do a deep dive into weapon technical manuals… which dulls the story. Lastly, in the day, attended many briefings with Combat Arms GOs - NEVER heard them call each other by the first name - NEVER.
31 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2022
excellent read

Having read the previous books I couldn’t wait to get into this one and I wasn’t disappointed! This is a superb read with the submarine action some of the best writing I’ve come across. The book is gripping from start to finish with intricate story lines for the main characters all dealing with their own issues in a war.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
2 reviews
May 2, 2023
Interesting take on WWIII

While the plot is intriguing and very creative, Rosone’s decision to make the book a series of 7 draws the plot out too long. Most of the book is about various skirmishes and battles which makes the story painstakingly slow. His attention to detail in regards to weapons and artillery is too much for the average reader.
Profile Image for ZorroG.
75 reviews2 followers
April 27, 2022
the good and the distracting

Well, I get trying to make the characters 3D and “human” but the details on the relationships of the two military members intimately involved was a distraction for me and almost brought this review 3 instead of 4 stars.
129 reviews6 followers
May 20, 2022
5 and Counting

The 5th book in this series is just as intense and filled with characters you care about as were the first 4. While very technical in several respects, it still managers to be very readable. The wait for book six is going to be difficult.
3 reviews
May 26, 2022
Like

I like the realism portrayed in your books, I feel like I'm in on the action from the first page to the last. What I don't like is having to wait till the next edition is published.
Profile Image for Tom Anderson.
241 reviews2 followers
June 2, 2022
War, what is it good for?

It is good for a great series of war stories for future wars, but with timely action and strong characters to carry out a possible war with China. Great reading.
Profile Image for JK Muma.
13 reviews
October 20, 2022
The authors spin good tale of future ~warscapes. The plausible choices of protagonists and antagonists make for a lucid multilevel struggle. I enjoyed the pace and managed scene displacements. Good at what fiction does best, a story of what may happen, because "If you can think it..."
Profile Image for Mark Baller.
627 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2023
Interesting book

This is an Interesting Scenario - I'm not sure that it would work. I think we'll all be killed if this happens it can only end in nuclear war the only way to stop the Chinese is nuclear And that's gonna And that's gonna take a while.
80 reviews
February 26, 2023
Part five....

Of this great military story. I've been well entertained by it and have thoroughly enjoyed each book as they have been released. Always full of excellent plot lines and introducing new avenues of thought. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Douglas Phillips.
106 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2023
I’m enjoying the series

As I read along, every once in a while I wonder, why have we the allies not fired a low level nuke over Beijing..? Creating an EMP Effect? Wiping out possible “unhardened” enemy assets..? No one can harden every piece of equipment.
Profile Image for Dennis E. Flynn.
137 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2023
Getting close

The. Action continues as we go to book 6, now the action is in China and we start closing in. What will we run into with their robotic troops and are the any good. Where have they hidden JD ? Stay tuned for the next adventure
Profile Image for creig speed.
223 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2023
Great continuing series

The way the author weaves and blends all the many different facets of this story together is brilliant. It maintains a coherent thread from the beginning all the way through. Looking forward to the next volume.
Profile Image for Jim Hartman.
11 reviews
March 26, 2024
James and Alex deliver again and again. They are able to keep the plot moving while weaving in all the various plot lines. I catch myself getting more caught up in one aspect of the war when another pulls me in, Masterfully done.
111 reviews5 followers
April 25, 2022
Incredible

The writing has you mesmerized And waiting for the next event To take place. Character interaction is excellent and believable. Cudos to the author.
102 reviews
May 8, 2022
Cannot wait for the movie

This one gives you the sense and feel of combat. You can almost hear the gunfire and cannons. I need more volumes!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews