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The Upgrade #1
The Blueprint
Human augmentation.
Corporate warfare.
Buckle up for a wild ride.
There's a corporate cabal that wants to rule the world. Some might say it has been doing it already for decades by whatever means necessary. But they are no longer content to hide in the shadows. They want to become the true masters.
Jason Hunt knows nothing about that world. In a decaying society plagued by poverty and a lost sense of purpose, he's one of the lucky ones. He's got money. He's happily married. He could just go on living.
But when his wife becomes ill, Jason finds himself pitted against the cabal that might hold the key to her survival. To save her, he needs to embrace technology he doesn't understand, take over a billion-dollar company without a billion dollars, outsmart professional assassins, and land a contract with the DOD. But even that might not be enough.
Pick up THE BLUEPRINT--the first book in THE UPGRADE series set in a dark, near-future world that will appeal to fans of Altered Carbon, Daniel Silva, and Tim Tigner.
Corporate warfare.
Buckle up for a wild ride.
There's a corporate cabal that wants to rule the world. Some might say it has been doing it already for decades by whatever means necessary. But they are no longer content to hide in the shadows. They want to become the true masters.
Jason Hunt knows nothing about that world. In a decaying society plagued by poverty and a lost sense of purpose, he's one of the lucky ones. He's got money. He's happily married. He could just go on living.
But when his wife becomes ill, Jason finds himself pitted against the cabal that might hold the key to her survival. To save her, he needs to embrace technology he doesn't understand, take over a billion-dollar company without a billion dollars, outsmart professional assassins, and land a contract with the DOD. But even that might not be enough.
Pick up THE BLUEPRINT--the first book in THE UPGRADE series set in a dark, near-future world that will appeal to fans of Altered Carbon, Daniel Silva, and Tim Tigner.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2016
483 people are currently reading
1064 people want to read
About the author
Wesley Cross
13 books41 followersBorn on a military base in the Far East, Wesley had a rather unusual childhood. While other kids ran around parks and traded toys, the oldest son of an active Air Force officer and a kindergarten teacher spent his early days walking on wings of parked jet fighters and climbing into pilot chairs of strategic bombers.
He first started writing while in grade school, once hijacking a physics lesson to read out loud his science fiction novella to the entire class. He continued to write in college, mostly short pieces until finally, he felt he had some full-length stories that needed to be read by other people.
His wide variety of interests includes photography, which once led to a publication in the Popular Photography magazine, martial arts, music, and, of course, reading and writing.
Wesley moved to New York City in the tumultuous 90s. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son.
His website is WesleyCross.com
For news and updates sign here:
http://wesleycross.com/newsletter/
He first started writing while in grade school, once hijacking a physics lesson to read out loud his science fiction novella to the entire class. He continued to write in college, mostly short pieces until finally, he felt he had some full-length stories that needed to be read by other people.
His wide variety of interests includes photography, which once led to a publication in the Popular Photography magazine, martial arts, music, and, of course, reading and writing.
Wesley moved to New York City in the tumultuous 90s. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son.
His website is WesleyCross.com
For news and updates sign here:
http://wesleycross.com/newsletter/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 15, 2020
Very Mixed feelings, but I liked it!
The premise has to do with corrupt and secret corporations running things from the shadows, conspiracies, human augmentation, murder, cyborgs and more. It sounded great and started off okay, but then it got confusing.
-I could not keep up with all the characters. More than once I did not recognize a character, I just kept reading to try and figure it out.
-I got lost in the story a few times.
-I did not buy into some of the story elements, like a hostile takeover of a company that immediately gave access to a whole bunch of military super secret projects.
But:
-The book wasn't too long.
-The action scenes were very good.
-The secret stuff for human augmentation was fascinating and a little thought-provoking.
The next two books in the series are prequels, I may or may not read them, but I do recommend this book if you are patient, it does have some unique ideas.
Review by Mike Slavin author of award-winning Kill Crime (action-packed thriller on Amazon to buy or KU)
The premise has to do with corrupt and secret corporations running things from the shadows, conspiracies, human augmentation, murder, cyborgs and more. It sounded great and started off okay, but then it got confusing.
-I could not keep up with all the characters. More than once I did not recognize a character, I just kept reading to try and figure it out.
-I got lost in the story a few times.
-I did not buy into some of the story elements, like a hostile takeover of a company that immediately gave access to a whole bunch of military super secret projects.
But:
-The book wasn't too long.
-The action scenes were very good.
-The secret stuff for human augmentation was fascinating and a little thought-provoking.
The next two books in the series are prequels, I may or may not read them, but I do recommend this book if you are patient, it does have some unique ideas.
Review by Mike Slavin author of award-winning Kill Crime (action-packed thriller on Amazon to buy or KU)
February 26, 2019
Loved it and recommend it. To the author if you are following; use your time on the next book in the series. The characters are so well mapped out in this book I think that a prequel would be a wasted effort. I am much more interested to see the current story progress than I am to take a step backwards. I would like to propose that a prequel is not required.
All the best.
All the best.
April 9, 2019
The book started off pretty good. Then it started getting confusing with the many storylines and characters.
September 22, 2022
THE BLUEPRINT by Wesley Cross is a cyberpunk political thriller and corporate conspiracy. The former is virtually unknown in the genre while the latter is usually, "guys bust in to steal stuff" not "a bunch of guys use illegal stock manipulation in order to facilitate a hostile takeover. Actually, no, they did that in HARDWIRED by Jon Walter Williams and that may be the only time in history that the heroes successfully beat the megacorporations in a way I completely believe.
The premise is that it is the near-future, maybe a couple of decades, with 9/11 as well as the 2008 Banking Crisis in recent memory. Corporations have become even more powerful and started using mercenary teams to eliminate competitors as well as intimidate businessmen into selling their property to those attempting to buy them out. The police have grown so jaded about the prospect that they don't even respond to these sorts of calls.
Jason Hunt manages to barely survive an attempt on his his and wife's life when she accepts a job offer from a cybernetics developer. This is only the start of his problems as they're soon faced with a cancer scare, people determined to put him underground, and a potential coup happening in the United States government. The conspiracy webs are thickly woven throughout the story and I was reminded pleasantly of Tom Clancy without a cyberpunk sheen. Wesley Cross lacks the former's excesses, though, like lecturing the reader and using ten words when one would suffice.
I really enjoyed the characters and watching them try to figure out how to deal with enemies who have billions of dollars and a bunch of surprisingly well-developed sociopaths on their payroll. This includes attempting to get their own resources and making contact with other people they think might be able to help. The technology level is established firmly here as well. It's not a bunch of chrome cyborgs punching things but setting up that to occur in the future.
Despite its somewhat more grounded premise, I wouldn't say this is a particularly "realistic" book. In addition to its fun action scenes, some of the events stretch reader credibility like the fact that anyone wouldn't think Jason Hunt is a massive fraudster after his hostile takeover using computer hacker trickery. The thing is, "realism" is overrated and the story benefits strongly from the believability of the characters, which is more important. Besides, a lot more overt fraud has been gotten away with in RL.
Wesley Cross also notably eschews the usual moral ambiguity of the genre as his protagonists are very good and his antagonists are complete scum. A warning that a sexual assault is implied to happen in the book as part of the villain's activities for those who are sensitive to said things. However, generally The Blueprint is an action and intrigue-filled thriller that will appeal to both fans of spy fiction as well as those who like near-future sci-fi.
I was well and truly engrossed by the book at the end and eager to pick up the next installment of the series. Cyberpunk is too often limited to street punks trying heists against megacorporations while this gives us an unusal hero in a white collar businessman as well as some ex-veterans. I think it adds a very different sort of feel and I could easily see this adapted to a regular network television show rather than streaming. The Blueprint is a great book and I think a good example of its genre.
The premise is that it is the near-future, maybe a couple of decades, with 9/11 as well as the 2008 Banking Crisis in recent memory. Corporations have become even more powerful and started using mercenary teams to eliminate competitors as well as intimidate businessmen into selling their property to those attempting to buy them out. The police have grown so jaded about the prospect that they don't even respond to these sorts of calls.
Jason Hunt manages to barely survive an attempt on his his and wife's life when she accepts a job offer from a cybernetics developer. This is only the start of his problems as they're soon faced with a cancer scare, people determined to put him underground, and a potential coup happening in the United States government. The conspiracy webs are thickly woven throughout the story and I was reminded pleasantly of Tom Clancy without a cyberpunk sheen. Wesley Cross lacks the former's excesses, though, like lecturing the reader and using ten words when one would suffice.
I really enjoyed the characters and watching them try to figure out how to deal with enemies who have billions of dollars and a bunch of surprisingly well-developed sociopaths on their payroll. This includes attempting to get their own resources and making contact with other people they think might be able to help. The technology level is established firmly here as well. It's not a bunch of chrome cyborgs punching things but setting up that to occur in the future.
Despite its somewhat more grounded premise, I wouldn't say this is a particularly "realistic" book. In addition to its fun action scenes, some of the events stretch reader credibility like the fact that anyone wouldn't think Jason Hunt is a massive fraudster after his hostile takeover using computer hacker trickery. The thing is, "realism" is overrated and the story benefits strongly from the believability of the characters, which is more important. Besides, a lot more overt fraud has been gotten away with in RL.
Wesley Cross also notably eschews the usual moral ambiguity of the genre as his protagonists are very good and his antagonists are complete scum. A warning that a sexual assault is implied to happen in the book as part of the villain's activities for those who are sensitive to said things. However, generally The Blueprint is an action and intrigue-filled thriller that will appeal to both fans of spy fiction as well as those who like near-future sci-fi.
I was well and truly engrossed by the book at the end and eager to pick up the next installment of the series. Cyberpunk is too often limited to street punks trying heists against megacorporations while this gives us an unusal hero in a white collar businessman as well as some ex-veterans. I think it adds a very different sort of feel and I could easily see this adapted to a regular network television show rather than streaming. The Blueprint is a great book and I think a good example of its genre.
February 1, 2020
Superpowers at work
Engaging story from beginning to end, I just couldn't put the book down. The big corporation trying to take over the world. Nothing can stop them. They use money, power, sabotage, threats, killings, torture to achieve control. They also use the advance of technology and science as means to reach their goals. A few good men decided to stop them, Jason, Max, Mike, Chuck and a few others joined forces and became unstoppable in their fight against the corrupted but powerful group threatening the world. Intriguing, full of suspense I truly enjoyed reading it.
Engaging story from beginning to end, I just couldn't put the book down. The big corporation trying to take over the world. Nothing can stop them. They use money, power, sabotage, threats, killings, torture to achieve control. They also use the advance of technology and science as means to reach their goals. A few good men decided to stop them, Jason, Max, Mike, Chuck and a few others joined forces and became unstoppable in their fight against the corrupted but powerful group threatening the world. Intriguing, full of suspense I truly enjoyed reading it.
January 20, 2020
Really good read.
This is one of the most intelligent action dramas I've read in a while. Fast paced, good character development and lots of twists and turns. Important for our times.
This is one of the most intelligent action dramas I've read in a while. Fast paced, good character development and lots of twists and turns. Important for our times.
June 28, 2016
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Isn't that the age old saying?
The gap between the two is ever widening while capitalism reigns with corporations making the decisions in their own self interest rather than for the people. Corporate sabotage is no longer a game of hacking to steal information but rather a war without borders as companies hire assassination teams to take out targets world wide.
What would life be like if we didn't rely on donors to replace organs, tissues, and bones when life hangs in the balance? Why stop at illnesses when we can upgrade and be superior? The real money is in war and what better weapon is there than super humans?
Important people start to die off and the common denominator is that they were all involved in this particular type of project. Jason Hunt and his wife were attacked and almost killed by an assassination team. Learning why that happened leads him into a black whole of espionage and the knowledge of scientific achievements that some view as miracles. When his wife becomes ill, the need to embrace this new technology is even greater. Will he be able to save her or will they all be wiped out by the opposition who will stop at nothing to take control of these achievements?
The gap between the two is ever widening while capitalism reigns with corporations making the decisions in their own self interest rather than for the people. Corporate sabotage is no longer a game of hacking to steal information but rather a war without borders as companies hire assassination teams to take out targets world wide.
What would life be like if we didn't rely on donors to replace organs, tissues, and bones when life hangs in the balance? Why stop at illnesses when we can upgrade and be superior? The real money is in war and what better weapon is there than super humans?
Important people start to die off and the common denominator is that they were all involved in this particular type of project. Jason Hunt and his wife were attacked and almost killed by an assassination team. Learning why that happened leads him into a black whole of espionage and the knowledge of scientific achievements that some view as miracles. When his wife becomes ill, the need to embrace this new technology is even greater. Will he be able to save her or will they all be wiped out by the opposition who will stop at nothing to take control of these achievements?
February 11, 2020
Espionage
This was a story about big corporations taking over the world and politics. Jason Hunt is the protagonist who is investigating large corporations and their influence on politics. His wife Rachael gets a job working for a company that is into artificial limbs under much secrecy. When she is diagnosed with lung cancer and asks to be one of the first trials for an artificial lung she is denied the lung. Jason goes to the head of the company to find out why she was refused. He finds out her company was actually owned by a larger cooperation. He and his friend Max decide to takeover the company by cheating on the stock exchange. One they have wrestled over 50% of the company, Engels who was the CEO tries to have Jason eliminated. At this point Jason and friends find out that there is a coup being planned. There is a lot of espionage going on as well as body damage and killings. The novel was confusing at times and didn’t make sense all the time. It was as though the author was trying to immolate Jason Bourne. I didn’t think it worked. Apparently this was the first of a series of novels about Jason Hunt. The novel might be interesting to fans of spy novels but did not interest me.
This was a story about big corporations taking over the world and politics. Jason Hunt is the protagonist who is investigating large corporations and their influence on politics. His wife Rachael gets a job working for a company that is into artificial limbs under much secrecy. When she is diagnosed with lung cancer and asks to be one of the first trials for an artificial lung she is denied the lung. Jason goes to the head of the company to find out why she was refused. He finds out her company was actually owned by a larger cooperation. He and his friend Max decide to takeover the company by cheating on the stock exchange. One they have wrestled over 50% of the company, Engels who was the CEO tries to have Jason eliminated. At this point Jason and friends find out that there is a coup being planned. There is a lot of espionage going on as well as body damage and killings. The novel was confusing at times and didn’t make sense all the time. It was as though the author was trying to immolate Jason Bourne. I didn’t think it worked. Apparently this was the first of a series of novels about Jason Hunt. The novel might be interesting to fans of spy novels but did not interest me.
June 7, 2021
This is my first time reading Wesley Cross and even though it's not my typical genre I enjoyed this book!
There's a lot of characters to keep track of in this audio and Neill Thorne did a phenomenal job acting out each character! I'm blown away with his ability to voice so many different characters and keep track of them fluidly throughout the book.
As far as the concept of this book goes, I would say as a non thriller reader, I was intrigued by the concept. Even though this idea has been done before, Wesley made if feel fresh with a human component and the driving force behind Jason's reasoning.
Not only did I feel invested in where his story was going, but also all the other characters in this book.
I was lucky to have been given the first 3 books in this series and I'm ready to pick up from book one into the next book, Vertigo.
There's a lot of characters to keep track of in this audio and Neill Thorne did a phenomenal job acting out each character! I'm blown away with his ability to voice so many different characters and keep track of them fluidly throughout the book.
As far as the concept of this book goes, I would say as a non thriller reader, I was intrigued by the concept. Even though this idea has been done before, Wesley made if feel fresh with a human component and the driving force behind Jason's reasoning.
Not only did I feel invested in where his story was going, but also all the other characters in this book.
I was lucky to have been given the first 3 books in this series and I'm ready to pick up from book one into the next book, Vertigo.
January 28, 2020
The premise in the description of the book immediately grabbed my attention. I love cybernetic and cyborg types of science fiction mainly because I think its cool but also because its not so far fetched. Unfortunately this book was pretty confusing at times. Between introducing new characters out of nowhere and time skips, I sometimes felt lost until trying to figure out what was happening. Thats the main issue that keeps this book from being great. I'll stick around to see what happens in the next book and thats the important part.
May 12, 2020
The premise is interesting and I would like to see this done well. From the beginning the action is fast paced but jumps around from viewpoint to viewpoint without necessarily making it clear whose viewpoint at the moment. It becomes confusing and not worth the effort.
The violence grows steadily with each episode until one very violent attack on a man and his wife and I was done.
Some people might like this but I would like to see it done by a better writer. The concept itself is interesting.
The violence grows steadily with each episode until one very violent attack on a man and his wife and I was done.
Some people might like this but I would like to see it done by a better writer. The concept itself is interesting.
September 5, 2022
I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Neill Thorne was excellent. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and hearing distinct voices for them helped me keep them straight. I'm sure that I enjoyed the story more because I listened to it.
The story itself was interesting and contained a lot of action (sometimes graphic). The science fiction concepts were creative, and I am interested in listening to more of the series.
I received a copy of the audiobook at my request, and the opinions here are my own.
The story itself was interesting and contained a lot of action (sometimes graphic). The science fiction concepts were creative, and I am interested in listening to more of the series.
I received a copy of the audiobook at my request, and the opinions here are my own.
December 12, 2023
This was purely... alright.
The action was decent and easy to follow. The story was futuristic and interesting. The thing that really annoyed me was the author's decision to continuously switch between first and last names. It works for James Bond, it works for Jack Reacher. It doesn't work for nearly anyone else and certainly not for half the characters in a book. I had such a hard time following the first half of this book I actually had to take notes of who was who and almost DNF'ed. I don't think I will be continuing the series.
The action was decent and easy to follow. The story was futuristic and interesting. The thing that really annoyed me was the author's decision to continuously switch between first and last names. It works for James Bond, it works for Jack Reacher. It doesn't work for nearly anyone else and certainly not for half the characters in a book. I had such a hard time following the first half of this book I actually had to take notes of who was who and almost DNF'ed. I don't think I will be continuing the series.
August 2, 2019
I won a paperback copy of Wesley Cross's book THE BLUEPRINT. I could not put it down. I did have to make a list of the characters and their basic characteristics to help me know who was who and how they were connected. Overall I enjoyed reading this action-packed story full of corporate secrecy and keeping their secrets at all cost no matter who gots in the way. I definitely have to read Cross's next story VERTIGO.
June 11, 2018
Great start!
I would give this book 3.5 stars. The beginning of the book started off great. It was captivating and I didn't want to put it down. Eventually there were way too many characters and I couldn't keep up with who was who. Overall a decent book with potential. I loved that the setting of this book was in New Jersey and NY. I'm from NJ so that connection was a plus.
I would give this book 3.5 stars. The beginning of the book started off great. It was captivating and I didn't want to put it down. Eventually there were way too many characters and I couldn't keep up with who was who. Overall a decent book with potential. I loved that the setting of this book was in New Jersey and NY. I'm from NJ so that connection was a plus.
December 10, 2019
Entertaining
Corporate dystopia. Global conspiracy and secret organizations with shady masterminds. Cyborgs. A good read and solid story that seems a plausible not too distant future. I liked the concept and enjoyed the execution of the story except for the utter lack of any closure whatsoever. I'll probably read deeper into the series just to resolve the cliffhanger ending.
Corporate dystopia. Global conspiracy and secret organizations with shady masterminds. Cyborgs. A good read and solid story that seems a plausible not too distant future. I liked the concept and enjoyed the execution of the story except for the utter lack of any closure whatsoever. I'll probably read deeper into the series just to resolve the cliffhanger ending.
March 25, 2020
Very well written story!
I didn't care for all the backstage corporate/ governmental wrangling. It is essential to the book and series, I know, but I am more a "blood and thunder" type reader
I didn't care for all the backstage corporate/ governmental wrangling. It is essential to the book and series, I know, but I am more a "blood and thunder" type reader
April 2, 2020
This is a fascinating look at a world that is a small economic/societal step from what we live in. The protagonist quickly finds himself thrust into the forefront of a struggle to fix a very broken world. There is plenty of action and behind the scene maneuvers to keep your interest.
June 4, 2020
Corporate Mob
To me, had difficulty separating which corporate team the numerous characters author used were on. Seemed unrealistic how easily final corporate takeover was manipulated. Not sure if good guys won or not.
To me, had difficulty separating which corporate team the numerous characters author used were on. Seemed unrealistic how easily final corporate takeover was manipulated. Not sure if good guys won or not.
December 20, 2021
Thought provoking
Possibly a prediction of what may become a reality in the next few decades or so. A really well written story that has been thoroughly thought out. A great read for those who like military and black ops novels.
Possibly a prediction of what may become a reality in the next few decades or so. A really well written story that has been thoroughly thought out. A great read for those who like military and black ops novels.
May 21, 2019
This was an exciting read. A very human story, with a smooth progression. I'm looking forward to gt
the next story in this series.
the next story in this series.
June 15, 2019
Nice
Nicely put together a few hiccups in the story line but nothing to spoil the story so great work writer.
Nicely put together a few hiccups in the story line but nothing to spoil the story so great work writer.
July 22, 2019
A little confused at first, with the multiple threads, but it came together. Might make a good mini series on the SyFy channel.
December 6, 2019
Near future sci-fi adventure. Has the feel of Expanse without being in space. Devoured it in two days. Definitely going to get the rest of the series.#voraciousreadersonly
January 18, 2020
Unique
Unlike anything I've ever read before. Futuristic and frightening, but with a kernel of positivity and hope. Great characters and edge of your seat action.
Unlike anything I've ever read before. Futuristic and frightening, but with a kernel of positivity and hope. Great characters and edge of your seat action.
January 24, 2020
Not my style
There’s nothing wrong with this book if you like graphic violence. The plot was well researched and thought out but the blood and gore is just something I don’t enjoy.
There’s nothing wrong with this book if you like graphic violence. The plot was well researched and thought out but the blood and gore is just something I don’t enjoy.
January 28, 2020
Started out promising but I lost track of too many characters so instead of going back (hard to do with a Kindle book) I gave it up, which I rarely do.
December 29, 2020
So many characters to keep track of. A little confusing.
April 8, 2023
Interesting
This book is an interesting concept and I enjoyed it, probably not enough to jump straight into the rest of the series. Great writing, good storyline.
This book is an interesting concept and I enjoyed it, probably not enough to jump straight into the rest of the series. Great writing, good storyline.
June 23, 2024
The future looks bleak. The problem is that this scenario isn't too far from reality. Good read, although a lot of character POVs did make it a little confusing at times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews