Separation of Power

Mitch Rapp Series

By: Vince Flynn

Narrated by: Ken Kliban

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Newly appointed CIA director Dr. Irene Kennedy is the target of an inside plot to destroy her and prematurely end the American President's term. To make matters worse, Saddam Hussein is close to entering the nuclear arms race - something Israel has vowed to stop. With the haunting specter of World War III looming, the president calls on his secret weapon: top counter-terrorism operative Mitch Rapp. But with only two weeks to take out the nukes, Rapp is up against a ticking clock - and impossible odds.

Take another thrill ride with Mitch Rapp.

©2002 Vince Flynn (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"First-class political intrigue from a master storyteller." ( Booklist)

Great story ruined by terrible narration

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend someone buying the printed version and reading it. Ken Kilban is terrible at this narration. His pace is much like William Shatner's Captain Kirk and he reads everyone as if they are yelling at each other all the time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mitch Rapp of course. He is a fantastic character.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Ken Kilban?

George Guidall. Arguably the best audio book narrator.

Do you think Separation of Power needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It has many follow up books. These, thankfully are narrated by George Guidall.

Not a fan of the narrator

Would you listen to Separation of Power again? Why?

Yes, but cringe at the narrators voice.

What did you like best about this story?

The death of a traitor

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Ken Kliban?

Several different ones. Kliban makes all the characters including Rapp sound like a bunch of whiny ass cry babies.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

Very happy this narrator hasn't been used again

Not up to par

I thought the story was not well written. Way to much back ground. Sounded like the author was trying to add pages.

I did not care for the reader/ actor. His volume range was too wide. It seemed either he was screaming or whispering. I had to constantly adjust the volume.
Was not pleasurable.

great book, horrible narrator.

I love the Mitch Rapp series and the previous narrators have been great but this one was awful. I barely made it through. will never buy a book that he does.

Narrator a big let-down.

Glad this wasn't my first Rapp book. Spoiled by George Guidall. Anxious to continue the series.

Fought through it, despite horrible narration!!

Any additional comments?

At first, I couldn't take the talent, so I turned it off. I came back and decided to ignore the horrible narration and concentrate on the story. I have never been so happy to be done with an audible.com book!!

I, like Mitch, stayed the course and got through it, although I feel like I have some scars to show for it!

Exciting, current, believable espionage tale

If you could sum up Separation of Power in three words, what would they be?

Vince Flynn is truly a master of weaving an exciting, tantalizing espionage, deceit, love and sex all in a powerful tale based in current times. I have read all of Ludlum and Clancy and Flynn has the gift great writers must have.
If you enjoy great stories of espionage Flynn is the writer to read. One comment about the reader. Ken is good but does not seem to represent the characters in a believable way.

Scott Brick would be a good choice for a performance that would fit the characters better.

What other book might you compare Separation of Power to and why?

I started with the first book in the Rap series and read all of the series in order to Separation Of Power. Each book is powerful in its own way. The stories are different not boring.

The best book I have ever read is Nelson Demille's Gold Coast. Flynn has the same talent.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the senator Hank got his in the club

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

CIA's mystery world

Any additional comments?

I look forward to reading the entire series.

other than the narrator, a good book

Thank god the next book is back to George guidall. last few books were good stories but hard to finish due to the narration.

Good story poor reader

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The reader, his voice is far too high pitched to fully enjoy the story. When Mitch and Reilly are talking he sounds as if every sentance is ended by an exclamation mark, altogether unbelievable.
Why don't you get George (who read the first books) to complete the entire series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Separation of Power?

The final pulling it altogether.

What didn’t you like about Ken Kliban’s performance?

His high pitched voice and the style he applied particularly between Mitch and Reilly.
He also has a strange way of pronouncing "lived" as "lieved.

Did Separation of Power inspire you to do anything?

It made me get the next instalment.

Any additional comments?

No

Good addition to the series, but Anna - come on!

Love the series and consistently give it 4 stars.


First, I was really surprised that Vince Flynn did a good job narrating the book!!! When authors narrate their works, my opinion is that they're usually unusually HORRIBLE. This was not the case and I was pleasantly surprised! There are some other narrators I'd probably prefer, but I'd buy another Flynn narrated book. (Had a professional narrator done this book, I'd have rated it "4", however wanted to give Flynn kudos.)


The story was pretty good except for some of Anna's behavior. She knows WHO Mitch is and she gives him ultimatums??? She has a tantrum without even having empathy for a gunshot victim who is in the room with her? (Vince, if you want Anna to be really angry, which I can understand because I would have been angry in a similar circumstance, at LEAST give her some compassion for the wounded and have her flip the "emotional switch" that she does when she reports on TV. Her behavior during this episode AND some subsequent behavior made me really dislike Anna in this book -- and she's a character who I generally LIKE.)