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Ascendance
Is it murder to kill GMO people?
Four teenagers are gunned down at a prestigious private school. Three of them were flawless and beautiful—almost superhuman—but also hateful bullies. The fourth was the vice president’s niece.
Reluctant partners Detective Sara Sanchez and tech billionaire Nathan Marks search for the killer as the world erupts into a war over what it means to be human... or a soulless abomination.
They have only seven days to stop a horror that will tear the world apart.
And the clock starts now.
Four teenagers are gunned down at a prestigious private school. Three of them were flawless and beautiful—almost superhuman—but also hateful bullies. The fourth was the vice president’s niece.
Reluctant partners Detective Sara Sanchez and tech billionaire Nathan Marks search for the killer as the world erupts into a war over what it means to be human... or a soulless abomination.
They have only seven days to stop a horror that will tear the world apart.
And the clock starts now.
584 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2025
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Shawn C. Butler
4 books37 followersShawn C. Butler (shawncbutler.com) is an award-winning and occasionally best-selling Science Fiction author.
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Have a great one, and thank you for your support!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 30, 2025
Holy cow! Shawn Butler takes us into a world that isn't far off, perhaps a decade or less. Implants that allow a person to interface directly with AI. Personal security by drone (who knows, that may already be here). Technology that is right around the corner, and constant surveillance that I would argue is already in place in the hands of the Amazons, Googles, Metas, and others.
"GMO kids?" They could be here already, and we'd never know it. Is it wrong? No answers here, but plenty of fictional drama to cause you think about it! The underlying question is, what have billionaires already done, or could they do in the near future? Shawn Butler postulates something that makes perfect sense if someone has effectively unlimited money, and driven by a combination of fear and greed. He also portrays the obvious conflict such choices would generate if it became known what they've done.
And it's a masterful detective story!! A complex, chilling case, with reveal after surprise reveal as Sara Sanchez peels back the onion. Highly recommended!!
I received a free e-book copy in exchange for an honest review.
"GMO kids?" They could be here already, and we'd never know it. Is it wrong? No answers here, but plenty of fictional drama to cause you think about it! The underlying question is, what have billionaires already done, or could they do in the near future? Shawn Butler postulates something that makes perfect sense if someone has effectively unlimited money, and driven by a combination of fear and greed. He also portrays the obvious conflict such choices would generate if it became known what they've done.
And it's a masterful detective story!! A complex, chilling case, with reveal after surprise reveal as Sara Sanchez peels back the onion. Highly recommended!!
I received a free e-book copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2026
Some of the aspects of this novel frightened me because they are too close to reality for comfort. Genetically modified humans are becoming the reality but a multiple shooting at an exclusive school in Colorado sets off a series of events that exposes a conflict between the new GMOs and natural humans, now becoming increasingly redundant. The murder of four students is the main thrust of the book but the morality of creating modified humans is an important subtext.
While the book is fairly long at around 650 pages, it is easy to follow the various plots. This is not only a narrative of a horrific crime and its aftermath, it is also an examination of the implications of genetic engineering. A good read.
While the book is fairly long at around 650 pages, it is easy to follow the various plots. This is not only a narrative of a horrific crime and its aftermath, it is also an examination of the implications of genetic engineering. A good read.
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December 17, 2025I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Good detective crime story that leads to so much more.
Det. Sara Sanchez is teamed up with Nathan Marks, a tech billionaire. Why is he on the case? When the Vice President's niece is one of the four students killed, you do as he asks.
But the search for justice leads to Artificial Intelligence, genetically modified students, manufactured biological agents, and conspiracy theories.
Plenty of plot changes and turns to keep you guessing as to the real villain and the real reason for the killings.
It's a long read, but worth it at the end. I enjoyed the book.
Good detective crime story that leads to so much more.
Det. Sara Sanchez is teamed up with Nathan Marks, a tech billionaire. Why is he on the case? When the Vice President's niece is one of the four students killed, you do as he asks.
But the search for justice leads to Artificial Intelligence, genetically modified students, manufactured biological agents, and conspiracy theories.
Plenty of plot changes and turns to keep you guessing as to the real villain and the real reason for the killings.
It's a long read, but worth it at the end. I enjoyed the book.
December 9, 2025
This is a very long book and very involved. It is fairly easy to keep track of the characters. Fact or fiction, this one will have the conspiracy theorists going. Don't think you could claim any exceptional plot twists. Nothing ever really gets proven or disproven.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 23, 2025
Easy, suspenseful read that pulls you through....but somehow also really makes you think.
Relatable story that then blows your mind with it's near-future insights on what AI and genetic engineering could really mean for us. Great characters with an intriguing movie-like plot and unexpected humor.
Relatable story that then blows your mind with it's near-future insights on what AI and genetic engineering could really mean for us. Great characters with an intriguing movie-like plot and unexpected humor.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews