I’ve been a fan of the Tom Clancy books all the way back to “The Hunt for Red October” and this book,doesn’t disappoint. The thing I am thankful about is that even after Clancy’s death we continue to get the high quality techno thrillers. Act of Defiance is a Jack Ryan novel, The author’s Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson continue that strong tradition that fans of Jack Ryan have come to expect from their favorite character. Highly recommended.

The literary tag team of Andrews & Wilson serve up a tall glass of satisfying nostalgia with Act of Defiance, a brilliantly crafted modern-day homage to the Tom Clancy masterpiece The Hunt for Red October.

Trouble is afoot in Russia. A potential coup is in the works and the Belgorod – a special missions submarine carrying advanced nuclear torpedoes and helmed by a troubled captain – is lurking in the Atlantic Ocean. As tensions escalate, Naval Intelligence officer Katie Ryan analyzes the unfolding events and connects the dots to prove a clear and present danger to the United States. Now it’s up to President Jack Ryan’s youngest daughter – along with a few of the President’s old friends – to untangle the plot, thwart the enemy and stop World War III before it begins.

The plot is fresh but sentimental, the intensity is dialed up to sweltering levels and the sequencing of events is impeccably on point. But what makes Act of Defiance special is the parallels and throwbacks to Red October. It starts with a young analyst named Ryan spotting patterns no one else can see, drawing all the right conclusions and putting themselves in the middle of the action. Like father, like daughter. And like her father before her, Katie Ryan is forced to put herself in the shoes of a Russian submarine captain to determine his intentions and safeguard the United States from imminent peril. Knowing that one wrong assumption spells doom for the entire world but having complete confidence in her abilities that belie her age. Sound familiar? Then throw in several old characters we know and love, including a couple of amazing cameos, and it really takes you back in time. Resulting in a gigantic smile and a gratifying sigh as you lean back into your chair having finished a book that you have to believe Tom Clancy would be eminently delighted with having his name adorn the front cover.

Prepare to be blown away by Act of Defiance. It is a beautiful symphony that hits all the right notes. A throwback to the classic Clancy novels, reminding us why we fell in love with this genre. If you call yourself a military thriller fan, you can absolutely not miss this book. It’s perfect. 10/10 no notes. Contender for best thriller of 2024.

Wow, wow, and wow! Andrews and Wilson knocked it out of the park in their debut in the Jack Ryan Universe. This book could have easily been called The Hunt for Red October II. The Russians secretly send out their most technologically advanced submarine on a secret mission. The Americans are suprised by its launch, and it seems there is more to the mission than the powers in the Russian Government anticipated. Has a rogue captain taken over the most powerful submarine in the Russian fleet? Is the submarine on its way to the United States Coast to start World War III?

Act of Defiance, also introduces the newest Ryan into the Jack Ryan Universe. Katie Ryan, one of Jack’s youngest, twins, is a fast rising Naval Intelligence Officer. She finds herself in the thick of the Russian submarine’s mission. Katie Ryan seems like a great character, whose role will only expand in future books. She seems to have a lot of similar traits and abilities that her dad, Jack, Ryan, possesses.

The story is top notch, and the book itself is a fast read. New characters like Katie Ryan only expanded the universe. Overall this is a top notch thriller that you need to pick up. Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Andrews, Jeffery Wilson, and Penguin Putnam Group for a free advance copy of the book for an honest review.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

I think this is my favorite book in the series so far. It centers around the youngest daughter, Katie Ryan, a Naval Intelligence Officer. With the help of her team, she has reason to suspect a nuclear attack will be launched on the US by Russia’s newest sub. Clark’s team is also involved. Quite exciting, edge of your seat story. The ending was extra special and memorable. I received a free advance reader copy, and I am submitting my review voluntarily. Highly recommend.

I read this as an ebook, and I was only at six percent when I uttered my first "HOLY CRAP!" There were more of those exclamations. This book is *that* book.

There are a brace of writers now tapped to write "Tom Clancy" (1947-2013) techno-thrillers, all of whom do a bang-up job. But when US Navy veterans Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson were chosen to extend the franchise, I imagine even the publisher didn't know what an inspired decision that would turn out to be.

The Russian military is a devastated shell of its former self (does that ring any bells?), but its Navy has a secret new sub that has escaped detection leaving its port for open sea. This branch of the Ryanverse is a paen to "The Hunt For Red October," and involves a Russian submarine that may be defecting to the US—or it may be headed to America's coastline to deploy an ultra-fast underwater super-nuke. In grand Ryanverse style, the new protagonist is now President Ryan's *daughter.* Katie Ryan is a Navy intel officer (natch) who ... wait for it ... has to be ferried out to a submarine with vital operational information.

