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Battle Born #1

Unknown Rider

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After a Navy pilot inexplicably loses control of his stealth fighter, he stumbles upon a global conspiracy, and embarks on a thrilling chase filled with espionage and betrayal.

“A high-octane and adrenaline-powered thriller… Strap in and hold on!” —Jack Carr, Former Navy SEAL sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series

TOP GUN instructor Colt Bancroft has just catapulted off the USS Abraham Lincoln, his F-35C Joint Strike Fighter trailing blue and yellow flame as he climbs into the night sky off the California coast.

When he is sent to investigate a series of mysterious lights floating dangerously close to his aircraft carrier, disaster strikes. His jet becomes unresponsive as it rolls inverted and enters a nosedive aimed right at the aircraft carrier’s unsuspecting escort cruiser…

What follows is a tale of heroism and betrayal, spycraft and suspense, and aerial combat against an unexpected adversary.

To clear his name and unmask a traitor, Colt must survive a dangerous game of spy-vs-spy, where trusting the wrong person could cost him his life. To stop the enemy from hitting their ultimate target, Colt must use every ounce of his skill and training…and uncover the identity of the UNKNOWN RIDER.

From author Jack Stewart, a former US Navy Top Gun instructor pilot, comes an exhilarating military thriller that’s packed with high-octane action and puts the reader behind the controls of a modern jet fighter. Perfect for fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown.

_____________________

Praise for Unknown

“Stewart clearly knows his way around a jet…” —Publisher’s Weekly

“…this high-speed book excels at pacing and plotting.” —Foreword Reviews

"From espionage to dogfights… this is a Mach 5 debut." —Brad Taylor, Retired Special Forces Officer and New York Times bestselling author of the Pike Logan series

"Stewart's provocative debut grabs you from the get-go. A powerful entry in what should be a fantastic series." —Simon Gervais, Former RCMP counterterrorism officer and bestselling author of The Last Protector

"Stewart firewalls the throttles with the first sentence and keeps the afterburners howling until the end." —Don Bentley, New York Times bestselling author of Forgotten War

"Strongly evocative of classic Clancy…Intensely paced and skillfully plotted." —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Gray Man

“A deeply authentic immersion into the heart and soul of the modern fighter pilot. I could not put it down.” —David McCloskey, author of Moscow X

“A must read for military thriller enthusiasts—the Battle Born series is storytelling in afterburner!” —Ward Larsen, USA Today bestselling author of Deep Fake

“Leaves readers breathless by the end and hungry for the next book!” —Taylor Moore, author of Firestorm

"Authentic, fast, and utterly

344 pages, Hardcover

First published November 21, 2023

1032 people are currently reading
678 people want to read

About the author

Jack Stewart

6 books170 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
Profile Image for Kay.
2,212 reviews1,207 followers
December 15, 2023
You can't get more authentic than this! Unknown Rider is a debut military thriller by Jack Stewart, a former Naval aviator and TOP GUN instructor pilot.

On the US carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, off the Southern California coast, the F-35C Lightning II is catapulted into the night. Lieutenant Colt “Mother” Bancroft is testing the Navy's brand new stealth strike fighter. In the sky, he sees strange glowing orbs but soon Colt loses control of the jet.

Wow! Unknown Rider is relentless and action-packed. It'll hook you from the first chapter to the ending and leave you wanting more. I sigh with relief but also can't wait for the next book because of how it ended. 4.5⭐

Love this terrific audiobook with Ray Porter's narration who also performed Project Hail Mary and The Terminal List series.

Thank you Severn River Publishing and Netgalley for the ALC.
10H 27M
Available November 21, 2023
Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].
696 reviews369 followers
January 4, 2026
A 5-Stars Winner for "Unknown Rider" by Jack Stewart
This is exactly my type of a military-espionage story! High-tech, plausible, and very well narrated by Ray Porter! Thank you MarilynW for your indirect, but very welcome recommendation to begin this "Battle Born" series by starting with "#1, Unknown Rider".

I heard this excellent 10.5 hours 'military-espionage-action' audiobook in just two sittings... being abed (yes, an 'old-fashioned' term indeed!) with the 'flu helped me knock off the latter two-thirds during my second 'sitting'.😄

Due to eyesight problems, I have no choice other than audiobooks if I want to "read" 50-75+ books a year. I have heard many different audiobook narrators over the past twenty-five years or so, but there is barely a handful who are in my "go-to" category - narrators who contribute positively to my understanding and enjoyment of a book; narrators I want listen to; narrators who are reason enough alone to buy an unknown book title. Ray Porter is in this special category for me.

I fully agree with this quote from GR Friend MarilynW: "The narrator, Ray Porter, is awesome. If I didn't KNOW one person was narrating, I'd think there was a cast of narrators.”
Profile Image for Abibliofob.
1,595 reviews102 followers
October 16, 2023
I had heard about this one for a long time and when I got the opportunity I thought why not. If you want non stop action in a high speed thriller then you should read Unknown Rider by Jack Stewart. I will be sure to get the next one in this brand new series because this one blew me away with this wild ride of a story. We get some great characters with a well put together plot and some great action scenes. You get the feeling through the book that Stewart knows what he writes about and if I understand it correctly he served as some kind of pilot. But boy can he write, this is a great new star in the writing community and I think he will have a lot of readers. I send a big thank you to the publishers and Edelweiss for letting me read this advance copy and to Jack I say, well done sir.
Profile Image for Jeremy Peers.
258 reviews33 followers
April 4, 2024
I don't believe this is a debut author. Can't be. Unknown Rider is one of the best debuts in recent memory. I would change absolutely nothing. Top Gun in book form. The original; not that awful, bloated Maverick. Intelligent and timely, Unknown Rider has my highest recommendation!

Thanks to Severn River Publishing and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read a copy of Unknown Rider!.
Profile Image for Matt Persson.
91 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2023
Jack Stewart has knocked it out of the part with his debut novel Unknown Rider!! One of the best debut novels I have ever picked up. You will be on the edge of your seat the entire time in the fast paced thriller. Jack gets to bring some real life research as a Navy Pilot into his debut. Colt, Punky and Jug will be characters that stick to you for a long time. The story telling and the character development was top notch!! Brought me back to the feeling of reading Tom Clancy back in the day. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Jack Stewart.
Profile Image for Bill Riggs.
934 reviews14 followers
November 26, 2023
Excellent blend of intrigue, action and world building. Stewart has assembled a cast of characters that you care about and will want to read the sequels to see where they go and how they develop.
Profile Image for Steven Netter.
462 reviews42 followers
August 11, 2025
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

An intense espionage and military thrill ride that puts the reader in the cockpit of a latest generation fighter jet. Unknown Rider will have your heart beating at Mach 1 and your brain pulling 7 G’s in a desperate attempt to will our heroes to thwart their enemy. Jack Stewart’s debut is drenched in authenticity that screams “Been there, done that, got the call sign.”

The star of this book is the genuine peek behind the military curtain, thanks to Jack Stewart’s years of experience as a naval aviator. The jargon, the actions and the reactions come from someone with authority and are not watered down for the layperson. A dream chance to be in the military rooms where it happens.

Fans of the military thriller genre will love Unknown Rider. A promising start to a budding new series by an author who has a lot to offer the thrillerverse. Can’t wait to see what Jack Stewart cooks up next.
Profile Image for Sam Stone.
14 reviews16 followers
July 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A High-Octane Thriller That Soars

Unknown Rider is everything I want in a military thriller—smart, authentic, and absolutely gripping. Jack Stewart delivers a debut that’s reminiscent of early Tom Clancy in the best way possible. The tension is real, the action is razor-sharp, and it’s obvious Stewart brings the real-world knowledge of a former naval aviator. That credibility bleeds onto every page, making this read as immersive as it is intense. I devoured it and am already grabbing the next one. Jack Stewart is the real deal.
Profile Image for SteVen Hendricks.
693 reviews32 followers
October 19, 2023
Book Review – Unknown Rider – Jack Stewart
Aerial action thriller “Unknown Rider” by ‘Aviator Author’ Jack Stewart – a former US Navy Top Gun pilot – may be the ‘debut military thriller’ of the year! Laced with fast paced military aerial action, exhilarating espionage intrigue, and suspenseful storytelling, Stewart has penned a powerful Clancy-like novel that was skillfully plotted and expertly written. His experience as a US Navy Top Gun aviator was apparent throughout this book. When the main character, Colt Bancroft, a Navy Top Gun fighter pilot stumbles upon a global conspiracy, the story embarks on a tale of gallantry, betrayal, spy craft, suspense, and aerial combat against an unexpected and ‘unknown’ adversary. A daring intelligence game of spy-vs-spy – good guy vs bad guy – this high-octane military thriller is reminiscent of classic Tom Clancy novels. And the aerial combat dogfights were so authentic and realistic. These gripping passages made the book for me! Stewart’s depictions of the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter’s substantial capabilities were astonishing! He clearly knows his way around a sophisticated fighter jet and did a splendid job of illuminating the advanced technological capabilities for the reader. Stimulating, Exhilarating, and Entertaining, Unknown Rider – Book 1 in the Battle Born series – is a great new addition to the military thriller genre. Special thank you to Jack Stewart for the autographed advance reader’s copy. “Done good, you have young Jedi.” I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Looking forward to Book 2 – “Outlaw” – February 2024.
Profile Image for Kerry Frey.
Author 8 books7 followers
June 29, 2023
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader's copy of this novel. Jack is a personal friend, and I had looked forward to reading this for a very long time. This book will knock your socks off. Written with authority by a former naval aviator, it has a very plausible plot that focuses on a Navy pilot, an NCIS special agent, and a captain of a naval vessel. Each finds themselves in the middle of a foreign terrorist cell that has targeted an upcoming test of a new missile fired from an F-35. Can't give any more away without spoilers, only that it reads like a Clancy novel filled with the technical accuracy and suspense of a seasoned veteran. As it is the first in a series that promises to be both thrilling and action-packed, readers need to climb on board now for the rides of their lives.
Profile Image for Jeff Clark.
Author 1 book9 followers
October 15, 2023
Hold on, this one will fly by fast! An electric debut that puts you in the seat of the world’s most advanced fighter jet, Stewart is so natural that it feels real. Like you are behind the throttle. Detailed, well written, and action packed. The Battle Born Series is going to be blistering!
Profile Image for Marty Fried.
1,239 reviews128 followers
January 11, 2026
I thought this had a rocky start, perhaps due to so much military jargon and technical details, and of course, a bunch of characters getting introduced fairly quickly. The author added too many abbreviations, in my opinion. Perhaps he's writing for other military readers who know the initials for a lot of phrases, but otherwise, there was really no reason to know them all. And after a bit, I just let them pass in one ear and out the other without worrying about what they meant.

The book got a lot better after a bit, with a lot of suspense in the second half. By the end of the book, I didn't want to stop reading (listening). And speaking of listening, the narrator, Ray Porter, is excellent, and has narrated a bunch of good books that I know about. He's so easy to listen to.

Anyway, I plan to read some more of this series, and since Ray Porter narrates so many of his books, I'll probably look into a lot more.
Profile Image for David.
317 reviews27 followers
November 16, 2024
An audio book narrated by Ray Porter is reason enough for me to take a listen. I was first introduced to him in The Terminal List series written by Jack Carr, then We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis Taylor, followed by Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary.

Unknown Rider (Battle Born #1) is an excellent thriller, especially for fans of air combat and military aviation. Many of the terms were lost on me, but the plot concept was intriguing and the characters were unique. Looking forward to #2 with Ray Porter on the mic once again.
Profile Image for Steven Ott.
83 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2024
Great Book! Intrigue and international conspiracies weaved into a Top Gun fighter pilot; his attempts to find the culprit, spy vs spy, lots of action and fun. It was a thrilling and intellectual whodunnit to determine who was behind the bad acts! Fun read.
Profile Image for Arielle Anderson.
142 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2024
The pilot and navy brat side of me wants to tell everyone I know to read this. But, I’m also very aware that I don’t think this book would hit as hard if you don’t have plane/pilot/navy knowledge. The author does an amazing job of keeping things feeling very real, but that includes a ton of descriptions, specifically in relation to the insides of planes, jets and pilot terms that you wouldn’t know without that. The descriptions for visual is amazing, and I highly suggested to anyone who has that knowledge, even people without it I think you would still love the story, if you’re into this type of vibe, but understand that you might not know all of the technicalities.
Profile Image for Mark Atley.
97 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2023
I thought this was a great book. I love the design of the cover. Jack could totally be writing for Tom Clancy's estate at some point in the future. His writing reminded me so much of Clancy's as far as the ease of reading. The plot was engaging and I thought the presented trade craft was top notch.

I liked that it didn't focus too much on flying and presented realistic protrayels of spies working in our country.

If Jack wants it, I could see him writing some Clancy books in the future.
1 review
July 23, 2023
Wow as a former Navy Aircraft carrier sailor this put me back on the ship. I did not want to stop reading. Infact I wanted to read faster as it pulled me into the story. Every page keeps you intrigued waiting for the next plot twist. Thank you Jack Stewart for the story. I can't wait for the next in the series to see where you take us.
1 review1 follower
July 25, 2023
Very timely subject matter considering current events. Fast moving and suspenseful with unforeseen twists around every corner. You’ll be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Kristine.
3,425 reviews52 followers
February 24, 2024
4.25 Stars

Another "new to me" author that I found through a mention in The Real Book Spy (therealbookspy.com). It said something like he was the best debut author since Jack Carr, and since I am a HUGE Carr fan, it was a no brainer for me.

One of the differences that you can see right away is that the author was an airplane pilot. Just like we got the realism from Jack Carr in his Terminal List Series with James Reece, we get that feeling from Colt Bancroft in this series with the fighter planes and other aircraft. Lots of technical jargon, but it did add realism.

This story introduces Colt along with an NCIS officer who is investigating some espionage onboard a Navy ship. Things get started pretty quickly and then we are along for the ride as an enemy state is trying to sabotage American interests. It becomes a race to the finish.

The story does have quite a bit of action and intrigue and the best part, it is narrated by Ray Porter! That is a definite winner for me as he is one of my all time favorite narrators.

The book itself has definite potential, but to me it feels like it is on a level under some of the greats that are currently out there. Since this is a debut book, I can only assume that these books are going to get better and better as they go on. I am definitely willing to continue on with this series and I'm looking forward to seeing what is next to come.
Profile Image for Brian Simmons.
50 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2024
I bought a copy on Amazon and tagged Jack Stewart on Twitter (X). He wrote me back stating that I purchased a bootleg copy and for me to send it to him so he could switch it out. He replaced it with a limited edition, personalized hardcover signed copy. Jack also sent some additional swag as well. A writer friend recommended Jack Stewart because he knew I was on an aircraft carrier. Jack has the Navy Lingo down. I guess you never really lose that. The book reminded me of my time on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. General Quarters, Setting Yoke, Mid-rats, and The CAG are all terms I haven't heard in the last 20 years since I separated. It's fairly accurate and the settings are real places. I was a West Coast Sailor stationed in Yokosuka. I only went to Sand Dog to process out but remember hearing about all the places from shipmates who served there. The storyline was exceptionally well written with fast-paced non-stop action. I can't wait for book two in the series, Outlaw to arrive. I'm a fan!
Profile Image for John Hebert.
42 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2023
Unknown Rider Jack Stewart
A great debut! Top Gun pilot experiences near disaster and believes something sinister is going on – not pilot error. Most disagree but he teams up with a fiery Navy Investigator and they start looking for answers. Wonderful military thriller which shows the influence of Tom Clancy on the author. Looking forward to the next one. Highly recommended.
#UnknownRider #JackStewart #SevernRiverPublishing #NetGalley
Profile Image for Chris.
2,104 reviews29 followers
December 12, 2024
I listened to the EAudiobook version while on an eight hour drive. Quite the thriller but I was shouting out - connect the dots you idiots! Chinese hacking. F-35 JSF. All set in SoCal. NCIS. FBI. I am ready for the next book on the drive back.
151 reviews
November 21, 2023
I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review. This is a great start to what I hope is a long series. The action starts right at the beginning and keeps the reader looking for more. The characters are all interesting and believable. I look forward to reading a lot of more from this author.
Profile Image for Julie Pint.
1,064 reviews
December 4, 2023
A fantastic debut of a political thriller that involves the military, espionage, and raw patriotism. There is a well developed plot with ample detail verging slightly towards too much complexity for the average reader, but solidifies the authors own experience to bring this story to life. The uniqueness in this thriller is that all of the action takes place so close to home. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read.
2,052 reviews14 followers
August 23, 2024
(3) I am. not real experienced in the military thriller genre but this was mostly lots of fun. I got buried by some of the terminology, but the action was pretty damn close to non stop and the whole book was pretty exciting. No character development to speak of but there was no room for it with everything going on. I might try the second in the series and see if I can get into this category a little more. Pretty good stuff.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,079 reviews10 followers
January 7, 2024
So obvious the author wants a hook in the reader to read more of this series, so deduction points for that and the fact that many questions left unanswered. That will surely happen in subsequent books and why I will not read more. Other than that it is an edge of your seat book and quite entertaining especially if you are familiar with flight and/or the military.
Profile Image for Emily.
155 reviews2 followers
May 11, 2025
This was fine. It was well-written, and the action sequences were engaging.

Every single character was insufferable. Also I’m not convinced the main pilot actually furthered the story in any way. He just happened to cross paths with the female agent’s mission, and flew around a bit.
10 reviews
November 23, 2023
I don’t typically read military thrillers, but this book was AMAZING. He does a great job making the reader feel like they are in the cockpit of a Navy fighter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews

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