Book review: Locked On by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney

It goes without saying that the book is action-packed and I enjoyed every single page-turning experience.. It was also great to say 'Hi!' again to characters that I have grown to love so much (cue to Jack Ryan Sr and John Clark)..

My thoughts:

- I miss the old Tom Clancy of old where seemingly random accidents would be showcased on a chapter.. They used to make me wonder in anticipation as to how he would tie all those things up in one glorious, explosive finish.. He was positioning everything and everyone, like chess pieces, and then would hit you out of nowhere with a checkmate.. I miss those.. This book feels like it goes into the offensive from the get-go, it's one action sequence after another. It's not that I didn't like it because I enjoyed the book thoroughly.. It's just that I feel that ever since the focus changed from Jack Ryan Sr to Jack Ryan Jr, it became more, I don't know, I guess for lack of a better word, action-packed.. Not that the books of old weren't, but like I said, when the focus shifted to Junior, the storytelling also shifted.. I guess what I'm saying is that the old books had a certain feel to it, a certain degree of poetry in motion instead of brute force..

- I teared up with what happened to John.. I won't go into details but I was heartbroken..

- Jack Ryan Sr president again! Cmon, like you didn't know that would happen when he went back on the campaign trail.. I'm sooo happy.. I wish the focus would shift back to Sr coz he's a much better character than Jr..

- Melanie. I didn't like her because when she was first introduced I knew that she & Jr would hook up and I wanted Jr to myself since it's so clear that Sr and Cathy are for life (hahahaha!). I'm not sure what to make of her.. It was mentioned that Alden ordered her to keep tabs on Jr even after practically getting the boot from the Agency for the brief she's written. Then she started to work for Mary Pat but was still working for Alden. That in itself is enough reason to dislike her.. Then there's the disturbing call at the end of the book.. Who was she speaking to when Alden was imprisoned? Mary Pat? Oh, I hope not.. :(

All in all, it was a great read.. More Jack Ryan Sr, please..

Til then!