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Cascade #1
Survive
Being locked in a military cell was Zach’s world, until the world ended.
A group of ex-military try to survive and make sense of a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by unimaginable creatures, while dealing with their own dark pasts.
A group of ex-military try to survive and make sense of a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by unimaginable creatures, while dealing with their own dark pasts.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 9, 2018
Interesting story -- Nonexistent editing
I enjoyed the story, but reading this was painful. I wonder if the author knows what "edit" means. I don't think I've ever seen more misspelled words, missing word, or even wrong words (assignation instead of assassination was one of several). I was genuinely interested in the fate of the characters, but was left wanting. I hope the author's future works are better, but I don't have the courage to read them to find out...
I enjoyed the story, but reading this was painful. I wonder if the author knows what "edit" means. I don't think I've ever seen more misspelled words, missing word, or even wrong words (assignation instead of assassination was one of several). I was genuinely interested in the fate of the characters, but was left wanting. I hope the author's future works are better, but I don't have the courage to read them to find out...
October 30, 2016
We start out with each of our heroes being released from their cells. They are in the same maximum security prison in New Mexico but from different floors. They all think it’s a joke until they realize something is horribly wrong. Abbey is the first to be release and to face her monster. Cal, Michael, Zach, Fiona and Ray make it out of the prison and to a small town after being ambushed by a “Harmadillo” as they start calling it, a cross between a horse and an armadillo.
There they find transport and a cop that is injured. He gives them some information on what is being called the “Cascade,” their term for the end of the world. He ends up joining them after they stay the night in the hotel room he had holed up in. Jacob decides to go with them and they make it to another town before they are ambushed by werewolf looking things. There they take in a kid named Dee who had been hiding in his father’s office for over a month.
It’s been just a few months shy since the shit hit the fan and they are all surviving the best they know how. When Jacob, Zach and Dee go on a run to a hardware store and Dee’s house to search for his parents, they run across a conspiracy theorist who invites them back to his house. They make it back to the office building in order to help take out a bunch of the werewolf things that had made it inside and were attacking the others. They stay at the mans house a couple nights before accepting the terms that General Trow has offered from the survival camp in Austin.
They leave the house early in order to make it to their pick up point but walk into an ambush by amphibians. Shit hits the fan and gets worse for them, loosing one of their team in the process of the pick up.
I think it’s safe to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE dystopian and post-apocalyptic books, regardless of zombies or not. While this might be a dystopian, post apocalyptic book, it does NOT have zombies. I am loving this take on an apocalyptic world. Zombies, plagues and viruses are something that are always the reasons behind most of these types of books.
This book features a different type of apocalypse: animals evolving at rapid rates. Humans are now on the bottom of the food chain rather than at the top. It’s a refreshing take on a very active genre! I can’t wait to read the second book in this series!
While it is a good storyline and the author is good at writing, it does NEED editing. There are misplaced words, slipped words, spelling errors and a few general mistakes that need to be edited. This book just released back in August and the reviews aren’t looking good for it because of the editing issues. I think once it gets edited, then the reviews would be better. Overall a good story despite these errors.
(Taken from my blog Book Thoughts 'n Things)
There they find transport and a cop that is injured. He gives them some information on what is being called the “Cascade,” their term for the end of the world. He ends up joining them after they stay the night in the hotel room he had holed up in. Jacob decides to go with them and they make it to another town before they are ambushed by werewolf looking things. There they take in a kid named Dee who had been hiding in his father’s office for over a month.
It’s been just a few months shy since the shit hit the fan and they are all surviving the best they know how. When Jacob, Zach and Dee go on a run to a hardware store and Dee’s house to search for his parents, they run across a conspiracy theorist who invites them back to his house. They make it back to the office building in order to help take out a bunch of the werewolf things that had made it inside and were attacking the others. They stay at the mans house a couple nights before accepting the terms that General Trow has offered from the survival camp in Austin.
They leave the house early in order to make it to their pick up point but walk into an ambush by amphibians. Shit hits the fan and gets worse for them, loosing one of their team in the process of the pick up.
