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New America #1
Collapse
America is falling, ready to join the Roman Empire as a distant memory in the annals of history. The year is 2027. Tired and desperate, the American people are deep in the middle of The Second Great Depression. The Florida coastline is in ruins from the most powerful hurricane on record; a second just like it is bearing down on the state of Texas. For the first time in history, the Middle East has united as one and amassed the most formidable army the world has seen since the Third Reich. A hidden army of terrorists is on American soil. This is the story of three men: Howard Beck, the world’s richest man, also diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Richard Dupree, ex-Navy SEAL turned escaped convict. Maxwell Harris, a crippled, burned out Chief of Police of a small Texas town. At first they must fight for their own survival against impossible odds. Finally, the three men must band together to save their beloved country from collapse.
484 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
455 people are currently reading
3162 people want to read
About the author
Richard Stephenson
18 books834 followersRichard Stephenson was born in 1975 in Denison, TX and spent his childhood in North Texas. In 1992, he graduated high school after only three years. He then pursued his degree at Oklahoma Christian University, once again accomplishing the task in three years. Richard then married his best friend before going off to basic training to be a military policeman with the US Army. With his new wife joining the adventure, they spent the next four years at Fort Polk, LA and had two children.
Richard currently lives in Southeast Texas with his family where he is working something very top secret.
Why haven't I published anything in four years?
Well, stay tuned!
Richard currently lives in Southeast Texas with his family where he is working something very top secret.
Why haven't I published anything in four years?
Well, stay tuned!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
September 24, 2012
I think I'm the only person on goodreads who didn't like this book. I almost gave up two chapters in, but I love end-of-the-world books, and I just had to see where this one went.
To be fair, this book kept me up late reading which hasn't happened to me in awhile. I also brought my kindle to work so I could finish it during any down time I had. You'd think with all that, it would be a five-star book for me. Isn't that what books are supposed to do?
Yet, I think what kept me hooked was the same thing that causes people to gather around car crashes.
This read like anti-government propaganda.
There were huge info-dumps with lots of telling instead of showing. There were cultural references, but the author explained each reference so you didn't have to have any knowledge. For example,
I liked the characters of Howard and Richard, but I can't say any of the characters were really great.
I was also bothered by the plot holes and inconsistencies.
Another thing that bugged me was the technological inconsistencies.
Maybe I just didn't like it because of the bleak world it paints in such a near future (the book takes place in 2027), but I'm leaning more towards the fact that this is like a conspiracy theory novel. There are very few decent people in this book.
This review sums up a lot of the other problems in the book even though the reader gave it 4 stars:
To be fair, this book kept me up late reading which hasn't happened to me in awhile. I also brought my kindle to work so I could finish it during any down time I had. You'd think with all that, it would be a five-star book for me. Isn't that what books are supposed to do?
Yet, I think what kept me hooked was the same thing that causes people to gather around car crashes.
This read like anti-government propaganda.
There were huge info-dumps with lots of telling instead of showing. There were cultural references, but the author explained each reference so you didn't have to have any knowledge. For example,
I liked the characters of Howard and Richard, but I can't say any of the characters were really great.
I was also bothered by the plot holes and inconsistencies.
Another thing that bugged me was the technological inconsistencies.
Maybe I just didn't like it because of the bleak world it paints in such a near future (the book takes place in 2027), but I'm leaning more towards the fact that this is like a conspiracy theory novel. There are very few decent people in this book.
This review sums up a lot of the other problems in the book even though the reader gave it 4 stars:
October 3, 2012
Regarding the collapse of authority and infrastructure of the country, there are better stories out there. Too many cliches and too much material that really wasn't germane to the story. Just padding the pages, in my opinion. Was a back story on a person already dead really necessary? While it wasn't lengthy, it wasn't needed, either. Just one example.
August 14, 2012
Great book! Upon finishing, I felt sad like I always do when I've really enjoyed my book. I cannot wait for Resistance. Chief Petty officer Dupree was easily my favorite character and I hope he finds his daughter in one piece. I will be waiting patiently for the next installment. If it's not free, I'll gladly pony up whatever ;) one thing I won't miss will be the nightmares. I swear it seemed so realistic I thought I should make a Y2k-style stash of my own. EMP's are no joke! Read it. Good stuff
April 2, 2013
I got this free book after reading all the glowing reviews here. I fail to see why there are so many. The story is too disjointed with far too many OMG HUGE HORRIFYING DRAMA HERE parts to it. There wasn't a single character that I felt I could connect with - but part of the reason for that is because you get slices of each character's experience, then it jumps track to an entirely different story. I get that it's trying to build up an overall "this is how America could fall", but it is just trying way too hard.
I also got really disgusted over the "Obama Camps" (encampments for the vast multitudes of homeless), "Obama Houses" (cardboard boxes), "Obama Mansion" (cardboard boxes fortified with pallet boards & duct tape) and "Obama Furnace" (the classic fire in a metal trash can) - all terms used within a few pages of each other. Wow, ok, I got it: President Obama is one of the bad guys in this story. According to this story, President Obama singlehandedly brought about a Second Great Depression that puts the first one to shame and incurs more debt than any President, living or dead. Just goes to show that some people know very little about how our government actually works (see http://lifehacker.com/5990295/how-to-... ).
The references to current culture/entertainment venues also got really old. Some references are only good for those that actually watched specific shows, others went on for paragraphs explaining current information. I really didn't need a lengthy description of Star Trek nor 2001: A Space Odyssey. I know all about one & the other I couldn't get into on TV - why would I want to read a 5 paragraph essay about it in the middle of a book?
I also got really disgusted over the "Obama Camps" (encampments for the vast multitudes of homeless), "Obama Houses" (cardboard boxes), "Obama Mansion" (cardboard boxes fortified with pallet boards & duct tape) and "Obama Furnace" (the classic fire in a metal trash can) - all terms used within a few pages of each other. Wow, ok, I got it: President Obama is one of the bad guys in this story. According to this story, President Obama singlehandedly brought about a Second Great Depression that puts the first one to shame and incurs more debt than any President, living or dead. Just goes to show that some people know very little about how our government actually works (see http://lifehacker.com/5990295/how-to-... ).
The references to current culture/entertainment venues also got really old. Some references are only good for those that actually watched specific shows, others went on for paragraphs explaining current information. I really didn't need a lengthy description of Star Trek nor 2001: A Space Odyssey. I know all about one & the other I couldn't get into on TV - why would I want to read a 5 paragraph essay about it in the middle of a book?
August 28, 2012
Honestly, this book is pretty bad. The dialogue is laughable and mostly expository, the love scene at the end is clumsy and embarrassing, and the characters are stock and 1 dimensional.
But, I found myself eagerly reading the whole damn thing. In its own depressing, nihilistic way, it's an oddly compelling book and I kind of want to read the sequel. With a good editor, the author could do far better with the next book.
Oh yeah-- deux machina and Chekov's gun out the yang
But, I found myself eagerly reading the whole damn thing. In its own depressing, nihilistic way, it's an oddly compelling book and I kind of want to read the sequel. With a good editor, the author could do far better with the next book.
Oh yeah-- deux machina and Chekov's gun out the yang
December 5, 2014
Terrifying!!
Could America fall? No chance. Are you absolutely sure? Read this book.
Every American, European and free Westerner should read this book.
Really!
Could America fall? No chance. Are you absolutely sure? Read this book.
Every American, European and free Westerner should read this book.
Really!
August 29, 2013
Collapse….And yes it does!
I maintained high hopes in reading this book. They were dashed in the first few chapters, but I read on.
The main premise or premises are: One, Iran is in the act of taking over the world and bringing down the United States. Two: A rogues group of politicians, tired of the old democracy, have sites on building a new one. Three: Hurricanes Luther and Maxine have destroyed the Eastern Seaboard and Texas. Four: The world’s richest man, Howard Beck wants to sit on the sidelines encamped in his fortress in Colorado. Five: Richard Dupree wants to escape the maximum security prison in Nevada under the cover of a massive fire and thunderstorm. I think that covers it.
This is the main problem with this work. In an effort to tie all of these events together, the reader is batted back and forth between events in an effort to keep us engaged. I’m sorry to say, it didn’t come together for me. I ardently read the first seventy-five percent of the work and then skimmed the remaining twenty-five. There was nothing offered to have me caring what happened to the myriad of characters in the story.
Pro’s Still thinking
There were a few high points when it came to describing scenes, such as the devastation Luther wrecked on Florida, the chaos gripping the country and maybe even the short engagement between the USS Russell and the Iranian Fleet, but other than that, the cons cloud over the good descriptions.
Con’s. There are so many. I have identified over sixty-five unique issues. Let’s look at some of them.
1) The word “had” killed many a good sentence. A good editor would have slashed the word with great deliberation. It’s used 1127 times. EXCESSIVE!
2) Name tags. It starts out with Howard (559) talking to Hal (267). There are only two people talking. Why are we constantly bombarded with their names? And it just gets worse. How many chapters started with President Malcom Powers or President Sterling or another name. Way too many.
3) Gasoline and aviation fuel. We are told it’s too expensive to buy, yet it seems everyone is driving around in the major cities. And if the country is ensnarled in the “Second Great Depression,” how are the masses affording plane tickets? Inconsistent.
4) Hurricane Maxine flooded all of Houston, yet Max is able to drive out with little difficulty. How? There are three references that the city is inundated.
5) At times I wasn’t sure if the book was about the United States collapsing or the reemergence of a Star Trek episode.
6) Less is definitely more when it comes to this work. I found five chapters which were unwanted filler or went on so long, interest quickly faded. Ch’s 9—Why? We already know he’s in jail and by this time, why did we care what his crime was? I didn’t’ care. This was an unwanted jar. Ch 15—nothing but filler. Ch 17—mediocrity at its best. Ch 18, irrelevance. Ch 34—Here we go again. Could have been great, but more mediocre conversations.
7) Beck returns to his main fortress. Wait, his wife’s garden is there and that is where he encountered the National Guard who is now occupying his home, yet there is no one there. This is a lost train of thought. Wrong place, wrong time.
8) Page 41 Loc 667 “Everyone in the room settled into their seats” They were already sitting. Repetitive.
Page 45 Loc 739 Okay, Iran has taken over Gibraltar, but we aren’t told why, yet we have been inundated with Beck and his Star Trek obsession. Which is more germane to the story? I don’t think it’s Star Trek. And then the James Russell takes Gibraltar back. Excuse me. One ship recaptures the island? Where’s the plausibility in this?
Page 45 Loc 745 All the talk about Monica is useless filler.
Page 56 Loc 907 “It take a village, they told him.” What takes a village?
Page 75 Loc 1130 “New Orleans Saints and the Oklahoma City Sooners.” My problem with this is, we have been burdened with a lot of useless filler and descriptions and then when it’s required, nothing. Being from Oklahoma, I was screaming with this sentence. Later we’re told about the new NFL team in Oklahoma. Why not when we are introduced to them? This is the most glaring deficit of this book. Characters or events are introduced and the background to justify them comes much later. Poor thought process
9) Numerous words have been left out of sentences. Ex: page 21 loc 266 “Richard decided not (to) get involved.” Page 383 loc 6928 "Look like I work for CNN?” Perhaps “Do I look like I work for CNN?” And there are more.
Granted, this is a work of fiction which entitles an author a lot of leeway and creativity, but when one starts reciting actual historical events and technologies, the story better find a true path or it will collapse.
Will I be getting the sequel? Very doubtful. I’ve already seen a few reviewers making comments about the second book needing to be proofread. Come on Richard, give your work the respect is commands and find a good, unbiased editor. You’re diminishing your own work.
A two star push.
I maintained high hopes in reading this book. They were dashed in the first few chapters, but I read on.
The main premise or premises are: One, Iran is in the act of taking over the world and bringing down the United States. Two: A rogues group of politicians, tired of the old democracy, have sites on building a new one. Three: Hurricanes Luther and Maxine have destroyed the Eastern Seaboard and Texas. Four: The world’s richest man, Howard Beck wants to sit on the sidelines encamped in his fortress in Colorado. Five: Richard Dupree wants to escape the maximum security prison in Nevada under the cover of a massive fire and thunderstorm. I think that covers it.
This is the main problem with this work. In an effort to tie all of these events together, the reader is batted back and forth between events in an effort to keep us engaged. I’m sorry to say, it didn’t come together for me. I ardently read the first seventy-five percent of the work and then skimmed the remaining twenty-five. There was nothing offered to have me caring what happened to the myriad of characters in the story.
Pro’s Still thinking
There were a few high points when it came to describing scenes, such as the devastation Luther wrecked on Florida, the chaos gripping the country and maybe even the short engagement between the USS Russell and the Iranian Fleet, but other than that, the cons cloud over the good descriptions.
Con’s. There are so many. I have identified over sixty-five unique issues. Let’s look at some of them.
1) The word “had” killed many a good sentence. A good editor would have slashed the word with great deliberation. It’s used 1127 times. EXCESSIVE!
2) Name tags. It starts out with Howard (559) talking to Hal (267). There are only two people talking. Why are we constantly bombarded with their names? And it just gets worse. How many chapters started with President Malcom Powers or President Sterling or another name. Way too many.
3) Gasoline and aviation fuel. We are told it’s too expensive to buy, yet it seems everyone is driving around in the major cities. And if the country is ensnarled in the “Second Great Depression,” how are the masses affording plane tickets? Inconsistent.
4) Hurricane Maxine flooded all of Houston, yet Max is able to drive out with little difficulty. How? There are three references that the city is inundated.
