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A Changed World #1
Lethal Seasons
Nick counts survivors for Angus’s research on the uncertain future of the human race. Ten years after the has virus whittled down the population, survival is never a given. He wants his life to stay as normal as possible in a world he no longer understands.Wisp is a fugitive biobot, engineered for a society that no longer exists. He lives off the land, constantly moving, hiding his extrasensory skills. A reluctant warrior, silence and subterfuge keep him alive.Lily is a feral child with long brown hair and eyes the color of ripe cherries. She is searching for her brother after they got separated in a scuffle with mercenaries. She is the result of something that started long before her birth.When these three lives intersect, a chain reaction of death and violence will change the course of the future and threaten the future existence of mankind.A post apocalyptic story with hope.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
297 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Alice Sabo
51 books63 followersAlice Sabo is the author of character-driven stories in multiple genres. Her characters struggle to make the right choices in difficult and often dangerous situations. Whether seeking lost cultures in an unforgiving galaxy or finding a murderer on the streets of LA, her books have strong world building, multi-layered characters and a satisfying culmination.
You can find all her series and the order in which to read them on her website, along with maps and other extras. www.alicesabo.com
You can find all her series and the order in which to read them on her website, along with maps and other extras. www.alicesabo.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 9, 2016
Lethal Seasons is a dystopian novel laced with hope and good people trying to survive. A deadly flu wiped out most of humankind, and every year the virus mutates, taking out more of the survivors. The story centers around one community that is trying to survive in a harsh environment full of severe weather patterns, lawless bandits, and the shady remnants of a government. It's part mystery and part frontier settler. I think fans of Hugh Howey's Wool will love this.
October 29, 2016
I picked up this book because it was free, and said the world had been decimated by a virus. I was confused when weather & climate change played such a big part - the author waits until about halfway in to explain that for decades the climate change had been getting worse before the government sat up & took notice. Then it took a couple more decades to implement infrastructure change to deal with the bad storms. Those changes (like putting power plants & running wires underground; building storm shelters in train stations, schools, large buildings, etc.) is what allows settlements like High Meadow to grow.
Scientists created biobots - originally out of grief, to replace a lost daughter. Biobots are human, but are built and then "awakened" as adults. The creators then pour knowledge into them. Of course the govenment and corporations want them to all be geniuses, but they are basically slaves and that drives some of them crazy, leading to murders. A "mad scientist" creates a virus to kill the biobots - but it ends up killing half of the world's population at the same time. The virus mutates each year, killing more people and animals.
Those that are left band together - some in med centers, like High Meadow. How does mankind survive when we have lost the people who used to know how to grow things, how to make things?
I like the fact that each chapter starts with a sentence or two from a book about the history of the world since Year Zero - written by the man who is the leader of High Meadow. It explains and examines the world our characters live in, without a huge "data dump". I loved the two characters at the center of most of the action - Nick, an FBI agent in the old world, and a biobot named Whisp who has a form of ESP where he can sense people - find them if they are lost; judge their emotions.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction.
Scientists created biobots - originally out of grief, to replace a lost daughter. Biobots are human, but are built and then "awakened" as adults. The creators then pour knowledge into them. Of course the govenment and corporations want them to all be geniuses, but they are basically slaves and that drives some of them crazy, leading to murders. A "mad scientist" creates a virus to kill the biobots - but it ends up killing half of the world's population at the same time. The virus mutates each year, killing more people and animals.
Those that are left band together - some in med centers, like High Meadow. How does mankind survive when we have lost the people who used to know how to grow things, how to make things?
I like the fact that each chapter starts with a sentence or two from a book about the history of the world since Year Zero - written by the man who is the leader of High Meadow. It explains and examines the world our characters live in, without a huge "data dump". I loved the two characters at the center of most of the action - Nick, an FBI agent in the old world, and a biobot named Whisp who has a form of ESP where he can sense people - find them if they are lost; judge their emotions.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction.
October 10, 2021
I made the mistake of picking up Lethal Seasons as an audio offering from Chirp. While the book itself seemed all right, the amateurish narration by Derek Dysart was so awkward I couldn't hear past it to enjoy the story. What's worse is I see that the same narrator reads the entire series.
I would like to try again, with the Kindle version, to see if it's just the narrator or if the writing is awkward too, but I've got so many books in my TBR with great potential, I fear I'll never return to the series after this disappointing start.
Oh well, it was worth a try!
I would like to try again, with the Kindle version, to see if it's just the narrator or if the writing is awkward too, but I've got so many books in my TBR with great potential, I fear I'll never return to the series after this disappointing start.
Oh well, it was worth a try!
December 18, 2018
Loved this post apocalyptic tale & will be reading more of the series very soon.
February 26, 2016
Lethal Seasons tells the story of survival in the aftermath of a deadly virus that has wiped out much of the world’s population. Infrastructure has been left in a state of disrepair and the virus returns more deadly every season – add to this dwindling livestock, destructive weather and children born with altered DNA and you’ve got Lethal Seasons.
