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Breakers #6
Captives
Once, Walt Lawson saved the world. Lately, he's lived in peaceful anonymity with his girlfriend Carrie. This morning, she's been kidnapped.
Walt has a single lead: the van that took her. Its trail points him up the coast to San Jose, where survivors have banded together against the gangs who've overrun the north. With the aid of a local guide, Walt homes in on the kidnappers, who are days from shipping Carrie far away.
But Walt's past is about to crash down on his rescue plans. For six years, Thom James has been on the hunt, blaming Walt for the death of his brother Raymond. Now that Walt's come up for air, Thom finally has a lead—and he won't stop until he's put Walt six feet underground.
CAPTIVES is the sixth book in the post-apocalyptic BREAKERS series.
Walt has a single lead: the van that took her. Its trail points him up the coast to San Jose, where survivors have banded together against the gangs who've overrun the north. With the aid of a local guide, Walt homes in on the kidnappers, who are days from shipping Carrie far away.
But Walt's past is about to crash down on his rescue plans. For six years, Thom James has been on the hunt, blaming Walt for the death of his brother Raymond. Now that Walt's come up for air, Thom finally has a lead—and he won't stop until he's put Walt six feet underground.
CAPTIVES is the sixth book in the post-apocalyptic BREAKERS series.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2014
50 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Edward W. Robertson
73 books1,236 followersEd is the author of the post-apocalyptic Breakers series and the epic fantasy series The Cycle of Arawn. A former New Yorker and Idaho-guy, he currently lives in the LA area. His short fiction has appeared in a whole bunch of magazines and anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 4, 2022
3½⭐
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
◾ Post-Apocalypse/Dystopian ◾ Alien Invasion ◾ Walt & Mia’s POV ◾ Breakers Series #6
Overall, a decent continuation of the Breakers Series…only two books to go. Although it was a tad slow at times. I still wish that whoever was in charge of deciding narrators would’ve added a female to the roster; since there is plenty of female POVs.
◾Narrated by: 🎙️ Ray Chase📣He’s all right…but it’s difficult to know whose head I’m in when he narrates everybody with the same inflection.
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
◾ Post-Apocalypse/Dystopian ◾ Alien Invasion ◾ Walt & Mia’s POV ◾ Breakers Series #6
Overall, a decent continuation of the Breakers Series…only two books to go. Although it was a tad slow at times. I still wish that whoever was in charge of deciding narrators would’ve added a female to the roster; since there is plenty of female POVs.
◾Narrated by: 🎙️ Ray Chase📣He’s all right…but it’s difficult to know whose head I’m in when he narrates everybody with the same inflection.
February 13, 2015
I really liked this book. I think each one in the series keeps getting better and better. I know Walt has his fans but he's not my favorite. For me, his snarky schtick tends to wear a bit thin but for the first time in this character's development we get to see that maybe he's kind of outgrown it... his comments and snarky asides did seem less mean spirited and he didn't rely on them as much. At several points I thought to myself that it was great to see he's found new ways to express himself. Though he probably won't admit it, I think maybe his broken heart might be on the mend. I liked that the soup/guitar episodes did have some parallels and seemed to me that he's so much more pragmatic and way less entitled now. I found him much less annoying here than he was in his last appearance.
I could say that times a thousand for Mia. I was all over the board with her in the first book but she totally redeemed herself for me here. I was kind of hoping the A/B narratives would overlap again somehow toward the end but perhaps they'll cross paths in one of the last (two!?!) books.
I was a bit disappointed that Ness and Sebastian didn't make an appearance here and every 'bug' sighting had me hoping. I realize they will feature in the next book, so yay! for that. Overall I found this book to be quite the page turner with the tension and drama ramped up a bit and holding quite steady throughout. Six years into this post apocalyptic world and the stakes in personal/group survival have never been higher!
I highly recommend this whole series and I think this is a great book that can kind of stand on its own. It alludes to a lot that's happened with not only events but characters covered in previous books in the series. If you're starting here you should at least read the summaries of the previous installments (But seriously worth the time/effort to read them all from the beginning).
If I truly have a gripe or a grumble about any part of this book in particular, I'd have to ask for remixing the pacing a bit. The ping-pong back and forth between the A/B narratives is a hallmark of the series but I found myself taking pee breaks in the middle of chapters because it was so hard to tear myself away. We've all heard the cliche, "I couldn't put it down!" but seriously I powered through this book in a marathon session because I found it so compelling.
I could say that times a thousand for Mia. I was all over the board with her in the first book but she totally redeemed herself for me here. I was kind of hoping the A/B narratives would overlap again somehow toward the end but perhaps they'll cross paths in one of the last (two!?!) books.
I was a bit disappointed that Ness and Sebastian didn't make an appearance here and every 'bug' sighting had me hoping. I realize they will feature in the next book, so yay! for that. Overall I found this book to be quite the page turner with the tension and drama ramped up a bit and holding quite steady throughout. Six years into this post apocalyptic world and the stakes in personal/group survival have never been higher!
I highly recommend this whole series and I think this is a great book that can kind of stand on its own. It alludes to a lot that's happened with not only events but characters covered in previous books in the series. If you're starting here you should at least read the summaries of the previous installments (But seriously worth the time/effort to read them all from the beginning).
If I truly have a gripe or a grumble about any part of this book in particular, I'd have to ask for remixing the pacing a bit. The ping-pong back and forth between the A/B narratives is a hallmark of the series but I found myself taking pee breaks in the middle of chapters because it was so hard to tear myself away. We've all heard the cliche, "I couldn't put it down!" but seriously I powered through this book in a marathon session because I found it so compelling.
May 18, 2020
Walt is back! In true Walt style, he finds himself in all sorts of trouble (for a good cause, of course!), but strangely still alive after it all. For the most part, he's spent the last 5 years, just trying to relax, and live his life (in his words: retired). Yet again, he is drawn back into the heart of the current trouble brewing in California, when his girlfriend is kidnapped one morning after a wild night of seafood and booze. As always, things become a lot more sinister than they seem, and a an old threat reappears.
Throughout the story, Walt learns that there are some lines he can't cross without destroying himself. He also realises just how much Carrie means to him, and by the end, he is done being retired...
Thom is our other storyline in this book. It is strange bringing in a new main character in book 6 of an 8 book series, but nothing is ever as it seems.... This character is every bit as flawed and wonderful as all of Robertson's, with so much more to give than you could imagine from the first chapter.
Ed, you've done it again!
Throughout the story, Walt learns that there are some lines he can't cross without destroying himself. He also realises just how much Carrie means to him, and by the end, he is done being retired...
Thom is our other storyline in this book. It is strange bringing in a new main character in book 6 of an 8 book series, but nothing is ever as it seems.... This character is every bit as flawed and wonderful as all of Robertson's, with so much more to give than you could imagine from the first chapter.
Ed, you've done it again!
April 11, 2021
This was by far the first in the series that was unputdownable to me. The character development is on point. I cared about these people now, their adventures, their disappointments, their successes and their failures. A Couple of times I felt- ‘No please don’t go in that direction’, and I was relieved that Robertson made a far less obvious and more intriguing choice. In fact that speaks to the name of the book as well. At the beginning I feared by the title it was going to be some dreary prison book. But just like all the other titles have not call revealed the secrets contained there in, neither did this one. I don’t like spoilers so I won’t give any. But it’s a good read. It’s fun, and has me opening book 7 immediately.
I listen on audible and in the beginning I wasn’t a fan of Ray Chase, his voice felt too dire but now I am so used to him and his characterizations have evolved so much that the books wouldn’t be the same without him. The early books were a little grave and his ominous tone worked. Now I can call myself a fan. This book is an adventure not to be missed.
I listen on audible and in the beginning I wasn’t a fan of Ray Chase, his voice felt too dire but now I am so used to him and his characterizations have evolved so much that the books wouldn’t be the same without him. The early books were a little grave and his ominous tone worked. Now I can call myself a fan. This book is an adventure not to be missed.
June 23, 2019
The best deals on this series for audible listeners is to purchase the Kindle version and add the Audible for $8 = $11 or 12 for both versions vs $15 for Audible only. 5
Many of the new post-apocalyptic series books go for $14 or 15 for 6 or 7 hours but this series has respectable 13 to 14-hour segments for excellent characters in intertwining storylines that eventually see each of the dozen or so main characters come together for the final series ending battles .
85% of humanity dies from a worldwide pandemic only to face invasion from Swimmers - crab/squid/lobster like aliens that start eliminating the survivors or capturing them in order to craft a virus to overcome their immunity.
Each book has chapters that alternate the stories of 2 or 3 main characters who migrate toward Los Angeles from New York, Idaho, and other states with stops in Washington State's Hanford nuclear facility, Redding CA., Hawaii, and/or Arizona.
The surviving humans end up in 4 camps in SoCal - The LaJolla Kingdom, The Catalina Kingdom, the followers of Anson in Hollywood, and Raina's San Pedro - Long Beach group all fighting for dominance and control beneath the shadow of the massive alien mothership before and after it is crashed into the Pacific off Santa Monica.
Many of the new post-apocalyptic series books go for $14 or 15 for 6 or 7 hours but this series has respectable 13 to 14-hour segments for excellent characters in intertwining storylines that eventually see each of the dozen or so main characters come together for the final series ending battles .
85% of humanity dies from a worldwide pandemic only to face invasion from Swimmers - crab/squid/lobster like aliens that start eliminating the survivors or capturing them in order to craft a virus to overcome their immunity.
Each book has chapters that alternate the stories of 2 or 3 main characters who migrate toward Los Angeles from New York, Idaho, and other states with stops in Washington State's Hanford nuclear facility, Redding CA., Hawaii, and/or Arizona.
The surviving humans end up in 4 camps in SoCal - The LaJolla Kingdom, The Catalina Kingdom, the followers of Anson in Hollywood, and Raina's San Pedro - Long Beach group all fighting for dominance and control beneath the shadow of the massive alien mothership before and after it is crashed into the Pacific off Santa Monica.
August 8, 2018
The two strands in this volume involve Walt, whose girlfriend Carrie was kidnapped at the end of the previous book's epilogue, and Thom, searching for his brother Raymond's killer - Walt. Walt pursues the kidnappers and with the help of a tom (a sort of bard/historian named Dim) manages to find Carrie, albeit briefly. Meanwhile Thom, who makes his living by telling stories (and is not who he appears to be) follows Walt across America before ending up in Raina's San Pedro community. San Pedro is threatened by a charismatic leader who is uniting LA... Walt and Thom's quests intersect and there are dealings with the aliens, too - the main group, not Sebastian's breakaways.
This continues to be an entertaning series. Walt's appearances ground the narrative but it is always welcome when someone else from previous volumes joins in. I'm going to miss it when I've read the last two books.
This continues to be an entertaning series. Walt's appearances ground the narrative but it is always welcome when someone else from previous volumes joins in. I'm going to miss it when I've read the last two books.
June 9, 2019
Much better than the last couple in the series. Walt is by far the most interesting character, in my opinion, and his attitude and wit remind me of Dante and his friends in Robertson's Cycle books. That said, I was *this* close to giving this book 3 stars. It relies, AGAIN, on kidnapping and human slavery as plot devices. There HAS to be a more original way to get characters off their asses in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi world.
May 26, 2020
I have the second omnibus edition of this series so will just say that book six is an enjoyable read.
Walt is definitely my favourite character - wry, funny, clever, brave with a soft side that belies his ruthless streak. He is a decent man, even if he tries to hide it.
A nice twist here and there with a great villain to despise.
Yes, a great read.
Highly recommended.
Walt is definitely my favourite character - wry, funny, clever, brave with a soft side that belies his ruthless streak. He is a decent man, even if he tries to hide it.
A nice twist here and there with a great villain to despise.
Yes, a great read.
Highly recommended.
November 10, 2017
I enjoyed this addition more than the last. I felt as if it got back to the primary story line. I’m engaged with Walt and want to know more about him. This arc added to the overall and is a not to be missed addition. I hope the next follows suit.
October 15, 2017
The series just keeps getting better.
November 6, 2017
prob 3.5 but love this series so it gets a 4 for that Walt is such a good guy !
February 16, 2018
Getting back into this series after a couple of years, good book.
November 1, 2020
Time for the next!
April 4, 2015
Six books into The Breakers series Edward Robertson continues to deliver richly drawn characters in a mesmerizing narrative that's hard to put down.
Captives brings back the story lines of Walt Lawson, the Man Who Saved the World; Mia, whom we last saw presumably dead; and Raina, the fearless and savage teenaged leader who speaks in idioms and kills with the ferocity of a wounded grizzly. It also introduces Anson, a third-rate megalomaniac of a dictator who talks in success seminar jargon and has secretly allied himself with the aliens in order to take over all of Los Angeles.
As he has in past books Robertson gives the reader two intertwined points of view. The plot leads them to the same area and the reader waits to see if they will actually interact, or pass one another by.
The plot twists and turns, the characters stumble and make mistakes, and the pages turn themselves. Just a first rate work.
Captives brings back the story lines of Walt Lawson, the Man Who Saved the World; Mia, whom we last saw presumably dead; and Raina, the fearless and savage teenaged leader who speaks in idioms and kills with the ferocity of a wounded grizzly. It also introduces Anson, a third-rate megalomaniac of a dictator who talks in success seminar jargon and has secretly allied himself with the aliens in order to take over all of Los Angeles.
As he has in past books Robertson gives the reader two intertwined points of view. The plot leads them to the same area and the reader waits to see if they will actually interact, or pass one another by.
The plot twists and turns, the characters stumble and make mistakes, and the pages turn themselves. Just a first rate work.
May 7, 2016
It only took me so long to finish this book because I was in the last full semester of my college education. O_o
Once again, I really like the style of writing; the alternating chapters between characters. This gives the book that "hard to put down" feeling right from the start. It is very easy to distinguish what character is telling the story in each chapter.
This particular book in the series follows Walt and Thom, and a little bit of Raina. (I just have to say... I don't know how I didn't figure it out sooner!)
I am nearing the end of the series, and I know that this story is going to come to a close, soon. It's the struggle of wanting to read the books fast so I know what happens, but I want to put it off, so I can draw it out.
Overall, I am really enjoying this series! I plan to start the next book later tonight or tomorrow.
Once again, I really like the style of writing; the alternating chapters between characters. This gives the book that "hard to put down" feeling right from the start. It is very easy to distinguish what character is telling the story in each chapter.
This particular book in the series follows Walt and Thom, and a little bit of Raina. (I just have to say... I don't know how I didn't figure it out sooner!)
I am nearing the end of the series, and I know that this story is going to come to a close, soon. It's the struggle of wanting to read the books fast so I know what happens, but I want to put it off, so I can draw it out.
Overall, I am really enjoying this series! I plan to start the next book later tonight or tomorrow.
November 14, 2014
I must say, Edward W. Robertson definitely has a way of telling a story. I have loved the 'Breakers' series from the very beginning and this new addition definitely did not disappoint.
Some characters from past books made an appearance in this book, which was a well thought out idea. We usually hear about Walt in each book, but others have been mostly left behind. This book adds the story of Thom, whom you will find out more about when you read the book (no spoilers here).
The only thing that upsets me about finishing this book is that there are only 2 more books scheduled for this series. Yes, I know all good things come to an end, but that doesn't mean that I want it to. Keep them coming Edward!
Some characters from past books made an appearance in this book, which was a well thought out idea. We usually hear about Walt in each book, but others have been mostly left behind. This book adds the story of Thom, whom you will find out more about when you read the book (no spoilers here).
The only thing that upsets me about finishing this book is that there are only 2 more books scheduled for this series. Yes, I know all good things come to an end, but that doesn't mean that I want it to. Keep them coming Edward!
August 27, 2015
In this book, we return to Walt. Raina also plays a big part, although she's not a main character this time. I really, really didn't like Walt in the first book (I rooted for Raymond, not that they were opposed or anything), but through the series, he's really grown on me (and he himself has grown as a character, which I think explains why I changed my opinion). Then there's Thom, Raymond's brother. Or is he? I found out when I got Captives that there will be two more books in this series, which makes me happy, but I assume that will take some time, which makes me less happy. This series has been brilliant summer reading, and I'm really happy I gave it a shot!
March 16, 2015
Continuing story of humanity's survival after the aliens nearly wiped out everyone. It's a grim commentary on people and our apparent inability to avoid killing each other in the struggle to survive in the rubble of our former glory. From this book, one gets the feeling that not only does it take intelligence to survive but an incredible amount of luck - pure dumb luck.
September 28, 2015
So after book #5 slightly annoyed me with its rushed ending, #6 was a definite return to form for me! That it reunited multiple characters as their stories begin to wind together more closely definitely helped. As always beautifully written, and whilst the stories in some way are quite repetitive (given the situation the World is in) I'm still consuming at pace. On to book #7!
July 9, 2016
Return of the Knife
It was intriguing to see how some of the characters had grown. Some grew unexpectedly wise while others grew emotional bonds. It's a solid addition to the series. However, it feels like a setup for the next books rather than solely than stands on its own. Either way, I recommend it.
It was intriguing to see how some of the characters had grown. Some grew unexpectedly wise while others grew emotional bonds. It's a solid addition to the series. However, it feels like a setup for the next books rather than solely than stands on its own. Either way, I recommend it.
July 11, 2016
The entire Breakers series, including #6, is a hit ! The action continues and the aliens are even sneaker than ever pitting groups of despots against communities who are just trying to get along with each other and survive. The characters, the action, the sci-if, all of it makes this book, and the entire series, a MUST READ ! You won't be disappointed!!
August 15, 2015
Liked the book ,love the series .
While this book in the series was not my favorite. It was a necessary part of the series. And a great story. I just wish it ..of had a happier ending.
While this book in the series was not my favorite. It was a necessary part of the series. And a great story. I just wish it ..of had a happier ending.
May 15, 2020
Walt.... You are a boss haha I always feel so bad when the book starts with him. You know he's going to go through some awful crap as usual but he will pull through because he's WALT MOTHERFU*KING LAWSON!!!! lol
August 19, 2014
2 more to go.
July 3, 2014
Another enjoyable chapter in the Breakers saga. Two more coming according to the author, looking forward to them. Dry humor, some introspective thought, and lots of violence make for fun books.
August 24, 2014
one of the best in the Breakers series. I really enjoyed how a lot of the characters from past books made an appearance in this book. Left me wanting more and anxiously awaiting books 7 and 8
December 30, 2014
One of the best so far
I couldn't put it down this week! Didn't even sleep much the past few nights. I just love this series.
I couldn't put it down this week! Didn't even sleep much the past few nights. I just love this series.
August 1, 2015
Best book in this series so far.
December 26, 2015
Good Series
Good series. Don't have to self edit. Keeps your interest. Worth reading. Eight more words required. If you read the previous books, you know.
Good series. Don't have to self edit. Keeps your interest. Worth reading. Eight more words required. If you read the previous books, you know.
February 18, 2023
I love the entire series! They all weave together beautifully, but also stand alone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews