Future War Books

"Impossible to put down. The action is intense and the plot unique. It soars along at a fast pace. This story is unmissable."- Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review "Realistic and original. A fast-paced thriller packed with action and suspense."- Publishers Weekly BookLife US Navy UCAV (drone) Air Boss Alicia Rodriguez and Lieutenant Karen 'Bunny' O'Hare are stranded on a decommissioned US UCAV facility on Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait when Russia launches a lightning operation to shut down the critical waterway between Alaska and Russia to traffic and deny the US navy access. They are alone, dug in deep and trapped behind enemy lines. Surrender? Hell no.

"Tom Clancy Fans will be pleased.” Publishers Weekly STAR "A fast-paced, action-packed political thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat." Readers' Favorite "A riveting take on the near future of warfare." Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor's Choice. In 1942 US Fighting Tigers squadron commander John Chen comes face to face with his enemy, Japanese pilot, Tadao Kato. Ninety years later, in 2033, their great grandchildren are serving on the same side as part of Operation Red Dove, the first joint naval exercises between China and Japan to mark the signing of a new Sino-Japanese mutual defense treaty. China is determined to forge a new empire in the East with Japan by its side. Its determination is about to be put to the test. IN SHANGHAI, the cyber warfare personnel of Advanced Persistent Threat Team 23 are about to fire the first shot in a new global war. ON OKINAWA, Defense Research Projects Agency drone pilot, 'Bunny' O'Hare prepares for the last field trial of the US Navy's next undersea stealth platform. AND IN HER PRIVATE RESIDENCE inside Tokyo's Akasaka Palace, Princess Mitsuko Naishinno prepares to fulfil her dying father's wish, and wrest back control of Japan from a government which has sold her country's soul to China. "This is fiction that predicts the geopolitical landscape of the future, a work that is as gripping as it is prophetic. Readers who enjoy politics and who are keen on the political ambitions of the Chinese will enjoy this novel. The conflict is huge and it reflects the realities that dominate contemporary politics. The novel is ingeniously plotted and the author's use of suspense makes it a page-turner. The shifts in the plotlines and the skillful use of subplots augment the satisfaction for readers. The prose is powerful, the characters rock-solid and the setting expertly achieved. The way that cyberwar is developed portrays what the next world war might look like. The story takes into account the political and technological realities of our time and projects us into a future filled with conflict and how it might play out. This novel is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking." Readers' Favorite.

"Explosive, ingenious and thought provoking. I was not able to put this novel down because I had to find out what happened next... Tom Clancy and Dan Brown stand aside." 5 Stars Readers' Favorite Taking military technologies that are on the drawing board today and putting them into the domain of space 15 years from now, 'Orbital' is a high-octane look at what the growing militarization of space could lead to in the all too near future. In 2034, a cataclysmic meteorite shower rains down on Saudi Arabia, destroying the world's largest oil processing facility and sending the price of oil into the stratosphere. But was it an act of God, or of man? At Cape Canaveral , Colonel Alicia Rodriguez takes over the fledgling US Space Force 615th Combat Operations Squadron’s three X-37C remotely piloted spacecraft and their new mission: to determine whether a foreign State was behind the attack. At the Titov Main Test and Control Center in Moscow, Lieutenant General Yevgeny Bondarev is trying to balance the ambitions of his political masters with the demands of his Chief Scientist, the scarred, blind and emotionally disturbed Anastasia Grahkovsky. In Switzerland , Italian External Intelligence Agency deep-cover source, Roberta D'Antonia, is witness to a confrontation between Russia and Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of an OPEC meeting that could set the world on fire. And 1,200 miles above the earth , in the British Skylon D4 spacecraft, Flight Lieutenant 'Meany' Papastopolous finds his craft under fire as he gets too close to the closest guarded secret in space.

*Fully updated to reflect the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, December 2024* "With compelling characters, cleverly written dialogue, and a riveting narrative that freezes your blood at times, Kobani is a blockbuster of a novel" - Readers' Favorite. "10/10: A multifaceted, action-packed war thriller" - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOKLIFE PRIZE Through puppet nations, the world's superpowers duel in the Middle East using weapons that are prototypes today, but will be a reality in ten years. With characters you will never forget, Kobani is fast-paced, believable and chilling. A frighteningly authentic vision of future war, Kobani is as prophetic as it is unnerving. Backed by Russian air power, a powerful Syrian rebel alliance has begun an operation to push Turkish troops out of Northern Syria. Despite US efforts not to get dragged into the conflict, the US 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines 'Lava Dogs', find their hilltop combat outpost encircled and their Kurdish allies under siege. Further west, a Syrian rebel armored advance across the border into Turkey pivots, threatening US troops at the Turkish and NATO air base of Incirlik. But will the nationalist rebels be satisfied with reclaiming Syria's northern border region from Turkey, or is the operation just the first move in a bolder plan to regain lost territories? INSIDE KOBANI, Kurdish Women's Protection Unit sniper, Daryan Al-Kobani, is fighting for her people, her city and her mother and sister, hunting a Russian sniper who shoots to grievously wound his victims, not to kill. AT COMBAT OUTPOST MEYER on the top of Mishte-nur Hill, Lava Dog Gunner James Jensen is field testing the latest in autonomous ground weapons systems, the Legged Squad Support System 'Hunter'. And finding the weapons system's AI has more than a few potentially lethal bugs. AT INCIRLIK AIR BASE, laser air defense Tactical Control Assistant, Sergeant Alessa Barruzzi, struggles to keep her battery operational against an enemy who attacks with both cyber, electronic and unconventional weapons. COALITION ALLIES, pilots Karen 'Bunny' O'Hare and 'Meany' Papastopolous, find themselves fighting for survival in the air over Turkey when Russia decides to unleash its newest stealth fighter on the battlefield, the Su-57 'Felon', and change the rules of engagement. AND IN ISTANBUL, cyber-warfare analysts Shimi Kahane of Israel's Unit 8200, and Carl Williams, of the US NSA, put together the pieces of an intelligence puzzle codenamed 'Operation Butterfly' that could signal Russia is planning the biggest test of US strategic resolve since the Cuban Missile Crisis. WINNER BEST POLITICAL THRILLER 2021 - US READERS' FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS "Kobani is a high octane drama of land and air combat fought with the best in futuristic weaponry...Holden balances this with intricate backstories and motivations for his capable and steadfast characters, offering up fleshed-out human stories amid all the high-tech toys. Military thriller fans, war buffs, Middle East politics junkies, and sci-fi enthusiasts will immerse themselves in Holden’s epic tale of regional politics and potential for worldwide conflict." BookLife

*Fully updated December 2024 to reflect the fall of the Assad regime in Syria* "If you've never read Holden before, strap in and hold on for the ride of your life" Readers' Favorite "Engrossing, tense, and polished… Holden’s consistently fine writing will ensure that fans of the genre are entranced.” BookLife Prize GOLAN, This is the Future of War, asks a question few want to consider. What will happen if Iran acquires nuclear weapons in the next ten years? In true Future of War style, GOLAN explores the question through the eyes of front line participants on all sides, in a conflict set ten years into the future. Featuring military tech that is on the drawing boards today and characters you won’t easily forget, GOLAN throws the reader straight into the center of a nuclear storm and doesn’t ease up. Readers' Favorite critic reviews. "FX Holden’s Golan is an amazing read. What I loved most about Golan, however, was its recognition of the world as the stage with players from all nations contributing, be they heroes or villains. Characters like Israeli Corporal Amal Azaria, Aussie Flying Officer Karen O’Hare, and American Director of Cyber Security Tonya Dupré starred in their own way, bringing wonderful personalities to the table in their roles. In a very large cast of players, each demonstrates a uniqueness that will create an enormous amount of either positive or negative empathy, and you will quickly realize that in war every single participant is a victim." Steven Robson "Author F. X. Holden has crafted a cinematically vivid work of fiction with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises to offer readers alongside its suitably complex plot. Overall, I would highly recommend Golan to fans of immersive military fiction, original storytelling and plot ideas, and for readers of near-future action stories everywhere." KC Finn "Take a couple of deep breaths before you open the first page of Golan because the dramatic pace will not allow for breathing. As a writer, reviewer, and avid reader, I am a student of the best writers in Holden’s genre and have quickly and eagerly added him to my reading list. I strongly recommend you join me." Author Tom Gauthier BookLife Prize review: Engrossing, tense, and polished. Golan is the speculative tale of military powers in the not-too-distant 2030, and their continuous fight through both war and subterfuge, to capture Golan Heights—an area strategically important to most of the world's superpowers. The narrative’s focus on a conceivable future in which Iran poses a nuclear threat is chilling. Holden’s consistently fine writing will ensure that fans of the genre are entranced. Character development is on point. Regardless of the many moving parts, it’s an elegantly executed military thriller that offers verisimilitude.

"F.X. Holden is a master at delivering top-notch, rapid, breathtaking scenes that exceed the prescience of Tom Clancy, the micro-accurate battle action of WEB Griffen, the intrigue of Steve Berry, all wrapped in the closeup action of a Stephen Coonts thriller. Pagasa: This is the Future of War by F.X. Holden has earned my highest recommendation, if your thrill meter can record this level of action." - Tom Gauthier, Readers Favorite, 5 STARS China moves to take over Pagasa Island in the South China Sea, putting it on a collision course with the USA that very quickly takes the region to the brink of total war. Set in an all-too-possible future, PAGASA is 'a whirlwind of a novel' that follows the lives of ordinary men and women facing extraordinary peril, on all sides of the conflict. On Pagasa, Philippine Seabee Captain, Heraldo Bezerra, and his small force of combat engineers come under attack from Chinese Coast Guard frigates and commandos of the elite Jiaolong special forces. In Hong Kong, pilot Karen 'Bunny' O'Hare signs on to act as an aerial bodyguard for US flagged merchant marine vessel, the White Star Orion, which is shipping vital materials to PAGASA to help the Philippine Government fortify the island. In the Celebes Sea east of the Philippines, Captain of the Constellation class frigate, USS Congress, races to rendezvous with the White Star convoy, knowing he is sailing his ship into the eye of an approaching storm. At Batu Bay in Brunei, maritime militia leader Abdul Ibrahim, receives a visit from a Chinese client bearing heavy calibre gifts and a simple request: sink the Orion. And high in the skies over PAGASA, China Southern Command Special Aircraft Squadron leader, Li Chen, takes China's untried Zhi Shen J-16 fighter into combat with US stealth drones, to fight for the control of the seas first sailed by her ancestors during the Han dynasty in 210 BC. Long form review: USA BookLife Holden is back with another dynamic novel in his accomplished Future War series. This high-flying political thriller paints a grim future where China and the U.S. teeter on the brink of war in the 2030s. Densely packed with the innovative tech and high-stakes cliffhangers the genre demands, Pagasa approaches its international conflict from every possible side, with a large ensemble ranging from U.S. Navy officers and Chinese military to two young children who must quickly adapt when their island becomes a military flashpoint. That interest in the humanity of all parties sets Holdens work apart. Pilot Karen “Bunny” O’Hare’s no-nonsense attitude and ability to react quickly under pressure make her a standout in the sea of characters, and while many of the main players find themselves thrust onto the front lines of this battle, a handful of politicians navigate the war safely behind closed doors, leaving readers with a chilling realization of who is really pulling the strings. To achieve that, Holden’s narrative must dart rapidly between viewpoints, mimicking the chaos of war and the quick wit needed to survive it. To help orient readers, Holden supplies a comprehensive cast list as well as a detailed map of the island area for reference. Although Pagasa is part of a larger series, it can be read as an inviting standalone. Readers looking to sink into a war saga rich with differing perspective–and gape at the possibilities of next-gen tech–will enjoy this thriller. Takeaway: This accomplished high-tech, near-future military thriller admirably examines all sides of its vivid international conflict. Great for fans of: Richard Herman’s The China Sea , Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis’s 2034: A Novel of the Next World War .

" Cinematic writing, pulsating action, and breakneck speed ,,," Book Commentary. Can a single ordinary person change the course of history? The Future War series takes on one of the most likely superpower confrontations of coming years. As a nuclear weapon is detonated over South Korean territory in the Sea of Japan, six protagonists hold the fate of the Korean Peninsula in their hands. Their decisions could see North and South Korea reunited at last, or send the world spiraling into nuclear armageddon. " From the very first page, we are thrown into action that puts us shoulder to shoulder with the characters in trying to discern who is friend or foe. And when the roles shift, we’re all trying to stay alive until we sort it out... The stakes feel genuine, and no victory comes without our heroes making enormous sacrifices...This is the series for readers who enjoy intelligent fiction that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Very highly recommended. A rock shock of a ride and I loved being here for every page of it!" USA Readers' Favorite. As the North and South Korean leaders sit down to ink a new Peace Accord at Panmujom Peace Village, aggressor pilot, Lieutenant Karen 'Bunny' O'Hare is training South Korean pilots to fight against unmanned combat aircraft. Her unit is pulled into the new front line as North Korean fighters sweep in over the DMZ and bomb Panmunjom. Bunny's life hangs in the balance as events on the Korean Peninsula spin out of control. In the Sea of Japan, commander of the fast expeditionary transport USS Cody, Lieutenant O'Shea Lomax, is headed out to rendezvous with an autonomous anti-submarine warfare vessel that has just set the record for the longest fully autonomous sea voyage by a US Navy warship. But no sooner is the rendezvous complete than Cody and its crew are witness to a North Korean nuclear attack at sea. The USS Cody is the wrong ship, in the wrong place, at exactly the wrong time, but can Cody and its drone find the North Korean submarine that fired the missiles, before it strikes again? As the missiles fly, US Navy Chief Petty Officer, Ryan Kronk, is shot down over the DMZ and finds himself inside enemy territory with a North Korean patrol in pursuit. But accompanying Kronk's flight was a Shikaka White Bat drone - probably the most potent airborne weapons platform in the entire theater. If he can only work out how to fly it. in the cockpit of his South Korean Boromae fighter, Lieutenant Hee-chan "Bounce” Son, prepares to undertake what will probably be the last mission of his career: an attack deep inside North Korean airspace, to plunge a bunker-busting bomb into the heart of the mountain that hides North Korea's nuclear weapons storage facility. He can't destroy it, but he's willing to give his life, just to buy his country even a few days breathing space to stave off nuclear destruction. In the South Korean administrative capital of Sejong City, Special Agent Helen Lee of the Sth. Korean Presidential Security Service realizes that the protection detail she has been assigned to has a fanatical loyalty to their team leader and their protectee. But are what about their loyalty to the goal of Korean reunification? And, at a secret location south of the DMZ, North Korean Guards Command detail leader, Captain Jong-chon Ri, has to fight off an attempt to assassinate his protectee, the Supreme Leader of North Korea. But when the force attacking him comprises both South AND North Korean troops, his first task is to work out who is friend, and who is foe. The answer to that question could determine the future of the entire Korean Peninsula. Told through the eyes of ordinary men and women on both sides of a global conflagration, DMZ is an epic tale that shows how rocky the path to peace on the Korean Peninsula will be.