What do you think?
Rate this book
Impetus
When the world first heard about the asteroids, it was already too late. Ten arduous years later, Mick and his small group of eight had adapted to the new way of things. With no clean running water, power, or forms of communication, the Earth went backward, taking with it almost everything they held dear. Survivors like Mick were forced to do the best they could with what they had. Because in the post-Impact world, alternatives were a luxury that no one could afford. Now a deadly virus threatens those who were unfortunate enough to survive. With the clock ticking down on their lives, Mick will navigate the deceitful webs spun by those that oppose his drive for salvation. And along his quest to prevent another catastrophe, Mick will rediscover what it truly means to be human. *** Impetus does away with the genre's tendency to dwell on the coming catastrophe, to instead examine the very-real human experience and condition left behind by a world-changing disaster.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2014
28 people are currently reading
1089 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 24, 2014
I'm not really sure why this book is called Impetus. By definition, impetus means: the force or energy with which a body moves. This doesn't really tie in with much of the story.
Mick has motivation to act for his children, Solomon his love for the only family he's known, King, just insanity. None of them really tie into the title.
The story follows along the same lines as most post-apocalyptic stories. 10 years after Earth was impacted by giant meteors we find that humanity has dropped into the slums of deprivation. Nothing really new there...
The science theme that ran throughout reeked of the seen and done before... The 'twist' wasn't a surprise either, in fact I'd picked it from about half way through.
I would have liked more characterisation around most of the characters. It was sorely lacking when it came to the main characters, but also the backup players too. The scenes that should have been gut-wrenching weren't because I didn't give a toss about the characters. And I didn't give a toss about the characters because they were flimsy 2D cut outs not fully formed, realistic characters.
Some of the description was great, Mick's walk through the ravaged town and his observations from the hilltop among them.
Ultimately, it reads like a partially formed idea, almost there, but not quite polished.
A few things I noticed:
17% - waste = waist
20% - He would never had (delete had, add have) been president.
23% - To be able (to) hear it one...
97% - People with family's (families)
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of the book in return for an honest review**
Mick has motivation to act for his children, Solomon his love for the only family he's known, King, just insanity. None of them really tie into the title.
The story follows along the same lines as most post-apocalyptic stories. 10 years after Earth was impacted by giant meteors we find that humanity has dropped into the slums of deprivation. Nothing really new there...
The science theme that ran throughout reeked of the seen and done before... The 'twist' wasn't a surprise either, in fact I'd picked it from about half way through.
I would have liked more characterisation around most of the characters. It was sorely lacking when it came to the main characters, but also the backup players too. The scenes that should have been gut-wrenching weren't because I didn't give a toss about the characters. And I didn't give a toss about the characters because they were flimsy 2D cut outs not fully formed, realistic characters.
Some of the description was great, Mick's walk through the ravaged town and his observations from the hilltop among them.
Ultimately, it reads like a partially formed idea, almost there, but not quite polished.
A few things I noticed:
17% - waste = waist
20% - He would never had (delete had, add have) been president.
23% - To be able (to) hear it one...
97% - People with family's (families)
**Note: I was provided an electronic copy of the book in return for an honest review**
July 11, 2014
This is one book that totally took my by surprise. I was so totally engrossed in this book from the very first page. This book is a post apocalyptic book is very character driven. You are taken on a very wild ride that will keep you reading. It shows what people are like after all modern conveniences are no longer around . This band of people are living in a crime and poverty ridden remains of a city . They are trying to keep the civility in their little band of people, They are sent backwards and have now clean running water or ways communicating with other survivors .They are lead by Mike . who isn't you typical action hero. He is just like you and me . He is a simple guy that wants to survive. He is a father and a survivor and using his wit to try and keep his kids alive for another day , You will be swept into their lives and you will fell , like you are part of the group. You will become a character. You will be cheering for Mike and his band, you will tear up and you will fall in love everyone in this book.
The author has created a story that is so intense and guess what there is no lewd sex scenes or copious amounts of swear words or gory violence. This is a book that is about survival and the what you would go through to survive. Scott takes us on the ride of our lives . I sat down, thinking that I would just start reading . So as I started reading I was so totally engrossed . I had to get up and plug my laptop in and then went back to reading. I just couldn't stop reading . The pages were turning well into the night. Scott created such a world that shows people at its best and worst . This book will rock your world . He created a complex world that will leave you wanting so much more. You will be very surprised and wanting more . You will actually come out of this book feeling hopeful.
So if you are looking for a great sci fi book that shows the ability of men to overcome the evils of then of the world Scott Sullivan is the author for you , If you want to read a good book without all the clichés that some authors fall into , like sex violence and gory violence. Please take a chance on IMPETUS I am so glad I did.
July 13, 2014
Ten years after the end of modern civilization the fight begins to discover not just the survival of the human race but also the essence of the human soul. Deep in the ruins of what was once one of humankind's most majestic cities the heartbeat of mankind still lingers battling for it's very existence.
Impetus leads the way with a straight forward assault on your moral compass..sparking questions of "what ifs" and scenarios of the future that will pull you from your slumber.
Impetus isn't just a simple run of the mill survival novel. It is a book about what makes us human at our very core. It is the tale of people who are not just trying to survive but live and discover what truly remains after the world around them has crumbled. Striving to do the "right" thing when even the planet itself seems to fight against them and death stalks their every agonizing steps.
