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

Quite entertaining

The story leaves several questions open ended, leading me to believe that there might be a sequel. If there isn't one, I would still rate this one four-stars. Yes, it's far-fetched, but who cares? I was hooked from the beginning. The narrator helps -- he is perfect as the voice of the numbers genius who reluctantly finds himself heading an army stealth operation. (If there IS a sequel, I will be buying it.)

Great story line!

It's a great story line! It will be hard to stop listening once you start. This is one of the quickest reads I have listened to in a long time. The book surpassed my expectations entirely!

Actually quite entertaining

I was slightly hesitant since it was new and had no reviews,but it was actually not bad. It starts a little slow but picks up the pace as you get into book. The story revolves about someone who can pick out patterns in large amounts of data. It also questions how much we rely on media to filter our information. It's not great literature by any means but is quite entertaining.

Excellent read

As per subject line, it was an excellent read… For a change, I was not able to predict the ending… I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction… Characters a well-developed, storyline was very believable… And outcomes were unexpected,

Great Book

What did you love best about The Ascendant?

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What did you like best about this story?

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

all of them

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

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Any additional comments?

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not your usual cop story

What did you love best about The Ascendant?

I found The Ascendant refreshing, not your usual cop-thriller, boy meets girl novel. A modern super hero reluctantly attempts to save the world. Change is inevitable. highly recommended.

I stuck with it and it finishes with 3 stars

I almost let this one go unfinished several times. I just could not suspend disbelief enough to enjoy most of it. That, along with the “macho male hero and capable/sexy female secondary character with unlikely team of misfits take on the enemy” paradigm was not appealing to me. But in the end, the very clever/interesting plot involving China and its motives kept me going.
The performer did a good job mostly, with the characters, but should not be allowed to do a Boston accent again!
If you’re looking for a fast-paced action drama with spies and hackers, and can roll with incredulity and some cliches, then go for it!

Great story, great pacing, great characters

This book sneaked up on me. I chose it because it because Audible has promoted it. I read a lot of books in this international thriller genre. They keep me going in the gym way better than non-fiction or "fine writing" novels. The first hour or two of this book moved along okay and then boom, the pace quickened and it was like I was being pulled along by a rushing current. It got in the way of my focusing on work or anything else.Wow. It was that good. Drew Chapman, the author, has enjoyed a lot of success in Hollywood and I think this is his first novel. I can't wait for the next one.

Best Techno Geek Thriller to Date

It could happen. Really raises the question are we preparing for the future properly? I love that we live in a place where stories like this can be told.

Riveting!

This one will keep you wanting more! I hope this author is hard at work.