While Lethal Seasons touches on various dark subjects ranging from cannibalism to human experimentation, it could appeal to both an adult or young audience. It is largely a character-based book and follows several strands of adventure from the mystery of a young girl’s murder, the origins of the virus and the backstory of the biologically grown, or “printed” humanoid species, the Biobots.
A great deal of thought and creativity has gone into this book, with each chapter introduced by a short extract from a diary that helps you piece together the backstory and impact that the virus has had on humanity.
The story is told at a consistent pace, and you soon get into the flow of the book – which is easy to read and enjoyable. Lethal Seasons is book one of Alice Sabo’s Changed World series, and you do need to consider this while reading it. Not unlike the first episode of a film or TV saga, book one really sets the scene and introduces the characters and despite the hostile environment, you are left with the feeling that the adventure has only just begun.
While Lethal Seasons touches on various dark subjects ranging from cannibalism to human experimentation, it could appeal to both an adult or young audience. It is largely a character-based book and follows several strands of adventure from the mystery of a young girl’s murder, the origins of the virus and the backstory of the biologically grown, or “printed” humanoid species, the Biobots.
A great deal of thought and creativity has gone into this book, with each chapter introduced by a short extract from a diary that helps you piece together the backstory and impact that the virus has had on humanity.
The story is told at a consistent pace, and you soon get into the flow of the book – which is easy to read and enjoyable. Lethal Seasons is book one of Alice Sabo’s Changed World series, and you do need to consider this while reading it. Not unlike the first episode of a film or TV saga, book one really sets the scene and introduces the characters and despite the hostile environment, you are left with the feeling that the adventure has only just begun.
September 7, 2014
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
It took a little while for me to fully engage but I ended up liking this book. It's a post-apocalyptic type story with some good variations on the theme to make it unique. While it does stop at a reasonable point, there are quite a few unanswered questions by the end of the book--I am definitely curious to learn what is in store as the series continues.
It took a little while for me to fully engage but I ended up liking this book. It's a post-apocalyptic type story with some good variations on the theme to make it unique. While it does stop at a reasonable point, there are quite a few unanswered questions by the end of the book--I am definitely curious to learn what is in store as the series continues.
March 22, 2017
In the event of some event causing population decimation this story does touch on a number of problems that the survivors would be faced with. The current loss of many of the small farmers reduces the number of people able to survive off the land. One more reason to pick up a pioneering skill is just for the fun and also the ability to teach someone younger in your family! A very well told story and characters, for the most part, you would enjoy having as friends.
September 24, 2019
Actual Rating 3.5 Stars
Really imaginative story, good worldbuilding but underwhelming character development.
Really imaginative story, good worldbuilding but underwhelming character development.
April 26, 2021
Imagine the apocalypse. The word may conjure up visions of a nuclear holocaust, a killer pandemic, an asteroid collision, or cyberwar so intense that it sets back civilization by a century or more. Usually, when we ponder an apocalyptic future we think of a single, overriding cause—and a change so sudden and total that it seems to occur in an instant. But isn’t a more realistic view of the apocalypse likely to result from a conjunction of several causes that unfold over time? This is the conceit on which Alice Sabo has based the “Changed World” series of five science fiction novels. And in the first of the five, Lethal Seasons, we visit the early days in the death of human civilization.
In Year Zero—”seven years ago”—a madman released a lethal engineered virus around the world. It’s rumored that the man’s intention had been to kill off the androids called biobots that many fear threatened to enslave the human race. But the effect was much greater, reducing global human population by at least forty percent. And every year the “flu” returns, killing millions more.
A realistic view of the apocalypse
“The downsizing of the population left a lot of resources behind, but not enough people to run the factories.” Vaccines released on an annual basis are only marginally effective. Meanwhile, the climate crisis has reached epic proportions, with storms so fierce and persistent and heat waves so intense that much of the human race frequently shelters underground. “There are few left alive that can remember what it was like to pump gas or see skyscrapers.” Because all the schools have closed, “the illiteracy level was rising.” The economy has been set back by centuries: “Money no longer stood for anything of worth.” Among the few basic services that still operate is the Internet, known now as “the ether.” Now, people have fled the cities and towns, and the population of the United States has descended to a level it reached in the middle of the 1800s, an estimated thirty-three million.
Against this grim background, Sabo spins out the story of High Meadow Med Center. It’s located somewhere on the East Coast of the United States. A designated vaccination site in a former high school, High Meadow has become one of the larger communities in its region, with a population of more than one hundred. Its only experience of government is the National Train Authority, which staffs the railroad stations and manages the flow of vaccines and “train food,” two unpalatable varieties of highly nutritious packaged substances called Crunch and Stew-goo.
The future might look like this in any realistic view of the apocalypse.
The resourceful people of High Meadow Med Center
** High Meadow’s aging founder is Angus T. Moss, author of a work in progress titled History of a Changed World. Sabo doles out passages from this work at the head of each chapter. Angus’ wife Tilly manages the struggling community with great skill, making use of the diverse talents of the accidental residents, many of them highly educated in fields that have become irrelevant.
** Several residents, none with any background in farming, till the fields where they attempt with limited success to grow enough food to feed them all. And when storms approach, they’re forced to cover the fields. “Superstorms made short work of crops grown in unprotected fields.” Train food fills the gap.
** Head cook Susan and her team staff the cafeteria, where all the residents receive their meals.
** A former special forces soldier named Martin leads the Watch, which protects the site from marauding bandits.
** Old Dr. Rutledge manages the infirmary with a dwindling supply of drugs, bandages, and antiseptic supplies.
** And a former FBI agent named Nick travels throughout the region as Angus’ scout, searching out data about the impact of the virus and the weather to inform the old man’s history.
Barter, feral bandits, and ever fiercer storms
The action that unfolds centers on Nick’s travels throughout the region. Wherever he goes, he encounters mounting evidence that conditions are deteriorating. “Angus’s settlement was a utopia compared to some of the places he’d seen.” Feral bands of men—including one tribe of cannibals called Maneaters—prey on the tiny communities that survive on barter, trading the specialized goods and services they’re able to offer. And he is unsurprised when he comes upon the body of a murdered adolescent girl in an abandoned house. What’s surprising is that the young woman has managed to kill the man who was presumably her murderer: a heavily armed soldier dressed in black armor. But an even greater surprise lies in the notebooks Nick discovers in the house, which promise to explain the origins of the virus.
About the author
Alice Sabo‘s website headlines “post-apocalyptic, fantasy, science fiction, mystery” to describe the eighteen books listed as her work on Amazon. I am unable to find any additional information about her online.
In Year Zero—”seven years ago”—a madman released a lethal engineered virus around the world. It’s rumored that the man’s intention had been to kill off the androids called biobots that many fear threatened to enslave the human race. But the effect was much greater, reducing global human population by at least forty percent. And every year the “flu” returns, killing millions more.
A realistic view of the apocalypse
“The downsizing of the population left a lot of resources behind, but not enough people to run the factories.” Vaccines released on an annual basis are only marginally effective. Meanwhile, the climate crisis has reached epic proportions, with storms so fierce and persistent and heat waves so intense that much of the human race frequently shelters underground. “There are few left alive that can remember what it was like to pump gas or see skyscrapers.” Because all the schools have closed, “the illiteracy level was rising.” The economy has been set back by centuries: “Money no longer stood for anything of worth.” Among the few basic services that still operate is the Internet, known now as “the ether.” Now, people have fled the cities and towns, and the population of the United States has descended to a level it reached in the middle of the 1800s, an estimated thirty-three million.
Against this grim background, Sabo spins out the story of High Meadow Med Center. It’s located somewhere on the East Coast of the United States. A designated vaccination site in a former high school, High Meadow has become one of the larger communities in its region, with a population of more than one hundred. Its only experience of government is the National Train Authority, which staffs the railroad stations and manages the flow of vaccines and “train food,” two unpalatable varieties of highly nutritious packaged substances called Crunch and Stew-goo.
The future might look like this in any realistic view of the apocalypse.
The resourceful people of High Meadow Med Center
** High Meadow’s aging founder is Angus T. Moss, author of a work in progress titled History of a Changed World. Sabo doles out passages from this work at the head of each chapter. Angus’ wife Tilly manages the struggling community with great skill, making use of the diverse talents of the accidental residents, many of them highly educated in fields that have become irrelevant.
** Several residents, none with any background in farming, till the fields where they attempt with limited success to grow enough food to feed them all. And when storms approach, they’re forced to cover the fields. “Superstorms made short work of crops grown in unprotected fields.” Train food fills the gap.
** Head cook Susan and her team staff the cafeteria, where all the residents receive their meals.
** A former special forces soldier named Martin leads the Watch, which protects the site from marauding bandits.
** Old Dr. Rutledge manages the infirmary with a dwindling supply of drugs, bandages, and antiseptic supplies.
** And a former FBI agent named Nick travels throughout the region as Angus’ scout, searching out data about the impact of the virus and the weather to inform the old man’s history.
Barter, feral bandits, and ever fiercer storms
The action that unfolds centers on Nick’s travels throughout the region. Wherever he goes, he encounters mounting evidence that conditions are deteriorating. “Angus’s settlement was a utopia compared to some of the places he’d seen.” Feral bands of men—including one tribe of cannibals called Maneaters—prey on the tiny communities that survive on barter, trading the specialized goods and services they’re able to offer. And he is unsurprised when he comes upon the body of a murdered adolescent girl in an abandoned house. What’s surprising is that the young woman has managed to kill the man who was presumably her murderer: a heavily armed soldier dressed in black armor. But an even greater surprise lies in the notebooks Nick discovers in the house, which promise to explain the origins of the virus.
About the author
Alice Sabo‘s website headlines “post-apocalyptic, fantasy, science fiction, mystery” to describe the eighteen books listed as her work on Amazon. I am unable to find any additional information about her online.
January 15, 2022
A book about a killer virus, what a great thing to read during the third year of a pandemic. I heeded a recommendation and am glad I did. The murder from the summary was mostly in the background. The biobots and human situations kept my interest. I will read more of the series.
June 3, 2019
This is a very good post-apocalyptic thriller. No zombies here, but a world devastated by a succession of strains of a virus. It is a very plausible world, in which a skeleton government still exists, running a train service and distributing food and medicine to the isolated rebuilding communities. The main threat comes from the breakdown in society, and from roaming gangs of bandits and paramilitaries.
The origin of the virus makes for an intriguing mash-up of sci-fi themes: the virus was developed and released as a terrorist act, supposedly to destroy the biobots that formed a significant part of society before the event, but there is a much more sinister eugenic explanation revealed at the end. These biobots were androids, largely indistinguishable from humans, but often faster, stronger, smarter, hence a threat should they rebel (they are very reminiscent of the biological robots in “RUR” by Karel Capek). The virus has since mutated every year, becoming more lethal each time. Just as some humans survived, so did some more specialist biobots, who are now running free with their own agenda.
Our protagonist, Nick, is an ex-FBI type. He roams the country gathering intelligence for his survivors’ community about possible new markets, new competitors, and new threats. He makes for a plausible and smart action guy who is compelling enough to root for, despite his rough edges. The secondary characters are all well drawn and interesting, the dialogue is sparkling, the action pieces and descriptions are nice and clear. It’s a very pleasant and engaging read.
The story focuses on a crime scene that catches the protagonist’s attention, and leads step by step towards a conspiracy and a search for the virus’ origins and the hope of a cure. The chase is nice and terse in the first half, making a good thriller storyline within a consistent and intricate world. The tension does wobble a little in the second half when the focus on the “bad guys” is replaced by focus on the devastating extreme weather events, and the story comes to a very abrupt end after a few convenient reveals. This is the norm in these series, sadly.
Nevertheless, this is one of the most sophisticated and plausible post apocalyptic novels I’ve come across. It really deserves to be better known. I’ll definitely look out for the sequels.
The origin of the virus makes for an intriguing mash-up of sci-fi themes: the virus was developed and released as a terrorist act, supposedly to destroy the biobots that formed a significant part of society before the event, but there is a much more sinister eugenic explanation revealed at the end. These biobots were androids, largely indistinguishable from humans, but often faster, stronger, smarter, hence a threat should they rebel (they are very reminiscent of the biological robots in “RUR” by Karel Capek). The virus has since mutated every year, becoming more lethal each time. Just as some humans survived, so did some more specialist biobots, who are now running free with their own agenda.
Our protagonist, Nick, is an ex-FBI type. He roams the country gathering intelligence for his survivors’ community about possible new markets, new competitors, and new threats. He makes for a plausible and smart action guy who is compelling enough to root for, despite his rough edges. The secondary characters are all well drawn and interesting, the dialogue is sparkling, the action pieces and descriptions are nice and clear. It’s a very pleasant and engaging read.
The story focuses on a crime scene that catches the protagonist’s attention, and leads step by step towards a conspiracy and a search for the virus’ origins and the hope of a cure. The chase is nice and terse in the first half, making a good thriller storyline within a consistent and intricate world. The tension does wobble a little in the second half when the focus on the “bad guys” is replaced by focus on the devastating extreme weather events, and the story comes to a very abrupt end after a few convenient reveals. This is the norm in these series, sadly.
Nevertheless, this is one of the most sophisticated and plausible post apocalyptic novels I’ve come across. It really deserves to be better known. I’ll definitely look out for the sequels.
September 24, 2014
First of all, I guess I could say that I had quite a few problems with this book.
There was a lot of element that were a bit incoherent. For exemple, the lethal season is about some deadly virus but, somehow, the weather has gone crazy too.
Also, the fact that there's a lot of different characters' point of view from the very beggining made it rather hard for me to connect with the people as well as the story. It was a little hard and long to read at firs but, at some point, it gets more interesting and captivating.
But, I have to say that the lovely characters and there different personalities is, by far, my favorite thing of this book.
There was a lot of element that were a bit incoherent. For exemple, the lethal season is about some deadly virus but, somehow, the weather has gone crazy too.
Also, the fact that there's a lot of different characters' point of view from the very beggining made it rather hard for me to connect with the people as well as the story. It was a little hard and long to read at firs but, at some point, it gets more interesting and captivating.
But, I have to say that the lovely characters and there different personalities is, by far, my favorite thing of this book.
May 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this series- I read all of the books straight through. It was a nice change from a lot of the "typical" apocalypse type books in that no matter how bad things get, there's still hope, and good people trying to survive. I love the quiet tone- while there's no doubt that everyone is in a very bad situation, I enjoyed getting into individual character's heads, and seeing how they're thinking things through. My only real complaint is that the "good" guys are very good...I would have preferred a bit more moral and ethical fuzziness in at least a few of them. Quite an enjoyable read- I definitely wouldn't complain if Ms. Sabo decided to write more of this series.
November 5, 2014
I love the idea of the book and the descriptions of the characters.
The only thing was the short sentences in this novel, which I am not used to, but I would love to read the next books in this series.
The only thing was the short sentences in this novel, which I am not used to, but I would love to read the next books in this series.
November 23, 2014
Soooooo Good!
March 11, 2018
If a book makes me stay up late to get to a “stopping point,” it has something special that really captures my attention. In the last several months, Lethal Seasons by Alice Sabo is one of only a couple that kept me up till 2 a.m. several nights in a row.
A dystopian novel, Lethal Seasons includes familiar elements like a runaway virus, androids (called biobots) with superhuman abilities, climate change, charismatic leaders who are trying to reestablish civilization, and evil gangs trying to destroy it. I admit I don’t seek out dystopian novels—get enough of that from the news—so my opinion isn’t as well informed as it could be. The only thing I see that’s really different in this novel is the use of train stations as a lifeline that supplies rations and vaccine from a largely absent “government” to keep people hanging on to life.
So what about this novel kept me up, whipping through pages on my Kindle? Good grammar, immediate immersion, pace, and character development.
I read, or try to read, a lot of books that are published by small companies or even self-published. One of the problems many have is that the authors never learned grammar and apparently didn’t have an editor. In some cases, I don’t even get through the back-cover blurb before I start grinding my teeth. While I might debate a couple of comma placements, this book didn’t make be grind my teeth once.
Another problem with some books I try to read is that they start way before the story does. I remember being told that when authors have finished a novel, they should throw out the first two chapters. Lethal Seasons starts with a bang and handles part of the problem of backstory partly by using quotations from Angus Moss, the “charismatic leader.” Including those details in a book is completely in character for him. Individual characters’ backstories are revealed a little at a time throughout the novel as they should be.
The pace of the story kept me completely engaged. Downtimes revealed interesting details about how life at High Meadow, a successful settlement of survivors, was maintained.
I immediately liked the main protagonist, Nick, who is the explorer for the settlement who finds other settlements they can trade with. I could identify with Angus, a man probably about my age, who is doing his best to keep a history of events and to prevent the old knowledge. Wisp, a biobot, isn’t the evil or unfeeling character of stereotypes, but a fully-developed human being, albeit a manufactured one. Even many minor characters are sufficiently well drawn to bring them to life.
The night I finished this book, I ordered the sequel before I turned out my light. I’m still thinking about it and am concerned for the wellbeing of the characters almost as if they’re people I know. Lethal Seasons meets my criteria for five stars.
A dystopian novel, Lethal Seasons includes familiar elements like a runaway virus, androids (called biobots) with superhuman abilities, climate change, charismatic leaders who are trying to reestablish civilization, and evil gangs trying to destroy it. I admit I don’t seek out dystopian novels—get enough of that from the news—so my opinion isn’t as well informed as it could be. The only thing I see that’s really different in this novel is the use of train stations as a lifeline that supplies rations and vaccine from a largely absent “government” to keep people hanging on to life.
So what about this novel kept me up, whipping through pages on my Kindle? Good grammar, immediate immersion, pace, and character development.
I read, or try to read, a lot of books that are published by small companies or even self-published. One of the problems many have is that the authors never learned grammar and apparently didn’t have an editor. In some cases, I don’t even get through the back-cover blurb before I start grinding my teeth. While I might debate a couple of comma placements, this book didn’t make be grind my teeth once.
Another problem with some books I try to read is that they start way before the story does. I remember being told that when authors have finished a novel, they should throw out the first two chapters. Lethal Seasons starts with a bang and handles part of the problem of backstory partly by using quotations from Angus Moss, the “charismatic leader.” Including those details in a book is completely in character for him. Individual characters’ backstories are revealed a little at a time throughout the novel as they should be.
The pace of the story kept me completely engaged. Downtimes revealed interesting details about how life at High Meadow, a successful settlement of survivors, was maintained.
I immediately liked the main protagonist, Nick, who is the explorer for the settlement who finds other settlements they can trade with. I could identify with Angus, a man probably about my age, who is doing his best to keep a history of events and to prevent the old knowledge. Wisp, a biobot, isn’t the evil or unfeeling character of stereotypes, but a fully-developed human being, albeit a manufactured one. Even many minor characters are sufficiently well drawn to bring them to life.
The night I finished this book, I ordered the sequel before I turned out my light. I’m still thinking about it and am concerned for the wellbeing of the characters almost as if they’re people I know. Lethal Seasons meets my criteria for five stars.
April 10, 2020
Perhaps I rated it higher than I might have, because it hits home so hard. It is a post apocalyptic tale where the agents of the apocalypse are a combination of climate change and a global pandemic. A novel virus wipes out close to half the world's population, then continues to return annually in various mutated forms and kill more people.
An interesting look at various ways the remnant population copes. A lot of people are banded together in small settlements, mostly around a medical center hub. Some of the settlements are religious, some are autocratic, some focus on individual skill sets. And there are people who just try to take, not make: various thugs, bandits, kidnappers , even some cannibals.
There are various plot holes / unanswered questions. One that kept bothering me was if billions of people were wiped out initially, how did they cope with that many corpses?
The writing is serviceable, not elegant or moving. The main characters are well developed. I especially liked Angus , the leader of the settlement at the center of the book. Angus is the ultimate sane man-- idealistic, caring compassionate, but also hard headed, pragmatic, foresightful and good at problem solving. The world needs more Anguses.
There was an interesting dynamic threading through the book that really reverberated in me in these coronavirus times, the tension between hope and despair, with each more predominant at certain times. It is hopeful that there is Angus and Nick, his right hand man, who both are always working to rescue whom ever they can and build a safe and warm community. It is hopeful that High Meadow exists and keeps surviving and has so many good people in it. And yet though the world is under populated, more each year, and it keeps getting more iffy whether there will be enough people left to keep things going, STILL people keep killing each other off senselessly. The world desperately needs women of child bearing age, but some of them get killed also. You want to keep going why? Why? Why? But that hope vs despair, so much heroism/ so much stupidity, why? Why? is what I live with all the time, so it made the book real and moving.
This was the first in the Changed World series. I will look for more.
An interesting look at various ways the remnant population copes. A lot of people are banded together in small settlements, mostly around a medical center hub. Some of the settlements are religious, some are autocratic, some focus on individual skill sets. And there are people who just try to take, not make: various thugs, bandits, kidnappers , even some cannibals.
There are various plot holes / unanswered questions. One that kept bothering me was if billions of people were wiped out initially, how did they cope with that many corpses?
The writing is serviceable, not elegant or moving. The main characters are well developed. I especially liked Angus , the leader of the settlement at the center of the book. Angus is the ultimate sane man-- idealistic, caring compassionate, but also hard headed, pragmatic, foresightful and good at problem solving. The world needs more Anguses.
There was an interesting dynamic threading through the book that really reverberated in me in these coronavirus times, the tension between hope and despair, with each more predominant at certain times. It is hopeful that there is Angus and Nick, his right hand man, who both are always working to rescue whom ever they can and build a safe and warm community. It is hopeful that High Meadow exists and keeps surviving and has so many good people in it. And yet though the world is under populated, more each year, and it keeps getting more iffy whether there will be enough people left to keep things going, STILL people keep killing each other off senselessly. The world desperately needs women of child bearing age, but some of them get killed also. You want to keep going why? Why? Why? But that hope vs despair, so much heroism/ so much stupidity, why? Why? is what I live with all the time, so it made the book real and moving.
This was the first in the Changed World series. I will look for more.
July 1, 2018
4 strong stars. A much lighter dystopian read than the usual fare and to be honest, a bit of a relief in that regard.
OK, I confess: I first purchased Alice Sabo's book in part because I read she lives in Asheville, NC which is where half of my family originate from or still live. I am pleased to report that she has provided an extremely well-written book that makes you care, truly care, about the characters and their on-going struggles. The writing is very well paced, the chapters excellently divided into decent sections, and I would even say the book is suitable for a wide age group as certainly if books like 'Hunger Games' or 'Divergent' can be classified as Young Adult, then there's no reason this wouldn't also qualify (certainly very few 'adult themes' included if you don't consider deaths that occur owing to gun fights or disease).
To be clear: Sabo's tale is not your normal apocalyptic, zombies attacking, kill or be killed type of tale but instead takes a much more organic approach to how humans will survive if our climate and the ever-growing threat of incurable disease comes to pass. Yes, you can argue that this book only reinforces the realisation that if things do get this bad that our biggest worry will be in surviving the monsters that are man (we are after all bastards covered in bastard sauce). But there is a genuine sense of community developed in this story that comes as a relief after so many other books have focused on only the aspect of how we may just deserve what is happening.
It takes a while for a number of the 'changes' that mankind is now faced with to come to full light. I won't reveal any spoilers but they all wind up fitting very well together. And whereas in some books this approach can be a nagging and even irritating drawback (I just finished one that seemed to forget about a war until 1/3 of the way in), in this case, the 'reveals' or if you will 'tangled webs we weave' work quite well in terms of the flow of the story.
There are so many mysteries left to solve that I'm really looking forward to the second book. We are now emotionally invested in not only the local community, but also in finding out just who else is out there that may give a damn about these people... for better or worse!
OK, I confess: I first purchased Alice Sabo's book in part because I read she lives in Asheville, NC which is where half of my family originate from or still live. I am pleased to report that she has provided an extremely well-written book that makes you care, truly care, about the characters and their on-going struggles. The writing is very well paced, the chapters excellently divided into decent sections, and I would even say the book is suitable for a wide age group as certainly if books like 'Hunger Games' or 'Divergent' can be classified as Young Adult, then there's no reason this wouldn't also qualify (certainly very few 'adult themes' included if you don't consider deaths that occur owing to gun fights or disease).
To be clear: Sabo's tale is not your normal apocalyptic, zombies attacking, kill or be killed type of tale but instead takes a much more organic approach to how humans will survive if our climate and the ever-growing threat of incurable disease comes to pass. Yes, you can argue that this book only reinforces the realisation that if things do get this bad that our biggest worry will be in surviving the monsters that are man (we are after all bastards covered in bastard sauce). But there is a genuine sense of community developed in this story that comes as a relief after so many other books have focused on only the aspect of how we may just deserve what is happening.
It takes a while for a number of the 'changes' that mankind is now faced with to come to full light. I won't reveal any spoilers but they all wind up fitting very well together. And whereas in some books this approach can be a nagging and even irritating drawback (I just finished one that seemed to forget about a war until 1/3 of the way in), in this case, the 'reveals' or if you will 'tangled webs we weave' work quite well in terms of the flow of the story.
There are so many mysteries left to solve that I'm really looking forward to the second book. We are now emotionally invested in not only the local community, but also in finding out just who else is out there that may give a damn about these people... for better or worse!
April 28, 2023
Published in 2014, this book is about a flu that wipes out most of the world. The flu was released on purpose in order to change humanity, make them more intelligent, so they could compete with the highly intelligent biobots. Biobots are human, but not born. They are printed and born as adults. They have superior skills but natural born human were fearful they would be replaced by them.
Good concept, some really good characters. But this could have been such a better story if the author took more time, had a better editor etc.
1. Editing issues, typos etc. Not too many but noticeable.
2. Weather could have and should have been more severe and played upon.
3. Too many characters introduced, and not utilized to their fullest potential
4. Too many leads not followed, questions not asked, and illogical risks taken that were not necessary
5. Why are they not careful about who they accept into their community? Meaning, not quarantining newcomers to limit flu spreading.
The leader of the Med center "Argus" is too over the top. Too happy and excitable, no common sense. His talks are lame and don't seem to come from an educated person that he's supposed to be.
But, if you can overlook most of this, which is possible, it is entertaining, yet a bit too long. The beginning was great, grabbed me and held my attention, but became mundane towards the end.
I'm not sure I want to invest my time in reading the other 3 books. This is KU but the others are not. I might try book 2 and decide after that.
Good concept, some really good characters. But this could have been such a better story if the author took more time, had a better editor etc.
1. Editing issues, typos etc. Not too many but noticeable.
2. Weather could have and should have been more severe and played upon.
3. Too many characters introduced, and not utilized to their fullest potential
4. Too many leads not followed, questions not asked, and illogical risks taken that were not necessary
5. Why are they not careful about who they accept into their community? Meaning, not quarantining newcomers to limit flu spreading.
The leader of the Med center "Argus" is too over the top. Too happy and excitable, no common sense. His talks are lame and don't seem to come from an educated person that he's supposed to be.
But, if you can overlook most of this, which is possible, it is entertaining, yet a bit too long. The beginning was great, grabbed me and held my attention, but became mundane towards the end.
I'm not sure I want to invest my time in reading the other 3 books. This is KU but the others are not. I might try book 2 and decide after that.
August 24, 2018
This came across one of the book list emails at a reduced price of $.99 and as I had some Amazon credit (sure, I can wait a couple more days for no-rush shipping if I have an incentive) so I decided to purchase. I'm glad I did. I enjoy post-apocalyptic tales and this fit the bill. It was an interesting world set-up, some years into survival of storms and a virus which wiped out much of the population, and continues to mutate and take more every year.
It was interesting to see the set-up of the surviving communities. Some mystery government still somewhat functioning, enough to keep trains running (to provide basic food and medication) but other than that, people are on their own. Of course bandits and bad guys always appear.
Biobots are introduced ... interesting to compare the idea here against other "lifelike robots" in other stories.
I'd find myself anxious to continue on with my book, and it went quickly. The next books aren't available at my library or on the Kindle Lending Library plan, so I'll have to buy them if I want to continue. I do want to continue ...
It was interesting to see the set-up of the surviving communities. Some mystery government still somewhat functioning, enough to keep trains running (to provide basic food and medication) but other than that, people are on their own. Of course bandits and bad guys always appear.
Biobots are introduced ... interesting to compare the idea here against other "lifelike robots" in other stories.
I'd find myself anxious to continue on with my book, and it went quickly. The next books aren't available at my library or on the Kindle Lending Library plan, so I'll have to buy them if I want to continue. I do want to continue ...
February 4, 2021
I enjoyed everything about this excellent book - the plot, settings, and characters. This world of the future has a dwindling population and failing infrastructure, caused by the double whammy of a changing climate and a deadly virus. The virus that caused the initial catastrophe is followed annual flu seasons that kill more folks, even with vaccines. The author uses these popular plot devices without once preaching about mankind's irresponsible behavior. This is rare, and I appreciate it. I like to keep my reading of current events and speculative fiction separate. I like an author that writes a great story without explaining its relevance to the reader. Like all the best stories, this is about people adjusting, adapting, learning, and helping others to do the same. Not everyone is a good guy, of course, but this is not a book about the evil in man winning the day. There is hope for a future beyond simple survival, but plenty of obstacles to overcome. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 2, 2018
I was really excited to read this book and it started out a promising tale of a post apocalyptic world. The author kept the story going nicely with enough mystery to make you want to continue on reading, until about half way. The author failed building this world. She had a great idea but not enough talent to make this book as good as it could have been. The characters are just flat. The world imagined became a back drop for poorly executed and never ending “adventures” of a few main characters and a sleuth of minor characters non of which had enough charisma for the reader to love or hate them. Everything in this book is done half way.
I had the intention of reading the rest of the series however it would be a waste of my time. On to something better.
I had the intention of reading the rest of the series however it would be a waste of my time. On to something better.
December 19, 2017
A different dystopian novel
I've read many apocalyptic and dystopian stories but this one takes a fresh approach. It starts a decade after the pandemic began and focuses on one settlement in the wasteland that used to be America. Besides for the questions of how these people are going to survive in this new reality there's the mystery of whether the government is trying help or even cares. The characters are realistic and sympathetic for the most part. I also enjoy the author's writing style and was quickly drawn into the story and wanted to find out what was going to happen next. I will definitely be reading more of the series and probably more books by Alice Sabo.
I've read many apocalyptic and dystopian stories but this one takes a fresh approach. It starts a decade after the pandemic began and focuses on one settlement in the wasteland that used to be America. Besides for the questions of how these people are going to survive in this new reality there's the mystery of whether the government is trying help or even cares. The characters are realistic and sympathetic for the most part. I also enjoy the author's writing style and was quickly drawn into the story and wanted to find out what was going to happen next. I will definitely be reading more of the series and probably more books by Alice Sabo.
April 7, 2018
An Amazing View of a Post Apocalyptic America
This story started very slowly but by the middle of gripped me and would not let go. That climate change could be so deadly does not surprise me as we are already seeing devastating storms one after the other. That someone would be crazy enough to design a killer virus is also not a surprise seeing that there are currently chemicals and nerve gases in this world designed to kill. The people who are left struggle to survive in a bleak world. Nick and his friends make a very interesting read.
This story started very slowly but by the middle of gripped me and would not let go. That climate change could be so deadly does not surprise me as we are already seeing devastating storms one after the other. That someone would be crazy enough to design a killer virus is also not a surprise seeing that there are currently chemicals and nerve gases in this world designed to kill. The people who are left struggle to survive in a bleak world. Nick and his friends make a very interesting read.
November 17, 2019
Well worth reading!
I have have had a lack of good books to read, recently. I found this and stumbled into a wonderful story. Yes it deals with a very arduous saga but the characters I fell in love with. In this situation, post apocalypse, the tone good have been horrific but the people were good and decent, rallying to make the best of the situation. I wouldn't mind living there! Of course, the reality would be not something to run to but if the event happened this would be the place to be. I liked the interesting twists and turns. Very worth reading.
I have have had a lack of good books to read, recently. I found this and stumbled into a wonderful story. Yes it deals with a very arduous saga but the characters I fell in love with. In this situation, post apocalypse, the tone good have been horrific but the people were good and decent, rallying to make the best of the situation. I wouldn't mind living there! Of course, the reality would be not something to run to but if the event happened this would be the place to be. I liked the interesting twists and turns. Very worth reading.
April 26, 2019
Excellent dystopian tale...
My favorite thing about this well written book is that despite the decimation due to a virus, the author manages to convey hope for those who survive and live in high Med. Characters are well developed, and while a bit too ‘perfect’ they draw you into their story. She keeps the story moving with revolving characters in the form of refugees and I anticipate some good twists. I’ve already bought book 2...
My favorite thing about this well written book is that despite the decimation due to a virus, the author manages to convey hope for those who survive and live in high Med. Characters are well developed, and while a bit too ‘perfect’ they draw you into their story. She keeps the story moving with revolving characters in the form of refugees and I anticipate some good twists. I’ve already bought book 2...
July 18, 2020
What if over 75% of the population was eradicated and continued doing so for over 10 years? Would the survivors be able to be self sufficient? Would they have the skills and knowledge to keep going? After a deadly virus destroys much of the world, the survivors are left to do just that. This book is about surviving the aftermath, extreme weather conditions, a virus that continues to mutate and targets people and animals all the while escaping from bandit. Was a great read.
September 7, 2020
A slow draw that turns into avid interest best describes this novel. Performed nicely by Derek Dysart. I thought it would end in a cliffhanger but the end offered up a ‘next phase’ in a way which wasn’t totally unsatisfactory. I would’ve preferred a definite end but this is sci-if and I’m learning that isn’t how they write. If it had been forthcoming, I would’ve given it 5* ... Oh, well ... Derek Dysart gives an excellent reading.
March 21, 2022
This is a solid dystopian post-apocalypse novel. Some of the world-building base seems a little too out there, but the story is well-written enough that I'm willing to go along with the super-railroads and the biobots.
The settlement is a bit utopian, but the characters still read as very engaging with a story that mixes survival and mystery, and as a solid opening to a series came to a conclusion which still left room to further explore the world and journey with the characters met.
The settlement is a bit utopian, but the characters still read as very engaging with a story that mixes survival and mystery, and as a solid opening to a series came to a conclusion which still left room to further explore the world and journey with the characters met.
June 24, 2018
Just started this 3 book series. I love dystopian fantasy. And have done since I first read The Postman from David Brin in the mid 80s.
Alice Sabo has done a great job on her Changed World Series. The plot was well thought through and was a page turner for me. I stayed up late finishing the book and immediately bought books 2 and 3.
Alice Sabo has done a great job on her Changed World Series. The plot was well thought through and was a page turner for me. I stayed up late finishing the book and immediately bought books 2 and 3.
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