Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opening Shots | 2021 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 2 | Escalation | 2021 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 3 | OPLAN 5015 | 2022 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 4 | Penghu | 2022 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 5 | Korea | 2023 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 6 | The Fifth Tunnel | 2023 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 7 | The Crossing | 2024 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 8 | Invasion | 2024 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 9 | Breakout | 2025 | John O’Brien | Buy |
| 10 | Dominoes | 2025 | John O’Brien | Buy |
The Tipping Point series is John O’Brien’s take on a near-future military conflict that spirals from regional tensions into a global crisis. Opening Shots (2021) establishes the political and military situation, and the series builds methodically across 10 books. Key installments like OPLAN 5015, Penghu, and Korea focus on specific theaters of war, giving each front its own set of characters and tactical challenges.
O’Brien published the series at a steady pace from 2021 through 2025, with Dominoes closing out the run. The books draw on real military doctrine and geopolitical fault lines, which gives the fictional conflict a plausible, grounded feel. Readers who enjoy Tom Clancy-style techno-thrillers or military fiction built on realistic scenarios will find a lot to like here.