Will some sense of your humanity still exist or will you succumb to the darkness that lives deep within us all?
Mr. Sullivan's captive and expressive writing style easily transports his readers into this dust covered post apocalyptic world. His characters depict the way their environment affects them and their experiences are realistically expressed in their demeanors. This novel was an easy and enjoyable read. I look forward to more pieces of work from this great author.
Impetus leads the way with a straight forward assault on your moral compass..sparking questions of "what ifs" and scenarios of the future that will pull you from your slumber.
Impetus isn't just a simple run of the mill survival novel. It is a book about what makes us human at our very core. It is the tale of people who are not just trying to survive but live and discover what truly remains after the world around them has crumbled. Striving to do the "right" thing when even the planet itself seems to fight against them and death stalks their every agonizing steps.
Will some sense of your humanity still exist or will you succumb to the darkness that lives deep within us all?
Mr. Sullivan's captive and expressive writing style easily transports his readers into this dust covered post apocalyptic world. His characters depict the way their environment affects them and their experiences are realistically expressed in their demeanors. This novel was an easy and enjoyable read. I look forward to more pieces of work from this great author.
August 11, 2014
A definite page turner! The story takes place ten years after meteorites have pummeled Earth. Survivors exist in clusters hidden from others, trying to survive in a world with no electricity, running water, the sun is clouded by a constant dust haze, the soil is useless for growing things, and all living creatures are infected with a virus that is slowly killing them. Mick is the leader over a group of eight, two are his teenage twins. They are good people trying to make it from day to day. Rubble King is an evil man who controls his thugs through violence, who in turn destroy all survivors they encounter. Solomon is a mentally challenged young man with a good heart who is imprisoned and tortured by King and his thugs. Mick and Solomon will become each other's savior. Their lives take a drastic turn when they discover an underground facility of scientists called The Initiative. Although The Initiative promises hope, it soon becomes apparent it has diabolical secrets.
August 10, 2014
Excellent
Excellent
I'm not sure who decided to put this book free this month but THANKYOU! I typically prefer reading about a disaster before and during its action.but I fell in love with this story almost right away.it's well written, great character development and certainly the kind of book that, terrifying as it may be, that makes you really think.thanks to it being free,I read this.and because it's was so well written,I now am going to search other books from this author.now, it's hard to believe that I, NOT a lover of sequels, am going to say this but please, Mr author, please write a book two!I will pay....if not, thanks for a wonderful adventure, no matter how dismal, my last two days has been enthralled in!
Excellent
I'm not sure who decided to put this book free this month but THANKYOU! I typically prefer reading about a disaster before and during its action.but I fell in love with this story almost right away.it's well written, great character development and certainly the kind of book that, terrifying as it may be, that makes you really think.thanks to it being free,I read this.and because it's was so well written,I now am going to search other books from this author.now, it's hard to believe that I, NOT a lover of sequels, am going to say this but please, Mr author, please write a book two!I will pay....if not, thanks for a wonderful adventure, no matter how dismal, my last two days has been enthralled in!
July 14, 2014
I loved it. This was a far more believable scenario than the vamps and zombies. Mick, a grieving father with 2 children, is trying to survive in a world without full sunlight and little rain. The city is Boston and most of the people are dead. The few survivors search the rubble for canned goods and water. They avoid others. There are several groups of misfits, one such is lead by a sadistic ruler called King.
Their will to survive is the story. Harsh and cruel, like the world they now inhabit. Thank you Goodreads and Scott Sullivan for the great book. I hope to see more from you. Maybe a series with Mick and Solomon.
Their will to survive is the story. Harsh and cruel, like the world they now inhabit. Thank you Goodreads and Scott Sullivan for the great book. I hope to see more from you. Maybe a series with Mick and Solomon.
July 16, 2014
I received this book for a fair and honest review.
Mick and his group are trying to survive in a horrible new world. A world left from a severe meteor strike.
This book was pretty good. It was a hopeful read with good and evil so well delineated that we aren’t left questioning who’s who.
I really liked this story. It’s well worth reading for those who like either post-apocalyptic or hopeful stories to carry them through.
Mick and his group are trying to survive in a horrible new world. A world left from a severe meteor strike.
This book was pretty good. It was a hopeful read with good and evil so well delineated that we aren’t left questioning who’s who.
I really liked this story. It’s well worth reading for those who like either post-apocalyptic or hopeful stories to carry them through.
July 25, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine surviving a devastating meteorite and living in that devastation for 10 years only to find out that you have a deadly virus and are days away from dying. Mick and his small group have done just that. Can the scientists find a cure in time? Meanwhile, they have the King of Rubble to deal with. The characters are great, especially Mick and Solomon. This book kept me intrigued from start to finish. You have to read it!
Imagine surviving a devastating meteorite and living in that devastation for 10 years only to find out that you have a deadly virus and are days away from dying. Mick and his small group have done just that. Can the scientists find a cure in time? Meanwhile, they have the King of Rubble to deal with. The characters are great, especially Mick and Solomon. This book kept me intrigued from start to finish. You have to read it!
June 8, 2016
Loved it
I give this book 5 stars the characters were well thought out and I love the fact that the book ended in one book instead of dragging it out. Too many others at this time can't seem to see that often a story doesn't need to be broken into a series, to be good. As a former librarian and teacher, I have read thousands of books and as many authors, and found this book a good read, and do recommend it.
I give this book 5 stars the characters were well thought out and I love the fact that the book ended in one book instead of dragging it out. Too many others at this time can't seem to see that often a story doesn't need to be broken into a series, to be good. As a former librarian and teacher, I have read thousands of books and as many authors, and found this book a good read, and do recommend it.
July 17, 2014
3.5 stars! Great story line, interesting characters. Would have liked a longer version of the book with expanded development of the main band of eight survivors. Some of the back story on these people would have been nice. This book would make a good movie.
August 21, 2015
What a great read! I loved that it was more character driven than other post-apocalyptic books I have read. Great character development as well as good action that kept flowing captured me since page one. I specially liked the ending; it was heartwarming.
March 18, 2021
This was one of those infamous $.99 deals on Amazon so I figured "Why not?" Worst that could happen is that it is mediocre and I just go on. So I was a little surprised at how engaging it wound up being. Some caveats, but overall a good read.
First, it is very predictable. Pretty much whenever a character is introduced you kind of know where it is going. Mick (main character) is going to be the reluctant hero. His kids, Katheryn and Nate, are going to be bit players to move the story along and give Mick a reason. The rest of the group fall in to the typical roles covering all the bases. Solomon is pretty easy to figure out as he's kind of the golden child. King and Clyde are the obligatory bad guys. Phillip is the bad guy who looked like a good guy.
Not much in character development for any of them, but that didn't bother me a lot. Post-asteroid collision and add in a deadly virus. Don't want to say Walking Dead but same kind of tone to it. Just enough difference to make me want to read through it. I've certainly read far worse. And you can actually start to care about the players and hate the bad guys.
When I finished I really felt like I had enjoyed it. Glad there is not a second book to go on with as I don't see where it could really go without turning into Maze Runner or Hunger Games. Don't need another series like that. But I would say it is worth the asking price and enough to keep you interested. Nothing ground breaking but certainly not a groaner.
First, it is very predictable. Pretty much whenever a character is introduced you kind of know where it is going. Mick (main character) is going to be the reluctant hero. His kids, Katheryn and Nate, are going to be bit players to move the story along and give Mick a reason. The rest of the group fall in to the typical roles covering all the bases. Solomon is pretty easy to figure out as he's kind of the golden child. King and Clyde are the obligatory bad guys. Phillip is the bad guy who looked like a good guy.
Not much in character development for any of them, but that didn't bother me a lot. Post-asteroid collision and add in a deadly virus. Don't want to say Walking Dead but same kind of tone to it. Just enough difference to make me want to read through it. I've certainly read far worse. And you can actually start to care about the players and hate the bad guys.
When I finished I really felt like I had enjoyed it. Glad there is not a second book to go on with as I don't see where it could really go without turning into Maze Runner or Hunger Games. Don't need another series like that. But I would say it is worth the asking price and enough to keep you interested. Nothing ground breaking but certainly not a groaner.
February 11, 2021
The story takes place ten years after meteorites decimated the earth. Before “The Impact” a covert government-sponsored lab called The Initiative was created to help survivors should the worst occur. Pockets of survivors existed throughout the ruins of cities. Mick, together with family and friends was one such pocket. King, who nominated himself The Rubble King with his band of miscreants was another. It turns out that not only had the meteorites decimated the earth but bore a virus along with them. The Initiative was the only chance of salvation for humanity. It is in this mix of survivors that the story takes place. As usual in this genre, it is the relationships and interactions of the characters that are the focus of the tale, not the catastrophe itself. We pick up the survivors at the point ten years after “The Impact”. Some additional background on them may have brought us closer to them, allowing us to care for them. Solomon may be the exception as he received the most abuse, gaining sympathy throughout the story. The bad guys were pretty clear cut and fairly predictable. All-in-all a decent story but lacking the intensity the situation called for. Three.point.five for potential.
December 14, 2014
Disclaimer: Yes, it is true, I received this book for review. (That rhymes!) Basically, I don't want anyone to think I am being biased, because I am not. I am giving this book an honest review, although I received it for free.
Overview:
When the world first heard about the meteorites, it was already too late.
Ten arduous years later, Mick and his small group of eight had adapted to the new way of things. With no clean running water, power, or forms of communication, the Earth went backward, taking with it almost everything they held dear. Survivors like Mick were forced to do the best they could with what they had. Because in the post-Impact world, alternatives were a luxury that no one could afford.
Now a deadly virus threatens those who were unfortunate enough to survive.
With the clock ticking down on their lives, Mick will navigate the deceitful webs spun by those that oppose his drive for salvation. And along his quest to prevent another catastrophe, Mick will rediscover what it truly means to be human.
So pretty much this dystopian novel is about a man Mick, surviving with his children and a couple and his friends. 10 years beforehand, a meteorite called Colossus wiped up pretty much the whole of civilization on Earth. Almost everyone died, and a plague or sickness or something wiped out everyone else who survived. The Sun has been blocked out by dust and ash, and people have struggled to live.
Mick is living with his twins, Katherine and Nate, two women, Sarah and Laurel, and a couple of men too, Chester, Sandeep and Greg (I think that is all of them), living in a shelter in the remains of NYC.
Unfortunately, although so many were wiped out, those who negatively affected the Earth with their sinful ways escaped the blow of Colossus.
Somewhere hidden, unbeknownst to them, scientists have discovered a horrendous plague, CV-1, which will slowly wipe out the face of the planet for good.
Mick meets some new characters which are to concealed and mysterious to tell whether they are friend or foe, but do you risk your trust, when there aren't that many too trust?
My Review:
So I ended up really liking this book. It was one of the first books I ever really received to Read and Review actually.
When I first received it in the early summer, I had never read a post-apocalyptic book before, but I had read dystopian fiction, i.e. Mockingjay and Divergent. And I had really, really liked it.
As soon as I got it, I was bored. I read about the first 5-10 pages and I was like, "Huh?" I put it down and recently picked it up after a couple of short pick ups and put downs. I really wanted to give the book another shot, because I just hate not finishing books! I am really glad I did carry on though! So much happened as I started to read it, and I genuinely enjoyed it! I think that in some places it could have been longer, but I am okay with the book. I wish we got more insight into other people living around there as well, because it was only really ever Mick that we heard of, and the other characters that I won't spoil for you. Also, it would have been great to hear some more detail on some of the characters, Sandeep and Nate for example, because all we really heard about Mick was that he was looking old and had a goatee, and I wouldn't really think the same for a 14 year old boy!
If you decide that you want to read this book, which I would definitely recommend to all of you, I think that you will need to read in about 15-20 pages before you really like it and start to get into it. I think it is pretty much worth the slow beginning with all that happens throughout the book, but I would of course LOVE a little more detail which is lacking from ebooks these days.
This book is going to get a 3.5/5 from me, because I loved all the plot and the characters, but it was lacking some description which I really needed.
Overview:
When the world first heard about the meteorites, it was already too late.
Ten arduous years later, Mick and his small group of eight had adapted to the new way of things. With no clean running water, power, or forms of communication, the Earth went backward, taking with it almost everything they held dear. Survivors like Mick were forced to do the best they could with what they had. Because in the post-Impact world, alternatives were a luxury that no one could afford.
Now a deadly virus threatens those who were unfortunate enough to survive.
With the clock ticking down on their lives, Mick will navigate the deceitful webs spun by those that oppose his drive for salvation. And along his quest to prevent another catastrophe, Mick will rediscover what it truly means to be human.
So pretty much this dystopian novel is about a man Mick, surviving with his children and a couple and his friends. 10 years beforehand, a meteorite called Colossus wiped up pretty much the whole of civilization on Earth. Almost everyone died, and a plague or sickness or something wiped out everyone else who survived. The Sun has been blocked out by dust and ash, and people have struggled to live.
Mick is living with his twins, Katherine and Nate, two women, Sarah and Laurel, and a couple of men too, Chester, Sandeep and Greg (I think that is all of them), living in a shelter in the remains of NYC.
Unfortunately, although so many were wiped out, those who negatively affected the Earth with their sinful ways escaped the blow of Colossus.
Somewhere hidden, unbeknownst to them, scientists have discovered a horrendous plague, CV-1, which will slowly wipe out the face of the planet for good.
Mick meets some new characters which are to concealed and mysterious to tell whether they are friend or foe, but do you risk your trust, when there aren't that many too trust?
My Review:
So I ended up really liking this book. It was one of the first books I ever really received to Read and Review actually.
When I first received it in the early summer, I had never read a post-apocalyptic book before, but I had read dystopian fiction, i.e. Mockingjay and Divergent. And I had really, really liked it.
As soon as I got it, I was bored. I read about the first 5-10 pages and I was like, "Huh?" I put it down and recently picked it up after a couple of short pick ups and put downs. I really wanted to give the book another shot, because I just hate not finishing books! I am really glad I did carry on though! So much happened as I started to read it, and I genuinely enjoyed it! I think that in some places it could have been longer, but I am okay with the book. I wish we got more insight into other people living around there as well, because it was only really ever Mick that we heard of, and the other characters that I won't spoil for you. Also, it would have been great to hear some more detail on some of the characters, Sandeep and Nate for example, because all we really heard about Mick was that he was looking old and had a goatee, and I wouldn't really think the same for a 14 year old boy!
If you decide that you want to read this book, which I would definitely recommend to all of you, I think that you will need to read in about 15-20 pages before you really like it and start to get into it. I think it is pretty much worth the slow beginning with all that happens throughout the book, but I would of course LOVE a little more detail which is lacking from ebooks these days.
This book is going to get a 3.5/5 from me, because I loved all the plot and the characters, but it was lacking some description which I really needed.
October 2, 2014
This book was intense! A meteor (which has been named Colossus) has fallen and caused a great deal of destruction. We start out learning about three different groups of people that don't seem to have much in common. There's a group of scientists that live in The Facility, an underground bunker. They're looking for an immunity strand for a virus that has broken out and are reaching out to the survivors to see if a cure can be found.
Then there's Mick, who's living in a fallout shelter with his two children and five other people. Not many people knew of its existence, so they had food, water and shelter. However, Mick is tired of eating the same canned food for so many years, so he goes out to scout for new food.
Last, we meet Solomon, Clyde and King. King is the leader of this group and is harsh and mean. Clyde is his son and they treat Solomon poorly. Solomon is considered by some to be slow so he appears to be an easy target for King and Clyde. We also learn that there's someone Solomon wants to protect which is the reason he stays with them. Solomon defies them the best he can, even though they are abusive to him at times because of it. Mick meets Solomon when he goes out one day and little does he know what a huge impact that will have on his life and the group he is so desperately trying to protect.
This is a character-driven novel. The apocalyptic event happened ten years ago so we learn about some people that didn't make it and the new life for those who are still around. There is suspicion and fear yet there is also courage and bravery.
I wasn't sure where the scientists would fit in and as we learned more about them, I was glad that Sid was brave enough to do what he felt needed to be done. Mick was the leader and protector for his group and was also willing to do whatever he needed for them to survive. King was scary and abusive and downright evil. I cringed whenever I read about him and his son Clyde was pretty bad, too.
There were great characters and I felt that they could be real people. I enjoyed reading about all of them, even King and Clyde. In an event like this, I can imagine that society could really become that way. This felt heavy to me at times and I would need to put it down to take a breather. I really wasn't sure the direction this would take in the end. I liked how the three storylines were pulled together and found the ending to be satisfying!
Content: Mild swearing, violence
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
Then there's Mick, who's living in a fallout shelter with his two children and five other people. Not many people knew of its existence, so they had food, water and shelter. However, Mick is tired of eating the same canned food for so many years, so he goes out to scout for new food.
Last, we meet Solomon, Clyde and King. King is the leader of this group and is harsh and mean. Clyde is his son and they treat Solomon poorly. Solomon is considered by some to be slow so he appears to be an easy target for King and Clyde. We also learn that there's someone Solomon wants to protect which is the reason he stays with them. Solomon defies them the best he can, even though they are abusive to him at times because of it. Mick meets Solomon when he goes out one day and little does he know what a huge impact that will have on his life and the group he is so desperately trying to protect.
This is a character-driven novel. The apocalyptic event happened ten years ago so we learn about some people that didn't make it and the new life for those who are still around. There is suspicion and fear yet there is also courage and bravery.
I wasn't sure where the scientists would fit in and as we learned more about them, I was glad that Sid was brave enough to do what he felt needed to be done. Mick was the leader and protector for his group and was also willing to do whatever he needed for them to survive. King was scary and abusive and downright evil. I cringed whenever I read about him and his son Clyde was pretty bad, too.
There were great characters and I felt that they could be real people. I enjoyed reading about all of them, even King and Clyde. In an event like this, I can imagine that society could really become that way. This felt heavy to me at times and I would need to put it down to take a breather. I really wasn't sure the direction this would take in the end. I liked how the three storylines were pulled together and found the ending to be satisfying!
Content: Mild swearing, violence
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
August 19, 2016
3.5 stars rounded down.
Impetus isn't the typical post-apoc adventure, in that it's not a world-effecting, save everyone kind of story--not really. Instead, Impetus focuses on a few groups struggling to survive in post-Impact Boston, ten years after the "end" has come and gone. Nobody knows what's going on in the wider world, and nobody is trying to find out; it's enough to worry about immediate problems without tackling the rest of the planet. This I liked about the novel. You don't need a huge scope to make post-apoc interesting, and Sullivan succeeded in making a small group of survivors interesting without adding world-saving pressure on top of it.
Of course, just following some random survivors on their day-to-day lives wouldn't be very interesting, and things begin to change for Mick and his crew. Mick encounters a strange young man and a group called The Initiative with questionable motives, and technology not seen since the Impact, has contacted them. Things might not be changing world-wide, but something's changing in Boston, and lives hang in the balance.
The plot was fascinating, but I'll admit that Solomon ended up being a bit predictable for me. I knew the ending long before it arrived, and that ruined some of the enjoyment for me. The other characters I just wasn't invested in. Though I thought they were likable or not, as the author intended, I had trouble caring about what happened to them . I can't pinpoint why it is that I couldn't relate to them, but Mick, Sid, Solomon, and the others never caught at my heartstrings.
The writing was clean, but occasionally repetitive, but nothing to be bothered about, really. The main thing that knocked this read down to only three stars for me was the ending. It felt... incomplete. Again, this isn't a world-changing story, but a small-scale one. However, I would have liked to see just what changes were happening after the climax, more so than just the tiny glimpse of a last chapter. Have they actually changed the situation in Boston for the better, or have we just crowned a new set of kings? It's hard to tell, and that frustrated me.
Overall, a good story, but one I just couldn't quite get into.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
Impetus isn't the typical post-apoc adventure, in that it's not a world-effecting, save everyone kind of story--not really. Instead, Impetus focuses on a few groups struggling to survive in post-Impact Boston, ten years after the "end" has come and gone. Nobody knows what's going on in the wider world, and nobody is trying to find out; it's enough to worry about immediate problems without tackling the rest of the planet. This I liked about the novel. You don't need a huge scope to make post-apoc interesting, and Sullivan succeeded in making a small group of survivors interesting without adding world-saving pressure on top of it.
Of course, just following some random survivors on their day-to-day lives wouldn't be very interesting, and things begin to change for Mick and his crew. Mick encounters a strange young man and a group called The Initiative with questionable motives, and technology not seen since the Impact, has contacted them. Things might not be changing world-wide, but something's changing in Boston, and lives hang in the balance.
