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Jack Ryan Universe #36

Tom Clancy Weapons Grade

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The aftermath of a shocking crime sends Jack Ryan Jr down a path that leads to international destruction in the latest entry in this #1 New York Times bestselling series.

The quiet of a Texas night is shattered by the sounds of screeching brakes, crumpling metal and, most shockingly, rapid gunfire. The auto accident Jack Ryan Jr thought he witnessed turned out to be a professional hit. Jack may be too late to save the victim, but he’ll be damned if he’s going to let the hitters escape justice.

He’s got just one lead—a meeting the victim was going to. When Jack shows up instead, he’s drawn into the seedy underbelly of a small, Texas town and the cold case of a college student who vanished from its streets. 

Jack is left with nothing but questions. Who wants it to look like the victim was drunk? Why does someone want an innocent witness killed? And most of all, what’s a team of South African hitmen doing in the Lone Star State?

His quest for answers will take Jack from a quiet Texas road to the middle of an international conspiracy and may just cost him his life.

507 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2023

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About the author

Don Bentley

12 books664 followers

Don Bentley is the NYT bestselling author of FORGOTTEN WAR, Tom Clancy WEAPONS GRADE, and Vince Flynn's MITCH RAPP series (2024). Former FBI Special Agent and Army Apache pilot. Learn more at www.donbentleybooks.com

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5 stars
3,003 (53%)
4 stars
1,805 (32%)
3 stars
645 (11%)
2 stars
137 (2%)
1 star
47 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
Profile Image for Scottsdale Public Library.
3,412 reviews326 followers
November 14, 2023
Since I’ve been tracking hypersonic aircraft over the last decade, this book’s cover grabbed my attention; yeah, an image of a hypersonic plane.

Jack Ryan Senior and Junior are key characters. If you liked Clancy’s early books, you will love both these guys. Mary Foley does her usual herding the bureaucratic cats in DC making things happen.

Bad actors attempt a nearly impossible mission to steal a very secretive plane by coopting a brilliant engineer to allow them to get access of the AI that runs the hypersonic plane with a new weapon that could be used against our nation.

The plot twists and turns and the denouement is all Clancy. Jack Junior with the help of his fellow workers saves the day.

I do love it when the good guys win, so I am a sucker for Clancy.

You will love it. -Tom L.
Profile Image for Jeremy Peers.
224 reviews28 followers
September 28, 2023
Don Bentley closes out his Tom Clancy run with Weapons Grade, featuring the coolest plane ever built –the SR-71– and an indestructible Jack Ryan, Jr. While in Texas to watch a football game and relax with Lisanne, Ryan witnesses a devastating car wreck. Being the standup guy he is, Ryan stops to help. And walks right into a gang hit or an assisination. Wanting to learn more, Jack is thrust into a conspiracy involving dirty cops, kidnappings, a stolen hypersonic prototype plane, an SR-71 Blackbird and Iran being on the cusp of building a nuke. That’s a big weekend to-do list. Bed, Bath, and Beyond will have to wait.

The end of a relationship is a sad time. But, I know at least one person who isn’t sad this is Bentley’s last Clancy book. Jack Ryan, Jr. himself Bentley has kicked the living shit out of Ryan during his tenure which is fine because he’s apparently immortal. A little ridiculous but highly entertaining.

All I knew prior to reading Weapons Grade was the SR-71 Blackbird was heavily featured and was excited to see how Bentley used the platform. What I discovered was the Blackbird wasn’t featured as much as I would have liked but what was there was A+. I actually think the plane was overshadowed by the rest of the goings on. There’s a lot going on. A lot. Too much. I’d have to read the book three or four times to catch everything or take copious notes. Even then, loose threads would remain. I think losing any one of the background storylines would make for a better story and reading experience. But, what do I know? It took me four weeks to write this review.

One thing I’m certain of: The Jack Ryan, Jr. series is better off for having Bentley at the helm. He has breathed new life into the series. He created new storylines and introduced new characters (Jad and Cary) readers love. He’s leaving the series better than when he took over and has given the incoming author a plethora of options moving forward.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Weapons Grade.
Profile Image for Jeremy Campbell.
392 reviews4 followers
July 25, 2023
Excellent novel. This book read as part Jack Reacher part Pike Logan. Jack Ryan Jr finds himself in a small Texas town and thrown into the middle of a situation where he has to investigate, protect innocent and get his butt kicked a time or two while other big worldwide consequences take place. I haven’t caught up yet to the Jack Ryan books but this was easy to read and understand and I thought that President Jack Ryan still felt like the man Tom Clancy wrote almost 40 years ago. Go check it out!

