For my taste, this book was about as close to perfect as you can get. I have to give the disclaimer that I’m a sucker for submarine stories. I loved The Hunt for Red October, and Act of Defiance not only pays tribute to the Tom Clancy book that started the series and basically created the genre, but dovetails nicely into the plot of the classic thriller.
Act of Defiance follows Lieutenant Katie Ryan, of the Office of Naval Intelligence, as she investigates a mysterious new Russian submarine and the world-changing weapon it is suspected to carry on board. The fact that Ryan is the daughter of President Jack Ryan, of the Tom Clancy novels, is handled with supreme skill. Rather than use Katie’s presence as an excuse to rehash a Jack Ryan story, the president is a supporting character. His actions are exactly as I imagine Clancy would have written, but lean toward worry about his daughter, the true hero(ine) of this book.
Katie is backed up by Clancy staples Ding Chaves and John Clark, as well as former sub tech (now PhD) Jonesy, and we see some alternate history from the days of the Red October, which planted the psychological seeds for the villainous Russian submarine captain.
The story never slows, and while there are no huge surprises, everything in this book feels right. At the risk of spoiling the plot, Katie helps save the day, and the bad guys receive their comeuppance. Could there have been a little more character development, emotional connections? Maybe, but that’s not really what we read these books are for. I want to watch in my mind’s eye sailors playing their submarine like a musical instrument, fighting the Russians, and saving the world. And that’s what Wilson and Andrews deliver. These are two writers at the top of their game, creating the best military thrillers I’ve read in years.
Take home: 5/5 stars. Definitely buy this book, and I can’t wait for the next one.
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