• Act of War

  • A Thriller
  • By: Brad Thor
  • Narrated by: Armand Schultz
  • Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,656 ratings)

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Act of War  By  cover art

Act of War

By: Brad Thor
Narrated by: Armand Schultz
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Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best-selling author Brad Thor delivers his most frightening and pulse-pounding thriller ever!

After a CIA agent mysteriously dies overseas, his top asset surfaces with a startling and terrifying claim. There’s just one problem - no one knows if she can be trusted.

But when six exchange students go missing, two airplane passengers trade places, and one political-asylum seeker is arrested, a deadly chain of events is set in motion.

With the United States facing an imminent and devastating attack, America's new president must turn to covert counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath to help carry out two of the most dangerous operations in the country’s history.

Code-named "Gold Dust" and "Blackbird", they are shrouded in absolute secrecy as either of them, if discovered, will constitute an act of war.

©2014 Brad Thor. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about Act of War

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,067
  • 4 Stars
    1,132
  • 3 Stars
    319
  • 2 Stars
    77
  • 1 Stars
    61
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,025
  • 4 Stars
    908
  • 3 Stars
    193
  • 2 Stars
    44
  • 1 Stars
    33
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,674
  • 4 Stars
    1,032
  • 3 Stars
    345
  • 2 Stars
    76
  • 1 Stars
    56

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

FANTASTIC AS ALWAYS - ANOTHER WINNER!

It only took me 2 days to finish this book, I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival and then before I know it I am finished and know I will have to wait for another. It is so hard, when you really enjoy a book and its writer, but if the process was rushed I am not so sure I would enjoy it so much~!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Lacking

Would you try another book from Brad Thor and/or Armand Schultz?

Brad Thor? Probably... I've been fairly dissatisfied with the last few books he's published. They seem to be getting worse. The perfectly ideal character, without any flaws whatsoever... is getting old to say the least. The story is interesting in and of itself, but the execution of such story is lacking. The lackluster performance of Armand Schultz may not have helped the situation either. I've both read and listened to Brad Thor novels. I cannot put my finger on it, but I did not like Armand Shultz's narration whatsoever. I am not sure if I already have my own idea of what Scot Harvath should sound like, and Armand does not jive with my imagination, or if he really really is just a boring narrator. Overall: If you have some time to burn (like I do) and have a few spare credits, you may as well get the book if you feel the need to keep up with the series and hate leaving old friends behind (but don't count on feeling totally satisfied).

Would you ever listen to anything by Brad Thor again?

Most likely listen/read... Although more likely read, I seem to get a little more out of a book I actually read, which may be part of my dissatisfaction with this novel.

What three words best describe Armand Schultz’s performance?

Bored to death.

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

The ideas in the book were intriguing. While the scenario seems far fetched in all honesty, it still makes you wonder what all really is possible. The book didn't really elicit a strong feeling/reaction, but it does make you think about what actually goes on in the world around us that we are ignorant of, or even choose to ignore.

Any additional comments?

So you have an idea of what thrillers I do actually like, as a gauge for my review and if it applies to you- I read all the new Jack Reacher novels within the first 24 (or less) hours of their release. One of my favorite characters is Nelson DeMille's John Corey. And to top it off, I like 95% of what David Baldacci writes, although lately I get the feeling that he is stretching himself a little too thin, and not taking the proper amount of time to compose his novels.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Don't Start Unless you have Time For Whole Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Act of War to be better than the print version?

Always have both, prefer the audio version

What other book might you compare Act of War to and why?

Nothing new today that brings the story so close to home

What does Armand Schultz bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It gives the characters life, he knows their personalities and wraps you into the story

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

The death of the young N. Korean sister

Any additional comments?

Waiting for the next installment. Obama is giving Brad plenty to work with, if its not Russia; Iraq; Israel; etc. Just waiting to see where he takes it

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Scary good

Just another great Brad Thor book. Listen to it in about two days. It's scary good and keeps you on the edge of your seat the hole way threw.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite

Would you listen to Act of War again? Why?

no

Would you be willing to try another book from Brad Thor? Why or why not?

Of course

Any additional comments?

I normally like Brad Thor books. they're full of action and seem likely. this one seemed unlikely in both the premise and the resolution. The premise that the Chinese are planning a large scale operation with a handful of Somalis and no back up systems, that their leaders are naive and that the FBI can track everything at that level. It all seemed so convenient and unlikely. There was lots of action even if it was rather choppy.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good and Believable

Only one more book in the series to go. This was a fictional book that does not seem to be beyond the relhm of possibilities.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Brad Thor is better than this!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The plot was relatively flat on a bland terrorist plot to EMP the US. It ended abruptly as did the bad guys he had started to develop but left half baked. Even the use of Scot Harvath's computer wiz midget was innocuous and disconnected.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Enrich the EMP connection with fact based information about the action. Involve some government agencies that oversee this activity not just the routine Anti-terroism units - NSA, DHS and routine support characters. The connection in North Korea was weak. And, the Chinese "Princelings" component added little if any suspense. That was precisely what was lacking in this novel, suspense and unpredictability. Too formulaic....

Which character – as performed by Armand Schultz – was your favorite?

Scott Harvath, but he was detached from most of the real actions of the story.

Was Act of War worth the listening time?

Unfortunately, no.

Any additional comments?

Come on Brad, you are better than this. It was as if the editor put you on a deadline and you needed to respond. Your usually insightful dramatic flair was conspicuously absent in this effort.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Poor writing and bad politics

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

If you enjoy Rush Limbaugh and read at a third-grade level, you will enjoy this book.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Baldacci is significantly better.

How could the performance have been better?

Performance was fine.

What character would you cut from Act of War?

There were no characters...just names

Any additional comments?

Last book from Brad Thor I will ever read.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Right-wing drivel

Would you try another book from Brad Thor and/or Armand Schultz?

I will never buy another book by Brad Thor. His dedication to the simple-minded right-wing notions of how the world works ruined this story for me. I couldn't finish it because I couldn't take the propaganda. If you love unsophisticated, foolish fiction in which the Tea Party mindset is always honorable and admirable, then you might enjoy this drivel. If not, I suggest you spend your money and time elsewhere. This was awful.

Would you ever listen to anything by Brad Thor again?

Never.

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

I was not ready for all the propaganda or the shallowness with which Brad Thor addressed complex issues like torture or the role of government in a complex society.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not quite up to par

Been a long time fan of Scott Harvath and Brad Thor but this story didn't quite add up. It looks like Thor has picked up on the EMP post apocalyptic genre (which I love if done well) that has become so popular and tried to work it into a state sponsored Act of War that Harvath has to figure out before it's too late. The story line just didn't connect the dots the way Thor usually does and I could see everything coming. It's not that plausible to start with. Why would China, our and their largest trading partner want to wipe us out and then try to colonize us with still millions of Americans running around with semi automatic rifles and millions of rounds of ammo taking pot shots at the new "settlers"?

Some good scenes from time to time but Armand Schultz is a little too matter of fact with a lot of his characters. When they should be showing emotion they don't and when they shouldn't they do. The North Korea thing was over the top. Can not imagine a SEAL team inserted in the DPRK and being anything but dead serious and operating with anything other than robotic precision. A CIA operator as 4th team member arguing with the team leader while trying to maintain covert status near a close held secret installation is too much. I would have shot him.

Hoep your next one is better Brad. I'm a big fan but this one was a bit of a let down. I give it 3.5 stars across the board. Not bad but short of excellent. Please don't give me the evil eye if I run into you at a book signing!

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4 people found this helpful