Asher Benson has been living on the outskirts of society for years. After surviving a devastating terrorist attack in the mountains of West Virginia, he abandons a life of solitude to rejoin a fight he thought was long behind him. Drowning in survivor's guilt and plagued by the death and destruction that always follows him, Ash dedicates himself to finding the terrorists responsible for destroying an entire town.
When a new threat arises in Washington D.C., the entire nation descends into chaos. With a team assembled from retired Special Forces warriors, the snarky Nami, and the ever-vigilant Drew, Ash goes in search of the man who brought the country to its knees.
"JASON BRANT" is an anagram for Bas Trojann, a former Bigfoot hunter who, after being abducted (and subsequently returned) by aliens, decided to hang up his ghillie suit and enter the world of professional arm wrestling. Despite back-to-back first place finishes in the South Dakota World International Championship League, Bas receded from athletics to invent cheese and give Al Gore the initiative to create the internet.
Nearly a decade after writing the bestselling self-help series, Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese (Cut into Four Pieces) for the Soul, Bas has left his life of notoriety and critical acclaim behind him to write existential, erotic poetry.
Jason Brant has made us wait for the third book in the Asher Benson series. And if you’re going to pull a George R.R. Martin and make your fans wait this long for a book, it damn well better be worth it. Well, Jason Brant has pulled it off. Asher’s War has to be the best in the series…so far.
Every author has their strength. Jason Brant writes dialogue like it’s nobody’s business. The banter between Asher, Nami and Andrew has to be some of the best ever written. He could write a story about the three of them talking in a bar, and I would be there. The dialogue makes the story.
Then, there is Asher Benson. He is the most egotistical, caring, self-loathing, bada$$, selfless, drunken tragic hero ever created. He mixes together perfectly with the supporting cast while doing things his way. The characters are intricately created, they are beyond real, yet at the same time they feel a bit like family. Not the kind of family you would actually introduce people to, but the ones you lock away and bring out when the Hatfields want to visit.
Now, I haven’t said much about the story, and I won’t. Either you’ve read books one and two and I’m not spoiling anything, or you’re looking at the series for the first time and anything I say about book three will ruin your experience when you read Ash.
Asher’s War is the perfect next step in the Asher Benson series, it is a fun-filled book that keeps the tension high. Jason Brant has closed some doors and opened others. Here’s hoping we see Ash again soon.
I read the first book in this series, Ash, but haven’t read the second (or the short story) yet. That didn’t mar my enjoyment of this—the third book—at all! The author sprinkles enough background throughout the story that the reader always understands what went before—and I have to admit, it’s whetted my appetite for the previous stories.
Asher Benson is a wonderful hero—big, strong, telepathic, telekinetic, a beer-drinker, and a good guy. He’s part of a clandestine group nicknamed The Psych Ward. Drew, a policeman, and Nami, a foul-mouthed computer whiz who looks like a 12-year old, are characters from the earlier books, but Asher’s War introduces three new male characters and one new female one to the Psych Ward. Their target is a man named Smith and his group of villains who possess and don’t hesitate to use a sound weapon that turns innocent people into crazed killers. Trouble is, the few members of the government who know the Psych Ward exists are about to shut them down. But Asher has a personal vendetta to settle with Smith, and presidential orders to cease and desist are not going to deter him from settling it.
If you like action novels with bigger than life heroes who don’t let beatings, injuries, torture, or anything else stand in their way, you’ll love the Asher Benson series!
The main character is an arsehole... actually pretty much everyone is an arsehole, to some degree, in this book. It took a little while to get properly started which is one of the reasons I only gave it 4 stars. With Asher, I've become used to immediate ass-kickings and pray-to-whatever-deity-you-believe-in situations with him making stupid jokes the entire time, so when the (shit hits the fan) fighting didn't start straight away, I was a tad disappointed.
I think a couple less comments about how big he is and how great his muscles are would have been okay, there was definitely too much "I'm so awesome, no one can beat me, look how strong I am", which resulted in a good amount of eye rolling on my behalf ...honestly I don't think I could spend more than a couple days with Asher without wanting to cave his head in, he seemed more tolerable in the first two books, yet he has his likeable qualities. Like his ability to always be the most sarcastic bastard you've ever met regardless of the situation he's in, I mean, you've gotta give props to the guy for that.
So yeah, it's safe to say I enjoyed the book, although I think I enjoyed the first two more, I remember laughing a lot more during those than in Asher's War.
However, we did get another badass lady, thank you Miss Manning, you were wonderful (can I have your belt?).
Jason Brant's Asher Benson series has been, since book 1, an epic and hilarious journey told through the point of view of Ash; a smart mouthed telepath with a dependency on drinking and sarcasm.
In book three, we get a whole new take on Ash's mission to make the world a better place. In the past two books we've seen some dark things, but always on the outside. In Asher's War we see the darkness reverse and slam directly into Ash himself. Tortured emotionally and physically, he is pushed to near insanity as he fights to survive. In this book we get to see a true test of his character, and with Author Jason Brant's skillfull writing we see a huge development in Asher's life.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves a sarcastic, badass hombre like Asher Benson. I am excitedly awaiting the next book in thos amazing series!
The Asher Benson Trilogy quietly has become one of my absolute favorites in the political triller/conspiracy genre.
On the surface the series sounds like a pulp action flick- former military man gets a traumatic brain injury from a combat injury and becomes a telepath who tries to mask his "gift" by being obnoxiously drunk at all times.... And it is, but in all of the best ways.
Asher, or Ash as he is known, is a wise cracking sarcastic asshole who also doubles as one of my favorite unlikely/reluctant heroes. He's a lovable good, with a knack of dropping just the right quip to ease the tension in some of the tensest moments- a very Peter Parker-esque quality that led me to laughing out loud on multiple occasions.
Especially as his gift led him into a role in a top secret government organization tasked with trying to stop telepathic terrorism. It sounds like a fever dream and even as a write this it sounds so insane, but that makes it so entertaining for me.
But lost in the ridiculousness of the premise of the series is a really cool bit of character development. Ash starts off as a drunk, becomes a hero and has to learn to grasp with his gifts and the unfortunate losses he has to endure along the way. This was a fitting send off to the Asher Benson character but I would absolutely love it if we get some new adventures with Ash and the gang one day.
The third and final instalment of Asher Benson and unfortunately the worst of the trilogy however its not bad just that what's gone before is far superior.. After the events of Madness book 2 Asher and his bunch of misfits are on the hunt for Smith and the man in black, after an explosive start on the DC subway the book struggles to live up to the start and crawls to the finish, we have some odd splattering's of action here and there but I just felt the book went out on a whimper and wasn't really a fan of the final showdown. Asher just comes across as a complete twat he has always had that about himself but in book 3 he is so over the top that I found him rather annoying why Brent took it to this extreme only he will know but it did kind of spoil the book for me. Brant has left the door open for a possible return to this world and I would read more of Asher's adventures as he is a likeable fella and very amusing in the first two books. Overall the trilogy is worth a read and one that I would recommend.
My first thought after finishing the book was "oh man, I hope there are more stories coming!" The ending certainly left a few details unresolved. So, I guess time will tell.
Ash Benson and a newly recruited crew are thrown together and are chasing after the elusive Smith once again. The thing about these stories is that they are so vivid that they would be great candidates for adaptation to movies. That would be a lot of fun if done right.
This is the last book in the Asher Benson series and it is a blast! Lots of action with some unexpected twists when a good guy gets caught by the awful Mr. Smith.
I enjoyed the entire series even though the 2nd book was a bit too much blood and gore. I did not like the ending that felt like a cliffhanger but would recommend the series anyway. I am curious about Jason Brant and may read some of his other books.
Another stonking good novel! I really like Ash and his team mates. I wasn't so sure about the newbies, but they're pulling their weight alright! Nami is still my favourite potty mouth, and I was disappointed to find that I'd finished the book! There must be a book 4 because this one was left open ended. Who is this new friend of Smith's? What has happened to Ashley's abilities? Will Ash find love? Come on Jason! Put us out of our misery!!
So glad to see the end of Smith in this book. I am guessing that Ash and Drew have not seen the last of the man in the black suit. It would be nice if Ash could move on and have a life besides being a drunk. Yet he is very good at going after the bad guys and bring them to justice. It was terrible to read what Smith did to Jamie Walsh. That was so sad.
Three great books that hopefully lead in to a series. A telepath blows the lid off a covert op that no one is quite certain belongs to whom or even what country. Now with the help of a single telepath and a small team of special ops men as well as a female SWAT member the search intensifies....
Reading this book has been a kick, part comedy, all thriller. It’s easy to root for the characters. Ash and Drew and all the others are engaging heroes with an interesting story, can’t wait for the movie version!
Brant keeps delivering a wild, crazy, bizzarre set of events ....that come crashing down with a short period of time. You enjoy the reading but there could be more meat and length to the bone you are knawing on. It is a very interesting and you want more now.
Very exciting read. Lots of action, fast pace. I loved this book! The novel ends with the possibility of another in the series in the future. I'll have to see if there is another book in this series.
Jason Brant is one of my favorite authors. His west of Hell series is pure brilliance, and his Hunger series is one of my top three Zombie series.
I've also enjoyed the first two Asher Benson books.
But this one... The writing is good, as always. The action is fast-paced and clear. The world is populated with interesting characters; the author even manages to give personality to some of the special forces bad-asses that are so cookie-cutter in other novels.
But here's the rub: the main character irritated the heck out of me. In the first two novels, Asher was stubborn, occasionally cocky, and a real ass to people that he didn't like. I get that, and kind of liked him for it. But in this novel, he was just too over-the-top arrogant for me to handle. At first I thought he was being sarcastic, but after the umpteenth time he referenced the impressive size of his own muscles or of his manhood, I finally realized he is just in love with himself.
I went back to the first two books to see if I had misremembered them and Asher had always been this way, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Whatever's going on with this guy, he needs to dial it down a notch.
It's a good book. A very good action tale. And if you aren't irritated by the main character in the way I was, you'll most likely enjoy the book. For me, Asher was just too much.
I could not put this book down! Like all previous books, it was action packed from beginning to end. It left me wanting more.
Ash himself thinks he's a messed up character to make into a hero but, despite his obvious flaws, he is one of my favourite protagonists of all time. People may think his vulgar, egotistical, crazy traits would be off putting, but me? I love it! He's the right mix of all three and can make you laugh or cry depending on what's happening. His banter with the equally disgusting Nami has me in stitches every time!
I don't think my vocabulary is extensive enough to give this book or author the praise they deserves. All I will say is; if you've never read a book by Jason Brant, then you've missed out and need to rectify the oversight immediately. Ash is a great place to start.
Jason Brant has hit another home run with the 3rd installment of the Asher Benson series. It is full of twists and turns as him and his new team hunt down Smith. I think my favorite new recruit of the group was Bree, but Nami is my favorite even with her potty mouth. This book is as much action packed as the other 2 books in this series. I highly recommend this book and the other two.
Awesome read. I have been enjoying the Asher Benson series since the onset. This is another installment that does not disappoint. I like that Brant left it open for subsequent tales in the series, and I hope that he follows through with that inferred promise soon. Well done.
Yet another great story. New characters join the team to stop Smith and his group, I couldn't put this book down, it will leave you shocked and wanting more. Read it.
3.5, like the others. I liked how it ended with the main antogonist meeting his sticky end and the protagonists surviving, with Ash being relatively functional. I do suspect that there may be another in the series due to another antagonist being on the loose still. I may be wrong however.
Enjoyed this Book...Asher' s War...I liked the new characters that Jason has brought into this series. There is a lot of action With all kinds of weapons. Looking forward to the next Asher book. Thanks, Amarillo Turtle