Target Acquired (Jack Ryan Jr, #14; Jack Ryan Universe,… (2024)

2.5 ⭐
Oh well, ignore my review because I really didn't care for this one. I'm also a "part time" reader of Jack Ryan universe books.
What started out as a simple favor turns to sh*t for Jack Jr.. A lot of action, but still felt dragged out especially towards the ending.

A fun ride and great read. I enjoyed the interaction that Jack had with all the people and excitment this book generated. Well worth the time to read and you don't really need to read the previous 30 books to fully enjoy this one.

Jack Ryan Jr. is in Israel on a simple observation job, but when it comes to Jack Jr nothing is ever simple. When a woman and her son is attacked, Jack can't just stand by and watch. Suddenly he is the target of trained killers. On his own, Jack will have to use all his skills to stay alive and to protect the woman and the child he just saved.

I have always loved the original books by Tom Clancy, but when he passed away I stopped reading the following books because I felt no-one could carry on the legacy. It was just a couple of years ago I picked up the series again and loved how the series had developed. Especially Mark Greaney and Mike Maden did a great job keeping the series alive. I was disappointed when I read that Mike Maden shouldn't stay on the franchise anymore, but I was so glad to see that Don Bentley was the one to take over. His book about Matt Drake are sensational so my expectations was very high. All I can say after finishing the book is that Don Bentley have written the best Jack Ryan Jr book ever. It's well-written, fast-paced and full with action. It felt like reading one of Tom Clancy's originals spiced with Dons sense of humor. I really hope Don gets to carry Jack Jr forward for many years because no-one can do it better.

I highly recommend this book and thanks to Edelweiss, the author and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read this book in advance and to share my honest review.

On sale June 8, don't miss out!!

I’ve read several Jack Ryan Jr books now and let’s face it: they stray so far from the original Tom Clancy style and genre that they shouldn’t even bear the Clancy name. The plot made no sense. Iranians, some cyber stuff I think, some cult with rockets. Whatever. The contrived and pointless plot serves only to put Jack Ryan Jr in ridiculous situations that he can shoot, punch, and explode his way out of.

Anyways, there is some fun action so there’s that. I’m sure I’ll continue reading this series for the mindless entertainment that they are.

The Crew Reviews loved TARGET ACQUIRED by Don Bentley.

"And page 137 is the best damn page Don has ever written." - CE Albanese, The Crew Reviews

Check out our interview Don: https://youtu.be/7YK9kzhPIx4

Jack Jr. is starting to read more and more like the 'Perils of Pauline'. He goes from one mishap to another mistake then to another mishap.

Holy sh*t! Breath of fresh air for the series. I was pleased to hear that Don was taking over especially after the last 2 Jack Jr books. I found Don’s debut book Without Sanction refreshing. Beyond good, you instantly knew he was more than just a fan of the genre. Well since then I wish I owned stock in him. (Please hire me for your marketing, it would be the easiest job I’ve ever had) I am astonished that at the beginning of his published career he creates the Matt Drake character and literally saves the Jack Jr franchise. In the highest compliment, it was like two completely different authors to me between the characters
**Actual book review** By the beginning of Chapter 5 I was already won over by the new Jack Jr narrative. He is presented as more mature, wiser. Don let’s us read about Jack Jr processing a microsecond decision. For me, that is edge of the seat reading, I enjoy the buildup. Does anyone remember Dale Brown. His first 5 books were incredible. This feels bigger than that. Love Dale but lots of data but less thoughts and emotion.
The book itself is about Jack’s effort to help recover a kidnapped mother and her special needs son. I was so engrossed with the action that I forgot about them for a bit. Tenacity in Jack’s character and Don’s writing made the last 25% complete OODA LOOP and instant contender for best book of the year. I felt like Jack was telling me the story while we were having a drink. Also, it could be an excellent starting point for a new reader. Now I am literally waiting for the next Matt Drake & Jack Jr book. Lastly, and a part I enjoyed greatly was the social media aspect - online zooms & podcasts. It was a fantastic buildup and Don delivered. I hope he enjoys the finished product as much as I did.

Book Review – Ever since Tom Clancy’s first Jack Ryan, Jr. book, “Teeth of the Tiger”, I have been a longtime fan of Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Jr. series. I enjoy the Jack Ryan Sr. novels as well, with their political, techno-thriller spin, but the Jack Jr. and The Campus books own the more intense action side of the Tom Clancy Universe. After reading Tom Clancy’s Target Acquired by new coauthor Don Bentley, my faith in revitalizing the Jack Jr. series has been restored. Grant Blackwood, Mark Greaney and Mike Maden all did good jobs with the Jack Jr./The Campus series of novels, but the series needed updating and evolving from the Cold War Clancy-like stories to the now post 9-11 terrorism-type stories. Previous Clancy novels were heavy into the strength and details of the story plots with geo-political analysis and operational details that many times overwhelmed the few action sequences. Unfortunately, many of the Clancy books were soon overwhelmed by Clancy’s usual weaknesses of lengthy dialogue, sometimes thin characterizations of too many characters, endless repetition of back stories and partisan bumper-sticker politics. Not this new coauthored Clancy, Jack Jr. novel! Target Acquired is a measured response and an obvious attempt to reinvent the Clancy Universe into a more contemporary action-thriller series. This eighth Jack Jr. book is one of the best Jack Jr. novels written and with Don Bentley now coauthoring the series, it has tremendous ‘action-thriller’ promise with more to come. Target Acquired surprises and entertains like Clancy’s Rainbow Six novel did. It charts a fascinating course through Israel and the Middle East with a chilling and intriguing look into international espionage, geo-political politics, Black Ops operations and cults. The main character, Jack Ryan, Jr. was a much-improved protagonist in this book than of old. Bentley did an outstanding job in revitalizing Jack Jr.’s character. Bentley brought out the ‘unexplained’ reason why the son of the President of the United States is working as a senior analyst/black ops operator for a secret intelligence organization – The Campus. Jack Jr. was raised in politics and intrigue and as his father, Jack Ryan Sr. moved through the ranks of the CIA and then into the White House, Jack Jr. received a life lesson of the world and the way it operates from federal agents, political statesmen, CIA analysts, Secret Service agents, and Black Ops operators like John Clark and Ding Chavez. Bentley’s characterization of Jack Jr. in this book, brought all of this to light and how Jack Jr. finally put all of this together without it coming across too “cartoonish” and with some true realization. I also love the characterization of the female Air Force F-35 fighter pilot, Captain Natalie “Daisy” Smith…she was a “badass” and Bentley’s writing of the F-35 scenes were top-notch! Bentley also provides the typical Jack Jr. ‘James Bond-like’ flirting, seducing, and toying with attractive females, but that’s to be expected in the spy, espionage genre. Jack Jr. is an attractive American spy that many women can’t seem to resist. Tremendously happy with how Target Acquired turned out. Bentley, not only wrote a great story, but he also told it with improving the series for future highly anticipated reading. Two-thumbs up on Target Acquired by Don Bentley.

The latest in a long line of thrillers from NY Times bestseller Tom Clancy, this book lives up to the hype. Jack Ryan Jr. is contemplating his life and career path while also being active in the field. Not always such a good idea. His encounter with an important scientist and her special needs son form the backbone of the story that follows. While I usually don't give the Jack Jr. books full marks, this one was above average, and by a new author to boot!!! An excellent summer read.

Excellent book written in the spirit of Tom Clancy. Exciting read from the beginning to the final page.

Number 31 in the Jack Ryan series is every bit as dramatic as the preceding 30. Don Bentley is a newcomer author to the series but readers wouldn’t know it. In this story Jack does a favor for mentor Ding Chavez by participating in a simple exercise in Israel, he quickly finds that the short 2 hour event becomes more than he bargained for as helps save a mother and her son from assassins. When the stakes for saving them escalate into an international struggle, Jack Jr finds himself working with the Israeli Shin Bet and in the middle of getting shot twice, nearly crucified, bombed and other offensive actions against him by Russian, Iranian, Chinese and Lebanese bad guys. A parallel story line creates a female USAF F-35 pilot heroine saving Israel by airborne missiles, all while Jack does his thing with the help of tech genius Gavin Biery with approval from John Clarke. Action, action, action…

**Thanks to BookRiot and Berkley for sending me this as part of a Don Bentley bundle**

A heart-pounding action thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat!! Don Bentley is outstanding!!

Jack Ryan Jr is in Israel doing a soft surveillance job when he intervenes to stop an attack on a mother and child. This throws him into a chase with no support and where he faces unknown enemies and hidden agendas.
There are now far more books post Tom Clancy’s passing and they really are of very mixed quality, Mark Greaney’s setting a high standard that has not been duplicated despite many other authors having a go. The publishers really have done a poor job in both author selection and book approval.
This one is a great example of getting it wrong, it is very poor indeed. Ryan is quickly identified as an American agent, but never identified as the son of the President (a running theme in the books), he makes many poor decisions without contacting his colleagues for help and advice until it is too late, he shrugs off injury like a superhuman and the bad guys are a mix of stereotypes. For some reason the author name checks about four other authors in the story which felt very strange and like an unnecessary indulgence. The plot is all over the place with threads ignored when it suits the author to shunt the story along.
Just dreadful.

Disappointed. No rationale for 2 chapters on Natalie. Had nothing to do with Jack Jr.
There is no way Jack Jr after having a arm nailed to a cross is going to get up rip his arm off the cross, stay awake and do all he allegedly did. He is not Superman.
Write a new novel.

What a stupid book. Read like a recap of a video game. Again, Jack Ryan Jr. acts like a complete idiot. Started off as a potentially good spy thriller. Quickly evolved into a Tour of Duty video game clone. Waste of time and brain cells.

I really enjoyed this book, I am not normally an action thriller reader but I could hardly put this book down.

