Rising Force Audiobook by Ken Lozito | Ascension

Summary

When humanity’s survival hinges on fragile alliances with alien species and a psychic connection no one saw coming, the stakes aren’t just planetary – they’re existential. Rising Force plunges listeners into a universe where Earth is no longer the center of anything, and the only thing standing between civilization and annihilation is a crew pushed to its absolute limits. Ken Lozito delivers a military sci-fi experience that balances large-scale galactic warfare with deeply personal character moments that hit harder than any plasma blast.

Audiobook Info

Author: Ken Lozito
Narrator: Jeff Hays
Duration: 9 hours and 45 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Release Date: October 29, 2019

Review

Jeff Hays is the kind of narrator who doesn’t just read a book – he inhabits it. His performance in Rising Force is a masterclass in voice acting, with each character carved out in distinct vocal textures that make it effortless to follow even the most complex multi-character scenes. From the steely resolve of battle-hardened soldiers to the quiet vulnerability of characters grappling with impossible choices, Hays modulates his tone, pacing, and emotional intensity with surgical precision. There are moments where his delivery alone ratchets up the tension to almost unbearable levels, and quieter passages where his restraint lets the weight of the story settle into your chest. If you’ve ever doubted whether a narrator can make or break a sci-fi audiobook, Hays answers that question definitively.

Ken Lozito has built a reputation for constructing science fiction universes that feel both sprawling and meticulously detailed, and Rising Force is a prime example of that craftsmanship. The world-building here is layered and rewarding – alien civilizations aren’t reduced to monolithic cultures but are given political structures, internal conflicts, and histories that make them feel genuinely lived-in. The Boxan alliance, in particular, is rendered with a richness that elevates the story beyond typical “humans versus aliens” fare. Lozito clearly respects his audience’s intelligence, trusting listeners to piece together the geopolitical complexities of an interstellar conflict without heavy-handed exposition dumps.

What sets Rising Force apart from the crowded field of military sci-fi is the way Lozito handles his character dynamics. Kaylan’s unexpected psychic bond with a Boxan soldier isn’t just a plot device – it becomes the emotional spine of the narrative, forcing both the reader and the characters to confront questions about trust, identity, and what it truly means to be allied with someone fundamentally different from yourself. The ripple effects of this connection through the crew create some of the most compelling interpersonal tension in the book, adding a psychological layer that keeps the story engaging even between the explosive action sequences. Lozito understands that the best space operas are really about people, not spaceships.

The pacing of this audiobook rewards patient listeners. The opening act takes its time establishing the strategic landscape and the emotional states of the key players, which may feel deliberate to those eager for combat. But this groundwork pays enormous dividends as the story accelerates into its second and third acts, where battle sequences unfold with breathtaking intricacy and plot revelations land with genuine impact because Lozito has earned them. There’s a particular mid-book sequence involving a tactical gambit that is so expertly constructed – both in Lozito’s writing and Hays’ performance – that it stands as one of the most immersive stretches of audio I’ve encountered in recent sci-fi listening.

Rising Force is tailor-made for fans of authors like Jack Campbell, John Scalzi, and B.V. Larson – listeners who crave intelligent military science fiction that doesn’t sacrifice character depth for action spectacle. It’s equally satisfying for anyone who appreciates stories about unlikely alliances formed under impossible pressure. Whether you’re a longtime follower of Lozito’s work or discovering him for the first time, this audiobook delivers a potent combination of strategic warfare, alien intrigue, and deeply human stakes that will keep your earbuds firmly in place from the first chapter to the last.

Download & Listen

Experience the full intensity of Ken Lozito’s Rising Force with Jeff Hays’ electrifying narration by downloading your copy today at KTAudiobooks.com. With nearly ten hours of interstellar conflict, alien alliances, and edge-of-your-seat tactical warfare, this is one audiobook that demands to be listened to in as few sittings as possible. Add it to your library now and discover why Lozito’s universe keeps listeners coming back for more.

Status: Completed Version: Unabridged Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy Author: Ken Lozito Narrator: Jeff Hays Updated: 17/03/2026 Series: Ascension Listening Time:

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