Kobani: This is the Future of War falls into the thriller, political fiction, and military sub-genres, and was penned by author F. X. Holden. Written for mature reading audiences owing to its accurate descriptions of the horrors of war, this enticing thriller tells the tale of seven incredible people involved in the conflict in northern Syria as Turkish troops are being pushed out. In different key locations around the major conflict, experienced soldiers, pilots, and strategists from all walks of life find their intellect and willpower stretched to the max as they fight for survival and success amid a dangerous and truly testing time.

Author F. X. Holden has crafted a realistic military thriller that will be sure to entertain and engross any reader with an interest in the current political, military, and social affairs, as well as those who enjoy realistic characters being put to the test. One of the things which I especially enjoyed about this work was its commitment to character, showcasing a diverse variety of central figures who each have amazing strengths and specialized skills, but are also vulnerable human beings facing their own limitations in the pressure cooker of a warzone. The descriptions were vivid and harrowing, adding tension to every scene and creating a cinematic and easily imagined atmosphere around every detail of the engaging plot. Overall, I would highly recommend Kobani: This is the Future of War as a well-penned, exciting, and thought-provoking read for anyone with an interest in modern conflict.

Kobani: This is the Future of War by FX Holden is an action-packed thriller with strong political underpinnings. Set in the future, the story transports the reader into a world of war and chaos as Syria fights to drive out the Turkish troops from its northern region while Russia plays a powerful role in backing Syria. With time, the US is dragged into the conflict, and while powerful forces engage in sophisticated battles, there are some key characters making a difference by fighting for their people. In this tale of war, the Kurdish Women’s Protection Unit Sniper, Daryan Al-Kobani, fights to protect her city, mother, and sister, Nasrin. But a formidable foe, a Russian sniper, stands in her way. This sniper is a highly skilled shooter and he shoots to wound his victims and not kill them. Can Daryan succeed in a society riddled by war and where danger increases by the minute?

The novel features high-profile characters that are rock-solid, from US President Oliver Henderson to reputable journalists like Mary Jo Basim, colonels and commanders, coalition pilots, cyber-warfare analysts, and many others. FX Holden writes realistically about the conflict and the involvement of different superpowers seems to draw inspiration from contemporary geopolitical reality. What makes the conflict more interesting is that it becomes very personal, featuring a female protagonist who will stop at nothing to protect those she loves. Kobani: This is the Future of War is pulsating, written in prose that is elegant. The scenes are vividly described and the action well-written to entice fans of military thrillers. From the exceptionally good handling of characters to the plot twists, the author delivers a deeply moving, emotionally rich story that carries on even when it seems impossible.

Kobani: This is the Future of War (Future War) by FX Holden is a breathtaking technothriller that never lets up. This wide wingspan of a war drama is a what-if scenario involving a war with Turkey and Syria, their allies, and a coalition of Western forces. The focal point is main character Daryan Khalid of the Kobani Women's Protection Unit. She's a sniper, and her unpredictable sister Nasrin is a merchant. These and other characters are fighting the battles in one way or another from different perspectives with different skills and resources, using war weapons that are highly advanced, and sometimes unmanned. Think robo-soldiers, robot dog soldiers, cyber warfare, space weapons, and energy weapons on land, air, and sea, and you have a good idea of the technology used in the story, and the scope of this military saga. If you like Tom Clancy novels, you'll be an instant FX Holden fan. He has other books in the Future War series: Bering Strait, Okinawa, and Orbital.

Holden is such an accomplished writer that he interweaves the military with personal stories that are riveting, emotional, and thought-provoking. This novel isn't just a war novel for war's sake. It shows the ramifications from all sides, and how the characters are affected. I appreciate this balanced view very much, as well as the character sketches at the beginning, which gives a heads up as to who the players are. Also interesting is the glossary of terms at the end. As you read, you really feel for Daryan and her situation. With war raging overhead in the skies, she wants to save her mother and sister, and is after a Russian sniper who likes to maim instead of kill. Another great character is Mary Jo Basim, a Reuters journalist who faces personal and professional conflict, and Bunny O'Hare, a Flying Officer. And that's just for starters. This book is full of well-rounded characters. Holden's character-building is 5-Star, and his use of technical aspects is impressive. You can learn a lot and feel a lot when reading this novel, and you just may come away with a better understanding of how it could really be in similar war circumstances in the future. If you like novels with a lot of intriguing, diverse characters, and a lot going on, on the surface and beneath it, Kobani: This is the Future of War (Future War) by FX Holden is a must-read.

Kobani: This is the Future of War (Future War) by FX Holden is a page-turning novel that is written for fans of political thrillers and readers who enjoy exploring geopolitical conflicts. Syria has become the hub of political conflict, fighting Turkish troops in the north with the help of Russia. The US is pulled into the conflict as Syria is determined to reclaim its northern borders. While the superpowers are engaged in deadly and sophisticated air battles, one woman fights to keep her loved ones safe. Kurdish Women's Protection Unit sniper Daryan Al-Kobani is the only hope of her city, which is terrorized by a Russian sniper, a ruthless shooter who never shoots to kill but only to wound and maim the targets. Can Daryan take out the sniper and protect her sister, mother, and city from an impending deadly assault?

I found it interesting to see how FX Holden uses the conflict in Syria to write a realistic political story that is both entertaining and mind-boggling. The story strongly illustrates the foreign interest in the region and warns readers of the threat it poses globally. The story is packed with action and it features forces from diverse sides, rock-solid characters representing different military agencies and political coalitions, and important political personalities. While the different plot threads help to build an engrossing story, Daryan’s resolve to bring down a deadly sniper creates a chess game that elevates the quality of the entertainment this story provides. Crisp and clear, the prose is exceptionally good and forthcoming and the author weaves details that are pertinent into the story, building tension that climaxes to a satisfying and logical conclusion.