What do you think?
Rate this book
Grey Dragons - Red Ascendant
From military veteran Olan Prentice comes your next best read, the GREY DRAGONS series, perfect for fans of Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, W.E.B. Griffin and Rick Campbell.
The world wakes to the brink of war as a mushroom cloud rises over the devastated Japanese port of Monbetsu.
Red Ascendant is not a novel about those abstractedly distant and safe in their ivory towers. It focuses on the stories of those that must become the tip of the spear and their successes, failures, and sacrifices.
An economic partnership between Japan and Russia dissolves into chaos with a punitive Russian sneak attack on the home islands. The timing is perfect—for the Russians. Rising public hostility has forced Americans to shutter their bases in Japan, putting the Mutual Defense Treaty at risk.
Admiral Robert Bondurant, Commander of the US Seventh Fleet, now based in Guam, scrambles to generate a measured response to the Russian aggression when he learns his wife and daughters have vanished from their Yokosuka family residence during the chaos of the Russian attack.
His counterpart, Russian Admiral Aleksandr Vostrotin, Commander of the Eastern Military District, finds himself fighting this conflict across multiple fronts, not the least of them the warmongering factions in Moscow who forced the attack on the flimsiest of prevarications. The last thing he needs is American involvement.
Surprising both opponent and ally, the Japanese invade the Russian-held Kuril islands and begin destroying Russian military satellites, effectively escalating the conflict across air, land, sea and for the first time in history—space.
The world wakes to the brink of war as a mushroom cloud rises over the devastated Japanese port of Monbetsu.
Red Ascendant is not a novel about those abstractedly distant and safe in their ivory towers. It focuses on the stories of those that must become the tip of the spear and their successes, failures, and sacrifices.
An economic partnership between Japan and Russia dissolves into chaos with a punitive Russian sneak attack on the home islands. The timing is perfect—for the Russians. Rising public hostility has forced Americans to shutter their bases in Japan, putting the Mutual Defense Treaty at risk.
Admiral Robert Bondurant, Commander of the US Seventh Fleet, now based in Guam, scrambles to generate a measured response to the Russian aggression when he learns his wife and daughters have vanished from their Yokosuka family residence during the chaos of the Russian attack.
His counterpart, Russian Admiral Aleksandr Vostrotin, Commander of the Eastern Military District, finds himself fighting this conflict across multiple fronts, not the least of them the warmongering factions in Moscow who forced the attack on the flimsiest of prevarications. The last thing he needs is American involvement.
Surprising both opponent and ally, the Japanese invade the Russian-held Kuril islands and begin destroying Russian military satellites, effectively escalating the conflict across air, land, sea and for the first time in history—space.
- GenresFiction
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2023
227 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Olan Prentice
4 books9 followersBorn and raised in the deep South, Olan grew up in a salt-of-the-earth family who played as hard as they worked. When time permitted, he devoured the contents of his local library, often reading two or even three books simultaneously. His summers were spent camping, skiing and fishing on Georgia’s Lake Lanier with family and exploring the verdant bayous of Louisiana with his brother and grandfather. Like any small-town boy, he yearned for more, joining the Navy to see the world. After years of exotic port visits, surviving a Pacific typhoon and massive earthquakes in the San Francisco bay area, he returned to the relative sanity of his hometown. He thrived in the dotcom craziness, establishing himself as a leading technologist. Along the way he helped define and mature multiple emerging technologies while earning five cloud computing patents. His love of reading, time in the military and adventures abroad combined to inspire him to being writing. His first book, Get Out and Thrive! was a labor of love, a way to assist his fellow Veterans successfully transition back into civilian life. Nowadays, he’s settled in that same southern paradise and spends his time writing, hiking and enjoying the company of his wife and daughter and their two dogs: Hazel, the world’s smartest Australian Shepard and her partner in crime, Redford, a mischievously ferocious Shih Tzu.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 19, 2023
Modern sea-warfare and political intrigue at its best.
I really enjoyed the complexity of this novel but am slightly disappointed I have to wait until the next one to learn how it all ends. The action sequences are beautifully described and they make the novel difficult to put down.
I really enjoyed the complexity of this novel but am slightly disappointed I have to wait until the next one to learn how it all ends. The action sequences are beautifully described and they make the novel difficult to put down.
October 4, 2023
As good as Tom Clancy
Great to find a book as good as one written by Tom Clancy. Looking forward to the next book in the series
Great to find a book as good as one written by Tom Clancy. Looking forward to the next book in the series
October 22, 2023
A Great Start to a Very Promising Series
Olan can be very proud of Grey Dragons-Red Ascendant. Great plot with very well developed characters. Well written battle scenes and interesting subplots. Stands right up with Tom Clancy and his successors. Can’t wait for the next book in the series! Caution, don’t start this book unless you are willing to stay up late. It is very hard to put down!
Olan can be very proud of Grey Dragons-Red Ascendant. Great plot with very well developed characters. Well written battle scenes and interesting subplots. Stands right up with Tom Clancy and his successors. Can’t wait for the next book in the series! Caution, don’t start this book unless you are willing to stay up late. It is very hard to put down!
July 30, 2023
Complex thriller
Many threads all weaving towards deception at the very top government tables.
Good military scenes along with a bucket load of intrigue as the plot thickens
Many threads all weaving towards deception at the very top government tables.
Good military scenes along with a bucket load of intrigue as the plot thickens
August 1, 2023
Great read
Action packed and makes sense. Not everything is good or bad, much grey in international issues. Read it, waiting on next book!
Action packed and makes sense. Not everything is good or bad, much grey in international issues. Read it, waiting on next book!
August 6, 2023
Gray dragons a bell of a read
From start to finish a great story and very good characters.well worth the fead. Do tack the time to pick up and read
From start to finish a great story and very good characters.well worth the fead. Do tack the time to pick up and read
November 12, 2023
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
In this book, important events happen by chance or fortuitous causes, and not for the action of strategy. A Russian sub is seriously damaged by a rogue wave, what is the chance of that happening? 0.0000000001 % or less. Then, the same sub shutdown a P-8 Orion when a SAM that is locked is activated by a short circuit. And that is just an example. The author keeps interrupting the plot with lengthy technical discussions in the middle of important events. And there's a whole chapter on an incident between a marine captain and a lieutenant commander that doesn't add anything to the plot.. And Admiral Bondurant, supposedly a star among the most incompetent admirals in the pentagon, has no clue of what is really going on by the end of the book.
Le
In this book, important events happen by chance or fortuitous causes, and not for the action of strategy. A Russian sub is seriously damaged by a rogue wave, what is the chance of that happening? 0.0000000001 % or less. Then, the same sub shutdown a P-8 Orion when a SAM that is locked is activated by a short circuit. And that is just an example. The author keeps interrupting the plot with lengthy technical discussions in the middle of important events. And there's a whole chapter on an incident between a marine captain and a lieutenant commander that doesn't add anything to the plot.. And Admiral Bondurant, supposedly a star among the most incompetent admirals in the pentagon, has no clue of what is really going on by the end of the book.
Le
October 19, 2023
I am a huge fan of world wide political and military thrillers in this genre. I have read everything from the likes of LeCarre, Ludlum, Bentley, etc, and almost half of everything on Kindle Unlimited.
Grey Dragons - Red Ascendant is one of the best reads I can remember. I binged it completely. Two hours the first night and I finished it the next day. A great start, real characters, geo-political threats, Russia, China, USA, Nuclear threats, Aircraft Carriers, THREE LETTER agencies messing with marines careers. There was not a LAME character or scenario in the whole book. It is a goodreads 4.75 IMHO.
Grey Dragons - Red Ascendant is one of the best reads I can remember. I binged it completely. Two hours the first night and I finished it the next day. A great start, real characters, geo-political threats, Russia, China, USA, Nuclear threats, Aircraft Carriers, THREE LETTER agencies messing with marines careers. There was not a LAME character or scenario in the whole book. It is a goodreads 4.75 IMHO.
September 19, 2023
Confused plot
Another author who substitutes gee whiz military techno mumbo jumbo for a decent story line. Confused, overlapping plots that make little sense. Characters who were never developed except for their paranoia. An admiral in command of the Seventh Fleet that can’t trust his own staff? Government agents sent to deliberately mislead the Navy but everyone knows they are on the payroll of sinister bad guys. Why no one is arrested is never explained. So many contradictory issues in this book, let along the laborious techno language makes for a confusing read.
Another author who substitutes gee whiz military techno mumbo jumbo for a decent story line. Confused, overlapping plots that make little sense. Characters who were never developed except for their paranoia. An admiral in command of the Seventh Fleet that can’t trust his own staff? Government agents sent to deliberately mislead the Navy but everyone knows they are on the payroll of sinister bad guys. Why no one is arrested is never explained. So many contradictory issues in this book, let along the laborious techno language makes for a confusing read.
April 1, 2024
Excellent story telling…But…
The author definitely did his research into Navy ships, combat systems, and multiple military technologies across numerous nations. The only complaint I had was that at times, I felt there were too many moving parts and characters that convoluted the story. I think he went too far in depth in describing the history of so many of the characters, that I began to gloss over pages of what I saw as “ filler” material. But overall, the story telling and intrigue is captivating. Definitely looking forward to the next book
The author definitely did his research into Navy ships, combat systems, and multiple military technologies across numerous nations. The only complaint I had was that at times, I felt there were too many moving parts and characters that convoluted the story. I think he went too far in depth in describing the history of so many of the characters, that I began to gloss over pages of what I saw as “ filler” material. But overall, the story telling and intrigue is captivating. Definitely looking forward to the next book
June 15, 2024
Page Turner
There is so much detail in every paragraph that a 238 page book seems like I've read 1000. It is almost impossible to put down once started, so be prepared. Also, Prentice does not spare many gory details of modern warfare weapons at sea. It might be interesting to follow up on the careers of each of the characters, although I don't know how you could make a follow-up nearly as exciting as the 10-minutes of life and death decisions that seems like two hours. Careers are made and destroyed in a forced-through-circumstances decision that had to be made.
There is so much detail in every paragraph that a 238 page book seems like I've read 1000. It is almost impossible to put down once started, so be prepared. Also, Prentice does not spare many gory details of modern warfare weapons at sea. It might be interesting to follow up on the careers of each of the characters, although I don't know how you could make a follow-up nearly as exciting as the 10-minutes of life and death decisions that seems like two hours. Careers are made and destroyed in a forced-through-circumstances decision that had to be made.
November 27, 2023
I did not serve. I am not qualified to comment. But....
I love this book.
The language used by each character seems authentic.
The events (battles fought, Fog of War, the life and death battles political fought BETWEEN ALLIES AND BETWEEN SERVICES and E V E N W I T H I N SERVICES) were vicious and plausible.
I was surprised that the Chinese were not involved....yet.
Echoes of Tom Clancy!
I love this book.
The language used by each character seems authentic.
The events (battles fought, Fog of War, the life and death battles political fought BETWEEN ALLIES AND BETWEEN SERVICES and E V E N W I T H I N SERVICES) were vicious and plausible.
I was surprised that the Chinese were not involved....yet.
Echoes of Tom Clancy!
April 16, 2024
Grey Dragon tells the tale of intrigue and battle between Japan and Russia that pulls in the U.S. Told in a series of vignettes, character development is limited, except for the few main characters, who emerge as the book progresses. It has many twists and turns and will keep you interested throughout. There is one epic sea battle that the reader will not want to put down once started.
The book is well written, but includes some vulgar language that is unnecessary and detracts.
The book is well written, but includes some vulgar language that is unnecessary and detracts.
December 8, 2023
Excellent read
I read a lot. Really good authors in military thrillers like Wallace and Keith, Rosone and Watson, F X Holden. This book was right there, grabbed me quickly and made me stay up late two nights in a row because I just didn’t want to put it down. I am so looking forward to the next book and have it on my alert list when it is out. Well done Olan Prentice!
I read a lot. Really good authors in military thrillers like Wallace and Keith, Rosone and Watson, F X Holden. This book was right there, grabbed me quickly and made me stay up late two nights in a row because I just didn’t want to put it down. I am so looking forward to the next book and have it on my alert list when it is out. Well done Olan Prentice!
February 1, 2024
Excellent Naval/Political Story
The author has an excellent grasp of current naval technology, but more importantly, he has a very good skill at creating the characters to fill in the plot.
The plot is wonderfully complex with lots of room for future interesting yarns. So all in all I can say the 5 stars are well earned.
The author has an excellent grasp of current naval technology, but more importantly, he has a very good skill at creating the characters to fill in the plot.
The plot is wonderfully complex with lots of room for future interesting yarns. So all in all I can say the 5 stars are well earned.
May 20, 2024
when will we get book 2
This was a bag of international spy craft set in the rise of a possible WW3 navel warfare in the North Pole to South China Sea and Sea of Japan ,and never will you see a story were enemies and allies look like they were possessed by there nations ideology from 1940’s not the 2020’s
This was a bag of international spy craft set in the rise of a possible WW3 navel warfare in the North Pole to South China Sea and Sea of Japan ,and never will you see a story were enemies and allies look like they were possessed by there nations ideology from 1940’s not the 2020’s
August 27, 2024
As exciting a read as it gets Plan Prentice has created an excellent work.
The book Red Ascendant is a a page turns out to be a page turned and sleep depriver. The non stop action and possibilities are so real. A Great works and highly recommended as required reading for any adventurous spirit.
The book Red Ascendant is a a page turns out to be a page turned and sleep depriver. The non stop action and possibilities are so real. A Great works and highly recommended as required reading for any adventurous spirit.
October 9, 2023
An excellent story!
It was a tremendous book that I didn't expect it to be so powerful. The tale both was succinct and deep. Battles were blow by blow description and I loved it. It flowed well. All in all, a great book. Kudos, Mr. Prentice!
It was a tremendous book that I didn't expect it to be so powerful. The tale both was succinct and deep. Battles were blow by blow description and I loved it. It flowed well. All in all, a great book. Kudos, Mr. Prentice!
October 18, 2023
Fresh & Fast
This was believable, happened at breakneck speed, yet was an intricate and complex game of tree dimensional chess. Would highly recommend the read, and look forward to the next!,
This was believable, happened at breakneck speed, yet was an intricate and complex game of tree dimensional chess. Would highly recommend the read, and look forward to the next!,
November 7, 2023
good book
Enjoyed reading this book…the author obviously did exhaustive research on weapons systems in Japan, America and Russia and did and excellent job developing a wide range of characters. Sometimes the detail becomes too deep, but the author did and amazing job.
Enjoyed reading this book…the author obviously did exhaustive research on weapons systems in Japan, America and Russia and did and excellent job developing a wide range of characters. Sometimes the detail becomes too deep, but the author did and amazing job.
November 24, 2023
Entertaining. beginning
This seems a really strong start for self published writer. The conflict is complex and deliberately murky as part of the larger narrative arc. I look forward to the future instalments
This seems a really strong start for self published writer. The conflict is complex and deliberately murky as part of the larger narrative arc. I look forward to the future instalments
November 30, 2023
Solid read
Better than most in the genre. A detailed look into a possible future conflict in the Pacific without becoming an overwrought parable about our current political parties. A good read, setting up the peices for what I expect will be a thrilling series.
Better than most in the genre. A detailed look into a possible future conflict in the Pacific without becoming an overwrought parable about our current political parties. A good read, setting up the peices for what I expect will be a thrilling series.
January 9, 2024
Great storyline
I enjoyed the storyline. Keeps your attention. As a Navy veteran, I enjoy military books both fact and fiction, as long as it's somewhat believable. This was in that category.
I enjoyed the storyline. Keeps your attention. As a Navy veteran, I enjoy military books both fact and fiction, as long as it's somewhat believable. This was in that category.
June 12, 2024
Good fast moving read with plenty of action
dpflynn41@gmail.com
Enjoyed this read very much, after 6 years in the Pacific with the US Navy , I can relate to the geography of the area and the ships but the technology is way beyond any I knew of. Great read.
dpflynn41@gmail.com
Enjoyed this read very much, after 6 years in the Pacific with the US Navy , I can relate to the geography of the area and the ships but the technology is way beyond any I knew of. Great read.
December 11, 2024
Over use of plot twists, too much technical details, complete lack of character development, this author tries hard to fill the pages but this is no Tom Clancy. The story line is ambitious and has potentials, unfortunately lost to poor story telling. Overall a very unsatisfactory read.
November 12, 2023
really good
I really enjoyed this read, the characters are real and have roles in the book at is multi layered and complex. I’m looking forward to the next chapter.
I really enjoyed this read, the characters are real and have roles in the book at is multi layered and complex. I’m looking forward to the next chapter.
November 28, 2023
Excellent work
Very good read. I especially like the twists and turned of the plots. I recommend reading if you like high level plotting and low level responses
Very good read. I especially like the twists and turned of the plots. I recommend reading if you like high level plotting and low level responses
Read
December 15, 2023Good read
Loved all the different plots throughout the book and how they all fell in place. Will there be another book sequel to this one?
Loved all the different plots throughout the book and how they all fell in place. Will there be another book sequel to this one?
December 20, 2023
Hard charging Naval Thriller!
Bringing today’s Naval warriors to life with plenty of action and suspense. Mr Prentice has produced a great read! Can’t wait for the sequel!
Bringing today’s Naval warriors to life with plenty of action and suspense. Mr Prentice has produced a great read! Can’t wait for the sequel!
December 28, 2023
Grey Dragon
A cracking story that deal's with plenty of twists turns betrayal navel battles against the odds and a cast of character's
A cracking story that deal's with plenty of twists turns betrayal navel battles against the odds and a cast of character's
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews