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Fractured
Sometimes it takes more than courage to stand up for what you believe in
Courier rider Cara decides to help anti-fracking protestor Jonie, who is passionate about causes but finds herself caught up in a much bigger operation than she can tackle alone. Cara, resentful, self-absorbed and indifferent to almost anyone but herself, is at first, reluctant. As they sabotage fracking equipment, wrestle a former cop and are chased through the countryside, Cara learns to put someone else's needs first. And Jonie finds out that sometimes even the strongest individuals need to ask for help.
Courier rider Cara decides to help anti-fracking protestor Jonie, who is passionate about causes but finds herself caught up in a much bigger operation than she can tackle alone. Cara, resentful, self-absorbed and indifferent to almost anyone but herself, is at first, reluctant. As they sabotage fracking equipment, wrestle a former cop and are chased through the countryside, Cara learns to put someone else's needs first. And Jonie finds out that sometimes even the strongest individuals need to ask for help.
25 pages, ebook
First published February 16, 2014
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 8, 2014
I enjoyed this well-crafted story which is apparently a prequel to “Revolution Earth”.
It describes the activities of two girls with opposing personalities, who are drawn together in a fight against a seemingly corrupt corporation.
It’s a short piece, but in it we are introduced to three characters and learn some of their backstory. We are shown a setting where illegal activities are being performed.
The story, pacing and dialogue are all very good. The story is told lucidly and without unnecessary scenes.
“Fractured“ piqued my interest in ‘Revolution Earth’, which meant it did its job very well.
It describes the activities of two girls with opposing personalities, who are drawn together in a fight against a seemingly corrupt corporation.
It’s a short piece, but in it we are introduced to three characters and learn some of their backstory. We are shown a setting where illegal activities are being performed.
The story, pacing and dialogue are all very good. The story is told lucidly and without unnecessary scenes.
“Fractured“ piqued my interest in ‘Revolution Earth’, which meant it did its job very well.
April 5, 2014
I personally support environmental causes, however I am rating this as a book in its own right. This is a 25-page book.
To start with, I hesitate to give top rankings to works of fiction that are very short and are not children's books. If there is more of a story, why is it not longer? Or, why not a compendium of short stories, all unrelated? I now am aware of the main book, called Revolution Earth, which in its blurb does mention Cara, who is one of the main characters in this short story. (I have not read Revolution Earth yet, although it does sound interesting.) I'm not sure of the rationale to release this short story, which seems incomplete as we don't know how the characters arose nor why they are carrying out what they are doing. There is no introduction, no climax, and no resolution in this book.
I felt I did not know the characters, although we observe them in a very brief scene throughout the book. The very short amount of ink available hampers the story telling. Is Tariq involved in the plan to expose the drawbacks of the fracking project, and if so, to what extent and why? How did he get involved in the first place? Same for the two female couriers that Tariq employs in his courier company, Cara and Jonie. Is it feasible that an entire small courier company would be involved in this environmental project, perhaps to the detriment of the business (the impact upon the courier business is touched upon a few times). Are Cara and Jonie working together, and why do they not seem to get along? This book raises a lot of questions, and the very short span does not allow us to explore these questions.
When I see a book on Amazon, I expect it to be self-standing, and complete. I'm not sure of the ideas of some authors to post a "guide," "reflection," or "teaser" to their main works, or to test-run a concept before full publication. The one exception I could concur with is a downloadable version of a sampler of the work, in addition to the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon, as long as it is clearly labeled.
This could be an interesting book if fully developed, or perhaps it is already in "Revolution Earth." I'm not sure which of the two it is. As much as I hate to say this, if it's not going to be clear to the reader what the book stands for, the it may be best to fold it and stand with the main novel, or really develop this book as a sequel or prequel to Revolution Earth, with its own stand-alone story.
To start with, I hesitate to give top rankings to works of fiction that are very short and are not children's books. If there is more of a story, why is it not longer? Or, why not a compendium of short stories, all unrelated? I now am aware of the main book, called Revolution Earth, which in its blurb does mention Cara, who is one of the main characters in this short story. (I have not read Revolution Earth yet, although it does sound interesting.) I'm not sure of the rationale to release this short story, which seems incomplete as we don't know how the characters arose nor why they are carrying out what they are doing. There is no introduction, no climax, and no resolution in this book.
