The Ascendant

A Novel

By: Drew Chapman

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Hidden deep within the figures tracking the ups and downs of the stock market lies a terrifying truth: America is under attack. Our government…our economy…our very way of life are in the crosshairs of a ruthless enemy…and no one knows. Except Garrett Reilly. He has a knack for numbers. He sees patterns no one else can. His gift has made him a rising star on Wall Street. But when he notices that two hundred billion dollars' worth of U.S. Treasury bonds are being sold off at a terrifying rate, his gift makes him the most wanted man alive.

The U.S. military wants him for his extraordinary abilities. They need someone to lead a crack squad of rogue soldiers to act as the last line of defense in a war that could mean the end of everything America holds dear. And everyone else? They just want him dead.

In this explosive debut novel, ranging from the offices of Wall Street to the casinos of Vegas to the back roads of the Chinese countryside, Drew Chapman introduces listeners to a new kind of action hero: One uniquely skilled to fight a new kind of war.

©2014 Drew Chapman (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

A pleasant surprise

This is an enjoyable read that has good pacing. It takes three-quarters of the book to set the stage for a very rapid conclusion. However, it is obvious this is the start of a series the way the build-up establishes the backstory and how the book ends. Some of the plot points are a little bit of a stretch but this is a geopolitical thriller, not literature, a "popcorn movie" if you will.

Exciting story about a very important topic

The Ascendant is an exciting story about a very important topic that thoughtful people should make a point of understanding: the use of huge databases and sophisticated software in international financial commerce. Sounds boring, but this story makes this subject-matter quite interesting. The author focuses on this subject-matter well and does a good job of fictionalizing an explanation of how it works and how this phenomenon is affecting business and world governments. However, the author neglects other elements of good novel writing which sadly weakens this important work. The term “ascendant” is defined as a position of dominant power or importance. This refers to the anti-hero is this work and also to the government program sorta built around him. His job is to push world events to a tipping point for the benefit of the United States. This apparently is opposed by American leaders of our military-industrial complex because the Ascendant can avert shooting wars by engaging hidden data manipulations behind the scenes, e.g., computer hacking, currency manipulation, etc. Think of the “Stuxnet” worm that targeted and temporarily ruined Iran’s bomb-making centrifuges. Beyond this, the focus of this story, the Ascendant, can see patterns in staggeringly huge data streams that no one else can perceive. (BTW, this might be the way we humans defeat Skynet. For the problem here, see: Berners-Lee: 'Computers are getting smarter. We’re not' in the UK Telegraph.) All this makes the Ascendant and his team members the target for elimination by a host of individuals from around the world who, for various reasons, profit from war. The work would have been stronger and more gripping if both the villains and the love affair were more pointedly developed. (The love affair is lame.) Nevertheless, the book is well worth the price. It is thought-provoking because, after listening, you will come away with a strong conviction that the plot is more real than fiction. I wonder whom the author really works for….

Puts an eye on fake news used for good or bad.

Good narrator. Content was good and believable. Soldiers naturally want to fight. That however is not always the best way. I really enjoyed the listen

Not your Granddads' Thriller

Would you consider the audio edition of The Ascendant to be better than the print version?

I'd say equal.

What did you like best about this story?

I almost never listen to thrillers. This is not because I don't love exciting page turners, but because they inevitably glorify sexism, materialism, and blind patriotism. Not so The Ascendent. In Drew Chapman’s debut novel, hero Garret Reilly, deftly subverts the thriller genre and saves the world all at once.

The undercurrent of fear in the book involves not the usual foreign terrorists or Nazi officers, but more contemporary concerns. It deals with the sorts of things that can happen when civil rights are set aside in the name of national security, the havoc a hacker could wreak on our economy through manipulation of our banking and energy systems, and the desperate lives led by factory workers in developing nations who make our modern day life in America so comfortable

Like all fine thrillers, The Ascendent is fast paced, keeps you on the edge of your seat, makes you laugh in a few places, and treats you to a touch of romance. But, with its surprising new hero, it manages to do more. It breaths new life and vitality into what had become, despite lots of car chases, shoot-outs, and bombings, a stodgy and predictable genre.

What about George Newbern’s performance did you like?

He doesn't over do the performance. It's pitch perfect.

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

Yes!

Absolutely Riveting!

This is the story of a somewhat immature and troubled young savant. He's a brilliant financial analyst with a genius for discovering patterns in the financial and political realms. The story opens with his discovery of an unprecedented series of financial attacks on the American economy.

The story moves fast with a great storyline and unforgettable characters. George Newbern is brilliant with a variety of distinct and believable voices.

Like Bombproof, this is a great suspense novel that I could not put down.
An easy 5 Stars all the way!

interesting, thought provoking

First time author, debut novel by the author I believe although he's done plenty of writing in the world of television. The story pits the USA versus China in a present day actin thriller where all of the latest and greatest technology available is brought to bear. The protagonist is brought into the story to use all of this technology and his knack for finding patterns to try and stem the tide from a Chinese threat using these same tools. It was action packed enough to keep you interested and make you wonder if this type of warfare might really be fought. Maybe it already is. I enjoyed the listen enough that I will give the next book in the series a try whenever it comes out.

Wonderful Debut

What did you love best about The Ascendant?

I found the characters to be so interesting and the reader was incredible. He made the book.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that it could possibly become a series. I loved the concept of a "war" without violence.

Which character – as performed by George Newbern – was your favorite?

Garrett Reilly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Garrett came to a realization that he had potential to make history.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book.

Narrator needs more range in pace and emotion. Goo

Narrator needs more range on pace and emotion. Good at the action scenes but weak on the sensative and subtle parts, too fast and clipped.

Ascends Nicely!

Any additional comments?

Solid book with very interesting premise that hooks you fairly early. Garrett Reilly was a quirky yet likable character who is able to discern patterns that aren't easily distinguishable and that is both a gift and a curse. Easy way to make money yet equally easy to get in trouble, I guess it depends on what you consider trouble as the lines are blurred here as a man and team work to determine if one man can really make a difference in the world. In this new day and age of technology, we learn a small team may be able to do just that (for better or worse). Interested in a possible sequel...

Fantastic plot!

What made the experience of listening to The Ascendant the most enjoyable?

One of the most unique plots that I have experienced.

What did you like best about this story?

The brilliant mind of the lead character.

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

An international political thriller...