You may be skeptical of the minor narrative similarities between "Defiance" and "Red October," but I'm here to tell you they enrich and further the foundational canon and provide a terrific pathway going forward.

I'm a retired US Navy Reserve Chief Petty Officer, and frankly, as the Andrews & Wilson team are already well-known authors (Brian is a former submarine officer, Jeff was a Navy combat surgeon deployed with SEAL teams. Between them they have authored tons of thrillers already, including the "Sons of Valor," "Tier One," and "The Shepherds" series), I was vibrating with excitement when I learned they had been awarded their slice of the "Clancy" pie.

I was not disappointed. You won't be either. All the stars, and strongly, unequivocally recommended.

Jack is Back and Andrews and Wilson have revived the Clancy magic. The superb storytelling, brilliant technical detail, and continuing development of the Clancy character universe all with committed dedication to the Clancy style while slipping in their own unique style and humor make this the most Clancy-esque book since Tom left us. Clancy fans will be thrilled with Act of Defiance and eager to see what A&W have coming for us next.

Jack Ryan is the president and he and his family are out to help the nation. This story takes place on the water both on and below. Great descriptions of weapons and their uses. A totally plausible story! Great book!

A new threat from Russia from a rogue submarine Captain blames, now POTUS for the death if his father. New characters emerge as does new ones. A good read if you like the Jack Ryan series.

"Act of Defiance" could be called "The Hunt for Red October 2024." It's not the Red October story literally, but it's a similar kind of submarine story and references the earlier story repeatedly. The chase is on for a Russian sub and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. The motivations and intentions of this Russian sub captain are different from Captain Ramius in Red October, but actually a part of his motivations are similar to what partly drove Ramius.

The book even uses lines that fans of the original book will recognize. In one case, two characters share a reference that I don't think they'd have any reason to be aware of, so that was a little strange. ("'Good call,' he said. 'So the clank is all you've got--no broadband or narrowband?' 'Yup,' she said, 'One ping . . . One ping only.' He chuckled at the inside joke." Now, maybe I missed something, but neither of these characters should have had any knowledge of that from The Hunt for Red October. So what inside joke?)

With all of that said, this was a fun submarine story in the spirit of the original. Many of the "Tom Clancy" books that have come after his death haven't been anywhere near as good as those early ones by the author himself. In this case, I think the authors did him proud. I'm not the fastest reader, but I was through this 560 page book in less than 4 days. It was a fun read and a real page turner. Definitely worth the read!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

Action packed, suspenseful, intense, entertaining, well written novel with intertwining stories of the past and present. I didn't want to put it down. Jack Ryan, POTUS, daughter Katie, an intelligence analyst with ONI, rogue Captain of new Russian sub, old guard of Russian hierarchy, just to name a few characters to wet your appetite for more. You don't want to miss this book.

One of my favorite books of the year. A classic Clancy tale that feels like the next generation of Jack Ryan stories is in more than capable hands.

Once upon a time, Tom Clancy wrote some very entertaining novels, “The Hunt for Red October,” “Red Storm Rising,” and “The Cardinal of the Kremlin” among them. They were well-plotted with likable characters and filled with interesting information about whatever topic Mr. Clancy was dealing with, be it submarines, the CIA, U.S.-Soviet relations, Russian defectors, etc. I came away from those absorbing works believing I’d learned something.

But then the quality of the books declined markedly, IMHO. The plots were outlandish, the characters cardboard. The writing seemed all too militant and jingoistic—as if Mr. Clancy was pandering to his readers rather than seeking to educate and entertain.

So, it was with some trepidation that I began “Act of Defiance.” Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! Authors Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson have written a tale of modern submarine warfare and geopolitical gamesmanship that finds its roots in and is, for the most part, as entertaining as “The Hunt for Red October.”

It is present day. Jack Ryan is POTUS. His daughter Katie is a wunderkind Naval Intelligence officer. The Cold War and the Soviet Union ended decades ago. But various Russian military and government higher-ups detest the kleptocracy their country has become, not to mention its loss of super-power status and subordination to the U.S. on the world stage. Those men have now gone rogue and plan to deal the US a crippling blow and reclaim Russian power and prestige. Their instrument will be Russia's newest submarine armed with experimental torpedoes as catastrophically deadly as any weapon ever made and captained by a man as bent on revenge against Jack Ryan as Ahab was against Moby Dick. Will Jack, Katie, a cast of supporting characters—some from previous “Jack Ryan” novels, others brand new—and the United States Navy be able to figure out what’s going on in time to prevent devastating damage to the U.S.?

