Wake of War: A Novel

by Zac Topping Narrated by Roger Wayne, Sophie Amoss

Overview

Zac Topping's breathtaking near-future thriller, Wake of War, is a timely account of the lengths those with power will go to preserve it, and the determination of those they exploit to win back their freedom.

It's 2037, and the United States government is on the brink of collapse amid rebel uprisings and aggressive political maneuvering turning the country into an active war zone.

In a nation where opportunity is sequestered behind doors open only to the privileged, joining the Army seemed like James Trent's best option. He just never thought he'd actually see combat. Now Trent finds himself on the front lines of a second American Civil War, fighting for a cause he's not sure he even believes in. The last thing he wanted was to spend his days breaking down doors and chasing after fellow Americans-rebels or not.

Retribution is the only thing driving Sam Cross, and her sharpshooting skills have made her invaluable to the rebel efforts tearing their way across the Midwest. With every successful mission, she's reminded that she's enacting real change, but that hasn't made pulling the trigger any easier. And with each step she takes into the heart of the war effort, she can't help but wonder if there isn't another way.

When these opposing forces clash, alliances are shattered, resolve is tested, and when the dust clears, the only certainty is that the country and its fighting forces will never be the same.

A Macmillan Audio production from Forge Books

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

★ 07/04/2022

Topping’s exceptional debut, a near-future military action thriller, extrapolates from today’s dysfunctional political climate. In 2037, the armed forces of the U.S. government, which is struggling with such problems as devastatingly high inflation, are pitted against the Revolutionist Front. Led by “the charismatic and completely psychotic” Joseph Graham, this rebel army holds the mountains surrounding Salt Lake City. U.S. Army Specialist James Oliver Trent, who joined the military so he could get a university scholarship, expected to serve in a supply unit, but after he breaks a serious regulation, he’s assigned to an infantry unit. Soon he’s headed into combat in Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, Sam Cross, a 19-year-old girl from Texas, has emerged from the ranks of the Revolutionist Front as a sniper of legendary proportions. Readers can rest assured that Trent and Cross will eventually meet. Topping, a U.S. Army veteran, pays attention to moral issues while taking care not to overly demonize either side, but it’s the heroic characters and meticulously rendered battle scenes that make this a standout. This is a must for fans of the genre. Agent: Joshua Bilmes, JABberwocky Literary. (July)

From the Publisher

"WAKE OF WAR is packed with intense, realistic combat action set in an all-too-believable near future. Zac Topping doesn't give you a view from above...he slams you right down in the muck. He has been there and done that, and he delivers riveting combat scenes that explode off of the page."

—Michael Mammay, author of the Planetside trilogy

"Topping, a U.S. Army veteran, pays attention to moral issues while taking care not to overly demonize either side, but it’s the heroic characters and meticulously rendered battle scenes that make this a standout. This is a must for fans of the genre.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Topping, who has served two tours in Iraq, does a phenomenal job of using dialogue and scene details to impart the raw and dangerous wartime conditions that surround his characters. He focuses on the impact that unrelenting pain and helplessness have on the human soul—and how the thirst for power can corrupt the best of intentions. Wake of War will resonate with all readers who enjoy thrillers that reflect real-world crises.”

—Bookpage

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176472868
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	07/19/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged

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