I think it’s safe to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE dystopian and post-apocalyptic books, regardless of zombies or not. While this might be a dystopian, post apocalyptic book, it does NOT have zombies. I am loving this take on an apocalyptic world. Zombies, plagues and viruses are something that are always the reasons behind most of these types of books.
This book features a different type of apocalypse: animals evolving at rapid rates. Humans are now on the bottom of the food chain rather than at the top. It’s a refreshing take on a very active genre! I can’t wait to read the second book in this series!
While it is a good storyline and the author is good at writing, it does NEED editing. There are misplaced words, slipped words, spelling errors and a few general mistakes that need to be edited. This book just released back in August and the reviews aren’t looking good for it because of the editing issues. I think once it gets edited, then the reviews would be better. Overall a good story despite these errors.
(Taken from my blog Book Thoughts 'n Things)
February 27, 2018
Fabulous First
I've been told I'm a hard critic and I don't disagree. A 5 star rating from me is rare. Then again I average 2-3 books a week and have read books from every genre depending on what's trending or where my heads at and I absolutely love reading! I love reading good books even more and in my opinion great reads are hard to find in any genre. I say these things about how I view books and rate them because to me a 3 star book is a good book I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Anything above that is definitely worth reading and potentially even re-reading. This is one of those books and to find out that this was the author's first book makes me even more excited about reading the next in this series. The characters are engaging, the story's well thought out and it's definitely one of those books that's hard to put down. If this is just the start I really can't wait to get going on the next!
I've been told I'm a hard critic and I don't disagree. A 5 star rating from me is rare. Then again I average 2-3 books a week and have read books from every genre depending on what's trending or where my heads at and I absolutely love reading! I love reading good books even more and in my opinion great reads are hard to find in any genre. I say these things about how I view books and rate them because to me a 3 star book is a good book I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Anything above that is definitely worth reading and potentially even re-reading. This is one of those books and to find out that this was the author's first book makes me even more excited about reading the next in this series. The characters are engaging, the story's well thought out and it's definitely one of those books that's hard to put down. If this is just the start I really can't wait to get going on the next!
July 7, 2019
Really needs editing. Serious editing.
First sentence:
Abbey's cell door opened once per week at 5pm, when the guards would take her to a slightly larger area to stretch her legs.
Does that make sense? Once a DAY, or 'on Fridays' but not once a week at 5pm. I should have stopped reading right there, but I carried on until I read this (which is supposed to be a radio announcement by the government. (It's in capital letters, but that also made no sense - how do capital letters come across on the radio??)
"THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. AN EPIDEMIC HAS HIT ANIMAL LIFE AND IS CAUSING MANY ANIMALS TO CHANGE. THIS CHANGE IS CAUSING THEM TO ATTACK HUMANS. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR HOMES AND WAIT FOR FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS JULY , TWENTY-THIRD."
Come ON!!!! This is meant to be a government announcement? It reads like it's been written by a child. At this point I realised I could take no more.
First sentence:
Abbey's cell door opened once per week at 5pm, when the guards would take her to a slightly larger area to stretch her legs.
Does that make sense? Once a DAY, or 'on Fridays' but not once a week at 5pm. I should have stopped reading right there, but I carried on until I read this (which is supposed to be a radio announcement by the government. (It's in capital letters, but that also made no sense - how do capital letters come across on the radio??)
"THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. AN EPIDEMIC HAS HIT ANIMAL LIFE AND IS CAUSING MANY ANIMALS TO CHANGE. THIS CHANGE IS CAUSING THEM TO ATTACK HUMANS. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR HOMES AND WAIT FOR FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS JULY , TWENTY-THIRD."
Come ON!!!! This is meant to be a government announcement? It reads like it's been written by a child. At this point I realised I could take no more.
November 8, 2020
I will preface by saying that I would not say that I like the end-of-the-world genre; however, every now and again, I need something besides my preferred reading. I liked the main characters in this book. I became invested in their fates.
Do I hate death and destruction? Of course, I do. But when humans kill advanced evolution, man-killing insects, birds, werewolves, etc.--go for it, humans!
The author has me hooked on needing to know the fates of the characters.
The editing and military stuff needs work. However, since I'm not an editor and didn't serve in the forces, I just read the story into the wee hours of the morning until oops, cannot tell you, that's all folks.
Read the book.
Do I hate death and destruction? Of course, I do. But when humans kill advanced evolution, man-killing insects, birds, werewolves, etc.--go for it, humans!
The author has me hooked on needing to know the fates of the characters.
The editing and military stuff needs work. However, since I'm not an editor and didn't serve in the forces, I just read the story into the wee hours of the morning until oops, cannot tell you, that's all folks.
Read the book.
May 19, 2022
Three stars is really a bit generous, but I did enjoy the book. The grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and other issues are out of control. I really can't believe I finished a book with so many mistakes from beginning to end. It isn't just bad grammar, some sentences and passages are so poorly written that I didn't understand what the author was trying to say. I also noticed frequent continuity errors and contradictory information sprinkled throughout the book. However, the concepts and story are very interesting and I even felt for the characters. I think that's why I finished the book despite the writing errors. Well developed and relatable characters trump grammar and sentence structure. Although I was really leaning towards 2 stars, I added the 3rd because the important components of an interesting story are all present. I didn't want to discourage the author either, and I sincerely hope he finds a good editor. His work could go from 'readable' to 'excellent.'
June 9, 2019
Interesting storyline. Insects and animals have evolved quickly while humans haven't. They are a threat to humanity which is hanging on by a thread as humanity has quickly fallen to the bottom of the food chain.
What caused this cascade to happen? Was it manmade, or alien interference?
It's a book of survival in an extremely hostile environment, redemption, grit and impossible creatures.
Parts of this novel doesn't make sense, like where did they get eggs to eat since
There are no chicken or egg laying animals - all have turned into terrible monsters
Eggs only have a 3 to 5 week shelf life in the refrigerator
It's been several months since the event happened.
There are some editing errors but it is an engaging read.
What caused this cascade to happen? Was it manmade, or alien interference?
It's a book of survival in an extremely hostile environment, redemption, grit and impossible creatures.
Parts of this novel doesn't make sense, like where did they get eggs to eat since
There are no chicken or egg laying animals - all have turned into terrible monsters
Eggs only have a 3 to 5 week shelf life in the refrigerator
It's been several months since the event happened.
There are some editing errors but it is an engaging read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2025
A post apocalyptic novel with an interesting start but goes in a somewhat daft direction.
A group of military prisoners (ie skilled) find all their prison doors open and find themselves in a post apocalyptic world where normal creatures have evolved into something….else.
So, our new gang venture into a mainly devastated world where evolved creatures want to kill them, mankind is no longer the dominant species. No real explanation or logic (Why would something small grow so big etc).
Interesting premise re the characters and their skill sets, but the scenario is just daft. I won’t be bothering with any more.
A group of military prisoners (ie skilled) find all their prison doors open and find themselves in a post apocalyptic world where normal creatures have evolved into something….else.
So, our new gang venture into a mainly devastated world where evolved creatures want to kill them, mankind is no longer the dominant species. No real explanation or logic (Why would something small grow so big etc).
Interesting premise re the characters and their skill sets, but the scenario is just daft. I won’t be bothering with any more.
August 13, 2017
I took a chance on this book and am so glad that I did! The premise is interesting, and the action is great. The author makes you care about the characters (which is a must for me) so that you really care about what happens to them. CAN NOT WAIT to read the second book in the series, so glad its already available. Note: there's several grammatical errors that a good editor could fix, but they don't take away from an exciting new series.
July 7, 2019
Survive is not your typical post-apocalyptical thriller. While it is action packed it provides a brief but detailed back story to the main characters who are all prisoners of a military prison. The story moves along at a good pace and includes just enough suspense and anticipation to keep you from putting it down for any reason - like food or sleep. Ditto all the other comments regarding proofreading.
March 28, 2024
Yes but no.
Survive is Book 1 of the Cascade Series. It would appear it should be read in order.
I enjoyed this book. It's a different presentation with a different twist every other page. There are places where the descriptions are verbose. The poor editing was annoying and distracting.
It's got moderate cursing and no intimate violence. Due to mature content, I would only recommend for 16+.
Survive is Book 1 of the Cascade Series. It would appear it should be read in order.
I enjoyed this book. It's a different presentation with a different twist every other page. There are places where the descriptions are verbose. The poor editing was annoying and distracting.
It's got moderate cursing and no intimate violence. Due to mature content, I would only recommend for 16+.
April 16, 2026
Made it to page 88 before I quit due to poor writing: Missing words in sentences, wrong things, etc. The missing words are pervasive. Example: The character opened the hubcap and stuck a tube in to measure gas tank level. The fluid was brown, therefore it was full or quarter full. A hubcap has nothing to do with the gas cap or gas tank. Fuel is not brown. How would they know how full or empty a gas tank is from inserting a tube for siphoning? Things just don’t make sense!
December 11, 2017
Intense!
Started off with a bang and never let that intensity slow down!
So many unexpected twists and turns, but what a fantastic ride. Am looking forward to reading this series.
For this being his first novel, you will not be disappointed! Fabulous take on one of my favourite genres.
Well done!!!
Started off with a bang and never let that intensity slow down!
So many unexpected twists and turns, but what a fantastic ride. Am looking forward to reading this series.
For this being his first novel, you will not be disappointed! Fabulous take on one of my favourite genres.
Well done!!!
April 7, 2018
Good plot and moves fast
I would have given this a much higher rating if the editing were better. Although I liked the character development and plot, the typos and garbled wording was distracting. I will most likely read the next book in the series, but if this problem has not been corrected I will not continue.
I would have given this a much higher rating if the editing were better. Although I liked the character development and plot, the typos and garbled wording was distracting. I will most likely read the next book in the series, but if this problem has not been corrected I will not continue.
September 10, 2018
Compelling adventure
Well written. Unlike some books, this author did not over do the creatures. He made them frightening without making them ridiculous, believable but terrifying. The characters survive by word and skills rather than silly superhuman ninja powers. I look forward to reading about their continued adventures.
Well written. Unlike some books, this author did not over do the creatures. He made them frightening without making them ridiculous, believable but terrifying. The characters survive by word and skills rather than silly superhuman ninja powers. I look forward to reading about their continued adventures.
January 5, 2019
A gripping and exciting read
I had a lot of fun with this one end of the world story for change no zombies or sunspots or EMP something different. This first book was an introduction to the characters and the premise. Well written well plotted well developed and I can't wait to read more
I had a lot of fun with this one end of the world story for change no zombies or sunspots or EMP something different. This first book was an introduction to the characters and the premise. Well written well plotted well developed and I can't wait to read more
June 16, 2019
If you can get over the spelling and grammatical errors, This book was a new kind of apocalyptic story. It has such a great idea of the world needing to fight a new kind of terror. Not exactly knowing how this new threat came about, a group of people need to find their way to safety and figure out what's happened in the world. Good twist, not zombie, but a fun new survival story.
May 11, 2020
Great Plot
I really liked this story. Characters were fleshed out enough that you cared about them without going into too many details. Only problem with all books is they end. I know the author has continued the series with 7 more books. If the rest are written the same way, should have enjoyment for a while. And there is no reason to think otherwise.
I really liked this story. Characters were fleshed out enough that you cared about them without going into too many details. Only problem with all books is they end. I know the author has continued the series with 7 more books. If the rest are written the same way, should have enjoyment for a while. And there is no reason to think otherwise.
December 22, 2020
Well done book
This is a new spin on the apocylpse, A cascade happens and a very large percentage of the animal life mutated into a life form that they may have been in a million years. Of course place humanity in the middle of that and boom a whole bunch of dead animals and humans.. but dang it is a good read ..
This is a new spin on the apocylpse, A cascade happens and a very large percentage of the animal life mutated into a life form that they may have been in a million years. Of course place humanity in the middle of that and boom a whole bunch of dead animals and humans.. but dang it is a good read ..
January 5, 2023
Different take on Armageddon
Definitely different take on the end-of-the-world scenarios. Nature run amok, with the animals morphing into true alpha predators. Character development was excellent with enough mysteries remaining to allow for future discoveries. I'll definitely be getting the next books in the series!
Definitely different take on the end-of-the-world scenarios. Nature run amok, with the animals morphing into true alpha predators. Character development was excellent with enough mysteries remaining to allow for future discoveries. I'll definitely be getting the next books in the series!
March 21, 2023
A book you cannot put down
Phil Maxey writes books that you can't put down.
Great plotlines that keep on developing throughout the books, great character development and characters that you care about.
Whenever I read one of Phil's books I know that I am in for a really great read.
Phil Maxey writes books that you can't put down.
Great plotlines that keep on developing throughout the books, great character development and characters that you care about.
Whenever I read one of Phil's books I know that I am in for a really great read.
September 10, 2023
Help me read more books
A fairly decent apocalypse story. It works angles I don't think I've seen in other stories of this kind, so it's kind of a refreshing view, though it's far from original, it does have some interesting mechanics that make the story rather unique. I liked this one, and will likely read more in the series.
A fairly decent apocalypse story. It works angles I don't think I've seen in other stories of this kind, so it's kind of a refreshing view, though it's far from original, it does have some interesting mechanics that make the story rather unique. I liked this one, and will likely read more in the series.
September 30, 2025
The concept of this was good but the writing felt like the author wrote the draft and then decided that was good enough and published it. There was very little development in all departments and the ‘cliff hanger’ at the end felt like a cheap grab to get people to continue reading. Which I will not be doing.
February 7, 2017
Good Story Idea But Needs Editting Badly
I pushed to finish this book but the grammatical errors almost made me give up. There-their-they're. Hold-holed. Really needs some work.
I pushed to finish this book but the grammatical errors almost made me give up. There-their-they're. Hold-holed. Really needs some work.
August 6, 2017
Good story, but has language that some would find unacceptable. I especially enjoyed the characters in the first half of the book. Characters towards the end were there to set the stage for the next book which I am anxious to read!
September 16, 2017
Good
The end of the world. Some inmates were released, they thought is this a joke, actually people were dead all around them.
Animal mutated winged creatures were killing of mankind
This is sci-fi.
They were brought together to hopefully find more civilians alive.
The end of the world. Some inmates were released, they thought is this a joke, actually people were dead all around them.
Animal mutated winged creatures were killing of mankind
This is sci-fi.
They were brought together to hopefully find more civilians alive.
October 10, 2017
It kept my attention
I liked the plot and storyline very much. My only critique would be that the author tells what is going on instead of having the reader feel what is going on or experience what is going on. Still a very good read.
I liked the plot and storyline very much. My only critique would be that the author tells what is going on instead of having the reader feel what is going on or experience what is going on. Still a very good read.
March 20, 2018
Great book
Enjoyed this book very much. Great new take on the apocalypse. This author did a good job with making the characters becoming close together and to me that makes the story even better. On to the second book.
Enjoyed this book very much. Great new take on the apocalypse. This author did a good job with making the characters becoming close together and to me that makes the story even better. On to the second book.
March 30, 2018
I am glad it doesn't have Zombies... but it DOES have E.L.F.'s [Evolved Life Forms]
the cascade, an evolutionary event that happens exponentially.... run-away evolution.
i liked it enough to buy the next in the series.
the cascade, an evolutionary event that happens exponentially.... run-away evolution.
i liked it enough to buy the next in the series.
May 7, 2018
The author came up with an interesting cause of the apocalypse. I'm not sure I bought the ease with which these ex-military ex-cons got along. I did enjoy the book's start. I found it worth the time to read it. If you are an end-of-the-world story fan, this one works well enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews