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Icequake #2
Tsunami: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller
See the two sides of humanity that arise when disaster humanitarian and power-grabber.
Solar flares have been erupting with unusual violence and frequency on the surface of the sun. With the ozone reduced by at least fifty per cent, ultraviolet radiation was penetrating the atmosphere.
It burned into the cells of plants and animals; crops were withering, and livestock was going blind. Humans could scarcely venture outside in daylight without eye protection, and light-skinned people needed sunblock cream on exposed skin, or they would start to burn in less than a minute.
Existing in this new world are Don Kennard, his wife Kirstie, and Robert Anthony Allison, a big time movie director. Don is in a research submersible when a tsunami passes over him toward the west coast of the US, targeted directly at San Francisco's bay area, where Kirstie is working.
Patchy communication on shortwave radios gives San Francisco some time to get residents to higher ground. Power, which was already rationed, and water along with other necessities previously provided by the city are badly damaged and the people are just trying to survive.
Follow the Kennards and Allison as they try to figure out how to survive in the broken infrastructure of the disaster zone that has become the world.
:
Crawford Kilian was born in New York in 1941. Raised in Los Angeles and Mexico City, he is a naturalized Canadian citizen living in Vancouver, British Columbia, with his wife, Alice, and daughters, Anna and Margaret. Formerly a technical writer-editor at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Berkeley, he has taught English at Capilano College in North Vancouver since 1968. His writing background includes two children’s books (Wonders Inc. and The Last Vikings) ; critical articles on Charles Dickens and the Canadian writer James De Mille; several radio plays broadcast by the CBC; and Go Do Some Great The Black Pioneers of British Columbia .
Solar flares have been erupting with unusual violence and frequency on the surface of the sun. With the ozone reduced by at least fifty per cent, ultraviolet radiation was penetrating the atmosphere.
It burned into the cells of plants and animals; crops were withering, and livestock was going blind. Humans could scarcely venture outside in daylight without eye protection, and light-skinned people needed sunblock cream on exposed skin, or they would start to burn in less than a minute.
Existing in this new world are Don Kennard, his wife Kirstie, and Robert Anthony Allison, a big time movie director. Don is in a research submersible when a tsunami passes over him toward the west coast of the US, targeted directly at San Francisco's bay area, where Kirstie is working.
Patchy communication on shortwave radios gives San Francisco some time to get residents to higher ground. Power, which was already rationed, and water along with other necessities previously provided by the city are badly damaged and the people are just trying to survive.
Follow the Kennards and Allison as they try to figure out how to survive in the broken infrastructure of the disaster zone that has become the world.
:
Crawford Kilian was born in New York in 1941. Raised in Los Angeles and Mexico City, he is a naturalized Canadian citizen living in Vancouver, British Columbia, with his wife, Alice, and daughters, Anna and Margaret. Formerly a technical writer-editor at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Berkeley, he has taught English at Capilano College in North Vancouver since 1968. His writing background includes two children’s books (Wonders Inc. and The Last Vikings) ; critical articles on Charles Dickens and the Canadian writer James De Mille; several radio plays broadcast by the CBC; and Go Do Some Great The Black Pioneers of British Columbia .
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
119 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Crawford Kilian
28 books17 followersCrawford Kilian was born in New York in 1941. Raised in Los Angeles and Mexico City, he is a naturalized Canadian citizen living in Vancouver, British Columbia, with his wife, Alice, and daughters, Anna and Margaret. Formerly a technical writer-editor at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Berkeley, he has taught English at Capilano College in North Vancouver since 1968.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 27, 2017
This was suppose to be a fictional companion counterpart to the terrific The Water Will Come nonfiction book I've just read. The latter talks about the impending and seemingly inevitable water apocalypse, this one deals with how such watery disaster would affect the general population. Sadly there's just a disparity in quality here that no thematic tie can compensate for. Tsunami was written over 30 years go and reads at least it's age or older, specifically when dealing with race relations and sexism. It isn't a terrible read by any stretch of imagination, it lays out some intriguing scientific premises about what led to the tsunami (sun) and what can be done now (alternative sources of energy). At the center of it all, though, is the survivor drama, which is, of course, always the soul of such an enterprise and here the soul just doesn't quite compel as much as it ought to, so there's only so much you can bring yourself to care. And so this is basically an older, somewhat dated somewhat thrilling water park ride of quick easy read.
August 3, 2017
This is not a disaster book. This is a post-apocalyptic book! While it is too short and the science is a little hazy (but better than a lot of the pseudo-science that other books written in this time period spew out), it’s an exciting, relatively believable post-apocalyptic novel.
There are two kinds of post-apocalytpic novels I really like: the “50 years later wandering hero” tale and the “right after the disaster people having to survive” kind. This was the latter and, while there were some questions I had that the novel didn’t delve into, it was interesting to see how people reacted to the disaster. I enjoyed the two streams – the scientist plot trying to salvage things and the compound plot with the growing military take-over scheme. Other aspects of disasters were included as well as the struggles to survive – the eventual loss of fuel, bandits, illnesses spreading, cancer from radiation … it honestly was too bad this novel was so short. It could easily have been a doorstopper.
There were some strong female characters which I always appreciate. Ok, so Don and Kirstie are a little flat as people. Neither is overly interesting, but I did like that Kirstie was a scientist in her own right. In fact, most of the female characters in this book were painted more as people than just “the wife” or “the girlfriend” who tag along with the man doing jack shit. Kirstie has a pretty bad ass moment at the start of the novel and Shauna has her own personality too (though it would have been nice to see things from her point of view). There were other women in positions of power as well, which was nice to see.
Allison was a bit of a creep but I think that was the point. He was normal enough before the disaster (except for consistently calling his wife “kid”, which is infantilizing and gross) but then the situation and the power that he obtained allowed him to make excuses for his bad behaviour . In fact, his descent, had it been drawn out a little longer, was one of the most interesting parts of this novel because he still retained parts of his humanity; he knew was he was doing and he knew he was making excuses, but he went with it anyway, or, perhaps, didn’t see a way to stop.
The race issues in the novel (while cringe-worthy in terms of being dated), make this novel interesting to look back on as an artifact about racial constructs from that time period. In California during the 80s there was a real race problem and this novel articulates quite clearly the mentality at the time ().
I also enjoyed that it didn’t go over the top with human depravity – a lot of post-apoc books seem to suggest that as soon as formal law is removed everyone turns into a crazed lunatic. While rape was mentioned as a concern by a couple characters, the novel doesn’t include any. While rape (sadly) does happen in real life, it’s often used in these short novels to a) make a bad character “more bad” or b) use women’s suffering as an example for how depraved society has gotten or c) add tension and/or shock value; these situations remove the woman’s feelings and humanity from the situation and render her a prop. Too many post-apocalyptic novels from the 80s (and hell, from today too), do this, so it was great to not have to read that shit here.
Overall, if you like post-apocalyptic novels, you’ll enjoy this. A fun, quick read with some interesting implications about what happens after things fall apart. Not perfect, but definitely a worthwhile read.
There are two kinds of post-apocalytpic novels I really like: the “50 years later wandering hero” tale and the “right after the disaster people having to survive” kind. This was the latter and, while there were some questions I had that the novel didn’t delve into, it was interesting to see how people reacted to the disaster. I enjoyed the two streams – the scientist plot trying to salvage things and the compound plot with the growing military take-over scheme. Other aspects of disasters were included as well as the struggles to survive – the eventual loss of fuel, bandits, illnesses spreading, cancer from radiation … it honestly was too bad this novel was so short. It could easily have been a doorstopper.
There were some strong female characters which I always appreciate. Ok, so Don and Kirstie are a little flat as people. Neither is overly interesting, but I did like that Kirstie was a scientist in her own right. In fact, most of the female characters in this book were painted more as people than just “the wife” or “the girlfriend” who tag along with the man doing jack shit. Kirstie has a pretty bad ass moment at the start of the novel and Shauna has her own personality too (though it would have been nice to see things from her point of view). There were other women in positions of power as well, which was nice to see.
Allison was a bit of a creep but I think that was the point. He was normal enough before the disaster (except for consistently calling his wife “kid”, which is infantilizing and gross) but then the situation and the power that he obtained allowed him to make excuses for his bad behaviour . In fact, his descent, had it been drawn out a little longer, was one of the most interesting parts of this novel because he still retained parts of his humanity; he knew was he was doing and he knew he was making excuses, but he went with it anyway, or, perhaps, didn’t see a way to stop.
The race issues in the novel (while cringe-worthy in terms of being dated), make this novel interesting to look back on as an artifact about racial constructs from that time period. In California during the 80s there was a real race problem and this novel articulates quite clearly the mentality at the time ().
I also enjoyed that it didn’t go over the top with human depravity – a lot of post-apoc books seem to suggest that as soon as formal law is removed everyone turns into a crazed lunatic. While rape was mentioned as a concern by a couple characters, the novel doesn’t include any. While rape (sadly) does happen in real life, it’s often used in these short novels to a) make a bad character “more bad” or b) use women’s suffering as an example for how depraved society has gotten or c) add tension and/or shock value; these situations remove the woman’s feelings and humanity from the situation and render her a prop. Too many post-apocalyptic novels from the 80s (and hell, from today too), do this, so it was great to not have to read that shit here.
Overall, if you like post-apocalyptic novels, you’ll enjoy this. A fun, quick read with some interesting implications about what happens after things fall apart. Not perfect, but definitely a worthwhile read.
January 27, 2008
A companion to Icequake (different characters, same events). I'm a bit biased since I'm related to the author, but I enjoyed it. I've been thinking about reading it again...
July 11, 2020
Everything goes as the Tsunamis roll! A great dystopian ,and eventful story that moved me. In crisis and worldwide destruction, there's always the haves and the have nots. There's a few dialogue between some of the characters that captured my interest.
Highlights:
1)By the time the government gets a grip on things again, a lot of people will be dead. Any looting here?” “Sure. Watts, Compton, all the black areas.” “What happens when they get hungry again? And other people get hungry? Blacks aren’t the only people with a little enterprise. And no food in a city of eight million people?”
2)“I need a white dude to run things here. I try to do it myself, somebody’s gonna shoot me in the back.”
3)“You’re saying you guys aren’t ready for democracy yet?” Mercer laughed. “Let me tell you about the black man’s burden. All these natives here, all they want to do is sing and dance and fool around and maybe settle a couple of old scores with Ole Massa here.”
Highlights:
1)By the time the government gets a grip on things again, a lot of people will be dead. Any looting here?” “Sure. Watts, Compton, all the black areas.” “What happens when they get hungry again? And other people get hungry? Blacks aren’t the only people with a little enterprise. And no food in a city of eight million people?”
2)“I need a white dude to run things here. I try to do it myself, somebody’s gonna shoot me in the back.”
3)“You’re saying you guys aren’t ready for democracy yet?” Mercer laughed. “Let me tell you about the black man’s burden. All these natives here, all they want to do is sing and dance and fool around and maybe settle a couple of old scores with Ole Massa here.”
March 7, 2018
Two completely different stories in one.
I love a good post apocalyptic story. I had a difficult time getting into this book. 4 chapters in, I realized that the author was rushed in writing this book and included enough filler to make my head spin. Hint: bob tony & Allison are the same guy.
I love a good post apocalyptic story. I had a difficult time getting into this book. 4 chapters in, I realized that the author was rushed in writing this book and included enough filler to make my head spin. Hint: bob tony & Allison are the same guy.
May 20, 2018
Interesting
While the book does show it's age it does a good job of keeping you engaged through the entire story. I would have liked to have seen some more character development and the ending. It's not really an ending, the author basically just stops the story with no explanation or follow up. Overall I would recommend it but with tampered expectations.
While the book does show it's age it does a good job of keeping you engaged through the entire story. I would have liked to have seen some more character development and the ending. It's not really an ending, the author basically just stops the story with no explanation or follow up. Overall I would recommend it but with tampered expectations.
October 10, 2020
Kilian is a highly skilled writer, to be sure. I’ve read this one and its companion “Icequake”, and both are efficient entertainment in a genre I generally enjoy and find pressingly relevant in mankind’s current predicament, climate change and general ecological collapse bearing down on us.
Not so enjoyable is the slightly sexist (Icequake) and racist (Tsunami) undertone in Kilian’s books.
Not so enjoyable is the slightly sexist (Icequake) and racist (Tsunami) undertone in Kilian’s books.
November 25, 2016
Rating: 2.5
This book was terrible, but I loved it and I'm keeping it.
I think this is the book equivalent of the movie waterworld when it comes to quality. I heard this movie is bad, but I've never seen it. lol
This book was terrible, but I loved it and I'm keeping it.
I think this is the book equivalent of the movie waterworld when it comes to quality. I heard this movie is bad, but I've never seen it. lol
October 23, 2017
A good read! Very interesting concept, only comment would be that I would have wanted to know more of the natural disasters, specially what was going on with the sun and earth's rotation. Hopefully there will be a sequel that will get into more of those aspects.
November 24, 2017
A great start for the Series
Crawford Kilian has done a wonderful job in his depiction of human nature striving for survival in a tragic, cumulative world on it's man made destruction. The characters are real and the two different factions depicting human nature.
Crawford Kilian has done a wonderful job in his depiction of human nature striving for survival in a tragic, cumulative world on it's man made destruction. The characters are real and the two different factions depicting human nature.
March 27, 2018
Nearly 5 Stars
Most post-apocalypse novels follow the same tired formulas. This book takes a number of fresh approaches to the situation. Good character development. Believable scenarios. I look forward to another installment.
Most post-apocalypse novels follow the same tired formulas. This book takes a number of fresh approaches to the situation. Good character development. Believable scenarios. I look forward to another installment.
May 1, 2018
Scary book
Did not enjoy this book as much because of the way humanity had fallen. Oh what depravity and greed with no sign of good ness. No I did not like this story. Icequake was the better story.
Did not enjoy this book as much because of the way humanity had fallen. Oh what depravity and greed with no sign of good ness. No I did not like this story. Icequake was the better story.
May 19, 2018
A GREAT SEQUEL
In an alternate past, the sun goes haywire and the Antarctic shelf breaks. This story is about the aftermath. I hope there will be another in this series where the brother propagandists finally meet.
In an alternate past, the sun goes haywire and the Antarctic shelf breaks. This story is about the aftermath. I hope there will be another in this series where the brother propagandists finally meet.
May 23, 2018
Disgusting
Racist, elitist, horrible, disgusting, waste of time. Seriously? "The blacks" don't get skin damage from IN rays because of their skin? They are "city kids who don't know what grass is supposed to look like...except the grass they smoke". GTFO
Racist, elitist, horrible, disgusting, waste of time. Seriously? "The blacks" don't get skin damage from IN rays because of their skin? They are "city kids who don't know what grass is supposed to look like...except the grass they smoke". GTFO
January 1, 2018
Tsunami
A great read. Loved the storyline...even if the author used Californian politically correct liberals as the heroes. Other than that a must read for the apocalyptic fan.
A great read. Loved the storyline...even if the author used Californian politically correct liberals as the heroes. Other than that a must read for the apocalyptic fan.
June 10, 2018
Review to come.
June 20, 2018
I was enjoying the story, but finally had to just put it down when the racial comments and dialog devolved into using "I need a white guy in charge," and "Massa..." The author's obsession with labeling every character by race really got under my skin.
October 4, 2019
Fun Read
A very engrossing read if not very cerebral. Fun I liked it. SoCal gets real sorta but then again SoCal isn’t really populated with people of great wisdom or is it...
A very engrossing read if not very cerebral. Fun I liked it. SoCal gets real sorta but then again SoCal isn’t really populated with people of great wisdom or is it...
June 11, 2023
Not as enjoyable as it’s companion novel, Icequake.
May 30, 2018
Read the author's first book "Icequake" which was pretty weak in story plot. Gave a second chance on this one. Even weaker. Probably won't continue with any of this authors other books.
March 30, 2017
I liked it!
Entertaining.
Sort of believable?
Not too much science or religion.
Some high-fallutin' words seemed out of place.
Quick-paced.
Worth the time.
Entertaining.
Sort of believable?
Not too much science or religion.
Some high-fallutin' words seemed out of place.
Quick-paced.
Worth the time.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews