A “Leviathan spirit” is said to be a demon spirit controlled by Satan. When unleashed, it leaves total destruction in its wake, and cannot be subdued by normal human methods, but only by the power of God. The Cold War saw “Leviathan” snarling at his gate, salivating to be let loose, when humanity was treading ever closer to nuclear holocaust. During this period, American servicemen went into the … the breech to stand against whatever form “Leviathan” took, and like the American warriors of past years they held strong to their faith in God to see them through.
Such a warrior is Daniel O’Kean, a World War II UDT/OSS veteran and commissioned naval officer, turned covert deep-penetration maritime CIA specialist, who has only his faith to see him through his own encounters with “Leviathan.” His first test is a pre-invasion, reconnaissance mission behind the lines of Inchon Korea, where the threat of capture by North Korean invaders is around every corner. Later he leads an assignment into Latvia with near disastrous consequences. Then called upon again, into the steaming jungles near Haiphong Vietnam, while attempting to retrieve evidence of active Soviet intervention in the war, he uncovers an unusual and vital turn of events that leads to a twisted plot in the streets of London England.
With each step he takes he sees God’s hand guiding him
closer to a fate he does not fully understand, but follows faithfully.
While O’Kean is battling an evil he cannot see, the captain of the nuclear submarine USS Seadragon, LCDR Renzo MacKenna has his own faith challenged in another form of “Leviathan” as he and CDR David Heidleman of the USS Permit coordinate to foil a Soviet plot to end America’s involvement in Vietnam. One wrong move by them and “Leviathan’s” bite could go nuclear.
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Welcoming insight into the purpose and function of war and how economies were forging in the times of World War II through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. J.P. Ronald real life background versus his imaginative creations had him growing up in a military family. His dad worked on the SS Seadragon on nuclear-powered submarines. His fiction writing resonates with the life he grew up learning from his father and families in his peer group. It is clear to me as historical fiction, there is bravery in telling such a deep, compelling, action packed, tension story resonating to readers much like the author himself. If not for the element of fantasy with demons and the aspect of religion keeping the faith type references, I would consider this book historical fiction.
There are many layers to this book and when you read it you will be able to see why. The military terms and logistics became complicated for an easy read, unexplained events and sequences. In fact, I brushed through some pages to get to the peak of my interest; CDR David Heidleman of the USS Permit.
Pennsylvania author J.P. Ronald earned his degree in industrial engineering for Ohio State University and worked as a mechanical engineer in automation design, tooling and heavy machinery. His family history includes in depth experience in the US Navy and in particular his father’s connection with the USS Seadragon – working on refueling procedures for nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships during the Cold War.
Ronald’s insight into the aspects of submarines as technical achievements as well as the particular atmosphere of a submerged vessel and subsequent effects on crews enhances this fine novel. The book is lengthy, and rightly so: the story flows from World War II through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, never missing a beat of the action.
As a friendly bow to his readers, the author supplies a terse synopsis of this novel that aids in becoming involved in the story: ‘A “Leviathan spirit” is said to be a demon spirit controlled by Satan. When unleashed, it leaves total destruction in its wake, and cannot be subdued by normal human methods, but only by the power of God. The Cold War saw “Leviathan” snarling at his gate, salivating to be let loose, when humanity was treading ever closer to nuclear holocaust. During this period, American servicemen went into the breech to stand against whatever form “Leviathan” took, and like the American warriors of past years they held strong to their faith in God to see them through. Such a warrior is Daniel O’Kean, a World War II UDT/OSS veteran and commissioned naval officer, turned covert deep-penetration maritime CIA specialist, who has only his faith to see him through his own encounters with “Leviathan.” His first test is a pre-invasion, reconnaissance mission behind the lines of Inchon Korea, where the threat of capture by North Korean invaders is around every corner. Later he leads an assignment into Latvia with near disastrous consequences. Then called upon again, into the steaming jungles near Haiphong Vietnam, while attempting to retrieve evidence of active Soviet intervention in the war, he uncovers an unusual and vital turn of events that leads to a twisted plot in the streets of London England. With each step he takes he sees God’s hand guiding him closer to a fate he does not fully understand, but follows faithfully. While O’Kean is battling an evil he cannot see, the captain of the nuclear submarine USS Seadragon, LCDR Renzo MacKenna has his own faith challenged in another form of “Leviathan” as he and CDR David Heidleman of the USS Permit coordinate to foil a Soviet plot to end America’s involvement in Vietnam. One wrong move by them and “Leviathan’s” bite could go nuclear.’
The manner of writing fits the theme of the novel well – excellent conversational dialogue coupled with refined military terms and logistics, offering explanations of unfamiliar terms at book’s end, for those who need them. The various characters are exceptionally well developed, making and the atmosphere in which they appear credible and visual. Ronald’s obvious religious commitment is evident in his frequent references to spiritual matters, a trait that brings a sense of inspiration to the story. This is a very fine extended novel that serves to entertain as well as to inform and inspire. Recommended.
SSN Seadragon was written using amazing imagery. You literally feel like you are in the submarine with the soldiers. You could imagine the torpedoes and feel the soldiers fear as they pray to God to save their lives and the life-altering awe when He does. In this book, J P Ronald also cuts out the curse words making it an excellent story for all ages and anyone wanting to learn more about military life. Even though this is a fiction story, many of details make it seem so realistic. The flow of the story and the visualization make this story and amazing summer or bedtime read.
Blending multiple genres, ‘SSN Seadragon: The Crucible of Leviathan’ by J.P. Ronald is a fast-paced and exciting read that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. I love historical fiction, so that’s why it appealed to me, but it is also a wartime novel, with plenty of action, and exploration into religion, and even some supernatural elements.
The book was also incredibly interesting as well as engrossing. The author was obviously well informed about life on a submarine, and created such a great sense of the tension felt in times of war. The novel was in times quite moving, showing how soldiers sometimes resorted to their faith when times were tough, but you don’t need to be religious to enjoy this element of the book.
A good read that draws you in and gives you plenty to think about.
SSN Seadragon: The Crucible of Leviathan is an interesting work of historical fiction. It stands out to me because it is both true to Navy culture and true to the author’s religion. If you’re into history or military life, you’ll especially enjoy it. The characters are natural and relatable, and the action is well-paced, with the characters facing very difficult choices and situations that will keep your anticipation up.
The only detraction I have is the level of editing. The author is a great storyteller, but the book needs some help in following punctuation rules. The formatting is also off in some places. Where I could see the writer’s talent, those technical blips were a distraction to me. There were also a lot of acronyms for military terms that I had to gloss over because the author never explained what they meant.