The plot was fascinating, but I'll admit that Solomon ended up being a bit predictable for me. I knew the ending long before it arrived, and that ruined some of the enjoyment for me. The other characters I just wasn't invested in. Though I thought they were likable or not, as the author intended, I had trouble caring about what happened to them . I can't pinpoint why it is that I couldn't relate to them, but Mick, Sid, Solomon, and the others never caught at my heartstrings.
The writing was clean, but occasionally repetitive, but nothing to be bothered about, really. The main thing that knocked this read down to only three stars for me was the ending. It felt... incomplete. Again, this isn't a world-changing story, but a small-scale one. However, I would have liked to see just what changes were happening after the climax, more so than just the tiny glimpse of a last chapter. Have they actually changed the situation in Boston for the better, or have we just crowned a new set of kings? It's hard to tell, and that frustrated me.
Overall, a good story, but one I just couldn't quite get into.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
July 15, 2014
EDITORIAL REVIEWS:
"IMPETUS sets itself apart from other books of this genre by allowing good to triumph through the basic decency of its main characters. IMPETUS is a unique depiction of humanity after a cataclysmic disaster. The motivation of Mick and his group is based in their humanness and occasional frailty rather than vengeance. It is a paean of hope rather than a whoop of victory." - Ed Bennett for IndieReader (4.5/5 Stars)
"Impetus is a mesmerizing novel where the characters are pushed to the limits of their humanity. The story makes the reader imagine how it is to live in such a dire situation. Vivid, fast paced and with well-rounded characters, it is easy to imagine the breakdown of civilization. Indeed, this novel can make you ask yourself what you will do if you are in the same situation. And it is chilling to realize that something like this can actually happen to our planet. Great read!" - 5/5 Stars - Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
"Tight, taut writing and meaningful characters make this novel a good read for those interested in the post-apocalyptic genre. Upon reading The End, I felt a strong desire to write the author and tell him to create more stories about Mick as well as his allies as they struggle to carve out an existence in such a hostile world. Impetus is a good read, so much so that I strongly feel that it deserves to have a sequel." - 4/5 Stars - Eduardo Aduna for Readers' Favorite
"Simply put, this is an intelligent book that deftly revolves around humanity with flawless prose that keeps one reading. With substantially well-developed characters, it is not difficult to truly identify with each of them. I will certainly be looking forward to read more from Mr. Sullivan." - 5/5 Stars - Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
"The plotting was sound, delivering a truly descriptive look at "what if." The author's mix of characters, the good guys and the bad, was accomplished very well and the dialogue was first-rate. An enjoyable read for sure." - 5/5 Stars Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite
"Great for anyone looking for a post-apocalyptic yarn without all the blood and violence." - 4/5 Stars Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite
"IMPETUS sets itself apart from other books of this genre by allowing good to triumph through the basic decency of its main characters. IMPETUS is a unique depiction of humanity after a cataclysmic disaster. The motivation of Mick and his group is based in their humanness and occasional frailty rather than vengeance. It is a paean of hope rather than a whoop of victory." - Ed Bennett for IndieReader (4.5/5 Stars)
"Impetus is a mesmerizing novel where the characters are pushed to the limits of their humanity. The story makes the reader imagine how it is to live in such a dire situation. Vivid, fast paced and with well-rounded characters, it is easy to imagine the breakdown of civilization. Indeed, this novel can make you ask yourself what you will do if you are in the same situation. And it is chilling to realize that something like this can actually happen to our planet. Great read!" - 5/5 Stars - Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
"Tight, taut writing and meaningful characters make this novel a good read for those interested in the post-apocalyptic genre. Upon reading The End, I felt a strong desire to write the author and tell him to create more stories about Mick as well as his allies as they struggle to carve out an existence in such a hostile world. Impetus is a good read, so much so that I strongly feel that it deserves to have a sequel." - 4/5 Stars - Eduardo Aduna for Readers' Favorite
"Simply put, this is an intelligent book that deftly revolves around humanity with flawless prose that keeps one reading. With substantially well-developed characters, it is not difficult to truly identify with each of them. I will certainly be looking forward to read more from Mr. Sullivan." - 5/5 Stars - Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
"The plotting was sound, delivering a truly descriptive look at "what if." The author's mix of characters, the good guys and the bad, was accomplished very well and the dialogue was first-rate. An enjoyable read for sure." - 5/5 Stars Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite
"Great for anyone looking for a post-apocalyptic yarn without all the blood and violence." - 4/5 Stars Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite
April 4, 2017
In post apocalyptic world, there are nothing but problems. Survival, of course. Vicious neighbors competing for the same resources. But, in this world, there is a wrinkle in the form of a secret government facility meant to help humanity rebuild after the crisis... assuming they get the chance.
This book has some great ideas & interesting characters. The writer did a good job of following the rules of where to start your story and how to make your world realistic. The world he created was consistent and logical, and for the most part the characters reactions were logical and believable. There were a couple of areas, however, where I feel the book fell short.
One such area was in the story-telling. I enjoy first-person-limited perspectives usually, even when the person changes. The problem I had was that, often, the author TOLD all of a characters motivations and backstory in somewhat awkward reflections. This was mostly evident early in the book, and was less of a problem, even as there was more introspection, later - showing the author finding his rhythm and voice. There was also an issue when the author was trying to hide from the reader something that the narrator obviously knew. This made for some clunky, unlikely thinking around topics as the author used this to build suspense. The other, more minor, issue I had was with typos. Mostly these were minor but a few of them actually changed the meaning of their sentences and had me rereading the passage to suss out the author's meaning.
So, a three-star rating... I have to say though that I would willingly read this author's next work if it were written with the same pacing and voice as the second half of the book. I feel like you could see the author improving as the book continued and would like to see this quality continued in another book.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads First Read giveaway. I have to say I also appreciated the note the author included with the book.
This book has some great ideas & interesting characters. The writer did a good job of following the rules of where to start your story and how to make your world realistic. The world he created was consistent and logical, and for the most part the characters reactions were logical and believable. There were a couple of areas, however, where I feel the book fell short.
One such area was in the story-telling. I enjoy first-person-limited perspectives usually, even when the person changes. The problem I had was that, often, the author TOLD all of a characters motivations and backstory in somewhat awkward reflections. This was mostly evident early in the book, and was less of a problem, even as there was more introspection, later - showing the author finding his rhythm and voice. There was also an issue when the author was trying to hide from the reader something that the narrator obviously knew. This made for some clunky, unlikely thinking around topics as the author used this to build suspense. The other, more minor, issue I had was with typos. Mostly these were minor but a few of them actually changed the meaning of their sentences and had me rereading the passage to suss out the author's meaning.
So, a three-star rating... I have to say though that I would willingly read this author's next work if it were written with the same pacing and voice as the second half of the book. I feel like you could see the author improving as the book continued and would like to see this quality continued in another book.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads First Read giveaway. I have to say I also appreciated the note the author included with the book.
September 15, 2014
Ten years ago meteorites hit the earth and destroy almost everything. Small groups of people are barely surviving now. Mick is the leader of a group of 8 people, including his teenage children. They are scrounging out a living when he runs into Solomon and the Rubble King. Solomon is a young man that was taken in by Ms. Stella, an older lady that ran an unofficial orphanage. When things got bad King took her boys hostage to become his gophers and locked Stella in the basement of a police station they live in to keep Solomon under his rule.After discovering Mick, King decides that he wants to take everything that Mick has. And when disaster strikes, Mick has to make a tough decision to find a new home for he group. This leads him into the Kings hands and more trouble.
But there is another group of scientists that make a secret underground facility with the hopes of rebuilding the earth. But things are going wrong. There is a bad virus that everyone has and is slowly killing everyone. The scientists decide to hand out a vaccine to the groups of people in the city to help them. But Phillip is one of the scientists that have been trying to work on a cure and he learns that this is an accelerant for the virus. He decides to go out and talk to the one group that has not treated themselves to try and get them to safety. But things go wrong when King gets his hands on Phillip too.
This is a great story. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Solomon and Mick. King was an evil jerk and got what he deserved. I instantly got sucked into the story and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next.
This is one book that you HAVE to read. I will be looking for other books by Scott Sullivan.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
But there is another group of scientists that make a secret underground facility with the hopes of rebuilding the earth. But things are going wrong. There is a bad virus that everyone has and is slowly killing everyone. The scientists decide to hand out a vaccine to the groups of people in the city to help them. But Phillip is one of the scientists that have been trying to work on a cure and he learns that this is an accelerant for the virus. He decides to go out and talk to the one group that has not treated themselves to try and get them to safety. But things go wrong when King gets his hands on Phillip too.
This is a great story. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Solomon and Mick. King was an evil jerk and got what he deserved. I instantly got sucked into the story and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next.
This is one book that you HAVE to read. I will be looking for other books by Scott Sullivan.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2014
Audiobook Review
1 1/2 Stars
Another post-apocalyptic novel featuring the aftermath of massive meteor strikes, a widowed father of twins and his small cohort of survivors, a megalomaniacal bad guy who lays claim to the city of Boston, and a mad scientist in a secret laboratory who's developing a cure for a purported virus that will decimate the remainder of humanity.
Enter the writer. Apparently Scott M. Sullivan has a book entitled, "The 1,000 Most Trite and Overused Cliches Ever -- and How to use Them in Compound Sentences." I stopped counting at 26. The title of the book remains elusive, other than perhaps it sounded good? The writing is primitive, reminiscent of a 10th grade essay assignment.
To quote the author, this one is a true "fish out of water" on the shelf of post-apocalyptic fiction. Throw it back.
(The 1 1/2 star rating was given simply because I stubbornly read the entire audiobook.)
1 1/2 Stars
Another post-apocalyptic novel featuring the aftermath of massive meteor strikes, a widowed father of twins and his small cohort of survivors, a megalomaniacal bad guy who lays claim to the city of Boston, and a mad scientist in a secret laboratory who's developing a cure for a purported virus that will decimate the remainder of humanity.
Enter the writer. Apparently Scott M. Sullivan has a book entitled, "The 1,000 Most Trite and Overused Cliches Ever -- and How to use Them in Compound Sentences." I stopped counting at 26. The title of the book remains elusive, other than perhaps it sounded good? The writing is primitive, reminiscent of a 10th grade essay assignment.
To quote the author, this one is a true "fish out of water" on the shelf of post-apocalyptic fiction. Throw it back.
(The 1 1/2 star rating was given simply because I stubbornly read the entire audiobook.)
November 12, 2014
I had high hopes for this one after reading some reviews but alas I feel let down.
The story is set 10 years after a meteor shower collides with earth causing catastrophic destruction. Mick and his "family" have been holed up in a shelter he helped to build before impact. Mick goes out every day to try and find supplies but one day comes across the evil self proclaimed Rubble King who wants what Mick and his family have got. Add into the mix a team of scientists - with an equally evil leader - trying to discover a cure for a virus that threatens humankind and that is about as exciting as it gets.
The story is very slow. About three quarters of it is build up to a not very exciting nor unexpected ending. The characters have nothing about them that make them stand out and most of the story was actually quite predictable.
A bit of a yawnfest that I'm surprised I got through to the end with.
2 stars.
The story is set 10 years after a meteor shower collides with earth causing catastrophic destruction. Mick and his "family" have been holed up in a shelter he helped to build before impact. Mick goes out every day to try and find supplies but one day comes across the evil self proclaimed Rubble King who wants what Mick and his family have got. Add into the mix a team of scientists - with an equally evil leader - trying to discover a cure for a virus that threatens humankind and that is about as exciting as it gets.
The story is very slow. About three quarters of it is build up to a not very exciting nor unexpected ending. The characters have nothing about them that make them stand out and most of the story was actually quite predictable.
A bit of a yawnfest that I'm surprised I got through to the end with.
2 stars.
January 16, 2015
I was a little taken aback by any character who thinks that children (especially teenagers) should remain innocent even in a post-apocalyptic world, even a father. It seems more reasonable and more likely that a father would prefer his children to have the best chance at surviving and thus would teach them rules and skills that they would need. But this father literally shelters them and doesn't even teach them to not speak to strangers because he doesn't want them to know what the world is really like. While the children's innocence did create some tension because it put the group in some precarious situations, it also seemed completely unbelievable that the group would have survived that long with them acting that way. Thus the whole story seemed unrealistic.
July 23, 2015
It is a solid page-turner novel. Yes, the premise is trite and the characters mostly without personality, but I still liked the main character, Mick. The writer is not experienced, but has some good habits that I would want to encourage. He needs to let his imagination wander some more so that he can express himself through more than the stoic male main character. I also liked the ending, even though it conveniently tied up the loose ends more than should have been expected. Look -- for a free book, it was entertaining and there were only a few grammatical mistakes.
August 12, 2014
I don't know whether to blame the writer or the editor but there were several points in this story that I didn't realize how much, if any, time passed between "scenes" almost like a paragraph should have ended and been followed by *** or --- because the setting or time had changed. The characters were interesting enough but there were times when the story dragged a bit and I'm still left with the question, "Why did Phillip do it?".
August 16, 2014
The BEST Post Apocalypse Novel Of The 2014 Summer
Drum roll please........in the vein of J. Druga, a bleak, destroyed landscape is haunted by the meanest, crude, despicable survivors, with glimmers of the best of humanity. A father's quest to guide his children and a few good souls gives a harrowing account of survival of the "herd", constantly challenged by sadistic brutes. It is both depressing and uplifting. I hope a sequel follows.
Drum roll please........in the vein of J. Druga, a bleak, destroyed landscape is haunted by the meanest, crude, despicable survivors, with glimmers of the best of humanity. A father's quest to guide his children and a few good souls gives a harrowing account of survival of the "herd", constantly challenged by sadistic brutes. It is both depressing and uplifting. I hope a sequel follows.
January 3, 2015
I REALLY enjoyed this! The plot engaged me, the characters did not annoy me, and there weren't any glaring problems with the writing. I know it sounds like I have low standards, but I don't expect too much from free Kindle books. That being said, I would be willing to actually pay to read Impetus! It wasn't a preachy story - but there were definitely a lot of topics within that were timely and thought provoking.
December 25, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Contest.
I could not get into this story. The writing is not at fault, it is just a matter of personal interest lacking when it comes to me. I did give it a good try but only got a few chapters in before just lacking the urge to read on.
I will be sending this book on to another reader very soon.
I could not get into this story. The writing is not at fault, it is just a matter of personal interest lacking when it comes to me. I did give it a good try but only got a few chapters in before just lacking the urge to read on.
I will be sending this book on to another reader very soon.
November 9, 2014
Quite good story. I liked the fact that it's stand alone, I liked quite a few of the characters. There wasn't much character development, as the story happens in a short period of time. But we get enough backstory to care about the main players.
I've read better, and I've read far worse. This is an okay story in the apocalyptic genre, with some hope at the end.
I've read better, and I've read far worse. This is an okay story in the apocalyptic genre, with some hope at the end.
November 27, 2015
This is not your run of the mill apocalypse book, but something much better. Two years after the end of the world and people are still fighting to survive and find food. This is exactly how I would imagine the world to end and I was completely caught up in this book to the point that I felt like I was right there with them. I hope you write more in this genre Scott Sullivan!
September 25, 2014
This review based on a copy won through a Goodreads give-away.
Started out interesting. Nobody loves a good post apocalyptic romp more than me. Plot got a little predictable toward the end. I felt like I knew how it was going to turn out about half way through.
Started out interesting. Nobody loves a good post apocalyptic romp more than me. Plot got a little predictable toward the end. I felt like I knew how it was going to turn out about half way through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews