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Robinson Crusoe (E.J. Robinson) #1
Robinson Crusoe 2244
This thrilling sci-fi twist on the Daniel Defoe classic has been remastered and re-edited since its original publication! Two centuries after mankind drove itself to the brink of extinction, a new civilization rises from the ashes of what was once Great Britain. But when deadly strife breaks out among their ranks, the teenage son of one prominent family finds himself fleeing in the dead of night only to wind up shipwrecked on the forbidden continent of America. Armed with only his wit and the most unexpected of allies, the teenager struggles to survive in a wasteland filled with unspeakable horrors and in the end must uncover the one secret that can save his own people or spell doom for mankind forever.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2014
553 people are currently reading
1622 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Robinson
6 books65 followersE. J. Robinson was born in Northern California, but migrated south to attend UCLA where he studied literature and creative writing. After graduating, he worked for a number of prominent producers and film studios.
He's written for both TV and film, sold screenplays to Walt Disney studios, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Spyglass, SyFy Channel, and a host of others. He's also written reality TV, webisodes, commercials, low budget films, plays, restaurant menus and tombstone epitaphs.
He currently lives in So. Cal with his wife, two sons, and dog. He currently lives in Minnesota where he braves the snow to play dungeons and dragons.
He's written for both TV and film, sold screenplays to Walt Disney studios, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Spyglass, SyFy Channel, and a host of others. He's also written reality TV, webisodes, commercials, low budget films, plays, restaurant menus and tombstone epitaphs.
He currently lives in So. Cal with his wife, two sons, and dog. He currently lives in Minnesota where he braves the snow to play dungeons and dragons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
March 1, 2015
One of the ways I judge a book is if I'm left wondering if there's a sequel coming. This little gem has me anxiously waiting for the next book. I think of the "Hunger Games," "Ender's Game" and "Divergent" and the cast of characters in each, and what has happened in each of these post apoplectic worlds, and none of them have anything over this fast moving story.
I liked the short chapters, reminded me a little of the pacing and story telling in The Da Vinci Code. A lot is going on and there's not always an answer to how Robinson's going to get out the next jam, but a little spoiler here, he does make it out and comes through a lot, sometimes miraculously.
My favorite character is the girl Robinson meets and nicknames, "Friday." I think you'll find like I did that she's one of the more interesting and well conceived female characters I've had the pleasure of meeting lately. She's one part Lisbeth, another part Katniss, and another part Xena the princess warrior and more.
Robinson Crusoe, the main 16 year old protagonist, is really one of us even though it's set 200 plus years in the future, English, part of a civilization we may not like, but we understand it. The civilization that Friday is part of is unique and powerfully drawn. They are warriors and blood thirsty, yet orderly, believe in God, so much so that death is not to be feared. Maybe some traits of the Incas and Aztecs. But the fact that a female can become someone so amazing and powerful as Friday rocked my world a little. I love her like I loved Lisbeth, the girl with a dragon tattoo.
Give this book a try. It's a fun and great ride. Could be the start of a great new series. Good job, Robinson! By the way, I like the name and it certainly has a loose similarity to the orginal, but I worry that people may take it too literally.
I liked the short chapters, reminded me a little of the pacing and story telling in The Da Vinci Code. A lot is going on and there's not always an answer to how Robinson's going to get out the next jam, but a little spoiler here, he does make it out and comes through a lot, sometimes miraculously.
My favorite character is the girl Robinson meets and nicknames, "Friday." I think you'll find like I did that she's one of the more interesting and well conceived female characters I've had the pleasure of meeting lately. She's one part Lisbeth, another part Katniss, and another part Xena the princess warrior and more.
Robinson Crusoe, the main 16 year old protagonist, is really one of us even though it's set 200 plus years in the future, English, part of a civilization we may not like, but we understand it. The civilization that Friday is part of is unique and powerfully drawn. They are warriors and blood thirsty, yet orderly, believe in God, so much so that death is not to be feared. Maybe some traits of the Incas and Aztecs. But the fact that a female can become someone so amazing and powerful as Friday rocked my world a little. I love her like I loved Lisbeth, the girl with a dragon tattoo.
Give this book a try. It's a fun and great ride. Could be the start of a great new series. Good job, Robinson! By the way, I like the name and it certainly has a loose similarity to the orginal, but I worry that people may take it too literally.
October 4, 2015
I went into this story with not expecting much at all. I mean, come on, re-writing a classic like Robinson Crusoe into a post apocalypse story? So what was I expecting? A skinny plot, cheap characters and a pasted on theme. What did I get? A pretty good sotry actually. A 4 star story, so that certainly puts above the standard 3 star books I have read.
The plot really works. A nice build up with explaining the world as we know it and then Robinson goes off to survive in the post war world in the US. There are some cheesy moments and some boys own heroics, but all in all, i looked forward to getting back into the story each day. You can't ask for more than that.
Enjoyable read in a genre I have struggled to find good reads in.
The plot really works. A nice build up with explaining the world as we know it and then Robinson goes off to survive in the post war world in the US. There are some cheesy moments and some boys own heroics, but all in all, i looked forward to getting back into the story each day. You can't ask for more than that.
Enjoyable read in a genre I have struggled to find good reads in.
July 26, 2015
Set in a future dystopian world, the once UK civilization has risen once again. The government maintains a tight control on its citizens, many lines of study are forbidden, weapons are not allowed in civilian hands, and a class system is firmly in place. Teen Robinson is from a prominent family and is usually dodging trouble. Along with his best friend, Slink, he can be found occasionally scaling forbidden buildings by moonlight. Rebellion is stirring beneath the surface and Robinson is soon caught up in it. He is forced to flee the only life he has ever known, crash landing on unknown shores in a degraded land populated by mutated monsters.
Let’s start with my one little quibble: This story stands well on its own and it was not necessary for the author to draw some parallels with the classic Robinson Crusoe by Defoe. OK, now that that is out of the way, let me gush. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author shows us the messed up side of Crusoe’s society in many small ways that cumulatively lead up to the big punch-in-the-face reality that Crusoe has to live through. There’s betrayal and pity, friendship and familial bonds, hope and luck.
Then he crashes onto what was once the USA. There, all signs of civilization have long since degraded. The buildings are in ruins, food is scarce, & winter is coming on. To add to his quickly shortening odds of survival, there are the Renders (which are mutated monsters that might have once been humans a few generations back). The Renders can be quite large (think bull-sized) and sometimes go on all fours. They are always hungry and not above eating a human or two.
Crusoe must learn to survive. He has a few rations from his crashed ship to get him started but he has to find reliable shelter, clean water (or a safe place to boil it), and food. Oddly enough, it is the loneliness that starts to undo him. Lucky for him, he finds a series of companions in this diseased land. Without giving away plot points, these various companions teach him different things, both about himself and about survival. My favorite was Friday because she was so very practical and could take the hard road.
Added to all this is a mystery surrounding Crusoe’s mother, who supposedly died in a flyer accident a few years back. Crusoe has always had questions about that day and his sudden flight and subsequent findings add to his questions. I really liked how this turned out. On the other side of the coin, there are these savages that come in by boat every full moon with captives that they sacrifice. Absolutely chilling! These scenes were written very well and were disturbing. I really felt like I was in Crusoe’s shoes, watching from a somewhat safe distance, as these sacrifices were made.
Crusoe’s story arc was very interesting to watch progress. He always had some smarts, if not common sense. As circumstances, teachers, and companions beat their lessons into him, he changes under the harsh weight. He goes from a clever, well-bred young man who is pasty white and weak in muscle, to a survivor made of determination and sinew. Riding around in his head, we can clearly see why he makes certain hard choices and what drives him to continue on. As a note, there were more than one ethnicity in this book, an aspect I appreciated. The ending completes the story arc for this book and leaves it set up for Book 2, which I eagerly await coming out in audiobook.
I received this audiobook from the author (via the Audiobook Blast Newsletter) at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Malk Williams was a great choice for young Robinson Crusoe. He was able to keep a clear voice for Crusoe even as he aged both physically and mentally. He had quite believable female voices and a range of voices for the rest of the men. There are a few sections where another language is spoken that doesn’t quite match any of our modern languages and Williams did a great job of making these sound fluid and natural. I especially liked his voice for Friday.
Let’s start with my one little quibble: This story stands well on its own and it was not necessary for the author to draw some parallels with the classic Robinson Crusoe by Defoe. OK, now that that is out of the way, let me gush. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author shows us the messed up side of Crusoe’s society in many small ways that cumulatively lead up to the big punch-in-the-face reality that Crusoe has to live through. There’s betrayal and pity, friendship and familial bonds, hope and luck.
Then he crashes onto what was once the USA. There, all signs of civilization have long since degraded. The buildings are in ruins, food is scarce, & winter is coming on. To add to his quickly shortening odds of survival, there are the Renders (which are mutated monsters that might have once been humans a few generations back). The Renders can be quite large (think bull-sized) and sometimes go on all fours. They are always hungry and not above eating a human or two.
Crusoe must learn to survive. He has a few rations from his crashed ship to get him started but he has to find reliable shelter, clean water (or a safe place to boil it), and food. Oddly enough, it is the loneliness that starts to undo him. Lucky for him, he finds a series of companions in this diseased land. Without giving away plot points, these various companions teach him different things, both about himself and about survival. My favorite was Friday because she was so very practical and could take the hard road.
Added to all this is a mystery surrounding Crusoe’s mother, who supposedly died in a flyer accident a few years back. Crusoe has always had questions about that day and his sudden flight and subsequent findings add to his questions. I really liked how this turned out. On the other side of the coin, there are these savages that come in by boat every full moon with captives that they sacrifice. Absolutely chilling! These scenes were written very well and were disturbing. I really felt like I was in Crusoe’s shoes, watching from a somewhat safe distance, as these sacrifices were made.
Crusoe’s story arc was very interesting to watch progress. He always had some smarts, if not common sense. As circumstances, teachers, and companions beat their lessons into him, he changes under the harsh weight. He goes from a clever, well-bred young man who is pasty white and weak in muscle, to a survivor made of determination and sinew. Riding around in his head, we can clearly see why he makes certain hard choices and what drives him to continue on. As a note, there were more than one ethnicity in this book, an aspect I appreciated. The ending completes the story arc for this book and leaves it set up for Book 2, which I eagerly await coming out in audiobook.
I received this audiobook from the author (via the Audiobook Blast Newsletter) at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Malk Williams was a great choice for young Robinson Crusoe. He was able to keep a clear voice for Crusoe even as he aged both physically and mentally. He had quite believable female voices and a range of voices for the rest of the men. There are a few sections where another language is spoken that doesn’t quite match any of our modern languages and Williams did a great job of making these sound fluid and natural. I especially liked his voice for Friday.
October 25, 2015
"Your problem is that you spend every waking moment trying to be clever," Taskmaster Satu tells the class trouble maker.
I like this kid.
"Your mother gave you a fine education. And a dangerous one."
I like him even more now, this undersized and slightly chubby teenager named Robinson Crusoe.
His best friend is a giant of a boy named Slink. Fraternization is frowned on between Nobles (the Crusoes) and Mucks (Slink's family), but Robinson's theme song is "I did it my way." Or it would be, if music was allowed, if free thinking, experimenting and innovation weren't even more taboo, and if Robinson could just conform like everyone else does.
Due to something that was totally no fault of Robinson's, he is forced into exile from a future version of England to a primitive (post-apocalyptic) North America. Tribes of savages roam the ruins of a once-great civilization. So do mutant humans known as Renders.
A classic coming-of-age story unfolds as Robinson has to fight for survival in a strange and inhospitable new world. So many scenes are epic and memorable: Nights in an abandoned library. The howling renders outside his door. The old man. The dog. What happens when the moon is full. The prisoners. What's inside that locket. THE DOG.
Blood is shed, body parts fly, and a battled-hardened boy becomes a man before the end of Book One, but that isn't even the half of it. There's a girl named Friday, there's the race of warriors who are not to be confused with the savages who show up under the full moon, and there's the inevitable showdown when that exiled teenage boy finds himself back home again, so transformed, his enemies don't even recognize him.
I haven't even hinted at all the things that happen in this story. I could say a thousand things just about the dog. Not to mention Arga'Zul, the Bone Flayers, the Iron Fists, and the Aserra. THere's a speech Robinson gives near the end, and I swear this is not a spoiler, but it is the most compelling ever reason to read Book Two:
"Leader of the Bone Flayers, listen to me! You take from me now the woman I love. There is no distance you can sail and no place you can hide that I will not find her. Should any harm befall her, I will kill you and all who carry your blood. This I swear by the sun and the moon."
Wow.
Did I mention that I really liked this kid, back when he was just a lad trying to sound clever? He's a man now, and *like* just doesn't even come close. Robinson sounds more Romantic and Heroic than the quintessentially American Walt Whitman sounding his barbaric yawp across the fruited plains.
Book Two opens with our hero back in North America, teaming up with a pair of albino mutes and a pastor, slaying enemies right and left. I read at least a third of the book before skipping the battle scenes (military fiction isn't my thing). Yes, Robinson finally finds what he was looking for, only to lose it again, but Book Three will be out soon. Right? Right??
Robinson Crusoe 2244 is a vivid, memorable, action-packed tale with well-drawn characters that readers will want to revisit. I like my adventures to be a bit less violent and bloody, but this book is loaded on so many levels, I can skip the battle scenes and still find plenty of reasons to keep reading. This is great story telling with classic themes and epic discoveries. Bravo!
I like this kid.
"Your mother gave you a fine education. And a dangerous one."
I like him even more now, this undersized and slightly chubby teenager named Robinson Crusoe.
His best friend is a giant of a boy named Slink. Fraternization is frowned on between Nobles (the Crusoes) and Mucks (Slink's family), but Robinson's theme song is "I did it my way." Or it would be, if music was allowed, if free thinking, experimenting and innovation weren't even more taboo, and if Robinson could just conform like everyone else does.
Due to something that was totally no fault of Robinson's, he is forced into exile from a future version of England to a primitive (post-apocalyptic) North America. Tribes of savages roam the ruins of a once-great civilization. So do mutant humans known as Renders.
A classic coming-of-age story unfolds as Robinson has to fight for survival in a strange and inhospitable new world. So many scenes are epic and memorable: Nights in an abandoned library. The howling renders outside his door. The old man. The dog. What happens when the moon is full. The prisoners. What's inside that locket. THE DOG.
Blood is shed, body parts fly, and a battled-hardened boy becomes a man before the end of Book One, but that isn't even the half of it. There's a girl named Friday, there's the race of warriors who are not to be confused with the savages who show up under the full moon, and there's the inevitable showdown when that exiled teenage boy finds himself back home again, so transformed, his enemies don't even recognize him.
I haven't even hinted at all the things that happen in this story. I could say a thousand things just about the dog. Not to mention Arga'Zul, the Bone Flayers, the Iron Fists, and the Aserra. THere's a speech Robinson gives near the end, and I swear this is not a spoiler, but it is the most compelling ever reason to read Book Two:
"Leader of the Bone Flayers, listen to me! You take from me now the woman I love. There is no distance you can sail and no place you can hide that I will not find her. Should any harm befall her, I will kill you and all who carry your blood. This I swear by the sun and the moon."
Wow.
Did I mention that I really liked this kid, back when he was just a lad trying to sound clever? He's a man now, and *like* just doesn't even come close. Robinson sounds more Romantic and Heroic than the quintessentially American Walt Whitman sounding his barbaric yawp across the fruited plains.
Book Two opens with our hero back in North America, teaming up with a pair of albino mutes and a pastor, slaying enemies right and left. I read at least a third of the book before skipping the battle scenes (military fiction isn't my thing). Yes, Robinson finally finds what he was looking for, only to lose it again, but Book Three will be out soon. Right? Right??
Robinson Crusoe 2244 is a vivid, memorable, action-packed tale with well-drawn characters that readers will want to revisit. I like my adventures to be a bit less violent and bloody, but this book is loaded on so many levels, I can skip the battle scenes and still find plenty of reasons to keep reading. This is great story telling with classic themes and epic discoveries. Bravo!
July 28, 2021
*sigh*
A few key words will be important to this review: disappointment, lack of detail, and lazy.
This book was a massive disappointment for me. I love a good retelling, and a futuristic/post-apocalyptic version of Robinson Crusoe sounds excellent... but excellent it was not.
I don't think I've ever read a book with less detail than this. I don't want to be too hard on the author but was he being charged by the word? There is virtually no description of what characters are wearing, how they sound or feel when they are speaking or acting, what the situation looks like, where they are physically are located during scenes, or even who is speaking! There is a constant lack of "said Robinson" or "muttered Friday" throughout the entire book, and while Robinson spends most of the book by himself or with only 1 other, any time he's with 2 or more people I don't have a clue who's talking.
I also have no idea what this world looks like. It (obviously) takes place in the future but it's mentioned that they use candles and horsedrawn carriages. But they also have 'flyers' that... well they fly but that's literally all I know because NO other aspect about them is ever explained. Nor is what the world looks like. Is it steampunk? Is it like the 1770s? Is it a cross between? Who the hell knows.
All due respect to the author but this is a supremely lazy book. There are huge inconsistencies, such as the narrator. The narrator sometimes tells the story from what Robinson is seeing, sometimes it tells it from other people, sometimes it knows everything we would know. The US fell at some point in the mid-2000s, so why are there carriages all over the streets? Was it because Robinson has never seen a car so he assumes they're called carriages? But why are there abandoned cars later in the novel? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Also, there's a lack of thrills in this book. Robinson seems to overcome any obstacle (like learning an entire language while simultaneously teaching his own to another in a few months) pretty easily.
Anyway, I'm ranting a bit. As I said, it was a huge disappointment. It's always the books that frustrate you the most that produce the longest reviews. But, there are some bright spots in this book, and there is some fun to be had. I did not hate this book, it just frustrated the hell out of me.
The sequels are supposed to be much better, but I really need to think about continuing this series.
*sigh*
A few key words will be important to this review: disappointment, lack of detail, and lazy.
This book was a massive disappointment for me. I love a good retelling, and a futuristic/post-apocalyptic version of Robinson Crusoe sounds excellent... but excellent it was not.
I don't think I've ever read a book with less detail than this. I don't want to be too hard on the author but was he being charged by the word? There is virtually no description of what characters are wearing, how they sound or feel when they are speaking or acting, what the situation looks like, where they are physically are located during scenes, or even who is speaking! There is a constant lack of "said Robinson" or "muttered Friday" throughout the entire book, and while Robinson spends most of the book by himself or with only 1 other, any time he's with 2 or more people I don't have a clue who's talking.
I also have no idea what this world looks like. It (obviously) takes place in the future but it's mentioned that they use candles and horsedrawn carriages. But they also have 'flyers' that... well they fly but that's literally all I know because NO other aspect about them is ever explained. Nor is what the world looks like. Is it steampunk? Is it like the 1770s? Is it a cross between? Who the hell knows.
All due respect to the author but this is a supremely lazy book. There are huge inconsistencies, such as the narrator. The narrator sometimes tells the story from what Robinson is seeing, sometimes it tells it from other people, sometimes it knows everything we would know. The US fell at some point in the mid-2000s, so why are there carriages all over the streets? Was it because Robinson has never seen a car so he assumes they're called carriages? But why are there abandoned cars later in the novel? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Also, there's a lack of thrills in this book. Robinson seems to overcome any obstacle (like learning an entire language while simultaneously teaching his own to another in a few months) pretty easily.
Anyway, I'm ranting a bit. As I said, it was a huge disappointment. It's always the books that frustrate you the most that produce the longest reviews. But, there are some bright spots in this book, and there is some fun to be had. I did not hate this book, it just frustrated the hell out of me.
The sequels are supposed to be much better, but I really need to think about continuing this series.
*sigh*
April 1, 2017
Wonderful scifi postapocolytic adaption to a popular classic. Looking forward to the following two sequels.
December 21, 2023
read for college, hated it
April 5, 2025
O carte interesantă, dar are acest rating pentru că nu mi-a plăcut neutralitatea autorului atunci când situația era foarte tensionată!🫡
July 4, 2021
Very enjoyable
It took me a long time to get stuff around to reading this book but I'm glad I finally did.
I never read the original Robinson Crusoe book so I'm not entirely sure how similar things are. One was set in the 18th Century while this one is in the 23rd Century, so there are obvious differences.
The world suffered from an apocalyptic disaster. We don't know exactly what happened but a large portion of the population was mutated into monsters. Civilization isn't gone but has been greatly reduced in scope.
There a nefarious plot that lands teenager Robinson in a place full the monsters and the boy from a noble family has to figure out how to survive. He finds friends to help and teach him. There's friendship, love, loss, betrayal and lots of growth.
The book very well fits into the hero's journey. Robinson's path was his own but he was smart and able to learn quickly. He was a likeable character. The ending was set with a sequel in mind but I think readers could be satisfied that Robinson has more adventures we don't see on the page. Fortunately, there's more to come.
It took me a long time to get stuff around to reading this book but I'm glad I finally did.
I never read the original Robinson Crusoe book so I'm not entirely sure how similar things are. One was set in the 18th Century while this one is in the 23rd Century, so there are obvious differences.
The world suffered from an apocalyptic disaster. We don't know exactly what happened but a large portion of the population was mutated into monsters. Civilization isn't gone but has been greatly reduced in scope.
There a nefarious plot that lands teenager Robinson in a place full the monsters and the boy from a noble family has to figure out how to survive. He finds friends to help and teach him. There's friendship, love, loss, betrayal and lots of growth.
The book very well fits into the hero's journey. Robinson's path was his own but he was smart and able to learn quickly. He was a likeable character. The ending was set with a sequel in mind but I think readers could be satisfied that Robinson has more adventures we don't see on the page. Fortunately, there's more to come.
August 7, 2017
A Great Retelling of a Classic
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mix of a dystopian future, survival story, adventure, with historical connections. Great characters and fast paced story.
The loss of the star is for the overly lucky battles the main character keeps winning. I could believe one or two, but there were a few too many.
In spite of the slight flaws, I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mix of a dystopian future, survival story, adventure, with historical connections. Great characters and fast paced story.
The loss of the star is for the overly lucky battles the main character keeps winning. I could believe one or two, but there were a few too many.
In spite of the slight flaws, I highly recommend this book.
May 23, 2018
3.5 stars. Moving on to book 2...
March 1, 2017
DNF. Normally, I don't rate books I haven't finished, but in this case, I don't expect that the writing would have improved, so...
A really good concept, torpedoed by awkward word choices and poor sentence structure. Plot points felt poorly explained, and I never built a rapport with the main character. Lop
A really good concept, torpedoed by awkward word choices and poor sentence structure. Plot points felt poorly explained, and I never built a rapport with the main character. Lop
February 14, 2016
Robinson Crusoe 2244 started out slow and was confusing in parts. However, when the rebellion starts and Robinson makes his getaway, I found it difficult to set the book aside. It's two centuries after the world apocalypse, and life is much different for those survivors in England which now live under a supposedly Caste system. On the eve of the rebellion, Robinson discovers that his life-long girlfriend - the daughter of the highest official in their district - was not in love with him, but was, instead, acting on behalf of her father. Robinson's parents are suspect to growing the rebellion, and the daughter became his eyes and ears during the faked relationship.
Once Robinson escapes to a decimated United States - guided there by a set of coordinates that his mother had given him before disappearing two years earlier. He sets out and searches for his mother while learning to survive and avoiding the terrifying creatures that roamed the countryside in search of food. He is saved and befriended by an old man who takes him under his wing and then disappears one morning a few weeks later. The setting for much of the story is Washington D.C., where the author does a masterful job of merging the DC that readers know today with the ruins of DC two centuries from now.
Robinson soon discovers that a group of marauders who were sacrificing other humans to the infected creatures once a month, and then notices a spirited teenage girl in the group who was destined to die. He rescues her from the bad guys and becomes Robinson's girl "Friday." They learn from one another over the next several months and soon fall in love.
Both of their worlds suddenly come crashing down when attacked by soldiers from his home across the seas and the marauders who conduct the monthly sacrifices.
There is a cure available to end the global infection, and unknowingly, the missing puzzle piece is in a locket from his mother that Robinson wears around his neck. The regime in England suspects there is a cure, but, instead, want it destroyed to keep everything status quo. Who will win?
Book 1 ends at a crossroad. I have already purchased book 2 and will anxiously continue the tale after completing this review. Highly recommended. Great job, Mr. Robinson!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
Once Robinson escapes to a decimated United States - guided there by a set of coordinates that his mother had given him before disappearing two years earlier. He sets out and searches for his mother while learning to survive and avoiding the terrifying creatures that roamed the countryside in search of food. He is saved and befriended by an old man who takes him under his wing and then disappears one morning a few weeks later. The setting for much of the story is Washington D.C., where the author does a masterful job of merging the DC that readers know today with the ruins of DC two centuries from now.
Robinson soon discovers that a group of marauders who were sacrificing other humans to the infected creatures once a month, and then notices a spirited teenage girl in the group who was destined to die. He rescues her from the bad guys and becomes Robinson's girl "Friday." They learn from one another over the next several months and soon fall in love.
Both of their worlds suddenly come crashing down when attacked by soldiers from his home across the seas and the marauders who conduct the monthly sacrifices.
There is a cure available to end the global infection, and unknowingly, the missing puzzle piece is in a locket from his mother that Robinson wears around his neck. The regime in England suspects there is a cure, but, instead, want it destroyed to keep everything status quo. Who will win?
Book 1 ends at a crossroad. I have already purchased book 2 and will anxiously continue the tale after completing this review. Highly recommended. Great job, Mr. Robinson!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
June 30, 2016
This book is inspired by the classic Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's based off it, ..well, perhaps very very loosely. Although the idea behind the classic can be seen in the story arch of the main character's major plot points. However, I must say, that this was a very satisfying read. I love me a good survival story and this hit all the sweet spots. E.J. Robinson manages to carve out his own little slice of sci-fi heaven despite a purposeful toning down of advanced tech that is used in this futuristic world. I think the author did a good job handling the clash of differing ideals among the varying groups of people. I found no disjointed continuity issues with the stories or the descriptions of people and settings. The main character was a delight to follow and I was rooting for him, and those by his side, the whole way. It was refreshing to read an e-book that appears to have been edited by a professional. Even then, there were some typos but they are few and far between and in no way did they take away from the story. There's some violence but its not gory or over the top. There's also some romance and the author does us all a favor by skipping descriptive love scenes and simply stating that they made love. Romance in this book is more like that one person that's navigating on a road trip and they always manage to make the driver miss the turn off. But towards the end of the story as the arch comes to a close the main character and his love interest becomes more in tune with each other without overpowering the climax of the book. By the end of the book, it's this unique relationship that gives a reader a reason to yearn for the second book. In my opinion, I think the main character would not have become the lovable, witty and kickbutt character he did if it were not for his women troubles, both the good and the bad. Darn us women, ruining everything! Heh. Anywho, overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the second one!
January 21, 2015
In Ecclesiastes 1:4-11 it is written that there is "nothing new under the sun."
I am not about to argue this point with Old Testament prophets but I will say this: There are always new ways of telling the story of what happens under the sun and author E.J. Robinson has found just such a way in "Robinson Crusoe 2244."
Everyone is familiar with Daniel Dafoe's original "Robinson Crusoe" tale in which the hero is marooned on an island and strikes up an unlikely partnership with "His Man Friday."
Robinson, however, has set his tale far into the future; placing his incarnation of the erstwhile - if often reckless - Crusoe in a dystopian Great Britain ruled by noble families that are often not very noble.
Without going too deeply into the plot, I'll say that this book's Crusoe also finds himself exiled, though not to a desert island but, instead, to what remains of America centuries after a devastating mutation has decimated the Earth's population and driven what's left of the British people into a medieval lifestyle.
In his book Robinson has constructed a world full of betrayal, cowardice and the rampant abuse of power by a society that has apparently learned nothing from thousands upon thousands of years worth of history. It is a society that, while populated by monsters that are both human and inhuman, is not completely without hope for the future, however. The reason: In his book Robinson has also given us characters who embody the spirit of loyalty, who treasure the ties of abiding friendship, who are willing to make enormous sacrifices for the greater good and who love without reservation.
As I said, the story is familiar but this fresh re-telling of Robinson Crusoe's life and times is so nicely written that is appears brand new with its cast of intriguing characters and vivid descriptions of places and people.
I highly recommend it.
I am not about to argue this point with Old Testament prophets but I will say this: There are always new ways of telling the story of what happens under the sun and author E.J. Robinson has found just such a way in "Robinson Crusoe 2244."
Everyone is familiar with Daniel Dafoe's original "Robinson Crusoe" tale in which the hero is marooned on an island and strikes up an unlikely partnership with "His Man Friday."
Robinson, however, has set his tale far into the future; placing his incarnation of the erstwhile - if often reckless - Crusoe in a dystopian Great Britain ruled by noble families that are often not very noble.
Without going too deeply into the plot, I'll say that this book's Crusoe also finds himself exiled, though not to a desert island but, instead, to what remains of America centuries after a devastating mutation has decimated the Earth's population and driven what's left of the British people into a medieval lifestyle.
In his book Robinson has constructed a world full of betrayal, cowardice and the rampant abuse of power by a society that has apparently learned nothing from thousands upon thousands of years worth of history. It is a society that, while populated by monsters that are both human and inhuman, is not completely without hope for the future, however. The reason: In his book Robinson has also given us characters who embody the spirit of loyalty, who treasure the ties of abiding friendship, who are willing to make enormous sacrifices for the greater good and who love without reservation.
As I said, the story is familiar but this fresh re-telling of Robinson Crusoe's life and times is so nicely written that is appears brand new with its cast of intriguing characters and vivid descriptions of places and people.
I highly recommend it.
July 7, 2015
Okay, not what I expected but loved it nonetheless. Its really a coming of age novel set in a dystopian future. It has a little bit of everything: assassinations, political intrigue, mutants and even a female warrior. Central to the story is, as its name sake suggest, a man stranded on a deserted island trying to survive. It tries hard to be a modern retelling of Daniel Defoe’s novel, with quotes from Daniel Defoe thrown in. But it reminds me more of “I am Legend” than the original “Robinson Crusoe”, since the island is the United States (Washington, DC to be exact), he is surrounded by mutants that come out at night, trying to survive off the remnants of the fallen civilization and there is even a stray dog that he befriends when he is at the height of loneliness. But as I mentioned earlier, I truly enjoyed it. Only thing that really ticks me off is that when I reach the end, I find that this book is only part one of a series. I hate series because due to the large number of books I read, when the next book comes out a year or two later, I forgot what the previous book was about and have to re-read it to remind myself. That’s why I usually wait until the series is finished or almost finished and read all the books in that series sequentially.
ps. I wasn't able to put this book down once I started reading it yesterday and stayed up until 5:00 AM to finish it. Can't wait for 2245!
ps. I wasn't able to put this book down once I started reading it yesterday and stayed up until 5:00 AM to finish it. Can't wait for 2245!
February 14, 2016
I enjoyed reading this story. It was well written and kept my attention. There were characters that I grew to hate and also be concerned about, which is important. Overall I had very few things that stood out to me as 'could have been better', save two.
First, I don't like having the authors morals crammed into my eyeballs. If the story is about a moral dilemma or something, then fine. I expect it. What I don't expect is the little pit stops in the plot to give a nod to a separate narrative. Twice (iirc) the story is interrupted so the main character can make a single line slam against what the author clearly feels is the universally held notion that man is bad and a threat to everything around him. Spare me. Then once, we have a thinly veiled shot at the United States as being the worst of the worst. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there. Tell your story, leave the one-liner rhetoric out of it.
Second, I think the author selected the title based on the very clever idea of having it immediately recognizable. While it does share a number of plot elements with the classic, the actual plot and setting are not quite the same (and I don't mean the fact that it's futuristic). The book could well enough have stood on it's own, but naming it this way certainly draws attention to it regardless of the material behind the cover.
Based on this read, I would read other books by this author.
First, I don't like having the authors morals crammed into my eyeballs. If the story is about a moral dilemma or something, then fine. I expect it. What I don't expect is the little pit stops in the plot to give a nod to a separate narrative. Twice (iirc) the story is interrupted so the main character can make a single line slam against what the author clearly feels is the universally held notion that man is bad and a threat to everything around him. Spare me. Then once, we have a thinly veiled shot at the United States as being the worst of the worst. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there. Tell your story, leave the one-liner rhetoric out of it.
Second, I think the author selected the title based on the very clever idea of having it immediately recognizable. While it does share a number of plot elements with the classic, the actual plot and setting are not quite the same (and I don't mean the fact that it's futuristic). The book could well enough have stood on it's own, but naming it this way certainly draws attention to it regardless of the material behind the cover.
Based on this read, I would read other books by this author.
February 14, 2016
A dystopian society is one that is as dehumanizing and unpleasant as possible, and this story actually has two of them. One is a walled region that has abandoned technology and replaced it with a rigid society that lives by the Eight Laws and is a world full of castes. The second dystopian society is outside the walls where a plague is turning all living creatures into monsters.
Robinson Crusoe comes from a wealthy family, but a revolution forces him outside the walls and into the world of "renders." He learns how to survive, thanks to an old man, a dog, and a warrior woman who he names Friday.
This is not a typical Robinson Crusoe story, and it's full of violence as the rendered monsters feed on just about everyone and themselves. There are also the Bone Flayers, humans who enjoy feeding captured humans to the Renders.
It's important to remember that this is book one of at least three, so be prepared to not have resolution. Personally, I prefer to at least reach some sort of an ending rather than be left dangling for more. Nevertheless, I'll probably move on to book two soon.
Robinson Crusoe comes from a wealthy family, but a revolution forces him outside the walls and into the world of "renders." He learns how to survive, thanks to an old man, a dog, and a warrior woman who he names Friday.
This is not a typical Robinson Crusoe story, and it's full of violence as the rendered monsters feed on just about everyone and themselves. There are also the Bone Flayers, humans who enjoy feeding captured humans to the Renders.
It's important to remember that this is book one of at least three, so be prepared to not have resolution. Personally, I prefer to at least reach some sort of an ending rather than be left dangling for more. Nevertheless, I'll probably move on to book two soon.
February 12, 2015
Post-apocalyptic adventure
This was a fun book. Although it's written for the YA audience, it still can be in enjoyed by adults, too. The hero , Robinson Crusoe, is a boy who is really good at getting into trouble, but through his adventures he grows into a brave man. Forced to flee his own country, he ends up in the dangerous ruins of Washington, D. C. Like his namesake, he is at first alone , but he learns to survive with the help of others. And eventually he uncovers a plot so deep that the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Sounds like fun? It is.
My only quibbles are that our hero seems to survive more by luck than by his often rash judgment. And I thought the parallels with the story of Robinson Crusoe were unnecessary. They made this into a "made up tale " and hindered the willing suspension of disbelief that is necessary for good fiction. Still, if I were a young person reading this I doubt that I would have cared. The story is still strong enough to carry you along, enjoying it all.
This was a fun book. Although it's written for the YA audience, it still can be in enjoyed by adults, too. The hero , Robinson Crusoe, is a boy who is really good at getting into trouble, but through his adventures he grows into a brave man. Forced to flee his own country, he ends up in the dangerous ruins of Washington, D. C. Like his namesake, he is at first alone , but he learns to survive with the help of others. And eventually he uncovers a plot so deep that the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Sounds like fun? It is.
My only quibbles are that our hero seems to survive more by luck than by his often rash judgment. And I thought the parallels with the story of Robinson Crusoe were unnecessary. They made this into a "made up tale " and hindered the willing suspension of disbelief that is necessary for good fiction. Still, if I were a young person reading this I doubt that I would have cared. The story is still strong enough to carry you along, enjoying it all.
February 10, 2016
An interesting re-imagining of the Robinson Crusoe story, set in an apocalytic world. It starts in England then moves to North America. The main character, named Robinson Crusoe, is a young man who decides to escape from the Township, a "safe" place run by near-dictators. The threat is a race of mutants, called renders, who are violent and love to eat anything living, including people. They are not zombies, however. Robinson takes off in a flyer and ends up at the former Washington, DC. Here he meets a few "good" humans, runs into a tribe of wild men, and figures out how to outsmart and evade the violent renders, who come out mainly at night.
I enjoyed this book - so tired of zombie stories - but the degree of danger to humans is similar. Lots of unexpected plot twists and reveals. And yes, Robinson eventually finds a (female) side-kick who doesn't speak his language, and, yes, he names her "Friday".
I found it good enough to want to read the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this book - so tired of zombie stories - but the degree of danger to humans is similar. Lots of unexpected plot twists and reveals. And yes, Robinson eventually finds a (female) side-kick who doesn't speak his language, and, yes, he names her "Friday".
I found it good enough to want to read the next book in the series.
February 4, 2016
At first, I thought this book would be extremely cheesy. Usually rip offs of classics are terrible, the name of the book didn't really grab me, and the cover art was just eh. But I love dystopian novels, so I gave this one a chance.
I can't believe how much I loved this book. The entire time I read this book, I kept thinking how it would make such a great movie (I'm imagining Ansel Elgort as Robinson and Zoe Kravitz as Friday). I've lived within a couple of hours of DC my entire life, so I really enjoyed all the references to places I've visited many times. I also really like the characters of Robinson and Friday.
If you are into Hunger Games/Divergent, I would definitely check this book out. Can't wait to start reading the next one!
I can't believe how much I loved this book. The entire time I read this book, I kept thinking how it would make such a great movie (I'm imagining Ansel Elgort as Robinson and Zoe Kravitz as Friday). I've lived within a couple of hours of DC my entire life, so I really enjoyed all the references to places I've visited many times. I also really like the characters of Robinson and Friday.
If you are into Hunger Games/Divergent, I would definitely check this book out. Can't wait to start reading the next one!
July 5, 2015
I was given this book to read for review. Boy did I get lucky. This was a really good story! Interesting characters. Action packed. And best of all a story line that flowed like a good movie in my head. This authors use of action & description are excellent. No slow places in this book. From the very beginning this story leads you on a wonderful adventure that will be enjoyed by both young & old & everyone in between. Good job E.J. Robinson! Thank you for giving me an opportunity to enjoy this well written story. I would read this if I were you. You won't regret it.
February 4, 2016
Highly recommended. Excellent read. I really liked the progression of this story and I'm usually quite critical when someone attempts to follow the lead of a classic. This book truly delivered and I don't have anything bad to say about it. I found myself captivated from the very start and it entertained through till the end. I was emotionally connected to all characters, and laughed, cried and felt their anxiety as if I was "taken away" into a joyful fantasy ride. Very well written and I'm looking forward to the next one.
October 8, 2015
I thought this was a well thought-out novel - a clever update of the Robinson Crusoe story, with a twist. Plenty of action, love-interest, double-crossing. I take the points of other reviewers about some minor flaws, but I thought it worked pretty well (and no novel is perfect). The setting itself - in terms of the world, history, etc. - was good. Probably for a younger audience than me. A satisfying ending.
February 3, 2016
Excellent Sci Fi Book
Very well written. Follows very loosely the saga of a shipwrecked boy, how it chanced to happen, and the situations that lead him to his girl, Friday. Diseased monsters want to kill them and he faces a new world he has to learn to survive in. Learning how to survive despite hunger, pain, and fear of being killed makes a boy into a man. A real attention keeper.
Very well written. Follows very loosely the saga of a shipwrecked boy, how it chanced to happen, and the situations that lead him to his girl, Friday. Diseased monsters want to kill them and he faces a new world he has to learn to survive in. Learning how to survive despite hunger, pain, and fear of being killed makes a boy into a man. A real attention keeper.
February 4, 2016
So Good I Actually Recommended it to my Picky Stepson!
And HE IS READING IT! Yes this is that good. What better can you get than an 18 year old kid, who actually listened to one of his parents? So I tell you, if a teen will follow a recommendation and check out this story....Well thought out, well reasoned, and well written. Perfect for Sci-Fi/Fantasy/End of Days fans. LOVED IT!
And HE IS READING IT! Yes this is that good. What better can you get than an 18 year old kid, who actually listened to one of his parents? So I tell you, if a teen will follow a recommendation and check out this story....Well thought out, well reasoned, and well written. Perfect for Sci-Fi/Fantasy/End of Days fans. LOVED IT!
February 9, 2016
Different but interesting
I've recently re-read the original Robinson Crusoe and wanted to see if this one had a right to be named after it. It's definitely different, but entertaining in its own way. The story is good and I cared about the characters, but the book needs a professional editor to clean up the errors and make the narrative more cohesive. Looking forward to the next in the series.
I've recently re-read the original Robinson Crusoe and wanted to see if this one had a right to be named after it. It's definitely different, but entertaining in its own way. The story is good and I cared about the characters, but the book needs a professional editor to clean up the errors and make the narrative more cohesive. Looking forward to the next in the series.
March 4, 2016
This was a great story. I got caught up in it from the first page. It's really Robinson Crusoe meets the Maze Runner, meets Hungar Games. Couldn't put it down. Stayed up past my bed time and then read it while I waited the 3 hours for the service guy to arrive at my house. First time I didn't actually get annoyed! If you know the Robinson Crusoe story, anything more is a spoiler. Good reading!
March 28, 2016
Surprisingly a great book!
After looking at the cover and realizing it was free I decided to try this book. This is not my usual read, but after reading it I was impressed. This story starts with a boy who is young and basically so smart he us stupid. After the end of the book he has become a man. I love the scenery this author paints of the world after it has been destroyed. Overall great book and I will buying the follow up book to see where the adventures continue.
After looking at the cover and realizing it was free I decided to try this book. This is not my usual read, but after reading it I was impressed. This story starts with a boy who is young and basically so smart he us stupid. After the end of the book he has become a man. I love the scenery this author paints of the world after it has been destroyed. Overall great book and I will buying the follow up book to see where the adventures continue.
April 16, 2016
Nice take on a classic story. Because the book as a whole has adult content (though it is not graphic) I would not place it on a student reading list.
Excerpts could be removed and used as comparison pieces to the original text. could be a great jump off point for a creative writing assignment such as rewrite a historical adventure in the future. Or a as a comparison piece asking students what was the same and what did the author need to change to set the story in a new time and space.
Excerpts could be removed and used as comparison pieces to the original text. could be a great jump off point for a creative writing assignment such as rewrite a historical adventure in the future. Or a as a comparison piece asking students what was the same and what did the author need to change to set the story in a new time and space.
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