Total Empire, Written by A.J. Tata and Narrated by Brian Troxell

Total Empire by A.J. Tata (Audio and eBook versions), audio narrated by Brian Troxell

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for sending these advance reader's copies of the eBook and audio book for review consideration. 

Disclaimer

This review expresses my own personal opinion. I have not been asked to post it by the author, their publishing companies or anyone connected with the book or author.

This is the second General Garrett Sinclair book in a three-book series written thus far by the author. The first is Chasing the Lion and the most recent soon to be released in February 2024 is The Phalanx Code. I have not read Chasing the Lion, but after reading Total Empire, I will be picking it up soon and eagerly awaiting the third book.

I chose to listen to the audio version as it better fit my busy schedule. This review briefly provides my thoughts on the story, the author's writing, and the narration. 

Review 

As we look at the balance of power on the world stage there is no doubt America has a target on its back with China being our main adversary, one whose desire is to supplant the U.S. as the leading global power. This is the genesis of this action filled book. 

Noted General Garrett Sinclair goes rogue disobeying orders from his commanders and even the President of the United States to thwart an international threat by the Chinese who have aligned with high-level operatives in the U.S. to create CUSP, Chinese-U.S. Partnership, one that will supplant the U.S. as the leading world power. He undertakes this mission both as a patriot to protect and defend America, and as an avenging angel, who seeks to bring justice to the person who is tied to CUSP, the organization that orchestrated the killing of his best friend, Major Sylvester “Sly” Morgan, a man who not only served under General Sinclair, but whose daughter Zoey is the General’s god-daughter, after Morgan uncovers the U.S. Chinese conspiracy. A conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the U.S. government. To complicate matters, Zoey is kidnapped by her father’s killer and used as bait to draw Sinclair and his famed Dagger Team into a trap that would ensure their demise and the success of the Chinese goal of total empire. 

A.J. Tata captures you from the very first page as you are drawn into the action, intrigue, suspense, and political betrayal. The plot is simple, stop the Chinese, but how, especially since the Chinese have supersonic nuclear tipped missiles orbiting the earth, missiles strategically placed that can strike any city within the U.S. 

Tata has done his homework on military strategies, tactics, armaments, use of artificial intelligence, and the advancement of Chinese technology, which may one day rival ours. His writing is believable, unfortunately all too believable, as this is not out of the realm of possibility as China continues its advancement in AI technology and the race to supplant the U.S. as the number one world power, militarily and economically. 

As stated, I listened to the audio book narrated by Brian Troxel. The right narrator can either transform a book into an absorbing adventure or make it a drag on the imagination and senses. Troxel is in the former category. He does a good job of shifting from character to character in a believable style and voice intonation and modulation keeps you engaged throughout. 

If you want a suspense filled, action packed political thriller, that will keep you guessing, this is a good book to pick up.