#TomClancyWeaponsGrade #NetGalley
Profile Image for Emir.
122 reviews4 followers
September 6, 2023
What do Jack Jr going to the football game, Super duper secret squirrel airplanes, South African mercenaries and MS13 have in common. Nothing, yet Mr Bentley once again creates a master piece with his last and final Jack Jr novel. Action from the start, this book leaves you wanting for more. What an ending. What?? What is next in Jack Jr’s world. Who can top Don? Only one way to find out…keep reading.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,722 reviews30 followers
September 28, 2023
Not in the habit of reading ersatz authors but I’d heard there was a SR-71 in this one. There was. Your typical military techno thriller with Texas and Iran as settings and characters with indefatigable energy reserves, unbelievable luck, muscle memory, and Olympic level field skills that both awe and become tiresome after awhile.
Profile Image for Marty.
265 reviews6 followers
September 25, 2023
I can't believe Don Bentley is going to stop writing the Jack Ryan Jr series. He's done a fantastic job with this franchise and the latest (his last) is great.

Jack once again finds himself drawn into an improbable scenario that somehow connects to a situation half the world away. Nevertheless, Bentley connects the dots while bringing in the various aspects that have made the series great.

Plus, Bentley has locked VanHagar as the superior VanHalen into the series forever! 👍
Profile Image for Joseph.
615 reviews48 followers
September 25, 2023
The latest entry in the famed Tom Clancy series was a very big surprise. Gone was Jack Jr.'s dweebieness and he is finally coming into his own as a paramilitary operator. I enjoyed the book, but was let down by a couple of its facets; I felt the Israelis could have been involved in more detail. Also, the Campus' other operators play almost zero role in the story. Other than that it was a very good book.
Profile Image for Brian.
712 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2023
The best page turner the author has written. The plot showed knowledge of guns, flying, without delving into the electronic technobabble that some authors like to pretend they understand. The plot was a page turner, wild escapes (normal), and "fly in the pants" action scenes. A fun read.
Profile Image for Greg Bennett.
37 reviews
September 14, 2023
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series continues to roll on, Another great edition with an exciting and suspenseful plot.
Profile Image for Nancy Cook  Lauer.
852 reviews6 followers
February 22, 2024
3/5. This fast-moving thriller features a Clancy-level attention to the techie aspects of the SR-71 Blackbird and a prototype UCAV Corvair as the secretive agency Jack Ryan Jr. works for tries to thwart operation of an enriched uranium factory in Iran. Throw in a bunch of Green Berets, kidnappings and a lot of shooting and you have a book. Author Don Bentley is a decorated Apache helicopter pilot who served in Afghanistan before joining the FBI as a specialist in foreign intelligence and counter intelligence, lending a certain heft to the story.
January 16, 2024
Ryan Jr the story continues!

I like the continuing story of Ryan Jr. I’m glad to see the prospects there for him to be happy with Lisanne.. The story was action filled and left you on the edge of your seats. Enjoy all those who are Jack Jr and Jack Sr…
July 16, 2024
Very interesting story, sometimes it was hard to follow, but once I got in the flow of the story it was ok.
17 reviews
October 4, 2023
Somewhat remarkably, United Airlines had this book in their mobile "library" Dulles Airport, DC. I picked it up and managed to finish it over a long flight. I remember reading Tom Clancy when I was much younger and enjoying them, although I used to like Robert Ludlum quite a lot better.

Don Bentley has done a decent job of taking the Jack Ryan Jr hero stories further. It is somewhat anachronistic in this day and age to read about someone pursuing a course of action purely due to their "honor". I suppose in some ways, it is comforting to think that there are individuals and teams out there motivated purely by that complex emotion "honor".

What it does do is to make the novel a rather simplistic saga of good against evil where good is defined as the great American President helping out the great Israelis engaged in a fight over some weighty things against Iran. It is a nice story, and eminently readable and dare I say enjoyable in parts as well. To be fair though, the author's aviation chops are easily discernible and the way he describes the SR-71 in all its glory is awesome!

all in all, a great way to ward off the boredom of 5 hours on a flight!
10.7k reviews174 followers
September 3, 2023
I admit up front to being a fan of this series (as well as other Jack Ryan novels) because they are fast paced, entertaining, and I always learn a little something. And the storytelling is great. In this latest, our hero Jack Ryan Junior just wanted to go to the game, not get tied up in a mess involving college students, South African hit men, and conspiracies but that's life when you're a Ryan. Trust that his sense of humor will help him immensely in dealing with the bad guys (and the good guys) even as his father, the President, has his own set of problems. Yes there's military tech, yes, there are a lot of characters, yes it zooms around the world, and yes, some of it is implausible but still.....Bentley has done well by JRJ, especially in distinguishing him from JR- he's got his own voice. This is a good addition. Those who haven't read Bentley (or any of the preceding books) will still enjoy this page turner. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Dave B.
170 reviews5 followers
September 27, 2023
Decent read, first 2/3’s I found dragged on, almost felt like filler, but the last 1/3 totally redeemed it with the all out, Jack Ryan action we’ve come to know and love.
Profile Image for Mike Kennedy.
868 reviews21 followers
December 2, 2023
I was shocked when I heard there were going to be two Jack Ryan Jr books this year. I was worried that two in the same year might lead to one or both of the books being hastily written and thrown together on a deadline. I was pleasantly surprised when this wasn’t the case. Don Bentley doesn’t disappoint with Weapons Grade. It is a fitting addition to the Jack Ryan Jr. Series.

