The Aggressor Series

Holden's high-tech, near-future geopolitical thriller starts a series and, as it hits the highs that have long set Holden's books apart, stands as an inviting jumping-on point for new readers. Here's all the inventive full-throttle action, multifaceted perspectives of suspenseful global conflicts, and convincingly detailed weapons technology—always described on-the-fly, dazzling without slowing down the story. Aggressor's a treat for readers who, like Holden's charismatic pilot Karen "Bunny" O'Hare, want to get into the air already but also want to believe in the hardware. Set in 2036, Aggressor takes off quick. Aggressor Inc., a private military contractor (motto "We Bring It"), has been providing fighter jets and training to Taiwan, but now an Aggressor team is trapped there behind a Chinese blockade.

True to its name, though, the company is pushing matters: having secured an extension on its contract, Aggressor plans to sneak more planes to the island—chief among them a next-gen stealth fighter, the Black Widow. That setup means daring infiltration as tensions mount in Washington, Beijing, and the U.N., and Holden blends the excitement of the mission—and the inevitable complications—with passages from the perspective of all interested parties, including the Chinese. Holden, as always, avoids stereotypes, and his Bunny proves an arresting hero. She "burns" to fly fast and proves capable of quick, decisive action on air, land, and sea.
The pace is quick, but Holden studs the tale with resonant grace notes that make its future conflict feel real. As the British get embroiled, and China threatens war, readers get fascinating asides about hypersonic weapons systems, the divergent development of AI in the East and West, what a campaign to air-drop supplies into Taiwan would look like, and a Pentagon official's consternation at the impact of global conflict on his 401(k). But it's crisp, thrilling action and an appealing new cast that makes this one soar.

Takeaway: This superior near-future tech-thriller finds fighter pilots infiltrating a blockaded Taiwan.

What happens if China launches a military invasion of Taiwan to take it by force? What if America is fully prepared for the invasion months before the attack? Watch this exact scenario play out in FX Holden's action-packed military thriller, Aggressor.
It's the year 2038. A couple of months after China's economic blockade of Taiwan, Lieutenant Karen, aka Bunny, O'Hare of Aggressor Inc., is called upon for a top-secret mission to fly her Black Widow stealth fighter from Guam to Taiwan and deliver carrier-killer cruise missiles. But her flight will take her through dangerous territory under Chinese radar and their new jamming technology. Meanwhile, coalition forces and China stumble toward a full-scale war, which could lead to mass casualties on both sides. With a traitor in their midst, will Bunny and her fellow pilots prevail? How will the US navigate this volatile situation?

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war makes you wonder what's going to happen if China decides to invade Taiwan in the near future. FX Holden builds on this premise and delivers an absolutely gripping modern war story full of breathtaking action and compelling political maneuvering, so that you can't take your eyes off the pages. Aggressor is the third book I've read by Holden, and the most impressive aspect of his writing for me is that he gives us a believably complete view of war. The narrative gives you a glimpse at the top of the power hierarchy, showcasing people involved in making the tough decisions right down to the bottom, where it is bloody and gritty, and soldiers put their lives on the line. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am looking forward to reading the sequels.
From the Author
Welcome to AGGRESSOR, a very different take on a topic that will occupy military fiction writers well into the foreseeable future: Taiwan.

Why different? Well, AGRESSOR is based on analysis of the output of dozens of government and non-governmental think-tank wargames on the topic, on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

AGGRESSOR also incorporates the latest lessons around technology and tactics learned from more than a year of war between major powers in Ukraine.

Additionally, AGGRESSOR explores the potential conflict from the point of view of ordinary aviators, sailors and soldiers fighting on all sides. There are no two dimensional heroes here, instead, you will find portraits of ordinary men and women fighting and dying for their country, their family or their brothers and sisters in arms.

Finally, as you read this unfolding series, it will be interesting for you to reflect on the book's title and ask yourself this: what or who is the AGGRESSOR? The answer will surprise you!