Step into the electrifying world of Shadow Ops, where magic collides with military precision in a pulse-pounding blend of fantasy and action! Myke Cole’s Shadow Ops series catapults readers into a modern Earth where people suddenly awaken with extraordinary powers—summoning storms, raising the dead, or teleporting across dimensions. With a gritty, authentic edge drawn from Cole’s own military experience, this series follows characters like Oscar Britton as they grapple with duty, identity, and the chaos of newfound magic in a world that fears them.
Blending the high-stakes tension of Black Hawk Down with the supernatural flair of X-Men, Shadow Ops delivers a fresh take on military fantasy. Whether you’re a fan of explosive action or deep moral dilemmas, this series promises a thrilling ride through a world where power comes at a steep price.
How Shadow Ops Began
Myke Cole, a former military officer with tours in Iraq and a background in counterterrorism, crafted Shadow Ops from a unique perspective. Inspired by his love for fantasy and comic books, Cole wanted to explore what happens when ordinary people gain extraordinary powers in a tightly controlled military setting. His debut novel, Control Point, published in 2012, kicked off the series after 15 years of writing, earning the 2013 Compton Crook Award for its bold fusion of genres. Cole’s real-world experience grounds the series, making its bureaucracy, jargon, and combat feel vividly real.
The Heart of Shadow Ops
The Shadow Ops series spans three main books, with a prequel trilogy, The Reawakening, set in the same universe. Control Point introduces Oscar Britton, a U.S. Army lieutenant tasked with policing rogue sorcerers until he manifests a forbidden power—portamancy—and becomes a fugitive. Fortress Frontier (2013) shifts focus to Colonel Alan Bookbinder, a desk officer turned latent hero, as he battles to save a stranded base. Breach Zone (2014) wraps the trilogy with Lieutenant Colonel Jan Thorsson (Harlequin) facing a magical invasion in New York City. The Reawakening trilogy, starting with Gemini Cell (2015), explores earlier events through a soldier resurrected by magic.
The series thrives on its themes of duty versus rebellion, identity in crisis, and the ethical grayness of power. Set in a dual-world landscape—Earth and the magical Source—Cole’s magic system is structured yet wild, with schools like elemental control or prohibited necromancy. His military lens adds authenticity, weaving bureaucracy and chain-of-command struggles into the narrative. Fans praise the fast-paced action and nuanced characters, though some find Britton’s flaws polarizing, making each book a deeper dive into this morally complex world.
Why Shadow Ops Resonates
Shadow Ops carved a niche in military fantasy by blending real-world grit with speculative wonder, influencing authors and fans alike. Its exploration of power dynamics—between individuals, governments, and magical beings—mirrors post-9/11 anxieties, offering a lens on control and freedom. Cole’s authentic portrayal of military life, paired with his imaginative magic, keeps readers hooked, while the series’ growing fanbase on platforms like Reddit lauds its cinematic scope. Even years after its debut, Shadow Ops remains a standout for its bold genre mashup and emotional depth.
- First Book: Control Point (2012)
- Main Trilogy: 3 books, plus 3 in The Reawakening
- Award: Compton Crook Award (2013)
- Genre: Military Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Ready to dive into a world where magic meets machine guns? Grab Control Point and unleash the thrilling chaos of Shadow Ops today!