Ascension

The Last Archide, Volume 1

By: Chad R. Odom

Narrated by: Scott Hart

Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

The war to end all wars is a spark away from engulfing the world in conflict and death. With super-weapons designed for Armageddon, world leaders preach restraint, but prepare to fight.  

Oryan Jeckstadt is born into slavery - the result of an emperor who secretly punishes his enemies with a fate worse than death. He is thrust into a brutal, but wildly popular, sport with participants known as Centauri. Knowing his father’s freedom is at stake, he determines to be the best in the world.  

After being orphaned, Elesya Celeste trains as a Centauri. Constantly placed in Oryan’s shadow, she strives not just to outshine him, but to eclipse him.  

Unknown to them, powerful forces are setting them up to alter the destiny of the world. Some want them to save it and others to burn it down. Who to trust remains a mystery. 

As the uneasy peace disintegrates, countries use Centauri victories as political influence. In this high-stakes environment, Oryan and Celeste are torn apart even as they are brought together.

©2018 Chad R. Odom (P)2019 Chad R. Odom

Great start to a series!

This book rocked! I can’t wait for the sequel, because there’s still so much I want to know about. The story is a nice mix of sci-fi and action. The fight scenes are so dynamic and vigorous. The author does an amazing job of painting the setting and challenging the characters to show both their flaws and most impressive attributes. I loved the dystopian vibe of the story which leaves you completely entranced. I’d definitely recommend :)

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great performance

Great series. Complex story, and characters. Scott Hart does a great job reading and keeping you envying the story.

Good hero to come.

Very well written and narrated book. Good story of a hero coming into his own.

High stakes and lots of action

This is my first Chad Odom title and it kept me engaged. Scott Hart's voice has just the right rhythm -- it was easy to get lost in the story. Excellent!

Full of sci-fi action!

Great first entry in this new sci-fi series. Full of action, intrigue, and emotion, and sets the stage nicely for what I hope will be an epic conclusion in the books to follow. Suitable for young and old alike. Narration is skillfully executed, with all major characters having distinctive voices which match their personality. Not monotonous nor over-acted, Scott Hart does a great job staying in the narrator "sweet-spot". Can't wait to listen to Book 2!

Ascension

Love this book, great narration, want more, can't wait for the rest of the series.

Great story, great delivery

Not normally a fan of audiobooks, I tried this one on a whim with some serious time in an automobile ahead of me. The story quickly takes off, and while it takes a bit to get all the characters and settings straight, it all comes together into a phenomenal tale. It's a very interesting world that feels equal parts Enders Game, Roman Coliseum, modern sportstar fame and fortune with a global clash between nations building steadily. The various characters all have their own unique personas that the narrator expertly brings to life. You quickly find yourself knowing who's doing what more by the way each bit of dialogue is spoken rather than being explicitly told. Very much looking forward to what comes next!

Great Book!

Ascension is well written, and the characters are well done and developed. I can tell Chad R. Odom put a lot of thought into character development. I love the character voices! Well done Scott Hart! Each one has a clear personality and distinct sound. Can’t wait for Book 2!

Immediately drawn in

Oryan Jeckstadt is one of the most successful Centauri in the world. Born a slave, raised by his father, Oryan became the youngest champion in history. Elesya Celeste lived with her grandparents after losing her parents. Bullied and alone, Elesya was given the opportunity to train as one of the few Centauri women. Oryan has dreams of Elesya. She detests him. Jealous that his success has always overshadowed her's, she wants nothing to do with him. But Oryan didn't become the champion by giving up. However, with the country on the brink of war, their time may have run out.

I was lucky enough to win an audiotape of this story. It was fantastic. Scott Hart did a great job setting the stage of the fights and bringing Oryan to life. I was immediately drawn into this world. The grittiness of the training grounds, the brutality of the fights were vividly described. The characters were fully developed. Both main characters are complex and there are a multitude of supporting characters that add depth. Elesya's two sides are opposites. She is loving and loyal, yet jealous and petty. She judges unfairly. Oryan is both a warrior and a scholar. He's a brilliant judge of people. Nothing escapes his attention. He has a love and devotion for his father that is admirable. He is fierce and brutal and has a love of history. He was the heart and soul of this book.

It's a fast-paced, action-packed story full of intrigue. There is a yet to be defined sci-fi element that I want to know more about. I was impressed by Mr. Odom's writing and look forward to the next part of Oryan and Elesya's story. That ending...

Interesting premise

I enjoyed this book. I found the premise of how entertainment in the future would look.