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rachaelwinterling's review
3.0
I saw the term "Deep Fake," and I immediately had to know. The development of technology, especially surrounding advanced editing and AI generation, simultaneously captivates and scares the shit out of me. Ward Larsen created well-developed characters, and I like the combination of political thriller with concerning changes in family dynamics, sprinkled with lies, murder, conspiracy, and drama. While this wasn't a favorite, it was interesting enough to keep me invested all the way to the end. If you love political thrillers, this one is for you!
omvigeg3's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kmbooky's review against another edition
5.0
This book is insane. It starts off grabbing your attention, and then it just pulls you in more and more. I can not believe how this book turned out. I was not prepared nor expecting it. There are so many twists and turns, and it all grabs you and makes you just stop and wait a second. This is such a great thriller. I am so glad I was able to read it.
jkellyjr's review
5.0
Fake it till you make it……
Book Information
Deep Fake was written by Ward Larsen. It was published on March 14, 2023 and is 352 pages. I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by Braden Wright and is 12 hours and 21 minutes. Ward Larsen is a USA Today bestselling author, and seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.
Summary
Brice Ridgeway is a patriot. He is an Army vet. His service ended with a combat injury and he made the difficult choice to depart the service because he knew that at less than 100%--he would put others at risk. He continued to serve, however, but now as an elected member of Congress. He also continued to protect others, preventing a terrorist attack in a public forum—an act that catapults him into the race for President of the United States.
But something isn’t right. His wife, Sarah, begins to notice strange behaviors and memory failures—just little things, but enough to be concerning. Her search for that might be wrong uncovers secrets. It leads to revelations that could change her life forever—and have devastating impacts on the Nation. Does she really know Brice? Does anyone?
My Thoughts
The best book I have read this year. Perhaps even the best book I have read in several years. Pure awesomeness.
Deep fake grabs you right from the beginning. Larsen is a master at feeding you crumbs of information. He gives you enough to make you wonder. To make you think. To make you need to know more. His pacing is impeccable---you will keep wondering right until the very end and then he rewards you with an incredible finish.
This book is also a testament to Larsen’s storytelling skills. The story itself isn’t entirely unique. Variations have been told in other books and on TV or in movies. Frankly, it has the potential to be cheesy if not done right. But there is no cheese in this book. Larsen makes the premise his own and delivers a stunning political thriller that will likely be a contender for the best book in 2023 in this category. As someone who lives and works with politics every day and frequents the halls of Capitol Hill, I am not often impressed with political thrillers. I am somewhat jaded in this area but Larsen provides a fresh voice. I greatly enjoyed this book.
The narration was also excellent. Braden Wright doesn’t read the book, he performs it. He brings the characters to life and helps build upon the excellent story. I don’t think you can go wrong with either the written or audiobook here….its fantastic.
Recommendation
If you like political thrillers, this is a must-read. Buy it, borrow it, steal it (well, don’t really steal it)---just get it now and read it. You will not be disappointed.
Rating
5 Genuine Non-Fake Stars
Book Information
Deep Fake was written by Ward Larsen. It was published on March 14, 2023 and is 352 pages. I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by Braden Wright and is 12 hours and 21 minutes. Ward Larsen is a USA Today bestselling author, and seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.
Summary
Brice Ridgeway is a patriot. He is an Army vet. His service ended with a combat injury and he made the difficult choice to depart the service because he knew that at less than 100%--he would put others at risk. He continued to serve, however, but now as an elected member of Congress. He also continued to protect others, preventing a terrorist attack in a public forum—an act that catapults him into the race for President of the United States.
But something isn’t right. His wife, Sarah, begins to notice strange behaviors and memory failures—just little things, but enough to be concerning. Her search for that might be wrong uncovers secrets. It leads to revelations that could change her life forever—and have devastating impacts on the Nation. Does she really know Brice? Does anyone?
My Thoughts
The best book I have read this year. Perhaps even the best book I have read in several years. Pure awesomeness.
Deep fake grabs you right from the beginning. Larsen is a master at feeding you crumbs of information. He gives you enough to make you wonder. To make you think. To make you need to know more. His pacing is impeccable---you will keep wondering right until the very end and then he rewards you with an incredible finish.
This book is also a testament to Larsen’s storytelling skills. The story itself isn’t entirely unique. Variations have been told in other books and on TV or in movies. Frankly, it has the potential to be cheesy if not done right. But there is no cheese in this book. Larsen makes the premise his own and delivers a stunning political thriller that will likely be a contender for the best book in 2023 in this category. As someone who lives and works with politics every day and frequents the halls of Capitol Hill, I am not often impressed with political thrillers. I am somewhat jaded in this area but Larsen provides a fresh voice. I greatly enjoyed this book.
The narration was also excellent. Braden Wright doesn’t read the book, he performs it. He brings the characters to life and helps build upon the excellent story. I don’t think you can go wrong with either the written or audiobook here….its fantastic.
Recommendation
If you like political thrillers, this is a must-read. Buy it, borrow it, steal it (well, don’t really steal it)---just get it now and read it. You will not be disappointed.
Rating
5 Genuine Non-Fake Stars
lyssasaurus's review
1.0
I’m DNFing this book at 14%/80 pages. I was really interested in the premise, I love a good domestic thriller but this ain’t it. There’s a bit about it being a “me-too world” and I just found that sentence cringey/gave me the ick. I just think this author is not for me, and that’s fine.
scknitter's review
5.0
Deep Fake is an all too believable political thriller and story of espionage. We think we know who the good guys are, we think we could spot an imposter, we think we could figure out when political big shots were literally pulling our legs for their own agenda. But Deep Fake shows that the way our political system operates – short term outlooks because the immediate goal is the next election - what transpires in Deep Fake could be all too real.
stationannie's review
2.0
I’ve never read a political thriller before, so I was intrigued with the premise of this one. I thought it was just okay. I didn’t feel like it left me on the edge of my seat like other thrillers I’ve read, and I was able to predict what would happen a mile away.
I didn’t particularly care for the narrator either - I found him to be robotic sounding, almost like an AI voice.
I’m not sure if other political thrillers are normally this tame, but I’m not sure I would read another by this specific author. The idea was somewhat original, but it’s hard to call a book a thriller if it’s not thrilling.
I didn’t particularly care for the narrator either - I found him to be robotic sounding, almost like an AI voice.
I’m not sure if other political thrillers are normally this tame, but I’m not sure I would read another by this specific author. The idea was somewhat original, but it’s hard to call a book a thriller if it’s not thrilling.
marcirenee1974's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
WOW! This book was awesome and had me hooked pretty much from the jump. I love a good happy ending so I am so happy that good prevailed over evil! I am now off to look for more books by this author b/c this one was so well done the hours just flew by! I also love that Ward Larsen took one of those Russian/USA urban spy legends and ran with it!
hidrnick's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WOW! this one of the best thrillers I've ever read/listened to.
Bryce Ridegway is a former Army Ranger turned first-term Congressman. One day while at a fundraiser, suddenly there's an attack on the presidential frontrunner, and Bryce is able to save the day. Instantly he becomes an American hero, and suddenly the new frontrunner. Public opinion for him is so high it's obvious he'll get elected.
But his wife, Sarah starts to notice strange things about her husband. He's barely ever home, always making excuses about the campaign to stay away. And when he does talk to her, it's clear that something is off. He doesn't recognize old friends, he doesn't know old stories. Sarah enlists the help of her friend Claire - a government analyst- to uncover what exactly Bryce is up to that is making him act so oddly, and they get dragged into a huge mystery.
This was great from start to finish, there were zero slow moments. Some of the twists I did see coming but that didn't effect my enjoyment. If you enjoy political thrillers and conspiracies, you will love this book.
Thank you netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Bryce Ridegway is a former Army Ranger turned first-term Congressman. One day while at a fundraiser, suddenly there's an attack on the presidential frontrunner, and Bryce is able to save the day. Instantly he becomes an American hero, and suddenly the new frontrunner. Public opinion for him is so high it's obvious he'll get elected.
But his wife, Sarah starts to notice strange things about her husband. He's barely ever home, always making excuses about the campaign to stay away. And when he does talk to her, it's clear that something is off. He doesn't recognize old friends, he doesn't know old stories. Sarah enlists the help of her friend Claire - a government analyst- to uncover what exactly Bryce is up to that is making him act so oddly, and they get dragged into a huge mystery.
This was great from start to finish, there were zero slow moments. Some of the twists I did see coming but that didn't effect my enjoyment. If you enjoy political thrillers and conspiracies, you will love this book.
Thank you netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
blovesbooks80's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0