The Bottom Line: A relentlessly inventive, entertaining and unpretentious military thriller about a terrifying new weapon of mass destruction – AI. Perfect for fans of Jack Carr and L.T. Ryan.
The Spear and the Sentinel opens in Russian-controlled territory north of Japan, as an awestruck Russian soldier informs his commanding officer that he has seen “a God.” After witnessing a blinding light, he saw a person who was simply too large to be human. Others say they witnessed Baba Yaga or zmey goynych, a dragon from Russian mythology that could take human form. Soon, the team investigates what they came for – a cargo ship that has run aground. The eerie vessel is filled with mangled bodies, some of which are dismembered. A few kilometers to the south, they find a laptop — and a human head.
A year later, American Lieutenant Eric “Frisco” Francisco taps members of his platoon for a reconnaissance mission to Kazakhstan. His team – Voodoo, Stu, Kenny and others – are initially in the dark about their particular objectives. However, in this, author J.L. Hancock’s followup to The Hawk Enigma, chances are 100% that their mission will be related to an ongoing battle over an AI platform called the God Algorithm.
Whether you love, hate or simply cope with the growing presence of AI in our lives, it’s impossible to deny the bold concept Hancock poses: its potential classification as a weapon of mass destruction. In this case, we’re talking about an AI so powerful that it is thought to be capable of overthrowing a government. In Hancock’s hands, the villainization of this particular form of AI proves to be a terrific read.
Hancock’s sophomore novel demonstrates his mastery for creating rare chemistry seen in the military thriller genre. A 20-year military veteran with significant combat and intelligence capabilities, Hancock delivers all the standard ingredients military thriller fans expect – endless acronyms, an encyclopedic knowledge of weaponry, a sophisticated understanding of geopolitical tensions. But he goes a step further by creating a sense of brotherhood, camaraderie and banter among the team that most authors can’t capture. In a book filled with loaded conversations and memorable snippets of dialogue, you’ll find yourself co-opting the team’s language when you least expect it (“bro-chacho” anyone?).
Among the book’s numerous well-drawn characters, Hancock’s real prize is the development of second-generation frogman Mason Gallegos. Though Hancock is careful not to give too much away too soon, the character’s first appearance is just enigmatic enough to create a sense of instant dread and apprehension – a sensation that evolves over time, with multiple red herrings. As Hancock uses Mason as a vehicle to explore themes of trust and allegiance, the ensuing character study is one readers won’t soon forget.
