[Review] — Clive Cussler's GHOST SOLDIER is an Entertaining Thriller Despite Many Flaws

Clive Cussler, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, had his adventure and sea thrillers continue to hit bookshelves long after he died in 2020. While this isn't a ghostwriting situation, other writers were hired to continue Cussler's series, with their names appearing on the covers to credit their work. The latest addition is GHOST SOLDIER, the newest installment in the OREGON FILES series, written by Mike Maden. Maden is known for his DRONE series, four of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Jr. thrillers, as well as Clive Cussler's Hellburner and Fire Strike.

In this 18th installment of the OREGON FILES, the story unfolds as African jihadis attack a Nigerian regiment using American weapons. Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon embark on an investigation that takes them from Afghanistan to Kuala Lumpur, tracking down a mysterious arms dealer known only as the Vendor, who is either a genius or a devil.

Cabrillo goes undercover to locate the Vendor's base, but he soon discovers that his opponent is not just an arms smuggler; he is an arms maker. Cabrillo finds himself entangled in a lethal military game alongside some of the most dangerous mercenaries in the world, designed to test the Vendor's cutting-edge AI arsenal.

Surviving an arena populated by flame-throwing robots isn’t even Cabrillo's biggest challenge. The Vendor has an army of high-speed drones targeting a crucial military site, and if the Oregon crew fails to stop them from releasing a deadly neurotoxin, global conflict could ensue.

While no one can replicate Clive Cussler's unique writing style, Mike Maden attempts to capture the essence of the OREGON FILES while infusing some of his own flair. The plot involving AI drones was intriguing, at times feeling more like science fiction than reality, which may have been intentional.

The characters in the story are typical one-dimensional military archetypes, reminiscent of those found in '80s action films. They have just enough depth to serve the plot, adhering strictly to their roles, which results in a somewhat predictable storyline.

Overall, I enjoyed GHOST SOLDIER despite its plot conveniences, cringe-worthy dialogue, and superficial background characters. It still offered enough entertaining moments to keep me turning the pages until the very end. ╌★★★½✰

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