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Amtrak Wars #2
First Family
Survivors of Earth's nuclear war who have lived for years underground prepare to recapture the surface world from its ruling mutants
399 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 6, 2017
And so the story of the amtrak wars continues - its very difficult to speak of a book in isolation especially when I do not want to give away the storyline to the first installation.
However the challenges faced by Brickman are far from over. His anticipated triumph turns out to lead to a far worse form of incarceration.
Obviously this is a series of books (6 in total) which forms the story arc and as such like all stories that go for the long game you have to develop the story, gradually gathering momentum until the final climatic confrontation, be it for better or worse.
This book is no different - if the first book sets the scene, introducing the characters and the environment they live in. This second book starts to add depth to the various factions, strengthening those feelings of who you can trust and who you cannot.
To some degree this is a predictable book, the "Muties" are far from the savages Brickman is led to believe while all those clean cut honest servants of the first family just reek of corruption and betrayal. We see it and want to scream it at the characters caught up in the middle of it, however we (okay I) am still drawn on reading what happens next.
And that is where this book closes with another epic journey on the horizon on we turn now to book 3 in the series - the Iron Master.
However the challenges faced by Brickman are far from over. His anticipated triumph turns out to lead to a far worse form of incarceration.
Obviously this is a series of books (6 in total) which forms the story arc and as such like all stories that go for the long game you have to develop the story, gradually gathering momentum until the final climatic confrontation, be it for better or worse.
This book is no different - if the first book sets the scene, introducing the characters and the environment they live in. This second book starts to add depth to the various factions, strengthening those feelings of who you can trust and who you cannot.
To some degree this is a predictable book, the "Muties" are far from the savages Brickman is led to believe while all those clean cut honest servants of the first family just reek of corruption and betrayal. We see it and want to scream it at the characters caught up in the middle of it, however we (okay I) am still drawn on reading what happens next.
And that is where this book closes with another epic journey on the horizon on we turn now to book 3 in the series - the Iron Master.
August 17, 2021
"Come, Cloud-Warrior. Before the day is out, maybe you will have chewed bone."
December 17, 2017
Having escaped from the clutches of the M'Call Mutes, Steve Brickman triumphantly returns to the Federation fully expecting to be congratulated on his exploits and his gathering of vital intelligence on the enemy. Instead he is arrested as a deserter and narrowly escapes death before being sent to menial, ball-busting work in the A-levels. According to the doctrines of the First Family, the rulers of the Amtrak Federation, Mutes do not take prisoners, and that 'truth' cannot be contradicted. But now Brickman knows something of the truth the Family has other plans for him, and for his Mute friends...
Picking up immediately after the events of Cloud Warrior, the second volume in The Amtrak Wars is a slightly different beast. There's still a fair amount of action and the pace remains furious and at times page-turningly addictive, but after the straightforward plot of the first book things get murkier here. Conspiracies are revealed, deeper mysteries are alluded to and labyrinth plots are set in motion. Political intrigue also rears its head as we meet some key figures within the Family, such as the President-General and Karlstrom, the ruthless head of the clandestine intelligence agency AMEXICO. Tilley's grip of worldbuilding also remains strong, as we begin to learn more about the shadowy Iron Masters who live on the Eastern Seaboard and trade weapons with the Mutes through great steamships ploughing the Great Lakes.
As I mentioned in the first book, true-blue all-American hero Steve Brickman started off as a bit of a lemon, but in this second book he starts evolving into a more interesting protagonist. A key theme of the series is Brickman's torn loyalties between the Federation and his family, and the Mutes, his would-be mentor Mr. Snow and Steve's would-be lover, Clearwater. This results in Steve having to spin out some pretty spectacular lies, cover-stories and half-truths to keep either side from plugging him, and seeing Steve struggle through the mental gymnastics required to keep one step ahead of everyone else is fascinating (and it's all rather mild here, compared to the labyrinth of plots and counter-plots that have developed by the final volume).
The writing in this volume is also notably better, with Tilley restraining his more excited passages to convey the action in a slightly more thoughtful style. However, the refreshingly informal prose remains intact, as do the slightly confusing multiple POV switches in one chapter.
First Family (***½) steps up the pace, deepens the world and the story and the cliffhanger ending effectively hooks the reader into the third book in the series, Iron Master. Again, the book is out of print at the moment but copies seem to be available in the UK and USA.
Picking up immediately after the events of Cloud Warrior, the second volume in The Amtrak Wars is a slightly different beast. There's still a fair amount of action and the pace remains furious and at times page-turningly addictive, but after the straightforward plot of the first book things get murkier here. Conspiracies are revealed, deeper mysteries are alluded to and labyrinth plots are set in motion. Political intrigue also rears its head as we meet some key figures within the Family, such as the President-General and Karlstrom, the ruthless head of the clandestine intelligence agency AMEXICO. Tilley's grip of worldbuilding also remains strong, as we begin to learn more about the shadowy Iron Masters who live on the Eastern Seaboard and trade weapons with the Mutes through great steamships ploughing the Great Lakes.
As I mentioned in the first book, true-blue all-American hero Steve Brickman started off as a bit of a lemon, but in this second book he starts evolving into a more interesting protagonist. A key theme of the series is Brickman's torn loyalties between the Federation and his family, and the Mutes, his would-be mentor Mr. Snow and Steve's would-be lover, Clearwater. This results in Steve having to spin out some pretty spectacular lies, cover-stories and half-truths to keep either side from plugging him, and seeing Steve struggle through the mental gymnastics required to keep one step ahead of everyone else is fascinating (and it's all rather mild here, compared to the labyrinth of plots and counter-plots that have developed by the final volume).
The writing in this volume is also notably better, with Tilley restraining his more excited passages to convey the action in a slightly more thoughtful style. However, the refreshingly informal prose remains intact, as do the slightly confusing multiple POV switches in one chapter.
First Family (***½) steps up the pace, deepens the world and the story and the cliffhanger ending effectively hooks the reader into the third book in the series, Iron Master. Again, the book is out of print at the moment but copies seem to be available in the UK and USA.
October 27, 2022
This book continues almost immediately after book 1 of the series. However, where book one focused mainly on the Mutes and above ground, this book focuses mainly on the Amtrak Federation and below ground. Brickman is still the main focus of the story, but it was interesting to see him navigate life back in the Federation after being classified missing in action or dead. We see how his home society thinks of him after being missing for months, and what that means for Brickman's future. But not just his own future, but also the future of his family.
I did like having the Federation fleshed out more in this book. It strengthens the whole series, and makes the world Tilley created so rich and wonderful. Personally, I enjoy reading about above ground more, and the Mutes, but I still like to see the differences in all the cultures in this world.
Also, we have more of the Iron Masters in this book, and they are another very different culture i this world. They are heavily influenced on Japanese culture at the time of the Samurai, and to see how that is blended with more modern technology is very interesting.
While I enjoyed this a lot, it didn't have a big wow moment like book 1 did. There are some pivotal things taking place in this book, but nothing that had that huge wow factor. Even though I think this book would have been better for it, I get why it wasn't included. I think this book is setting the stage for something big in book 3 - at least I hope so! From the ending in this book, I think book 3 is going to be filled with many more new wonders and some big events.
I did like having the Federation fleshed out more in this book. It strengthens the whole series, and makes the world Tilley created so rich and wonderful. Personally, I enjoy reading about above ground more, and the Mutes, but I still like to see the differences in all the cultures in this world.
Also, we have more of the Iron Masters in this book, and they are another very different culture i this world. They are heavily influenced on Japanese culture at the time of the Samurai, and to see how that is blended with more modern technology is very interesting.
While I enjoyed this a lot, it didn't have a big wow moment like book 1 did. There are some pivotal things taking place in this book, but nothing that had that huge wow factor. Even though I think this book would have been better for it, I get why it wasn't included. I think this book is setting the stage for something big in book 3 - at least I hope so! From the ending in this book, I think book 3 is going to be filled with many more new wonders and some big events.
February 23, 2019
Hmm...
Some of this I enjoyed. I liked reading more about the Amtrak Federation. This underground culture is not as "perfect" as Our MC believed in the first book... We get to see more of the First Family's controlling abilities, their lies and trickery - as well as how many "code-breakers" there are.
So Steve (our MC) gets himself sent to the janitorial staff.. then jumps at a chance to get back overland as a "secret agent" and get back to the Mutes.... but things (of course) go wrong.
We also get to meet the "Iron Masters" - a third group of survivors who (for some unknown reason) have chosen to model their society on the Japanese Samurai and the society of that time... This is what really annoyed me. I can understand the Amtrak - military survivors from the US army and how that developed. The Mutes were a stretch, but I can stretch a bit. But why would anyone try to recreate the culture of 17th century japan... Thats just a little too far for me I guess.
I hope there is an explanation... and given that the next book is call "The Iron Masters" I am hoping for something :)
Overall its an OK book - but feels a little too much like filler designed to get our MC out of the Federation and into the Iron Master territory...
Some of this I enjoyed. I liked reading more about the Amtrak Federation. This underground culture is not as "perfect" as Our MC believed in the first book... We get to see more of the First Family's controlling abilities, their lies and trickery - as well as how many "code-breakers" there are.
So Steve (our MC) gets himself sent to the janitorial staff.. then jumps at a chance to get back overland as a "secret agent" and get back to the Mutes.... but things (of course) go wrong.
We also get to meet the "Iron Masters" - a third group of survivors who (for some unknown reason) have chosen to model their society on the Japanese Samurai and the society of that time... This is what really annoyed me. I can understand the Amtrak - military survivors from the US army and how that developed. The Mutes were a stretch, but I can stretch a bit. But why would anyone try to recreate the culture of 17th century japan... Thats just a little too far for me I guess.
I hope there is an explanation... and given that the next book is call "The Iron Masters" I am hoping for something :)
Overall its an OK book - but feels a little too much like filler designed to get our MC out of the Federation and into the Iron Master territory...
May 18, 2018
First Family, the second book in the cult classic sci-fi series The Amtrak Wars by Patrick Tilley, is set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic Earth.
.
✅ intense, thorough world-building using elements of Native American culture and Japanese Samurai culture
.
✅ on a micro level, it is VERY well-written
.
✅ action scenes have the reader glued to the book
.
✅ the characters: Mr Snow is amazing and Steve is a male sci-fi protagonist with real flaws
.
✅ the political intrigue, manipulation and two-faced games keep the reader guessing at character's motivations
.
✖ the first half of the book drags out
.
✖ an interesting plot is pushed aside to make room for endless explanations
.
✖ an uncomfortable-to-read twin sibling incest scene
.
✖ we hardly see or hear of anything about two of the main characters, Clearwater and Cadillac; all focus is on Steve
.
✖ unnecessary POVs added
.
.
Rating
3/5🌟
.
Verdict: Recommended for die-hard fans of sci-fi classics ✅
Genre: sci-fi
.
View my bookstagram here.
More reviews and writing tips here.
.
✅ intense, thorough world-building using elements of Native American culture and Japanese Samurai culture
.
✅ on a micro level, it is VERY well-written
.
✅ action scenes have the reader glued to the book
.
✅ the characters: Mr Snow is amazing and Steve is a male sci-fi protagonist with real flaws
.
✅ the political intrigue, manipulation and two-faced games keep the reader guessing at character's motivations
.
✖ the first half of the book drags out
.
✖ an interesting plot is pushed aside to make room for endless explanations
.
✖ an uncomfortable-to-read twin sibling incest scene
.
✖ we hardly see or hear of anything about two of the main characters, Clearwater and Cadillac; all focus is on Steve
.
✖ unnecessary POVs added
.
.
Rating
3/5🌟
.
Verdict: Recommended for die-hard fans of sci-fi classics ✅
Genre: sci-fi
.
View my bookstagram here.
More reviews and writing tips here.
January 20, 2022
Where as in the last book I enjoyed reading from the Mutes perspective, this time it was the opposite.
Learning more about the ins and the outs of the Federation was much more interesting this time around. Where as I found the second half of the book with the mute interactions to be more boring. The ending was also anti-climactic.
The grand ass story is still being developed well. The world is interesting enough to be invested in. Let’s see if the action and politics ramp up a little in the next and third instalment.
Learning more about the ins and the outs of the Federation was much more interesting this time around. Where as I found the second half of the book with the mute interactions to be more boring. The ending was also anti-climactic.
The grand ass story is still being developed well. The world is interesting enough to be invested in. Let’s see if the action and politics ramp up a little in the next and third instalment.
February 4, 2023
Gathering Steam
The first book took a while to sink its teeth in, but this this second book really hits its stride early, and I am now on the journey with Brickman. Can’t wait for the 3rd.
The first book took a while to sink its teeth in, but this this second book really hits its stride early, and I am now on the journey with Brickman. Can’t wait for the 3rd.
April 9, 2025
This series is of its' time, and whilst some of the words and attitudes displayed don't sit well nowadays, the books still provide good stories in an interesting world. I read the series originally probably 40 years ago..
September 9, 2018
The second gripping episode in the Amtrak Wars series.
April 18, 2019
It is a little hard to take this series seriously, but it is still fun. Love the 1970s slang for example, but the novel takes place around 3000 ad. Still, well written and enjoyable. 3.5 stars.
March 10, 2021
✨Rounded up from 2.5 ✨
April 19, 2021
More tales of Steve Brickman & his journies in post-apocalypse America.
July 29, 2021
Follows on nicely from volume 1, well crafted and entertaining read.
Read
September 13, 2023Just as good the second time.
February 3, 2016
Kind of fun...
Fun in a simple, almost juvenile way. Mr. Tilley has constructed a rather odd post-apocalyptic world in which various cadres of the human race have survived and evolved along vastly different lines. No explanation is provided as to how the survivors survived. No explanation is given as to why the different lines evolved vastly different skills. And it's really confusing as to why any of the groups, given almost 1,000 years post-holocaust, would be so incredibly backward in technology.
I mean, really... look back 1,000 years from the present and we're in the days of William the Conqueror, and these survivors started out with a good idea of technology, if not the means to achieve it. How did they just forget all that?
But somehow you buy into it, and you buy into the "1,000-year Reich" of the First Family. And the appearance of magic among the Mutes. And the Iron Masters' failure to remember what electricity is or how to make it. And the appearance among the Mutes of "Straights" who, after tens of generations just happen to "show up" in the gene pool.
Amidst all of this is Steve Brickman. Just recently post-adolescent. A pilot, or Wingman. Curiously mature for his age, yet obviously suffering from the typical teenager's affliction of being almost uncontrollably impetuous. An undeveloped pre-frontal dorso-lateral cerebral cortex. Steve does everything without regard to consequence; fighting, talking too much, acting on his horniness. Kinda like Luke Skywalker; Luke's entire story line consisted of him going through doors he should have stayed out of.
Anyway... despite all this Tilley managed to keep my interest although toward the end of this (too) long book I had to struggle to stay interested. It was a toss-up; read Amtrak or play my slot machine app.
I finished it.
I am not sure I will bother with the next one.
Fun in a simple, almost juvenile way. Mr. Tilley has constructed a rather odd post-apocalyptic world in which various cadres of the human race have survived and evolved along vastly different lines. No explanation is provided as to how the survivors survived. No explanation is given as to why the different lines evolved vastly different skills. And it's really confusing as to why any of the groups, given almost 1,000 years post-holocaust, would be so incredibly backward in technology.
I mean, really... look back 1,000 years from the present and we're in the days of William the Conqueror, and these survivors started out with a good idea of technology, if not the means to achieve it. How did they just forget all that?
But somehow you buy into it, and you buy into the "1,000-year Reich" of the First Family. And the appearance of magic among the Mutes. And the Iron Masters' failure to remember what electricity is or how to make it. And the appearance among the Mutes of "Straights" who, after tens of generations just happen to "show up" in the gene pool.
Amidst all of this is Steve Brickman. Just recently post-adolescent. A pilot, or Wingman. Curiously mature for his age, yet obviously suffering from the typical teenager's affliction of being almost uncontrollably impetuous. An undeveloped pre-frontal dorso-lateral cerebral cortex. Steve does everything without regard to consequence; fighting, talking too much, acting on his horniness. Kinda like Luke Skywalker; Luke's entire story line consisted of him going through doors he should have stayed out of.
Anyway... despite all this Tilley managed to keep my interest although toward the end of this (too) long book I had to struggle to stay interested. It was a toss-up; read Amtrak or play my slot machine app.
I finished it.
I am not sure I will bother with the next one.
March 12, 2025
This started off as a bit of a grind.
Our hero is back in the underground world where he started and is in big trouble with its overseers.
The underground world is quite well imagined but a bit dull.
The technology level of the First Family seems a bit disjointed - but there is a level of mystery to the subterranean cities and it is interesting following Steve as he finds out that the world is not quite how he was raised to believe.
There are bits that are a little different from your typical oppressive-dystopia but it always feels like we are just burning time before we can get back in the wilderness.
Once back out in the sun, the story is as engaging as the first book and there are great action pieces and we get more details about the Mute culture and how they interact with the rest of the world.
The Iron Masters are introduced and (like the rest of the book) is a little bit impractical and a touch silly - but it makes things interesting and fun.
Our hero is back in the underground world where he started and is in big trouble with its overseers.
The underground world is quite well imagined but a bit dull.
The technology level of the First Family seems a bit disjointed - but there is a level of mystery to the subterranean cities and it is interesting following Steve as he finds out that the world is not quite how he was raised to believe.
There are bits that are a little different from your typical oppressive-dystopia but it always feels like we are just burning time before we can get back in the wilderness.
Once back out in the sun, the story is as engaging as the first book and there are great action pieces and we get more details about the Mute culture and how they interact with the rest of the world.
The Iron Masters are introduced and (like the rest of the book) is a little bit impractical and a touch silly - but it makes things interesting and fun.
February 8, 2018
Steve Brickman's journey continues in First Family. A note to readers: this series is definitely meant to be read in order. It's less 6 books than one story told in six books, so please start from the beginning (Cloud Warrior). That said, since it really is one big story broken up into six parts, each book isn't strictly self-contained. The first book ended just as it got going and this one, while focusing mainly on Steve introduces us to the shadowy and secretive (and evil) Federation. There is still a whole lot of story to go and while Steve goes through some changes in this book, it feels like we're really just starting to get into the meat of the story. Onto book 3.
March 8, 2022
Following on directly from book 1, this sees Steve Brickman heading back to the Federation and suddenly finding himself on the radar of the top brass.
It's not all plain sailing as he finds himself demoted after expecting a hero's welcome and having to slum it in the lower levels.
Learning some home truth's along the way he is sent on another mission to the Mutes above ground where he hopes to run into Clearwater again.
Quite a bit going on in this book and there are plots within plots as Brickman tries to keep to his own agenda and appear to be on the side of both the Federation and the Mutes.
It's not all plain sailing as he finds himself demoted after expecting a hero's welcome and having to slum it in the lower levels.
Learning some home truth's along the way he is sent on another mission to the Mutes above ground where he hopes to run into Clearwater again.
Quite a bit going on in this book and there are plots within plots as Brickman tries to keep to his own agenda and appear to be on the side of both the Federation and the Mutes.
January 24, 2016
A reimagined apocalyptic future, strikes true in the 21st century
Although rtf he language belies its age at times, the Amtrak wars holds an interesting view of the post-apocalytic America. The politics, brainwashing, fights and cultural observations are interesting. The exploration of the power of racism and the lies that empower it are thoughtful and deep. A multi-layered onion of lies, fear and necessity drive this book.
Although rtf he language belies its age at times, the Amtrak wars holds an interesting view of the post-apocalytic America. The politics, brainwashing, fights and cultural observations are interesting. The exploration of the power of racism and the lies that empower it are thoughtful and deep. A multi-layered onion of lies, fear and necessity drive this book.
February 6, 2016
This book really gets into the nitty-gritty of the universe. That's the great thing about this series; it's one thing to say, "The Amtrak Federation is a strictly regulated underground society," Patrick takes it to the next question. "How does the AmEx run things?" "How do they keep control?" "What happens to people who buck the system?" This is a great book for explaining the underside of a great premise.
July 21, 2016
Great continuation from the first book, barely felt like I'd moved onto another novel! You meet new characters, visit different settings and experience different feelings from "cloud warrior" but you remain firmly seated in the universe.
Ensure you read this series in order, starting it halfway through will not make sense. But do ensure you read this series.
Onto the next...
Ensure you read this series in order, starting it halfway through will not make sense. But do ensure you read this series.
Onto the next...
November 19, 2016
continues the story, predictable plot evolution but interesting enough to make me want to continue reading. I can see why this would have a cult following, but there isn't anything here that is really different from other similarly themed books. I'm waiting to find out that what I expect is not what happens.
July 10, 2023
Continuing my re-read of this series. Book 2 basically acts as a counterpart to Book 1,by having the character of Steven Brickman act as the outsider to the Federation (as he was the outsider to the Plainfolk in the first book) to give the reader insight to the world. This book is a 'bridge', setting up the main players and coming conflicts. On to book 3 and the lands of the Iron Masters.
March 20, 2013
[Full Review to Follow]
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
February 10, 2013
I'm loving this series, I can't wait for the next one to find out more about the Iron Masters and what intrigues will happen next.
January 8, 2014
Interesting - I'm very curious as to why the Japanese landed on the east coast of America. And how this will all play out in the end. Must keep reading!
May 13, 2014
A good development of the story
April 22, 2023
It turns out that the real evil rich conspiracy oligarchs are the friends you make along the way... but maybe don't befriend those people, specifically
May 28, 2012
A bit slow at the start but quickly settled into an interesting setup for the next book.
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