A completely gripping, read-at-once novel

Hold on tight and enjoy the ride... Tremendous stuff

One of the most potent and unusual works of literary fiction I've read in years... Mercurio's Yefgenii is as real as anyone you've ever cared about. And care you will

A seat-of-the-pants ride through the life of top Soviet fighter ace with his sights set on the Moon, from an author whose sights are set just as high

A Russian version of The Right Stuff... Riveting

In moments of intense action, we're with this protagonist every inch of the way, through every thought, dive, ache, smell, itch, tast and gastric movement... vertiginously thrilling

Ascent is a page turning story of a man's ambition to be the very best. Based on real events and using real people, it places this fictitious character in a period when space itself was there for the taking. Beautifully written, it's a book that deserves to be read

A cross between adventure story and literary fiction, this is an unusual novel

Streaks by at full throttle... truly exciting

Speaks volumes about heroism and the human condition... A taut, page-turning narrative

Ingenious