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Flash Point: A Project RIFT Novel
The experiment succeeded. That was the problem.
Former Tier 1 operator Grayson Maddox now leads a classified physics project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
His team has breached the known boundaries of physics.
They call it RIFT.
It's a breakthrough as dangerous as splitting the atom. Project RIFT could transform civilization—or destroy it.
Then the sabotage begins.
A mysterious outage cripples his lab. An armed intruder targets his assistant. A bomb detonates outside a DARPA briefing he just left. Someone knows exactly what Maddox has unlocked, and they're moving with lethal precision to stop it.
On the run, Maddox turns to the only people he trusts: his former Unit teammates. But even CIA safe houses aren't safe. Somewhere, there's a leak, and two rival factions are closing in. One wants to harness RIFT. The other wants it erased—and Maddox along with it.
To stay alive, Maddox must become the operator he thought he'd left behind.
Because if RIFT falls into the wrong hands, the next battlefield won't be a country.
It will be reality itself.
402 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2026
About the author
Jake Darst
1 book10 followersABOUT
Jake Darst writes technothrillers at the intersection of emerging technology, covert operations, and advanced physics.
BACKGROUND
Before turning to fiction, Jake spent more than a decade working in radiation physics with advanced instrumentation, where particle beams, precision measurement, and rigorous safety protocols are part of everyday work. Jake also maintains close ties to members of the special operations community.
PROJECT RIFT
That background informs the Project Rift series, which explores the consequences when classified science escapes the laboratory and becomes a strategic asset.
Operational elements in Project Rift were reviewed by friends who are current or former members of the special operations community to ensure the tactics, procedures, and culture reflect the realities of that world.
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Some of the science in these stories is real.
Some is speculative.
But the research behind it is rigorous.
Jake Darst writes technothrillers at the intersection of emerging technology, covert operations, and advanced physics.
BACKGROUND
Before turning to fiction, Jake spent more than a decade working in radiation physics with advanced instrumentation, where particle beams, precision measurement, and rigorous safety protocols are part of everyday work. Jake also maintains close ties to members of the special operations community.
PROJECT RIFT
That background informs the Project Rift series, which explores the consequences when classified science escapes the laboratory and becomes a strategic asset.
Operational elements in Project Rift were reviewed by friends who are current or former members of the special operations community to ensure the tactics, procedures, and culture reflect the realities of that world.
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Some of the science in these stories is real.
Some is speculative.
But the research behind it is rigorous.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 15, 2026
Flash Point: A Project RIFT Novel by Jake Darst is a riveting blend of science fiction, military fiction, and spy fiction with a touch of romance, set in 2046. Darst’s background as a scientist is obvious in the grounding of the sci-fi in real and almost-real science, especially quantum physics. And the military and espionage aspects are well researched, also. Although this is Darst’s first novel, the plot is imaginative, twist-y, and (usually) fast-paced, and the dialogue is realistic and snappy, sprinkled with humor and appropriate to the diverse cast of characters. Although the characters are well-written, we don’t find out much about most of them beyond their work histories. But this is the first book in a series, so perhaps those details will come later.
Speaking of details … there are a LOT of technical and military bits to digest, although the technobabble is usually restrained to useful information. But sometimes the details become repetitive and distracting, especially when they aren’t important to the story. For example, do we really need to know that the door of a helicopter is made of composite materials, or that the lamps in a tunnel are LEDs? It doesn’t help that for large portions of the book, several characters are referred to only by numbers, e.g. Three, Four, and Six. Eventually they get names. But the names get confusing, too—just why I can’t say, as that would be a spoiler. And in the last one-fourth of the story especially, there are a lot of characters to follow.
The plot is complex but generally holds up well, with several big surprises. There are a few things that happen for the story’s convenience, such as a landscape business that’s been closed for six months having two ready-to-go vehicles parked outside. And while the writing quality is very good, especially for a debut novel, there were enough errors to make me think one more editing pass was in order.
Despite the minor shortcomings, I think this is a must-read for everyone who loves sci-fi and military fiction. And readers who like just one of those will probably enjoy it. If you’re really into physics and/or military hardware, you need to check out the “What’s Real and What Isn’t” section at the back of the book.
Speaking of details … there are a LOT of technical and military bits to digest, although the technobabble is usually restrained to useful information. But sometimes the details become repetitive and distracting, especially when they aren’t important to the story. For example, do we really need to know that the door of a helicopter is made of composite materials, or that the lamps in a tunnel are LEDs? It doesn’t help that for large portions of the book, several characters are referred to only by numbers, e.g. Three, Four, and Six. Eventually they get names. But the names get confusing, too—just why I can’t say, as that would be a spoiler. And in the last one-fourth of the story especially, there are a lot of characters to follow.
The plot is complex but generally holds up well, with several big surprises. There are a few things that happen for the story’s convenience, such as a landscape business that’s been closed for six months having two ready-to-go vehicles parked outside. And while the writing quality is very good, especially for a debut novel, there were enough errors to make me think one more editing pass was in order.
Despite the minor shortcomings, I think this is a must-read for everyone who loves sci-fi and military fiction. And readers who like just one of those will probably enjoy it. If you’re really into physics and/or military hardware, you need to check out the “What’s Real and What Isn’t” section at the back of the book.
July 26, 2026
I received a copy of Flash Point directly from the author and I have to say this is one heck of a read! I normally don't read technothrillers, so this was a break from the norm for me. The science was accessible and provided this reader with a basis for understanding where the book takes off. I appreciated the level of world building because, given that Grayson Maddox is a CAG operator with a Ph.D from MIT makes him a bit overpowered from initial review, but it completely makes sense as the novel progresses.
The level of deception puts it up there with many of the modern spy thrillers. The presence of the CIA and DARPA makes for interesting mix and proves to work well, given that they tend to have more of a background role while the action moves forward. This book serves as the beginning of a series and I'm intrigued enough to see what happens next.
The level of deception puts it up there with many of the modern spy thrillers. The presence of the CIA and DARPA makes for interesting mix and proves to work well, given that they tend to have more of a background role while the action moves forward. This book serves as the beginning of a series and I'm intrigued enough to see what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jake Darst might be a newcomer on the saction thriller scene with Flashpoint but it is certainly due to become a runaway bestseller worldwide.
The main character, Grayson Maddox, is certain to become quite a hero on everyone's lips.
Grayson was in his time quite the Tier 1 operator but stopped that to take up physics..
Oh boy! And did he make a discovery that might very well change the world overnight. He named this discovery The Rift.
Except somebody wants the close details of that discovery and will kill and murder to obtain such.
Except few attackers could have known the tiger they would awaken.
Jake Darst had me reading this book from start to finish rather frantically and with very few breaks.
You have been warned!
Enjoy
The main character, Grayson Maddox, is certain to become quite a hero on everyone's lips.
Grayson was in his time quite the Tier 1 operator but stopped that to take up physics..
Oh boy! And did he make a discovery that might very well change the world overnight. He named this discovery The Rift.
Except somebody wants the close details of that discovery and will kill and murder to obtain such.
Except few attackers could have known the tiger they would awaken.
Jake Darst had me reading this book from start to finish rather frantically and with very few breaks.
You have been warned!
Enjoy
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got an early copy of Flash Point from the author, and wow, what a great start to a new thriller series that doesn't feel like anything else out there. It's a thriller with solid science theories, and the science is enough fringe that it definitely would appeal to fans of science fiction as much as thriller fans. Since I love both genres, it a was perfect match for me.
Grayson Maddox is so cool. He's a smart guy, a tough guy, and a really likable guy (yeah, I might have a new crush). And boy, he has to survive a lot of challenges in this book. I can't wait to see where the series goes from here. Book 2 will be an instant buy for me.
Grayson Maddox is so cool. He's a smart guy, a tough guy, and a really likable guy (yeah, I might have a new crush). And boy, he has to survive a lot of challenges in this book. I can't wait to see where the series goes from here. Book 2 will be an instant buy for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fast paced entry into a world of wonder. This technothriller expertly mixes mil sci-fi with espionage, conspiracies, a twisty storyline, great characters, betrayal and modern high energy physics. It’s presented in a very engaging, beautifully paced story that will pique your imagination.
Wonderfully done. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Wonderfully done. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 15, 2026
If you like science, action, mystery, dynamic heroes and adventure in your fiction, you will love this novel. Reading the free first chapters starts you on a high-octane story that you won't want to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fantastic debut! Fast pacing, exciting tech, and engaging characters. Perfect for fans of technothrillers in a military thriller skin.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Great thriller.
Grayson Maddox, a former very successful covert operative, is now a leading physicist in quantum science and
working on the link to the scientific divide between the present and a companion existence.
When the project he is working on is targeted for capture by a nefarious lab and its owner, his work and its top secret physicists survival is threatened.
So Maddox, determined to keep his work safe, with his survival and defensive training tactics in hand, takes the fight to to them.
Non stop action, suspense and riveting intrigue.
5 stars all the,way.
Grayson Maddox, a former very successful covert operative, is now a leading physicist in quantum science and
working on the link to the scientific divide between the present and a companion existence.
When the project he is working on is targeted for capture by a nefarious lab and its owner, his work and its top secret physicists survival is threatened.
So Maddox, determined to keep his work safe, with his survival and defensive training tactics in hand, takes the fight to to them.
Non stop action, suspense and riveting intrigue.
5 stars all the,way.
Review of advance copy received from Author
AWESOME BOOK! I really enjoyed FLASH POINT. Our protagonist, Grayson Maddox, is an elite Spec Ops guy who is now doing cutting edge theoretical physics research for DARPA. Suddenly, he and his research are targeted for elimination. Who is after him? Why? Can he go dark enough to find out and still survive?
Wonderful characters, lots of action, fascinating peek into the brotherhood of special operations warriors, a plot with lots of twists and turns, and a surprise ending. NO cliffhanger!”
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book with no strings attached.
Wonderful characters, lots of action, fascinating peek into the brotherhood of special operations warriors, a plot with lots of twists and turns, and a surprise ending. NO cliffhanger!”
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book with no strings attached.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews