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MWSA Review
J. L. Hancock has delivered an outstanding sequel with The Spear and the Sentinel, following his previous work, The Hawk Enigma. The fast-paced thriller continues the exploits of Voodoo and his courageous special operations compatriots in their mission to uncover secrets in the sinister world of advanced artificial intelligence (AI). The team is tasked with a covert assignment deep in the heart of Kazakhstan with little to no lifeline to the outside world. The reader will experience a rapid tempo of unexpected turns, twists, unpredictable relationships, and old adversaries that will keep the pages turning.
Hancock exhibits his mastery of character development. They are credible and wonderfully flawed. His knowledge of black ops/special forces is impressive; the dialogue and narratives demonstrate this unique quality. His world of technical advancement in weaponry, surveillance, and AI is almost unbelievable and many times highly sinister. Is this a glimpse into the future, or are we already there? The reader will not be disappointed. The language is sometimes technical and specialized, but Hancock takes us along for the ride. And what a ride it is—thoroughly worth the trip!
Review by Sandi Cathcart (March 2025)
Author's Synopsis
Voodoo and his team of special operators are thrust into the heart of a global conflict. The stakes have never been higher as China’s Belt and Road Initiative pushes into Central Asia, exposing dark ambitions and a secret lab advancing AI warfare.
Set against the vast steppes of Kazakhstan, this story unfolds in the shadow of the former Soviet Union. Tensions rise as Voodoo’s team embarks on a covert mission. New team members add to the friction as more troubles from Voodoo’s past return to the present.
They soon find themselves on the brink of a perilous future the Western world is unwilling to face: a world where AI reigns supreme, and there's no turning back. Fans of Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy, and Clive Cussler will snatch this thriller and refuse to let go.
Will Voodoo’s team succeed? Or has his luck finally run out?
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Number of Pages: 340
Word Count: 80,000