Book 1 of the 3-book series The Apocalypse Sequence
Elliot Brand and Ashra Shah were done with adventure. Adventure wasn't done with them.
The desperate final message of a dead colleague forces the couple back into action. A shadowy cabal is about to complete a doomsday weapon, using the ancient technology Elliot once unearthed. The clock is ticking as Elliot and Ashra must fight the unknown enemy and unravel the mystery behind a global series of volcano eruptions.
And their greatest adventure begins ...
For all those who love Michael Crichton, Indiana Jones, or simply archeology thrillers!
This is a three-book series, so don't expect all the answers at the end of the first book.
So I was really looking forward to reading this as I had flown through the previous books so fast and I do love stories about volcanoes (and I do watch a lot of YouTube videos on them too) but the information in here was just SO wrong that it was impossible for me to enjoy this as a fun thriller.. And that really disappointed me. As I wanted to go on another fun dangerous mission with Elliot and Ashra.
I will try to explain what had bugged me without any spoilers.. This story is about volcanoes. They act up and go nutty. And the author is treating simple volcanoes like MT Etna as if it were a super volcano. And its not. He says in here that 3 volcanoes erupting in diff countries at the same time is a "major disaster" and planes can't fly. Well that is quite ridiculous! So is the claim that millions were killed. Mt Etna is a frequent erupter. It erupts several times a year. There are other volcanoes that are also frequent erupters. Rarely do they kill anyone.. They can do property damage and people have to evacuate but unless there is a pyroclastic flow (which I believe is kind of rare) they really don't kill people. Often there are 30 of them erupting on the list at the same time. And air traffic doesn't shut down. But these statements made it impossible for me to actually enjoy this. Which is a pity.. Perhaps Mr Falk you should have chosen Campi instead of Etna. Or look at the VAACs - Volcanic Ash Advisory Center to find out the number of eruptions that happen during an average day. Most do not really hit the mainstream news but they are still ongoing. Stromboli and Semeru are other frequent erupters.
I guess my thoughts about that item that Elliot had to deal with are different too.. So I am uncertain if what he did at the very end was the correct decision. I mean it had been stable for millions of years with the piece intact so ....??? Shouldn't one put it back? It seems very risky what he did.
I must admit the scene in Iceland with Elliot and Ashra was terrifying! It was SO vivid. The description of the volcanic complex made it sound like an undiscovered super volcano.
I hope the next book will be better.
Oh and solar flares can affect earthquakes and volcanoes. Sometimes the energy that should cause an earthquake instead seems to be released by a volcano. Or so it seems but it is very iffy. Rare.
With volcanoes erupting around the world it’s another thrill ride for our intrepid archeologist and his Nepalese secret agent girlfriend as they race to out maneuver a cabal bent on destroying the world. Enemies and no one can be trusted, except maybe old enemies. Lots of fun!
Great start to the beginning of the Apocalypse Sequence. Elliot and Ashra seem to only want a simple life, but life is complicated, especially now that the couple has a pregnancy to worry about. From London, to Iceland, and then on their way to Germany, Elliot and Ashra face another world-ending threat left behind by the Ancients. Elliot has tried to keep the information secret to protect humanity, but he’s not the first human to find and study the Ancients and their civilization. A mysterious group has long collected and studied everything they could get their hands on related to the progenitor race and finds itself in possession of something so dangerous it threatens not just the human race, but the face of the Earth as we know it. In this first book, we have Elliot and Ashra running against the clock to uncover a global conspiracy that has infiltrated into the highest ranks of government. Who can they trust when they can’t trust anyone? The end of the world makes for some strange partnerships. As this is the first book in the series, there are some small revelations to prepare for the next book; however, the big questions remain unanswered for now. I’m curious enough to see where this goes. Even though this is a really good start, I only have four stars because of the ridiculous, and unnecessary, overuse of contractions that make much of the dialogue seem stilted and unnecessary. There was also one sentence attributable to Elliot where he’s afraid that Ashra’s ability to compartmentalize and continue to effectively save his life (basically) will somehow “infect” her fetus. Just for that stupid sentence, which should have been cut if the editor were good at their job, would have made this a four-star book. Admittedly, as we’re reminded over and over, Elliot is an archeologist, so maybe he doesn’t understand biology? However, he seems to be great a figuring out many things that have nothing to do with his area of expertise, so the notion that Ashra can somehow “infect” their child with, idk, a thought? An attitude? that scares Elliot because it makes Ashra so much more capable than he is, is just dumb. So read the book for the story, but ignore Elliot’s personal thoughts, and you’ll have a great time.
The Apocalypse Sequence I is a tantalizing view into a shadow government that will stop at nothing to follow the agenda left by the legacy of the Ancients.
Major catastrophes are happening simultaneously. Professor Elliott Brand and Ashra Shah are pulled back into the field to figure out who the mastermind is behind all this destruction.
But things don't always go as they are planned. Elliott Brand has to call his old nemesis, Kjelt Lindfors, for assistance. And that's where the action gets very dark.
T.S. Falk continues the story in the next book. And you'll definitely want to read it as our characters hang in the breach.
I’ve read several books in the series and they are all enjoyable reads. The characters are consistent and well defined and the stories are internally consistent, so the series holds together pretty well.
If you looking for some escapism, these are a good choice. The author does waste words or your time and the plot keeps moving.
My hair that it is already white, went to cinders!!
Oh my! This novel moved my furniture upside down... with myself on them. What a mystery, plotfull of twists and turns on each paragraph! I'm following the saga, but you can bet and win that I'll will be back to this one. Three Hurrahs for Mr. Falk!!!
Action packed thriller which works as a stand alone, although I think there is probably a lot to be gained by reading the other books in the Ancients series. The characters were likeable, it was well paced (reaching fever pitch at times!) and the action was well described so you could visualise it all in technicolour glory - it would make a great film!
T.S. Falk comes back with another secretive group, who look to use the Ancients' knowledge and technology. Another wonderfully written chapter in this series. A different look at people trying to rush the apocalypse, but we don't know yet if it's for their own gain only. Can't wait to read next book.
It seems like the battle for the secrets of the Ancients is not finished. Another group surfaces that is interested in them and manipulating them for no good. Another couple of books in this new series and maybe we'll know how it ends. Not sure about that.
Lots of action, history, science and other tidbits. Even some laughs thrown in the mix. Deducting two points for technical issues. Now that we have all of this technology, it would seem that at least the ebooks could be edited as the missed errors are found.
Fast paced action mixed with remarkably described settings. The rich language and intricate plots ensnare the reader In minutes. Characters seem bigger than life but relatable.
Really enjoying this series! Now there is a trilogy within the series. Interesting to read how the main characters get in and out of the predicaments they find themselves in. Always looking forward to the next book!
It's as if Falk doesn't remember what he wrote regarding these characters in previous books. Needs a better proofreader/content reader. Good adventure even so . . .
You will never be bored reading about Professor Brand and Ashra. I cannot imagine them becoming parents and being super professor and spy. This was another great book. Will keep you up at night. On to the next.
I was excited for another story with Elliot Brand but this one feels a bit tired. The story is more or less the same theme from previous books being rehashed.
I enjoyed this book but it seems as though Asura and Elliott are going to be separated again. It makes the story but it seems to much worry about the baby!
Intelligent, high powered action with some interesting twists. A few times I had to put the book down because the tension was so high. It's a great read.