Shadow War: A Tom Locke Novel (Tom Locke Series, 1)

Sean McFate's new novel marks an excellent start for a former soldier and latter-day condottieri-turned-professor and fiction writer. Yes, the book follows a well-known formula, though only to a degree, and the protagonist is not nearly so typecast as a great many others in the techno-thriller genre (see anything by Brad Thor or Vince Flynn, for example). Mostly, I liked this less for the combat than the insiders view into how the modern day elite PMC world operates. By McFate's own admission, he wrote this novel in order to paint an accurate picture of that world through fiction when he cannot through his own experience due to the myriad nondisclosure agreements he would have had to sign before carrying out any of his work in that previous life. In that effort, Shadow War nails it. The details are fiction to be sure, but the atmospherics (to use the military term) of how that world functions seem far closer to the truth than any other thriller fiction I can think of. Between that and the crisp prose it easily earns five stars.

This is a great first novel, and refreshingly different than the standard thriller stuff from the best selling American authors like Brad Thor or Ben Coes. Instead of a black and white worldview, the plot realistically and cynically portrays the complexities of global politics and economics. Instead of the typical American superhero CIA agent, Tom Locke is a former paratrooper turned private military contractor working in a world that is morally ambiguous, and he makes for a compelling protagonist. As the novel progresses, the storyline becomes increasingly complex, and there are even a few surprises and twists that I didn't see coming. Fans of Mark Greaney's Gray Man will especially like this, and I am more excited about the upcoming sequel more than I am any other book this year.

Sean has either walked the walk or has friends that did. His book is amazingly accurate, characters are actually human, interesting, introspective, showing the flaws of human nature. No Jack Bauer idiocracy, he's on the permanent "not boring" list

Sean McFate is brilliant with his portrayal of our chaotic world and how to beat Russian aggression using its own tools. We must think in the 21st century as the rules of war of changed. Sean has capture the changes both in novel form and with his book The New Rules of War. The West, especially the United States must heed Sean's advice if we are to remain dominant and relevant as the 21st Century progresses.Sean McFate not only is brilliant in military theory and strategy but he is a gripping story teller. I could not put the book down. Military professionals and lovers of spy thrillers should read Shadow War.

I am familiar with the area of Eastern Ukraine that this non-stop thriller is set in. I worked on a oil project in Donetsk back in 2011 before the Russians invaded with their support of the separatists.

A very good novel--it's probably the first fiction I've been sufficiently interested in to read in over a year. The author's experience and background gives him a leg up on most writers of this genre -- he's been a merc himself, probably the only merc with a doctorate from the London School of Economics and who went on to teach foreign relations at Georgetown University.

The story line was good, but a bit choppy. There were multiple grammatical errors that were probably proofreading missteps. Being a grammarian, that bothers me.

I recently heard Mcfate speak at a World Affairs Council meeting and was intrigued by his background and experience. Shadow War clearly describes the world of the mercenary soldier from a man who has been there and done that. The writing is a bit awkward, but the story is believable and intriguing. Well worth the read.

Great book, opens up the world of private armies and deep state in a way the clearly shows the authors own experience and insight. He manages to keep a core storey whilst weaving a number of sub plots and as with the Wire you feel each of the characters are rounded with their own story which for the most part steers well away from cliches. Looking forward to the follow up.

Unbelievably credible international strategic panorama of warfare political double dealing breathtaking military strategy and tactics. Superb read that leaves you uncertain where fiction ends and reality begins

It's a nice change to read a story that's relatively up to date.It doesn't seem long since the problems in the Ukraine and this brings it all to life.

Disappointing too much unnecessary filling not as sharp as previous books and the usual poorly finished ending, not the class of previous novels.

Great - I like lee child , baldacci, Flynn and wasn't disappointed !

Excellent story but difficult to read in places. Very detailed plot. Good action sequences. Look forward to reading more about this character.

A good read , makes you think what is Realy going on out there .

complicated read was hard to follow

The story is good but it was a little bit difficult to get into but still worth the read as a thriller.

Loved it good read and storyline

Not quite un-putdownable but a believeable tale. Is this really how the world works today? Probably. Definitely going for Book 2.

Good read ideal to take on holiday.

I finally finished this book it was like walking through a sea of glue backwards the other regret i have is buying his other books.

Plausible twists, descriptive action segments. Unusual setting in an old Ukrainian factory. Flawed romance, set up nicely for a sequal.

My apologies to Mr Locke but I found the book to be boring and was left unfinished