It starts out with Jack driving back from a Texas A&M football game when there is an accident, that turns out be a hit. Jack is drawn into the mystery which includes corrupt cops, small towns, a missing college student, and South African killers. While Jack is digging for the truth his father, President Ryan, is dealing with a hated enemy about to gain nuclear capabilities. As far apart as these two problems seem, they all come to a head in Texas, and it is up to Jack Jr to save the day.

I really like the grittiness of Don Bentley’s Jack Jr. He is a Boy Scout just like his dad always trying to do the right thing, but in doing so he brings great harm and danger on himself. Jack Jr. isn’t an invincible super hero. He takes a beating as he saves the day. I also like how Jack Jr is growing in the series. He is learning from previous missions and has the credibility now that he didn’t have earlier in the series. There are also lots of changes in his personal life, which can make for some interesting storylines moving forward.

This is a solid five star thriller, and well worth the read. Thank you to NetGalley, Don Bentley, Penguin Group Putnam, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for a free advanced copy for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mark Easter.
615 reviews8 followers
September 10, 2023
I find it hard to write that I found a Clancy/Jack Ryan Jr./Don Bentley book disappointing, but it was for me. The whole "Jack traipsing through Texas and coming across a hyperspace UAV hijack plot while helping one poor bystander victim after another" just seem contrived and awkward from the get-go. I am glad I read it in the sense I take some weird pride in having read every Clancy universe book. But, my favorite book in the collection it was not.
Profile Image for Kerry Mann.
189 reviews10 followers
September 15, 2023
Talk about a guy who trouble literally finds him everywhere!! Jack,jr is the man! I loved this book and I really like how other members of the Campus are being given a bigger part of the story.
Seriously Jack can't go on vacation!!
Profile Image for Will.
619 reviews
November 11, 2023
SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:

If this was Don Bentley's last contribution to the Clancy Universe before taking over the Vince Flynn Universe, he went out with a bang! Though not as action packed as 'Target Acquired,' 'Weapons Grade' avails itself quite nicely with a storyline with more twists and turns I had to read it twice to catch everything! I don't ever do that either. For once, Jack Ryan Jr. is innocent by standards when trouble lands in his lap.

Escaping their Campus world for a little privacy and relaxation, fiancés Jack and Liseanne Robertson head down to Austin, Texas, to meet up with her college roomie Karlie Dills, and after getting bombed at a bar that's the last we hear about Karlie. Jack heads off to College Station for a football game and on the way back stops to assist a driver whose vehicle was crashed in small town Briar Woods. Oops, that did it, Jack pissed somebody off and there will be hell to pay!

From this inauspicious beginning it takes about 250 pages to finally get the 25,000-foot view of the terrain, but Jack has stumbled across a very complex conspiracy to snatch a top secret unmanned aerial vehicle, the Corvair UCAV, by having it fly to Cuba as its interim stop from the Skunkworks Fab Plant in Palmdale, California. Jack becomes the center of the 'ground' battle to stop the heist, while a retired USAF Colonel Bob, call sign Lorenzo, is called back for a final flight in his old bird, the SR-71 Blackbird, and becomes the center of the 'air' battle. By way of explanation, the SR-71 is the only aircraft ever built that can 'shadow' the Mach 5 UCAV during its prototype acceptance flight, but things go very badly.

The ground battle is being pursued by mercenaries hired by Iranian spy Yebo, the leaders of which are former South African Recces out for their last big merc job before retiring. Little do they know it will be permanent retiring until it's way too late. As Jack gets snatched in Briar Wood, awaking on railroad tracks with a train charging towards him, he endures the first of the beatings which finally leave him a bruised and partially broken human in the end. In the middle he sets up the mercs and gets off a mayday to the Campus, resulting in a worldwide Mayday for all operators to converge on Texas. His Ranger buddies Carey and Jad are the only ones who can get to him, and they turn out to be just enough to make it out alive.

After making the Mayday call to Gavin Bierry, he purposely alerts the mercs to his location by turning on one of their phones, then hires Isaac and Kyle and their Texas Hog Hunters helicopter to tail the bad guys when they come to snatch him a second time at a seedy rural Texas motel. To Jack's good fortune, Issac and Kyle are former SPECOPs operators, so there's four seasoned veterans plus Liseanne to fight the ground battle.

