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The Ruin Saga #1
Ruin
Join the end-of-the-world adventure with part I of the Ruin Saga.
The epic story begins here...
Earth has been almost silent for forty years. The apocalypse left behind only fragments of civilisation, surrounded by a sea of barbarism.
The End cost humanity six billion lives. Almost every person on Earth vanished when the lights went out, computers turned to dust, and planes fell from the sky. Only scattered survivors remained, surrounded by a world empty and quiet.
Now, civilisation is failing. The ways of the Old World are being forgotten, and all that stands between the British Isles and a new Dark Age is the mission of New Canterbury, struggling to save books, art, and the knowledge needed to begin again.
Famine has devastated the land, and refugees wander in their thousands. In the wild lands surrounding New Canterbury, dark secrets fester, and supernatural forces awaken. Somewhere, an army is on the move, bent on ending the Old World forever.
The End was just the beginning.
The epic story begins here...
Earth has been almost silent for forty years. The apocalypse left behind only fragments of civilisation, surrounded by a sea of barbarism.
The End cost humanity six billion lives. Almost every person on Earth vanished when the lights went out, computers turned to dust, and planes fell from the sky. Only scattered survivors remained, surrounded by a world empty and quiet.
Now, civilisation is failing. The ways of the Old World are being forgotten, and all that stands between the British Isles and a new Dark Age is the mission of New Canterbury, struggling to save books, art, and the knowledge needed to begin again.
Famine has devastated the land, and refugees wander in their thousands. In the wild lands surrounding New Canterbury, dark secrets fester, and supernatural forces awaken. Somewhere, an army is on the move, bent on ending the Old World forever.
The End was just the beginning.
568 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2014
162 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 23, 2015
Come on now, dystopia, again?
Nope.
Dystopia decidedly different.
I've been a bookworm since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I've been a fan of sci-fi and horror since I was a teen (centuries ago, I'm 47) and in the last couple of years have become a big fan of dystopian stories.
This one intrigued me for two reasons - the author is British (as am I, despite that I live over here in the US) and the mechanism of this world-changing event is rather unique. No zombies, no plague, no bombs, just a quiet disappearance of most of the population.
How and with who the author starts the story really had me hooked. The main story takes place 40 years after this start, however, we are gifted with some of the best flashbacks (interludes here) I've read. Such a trope can be annoying in a story. Here it was anything but. Each time it added weight to the "now" and fleshed out the characters more whilst building up one of the big, bad mysteries today's survivors are dealing with.
As one might imagine, what we are mainly dealing with is humanity in all its ugliness but also its strength and drive to survive. Interestingly, one gets a sense (most of the time) that people actually value life now and don't throw it away easily.
There is a side-story that stretched the suspension of disbelief a little too far though I quickly came to care for the characters and I'm looking forward to how this piece will develop and tie in with the main arc.
Our main protagonist, Norman, is also a little unusual. He was born after the event so has no real experience of life before. He has been guided by a (very interesting) character who is from the Old World but at this point is doubting his wisdom, chafing at the idea that he is to be the next leader of our main group and is a rather reluctant hero.
Overall, interesting, enjoyable and intriguing. I almost felt as though I'd like the answers to what is happening NOW (especially with food) rather than the event itself, that is how clever the author is.
The sequel is already in my queue and I hear the third in the series is due to be released soon.
Highly recommended.
Nope.
Dystopia decidedly different.
I've been a bookworm since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I've been a fan of sci-fi and horror since I was a teen (centuries ago, I'm 47) and in the last couple of years have become a big fan of dystopian stories.
This one intrigued me for two reasons - the author is British (as am I, despite that I live over here in the US) and the mechanism of this world-changing event is rather unique. No zombies, no plague, no bombs, just a quiet disappearance of most of the population.
How and with who the author starts the story really had me hooked. The main story takes place 40 years after this start, however, we are gifted with some of the best flashbacks (interludes here) I've read. Such a trope can be annoying in a story. Here it was anything but. Each time it added weight to the "now" and fleshed out the characters more whilst building up one of the big, bad mysteries today's survivors are dealing with.
As one might imagine, what we are mainly dealing with is humanity in all its ugliness but also its strength and drive to survive. Interestingly, one gets a sense (most of the time) that people actually value life now and don't throw it away easily.
There is a side-story that stretched the suspension of disbelief a little too far though I quickly came to care for the characters and I'm looking forward to how this piece will develop and tie in with the main arc.
Our main protagonist, Norman, is also a little unusual. He was born after the event so has no real experience of life before. He has been guided by a (very interesting) character who is from the Old World but at this point is doubting his wisdom, chafing at the idea that he is to be the next leader of our main group and is a rather reluctant hero.
Overall, interesting, enjoyable and intriguing. I almost felt as though I'd like the answers to what is happening NOW (especially with food) rather than the event itself, that is how clever the author is.
The sequel is already in my queue and I hear the third in the series is due to be released soon.
Highly recommended.
October 17, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book doesn't have spelling mistakes or bad grammar, and he's not a bad writer, I'm just not interested in this story AT ALL. I've read much worse books with atrocious writing, but I still think that a little more research could've helped this author make this book better. I'm just not interested in this story. The blurb sounded interesting, but it turns out that it's just not for me.
I tried to finish this book, I really did. I got to page 210 and I just couldn't take it any more. The characters are all useless and I just couldn't get behind any of them. There weren't even any that I wanted to rally against, they didn't feel real in any way to me.
I'm not sure why after the cataclysmic event that ended the world as we know it, everyone was so useless in trying to fend for themselves. Why would no one even try to grow their own food? Why were people just wondering around the countryside aimlessly? And these were the parts I found the most interesting.
I have a pet peeve when an author writes about a time or place without motorized vehicles and has seemingly no knowledge of how long it takes to travel by foot, cart, horse, or boat. And trying to believe that two sickly/old males could row themselves from Schull in Ireland to a coastline within walking distance to the forests outside Canterbury in England is ridiculous. Plus you can't row and watch the shoreline "over your shoulder."
All of the "bad guys" were covered in dirt, shit, and smelled like piss, which I find a bit unbelievable, but maybe it could have happened that way. I just can't continue with this story. I've been burned so many times now that I don't think I'll ever do a "read for review" again. It's just not worth my time.
This book doesn't have spelling mistakes or bad grammar, and he's not a bad writer, I'm just not interested in this story AT ALL. I've read much worse books with atrocious writing, but I still think that a little more research could've helped this author make this book better. I'm just not interested in this story. The blurb sounded interesting, but it turns out that it's just not for me.
I tried to finish this book, I really did. I got to page 210 and I just couldn't take it any more. The characters are all useless and I just couldn't get behind any of them. There weren't even any that I wanted to rally against, they didn't feel real in any way to me.
I'm not sure why after the cataclysmic event that ended the world as we know it, everyone was so useless in trying to fend for themselves. Why would no one even try to grow their own food? Why were people just wondering around the countryside aimlessly? And these were the parts I found the most interesting.
I have a pet peeve when an author writes about a time or place without motorized vehicles and has seemingly no knowledge of how long it takes to travel by foot, cart, horse, or boat. And trying to believe that two sickly/old males could row themselves from Schull in Ireland to a coastline within walking distance to the forests outside Canterbury in England is ridiculous. Plus you can't row and watch the shoreline "over your shoulder."
All of the "bad guys" were covered in dirt, shit, and smelled like piss, which I find a bit unbelievable, but maybe it could have happened that way. I just can't continue with this story. I've been burned so many times now that I don't think I'll ever do a "read for review" again. It's just not worth my time.
November 17, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I found the book quite hard to continue, mainly because of the writing style. There are so many adjectives and descriptions. I found myself putting it down and starting up again. However, the writing style began to grow on me and I love the picture of this post apocalyptic world that Harry Manners paints. The tale takes place 40 years after "The End". Automatically, that had my attention because it wasn't like a zombie invasion like most dystopian books are going for these days. The characters were also one of my favorite parts about this book, especially Norman. He is so complex. I like to call him a "reluctant leader". I just want to follow him throughout this series to see what he is going to do next.
To be honest, I don't read as much dystopian these days but I'm glad I read this one. I like that this book takes a different approach to the post apocalyptic genre. I really want to continue this series to see what is going to happen with the characters.
Definitely 4/5 stars!
At first, I found the book quite hard to continue, mainly because of the writing style. There are so many adjectives and descriptions. I found myself putting it down and starting up again. However, the writing style began to grow on me and I love the picture of this post apocalyptic world that Harry Manners paints. The tale takes place 40 years after "The End". Automatically, that had my attention because it wasn't like a zombie invasion like most dystopian books are going for these days. The characters were also one of my favorite parts about this book, especially Norman. He is so complex. I like to call him a "reluctant leader". I just want to follow him throughout this series to see what he is going to do next.
To be honest, I don't read as much dystopian these days but I'm glad I read this one. I like that this book takes a different approach to the post apocalyptic genre. I really want to continue this series to see what is going to happen with the characters.
Definitely 4/5 stars!
May 11, 2015
Excellent writing, horribly real premise, and some very intriguing questions that left me dying for book two. I loved the interludes as well as the gorgeously bleak setting. It put me in mind of the moors of The Woman in Black, or Wuthering Heights, even. Very well done, and well-worth diving face-first into.
January 7, 2015
Harry Manners' Ruin is set in the UK, forty years from now, in a world that is only a generation removed from a mysterious and terrible end that no one has been able to comprehend (I won't spoil it!). After years of terrible hardship and soul-crushing decisions made by bad, good and downright normal people, pockets of survivors merge into small communities and try to regain some of what was lost in the not-so-distant past. Our story picks up during a time in which, after years of growing prosperity, life in the downtrodden, and now-defunct, United Kingdom takes a serious turn for the worse.
Starvation threatens the town of New Canterbury, which is the primary setting in which Ruin takes place. The crops have withered, the game has begun to disappear and, as the reader soon finds out, their dark past comes back to haunt them.
Our main character, Norman Creek, isn't old enough to know a world before "The End", but he is chosen to become the next leader of New Canterbury, their saviour and maker of all important decisions. However, he resists his "destiny", as he feels he is unfit to lead and unfit to fill the shoes of the great Alexander - his older mentor and charismatic town leader. Norman was told from a young age that it was his calling to save the world, to bring back the glorious prosperity that reigned before "The End", and to keep the people of New Canterbury from harm. Alexander reminds Norman of this every chance he gets, as if hearing it enough times would make it true. Norman doesn't think so, but everyone else in New Canterbury seems to be drinking the kool-aid.
This is one of the strongest themes throughout the book. Norman struggles with his ordained role and hates how people look to him to lead even though he feels entirely unworthy. Ruin depicts his struggles well, shows that he is much more than just your typical heroic protagonist sliding into his role of destiny unscathed. He's complex and feels helpless to the whims of fate - something I think all of us can relate to at times.
Beyond Norman, all of the other characters bring key elements to the book that wrap into a cohesive, dramatic package that is full of action and the little nuances that makes great fiction great. There is authenticity in his dialogue, nothing cheesy about it, and while at times Manners' imagery and description can be a bit too flowery for my simple tastes, he really manages to paint a vivid post-apocalyptic world that eats away at you and makes you feel extremely fucking desolate. I felt myself at times praying that a herd of deer would just run through town and a massive feast would present itself and make everyone happy, full and help them just chill the fuck out for once. Instead, they live in fear of an evil that lurks outside their town's borders, and they scrape by on rotten scraps and stale bread. Just thinking about their situation makes me feel sick to my beer-basted, pizza-laden stomach, and I believe this is the biggest reason why I loved Ruin.
Another fantastic element was the intermittent "Interludes" that explained the first days, months and years after "The End." I won't spoil anything, but I believe readers will find these to be some of the best chapters throughout the entire book. Manners ties everything in his two timelines together beautifully, unweaving a tangled web into something that will catch even the most elusive reader. In fact, I kind of hate the guy for doing this so well. A few things caught me by surprise, but I'm kind of a dullard when reading, and I knowingly let the author lull me, so take that for what it's worth.
Now, while I loved the novel as a whole, I can't refrain from sharing a few things I disliked. There are several chapters throughout the book that follow a separate story that I believe will be increasingly important in the next instalment of The Ruin Saga. However, this "side story" was not tied together as well as it could have been with the main New Canterbury plot, and I quickly lost interest. I believe the little girl is very important going forward, but Billy and her father were overshadowed entirely by the ongoings of Norman, Alexander and the rest of the messed up gang in New Canterbury. Hopefully this is rectified in the next book!
The score you ask? Well here's the breakdown. Keep in mind that I value some aspects of literature more than others, so, like any review, take this with a grain of salt:
Writing: Just great. Stephen King-esque, and I don't say this lightly because I LOVE King. Bravo.
Characters: Solid mains, and a few secondaries that I could care less for, but I suppose that's why they're secondary.
Plot: First three quarters of the book had me completely enthralled. I couldn't put the damn thing down. Last quarter was less so, but sets the stage for a big upswing in the next novel.
SCORE: 4.5/5 (Rounded it up to 5 because he sure as hell doesn't deserve a 4)
I highly anticipate the next book in The Ruin Saga, and recommend this one as a highly entertaining, inspired read. Harry Manners has set the bar high, and I can only hope he doesn't disappoint with his next instalment.
Starvation threatens the town of New Canterbury, which is the primary setting in which Ruin takes place. The crops have withered, the game has begun to disappear and, as the reader soon finds out, their dark past comes back to haunt them.
Our main character, Norman Creek, isn't old enough to know a world before "The End", but he is chosen to become the next leader of New Canterbury, their saviour and maker of all important decisions. However, he resists his "destiny", as he feels he is unfit to lead and unfit to fill the shoes of the great Alexander - his older mentor and charismatic town leader. Norman was told from a young age that it was his calling to save the world, to bring back the glorious prosperity that reigned before "The End", and to keep the people of New Canterbury from harm. Alexander reminds Norman of this every chance he gets, as if hearing it enough times would make it true. Norman doesn't think so, but everyone else in New Canterbury seems to be drinking the kool-aid.
This is one of the strongest themes throughout the book. Norman struggles with his ordained role and hates how people look to him to lead even though he feels entirely unworthy. Ruin depicts his struggles well, shows that he is much more than just your typical heroic protagonist sliding into his role of destiny unscathed. He's complex and feels helpless to the whims of fate - something I think all of us can relate to at times.
Beyond Norman, all of the other characters bring key elements to the book that wrap into a cohesive, dramatic package that is full of action and the little nuances that makes great fiction great. There is authenticity in his dialogue, nothing cheesy about it, and while at times Manners' imagery and description can be a bit too flowery for my simple tastes, he really manages to paint a vivid post-apocalyptic world that eats away at you and makes you feel extremely fucking desolate. I felt myself at times praying that a herd of deer would just run through town and a massive feast would present itself and make everyone happy, full and help them just chill the fuck out for once. Instead, they live in fear of an evil that lurks outside their town's borders, and they scrape by on rotten scraps and stale bread. Just thinking about their situation makes me feel sick to my beer-basted, pizza-laden stomach, and I believe this is the biggest reason why I loved Ruin.
Another fantastic element was the intermittent "Interludes" that explained the first days, months and years after "The End." I won't spoil anything, but I believe readers will find these to be some of the best chapters throughout the entire book. Manners ties everything in his two timelines together beautifully, unweaving a tangled web into something that will catch even the most elusive reader. In fact, I kind of hate the guy for doing this so well. A few things caught me by surprise, but I'm kind of a dullard when reading, and I knowingly let the author lull me, so take that for what it's worth.
Now, while I loved the novel as a whole, I can't refrain from sharing a few things I disliked. There are several chapters throughout the book that follow a separate story that I believe will be increasingly important in the next instalment of The Ruin Saga. However, this "side story" was not tied together as well as it could have been with the main New Canterbury plot, and I quickly lost interest. I believe the little girl is very important going forward, but Billy and her father were overshadowed entirely by the ongoings of Norman, Alexander and the rest of the messed up gang in New Canterbury. Hopefully this is rectified in the next book!
The score you ask? Well here's the breakdown. Keep in mind that I value some aspects of literature more than others, so, like any review, take this with a grain of salt:
Writing: Just great. Stephen King-esque, and I don't say this lightly because I LOVE King. Bravo.
Characters: Solid mains, and a few secondaries that I could care less for, but I suppose that's why they're secondary.
Plot: First three quarters of the book had me completely enthralled. I couldn't put the damn thing down. Last quarter was less so, but sets the stage for a big upswing in the next novel.
SCORE: 4.5/5 (Rounded it up to 5 because he sure as hell doesn't deserve a 4)
I highly anticipate the next book in The Ruin Saga, and recommend this one as a highly entertaining, inspired read. Harry Manners has set the bar high, and I can only hope he doesn't disappoint with his next instalment.
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February 5, 2019
A different take on the currently trending dystopia: no zombies, no vampires or nuclear disasters, just a whole load of people who disappear completely.
Written really nicely, with quite a good flow and decent enough dialogue to keep the story plodding along. However...
The story didn't interest me in the slightest. The characters were dull, I found the flashbacks too interrupting and it just never got me going. It seems an interesting premise but could do with a bit more editing to get the story ticking along a bit quicker.
Written really nicely, with quite a good flow and decent enough dialogue to keep the story plodding along. However...
The story didn't interest me in the slightest. The characters were dull, I found the flashbacks too interrupting and it just never got me going. It seems an interesting premise but could do with a bit more editing to get the story ticking along a bit quicker.
September 12, 2015
Harry Manners’ new novel Ruin surprised and engaged me. I have been reading a lot of post-apocalypse books lately, and was not sure I wanted to try another despite how much I enjoy the genre in general. So many of the books I’ve read have been par – sub-par – sub-sub-par. Manners caught my attention at the start, and kept me interested and intrigued throughout the entire story.
Ruin begins 40 years after the “event” that signaled the end of the world – as they knew it. This is a great way to start, since he is able to avoid having to go into the smallest details of living through an apocalyptic event and rebuilding civilization. It’s there – it’s already rebuilding – so the focus can be on other things going on in the world. Not that the initial problems and rebuilding in a post-apocalyptic world can’t be interesting, it’s just that they tend to meld together and feel like “been there, done that.” Starting 40 years into the event allows Manners to avoid the expected and focus on what the world has become. You then learn about specifics in flashbacks.
The writing is beautiful, with extraordinarily descriptive words that paint picture after picture for the reader. The characters have distinct personalities, and the more we learn about them the more intricate they become.
There is a drawback to beginning the story 40 years into the new world. When you meet the characters, you don’t know enough about the background of the developing society after the event or their personal experiences that shaped their characters and reactions to each other. In fact, there is one major issue that is hinted at/alluded to throughout the book that we still don’t learn when it ends. While you (slowly) learn some of this, it leaves the reader unclear about character motives and, quite honestly, makes it a bit more difficult to develop a liking, affinity, or sympathy – or the opposite – towards them. Rather than feeling like people you know, they feel like guests. While I appreciate the artistry in unfolding the characters and their history, a bit more information would have helped to get more fully engaged in the story.
Be forewarned – this is the first book in a series, and the story arc is NOT complete in any way when it ends. The reader is totally left hanging without any closure. I don’t mind this – I recognize that this is a long story with many threads, and trust I will get more answers in future books. Some, however, really have a problem with that, and should be aware before beginning the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
And I am so very happy that I had the chance to read it.
Ruin begins 40 years after the “event” that signaled the end of the world – as they knew it. This is a great way to start, since he is able to avoid having to go into the smallest details of living through an apocalyptic event and rebuilding civilization. It’s there – it’s already rebuilding – so the focus can be on other things going on in the world. Not that the initial problems and rebuilding in a post-apocalyptic world can’t be interesting, it’s just that they tend to meld together and feel like “been there, done that.” Starting 40 years into the event allows Manners to avoid the expected and focus on what the world has become. You then learn about specifics in flashbacks.
The writing is beautiful, with extraordinarily descriptive words that paint picture after picture for the reader. The characters have distinct personalities, and the more we learn about them the more intricate they become.
There is a drawback to beginning the story 40 years into the new world. When you meet the characters, you don’t know enough about the background of the developing society after the event or their personal experiences that shaped their characters and reactions to each other. In fact, there is one major issue that is hinted at/alluded to throughout the book that we still don’t learn when it ends. While you (slowly) learn some of this, it leaves the reader unclear about character motives and, quite honestly, makes it a bit more difficult to develop a liking, affinity, or sympathy – or the opposite – towards them. Rather than feeling like people you know, they feel like guests. While I appreciate the artistry in unfolding the characters and their history, a bit more information would have helped to get more fully engaged in the story.
Be forewarned – this is the first book in a series, and the story arc is NOT complete in any way when it ends. The reader is totally left hanging without any closure. I don’t mind this – I recognize that this is a long story with many threads, and trust I will get more answers in future books. Some, however, really have a problem with that, and should be aware before beginning the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
And I am so very happy that I had the chance to read it.
September 15, 2014
It really was a shame to finish this book because I loved it. This is an impressive debut by Harry Manners. It's an intelligent, engaging and thought provoking story. All of the characters that we're introduced to have a clear purpose and you can understand their frustrations and motivations. There are times when you sympathise with them, agree with them and even at one point wish that you were there so that you could tell one particular character to 'shut up' because this isn't going to end well if you carry on like that (personally I would have told this particular character to stay at home - you will know exactly who I mean once you read Ruin).
I enjoyed the flashback chapters as we saw Alex (who was my favourite character) begin his day innocently enough, as he makes his way to sit an exam, then the moment when the world that he knows effectively comes to an end, his journey and then discovery that he's not the only survivor.
I constantly found myself asking 'what the hell happened?' as I progressed through this book because unlike similar books in this genre, the way in which the word's population is wiped out , Alex's reaction and the reality of a world, that no longer functions in a way that is all quite plausible, especially as this all takes place in England and you can just imagine yourself (well I did) walking in the streets of London, a city that no longer functions.
Even though, you will probably work out what's going on once you're third way through this book it doesn't make a difference as Manners does a good job of creating tension and leaving us asking questions without making us frustrated or even worse, bored.
I'm not the biggest fan of post-apocalyptic fiction and I can count on one hand the books of this genre that I have persevered with and have actually enjoyed but Ruin is definitely one of them. Well, done Mr.Manners. It's so annoying that I have to wait for Book two of this series.
This just a short review. There will be a longer review on my site www.spectrumbooks.co.uk
I enjoyed the flashback chapters as we saw Alex (who was my favourite character) begin his day innocently enough, as he makes his way to sit an exam, then the moment when the world that he knows effectively comes to an end, his journey and then discovery that he's not the only survivor.
I constantly found myself asking 'what the hell happened?' as I progressed through this book because unlike similar books in this genre, the way in which the word's population is wiped out , Alex's reaction and the reality of a world, that no longer functions in a way that is all quite plausible, especially as this all takes place in England and you can just imagine yourself (well I did) walking in the streets of London, a city that no longer functions.
Even though, you will probably work out what's going on once you're third way through this book it doesn't make a difference as Manners does a good job of creating tension and leaving us asking questions without making us frustrated or even worse, bored.
I'm not the biggest fan of post-apocalyptic fiction and I can count on one hand the books of this genre that I have persevered with and have actually enjoyed but Ruin is definitely one of them. Well, done Mr.Manners. It's so annoying that I have to wait for Book two of this series.
This just a short review. There will be a longer review on my site www.spectrumbooks.co.uk
March 7, 2016
Oh dear, dear, dear...
The biggest issue I have with series is when the individual novels cannot stand successfully on their own. I almost feel bad about it, but after completing this book I feel like not a single conflict nor plot-line was resolved in its 300+ pages. I feel a little sorry only because I like the writing style and the original idea is good, but damn if it was not a kick to the balls to read this whole book and not have any questions answered.
Getting to the end with so many unanswered questions left me feeling burned instead of fired up to read the next one. Very "Your princess is in another castle. Try again."
I also took issue with the female characters being so two-dimensional and underdeveloped. I'm not sure what it is about post-apocalyptic fiction and female characters, but there should be women in the apocalypse too! And they're also people with personalities and goals and stories of their own! Why is it only male characters that get to be important in this genre?! Not to pin all that frustration on this particular book, but, I'm getting really tired of it! If I can describe all the female characters solely by their relationships with men and have them recognizable, "Houston, we have a problem!" The maternal figure, the girlfriend, the daughter, the fiancee, the nurse... I think the only time we saw women interacting with each other was during the painfully stereotyped "squealing over a friend's engagement" scene. I actually thought, "Really? Forty years after our civilization collapses and that's prevailed?! Really?"
As for the male characters, they were more developed but not all particularly interesting. It's unfortunate when I'm introduced to an important character and initially like them, but the more I learn about them, the more I begin to dislike them. I felt this way about Alex. To make matters worse, almost all the characters that I found extremely interesting had the smallest parts or the least revealed about them.
The biggest issue I have with series is when the individual novels cannot stand successfully on their own. I almost feel bad about it, but after completing this book I feel like not a single conflict nor plot-line was resolved in its 300+ pages. I feel a little sorry only because I like the writing style and the original idea is good, but damn if it was not a kick to the balls to read this whole book and not have any questions answered.
Getting to the end with so many unanswered questions left me feeling burned instead of fired up to read the next one. Very "Your princess is in another castle. Try again."
I also took issue with the female characters being so two-dimensional and underdeveloped. I'm not sure what it is about post-apocalyptic fiction and female characters, but there should be women in the apocalypse too! And they're also people with personalities and goals and stories of their own! Why is it only male characters that get to be important in this genre?! Not to pin all that frustration on this particular book, but, I'm getting really tired of it! If I can describe all the female characters solely by their relationships with men and have them recognizable, "Houston, we have a problem!" The maternal figure, the girlfriend, the daughter, the fiancee, the nurse... I think the only time we saw women interacting with each other was during the painfully stereotyped "squealing over a friend's engagement" scene. I actually thought, "Really? Forty years after our civilization collapses and that's prevailed?! Really?"
As for the male characters, they were more developed but not all particularly interesting. It's unfortunate when I'm introduced to an important character and initially like them, but the more I learn about them, the more I begin to dislike them. I felt this way about Alex. To make matters worse, almost all the characters that I found extremely interesting had the smallest parts or the least revealed about them.
July 8, 2015
I was taken by surprise with this story as I was expecting merely an interesting alternate take on the post apocalyptic tale. It started fairly normally, if the sudden, almost instantaneous disappearance of nearly all of the world's population, leaving behind just piles of clothes, can be counted as normal. But after following the first known survivor in his quest to survive in the world now completely alien, and meeting others also spared the evaporation (or whatever), this whirlwind book spins ever faster and more strange, moving into an almost dreamlike quality and carrying the reader with it, constantly provoking the questions, who, why, how did this happen, what is going on?
It is quite unlike any other of it's ilk that I have read. And as someone else has commented, it is also refreshing that the setting is the United Kingdom.
I did find some problems with it such as the over use of hairs raising on the character's arms and neck, the always filth coated, fowl breathed bad guys and the apparent inability of anyone to really get any technological advances after 40 years despite having vast libraries of books and materials at their disposal. And my own personal bugbear - the use of the word decimate used not in the correct form of one in ten but as an expression of almost complete annihilation.
But the story is so deliciously bizarre and genuinely exciting in parts that it was possible to simply overlook such things as poetic licence.
Four stars, then, because of these foibles and because I am genuinely expecting that I will need an extra star for the next in this series.
It is quite unlike any other of it's ilk that I have read. And as someone else has commented, it is also refreshing that the setting is the United Kingdom.
I did find some problems with it such as the over use of hairs raising on the character's arms and neck, the always filth coated, fowl breathed bad guys and the apparent inability of anyone to really get any technological advances after 40 years despite having vast libraries of books and materials at their disposal. And my own personal bugbear - the use of the word decimate used not in the correct form of one in ten but as an expression of almost complete annihilation.
But the story is so deliciously bizarre and genuinely exciting in parts that it was possible to simply overlook such things as poetic licence.
Four stars, then, because of these foibles and because I am genuinely expecting that I will need an extra star for the next in this series.
October 15, 2014
"Ruin" is a fresh take on a post-apocalyptic world. Rather than the zombies, nuclear war, or various other scenarios that have dominated the genre for some time, the world "ends" simply because most of the population disappears with a Rapture-like suddenness. The book focuses not on the event itself, which is a whimper rather than a bang, but on the ensuing breakdown of society. Years later some of the survivors are attempting to rebuild civilization, but encounter an unexpected enemy that threatens to destroy everything they've tried to save. Be aware that the book is the first in a series and ends on several cliffhangers, rather than with any resolution. I found that lack of resolution disappointing, and it prevents the book from being a stand-alone. Still, I was interested enough that I will likely follow the sequel.
April 14, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.The story centers around a group of survivors 40 years after an apocalyptic event.I was intrigued by the character and world building by the author.The characters are the first generation to have no memory of the world before the event.The struggle to survive and the choices they must make are intriguing.This book ends on a cliffhanger which I don't mind.I look forward to reading the next installment of the Ruin Saga.
October 13, 2017
I likes the presentation, the premise, and the storyline. I loved the emotional ability that the author put into this book. However, I feel like it didn't need any supernatural involvement beyond the vanishings(as seen in the Interludes.) It seemed like whatever out-of-this-world influences just killed everyone and left for 50 years. Otherwise, I felt like I was really there with the characters and I enjoyed the way the conflict and the resolutions to those conflicts were presented. How Norman lost his memory is still a mystery to me, and I would like to have learned that before the end of the book.
May 14, 2017
Intriguing
Although some parts are a little too similar to Stephen King's The Stand, I enjoyed the ride and the mystery. I like how it is unraveling over time, but I wish there was a conclusion in this book. Instead I have to decide whether I want to get the next two just to finish a narrative that should have had some feeling of completion with this book. I liked the characters and will probably complete the series.
Although some parts are a little too similar to Stephen King's The Stand, I enjoyed the ride and the mystery. I like how it is unraveling over time, but I wish there was a conclusion in this book. Instead I have to decide whether I want to get the next two just to finish a narrative that should have had some feeling of completion with this book. I liked the characters and will probably complete the series.
March 25, 2018
Compelling plot and characters, a bit laborious at times but the author did set the environment well.
October 2, 2018
The premise is neat but this book was a slog to get through. It's all weak writing and bland characters, with the heavy handed tropes of reluctant hero.
February 10, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. And an honest review I will give. At first this was a very hard book to keep reading. The author is quite fond of using larger adjectives and adverbs in his story. I believe that this may make it harder or off putting for certain demographics as far as enjoyment level goes. Hence the 4 stars. If I could have, I would have given it 4.5 stars. That being said though, I myself found it to be a very compelling story.
This story is unique in that it starts 40 years after the fall of civilization and keeps one from having to trudge through all of the necessary minutia that is normally required to start a Post-Apocalyptic story. Instead of reading HOW they survived and the horrors they went through to survive, we see the fruits of their labors.
All in all a very well written book that I did enjoy reading and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book.
This story is unique in that it starts 40 years after the fall of civilization and keeps one from having to trudge through all of the necessary minutia that is normally required to start a Post-Apocalyptic story. Instead of reading HOW they survived and the horrors they went through to survive, we see the fruits of their labors.
All in all a very well written book that I did enjoy reading and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book.
September 15, 2015
Ruin is a whole lot of book, and it sends you to a world uniquely its own. You might describe it as a world of the unfortunate survivors of the Rapture, or at least something like the Rapture. It takes place forty years after the event, in an England where remnant survivors are slowly starving to death. The reader can feel the surreal nature of the world of desperate survivors.
The only things I did not like about the book were its length, and the subtle literary difference between English and American writing style sort of scratches at the inside of my brain. One slowly builds up a mental scab to resist the literary claws. If you get a choice, get a hard copy of this book to read.
Once I figured out how to upload my digital gift of this book to my Kindle, I found it to be a fascinating world that the Author was describing. Disturbing, but fascinating. This is definitely worth a read. Make sure you allow plenty of time to read the book.
The only things I did not like about the book were its length, and the subtle literary difference between English and American writing style sort of scratches at the inside of my brain. One slowly builds up a mental scab to resist the literary claws. If you get a choice, get a hard copy of this book to read.
Once I figured out how to upload my digital gift of this book to my Kindle, I found it to be a fascinating world that the Author was describing. Disturbing, but fascinating. This is definitely worth a read. Make sure you allow plenty of time to read the book.
September 30, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I'm so happy for having this chance! Why?
Ok, this book starts 40 years after "The End", the author introduces us to the characters (the most interesting is the hero who does not want to be a hero) and puts us in this post apocalyptic place, which are beautifully described, noteworthy writing is perfect and the story is impeccable.
From the first page I got lost in this desolate world, and it feels so real that I found myself thinking "'what if the end came today?".
I can not explain my distress when I reached the end of the book and I was left with so many questions!! I'll have to wait for the second part ...
I highly recommend this book to those who are a fan of this genre.
Ok, this book starts 40 years after "The End", the author introduces us to the characters (the most interesting is the hero who does not want to be a hero) and puts us in this post apocalyptic place, which are beautifully described, noteworthy writing is perfect and the story is impeccable.
From the first page I got lost in this desolate world, and it feels so real that I found myself thinking "'what if the end came today?".
I can not explain my distress when I reached the end of the book and I was left with so many questions!! I'll have to wait for the second part ...
I highly recommend this book to those who are a fan of this genre.
July 28, 2015
A world gone wrong!!!
Mr. Manner's novel was one of amazement and surprises for me. The events takes place 40 years after what is called a sign of the end of the world. Starvation threaten the town, the crop is dead, and and the wild life has disappeared. Norman is not old enough to remember anything, but the End, but he is chosen the next leader of New Canterbury. Norman do not embrace this, because of his age and rebel against decision and try to run,but faith will not be denied. The question becomes will he lead or run? This was very entertaining experience that will leave you wanting more!!!
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review (LOP) Goodreads.com
Mr. Manner's novel was one of amazement and surprises for me. The events takes place 40 years after what is called a sign of the end of the world. Starvation threaten the town, the crop is dead, and and the wild life has disappeared. Norman is not old enough to remember anything, but the End, but he is chosen the next leader of New Canterbury. Norman do not embrace this, because of his age and rebel against decision and try to run,but faith will not be denied. The question becomes will he lead or run? This was very entertaining experience that will leave you wanting more!!!
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review (LOP) Goodreads.com
October 28, 2014
[Ruin(Ruin Saga #1)] is a futuristic battle between good and evil except you can't tell which side is which at the end. [Harry Manners] creates characters that I can see becoming old friends to me much like my favorites. Norman is the most complex since he seems to be stuck in the middle. Things are expected of him but no one is telling him the whole truth. It reminded me of [King's The Stand] and [Stirling's The Change Series]. This is a good thing since they are some of my favorite books. I can not wait to read more of the [Ruin Saga] and get to know these characters better.
March 29, 2015
An awesome book. Really fascinating post apocalyptic world. I wondered the whole book how everyone just vanished. I found myself wondering how it would be to find yourself in a world like that. I'm still trying to piece it all together. I want to know what happens to Alex, Norman, Allie, James and Billie. It captured me so much I went looking to see if the second book was out. Unfortunately it isn't, but I will be looking for it. I sincerely could see this as a tv series. I would most definitely would watch it. Thank you Harry Manners for a great read.
November 15, 2016
A great read with more twists and turns than spaghetti junction, great realistic storyline filled with atmosphere and tension. It reminded me of Mark Chadbourns work. All the characters had great strengths and even greater flaws. Norman the main character could be anyone of us living in an uncertain world. Fab
May 1, 2015
I enjoy the end of the world theme. I was engaged and enjoyed the story. Really would have like to have had more of a outcome to the story. I understand the model of getting the hook in you for the next book.
January 15, 2015
It was an ok post-apocalyptic thriller. I would have enjoyed it more if it was a self contained story verses a start of a larger one.
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February 15, 2015Received Free for Read-for-Review : Goodreads Group : Pro-Active Destruction: Harry Manners
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April 23, 2015kindle
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