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Crash #2
Highrise Hell
Crash II: Highrise Hell - A post apocalyptic / dystopian thriller.
With money rendered obsolete, London has fallen into the hands of violent gangs.
George questioned his membership of the gang before, but now, with blood coating his hands, he can feel his humanity slipping away.
Surrounded by murderers and rapists, all he wants to do is leave. But the leader of the gang is his brother in law, and only he knows where George's sister is being kept. With just a few weeks until she gives birth, George knows that leaving the gang means he'll never see her again.
As the behavior of those around him plummets to new levels of depravity, George has to question just how far he can let it go before he walks away. Not even sure if his sister is still alive, George is more than aware of the suffering of a truck full of innocent women that see him as their only hope.
With time running out, George needs to make a decision between his family and his conscience. Whatever decision he makes, someone will suffer.
With money rendered obsolete, London has fallen into the hands of violent gangs.
George questioned his membership of the gang before, but now, with blood coating his hands, he can feel his humanity slipping away.
Surrounded by murderers and rapists, all he wants to do is leave. But the leader of the gang is his brother in law, and only he knows where George's sister is being kept. With just a few weeks until she gives birth, George knows that leaving the gang means he'll never see her again.
As the behavior of those around him plummets to new levels of depravity, George has to question just how far he can let it go before he walks away. Not even sure if his sister is still alive, George is more than aware of the suffering of a truck full of innocent women that see him as their only hope.
With time running out, George needs to make a decision between his family and his conscience. Whatever decision he makes, someone will suffer.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2014
65 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Michael Robertson
98 books206 followersMichael Robertson is an author and blogger. He has had several short stories published, including one with HarperCollins. He is the author of Crash - http://michaelrobertson.co.uk/crash--...
You can connect with Michael on Twitter at @MicRobertson, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRober... and you can also contact him through his website at www.michaelrobertson.co.uk
You can connect with Michael on Twitter at @MicRobertson, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRober... and you can also contact him through his website at www.michaelrobertson.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 14, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Those of you who are familiar with Michael Ro9bertson will know that he is from the UK. In the spirit of the UK vernacular, Crash II is a bloody good book two in the series. This book continues the wanton gory violence of the original Crash.
If you are not familiar with the premise of the series I will give a brief synopsis. Can you imagine what the world would be like if the global economic collapse of 2008 had not abated? What would happen to society if the currency based existence were turned on its' head? That is the thought behind the series. The author has focused on the dregs of society and how they may behave when there is no moral basis for existence.
Book 1, Crash, introduced the reader to the primary gang and the extreme violence of their exist4nce. It also introduced George, a hulking person with an intact moral code. This book is about how George balances his brutal life with his inner feelings. Even though this is a very violent book, it is offset by the moral compass of George. This book is all about George and his perceptions.
This is a good sequel to Crash and an enjoyable read. Remember that this is a horror genre book. I do recommend reading Crash first since it will improve your understanding of the characters.
Those of you who are familiar with Michael Ro9bertson will know that he is from the UK. In the spirit of the UK vernacular, Crash II is a bloody good book two in the series. This book continues the wanton gory violence of the original Crash.
If you are not familiar with the premise of the series I will give a brief synopsis. Can you imagine what the world would be like if the global economic collapse of 2008 had not abated? What would happen to society if the currency based existence were turned on its' head? That is the thought behind the series. The author has focused on the dregs of society and how they may behave when there is no moral basis for existence.
Book 1, Crash, introduced the reader to the primary gang and the extreme violence of their exist4nce. It also introduced George, a hulking person with an intact moral code. This book is about how George balances his brutal life with his inner feelings. Even though this is a very violent book, it is offset by the moral compass of George. This book is all about George and his perceptions.
This is a good sequel to Crash and an enjoyable read. Remember that this is a horror genre book. I do recommend reading Crash first since it will improve your understanding of the characters.
October 12, 2021
I've always believed that if an author can come up with a depraved scenario, no matter how extreme, then what humanity would truly be capable of would be much worse. After all, the author isn't living in a dystopian world and literally fighting for food and life. Therefore, if one sees the violence and depravity in this book as extreme or unrealistic then I can assure you a real post apocalyptic world would be far worse. Not that this book doesn't contain extreme violence - it definitely does. I just believe it's pretty realistic for a novel.
So many post apocalyptic tales contain a hero who is well armed and provisioned who shows up throwing lead to save the day - often against gangs. So, it was refreshing to read a book about a (potentially) heroic but unarmed, unfed, and helpless main character who is trapped in a violent gang with no clear way out. To read the emotional struggles George goes through is a gut wrenching experience. The main villain, Dean, is the monstrous bully I had to put up with on the school playground (perhaps you did too?) - only grown up and wielding ultimate power over life, death and suffering. My playground bully eventually died in prison, which was a much easier death than he deserved based on all the suffering he caused. Likewise, without writing specific spoilers, lets just say the gang members who die in this book also get off with much less suffering than they deserve.
I gave the book 4 stars because George develops a romantic interest that I found to be unrealistic and therefore unbelievable. Also, I didn't like the ending. I greatly prefer everything from the plot to be neatly wrapped up in my endings. My wife, the family's avid reader, tells me that is unrealistic and that a lot of authors (and screenwriters) won't do that. Apparently there is this thing called an imagination that some authors and readers like to use so they can "imagine" how each thing turns out. As a logical positivist I don't read books or go to movies to "imagine" how everything turns out at the end. That's what I pay the writer for. I digress. Overall, this is a good and well-written graphic thriller and a fine sequel to Crash I.
So many post apocalyptic tales contain a hero who is well armed and provisioned who shows up throwing lead to save the day - often against gangs. So, it was refreshing to read a book about a (potentially) heroic but unarmed, unfed, and helpless main character who is trapped in a violent gang with no clear way out. To read the emotional struggles George goes through is a gut wrenching experience. The main villain, Dean, is the monstrous bully I had to put up with on the school playground (perhaps you did too?) - only grown up and wielding ultimate power over life, death and suffering. My playground bully eventually died in prison, which was a much easier death than he deserved based on all the suffering he caused. Likewise, without writing specific spoilers, lets just say the gang members who die in this book also get off with much less suffering than they deserve.
I gave the book 4 stars because George develops a romantic interest that I found to be unrealistic and therefore unbelievable. Also, I didn't like the ending. I greatly prefer everything from the plot to be neatly wrapped up in my endings. My wife, the family's avid reader, tells me that is unrealistic and that a lot of authors (and screenwriters) won't do that. Apparently there is this thing called an imagination that some authors and readers like to use so they can "imagine" how each thing turns out. As a logical positivist I don't read books or go to movies to "imagine" how everything turns out at the end. That's what I pay the writer for. I digress. Overall, this is a good and well-written graphic thriller and a fine sequel to Crash I.
July 16, 2014
After reading Crash, I needed to get started on this book right away. It picks up a bit after Crash left off but with George as the main focus of this story. I loved that since I really wanted to know how George operates after reading the first book. I read it twice, and I still want to read it again. Like the first book, the descriptions are incredibly vivid. The dialogue has near perfect pacing. I recommend this book and the first one to everyone I know.
January 3, 2015
Reality when mankind falls
Good read for those looking for the different types of humans that emerge when there is no society, the awful truth of mankind's faults when our world ends.
We will be our biggest enemy and this book series shows us how in some seriously heinous ways.
Looking forward to book 3!
Good read for those looking for the different types of humans that emerge when there is no society, the awful truth of mankind's faults when our world ends.
We will be our biggest enemy and this book series shows us how in some seriously heinous ways.
Looking forward to book 3!
June 10, 2014
well what can i say a great read, i did not mind the violence at all. Things could turn out like this if there is a crash, I loved the character Dean and was glad he got what was coming to him. I recommend this author pure talent in the making, as for this book enjoy.
January 3, 2018
Fuck this book was good!
This had my heart pounding right from the first page. Impossible to put down. Full of suspense, horror and gore. Certainly not for the faint hearted. I really didn't think this series would be for me, but once I got my hands on book one it was impossible to stop.
Well written, great storyline and well rounded characters.
Highly recommend! Five stars!!
Certainly a job well done by Michael Robertson.
This had my heart pounding right from the first page. Impossible to put down. Full of suspense, horror and gore. Certainly not for the faint hearted. I really didn't think this series would be for me, but once I got my hands on book one it was impossible to stop.
Well written, great storyline and well rounded characters.
Highly recommend! Five stars!!
Certainly a job well done by Michael Robertson.
September 5, 2019
Awesome writer!
What an awesome author. His books will spellbound you. I'm pretty sure I read Crash I from beginning to end without even blinking my eyes. Never thought another writer would ever surpass Robert McCammon's Swan Song, but you certainly have, Mr. Robertson. Without a doubt.
What an awesome author. His books will spellbound you. I'm pretty sure I read Crash I from beginning to end without even blinking my eyes. Never thought another writer would ever surpass Robert McCammon's Swan Song, but you certainly have, Mr. Robertson. Without a doubt.
January 13, 2021
I could not put this book down. The author draws you in with a brutal depiction of what could happen when society breaks down after a financial break down. You are drawn into the mind of a madman and the moral dilemmas others face in order to survive.
September 7, 2021
What a book it was gripping right from the beginning to the last page. The violence is so graphic that I cringed when it kicked off.
July 31, 2014
The second installment of this series is so good. I must warn other readers that this is dark, gritty, and not for the faint of heart. The premise of the series is the world has under gone a economic collapse and it shows what happens to people left without. The members of society who held their crazy in check in society before let it loose with awful results. The have nots go after the haves. With disastrous results. This books focuses on a small group of have nots and what they do to others they perceive had more than they did. It shows mans inhumanity to man. In horrifying details. This is not a let us all band together, hold hand and sing kumbaya. If you are looking for that type result, pass on this. But if you are looking for how the world would become if this happens, then this book is for you. Can't wait for the next installment.
June 21, 2015
Mob Mentality
This is an excellent continuation from the first book, but this time from the point of view of someone amongst those doing the harm. What if you disagreed with what was happening all around you but knew, from having already witnessed it, that one person standing up against it would only mean one more meaningless death? If you knew what was going on was wrong but also knew that standing up against it would only mean one more senseless death... would you still stand up against what was happening? As I was reading this I felt so bad for George and how trapped he had become in trying to do the right thing when there is so much evil all around that even trying to figure out which really is the right thing to do becomes even harder to even know anymore.
This is an excellent continuation from the first book, but this time from the point of view of someone amongst those doing the harm. What if you disagreed with what was happening all around you but knew, from having already witnessed it, that one person standing up against it would only mean one more meaningless death? If you knew what was going on was wrong but also knew that standing up against it would only mean one more senseless death... would you still stand up against what was happening? As I was reading this I felt so bad for George and how trapped he had become in trying to do the right thing when there is so much evil all around that even trying to figure out which really is the right thing to do becomes even harder to even know anymore.
May 12, 2015
*violence, language, graphic situations
This second installment in the Crash series is based on the viewpoint of George who is one of the gang members that are seeking retribution against the wealthy in retaliation for all that has happened because of the market crash. London is a cesspool of violence and crime with no where safe available for anyone. through much of the book I was biting my nails or feeling extremely sad when horror would befall good people. this is one story that had me hooked from the beginning and is the best, in my opinion, of all the stories set in the Crash world!
This second installment in the Crash series is based on the viewpoint of George who is one of the gang members that are seeking retribution against the wealthy in retaliation for all that has happened because of the market crash. London is a cesspool of violence and crime with no where safe available for anyone. through much of the book I was biting my nails or feeling extremely sad when horror would befall good people. this is one story that had me hooked from the beginning and is the best, in my opinion, of all the stories set in the Crash world!
April 1, 2016
Again, a warning to those new to the series: there is explicit language, violence and death throughout.
Michael Robertson, you've done it again. I loved this book, as I did the first in the series. Actually, I liked this one more - it went deeper into George's character, his motivations and struggles.
You see how a lot of the characters ended up in their situation, and it made me have some sympathy for some of them, although of course I find their actions deplorable.
I'm reading the third in the series now - you know how to hook me on characters. Good job.
Michael Robertson, you've done it again. I loved this book, as I did the first in the series. Actually, I liked this one more - it went deeper into George's character, his motivations and struggles.
You see how a lot of the characters ended up in their situation, and it made me have some sympathy for some of them, although of course I find their actions deplorable.
I'm reading the third in the series now - you know how to hook me on characters. Good job.
March 17, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.The author is really talented at creating a frightening scenario of life in a collapsed society.The inner conflicts of the characters are realistically portrayed .Michael Robertson doesn't shy away from revealing the darkest parts of humanity and the cruelty that ensues.The narration was well done and pleasant to listen too.I purchased the e-book,but received an audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2015
Crash II
After the depravity of book one I was pretty sure I knew what to expect. I was wrong, I can't even imagine how hard it would be to write this. One would certainly expect more from humanity, unfortunately, these types of events would most likely be accurate for some. With morbid curiosity to see what comes next, I will continue reading this series.
After the depravity of book one I was pretty sure I knew what to expect. I was wrong, I can't even imagine how hard it would be to write this. One would certainly expect more from humanity, unfortunately, these types of events would most likely be accurate for some. With morbid curiosity to see what comes next, I will continue reading this series.
March 12, 2015
Onward!
Oh our long suffering hero. George is desperate to find his sister. I am loving these books and I can't wait to get started on the third installment! This is what I feel the break down of society will be like!
Oh our long suffering hero. George is desperate to find his sister. I am loving these books and I can't wait to get started on the third installment! This is what I feel the break down of society will be like!
March 6, 2018
enjoyed this book immensely. graphic but brilliantly written!!!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews