Brainrush, a Thriller (Brainrush Series Book 1)

By: Richard Bard

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Listed in The Wall Street Journal as the number-one Bestselling Action/Adventure in their "Readers Guide to Self-Published Big Sellers" (December 9, 2011).

When terminally ill combat pilot Jake Bronson emerges from an MRI with extraordinary cognitive powers, everyone wants a piece of his talent - including Battista, one of the world's most dangerous terrorists. To save his love and her autistic child, Jake is thrust into a deadly chase that leads from the canals of Venice through Monte Carlo and finally to an ancient cavern in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan, where Jake discovers that his newfound talents carry a hidden price that threatens the entire human race.

An original weave of current events bound by colorful locations and cutting-edge technology, Bard's novel is a must-listen for fans of Michael Crichton, James Rollins, Clive Cussler, and Brad Thor. A dynamic mix of fast-paced action and thought provoking soul, this book challenges the listener to keep pace with every sharp turn and shocking twist. Acclaimed by fans of action, sci-fi, and political thrillers alike, Brainrush is one of the most innovative and entertaining books of the year.

Brainrush was in the top 10 of the Amazon - USA Top-Rated List for over four months straight. The sequel, Brainrush II, The Enemy of My Enemy, was released in December 2011 to rave reviews. Within a few weeks it became the number-one Top-Rated Action/Adventure stories on Amazon.

©2009, 2011 Richard A. Bard (P)2011 Richard Bard

Critic reviews

" Brainrush explores the bonds of friendship while pushing the boundaries of science, creating a compelling, action-packed thriller with a climax that's a knock-out!" (C.J. Lyons, New York Times best-selling author)"A terrifically entertaining thriller with three finely executed set pieces strung together with nice characterization. Especially successful is Bronson, an amiable, low-key tough guy able to rescue his princess, survive brutality, and retain a sense of humor." ( Publishers Weekly)

What a drag!

An interesting start with great potential, fizzles out into total boredom and a nondescript ending. Blah! There's no way i would consider buying Book 2, so I guess I'll never find out what happened.

The entire second half of the book is given over to a blow-by-blow account of the interminable fight between the good guys and the bad, with no relief in sight. I sped it up to the fastest speed possible, and still thought the end would never come. When it finally did, it so wasn't worth it, and I wished I hadnt wasted my time and money.

Disappointing!

What disappointed you about Brainrush, a Thriller (Brainrush Series Book 1)?

The first part of the book that sets the stage really was not rich enough to support the rest of the story, so probably not enough for the other books either.

Would you ever listen to anything by Richard Bard again?

Possibly.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

It was probably the fault of the material not so much the narrator.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Irritation!

Don't Be Fooled THIS IS HORRIBLE

This is a masterpiece of TERRIBLE by a writer with all the sensibilities of a boy with diminished capacity. Amazing that something this bad could find a publisher. The writer must have a family connection to the owners because no one would pay the cost of recording something like this
The action scenes? In the middle of a bizarre attack by a Jihadist in a Venetian Palace during a costume ball held by the leader of the Jihad the protagonist is asked by his friend "how's it hanging"? A Jihad out of a Venitian Palace using autistic children with brain implants? Are you serious?
The dialog is so dimwitted and absurd the only reason to continue is to discover if the writing can possibly get worse. A story that makes no sense whatever A plot - if you can call it a plot - that strains - no breaks through any semblance of credibility. Characters you could never dream up who sound like escapes from a remedial reading class.
I would never imagine that Audible could possibly have something it the catalog as lame as this thing. Note a couple of the reviewers have only review the two books by this author so the rating has been fixed. Don't even think about buying this JUNK. I'm truly ashamed at myself for being sucked in by a review that is much more worthwhile than the mess it represents. This is TRASH.

disappointing read

What disappointed you about BRAINRUSH, a Thriller?

disappointing read...could have been so much better

Would you ever listen to anything by Richard Bard again?

no

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I think the premise of the book was good,

Any additional comments?

ended up flighty, predictable, no thrills, Boring, boring ...boring

Painful

This was just plain painful to get through. The author loves similes, and sprinkles ridiculous ones so liberally that you could make a drinking game of waiting to hear "like a...". Unfortunately, the narrator wasn't much better. His female voices, and others, are cringe worthy.

So Bad

I liked the first 2-3 hours but after that it turned into an odd Bond like book without brains. This was so bad I had to write a review just to help others avoid my mistake.

The Plot Emerges from the Writer's Arrogance...

Couldn't finish this book. Found myself thinking more about the author than his charaters, which means his ego was totally invested in the story, so it was all over the place.

Instead of a story building naturally from events and from the character's personalities, it jumps to whatever fun place the writer wants to go to show off his great abilities, with espionage, supernatural powers, and of course, the ladies. He compares himself shamelessly to 007. Shouldn't these comparisons come from the other characters, or from the devoted reader?

I just couldn't take it. There was so much potential with his pitch, but he couldn't suspend my disbelief even for a second. Why were he and all of his friends suddenly in Venice? Not because the story sent them there, no, because the writer wanted that write off.

Made me angry. Grrr.

Novice writter

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I really don't know. It is probably a good book for someone who needs a pallet cleanser...

What do you think your next listen will be?

I don't know, I haven't found anything new yet. hoping Orson Scott Cards new mithermages book...

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of R. C. Bray?

Actually the narrator was the best part. he did a excellent job bringing a half star book to a two star.

What character would you cut from BRAINRUSH, a Thriller?

um, probably replace the villain with someone scary, the heroine with someone worth saving, and the hero with someone heroic. the rest of the cast where decent.

Any additional comments?

I just could barely stand the repetitiveness of the dialogue. When the thought sentences of main characters use the same subject for three sentences in a row, just saying it differently... example; "...how could I have been so wrong? it was clear to me now that I never understood his goals. I couldn't have been more wrong." that is a direct quote of three sentences... IN A ROW! -sigh- the book actually made me tired.

Needed a good editor

So implausible that each turn made it more far fetched. Thrilled that it was done at the end. Premise held merit.

Um, What?

I did not enjoy this book, the only positive thing I can say is that the narrator did well. I had high hopes for this story, but it was a let down. I was very disappointed because the plot has some promise, but it was very poorly executed.