The Cardinal of the Kremlin (Jack Ryan Novels)

Agreed. This is what Clancy is all about; the espionage, the pace set throughout, the Cold War tension that gave Clancy his perfect backdrop to start writing his books in the first place, and not to mention the whole Soviet-Afghan conflict. It's classic Clancy. And how it is predictable I cannot see. And not thrilling?. That first review is a little flat, like maybe you just skimmed the book,...more

Agreed. This is what Clancy is all about; the espionage, the pace set throughout, the Cold War tension that gave Clancy his perfect backdrop to start writing his books in the first place, and not to mention the whole Soviet-Afghan conflict. It's classic Clancy. And how it is predictable I cannot see. And not thrilling?. That first review is a little flat, like maybe you just skimmed the book, and as for the second... have you ever read any other Clancy books?   hide

Written as if it was to have been a companion to Red Rabbit [kinda], this story introduces the Foleys and Bondarenko to the Jack Ryan universe. This book, however, lacks the thrilling spy tale, as the ending is easy to predict.

I think these reveiws are a little harsh. Jack Ryan becomes a little more machiavellian Clark becomes more engaging and the prose is a little more cloak and dagger than previous efforts. I like it mroe than sum of all fears for example

waaaaaaay too technical for me. maybe suitable for people who are into highly-detaile specs of military surplus & non Bond-esque spy networks.