Not Your Mother's Tom Clancy

Ok, so my Mom never read Tom Clancy, but I'm from your Mother's generation and I have enjoyed reading some of Tom Clancy's books in the past. But, not this 'Jack Ryan, Jr.' book. I tossed it aside relatively quick for the following reasons: bland writing style, weak word choice with too much repetition, flimsy characterization, and a lack of the details and gripping realism of a Clancy novel.

If you are like me, then when you are reading a military-type adventure story like this, it is not enough to have the MC blow a few things up, drive big machines, or the other edge-of-your-seat action you expect from this genre. There needs to be something compelling to draw you to the characters and plot; something to make you want to keep reading. This was my first of the Post-Clancy books written by other authors since his death. Once bitten, twice shy. I probably won't go there again. I didn't finish this, hence the DNF category. I'm not sure what I will do with this copy, but I have other fun books waiting.

This book is a surprising disappointment. I can’t decide if the author is trying to turn Jack, Jr. into Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s Commando or a Marvel Comic superhero. Either one is a fail. Just not enough suspension of disbelief to make this one credible. Also, I find it totally incomprehensible that no one recognizes the son of the President of the United States. Series needs much better writing if it is to continue.

Brilliant perfection of the Jack Ryan genre!

I have read all of Tom Clancy and this new writer has hit the mail on the proverbial head. With quick wit and action packed description his writing belies his personal experience. A page burner! Couldn’t put it down. Army Vet

These books are always a bit unbelievable in regards of what one man or a small team can do to fight terrorism, but in this one - what Jack does is just over the top.

This is a Jack Ryan Jr, the son of the president, story. it starts out with him in Israel critiquing an asset when he sees an autistic boy lose what was an obviously important to him, Captain Marvel figurine. Jack returns it to the boy and while doing so, see an assassin bearing down on the mother with a knife. Jack saves her but the Israeli police pick him up and question him as to who he is, Of course he cannot give his full name and eventually the police let him go. When he goes through his possessions he finds the Captain Marvel figurine. Although he has been told to catch the first plane out of the country, he decides not to leave until he finds the boy and returns the figurine to him. When he finds them, and is preparing to approach them, He sees the same assassin approaching her again but with a gun. He manages to save her again, but this leads to all kinds of problems for Jack.

Great non stop action

Lots of twists and turns. Great story line parallel stories coming together in for an exciting finish. I enjoyed it.

I've been a fan of the Tom Clancy series since the very beginning. I must say that Don Bentley is a great addition to the Jack Ryan universe. Reading this novel has made me a fan of Don Bentley (much like it made me a fan of previous Jack Ryan author Mark Greaney, and eventually his Grey Man series). I will be seeking out his other novels Without Sanction.

In general, all the authors that the Clancy estate picked to continue the Jack Ryan Legacy have been great. I'm referring to Mark Greaney, Grant Blackwood, Mike Maden, and now Don Bentley. Marc Cameron has been disappointing in my opinion and I've enjoyed his book less than the others.

This book is non stop action and hard to put down. It had me hooked from very early on and was a great ride right up till the end. Speaking of which, the ending falls flat and could have been better, but it was such a wild ride that I still earns its 5 stars.

I enjoyed the nods to other great action/thrillers authors in the story, authors that i have also greatly enjoyed. Here is a few quotes to show you what I mean

"Jack picked up a book at random and leaves through the pages. An entry from Bard Taylor's Pike Logan series"

"Jack placed the book back on the shelf next to the newest Mark Greaney Grey Man novel and hustled out the door"

"Which was to say he mostly referenced things he'd read in Vince Flynn novels"

I hope the next Jack Ryan Jr novel will include more of the Campus team instead of a solo outing. And perhaps a new character and addition to the team would be refreshing.

If you are a fan of military/Spy action thrillers, this is the book for you.

Wow!

Non-stop action! A great story! Highly recommend! This book will keep you up well past any reasonable bedtime…and then some!

I love Jack Ryan and Don Bentley! A great book full of action and truly worthy of the Tom Clancy characters and story. Can't wait to read the next one!

Great

Great and compelling storyline that was mostly non stop with suspense. I wish there were really more jack Ryan's in the world and in politics.

I hadn’t read a Clancy book in awhile. Saw Don Bentley had written this one and thought I’d give it a go.
I’m glad I did.
Bentley did a fantastic job.
I will read anything he writes.

Plot = Decent. Exciting but completely unbelievable.

Writing = Wow. Someone please go ahead and replace Bentley and his chapter-ending-one-liners. It was terrible. And we get it, you read other authors. How do you leave out Brad Thor?!?

Can Jack Ryan Jr just get shot in the lower back and become paralyzed or something? The only reason I’m still reading is because I’m not quitting now, definitely not after 30ish books. But if this nonsense doesn’t end soon, the publishers are going to completely tarnish Clancy’s legacy.

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

An all-out, pedal to the metal, full tilt sprint from beginning to end, propelled forward with 40,000 pounds of thrust from the afterburners of a F-35.

Make sure to check out the full review

This is one of the best Clancy books I read in a long time. The last 25% of the book had me on the edge of my seat. I hope Don Bentley writes another one.