Much to Colonel Bob's surprise, the UCAV doesn't head due east per its mission profile, but turns south, ultimately doing slow circles in the sky above Widow's Peak, Texas, which has become the mobile command post for the mercs. Using a back door in the systems comms maintenance feed, the mercs send a huge ballon up with a controller's cab that links up with the UCAV and downloads the new mission profile. Just as it nearly completes transmission, Jack, riding in the Hog Hunter's chopper, shoots up the balloon antenna that's making the link to the UCAV.

In what had to be the longest National Security Council meeting in modern history, Colonel Bob is saved from intercepting the UCAV with the Blackbird only when Jack Junior disables the mercs illicit transmitting capability. Bentley seems to think that Jack Jr. must be black and blue and on death's doorstep at the conclusion of any Jack Ryan novel, but let me tell ya, it's not one you wanna miss!
Profile Image for Stuart Sullivan.
51 reviews
November 13, 2023
Hypersonic thriller

Don Bentley carries on the Jack Ryan, Jr. saga with another spell-binder. Even when taking a break, Jack Jr. manages to get himself entangled in a tale of violence and intrigue. The seemingly unrelated threads of the story are unpredictable and don't get tied together until after many twists and turns that kept immersed in the plot. No spoilers. If you leave ke to try to anticipate how the story will go, good luck with this episode. I have read all of the books in the Tom Clancy universe and this one does not disappoint - trouble certainly follows Jack around,and how he gets into it is sometimes as interesting as what he comes up with to get out.
6 reviews
January 7, 2024
Intricacies of Covert Operations Make Great Read

Not all operations go exactly to plan or evolve as the participants expect, and this multi- faceted adventure describes the twists and turns of what seems like a very complex scenario ripped from recent headlines as the various entities, both Google and bad, scramble to act to shape the outcomes. at times you may think you reading multiple books, as the perspectives change radically with the evolving story. No boring minutes here. As the fascinating pieces fall into place. A great story very well-told and a continuous suspenseful cliffhanger that maintains interest with every paragraph. more big picture focus, like RedOctober, with the struggles of the individual, like Clear and Present. Great fast- moving read.

Profile Image for Jim McCulloch.
Author 2 books12 followers
March 9, 2024
Okay, maybe a 3.5

This was my first Jack Ryan Jr. book written by Mr. Bentley. I had also never read any of Don Bentley's work. I thought the writing was excellent and enjoyed the story. I appreciate the author's accuracy with weapons, tactics, and close combat scenes. However, I did not bond well with Jack Ryan Jr. and that is the only reason my rating isn't higher. I had tired of Jack Ryan books years ago so perhaps that influenced my perspective.

I do look forward to reading some of Mr. Bentley's non-Ryan books. I may have found an author I really enjoy in Mr. Bentley.
September 14, 2023
It is a true Tom Clancy novel written by Don Bentley, which made Jack Ryan Junior, one of my favorite characters of all time. I listen to it because I highly appreciate the voice of Scott Brick because he is my true Jack Ryan, Junior, I look forward to every single one of Tom Clancy‘s books. I read every book he ever wrote and have read every book that his authors have taken on to keep true to the legend. Looking forward to my next Jack Ryan Junior, and please don’t ever take Jack Ryan Senior out of the White House. I’ll be very disappointed.
4 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2023
a little unbelievable and that’s what I like

A person cannot incur that amount of sustained abuse and still function, but the writing is so good that it easy to suspend disbelief. True to the Clancy style there are several or I should say multiple storylines that coalesce beautifully. I would have liked an epilogue to wrap up a few things, but since there isn’t I’m expecting them to be picked up a dealt with in book 12, DON.
Profile Image for James Winchell.
225 reviews5 followers
October 21, 2023
Don has done a great job carrying on the Tom Clancy franchise Jack Ryan Jr books. Solid book from start to finish. Jack is starting to take on his role as the true main character, the Campus operators are always busy somewhere else. The biggest draw back to the books ending. It was good but I felt this just dropped off the cliff. Here one moment gone and then the end. It’s hard to write different style stories after 30 books.
Profile Image for Beth.
86 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2024
Great read! Once I got through the first few set up chapters I really enjoyed it. Lots of unexpected elements to the story. Loved the military aspects, especially the camaraderie between members and former members of the armed forces. The meat of the story was the real star though. Did a good job weaving in the personal elements throughout the action. Slow burn and then things really got exciting.
17 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2023
Another great read by the author! The book continues the Jack Ryan Jr story. Jack gets himself involved in a situation he cant walk away from in small town Texas. Jack can't walk away without investigating.

The author works in several plots and weaves them all together.

I highly recommend this book and series. The author is one of the best out there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews

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