Executive Power is a pulse-pounding geopolitical thriller that thrusts the reader immediately into a high-stakes crisis, focusing heavily on the next generation of the Ryan family. The action kicks off in Luanda, Angola, where President Jack Ryan’s youngest son, Kyle Ryan, a DIA team member, barely survives a violent attack that wipes out his colleagues during a covert mission to monitor Chinese influence. This incident quickly spirals into a full-scale military coup, leading to the seizure of the American Embassy and the subsequent capture of numerous hostages, including Kyle. The authors – who are two of my favorites to read – Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson excel at creating an atmosphere of relentless pressure and immediacy. The narrative’s fast pace and its ability to jump between the harrowing experience of the hostages, the strategic planning in the White House Situation Room, and the covert operations on the ground make the book a deeply immersive and fiercely addictive read.
A significant strength of the novel lies in the authors' decision to elevate Kyle and Katie Ryan to central, driving roles, injecting new energy and a fresh perspective into the long-running series. Kyle, the family's "quiet genius" with a sharp mind for numbers, must quickly transform his intellectual strength into survival instinct as he endures captivity and interrogation. Simultaneously, his sister, Lieutenant Katie Ryan, an analyst with the Office of Naval Intelligence, is on the ground in Angola, leading the intelligence effort to unravel the complex web of plotters—a mystery that may involve the Chinese government, a corrupt Angolan general, or a darker unseen force. This dynamic shift allows the younger Ryans to demonstrate their own form of bravery and brilliance, distinct from their father and older brother, Jack Ryan Jr. Their struggle highlights the classic Ryan theme of familial loyalty mixing with the brutal demands of global political strategy.
The authors’ detailed writing in Executive Power shines through in their meticulous portrayal of the military procedures, technological intelligence gathering, and the harsh realities of the African setting, giving the novel an almost documentary-like realism. From the specifics of covert intel work to the tension of combat in a foreign capital, the narrative feels authentic and deeply researched. The book masterfully balances the geopolitical machinations—President Ryan’s use of his executive power and the deployment of U.S. forces—with the intensely personal struggle for survival and rescue. I also enjoyed the slight departure from Clancy’s typical Navy-centric novels to a novel that revolves around the capabilities of the United States Marine Corps. Finally, while some series fans might note a reduced role for the original Jack Ryan or the older children, the compelling debut of Kyle as a main protagonist and Katie’s continued growth prove that the series remains in capable hands, delivering an action-packed military addition to the Ryan universe that feels both timely and timeless and will definitely satisfy longtime Tom Clancy fans and newcomers alike.
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