Spanning the globe from Washington D.C., to Moscow, to the Bering Sea, to the Atlantic Ocean, and set aboard the super-carrier U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and various U.S. and Russian submarines, “Act of Defiance” is a tense techno-thriller. It utilizes air, land, sea, and undersea operations as well as intelligence gathering and covert espionage to keep readers turning the pages to find out whether World War III will be averted. The authors seem to have done a wealth of research into the submarines of both nations and how they operate, both day-to-day and in combat.

All in all, a very good read that fans of Tom Clancy’s early works, as well as movies and novels like “Fail-Safe,” “Seven Days in May,” and “On The Beach” may well enjoy.

My thanks to NetGalley, authors Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, and publisher Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a complimentary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.

Tom Clancy: Act of Defiance by authors Andrews & Wilson is book filled with adventure, espionage and intrigue fitting the Clancy estate name. The writers do a grand job with the material which no doubt was a challenge due to the subject matter.

President Jack Ryan’s past enters into his present. Though, for the reader, Ryan is never far removed from his connection to the first published novel, The Hunt for Red October, the plot of Act of Defiance brings that past solidly to the character’s present. The plot lightly resembles the original novel.

The captain of the newest, deadliest and stealthy Russian submarine takes her out for the initial voyage. A shadow government inside Russia come into play as the captain is one of the few who knows about his plan to attack the United States.

This time out it is Jack Ryan’s daughter, Katie, a naval intelligence officer who is thrust into the adventure that takes reader throughout the world, and into various government agencies in a race to foil the suspected plans of the Russian captain. A plus for readers of the book to which this one is connected is the appearance of a couple of characters from the original novel.

This book is engaging, however the problem knit within this story, closely connected to “Red October” are the differences in writing style. Here, Act of Defiance falls a bit short.

Red October had less technical detail, as I recall, which helped it be a true page turner. Act of Defiance is filled with technical detail of all kinds of weapons systems which I felt got in the way of the plot. Admittedly, though, there are Clancy readers who delight in the details, but for me it slowed the story down.

Still, if you are a fan of the Clancy books you will find enough to enjoy in this new adventure that will make it, as it was for me, a worthwhile read.

Finally a Jack Ryan Book that is fun to read. The writing between the two was constant, I was not able to tell when the authors changed places. The character development in the book was good and I cared about the them in the story. The pace of the book was perfect for me, always wanting me to read one more chapter before putting down. I like that the authors didn't bog down the book with tons of technical details, which are often times in the TC stories. I would read another TC Story from these two authors.

The Russians are developing a new submarine under wraps but the eye in the sky happens to get photos of any unusual feature that stymies US intelligence. Enter Katie Ryan, Jack Jr's sister and Navy Intel Officer. Katie sees things that others miss.
What she finds is shocking.
We are hurling towards WWIII and not many believe it.
It's up to Katie Rytan to solve this Russian threat.

The first important thing to say about this book is that it's not a Jack Ryan novel at all. It's not even a Jack Ryan, Jr. novel. It's a Katie Ryan novel. Yes, that's right. They're doing their best to create another planet in the Jack Ryan universe to keep the money machine cranking. I can picture the Netflix series already.

Look, this isn't a bad book, not by any means, but it has an inescapably manufactured quality to it. The plot gimmick of giving birth to Planet Katie by reprising HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER as the adventure of a past generation, which her very similar adventure brings it into the present generation, isn't really bad either. It's just that it adds exponentially to the whole manufactured feeling the book generates.

You hear a lot of agonizing these days about whether AI tools will wipe out human writers as the source of new novels. Reading this book, you get a flavor of what that would be like. Feed ChatGPT a copy of THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and a few other novels with Clancy's name on the cover, tell it you've got to have a female protagonist, and you'd get something just like this.

Tom Clancy and Jack Ryan deserve better.

I am a big Jack Ryan universe fan and have read every book that’s come out it in. This one definitely reminds me of the original Tom Clancy books, especially Res October. I thoroughly enjoyed bringing in another Ryan into the universe in Katie. I thought the way that her narrative compares to her dads in Red October is fascinating although somewhat predictable. I will say the “coup from an inside part of Russia” seems to be getting old in my opinion (although i do understand the relevance to todays world). Overall i felt that this was a new beginning in the Universe to bring another element and main character into the fold. Also, are we sure Jack Ryan hasn’t gone over 2 terms in office yet?

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I first fell in love with Tom Clancy's novels when I read Hunt for Red October. It truly is one of the best books I have ever read. I've been reading his books ever since and it's great to have another series grow for the Ryan family that is set around a submarine. In ACT OF DEFIANCE, we meet another Ryan character.....a female...... President Ryan's daughter Katie Ryan. The plot is solid, something is going on in the Russian Navy, something too big to remain a secret for long. This is a very good political thriller, ranking 5 stars easily from this long time Clancy fan.