What's Left of My World

What's Left of My World #1

by C.A. Rudolph

From the back

Lauren Russell often wondered why her father had been so adamant about teaching her skills that most other fathers wouldn’t even consider teaching their daughters. Ever since she was little, she had been taught how to live and survive outdoors, and how to use firearms to protect herself and those around her. Some of the training had been a bit extreme. Or had it been?Many of her questions were answered the day the world as she knew it ended. Now, the skills she had been taught serve an essential purpose. They keep her and those she cares about alive.Even in the sparsely-populated mountains of West Virginia, where she and her family have been forced to relocate for their safety after the collapse, peril lurks around every corner. Normal life has taken on a whole new meaning for Lauren, her family, and the community they have become a part of. In this different world, the new status quo is self-preservation. There is no more middle ground. People either live, or they die.Lauren’s father didn’t make it home on the day the world changed forever, and she misses him more than anything. Now, in What’s Left of My World, she and her family must learn to endure life’s horrors—without him.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Fiction, Amazon, Survival, Science Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2016

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

No thanks!

Did a robot download a dictionary and write this shitty book? These terrible books give male writers a bad name. Go ahead and describe the gun in such detail, but never say what the people look like. Nice job. And when your attacked by a rapist with a machete and your daughter is about to be raped and killed, let's sternly give her a lecture involving no emotion or touching of any kind. And all the women in the story are just follow commands and never show a wink of humanity.
I have finished some god awful books. But I just can not continue past %20 on this flaming bag of poop. %20 in and so far you the reader have no idea what causes the apocalypse! The only time I felt any emotion from this author, aside from his cold gun descriptions was discovering the beer. Zero feelings.
Ok so pushed myself to 60% and I can't push any further... there was more detail in the sadistic rape and torture scenes, which screams. Nope. No thanks.
if you enjoy all that, then this guy is for you!

[Cheryl Medley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope, not my kind of book. I couldn't get through it, the authors politics showed through. I quit when I got to liberals caused all the problems, vaccinations are poison, etc, etc... didn't need to read anymore. Returned the book

[Gena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Normally I would like an apocalyptic story, especially one that can pull off a more realistic approach, you know, no zombies, but as much as I tried to get into this, I had a hard time. It seemed that the author wanted to do little more than push the importance of guns for the whole story. I'm all about some guns, but he takes away from the storyline, the character development and family relationships and focuses to much on having a gun and knowing how to shoot.

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t even finish the book. Not only is the writing pretty cheesy (for instance, the conversations are very unnatural and obviously were written to give us back story, not a realistic view of their dialogue), but I have never had to read so many pages of gun descriptions in my life. Not a page went by without a description of a gun. I skimmed ahead, and sure enough it seemed to only get worse.
This is the first post-apocalyptic novel that I’ve ever given up on.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly interesting book, but I don't really like books that have flashbacks in them, especially when they seem contrived.

It is a story of a family's survival after "the collapse", which appears to be an EMP (but we never really find out). If you are bothered by talk of guns & ammo, you will not enjoy this book. The author seems obsessed with describing each & every gun that the characters have, usually in long detail. Also, there is a lot of profanity, which doesn't really add to the story at all.

The last chapter before the Epilogue is actually the best one. Very action packed & emotional.....Lauren finally seems to be a real person in this chapter.

The premise is a good one, but I have read other EMP survival books that are much better. Also, the Epilogue isn't really an epilogue at all....it's actually a prologue since it is describing what happened before the rest of the book.

I was given an Audible version of this book by the narrator & chose to review it.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars - English ebook - I have dyslexia -
- our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily live too often as if we take our family for granted. - Paul Pearsall -
There was a colapse of the world, no electricity, all computers down, if you where not a prepper you and your family had a big problem. Lauren kicks as in this book. She is trown into adult live at eighteen because of a events. And the are big problems. Made me realize how blessed I am at the moment.
Surely would love to read the other two novels in this series:
This we will defend
We won't go quietly
- she need to know what was going on sooner than that. Something inside her told her that she needed to investigate - 🦋🌸😀🌹

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was generally a good story. I like that the main character is female, however, while she is portrayed as very careful and well prepared, she seems to trust a stranger too easily and then foolishly badly sprains her ankle. The DHS bad guys are not uncommon now in this genre, but the concentration camp allusions were a bit over the top. The story was also told with a lot of flashbacks which were mostly distracting, especially the one that was titled as the "Epilogue". It ends with the main character's experience on the first day. Sort of let the air all out of that balloon. Not sure if this is a standalone or a series but it left a lot of unanswered questions.

[Leisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. While it wasn’t the best written book I’ve read and there are areas that could have been done differently, it’s far from the worst. I found it to be an easy read it definitely kept me interested and I’m keen to get started on the next one.

[Gaby Ah! · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, I couldn’t get over that beginning. It was written in such a mechanical way that all the characters didn't seem like real people at all. Maybe if I kept reading I'd learn more about them, but from what I read I don't think this story is going to be for me.
The author describes in detail the type of gun the characters have, what shoulder they fling it on, how they aim it, how they remove the safety, ect. and yet I still don't know what the characters look like. Obviously the athor loves guns and what he chooses to include in his books reflect that.
Plus, thanks to that introduction bit where the author describes his intention with the book, I couldn't see the story as something more than a self gratifying ''what if'' post-apocalyptic fantasy. The whole family was modeled after his own and to me that made it weird.
The main character and her mother are only alive after the collapse because of the family’s father, and I appreciate that he taught them what they know about survival, but it seems like even though the father/author isn't part of the story(at least in the beginning), it still revolves around him and how thankful his family is to him for their survival. It takes away credit from the actual survivors and gives it to someone who's not even there. Did they take any decision by themselves? I won't ever know because I have no intention of finishing this.

[Chessy The Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Russell isn’t your typical young woman. Her father has seen that she was taught from a very young age the art of survival. Those skills will be put to the test after a catastrophe strikes forcing them to relocate without her dad into a remote valley in the mountains. Will they be enough to help keep her family and friends safe?

Rudolph’s first novel in the What’s Left of My World Series, What’s Left of My World: A Story of a Family’s Survival starts after the family has relocated. It’s a bit slow and I had a hard time getting engaged in the story. The protagonist, Lauren is very intense. She has good instincts but sometimes she’s impulsive.

The book has several flashback chapters which break up the flow and disrupts the storyline. As I’ve already started book two this seems to be the author’s style of writing. While it is fairly well edited there were problems with the use of possessiveness.

Overall it is okay. Definitely not 5-star worthy though.

3 out of 5 stars.

[cassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My usual read is fantasy, romance, etc. but this captivated me like no other! I’ve read the entire series, the knowledge and details made this easy for me to imagine and get lost inside my head.

I really enjoyed this and can’t recommend it enough!! Incredible writing and an even better storyline!

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good start

I liked this introduction, how the world as we know it ends is well depicted.
Now for the next installment of Lauren and Maddie's stories.

[JenBsBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reminded me a lot of another "survival" story I read recently ... The Unraveling: Book 1 of the Bound to Survive Series. I commented in my review there, that it seemed more like a reference, self-help book than a novel. This had a similar feel, although maybe not quite as extreme. Still, not written like a good story. The dialog/text was very unnatural and odd, using words that aren't commonly used this way, not by the norm anyway. (Lauren would not stop persisting... He began divulging... Michelle's countenance began to show signs that she had finally started to relax... This is our tribulation ...) The mansplaining - all the gun info, explaining that ammo is finite, step-by-step details of gun assembly, building a fire ... there are time I appreciate information, especially when it's stuff I don't know, but this was too technical. Made it hard to get lost in the story.

Some of the profanity felt forced ... I was listening to the audio edition (I received it free in exchange for an honest review) but went to make a note in the Kindle copy (which is part of Kindle Unlimited, so I had access to it too) and I noticed that the f-bomb was NOT in the print (at least where I was looking, it was elsewhere throughout the book). I'm wondering if the original copy was given to the narrator to create the audiobook, and then the author got some feedback and toned it down a bit, and I had an updated Kindle copy. That or the narrator was really feeling it and threw the profanity in on his own! It happened again with the word "retarded" which was used twice. The second time I went to make a note, that many find it too offensive and ... it wasn't in my Kindle text ("idiot" had been used instead).

The narrator was okay. He'd have some odd pauses and emphasis that would throw me. As Lauren was pretty much the main character, I wonder if a younger female reader would have been better. It was 3rd person so it doesn't really matter, but I think maybe I would have connected a bit more.

At one point, the author recaps something that just happened last chapter (yes ... I know, I just read that part) and another time, gives a tiny recap of a rather important event, not really a recap, because that was the only information we were given about it (when really it should have had it's own portion in the book, not just a "oh yea, that happened" between characters talking.)

We were mainly following Lauren, and her "family" group ... but then there was a side story about Faith. Ummmm, WHY did we hear about her? It had nothing to do with the main storyline. I assume they come together in future books? Also the Epilogue ... it went to BEFORE the book started. There had been some flashbacks in the book, this was right to the EMP. I just wasn't sure why it was included, or though perhaps it would have been better as a preface? Again, I'm thinking perhaps it's setting something up for sequels (Maddie, Lauren's best friend plays a part there, but isn't in the rest of the story. I also had to laugh a little when Lauren asks Maddie "haven't you read any books about this type of thing" (meaning end of the world type stuff) and she replies that she only reads novels and "nothing like this ever happens in books I've read" ... she's apparently NOT reading the same books I am! *Ü*

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple times, I wanted to return this book to make room for others I wanted to read, since it took me so long to get to it. And, while I resisted the urge, I'm not sure it was worth the sacrifice. It's a decent story sure, but it seems to be told backwards. The epilogue should by all rights be a prologue, or perhaps the first chapter, with a bit more filler between that and the actual first chapter. The story isn't too bad as apolypse stories go, but the glimpse of the next book we get at the end of this one seems to indicate the whole going backwards thing continues. I'm a bit puzzled at this process, but whatever works I guess.
If you like post apocalyptic stories, then this one is one you won't mind having on your read shelf, but if you want it to make chronological sense, I'd say read the epilogue first, then go back to chapter 1 and begin reading again from there, it will make a lot more sense that way.

[Tim Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, really enjoyed.

Good post-apocalyptic tale of survival. Not my favorite, but good enough to break my reader's block. Enjoy and HAPPY READING!!!
Tim

[Amber Bedgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm an avid listener to this genre and I feel like the theme is a little played out right now because it’s so popular but Rudolph really gives it a different spin with the characters and the shock value of events.

We start out with Lauren, a young woman out on her own, hiking local trails to scout for her family's safety. This right here was a great beginning for me because I'm ridiculously into hiking right now. I’m working on doing 100 hikes for the year. So the knowledge and lingo about hiking and trails was really interesting and relevant for me. It made me want to look up any real life trail details on the area she’s in so I could get a visual of what the terrain is like.

I really liked the narrator too. His voice had the cadence and tone that pairs really well to this genre of story as well. I hope he narrates the rest of the books in the series.

The gritty reality of what life in America is like after the EMP ripped through unfolds through the chapters. There’s a big mystery as to what happened to Lauren’s father. At first I couldn’t determine if Norman was the father or Mom’s new beau or just a family friend but it becomes apparent as you move through the story. Unlike some stories that want to have every ridiculous series of events befall the main characters making it truly hard to suspend disbelief, this book offers up some likely scenarios and some gritty realities.

I like how the author gives you a snapshot of what life was like right after the event towards the end. I think what so many of these stories in this genre do is start well after whatever catastrophic events take place and the characters must ride out the aftermath, but I think it’s a good tangent to visit the actual event and the chaos that ensued especially if it’s a series. The immediate chaos is one of the best parts of these types of stories. It’s the part that feels the most scary and believable.

I’m definitely invested and interested to see where the story goes in the next book.

[Cyndi Marie ☆★Audiobook Addict★☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review 🎧

I enjoyed this book and need to start book 2 right away because I need to know what started it all and where it's going. My first thought was that it is written in 3rd which isn't my favorite but if an author does it right, I can get on board and with this book I did. Book 1 started a little slow but I expect that in Fantasy/ Sci-Fi because the author needs to set the scene for the story. I was a little confused at first with the way the story jumps between people and places without any warning but once I got use to the authors style it was easy to follow. I liked that we aren't just getting one characters POV and that we get flashbacks into before which helps paint the picture for why the characters are the way they are. I'm looking forward to finding out more about some of the side characters and to see what will happen next. I am expecting the next book will be even better since newer authors usually grow as they publish more books and find there personal writing style..

This was my first by this narrator and he was really good. He has the voice for post apocalyptic narrative for sure.

[Patricia Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read from a, new to me, author.

This is my first read by this author. Although the story started out slow, as the author set the scene, it turned out to be a very enjoyable book. Not perfect, but very good and well worth reading. I recognize the author, C.A. Rudolph, knows much about prepping and survival skills. They way in which he sets the story is unusual and quite exciting. I've been reading "end of the world as we know it," apocalyptic books for several years. I was surprised to find this one different, in that it it involves character s who are ultra prepared with supplies and weapons, plus the location being rural West Virginia. I've learned some "new to me" things to ponder. Thank you Mr. Rudolph, for this interesting book. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Yes, I recommend this book for anyone who loves adventure, or those who are into prepping.
As always, happy reading.

[Sum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

If you like reading well out prepper stories like myself then don’t bother reading this. I don’t require much about the original reason calamity strikes our heroes, sometimes less information is enough. Ordinary people trying to survive may just have confusion about what caused the catastrophe that forces them to survive. Once one of main characters meets a character from outside her community and starts falling for his explanations of big bad government it goes downhill. The characters were too one dimensional, not interesting, not really likable as a whole and the relationships between them extremely shallow. The preparation info is pretty much why I bothered giving it a 2 Star.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning is a bit slow for my liking. It also has a bit of a crazed conspiracy feel at times, with things like how vaccines are actually culling the population and such. I almost put the book down at that point while rolling my eyes. If you stick it out, it gets better and almost has me considering to buy the second one. I kind of want to find out what happens to the family now and how they fully got where they are and what they are going to do about it. I don't know if I will though since it took almost a month to get through a novel that would generally take me maybe 3 days tops (1 if I didn't have other responsibilities!).

[C.M. Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Russell does not have the normal upbringing teens today generally have. Her father a prepper has made sure Lauren learns about defending herself and surviving in case of a catastrophic event. Advanced tactical training is just one of the many skills she learns at an early age. When the unthinkable happens and the United States is thrown back to the colonial age, Lauren has to put those skills to use. I enjoyed this story a lot. The characters are well written and likeable. The fact that the story takes place in areas I am intimately familiar with makes it even more appealing. I highly recommend this novel for dystopian fans.

[Deb Threadgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read this author before but I will be reading more. I liked that he gave a little background on the original family and the family that has formed after the fall. I love that a female, Lauren is really the lead in this action packed but true preppier family. I have been reading post-apocalyptic books for a while and just in the first book there are twists and turns and surprises. I am glad I accidentally came across it. I hope to read all the books in the series and would highly recommend that others do to. I can see something very much like this happening in the not so far future.

[Charles Helm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival and Self Defense after an EMP takeover attempt! Very Dystopian!

A bit more pass straight libertarian but coming up to a full Militia and heavily Self Defense orientated leading you fighting Homeland Defense and FEMA forces tossed in with some over the top Bikers, all which are supporting a quickly formed authoritarian corporate oligarchy. I decided on reading the series, well because it seems more probable these days with a President who seems determined to stay in office no matter what the election says! It’s entertaining, and under the circumstances helping me look at a life that my younger brother embraced completely at odds with my life choices!

[Daniel Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a first book in the series it was pretty good. I thought they could have done a better job of telling what happened to put them into an apocalypse situation earlier in the book. Maybe start there then go on but since that is how everyone else does it maybe that was a stylistic choice to be different. The problem is the rest of the book was pretty similar to some of the others I have read. It was on the better end, maybe not quite Franklin Horton but way better than some others. I look forward to the next book and I have to be honest that I was also reading a Franklin Horton book at the same time and that maybe took this one down a star.

[Uncle Dave Avis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic plot is good. Living in an isolated valley during a crisis and the challenges this family faces is quite interesting. There is a good bit of Needless cussing in the story. I know that some people are like that, however, that doesn't mean I want to read about it.
There are times when the author misuses the word "who and whom" and instead refers to people as "that." Basic grammar 101.
There are places where the conversation is just silly. There is an epilog that just doesn't belong anywhere.

[Vickii Bendit · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first “dystopian” novel opened my eyes. Slowly I’ve come to the conclusion that the world portrayed in these novels isn’t too off course, the way our world is devolving today. C.A. Rudolph’s story is particularly realistic. I have since met people who could have stepped from his pages into real life. The plot slowly draws you in, making you want to go out and stock up on beans and rice. The plot is believable, the human emotions are real, and I can only recommend this book! Enjoy it, read it; I’m off to buy more beans and rice!

[E.A. Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to it on Audible. Real rating 3.5 stars. The epilogue saved it for me.

There's really nothing wrong with this novel or the reading of it. It's mostly believable and in some areas of the US, things would go down as the author has written.

That said, it's a book written by a prepper with other preppers in mind. And filled with a lot of prepping details. Too much for me and I love the genre. But, if you're a hardcore prepper you would be giving this 5 stars all day long.

Just a personal taste thing, I believe. But as I said, this is a fine novel fro the right audience.

[David Sekman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the worst but not far from it

So , I should have worn my tin foil hat while reading this. I almost couldn't finish it but struggled through. If you're into Q and live in a bunker, this is the book for you. You won't mind the terrible writing (her devious grin, devious grin, malicious grin and devious grin all in 2 paragraphs) or the over the top conspiracy theories or the completely unbelievable situations or the lightly concealed misogyny. Not the worst post apocalyptic book I've read but probably a close second.

[Ceh131973 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slightly different take on a dystopian novel. It shows how they survive after and has flashbacks to before. It never really discusses the collapse. The pace was good and the characters developed. I could do without all the gun descriptions. I do like that is was a strong female protagonist but why make her so "troubled"? I will probably read the next in the series but not bumping it up in my book queue.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great apocalyptic book featuring a strong female protagonist. Her strength and know-how lead her through many situations that were described very well by the author.
The narrator did a great job expressing the emotions and transitioning from one character to another.

I provided this review in exchange for a complimentary copy of the audiobook from the author, narrator, or publisher.