5) At times I wasn’t sure if the book was about the United States collapsing or the reemergence of a Star Trek episode.
6) Less is definitely more when it comes to this work. I found five chapters which were unwanted filler or went on so long, interest quickly faded. Ch’s 9—Why? We already know he’s in jail and by this time, why did we care what his crime was? I didn’t’ care. This was an unwanted jar. Ch 15—nothing but filler. Ch 17—mediocrity at its best. Ch 18, irrelevance. Ch 34—Here we go again. Could have been great, but more mediocre conversations.
7) Beck returns to his main fortress. Wait, his wife’s garden is there and that is where he encountered the National Guard who is now occupying his home, yet there is no one there. This is a lost train of thought. Wrong place, wrong time.
8) Page 41 Loc 667 “Everyone in the room settled into their seats” They were already sitting. Repetitive.
Page 45 Loc 739 Okay, Iran has taken over Gibraltar, but we aren’t told why, yet we have been inundated with Beck and his Star Trek obsession. Which is more germane to the story? I don’t think it’s Star Trek. And then the James Russell takes Gibraltar back. Excuse me. One ship recaptures the island? Where’s the plausibility in this?
Page 45 Loc 745 All the talk about Monica is useless filler.
Page 56 Loc 907 “It take a village, they told him.” What takes a village?
Page 75 Loc 1130 “New Orleans Saints and the Oklahoma City Sooners.” My problem with this is, we have been burdened with a lot of useless filler and descriptions and then when it’s required, nothing. Being from Oklahoma, I was screaming with this sentence. Later we’re told about the new NFL team in Oklahoma. Why not when we are introduced to them? This is the most glaring deficit of this book. Characters or events are introduced and the background to justify them comes much later. Poor thought process
9) Numerous words have been left out of sentences. Ex: page 21 loc 266 “Richard decided not (to) get involved.” Page 383 loc 6928 "Look like I work for CNN?” Perhaps “Do I look like I work for CNN?” And there are more.
Granted, this is a work of fiction which entitles an author a lot of leeway and creativity, but when one starts reciting actual historical events and technologies, the story better find a true path or it will collapse.
Will I be getting the sequel? Very doubtful. I’ve already seen a few reviewers making comments about the second book needing to be proofread. Come on Richard, give your work the respect is commands and find a good, unbiased editor. You’re diminishing your own work.
A two star push.
August 4, 2012
I thought it might be interesting to read something a little different this summer so when I was offered a free Kindle download of a first novel called COLLAPSE, I was in.
Ordinarily I don't read 'science fiction'. Once in a great while I will read something that is considered 'speculative fiction', but this is definitely 'science fiction'.
First time author Richard Stephenson is right on target exploiting our fears of natural disasters, ruthless politicians, and out-of-control foreign countries in 2027. Much of his story sounds plausible today.
Coming from a military and law enforcement career, the author delivers a lot of interesting detail about those fields. The heroes are men: a crippled, burned out Chief of Police, an ex-Navy Seal now an escaped convict, and the world's richest man. Ultimately it will be up to them to save their beloved country from collapse.
Since the story brings together three different stories, the author feels compelled to restate the basics where each strand takes up again in a way that hits the reader over the head.
A good editor could pull this book together for a wider audience. Right now, there is too much of the 'deus ex machina' for my taste. It would make a great adventure movie with opportunities for wonderful special effects.
The only sex scene occurs near the end of the book and is a bit detailed and out of place for the genre.
BOTTOM LINE: If you like Tom Clancy and manly thrillers, you might find this first book in a series, enjoyable. If you like more literary reads, the lack of editing will drive you crazy.
NOTE: The dystopian thriller COLLAPSE is free this weekend (August 4 & 5) at Amazon! Spread the word!
Ordinarily I don't read 'science fiction'. Once in a great while I will read something that is considered 'speculative fiction', but this is definitely 'science fiction'.
First time author Richard Stephenson is right on target exploiting our fears of natural disasters, ruthless politicians, and out-of-control foreign countries in 2027. Much of his story sounds plausible today.
Coming from a military and law enforcement career, the author delivers a lot of interesting detail about those fields. The heroes are men: a crippled, burned out Chief of Police, an ex-Navy Seal now an escaped convict, and the world's richest man. Ultimately it will be up to them to save their beloved country from collapse.
Since the story brings together three different stories, the author feels compelled to restate the basics where each strand takes up again in a way that hits the reader over the head.
A good editor could pull this book together for a wider audience. Right now, there is too much of the 'deus ex machina' for my taste. It would make a great adventure movie with opportunities for wonderful special effects.
The only sex scene occurs near the end of the book and is a bit detailed and out of place for the genre.
BOTTOM LINE: If you like Tom Clancy and manly thrillers, you might find this first book in a series, enjoyable. If you like more literary reads, the lack of editing will drive you crazy.
NOTE: The dystopian thriller COLLAPSE is free this weekend (August 4 & 5) at Amazon! Spread the word!
May 23, 2013
I loved this book from beginning to end and can't wait for the next installment. It is fast-paced, well-written (despite the typos) and controversial in its hard-hitting, gritty plot. I liked the way each of the characters developed, allowing the story to become a very personal one due to the reader being able to invest in what they did and how they fared. My favourite character being Max and the most interesting being Howard.
I don't what to give spoilers, but I will say that although it is a very long book, it's worth every page. Yes, I would recommend this story to those who like action and a thought provoking, clever, while at the same time, frightening, read.
A must read.
I don't what to give spoilers, but I will say that although it is a very long book, it's worth every page. Yes, I would recommend this story to those who like action and a thought provoking, clever, while at the same time, frightening, read.
A must read.
January 30, 2016
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Collapse is self-published. I googled Stephenson & Powers Publishing House and alongside the coincidence of being "Stephenson" google came up with list after list of self-publishing links. If it's not then I apologise to the publisher and editor who presumably did work on this book. No, actually, I don't, because you must have been sleeping on the job.
There is a story in here, but it's tainted by clunky writing which a thorough editor would have tweeked. For example, we were told that the main character had Aspergers then a couple of pages later informed again, same words, as if the author had decided to move the reveal but forgot to cut it from its original position. And trust me, these things are hard for an author to spot, weird as that must sound. Authors are too close, staring at the bark when they need to pull back and see the forest--and that's what a good editor is for.
I am persevering with it because it's post-apocalyptic and has some interesting ideas. Maybe the writing will improve...
As ever, I'll report back when done...
50% in now and really wondering whether I can go on. It's like an army beasting (long march) when you think you've suffered enough, have no reserves left, but need to pull some courage out of the bag. There are hidden gems in this utter mess of a book, which almost make it worth continuing with. Almost. I have never read such a jumbled, chaotic story. There seem to be four or five main plots in this: the President's storyline; a billionaire's; a police officer; a convict; a navy seal (he may be the same guy as the convict, I'm not sure); and every one else they come into contact with. If the President's storyline is being told, the pov switches to the secret service, aides, secretaries, same with the convict (other convicts, guards, the warden), same with the billionaire (army guys interacting with him)...you get the picture. Complex plot and multiple story lines I can cope with usually, but they need to be connected in some way! This is like reading different novels just chopped up and slotted in to make chapters.
Also, I can't work out the timeline at all. I'm not sure if some of the things we're being told are in the past (tropical storms, wildfires, war with Iran) or the present.
I'm at the point of skipping entire chunks, which doesn't bode well. If I was reading a paperback I'd skip to the end to see what happens.
I'll update...wish me luck.
Whoa. Sort of finished.
The best analogy I can come up with to explain this book is a movie which you're watching about a mutiny on a nuclear submarine. Next moment there are some ancient Scots with blue faces charging down a hill and you think...huh...did someone change the channel when I wasn't looking? No. Next there's a man who appears into bondage in contemporary New York, but before you can enjoy this, quickly there's a huge alien space ship and Will Smith talking about freedom. Cut to China and some orphans escaping into the mountains and Julie Andrews singing. You check the wine you're drinking, just in case it's been spiked. No. Movie continues. Now we're back in space, but not the original aliens. This appears to be way in the future with robotic humanoids. Then cut to black and white and a small tramp skips on... You check the DVD box...blurb says it's all connected. Uh-huh. You're so dizzy you need to vomit and then lie down.
I'm still at the vomiting stage.
And why is this review so long? Why am I spending so much time on this...well, because Hunt for Red October, Independence Day, the Sound of Music (even my Chinese version) are all great films in their own right...just not jumbled together. Someone needs to untangle the threads of this book, spread them out and study them, then start cutting them together so they make some sense. There is a good book in here somewhere; it's just not this one.
Five stars for attempt and some of the ideas. Zero stars for execution. I ought to average it out, I guess, but I'm docking a couple for the sheer arrogance of publishing this in this raw state.
Movies don't work before they are edited and neither do books.
There is a story in here, but it's tainted by clunky writing which a thorough editor would have tweeked. For example, we were told that the main character had Aspergers then a couple of pages later informed again, same words, as if the author had decided to move the reveal but forgot to cut it from its original position. And trust me, these things are hard for an author to spot, weird as that must sound. Authors are too close, staring at the bark when they need to pull back and see the forest--and that's what a good editor is for.
I am persevering with it because it's post-apocalyptic and has some interesting ideas. Maybe the writing will improve...
As ever, I'll report back when done...
50% in now and really wondering whether I can go on. It's like an army beasting (long march) when you think you've suffered enough, have no reserves left, but need to pull some courage out of the bag. There are hidden gems in this utter mess of a book, which almost make it worth continuing with. Almost. I have never read such a jumbled, chaotic story. There seem to be four or five main plots in this: the President's storyline; a billionaire's; a police officer; a convict; a navy seal (he may be the same guy as the convict, I'm not sure); and every one else they come into contact with. If the President's storyline is being told, the pov switches to the secret service, aides, secretaries, same with the convict (other convicts, guards, the warden), same with the billionaire (army guys interacting with him)...you get the picture. Complex plot and multiple story lines I can cope with usually, but they need to be connected in some way! This is like reading different novels just chopped up and slotted in to make chapters.
Also, I can't work out the timeline at all. I'm not sure if some of the things we're being told are in the past (tropical storms, wildfires, war with Iran) or the present.
I'm at the point of skipping entire chunks, which doesn't bode well. If I was reading a paperback I'd skip to the end to see what happens.
I'll update...wish me luck.
Whoa. Sort of finished.
The best analogy I can come up with to explain this book is a movie which you're watching about a mutiny on a nuclear submarine. Next moment there are some ancient Scots with blue faces charging down a hill and you think...huh...did someone change the channel when I wasn't looking? No. Next there's a man who appears into bondage in contemporary New York, but before you can enjoy this, quickly there's a huge alien space ship and Will Smith talking about freedom. Cut to China and some orphans escaping into the mountains and Julie Andrews singing. You check the wine you're drinking, just in case it's been spiked. No. Movie continues. Now we're back in space, but not the original aliens. This appears to be way in the future with robotic humanoids. Then cut to black and white and a small tramp skips on... You check the DVD box...blurb says it's all connected. Uh-huh. You're so dizzy you need to vomit and then lie down.
I'm still at the vomiting stage.
And why is this review so long? Why am I spending so much time on this...well, because Hunt for Red October, Independence Day, the Sound of Music (even my Chinese version) are all great films in their own right...just not jumbled together. Someone needs to untangle the threads of this book, spread them out and study them, then start cutting them together so they make some sense. There is a good book in here somewhere; it's just not this one.
Five stars for attempt and some of the ideas. Zero stars for execution. I ought to average it out, I guess, but I'm docking a couple for the sheer arrogance of publishing this in this raw state.
Movies don't work before they are edited and neither do books.
December 24, 2013
Someone should tell this author about the prime directive for novel-writing: SHOW, don't TELL. Endless explaining and backstory prevents this being the thriller it could be. Some of the ideas about what "could" happen are fine, others are off the beam (but I'm married to a military historian with a 180 IQ, so perhaps am less willing to suspend disbelief than most). Still, the major difficulty with this book is its failure to move the reader into the action and letting us discover things about the characters and the situation as that action unfolds. If you don't mind being told about every character's history (and there are lots of characters here) and having things explained to you (as though you couldn't figure out a thing without being told explicitly), you might like the dystopian picture painted here.
Having a character with one of the autistic spectrum disorders is nice, but as a mom who raised an autistic son who is now a father, please don't blame the character's treatment of his son on the disorder!
Having a character with one of the autistic spectrum disorders is nice, but as a mom who raised an autistic son who is now a father, please don't blame the character's treatment of his son on the disorder!
June 23, 2013
The Muslim world has united under the leadership of Iran and is against the United States and Europe coalition. Stuck in a major depression, multiple natural disasters and corrupt government officials are tearing the country apart. On top of everything, Howard Beck, Founding Father of Intelligence, Richard Dupree, ex-Navy Seal, and Santa Fe Texas Chief of Police Maxwell Harris, must work together to seek out the numerous sleeper cells and active terrorists and stop Simon Sterling for becoming the United States' first dictator President. Author left many situations unresolved to be addressed in next book to be called Resistance.
There are inconsistencies in the types of technology available (i.e. cell phone, iPads limited to features available today), gas is available when Maxwell needs it, and Star Trek began before 2009.
There are inconsistencies in the types of technology available (i.e. cell phone, iPads limited to features available today), gas is available when Maxwell needs it, and Star Trek began before 2009.
August 22, 2012
can't wait for the next one!
Update: Finally have a chance to sit down and write what I think of this book in (a little) more detail.
I did not realize it was part of a series and I'm glad I didn't know. Had I known, I would have put off reading it until book 2 was ready & I might have missed out! It was a page turner and kept me awake way past my bedtime.
The editing could be cleaned up a bit but nothing distracting. The author successfully transitioned between characters and locations without confusing me!
I'm forwarding a recommendation to a bunch of you I know will love this!
Update: Finally have a chance to sit down and write what I think of this book in (a little) more detail.
I did not realize it was part of a series and I'm glad I didn't know. Had I known, I would have put off reading it until book 2 was ready & I might have missed out! It was a page turner and kept me awake way past my bedtime.
The editing could be cleaned up a bit but nothing distracting. The author successfully transitioned between characters and locations without confusing me!
I'm forwarding a recommendation to a bunch of you I know will love this!
April 1, 2012
I'm hooked! The preview chapters have left me hungry for more. Can't wait till the rest is available!
July 17, 2025
I had a really hard time putting this one down. There is so much going on – floods, hurricanes, and an EMP blast that shuts out all communication on the East Coast. The states of Texas and Florida are both devastated. Hundreds of thousands are dead. In the White House, some of those in the cabinet go for the power grab and the US ends up with a dictator. Things aren’t looking too good for regular citizens, some of which are being kidnapped for their skills and forced to work for the government. And heaven help anyone who commits a crime! This book tests just how much US citizens will put up with before they start fighting back for our democratic republic. It was written in 2012, but seems timely. There are all kinds of great characters - the lowlife traitors who take over the government, those who want to take it back, escaped prisoners, great cops, and the richest, most brilliant man in the world (I wonder who that character is based on). This is the first book in a series and by the time I was halfway through this one, I had ordered the next two. I hope I enjoy the next two as much as I did this one.
September 28, 2012
“Collapse” is a dystopian novel set in the near future—2027. America is in the second great depression, and is about to fall. The government is corrupt, and natural disasters have torn apart Florida and are after Texas. The story is told through many different character’s eyes, but the main three—Howard Beck, Richard Dupree, and Maxwell Harris—are the ones trying to save a falling America.
My favorite character was Howard Beck, the richest man in the world. His character was the most interesting to me, and a lot of his story was focused on futuristic technology. The author did a fantastic job on creating the futuristic setting, and Howard Beck’s character is the best representation of it. I really enjoyed his story, and his character was very likeable even though he wasn’t a people person.
For this novel, the setting IS the story. It makes the story what it is. In this book, the setting of the collapsed America sets up the main character’s destinies to meet each other, and also set up the conflict with the government.
Although I loved the book, I’d have to give it four stars. First of all, I’m not a big fan of dystopian—period. I find it depressing in a way, especially because a lot of it includes the truth about our modern society and how it could affect our future.
But with that said, I wasn’t very fond of Richard Dupree’s storyline, and sometimes the author would give too much information without involving story into it. But, I believe it was necessary, and the world he’s created is pretty amazing considering the thought that went into it. This book was a refreshing read, and I highly recommend it to all dystopian fans.
My favorite character was Howard Beck, the richest man in the world. His character was the most interesting to me, and a lot of his story was focused on futuristic technology. The author did a fantastic job on creating the futuristic setting, and Howard Beck’s character is the best representation of it. I really enjoyed his story, and his character was very likeable even though he wasn’t a people person.
For this novel, the setting IS the story. It makes the story what it is. In this book, the setting of the collapsed America sets up the main character’s destinies to meet each other, and also set up the conflict with the government.
Although I loved the book, I’d have to give it four stars. First of all, I’m not a big fan of dystopian—period. I find it depressing in a way, especially because a lot of it includes the truth about our modern society and how it could affect our future.
But with that said, I wasn’t very fond of Richard Dupree’s storyline, and sometimes the author would give too much information without involving story into it. But, I believe it was necessary, and the world he’s created is pretty amazing considering the thought that went into it. This book was a refreshing read, and I highly recommend it to all dystopian fans.
August 17, 2012
Collapse by Richard Stephenson is an amazing book. Well-written and well-plotted. The cast of characters are well fleshed out and believable, each in their own right. From the Asperger’s multi-billionaire Howard Beck with his own HAL computer, to Maxwell Harris, a crippled chief of police with an amount of honor and dignity lost in our current world, to Richard Dupree, an escaped con who only wants to find his children. They all come together in an America that Stephenson has made terrifyingly real in the near future. An America falling apart on its way to Armageddon.
February 9, 2014
Huge, page-long info-dumps, to the extent that at times I felt as if I was reading a newspaper article. The characters so clichéd they were amusing. (WHY does the woman always have wonderful breasts that everyone ogles???) But having said that, I did read through to the end which is pretty good for me as I have zero-tolerance for badly written books. However, I don't care enough about the characters or their situation to read the second book.
June 24, 2012
The first seven chapters in Richard Stephenson's uncoming Dystopian novel Collapse was an epic thrill ride that keep me wanting to read more. I'm looking foward to finding out what happens next. If you like Tom Clancy novels and other political thrillers you should get this book when it is released.
January 23, 2013
I had wished the next book was out as soon as I finished the first. It's a believable story one that left me gnawing on fingernails (not really but pretending) long into the night. Every chapter of different characters racing through their survival made this a fast but complete read. Please hurry book two!
March 1, 2013
It's been a while (Sept 2012) but I started this book and quit a few chapters in. There was too much going on for me. I understand there are other players in a story but at least give me one to focus on and "like" or not like, whichever the case might be.
I see it got a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews on Goodreads though so I may have to give it another try in the future.
I see it got a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews on Goodreads though so I may have to give it another try in the future.
May 17, 2013
This was a really peppy, strong story...right up until the 60% mark. Then the author seemed to lose his dayum mind! Everything seemed to fall apart around here. Escape pods, betrayal, political manifestos of the author, and strange decisions by the main characters really sank this book for me.
I thought I was going to enjoy this, but it turned into a waste of time. Really bad book!
I thought I was going to enjoy this, but it turned into a waste of time. Really bad book!
October 9, 2014
I enjoyed the bigger than life characters in this book. It was an audiobook and I realize that can make a big difference in how a book comes across to the reader. I enjoyed everything except for the clumsily written scene at the end of the book. It was a scene that simply did not belong there!!!
The omission of that one scene would have prevented the omission of one star in my rating.
The omission of that one scene would have prevented the omission of one star in my rating.
April 5, 2012
Love this book! It isn't a genre I typically enjoy, but I can't wait to see how it ends. Lucky for me, I have an "in" with the author!
November 13, 2012
What's the German word for crap?
July 6, 2012
COLLAPSE: NEW AMERICA BOOK 1
Richard Stephenson’s Collapse is a post-apocalyptic rollercoaster ride. Imagine the world right now, then imagine it again in the year 2027, except by then it is the America of your nightmares. The fact that is only 15 years in the future is extremely frightening to me because this book is so realistic. I could see most everything actually happening. I was hooked from the first page. The characters and supporting characters are so believable. The book revolves around 3 men specifically, but there are so many other stories and lives entwined within the pages. Stephenson did a very skilful job of flowing from story to story. He is a big one for leaving a character at a cliffhanger at the end of the chapter and making you wait several more chapters to find out what happened. Which I am a big fan of that because it makes the book more exciting.
In the book, America is in the 2nd Great Depression. Gas runs as high as $15 a gallon, travel is pretty much at a standstill. Most people are homeless and jobless. Florida is practically wiped off the map by a category 5 hurricane that makes landfall several times and decimated everything. Terrorists are on American soil and they could be anybody, even your next door neighbor. The government is no help to anybody, and is becomes corrupt. The middle East has banded together as an army that is set on toppling America. This time, they actually have a shot at success.
Howard Beck is the richest, and most reclusive, man in America. He has Asperger’s Syndrome and has a genius IQ. He loves Star Trek. He is the creator of the world’s first computer that can think on its own. The computer’s name is HAL and he is a big part of the book. Hal is actually one of my favorite characters. Howard lives in a fortress that he defends at all costs but it is not enough to save it.
Richard Dupree is an ex-Navy Seal that is an escaped convict. Richard’s main concern is his children. I can’t go into why he is an escaped convict because it will just ruin it. Richard will do whatever takes to get to his children and keep them safe.
Maxwell Harris, or Max, is the crippled Chief of Police of a small Texas town. When a hurricane threatens to hit Texas, Max does whatever he can to save his town, which is not enough. There is love story intertwined with the story of Max, that gives it a touch of sweetness. Max goes on a journey away from Texas that has shocking consequences.
All three men go through hell to get where they are going and their journey brings them together. America is under new leadership, but not how you might think. The book leaves it very open for the next in the series.
I am not doing this book justice really. I can’t give out to many details because it will ruin the book. This book had me on the edge of my seat. It literally gave me strange, vaguely terrifying dreams of America falling into ruin. This book is masterfully written, and if you like this type of book, and even if you do not, it is worth the read. I think this book deserves 4.5 stars. I cannot wait to read the next book.
For more reviews of Great Books, check out my blog:
http://cynthiashepp.wordpress.com
Richard Stephenson’s Collapse is a post-apocalyptic rollercoaster ride. Imagine the world right now, then imagine it again in the year 2027, except by then it is the America of your nightmares. The fact that is only 15 years in the future is extremely frightening to me because this book is so realistic. I could see most everything actually happening. I was hooked from the first page. The characters and supporting characters are so believable. The book revolves around 3 men specifically, but there are so many other stories and lives entwined within the pages. Stephenson did a very skilful job of flowing from story to story. He is a big one for leaving a character at a cliffhanger at the end of the chapter and making you wait several more chapters to find out what happened. Which I am a big fan of that because it makes the book more exciting.
In the book, America is in the 2nd Great Depression. Gas runs as high as $15 a gallon, travel is pretty much at a standstill. Most people are homeless and jobless. Florida is practically wiped off the map by a category 5 hurricane that makes landfall several times and decimated everything. Terrorists are on American soil and they could be anybody, even your next door neighbor. The government is no help to anybody, and is becomes corrupt. The middle East has banded together as an army that is set on toppling America. This time, they actually have a shot at success.
Howard Beck is the richest, and most reclusive, man in America. He has Asperger’s Syndrome and has a genius IQ. He loves Star Trek. He is the creator of the world’s first computer that can think on its own. The computer’s name is HAL and he is a big part of the book. Hal is actually one of my favorite characters. Howard lives in a fortress that he defends at all costs but it is not enough to save it.
Richard Dupree is an ex-Navy Seal that is an escaped convict. Richard’s main concern is his children. I can’t go into why he is an escaped convict because it will just ruin it. Richard will do whatever takes to get to his children and keep them safe.
Maxwell Harris, or Max, is the crippled Chief of Police of a small Texas town. When a hurricane threatens to hit Texas, Max does whatever he can to save his town, which is not enough. There is love story intertwined with the story of Max, that gives it a touch of sweetness. Max goes on a journey away from Texas that has shocking consequences.
All three men go through hell to get where they are going and their journey brings them together. America is under new leadership, but not how you might think. The book leaves it very open for the next in the series.
I am not doing this book justice really. I can’t give out to many details because it will ruin the book. This book had me on the edge of my seat. It literally gave me strange, vaguely terrifying dreams of America falling into ruin. This book is masterfully written, and if you like this type of book, and even if you do not, it is worth the read. I think this book deserves 4.5 stars. I cannot wait to read the next book.
For more reviews of Great Books, check out my blog:
http://cynthiashepp.wordpress.com
August 6, 2012
It has taken some serious brainpower to come up with all these strands of the story and to weave them into something that hangs together. And this author has done it successfully, producing a fascinating and complex story of dystopian intrigue, adventure and a vision for the United States in the year 2027. What struck me was how realistic the possibility was that these things could happen, while I wonder how many others would think that a collapse of the US economy would be terribly unlikely. Perhaps this book may make some folks think twice.
While other reviewers will recap the story, I'll spare you the details and say that the action began from the first page and continued at break neck pace, from prison breakouts to quirky billionaire, two-timing wife to small town deputy, bankrupt venture capitalist living in a cardboard box to Category Five storms ravaging the southeast. Then there was the electromagnetic pulse, rioting in Denver, an attack on the White House ... and that's before we get to artificial intelligence, Iran, Israel and the EU.
In short, when the focus was on technology, science, politics, economics, or problems facing the American public or individuals in the story, the book was at it's best. Luckily that was well over 90% of the time and I raced through it in an evening and the next morning. There is no lack of story here and it was a book that made me want to keep reading.
The characters are recognizable and the interpersonal relationships seem well explored but leave room for further work if the characters reappear in future books. I would like to see improvement in both those areas, and think the interactions could be more believable and less involved in mainly superficial dialogue.
I am not a prude but I objected to graphic sexual content added to the story near the end of the book. It was simply out of character with the rest of the action and also seemed to be added just for shock or salacious value. If it wasn't there the story would not be hurt at all, which says to me that these details serve no valid story telling purpose.
While I would normally give this book three stars, the subject matter is important and thus I've bumped it up to four. With a good editor, this could easily rate the extra star on content alone. The plot is easy to understand but there are a number of threads of it, all working well together.
Note: While some scenes involve graphic violence I was able to overlook them, understanding the way they likely fit into the goals of the author to interest his probable target audience. I just don't think he needs quite the amount of details he adds in the violent scenes. It seems somewhat gratuitous and think it is shortsighted of the author. I hope that this is corrected in future editions of this book and is not repeated in any other books in this series. If the goal is to help some readers see that there may be dangers down the road if we continue on our path, there is no sense turning off those who would find scenes involving skin ripped from throats distasteful.
While other reviewers will recap the story, I'll spare you the details and say that the action began from the first page and continued at break neck pace, from prison breakouts to quirky billionaire, two-timing wife to small town deputy, bankrupt venture capitalist living in a cardboard box to Category Five storms ravaging the southeast. Then there was the electromagnetic pulse, rioting in Denver, an attack on the White House ... and that's before we get to artificial intelligence, Iran, Israel and the EU.
In short, when the focus was on technology, science, politics, economics, or problems facing the American public or individuals in the story, the book was at it's best. Luckily that was well over 90% of the time and I raced through it in an evening and the next morning. There is no lack of story here and it was a book that made me want to keep reading.
The characters are recognizable and the interpersonal relationships seem well explored but leave room for further work if the characters reappear in future books. I would like to see improvement in both those areas, and think the interactions could be more believable and less involved in mainly superficial dialogue.
I am not a prude but I objected to graphic sexual content added to the story near the end of the book. It was simply out of character with the rest of the action and also seemed to be added just for shock or salacious value. If it wasn't there the story would not be hurt at all, which says to me that these details serve no valid story telling purpose.
While I would normally give this book three stars, the subject matter is important and thus I've bumped it up to four. With a good editor, this could easily rate the extra star on content alone. The plot is easy to understand but there are a number of threads of it, all working well together.
Note: While some scenes involve graphic violence I was able to overlook them, understanding the way they likely fit into the goals of the author to interest his probable target audience. I just don't think he needs quite the amount of details he adds in the violent scenes. It seems somewhat gratuitous and think it is shortsighted of the author. I hope that this is corrected in future editions of this book and is not repeated in any other books in this series. If the goal is to help some readers see that there may be dangers down the road if we continue on our path, there is no sense turning off those who would find scenes involving skin ripped from throats distasteful.
March 10, 2014
This book starts fine. Then it descends into bucketloads of exposition. At least half of the book is told instead of shown, and a solid chunk feels like reading a dry history textbook. Once it finally gets to actual scenes with actual people instead of their backstories and world history, it's more readable and interesting, but it returns to exposition, over and over.
The book reads like it's intended to be a disaster movie with thriller elements. It follows three different men, each of them struggling to survive during the collapse of the United States due to various problems all happening at once: a hurricane, war, economic disaster, and internal collapse.
The one point I especially found difficult to swallow was the fate of Florida overall. The explanation of hurricane Luther suggests the author didn't research how hurricanes and meteorology actually work. The aftermath is an overly pessimistic view of human nature, one that doesn't match the realities of human nature. And while I can buy that a massive disaster can make it difficult to get relief to an area, the idea of a successful quarantine of an entire state is bizarre. If that state was Rhode Island or Hawaii, maybe, but Florida? Reporters (both professional and amateur) are more tenacious and devious than that. So are international relief workers.
I was willing to give a pass to the AI (whose name, Hal, is openly attributed to 2001: A Space Odyssey multiple times; in case you didn't get the joke the first four times, it's helpfully spelled out the fifth) as reasonable for roughly 15 years into the future. Things kept getting added on top of it, though. From poverty camps in Central Park to an Iranian Empire of Evil Nuclear Doom to other things, this book just has too much. Although later points aren't so far-fetched, the early ones destroyed my suspension of disbelief too much to accept the 'natural' evolution of the story.
The characters themselves are alright. I liked Max at first, until his Terrible Secret was rolled out and just used as a reason why he's single. His romance with Elizabeth didn't do anything for me, either - it felt contrived, as if the only reason it happened was because obviously a woman should fall in love with her boss. Richard gave me the reverse feeling, wherein I didn't care about him at first, then I got interested. For him, too, though, the non-prison crisis in his life felt contrived. Howard...is more a curiosity than anything else. He's done well enough, but not very interesting.
The story jumps around in time, and it's not always clear when the current chapter takes place. Later chapters begin with recaps of earlier chapters, which is insulting to the reader. The inclusion of the bigger picture chapters only serve to confuse and distract from the stories of the three men.
I like thrillers, and I like disaster stories, but I did not like this book. Without the vast quantities of exposition, I could probably have enjoyed it enough for 3 stars, as the writing overall isn't bad.
The book reads like it's intended to be a disaster movie with thriller elements. It follows three different men, each of them struggling to survive during the collapse of the United States due to various problems all happening at once: a hurricane, war, economic disaster, and internal collapse.
The one point I especially found difficult to swallow was the fate of Florida overall. The explanation of hurricane Luther suggests the author didn't research how hurricanes and meteorology actually work. The aftermath is an overly pessimistic view of human nature, one that doesn't match the realities of human nature. And while I can buy that a massive disaster can make it difficult to get relief to an area, the idea of a successful quarantine of an entire state is bizarre. If that state was Rhode Island or Hawaii, maybe, but Florida? Reporters (both professional and amateur) are more tenacious and devious than that. So are international relief workers.
I was willing to give a pass to the AI (whose name, Hal, is openly attributed to 2001: A Space Odyssey multiple times; in case you didn't get the joke the first four times, it's helpfully spelled out the fifth) as reasonable for roughly 15 years into the future. Things kept getting added on top of it, though. From poverty camps in Central Park to an Iranian Empire of Evil Nuclear Doom to other things, this book just has too much. Although later points aren't so far-fetched, the early ones destroyed my suspension of disbelief too much to accept the 'natural' evolution of the story.
The characters themselves are alright. I liked Max at first, until his Terrible Secret was rolled out and just used as a reason why he's single. His romance with Elizabeth didn't do anything for me, either - it felt contrived, as if the only reason it happened was because obviously a woman should fall in love with her boss. Richard gave me the reverse feeling, wherein I didn't care about him at first, then I got interested. For him, too, though, the non-prison crisis in his life felt contrived. Howard...is more a curiosity than anything else. He's done well enough, but not very interesting.
The story jumps around in time, and it's not always clear when the current chapter takes place. Later chapters begin with recaps of earlier chapters, which is insulting to the reader. The inclusion of the bigger picture chapters only serve to confuse and distract from the stories of the three men.
I like thrillers, and I like disaster stories, but I did not like this book. Without the vast quantities of exposition, I could probably have enjoyed it enough for 3 stars, as the writing overall isn't bad.
April 20, 2014
Collapse, written by Richard Stephenson tells the story of the collapse of society in the United States in the very near future as it buckles under the pressure of new and dangerous threat from a more deadly Iran, environmental and natural disasters, and increasing dissatisfaction with the government, and nuclear disaster. The story is told from many different viewpoints, and the reader is taken along for a ride that he or she is unlikely to forget.
The cast of characters is long and varied in this book, and each one is trying to navigate the crumbling world around them. For example, there is the character of Howard Beck a millionaire computer genius who suffers from Asperger Syndrome. Then there is Maxwell Harris, a small town sheriff who is just trying to maintain some semblance of law and order all while dealing with his own demons. There are many others of course, including a convict trying to rescue his kids, government officials with more than service to the country on their mind, and a pediatrician that is forced to use skills she never thought she would after medical school.
For every review that I have the pleasure of doing, I try to come up with one word that could summarize the sensation or feelings I get when
I put the book down. The only fitting word that I can come up with for this book is painful. The beginning third of the book is a slow agonizing march through a series of completely unrelated story lines, and most of it is background filler that could have easily been finished in about twenty pages. The second third has a bit more action, but even here the book felt more like a dry history lesson than an action adventure. At one point during a raging gun fight between a local hero cop and a band of redneck thugs I actually dozed off. Then, in the final third of the book-- nearly 300 pages into the Kindle book we are finally introduced to the real villain of the piece. Prior to that time there is no real hint of him, mention or even a slight indication of him in the shadows.
The only good point that this reader could find in this book is the character of Howard Beck, a computer genius who has Asperger Syndrome, a form of Autism. I sincerely hope that the author's aim was to present the character and his condition in a satirical light because I have yet to come across anyone with autism that fits so many stereotypes so religiously. If that was his intention I applaud him for succeeding in a spectacular fashion. In addition, the book is full of implausibility, stereotypes, clichés and the need to suspend disbelief is almost overwhelming.
If you are looking for a mystery or thriller to read, I cannot in good faith recommend this book. However, if you are looking a satirical story about where the country is headed without any consideration for common sense, I highly recommend it.
The cast of characters is long and varied in this book, and each one is trying to navigate the crumbling world around them. For example, there is the character of Howard Beck a millionaire computer genius who suffers from Asperger Syndrome. Then there is Maxwell Harris, a small town sheriff who is just trying to maintain some semblance of law and order all while dealing with his own demons. There are many others of course, including a convict trying to rescue his kids, government officials with more than service to the country on their mind, and a pediatrician that is forced to use skills she never thought she would after medical school.
For every review that I have the pleasure of doing, I try to come up with one word that could summarize the sensation or feelings I get when
I put the book down. The only fitting word that I can come up with for this book is painful. The beginning third of the book is a slow agonizing march through a series of completely unrelated story lines, and most of it is background filler that could have easily been finished in about twenty pages. The second third has a bit more action, but even here the book felt more like a dry history lesson than an action adventure. At one point during a raging gun fight between a local hero cop and a band of redneck thugs I actually dozed off. Then, in the final third of the book-- nearly 300 pages into the Kindle book we are finally introduced to the real villain of the piece. Prior to that time there is no real hint of him, mention or even a slight indication of him in the shadows.
The only good point that this reader could find in this book is the character of Howard Beck, a computer genius who has Asperger Syndrome, a form of Autism. I sincerely hope that the author's aim was to present the character and his condition in a satirical light because I have yet to come across anyone with autism that fits so many stereotypes so religiously. If that was his intention I applaud him for succeeding in a spectacular fashion. In addition, the book is full of implausibility, stereotypes, clichés and the need to suspend disbelief is almost overwhelming.
If you are looking for a mystery or thriller to read, I cannot in good faith recommend this book. However, if you are looking a satirical story about where the country is headed without any consideration for common sense, I highly recommend it.
September 9, 2013
I liked most of this book. In fact if the book had included a climax with a decent hook at the end, I probably would have given it more stars–at least three, and maybe even four. The writing was okay–not Faulkner, but it got the job done. My problem, however, was the ending.
First I want to premise this by saying I LOVE disaster films. I don’t care how outlandish, how unscientific the situation. Give me the asteroid hitting the earth while a new ice age is starting and there’s a volcano in Los Angeles. I like to see how people react when the world goes to hell. I also enjoy dystopian fiction, which I’ve reviewed before on this blog. I like thrillers with lots of action.
The first three-quarters of this book, I had all that. Basically there were four different story lines going on including a billionaire recluse with the world’s first AI computer, a sheriff in Texas about to be hit by the mother of all hurricanes, and an inmate in California about to be hit by a giant wildfire. Throw the president and an imminent war with Iran and nuclear detonations in the atmosphere to cause an EMP and you’ve got plenty of disaster. I like how the four stories narrowed to three and then converged into one at the end. (an expected outcome).
But then the writer got lazy.
A thriller by definition aims to thrill. One of the biggest letdowns, unfortunately, is when a thriller doesn’t deliver. You can have nonstop action throughout a book or movie, but if you skip or just plain put off the big bad climax at the end, it’s kind of like a big air balloon that you just suddenly let all the air out of. All the big exciting stuff in this book happened midway. Then the remainder of the book was pretty much just preparation for an upcoming fight . . . which won’t happen until next book.
Boo. I don’t plan on reading it, because what if the next book does the same thing?
This is a self-published book, and it’s a debut book, so I get it, the writer is still learning. Lesson #1: don’t ever cheat your reader out of a big bang finish. I don’t care how many chases, shootings, fires, hurricanes, etc. you have. There should be at least a good confrontation with the enemy at the end. The good guys don’t have to win (and shouldn’t if there’s a sequel). But at least have that confrontation!
So yeah. 2.5 stars.
First I want to premise this by saying I LOVE disaster films. I don’t care how outlandish, how unscientific the situation. Give me the asteroid hitting the earth while a new ice age is starting and there’s a volcano in Los Angeles. I like to see how people react when the world goes to hell. I also enjoy dystopian fiction, which I’ve reviewed before on this blog. I like thrillers with lots of action.
The first three-quarters of this book, I had all that. Basically there were four different story lines going on including a billionaire recluse with the world’s first AI computer, a sheriff in Texas about to be hit by the mother of all hurricanes, and an inmate in California about to be hit by a giant wildfire. Throw the president and an imminent war with Iran and nuclear detonations in the atmosphere to cause an EMP and you’ve got plenty of disaster. I like how the four stories narrowed to three and then converged into one at the end. (an expected outcome).
But then the writer got lazy.
A thriller by definition aims to thrill. One of the biggest letdowns, unfortunately, is when a thriller doesn’t deliver. You can have nonstop action throughout a book or movie, but if you skip or just plain put off the big bad climax at the end, it’s kind of like a big air balloon that you just suddenly let all the air out of. All the big exciting stuff in this book happened midway. Then the remainder of the book was pretty much just preparation for an upcoming fight . . . which won’t happen until next book.
Boo. I don’t plan on reading it, because what if the next book does the same thing?
This is a self-published book, and it’s a debut book, so I get it, the writer is still learning. Lesson #1: don’t ever cheat your reader out of a big bang finish. I don’t care how many chases, shootings, fires, hurricanes, etc. you have. There should be at least a good confrontation with the enemy at the end. The good guys don’t have to win (and shouldn’t if there’s a sequel). But at least have that confrontation!
So yeah. 2.5 stars.
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