Shores of Okinawa by Patrick Greenwood is a riveting political action thriller, navigating a complex web of global cyber security, hacking, and international intrigue. Set across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including Taiwan and Okinawa, the novel follows Jack Kendall, a former U.S. Marine turned technology troubleshooter for Techline, a global security communications firm. The stakes rise dramatically when his two children, William and Regina, are drawn into a global conspiracy that threatens critical data. To prevent a catastrophic cyber attack on Taiwan, Jack must assemble a team of experts and law enforcement to outwit their adversaries.

One of the strengths of Shores of Okinawa is the intricate plot structure. Greenwood expertly weaves together a wide array of characters and subplots, creating a cohesive story despite the complexity. The motivations of both the heroes and the villains are well-delineated, giving readers a nuanced perspective on the unfolding conflict. Watching Jack, his children, and their allies scramble to counter the villains’ dangerous plans makes for compelling reading. The reintroduction of characters from Greenwood’s previous novel, Forever Our Sunrise in Saigon, added depth, making the universe feel interconnected and familiar for returning readers. The vivid, globe-spanning settings were another highlight, taking readers to different parts of the world as the characters race to stop the impending cyber catastrophe. After a slow start, the narrative gained momentum and held my attention through its final pages. The opening chapters, focused on a series of phone calls between characters as they plot their strategies, felt slow and lacked immediate action, making it harder to become invested in the story right away. The technical jargon, while relevant to the cybersecurity theme, often felt overwhelming and unnecessary, bogging down the pace. There were also moments of redundancy, particularly in the exchanges between characters, where information was repeated multiple times—first conveyed through narrative, then through character dialogue, and again through relays of that same information to other characters. This repetition occasionally disrupted the otherwise taut flow of the story.

Shores of Okinawa is an engaging and thought-provoking thriller, blending cyber warfare with political intrigue. Once the plot finds its stride, the book delivers suspense, action, and a fascinating look into the complexities of modern cybersecurity. Fans of Greenwood’s previous work will especially appreciate the returning characters and expanded universe.

Pages: 502 | ASIN : B0DCZNQ9W5