I felt I did not know the characters, although we observe them in a very brief scene throughout the book. The very short amount of ink available hampers the story telling. Is Tariq involved in the plan to expose the drawbacks of the fracking project, and if so, to what extent and why? How did he get involved in the first place? Same for the two female couriers that Tariq employs in his courier company, Cara and Jonie. Is it feasible that an entire small courier company would be involved in this environmental project, perhaps to the detriment of the business (the impact upon the courier business is touched upon a few times). Are Cara and Jonie working together, and why do they not seem to get along? This book raises a lot of questions, and the very short span does not allow us to explore these questions.
When I see a book on Amazon, I expect it to be self-standing, and complete. I'm not sure of the ideas of some authors to post a "guide," "reflection," or "teaser" to their main works, or to test-run a concept before full publication. The one exception I could concur with is a downloadable version of a sampler of the work, in addition to the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon, as long as it is clearly labeled.
This could be an interesting book if fully developed, or perhaps it is already in "Revolution Earth." I'm not sure which of the two it is. As much as I hate to say this, if it's not going to be clear to the reader what the book stands for, the it may be best to fold it and stand with the main novel, or really develop this book as a sequel or prequel to Revolution Earth, with its own stand-alone story.
October 9, 2014
I enjoyed the characters in Fractured, very much and would happily spend more time with them: Jonie—an environmental activist and agitator who, when we meet her, has blown off a shift at work and broken into a secret fracking site to try to halt work by vandalizing a piece of heavy equipment, Cara, an angsty nineteen-year-old bike courier, who dislikes Jonie but ends up helping her when she’s discovered by the worksite’s crew, and Tariq, their boss, who you think is unconnected to the whole sabotage, until a cryptic line at the end of the story suggests he, at the very least, knew the two young women were going to become friends. Strong as the characters were, however, I was a bit disappointed plot-wise. Fractured doesn’t standalone as a story and doesn’t even necessarily leave me with a concrete notion of what the guts of story will be in future installments. That said, Nagle isn’t trying to trick anyone: the story was written as a prequel for the forthcoming Revolution Earth. Writing-wise, some strange punctuation and formatting stopped me a few times—but not enough to keep me from enjoying the read. If you enjoy series and action/adventure stories with political undertones, consider this work.
March 31, 2014
This is a prequel to the author’s outstanding novel Revolution Earth. While I don’t believe the prequel was necessary to understand and/or enjoy the novel, it was nice to get a bit of the back story and to get to know two of the main characters on a more personal level.
Revolution Earth is a novel not to be missed. The husband and wife writing duo that calls themselves Lambert Nagle have a keen eye for detail and a writing style that puts their reader right in the thick of their incredibly engaging story. If you read Fractured, you are getting but a tiny bit of a taste of the story this prequel begins. It will entice you and draw you in, and when that happens, you will not be disappointed.
If you have already been lucky enough to experience Revolution Earth, Fractured is a tantalizing bit extra. It illustrates the relationship between two of the main characters, Jonie and Cara, and gives a good insight into why things happen as they do in Revolution Earth. It gives an extra push into the reasons why Cara fights so adamantly, and offers a firmer foundation behind the behaviors of the antagonist in the novel.
Revolution Earth is a novel not to be missed. The husband and wife writing duo that calls themselves Lambert Nagle have a keen eye for detail and a writing style that puts their reader right in the thick of their incredibly engaging story. If you read Fractured, you are getting but a tiny bit of a taste of the story this prequel begins. It will entice you and draw you in, and when that happens, you will not be disappointed.
If you have already been lucky enough to experience Revolution Earth, Fractured is a tantalizing bit extra. It illustrates the relationship between two of the main characters, Jonie and Cara, and gives a good insight into why things happen as they do in Revolution Earth. It gives an extra push into the reasons why Cara fights so adamantly, and offers a firmer foundation behind the behaviors of the antagonist in the novel.
June 17, 2014
Fractured, a prequel to 'Revoultion Earth' is a short story about two different characters that come together to fight a cause they believe in.
The story is well written, good pace and easy to understand. However, whilst the book had some depth to the background, I felt more was needed to provide the reader with a better insight, leading to a greater and more understood conclusion. Perhaps being a little unclear of what fracking was didn't lean towards the overall plot.
A 3-star review due to the shortness but has much potential to become an engaging novel.
The story is well written, good pace and easy to understand. However, whilst the book had some depth to the background, I felt more was needed to provide the reader with a better insight, leading to a greater and more understood conclusion. Perhaps being a little unclear of what fracking was didn't lean towards the overall plot.
A 3-star review due to the shortness but has much potential to become an engaging novel.
February 3, 2017
It is difficult to rate a short story that serves as a prequel, so I will give it the same ration as Revolution Earth, as it is literally a part of the original story.
Fractured (Revolution Earth Book 1), by Lambert Nagle, is the prequel to his well-written and critically acclaimed, Revolution Earth. Fractured is a short story and a quick read. Its primary purpose is to give a little more information concerning the relationship between Jonie and Cara, two of Revolution’s main characters. We are told how they became partners in their fight to protect the environment and anyone who has read the first book will want to grab this one as well. If you haven’t read either, be sure to read Fractured first. Now I want more!
I’ve included my original review for Fractured Earth below as it is the main novel and anyone with a concern or love for the environment will enjoy these books.
I received Revolution Earth, by Lambert Nagle through Library Thing’s Member Giveaways. I’ll be honest; I probably would not have purchased this novel had I come across it in a bookstore as I would have dismissed it as a ‘left-leaning’ take on the world’s energy sector, and that would have been my loss. The novel’s description on Library Thing seemed to indicate that it was more than that however, and taking a chance, I requested a copy.
The storyline is great, the action is exciting and believable as well, but what will stand out in most reader’s minds, is the character development. I dare you not to find yourself alternately in love with, admiring, and loathing the various people you meet within the pages of Revolution Earth.
The plot, which includes everything from murder to eco-terrorism to cheating on one’s mate, takes us from the streets of London all the way down to the frozen Antarctic, with most of the action taking place amongst Australia and New Zealand. The action is not terribly fast-paced, which takes nothing from the book, as the sub-plots are complex. The story flows along nicely, without the usual ‘wait, what did I just miss feeling’ that a complex plot like this usually throws at you. Although I was forced to read it over a longer period of time than I would have liked due to previous commitments, I never felt lost.
As someone else has pointed out, it would have been nice to know what drives the characters in the story. Although I was left with the feeling that I know them well now, I can’t help but feel there is something (perhaps a lot?) in their pasts, which having been shared in the story, would have given me a little more insight into their motivation.
Or...maybe that was saved for a prequel? Please?
I thoroughly enjoyed Revolution Earth and I’m grateful for the opportunity this novel gave me to leave my ‘literary’ comfort zone.
Fractured (Revolution Earth Book 1), by Lambert Nagle, is the prequel to his well-written and critically acclaimed, Revolution Earth. Fractured is a short story and a quick read. Its primary purpose is to give a little more information concerning the relationship between Jonie and Cara, two of Revolution’s main characters. We are told how they became partners in their fight to protect the environment and anyone who has read the first book will want to grab this one as well. If you haven’t read either, be sure to read Fractured first. Now I want more!
I’ve included my original review for Fractured Earth below as it is the main novel and anyone with a concern or love for the environment will enjoy these books.
I received Revolution Earth, by Lambert Nagle through Library Thing’s Member Giveaways. I’ll be honest; I probably would not have purchased this novel had I come across it in a bookstore as I would have dismissed it as a ‘left-leaning’ take on the world’s energy sector, and that would have been my loss. The novel’s description on Library Thing seemed to indicate that it was more than that however, and taking a chance, I requested a copy.
The storyline is great, the action is exciting and believable as well, but what will stand out in most reader’s minds, is the character development. I dare you not to find yourself alternately in love with, admiring, and loathing the various people you meet within the pages of Revolution Earth.
The plot, which includes everything from murder to eco-terrorism to cheating on one’s mate, takes us from the streets of London all the way down to the frozen Antarctic, with most of the action taking place amongst Australia and New Zealand. The action is not terribly fast-paced, which takes nothing from the book, as the sub-plots are complex. The story flows along nicely, without the usual ‘wait, what did I just miss feeling’ that a complex plot like this usually throws at you. Although I was forced to read it over a longer period of time than I would have liked due to previous commitments, I never felt lost.
As someone else has pointed out, it would have been nice to know what drives the characters in the story. Although I was left with the feeling that I know them well now, I can’t help but feel there is something (perhaps a lot?) in their pasts, which having been shared in the story, would have given me a little more insight into their motivation.
Or...maybe that was saved for a prequel? Please?
I thoroughly enjoyed Revolution Earth and I’m grateful for the opportunity this novel gave me to leave my ‘literary’ comfort zone.
August 3, 2016
Fractured by Lambert Nagle is a short story prequel to Revolution Earth. As such, I imagine it adds value and insight to folks who are already fans of Revolution Earth. Unfortunately, I'd never heard of the book until I received this short story for review.
As an introduction to Revolution Earth, Fractured has both strengths and weaknesses. In the category of strengths, the characters are well-written [with the exception I shall note in a moment], the descriptions are detailed enough to help you immerse yourself in the locales and the dialogue is interesting and a has a natural flow to it. Or so I imagine, as I'm a USAmerican and some of the terms were a bit foreign to me. In the category of weaknesses, two stand out. [1] The flow of the plot jumps around a bit, causing me a bit of trouble as to who I was following in any particular scene. I had to read it twice to be sure I actually knew what was going on. [2] The motives of the characters revolve around their objection to the practice of fracking [an unfortunate term if you're at all a Battlestar Galactica fan]. As an Apppalachian American, I have a passing knowledge of the dangers and benefits of fracking; my personal knowledge notwithstanding, the authors did not provide me with a good reason for the characters' actions. It's not enough to say they think fracking is bad; you have to tell the reader WHY the character thinks it's bad. Without these motivations being made clear, I have a hard time deciding whether the characters' actions should be considered heroic or criminal.
So as an introduction to the Revolution Earth, Fractured didn't exactly leave me wanting more. I hope the authors update this short story to make it what it could be: a strong hook to buy the book it precedes.
-Tony Breeden
From the Bookwyrm’s Lair
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
As an introduction to Revolution Earth, Fractured has both strengths and weaknesses. In the category of strengths, the characters are well-written [with the exception I shall note in a moment], the descriptions are detailed enough to help you immerse yourself in the locales and the dialogue is interesting and a has a natural flow to it. Or so I imagine, as I'm a USAmerican and some of the terms were a bit foreign to me. In the category of weaknesses, two stand out. [1] The flow of the plot jumps around a bit, causing me a bit of trouble as to who I was following in any particular scene. I had to read it twice to be sure I actually knew what was going on. [2] The motives of the characters revolve around their objection to the practice of fracking [an unfortunate term if you're at all a Battlestar Galactica fan]. As an Apppalachian American, I have a passing knowledge of the dangers and benefits of fracking; my personal knowledge notwithstanding, the authors did not provide me with a good reason for the characters' actions. It's not enough to say they think fracking is bad; you have to tell the reader WHY the character thinks it's bad. Without these motivations being made clear, I have a hard time deciding whether the characters' actions should be considered heroic or criminal.
So as an introduction to the Revolution Earth, Fractured didn't exactly leave me wanting more. I hope the authors update this short story to make it what it could be: a strong hook to buy the book it precedes.
-Tony Breeden
From the Bookwyrm’s Lair
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 4, 2014
Fractured, by the author team pen-named Lambert Nagle, is positioned as a “prequel” to their novel, Revolution Earth, which I have not read. Thus, there is some initial confusion whether this short story is a prelude to a new addition to what will become a Revolution Earth series, something that will be appended to the current novel at some point, or will simply remain a stand-alone story available at a nominal price.
After reading Fractured, one can deduce that it is not a stand-alone story, since it ends with a “to-be-continued-type” finish, which may be followed up in Revolution Earth, or not!
As a story, it does show promise as a thriller on the topical issue of alternative energy production. It concerns a couple of dedicated environmentalist-bicycle couriers, Joanie and Cara, who are on a mission to sabotage the operations of a fracking company.
For those not in the know, fracking is short for hydraulic fracturing, which is an oil and natural gas extraction method that uses a combination of horizontal drilling and pressurized fluid injection to release oil and gas deposits in rock formations where conventional drilling is impossible.
While fracking does increase the world supply of recoverable energy, the various environmental disasters that could result from this method has stirred up a frenzy of international protest movements, which appears to be the basis of this story.
Joanie and Cara are shown to be devoted and fearless anti-fracking activists as their attempt to vandalize a key piece of equipment belonging to the fracking outfit proves. In fact, one might say their adventure was more than a tad reckless.
Nevertheless, Joanie, Cara, and their boss, Tariq, do arouse the reader’s interest and instill a desire to learn more about them, their mission and the evil corporation they seek to undermine.
Working against the story were some loosely constructed sentences, questionable grammatical and punctuation choices, and other issues that could be squared away with some professional editing. All in all, Fractured is a good teaser of a tale.
I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
After reading Fractured, one can deduce that it is not a stand-alone story, since it ends with a “to-be-continued-type” finish, which may be followed up in Revolution Earth, or not!
As a story, it does show promise as a thriller on the topical issue of alternative energy production. It concerns a couple of dedicated environmentalist-bicycle couriers, Joanie and Cara, who are on a mission to sabotage the operations of a fracking company.
For those not in the know, fracking is short for hydraulic fracturing, which is an oil and natural gas extraction method that uses a combination of horizontal drilling and pressurized fluid injection to release oil and gas deposits in rock formations where conventional drilling is impossible.
While fracking does increase the world supply of recoverable energy, the various environmental disasters that could result from this method has stirred up a frenzy of international protest movements, which appears to be the basis of this story.
Joanie and Cara are shown to be devoted and fearless anti-fracking activists as their attempt to vandalize a key piece of equipment belonging to the fracking outfit proves. In fact, one might say their adventure was more than a tad reckless.
Nevertheless, Joanie, Cara, and their boss, Tariq, do arouse the reader’s interest and instill a desire to learn more about them, their mission and the evil corporation they seek to undermine.
Working against the story were some loosely constructed sentences, questionable grammatical and punctuation choices, and other issues that could be squared away with some professional editing. All in all, Fractured is a good teaser of a tale.
I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2014
FRACTURED is a prequel to Revolution Earth, meant to provide back story for some of the characters.
Cara and Jonie are bicycle couriers working for a small company. When Jonie misses a delivery, Cara is sent to Hampshire to find her.
Jonie is staking out a fracking site (the details of which she discovered from reading the mail she was supposed to be delivering), in the hopes of disabling the equipment.
Jonie is identified as someone who supports causes, but Cara get involved on an impulse rather than any anti-fracking sentiment.
Initially, the girls do not get on, but bond over their sabotage of a digger, and the close escape from the digger driver/ security guard who chases them.
I would have liked more character description, but guess the characters are described in more detail in the main story Revolution Earth.
Not having read Revolution Earth, I do not know how much Fractured adds to that story. For me, at just twenty five pages, the prequel was too short for me to form any sort of attachment to the characters.
Although the story did not end on a cliff-hanger or any other type of hook that would have me rushing to purchase Revolution Earth, it did leave me with enough question that I would be tempted to pick up Revolution Earth just to find out how much, Jonie and Cara's boss, Tariq, knows about what's going on, and to learn more about Cara's history.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cara and Jonie are bicycle couriers working for a small company. When Jonie misses a delivery, Cara is sent to Hampshire to find her.
Jonie is staking out a fracking site (the details of which she discovered from reading the mail she was supposed to be delivering), in the hopes of disabling the equipment.
Jonie is identified as someone who supports causes, but Cara get involved on an impulse rather than any anti-fracking sentiment.
Initially, the girls do not get on, but bond over their sabotage of a digger, and the close escape from the digger driver/ security guard who chases them.
I would have liked more character description, but guess the characters are described in more detail in the main story Revolution Earth.
Not having read Revolution Earth, I do not know how much Fractured adds to that story. For me, at just twenty five pages, the prequel was too short for me to form any sort of attachment to the characters.
Although the story did not end on a cliff-hanger or any other type of hook that would have me rushing to purchase Revolution Earth, it did leave me with enough question that I would be tempted to pick up Revolution Earth just to find out how much, Jonie and Cara's boss, Tariq, knows about what's going on, and to learn more about Cara's history.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2014
This short story is a prequel to Revolution Earth. I gave it 3 stars because it’s 25 pages long and didn’t provide as much background as I would have expected for a prequel.
The story itself is interesting, the plot is fast paced and I started to care about the characters so this was a good introduction to the main story. I never did figure out why Jonie was watching the people fracking or why she thought fracking was bad. I’m not sure if Revolution Earth goes into fracking in more detail but this short piece didn’t answer any of my questions about it. With that said I think this story has potential if the author develops it further. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The story itself is interesting, the plot is fast paced and I started to care about the characters so this was a good introduction to the main story. I never did figure out why Jonie was watching the people fracking or why she thought fracking was bad. I’m not sure if Revolution Earth goes into fracking in more detail but this short piece didn’t answer any of my questions about it. With that said I think this story has potential if the author develops it further. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
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