Tom Clancy is one of those writers who can be over-rated or under-rated based on what perspective you’re approaching his work with. Lately, two writers under the pseudonym “David Michaels” have put out books based off of games bearing the Clancy name.
Currently, the games that have been adapted into books are the “Splinter Cell”, “End War” and “Ghost Recon” franchises. The newest franchise to get the novel treatment is “Ghost Recon.”
Honestly, the “Ghost Recon” series lends itself perfectly to novels. It’s a wonder why it took so long to make that jump. Regardless, the book is a bit short. However, it’s a tight storyline that follows the near outbreak of WWIII from the perspective of the “ghosts”, and a group of renegade Chinese military leaders named the Spring Tiger Group.
For those who have played “Ghost Recon”, more notably “Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter” (GRAW) and GRAW2, the book starts off showing how Scott Mitchell became a captain. From the opening battle to personal struggles with the past, the book manages to do what the games didn’t. It made the “ghosts” more human. That works more in favor of the books since the only humanity in the games are your choices as you play through. Even then, the choices in game are only “which cover do I use?” “how will I command the other Ghosts?” and “how do I take out as many enemies without wasting ammo?”
From secrets and rivalries to tales of revenge, “Ghost Recon” has something for nearly everyone in its 368 pages. Even though Tom Clancy did not write the book, it is still something that comes across like a Clancy-spun web of deceit, war and political intrigue. Grant Blackwood, the current “David Michaels,” is at the top of his game with this tale following one of the most elite and feared organizations the U.S. Army Special Forces has to offer.
One of the legs up that the book has against normal Tom Clancy books is the fact that character development is better. Tom Clancy, when writing, spent a lot of time on the technology of war and espionage. Michaels actually takes the time to further develop characters to make them more believable. Sure, he also put some focus on the technology, but he builds the characters better than Tom Clancy usually does.
If you get the book, enjoy. If you don’t, well that’s your choice. However, if you’re interested in authors like Tom Clancy, “Ghost Recon” won’t fail you.