The latest novel in the long-running Jack Ryan series, FULL FORCE AND EFFECT, is ironically current and relevant. This very week, we have witnessed Sony Pictures pulling the plug on the controversial comedy The Interview, in which two bumbling Americans are tasked with killing the leader of North Korea.

In reality, Kim Jong-un --- the current leader of North Korea --- is one of the most infamous political characters in the world. He has made headlines for things like disappearing from public view for a long period time, strong disdain for the Western world, and his odd friendship with former NBA star Dennis Rodman.

Via the imagination of Mark Greaney, North Korea and their fictional leader --- Choi Ji-Hoon --- have plans for a global plot that will involve a direct attack on U.S. soil. Picking up right where Tom Clancy left off, Greaney brings forth his latest international political thriller featuring now-President Jack Ryan. Previously, Greaney had co-authored three novels with Clancy and wrote one on his own in 2013.

"Mark Greaney has succeeded in breathing continued life into these beloved and important characters. The true spirit of Clancy and his vision lives on in the pages of this lengthy and satisfying novel."

With FULL FORCE AND EFFECT, we are met with a thriller titled after a term used to represent a presidential executive order that is said to carry the full force and effect of the law. In this case, President Ryan must deal with a threat from North Korea that has far deeper impact against the U.S. than he ever could have imagined.

The President will need the able assistance of the covert ops team known as The Campus. Coincidentally, his own son --- Jack Ryan, Jr. --- is a pivotal member of this group that was featured in Greaney's last novel, SUPPORT AND DEFEND. A series of international events have rocked the world: a North Korean ICBM crashing into the Sea of Japan, a veteran CIA operative murdered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and a missing package of forged documents.

A seemingly innocent mining operation by North Korea may potentially yield terrifying results. Rare earth is being mined by a company called the Korea Natural Resources Trading Corporation. Though it will take some time to uncover, American intelligence eventually recognizes that it’s using the money it earns to obtain ICBM technology necessary to perform a deadly strike against the West Coast of the USA.

The only thing standing between the USA and potential tragedy are members of The Campus, which includes long-time Clancy favorite John Clark. Although tiny, the nation of North Korea is well-positioned for conspiracy on a global scale and, with the assistance of a traitorous organization of American mercenaries, may see their evil plans for destruction of the West come to fruition.

Following his untimely death in 2013, loyal readers of Tom Clancy were in a state of panic that they would never be able to spend time with his classic characters again. I am pleased to say that Mark Greaney has succeeded in breathing continued life into these beloved and important characters. The true spirit of Clancy and his vision lives on in the pages of this lengthy and satisfying novel.