Forecast

by Chris Keith

When the bombs are dropped on Europe, Brad Sutcliffe and his crew of four are 132,000 feet above the continent carrying out weather experiments on board FABLE-1, the world's largest helium balloon.

Stranded in the stratosphere with their oxygen running out and the world on fire beneath them, the crew makes the terrifying decision to abandon their balloon at the edge of space and return to what they can only speculate is the aftereffect of a nuclear exchange.

Having survived the bombs and the death-defying parachute jump, they now face the gravity of surviving the aftermath, eventually finding refuge in the White Room, where they face their biggest test – surviving each other.

From the moment they set foot back on land, they face the most gruelling, most challenging moment of their lives, when the terror and complexity of survival test the human spirit and the strength of individuals comes to the fore.

Genres: Fiction, Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Brad Theado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read. I found the character backgrounds to be a bit overdone and the flashbacks were confusing because of a lack of transition, but overall I enjoyed it.

[D.M. Dutcher · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has an interesting premise but ignores the best parts of it. It's also far too slow going in the start, although it redeems itself in the end. Not sure you want to endure getting there though.

North Korea through human error thinks nuclear warheads are being launched at them. In response, they initiate a nuclear holocaust that devastates the earth. Far above us is the science team of a high altitude balloon. They witness the holocaust, and their supplies of oxygen are running out. Soon they'll have to land. What will they do then?

There's a reason why writers are told to start as close to the action as possible. The book begins with the North Koreans detecting what appears to be a nuclear launch. Then, thirty percent into the book, they launch their own missiles back. Thirty percent of the beginning of the book is devoted to characters and balloon jargon, and then, when the book really starts, the balloon is secondary to the action. The rest of the book isn't bad, but it's just a typical after the end story. The intriguing idea of a balloon hovering over a nuke-devastated world seems almost an afterthought.

The writing seems jerky, switching between flashback and present day in a confusing manner. A lot of it simply isn't needed. There isn't much need to spend all that time developing character or the balloon project when the ending does fine for showing people's character, and the balloon is so peripheral to the action. It really isn't till fifty percent in the book becomes interesting, but it becomes interesting in a way which makes the previous fifty percent even harder to justify. So unfortunately I have to give this book one star.

[Suzanne Bainbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I inherited on my Daughters Kindle and not one I would personally have chosen even though the idea that you're floating above the Earth watching and it slowly but surely destroys itself is fascinating and scary thought. Then the realisation that you have to land, or in this case jump, to a living Hell is a quandry no one would like to face.

Have to confess I flicked through many of the first chapters concerning the Balloon. It droned on for so long I almost discarded the book thinking that it would be 90% about the people, preperation of the ballon, take off etc and only 10% would end up being about the turmoil of seeing the destruction of Earth and then the return to a slow lingering end but I persevered and I'm glad I did. So you too may find yourself flicking through the Balloon chapters but it's worth it to get to the main struggle.

I won't give the ending but it has one which to me means that the story ends satisfactorily.

It would make a really fascinating film and I'm surprised it's not been thought of yet.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique and dark thriller, a simple concept of how a group of post apocalyptic survivors handle themselves when they take refuge in a basement for 18 months. It is a basic survival of the mentally strongest and one by one they become defeated.

Characters were for the most part believable and worked into the story well, with flashbacks that link later on in the story. There were no redundant chunks of text and although a little slow at the beginning, it all made sense in the end. Furthermore, it was very well written with flowing pace.

I truly loved Forecast and would recommend it to anyone who likes a thriller with many twists.

[Flower · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read. Takes place in GB but not written by an English writer. You don't say mph is Gb it's kph and other small mistakes like that. I mostly liked the story. Well written except for trying and failing to sound British. Chris Keith if you would like to write from a Brit's point of view read Leftovers, based in the US and calls the parking lot the car park, other British word usage. I like the story of the space balloon. Don't know if the characters are believable or not, but leaning towards not.

[Mozart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with a creative element to it. The story, once it gets going, races along, with every chapter ending on a knife edge. I loved the balloon section, very intriguing, especially after seeing that Austrian Felixstowe someone doing a parachute jump from the stratosphere.

I would give this story 6 stars if it was possible, just loved it. I'm just about to read Chris Keith's THE KELVIN SCALE! But haven't heard much about it. Anyone read it?

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, but it's obvious the author is not an American, and has only a dim idea of what NASDA is. At one point, he referred to NASA as a company (implying "private"), at another point he called it a research institute. Mr. Keith, "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research." Research, it's easy. :)

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read ... Interesting.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different take on the end of the world. Thoughouly enjoyed the originality of this book. Very thought provoking.

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book. Could easily be a blockbuster movie!

[Mike Hubbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was worth a read a good start and a good finish, in the middle i found my self wanting a bit more but considering the majority of time was spent in a white room it could have been worse :)

[Justin Sarginson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An original take on a apocalyptic end to the world, populated by great characters and an ever evolving plot and sense of despair. Recommended.