What do you think?
Rate this book
CRASH: A Sci-Fi Thriller: Book 1 of The Obsolescence Trilogy
And then it went dark…
…the world’s electrical grid was gone.
Who would survive the chaos?
For James and Alexa, they saw it unfold from their ranch, which was a blessing. They were away from the chaos, and they thought they were safe. They thought wrong.
What will they do?
All across the country cities are in crisis.
Logan and his family look out from their Manhattan penthouse. The world is crumbling before their eyes. Unprepared, he’s got to do something. They can’t stay. But how can they leave and where will they go?
Someone has a solution.
It’s Logan’s domestic android.
Can he believe a machine?
The twists and turns may leave you dizzy, but you’ll love the adventure.
Get it now.
…the world’s electrical grid was gone.
Who would survive the chaos?
For James and Alexa, they saw it unfold from their ranch, which was a blessing. They were away from the chaos, and they thought they were safe. They thought wrong.
What will they do?
All across the country cities are in crisis.
Logan and his family look out from their Manhattan penthouse. The world is crumbling before their eyes. Unprepared, he’s got to do something. They can’t stay. But how can they leave and where will they go?
Someone has a solution.
It’s Logan’s domestic android.
Can he believe a machine?
The twists and turns may leave you dizzy, but you’ll love the adventure.
Get it now.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2018
618 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Muhlenfeld
4 books12 followersChristopher writes science fiction, and although he frequently tries to write in other genres, somehow, a wormhole always seems to open up and plunge the story into a parallel universe. Chris lives in Bozeman, Montana, where he owns & publishes Distinctly Montana Magazine with his wife, Pattra. He sometimes publishes his short stories in the magazine, which you can see by visiting http://distinctlymontana.com.
He wrote The Obsolescence Trilogy while living in Phuket, Thailand.
To learn more about Chris, you can visit his long-neglected website & blog that is currently collecting fiber optic cobwebs in some deep, dark corner of a data center in Utah at: http://muhlenfeld.com.
He wrote The Obsolescence Trilogy while living in Phuket, Thailand.
To learn more about Chris, you can visit his long-neglected website & blog that is currently collecting fiber optic cobwebs in some deep, dark corner of a data center in Utah at: http://muhlenfeld.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 20, 2019
We’re presented with a different twist to the post-apocalypse genre. This scenario takes place in the future where high-tech automation, immersive VR, and companion androids are the norm. Even after several decades of peace and tranquility, people can’t behave themselves. First the EMP, then the nuclear warheads start falling. Retaliation follows and the world is left in devastation. The tale revolves around three sets of characters; James and Alexa who struggle to survive on his ranch in Arizona; Jessica, an eleven-year-old girl at the chaotic airport finds a friend to travel with, then finds herself terrifyingly alone; the Timpton family, Logan, Mia, and Grace were taken to a high-tech underground city, but cannot accept that this utopia was conceived by our government. So many things make no sense. Who or what is behind this apocalypse? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 10, 2018
This audiobook is set in a possible near future and follows various groups of people after the world's power systems and technology fails. I liked most of the characters and found them believable. The story moves along at a good pace, switching between the survivors' story. But this is done smoothly with new chapters. The plot keeps you guessing as to whom the "big bad" actually is, and does draw to a reasonable conclusion., leaving the story open for a sequel.
The narration was well done, with nothing too distracting to take away from the audio, and I felt the production worked well. I will definitely be looking forward to listening to the next instalment of this series when it becomes available.
Good story.
The narration was well done, with nothing too distracting to take away from the audio, and I felt the production worked well. I will definitely be looking forward to listening to the next instalment of this series when it becomes available.
Good story.
May 12, 2020
My first five star. My first review. I love the structure. Easy to read and I couldn't put it down. The author knows what his audience wants and delivers. I am ecstatic that I have two more books to dive into for this trilogy.
January 25, 2019
Very good read. Constantly keeping me turn the page until I woke up with the book still in my hand. Worth the read. Enjoy the journey.
More than a great read. A heart journey..hope many people will have great time reading this book. I sure do. Can hardly wait to begin the next in this series. Thanks the author for his amazing mind. .Thank you Amazon.
More than a great read. A heart journey..hope many people will have great time reading this book. I sure do. Can hardly wait to begin the next in this series. Thanks the author for his amazing mind. .Thank you Amazon.
January 25, 2020
Crash grabbed me right from the beginning and held my attention all the way through. Set in the near future, the apocalypse strikes. At first, no one knows what is going on. All rely heavily on their tech for info and safety. Personal robots are acting oddly, no world news is available, and humans start behaving badly. Not all of our heroes will make it.
Liam and Jess were the first two I really got attached to. 11-year-old Jess has just flown into an airport that is about to go a little crazy. Liam, a romance writer from the UK, helps her out and the two make a good team, heading towards Atlanta, where Jess’s mom is. Along the way, Jess meets friend and foe alike.
Logan, Mia, and their daughter Zoe live in a New York City apartment but when trouble strikes, their personal bot ushers them to a new shelter. Logan is an executive manager with a big tech and communication company (EA?) and he’s puzzled by all the fancy tech he experiences going forward. He’s positive no one has tech that advanced but everyone just wants him to shut up and be grateful for surviving. I think Logan is wise to be suspicious but he treats the AIs badly so I sometimes want to slap him upside the head.
Then there’s James and his girlfriend Alexa out near Flagstaff, AZ. Haha! Nice, naming a character Alexa. Ha! My little Alexa kept thinking the audiobook was talking to her and wanted to know if I wanted to order art supplies from Amazon. So I had to turn off my Alexa while I listened to this book (which was fine).
Even though we have 3 major viewpoints (and one minor viewpoint from a military base), all of them are told from a man’s point of view (at least until Jess takes over telling her tale, but that switches later to anther kid, Tyler). So I would have liked a little more gender balance in telling the story, though the ladies do get to do a few things (but, alas, no major plot decisions).
Jess’s tale was the most emotionally charged. Logan’s story is the most realistic – he’s ticked with how things have happened and suspicious of all that he’s been told. James’s story was pretty mellow, not much drama, and a little boring. Until the ending – OMG! I’m so glad James’s tale got kicked up a notch at the end. And I’m also really glad that I have Book 2 already in my Audible library. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Price Waldman gave a good performance. I liked his voice for Liam (from the UK) the best especially when Liam is trying to be polite but firm with the scary country hick (Scooter) he and Jess come upon. His little kid voices were OK and his female voices were OK as well (though a touch more femininity wouldn’t go amiss). The pacing was perfect and there were no tech issues with the recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Chris Muhlenfeld. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Liam and Jess were the first two I really got attached to. 11-year-old Jess has just flown into an airport that is about to go a little crazy. Liam, a romance writer from the UK, helps her out and the two make a good team, heading towards Atlanta, where Jess’s mom is. Along the way, Jess meets friend and foe alike.
Logan, Mia, and their daughter Zoe live in a New York City apartment but when trouble strikes, their personal bot ushers them to a new shelter. Logan is an executive manager with a big tech and communication company (EA?) and he’s puzzled by all the fancy tech he experiences going forward. He’s positive no one has tech that advanced but everyone just wants him to shut up and be grateful for surviving. I think Logan is wise to be suspicious but he treats the AIs badly so I sometimes want to slap him upside the head.
Then there’s James and his girlfriend Alexa out near Flagstaff, AZ. Haha! Nice, naming a character Alexa. Ha! My little Alexa kept thinking the audiobook was talking to her and wanted to know if I wanted to order art supplies from Amazon. So I had to turn off my Alexa while I listened to this book (which was fine).
Even though we have 3 major viewpoints (and one minor viewpoint from a military base), all of them are told from a man’s point of view (at least until Jess takes over telling her tale, but that switches later to anther kid, Tyler). So I would have liked a little more gender balance in telling the story, though the ladies do get to do a few things (but, alas, no major plot decisions).
Jess’s tale was the most emotionally charged. Logan’s story is the most realistic – he’s ticked with how things have happened and suspicious of all that he’s been told. James’s story was pretty mellow, not much drama, and a little boring. Until the ending – OMG! I’m so glad James’s tale got kicked up a notch at the end. And I’m also really glad that I have Book 2 already in my Audible library. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Price Waldman gave a good performance. I liked his voice for Liam (from the UK) the best especially when Liam is trying to be polite but firm with the scary country hick (Scooter) he and Jess come upon. His little kid voices were OK and his female voices were OK as well (though a touch more femininity wouldn’t go amiss). The pacing was perfect and there were no tech issues with the recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Chris Muhlenfeld. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
January 23, 2020
4.5 stars
Ahhh, it’s a rare day when I find a book that comes close to blowing me away but Crash certainly did and for a variety of reasons. Now, I’m already predisposed to like post-apocalyptic, especially when the story involves an EMP or other event that causes the grid to catastrophically fail because I really appreciate the concept of people having to learn how to live without so many of the niceties of life we’ve become so used to. I also like that we don’t get all the answers because, if such an event were to happen to us, we wouldn’t have all the answers since worldwide communications wouldn’t be working, would they?
In a not too distant future setting when everything goes dark, there are immediate effects such as most vehicles not working and having no lights or elevators but it doesn’t take long for people to realize even more devastating things are beginning to happen, food and drug shortages among them. Many of our characters lose contact with family members with unimaginable consequences for some, particularly children, and my first encounter with a homeless child came at the very beginning. Jess is on a plane heading to the East Coast when the flight attendant announces a diversion to Charlotte and she and her seatmate, a grown man named Liam, help each other through their unsurprising nervousness and make a pact to stick together after they land. Liam is determined to get Jess to her mom in Atlanta.
Elsewhere, we meet James and Alexa who are better off than many on their ranch, somewhat sheltered from marauding bands of looters and well-supplied with food and water for the time being, but trouble is coming. Then there are Logan and his family who are definitely not in a safe place in a highrise but their options really seem limited until a surprising yet suspicious solution is offered.
And then there’s a very special droid.
Crash is one of those tales that keeps the reader feverishly reading or, in this case listening, because so much is happening, questions are becoming intense and it’s getting worse by the day for the characters. Speaking of which, let me warn you, don’t get too attached to any of them because Mr. Muhlenfeld is not afraid to take us there. Nuff said. As for the audio narration, Mr. Waldman does a fine job. I can’t say he’s the best I ever heard because he doesn’t do very distinctive voices for women and children but he has great pacing and tone and it never took me long to know which character was speaking. All in all, this book excited me and I’m still savoring it. On to the next episode!
Ahhh, it’s a rare day when I find a book that comes close to blowing me away but Crash certainly did and for a variety of reasons. Now, I’m already predisposed to like post-apocalyptic, especially when the story involves an EMP or other event that causes the grid to catastrophically fail because I really appreciate the concept of people having to learn how to live without so many of the niceties of life we’ve become so used to. I also like that we don’t get all the answers because, if such an event were to happen to us, we wouldn’t have all the answers since worldwide communications wouldn’t be working, would they?
In a not too distant future setting when everything goes dark, there are immediate effects such as most vehicles not working and having no lights or elevators but it doesn’t take long for people to realize even more devastating things are beginning to happen, food and drug shortages among them. Many of our characters lose contact with family members with unimaginable consequences for some, particularly children, and my first encounter with a homeless child came at the very beginning. Jess is on a plane heading to the East Coast when the flight attendant announces a diversion to Charlotte and she and her seatmate, a grown man named Liam, help each other through their unsurprising nervousness and make a pact to stick together after they land. Liam is determined to get Jess to her mom in Atlanta.
Elsewhere, we meet James and Alexa who are better off than many on their ranch, somewhat sheltered from marauding bands of looters and well-supplied with food and water for the time being, but trouble is coming. Then there are Logan and his family who are definitely not in a safe place in a highrise but their options really seem limited until a surprising yet suspicious solution is offered.
And then there’s a very special droid.
Crash is one of those tales that keeps the reader feverishly reading or, in this case listening, because so much is happening, questions are becoming intense and it’s getting worse by the day for the characters. Speaking of which, let me warn you, don’t get too attached to any of them because Mr. Muhlenfeld is not afraid to take us there. Nuff said. As for the audio narration, Mr. Waldman does a fine job. I can’t say he’s the best I ever heard because he doesn’t do very distinctive voices for women and children but he has great pacing and tone and it never took me long to know which character was speaking. All in all, this book excited me and I’m still savoring it. On to the next episode!
June 5, 2019
Unique Apocalyptic Story
Without ruining the storyline I wanted to state how much I have enjoyed this book series so far I give it a solid 4 outta 5 stars. A unique twist on the whole apocalyptic storyline for sure. The characters are well developed and fully immersed. The plot is solid believable unique and will keep you interested without the usual cliffhanger. The writing is just plain Good. No fluff no dramatic licensing just very good storyline characters and overall series so far. I'm headed for book 2 right after I post this review. Which I rarely write a review and usually just post my stars ratings instead. I have 73 books so far in 2019 and am on par for my 250 total goal for the year. Last year I read 242 books. So I read a lot of Sci-Fi and apoc. Take my word for it. Read this book !
Without ruining the storyline I wanted to state how much I have enjoyed this book series so far I give it a solid 4 outta 5 stars. A unique twist on the whole apocalyptic storyline for sure. The characters are well developed and fully immersed. The plot is solid believable unique and will keep you interested without the usual cliffhanger. The writing is just plain Good. No fluff no dramatic licensing just very good storyline characters and overall series so far. I'm headed for book 2 right after I post this review. Which I rarely write a review and usually just post my stars ratings instead. I have 73 books so far in 2019 and am on par for my 250 total goal for the year. Last year I read 242 books. So I read a lot of Sci-Fi and apoc. Take my word for it. Read this book !
July 20, 2019
CRASH: Book 1 of The Obsolescence Trilogy (Kindle Edition) by Chris Muhlenfeld
What happens when all of our suddenly fails, and humanity crashes?
Then, let's make it even more surreal and herd a few, select people into some very futuristic, underground shelter. Meanwhile above ground is no picnic either.
In this first book of the trilogy, we have three main subplots, and none of them are pretty. The characters are all in shock, but some of them appear to maybe start to survive? It the character's journeys that make this a good, quick read.
Oh yeah, now that I am posting a review on Amazon, the author has promised to "dance like a monkey", pics or I don't believe it!
What happens when all of our suddenly fails, and humanity crashes?
Then, let's make it even more surreal and herd a few, select people into some very futuristic, underground shelter. Meanwhile above ground is no picnic either.
In this first book of the trilogy, we have three main subplots, and none of them are pretty. The characters are all in shock, but some of them appear to maybe start to survive? It the character's journeys that make this a good, quick read.
Oh yeah, now that I am posting a review on Amazon, the author has promised to "dance like a monkey", pics or I don't believe it!
October 30, 2018
Very interesting & Compelling Story!
I found this book to be extremely interesting.. I read a great deal of science fiction, and I've found that the core concept of many authors these days isn't related to aliens possibly destroying mankind, but how General Intelligence may very well succeed in doing so. Great story and characters! I'm moving on to the next book in the series.......Bravo, Mr. Muhlenfeld!
I found this book to be extremely interesting.. I read a great deal of science fiction, and I've found that the core concept of many authors these days isn't related to aliens possibly destroying mankind, but how General Intelligence may very well succeed in doing so. Great story and characters! I'm moving on to the next book in the series.......Bravo, Mr. Muhlenfeld!
January 19, 2020
This was a very fascinating book. The premise was great and it only gets better towards the end. Although it provides good suspense, I thought the author could've filled in, or sprinkled, more information in the first and second acts. That's the only reason I believe that weakened the story. However, everything is tied together nicely towards the end of the book. Looking forward to seeing what happens in the next one!
May 19, 2019
Amazing book. Kept my interest and was very well written. Can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
December 14, 2019
Page-turner.
It kind of ruined my life for a few days. Escapism, for sure, but believable enough to hook the reader into just the right amount of anxiety. Looking forward to the next book.
It kind of ruined my life for a few days. Escapism, for sure, but believable enough to hook the reader into just the right amount of anxiety. Looking forward to the next book.
October 19, 2018
Fresh, Captivating & Well-written!
An intelligent well-written novel
Which is extremely rare in post-war apocalyptic fiction. Pace is fast, kept my interest and the pages flying. Was shocked to discover this is a first novel. Starting BOOK 2 Asap
An intelligent well-written novel
Which is extremely rare in post-war apocalyptic fiction. Pace is fast, kept my interest and the pages flying. Was shocked to discover this is a first novel. Starting BOOK 2 Asap
December 29, 2020
Very engaging story. Various people that are followed in the beginning of the story are portrayed in such a way that you start to feel like you know them. Dialog between people and personal thoughts described, are just right to give some light into what's happening and how and why the characters react as they do. The technology isn't in the impossible range where you don't want to read any more about it and it's told in such a way that it is easy to feel how the characters feel, telling about it. Sometimes authors make characters so indestructible that it takes away from the overall story but this book doesn't do that. Like GoT, some main characters you like are not going to make it to the end.
I hope it's made into a movie. I know books are always better than the movies made from them but if its even close, it will be a blockbuster.
I hope it's made into a movie. I know books are always better than the movies made from them but if its even close, it will be a blockbuster.
January 24, 2019
Audio version -
Well this was just fantastic!!!
Is it weird that I love Post-Apocalyptic/end-of-the-world type books so much! Yeah it probably is.
I have read many book of this genre and this is one of the best! There is so much happening it keeps your full attention all the way through.
I love that there are different groups of characters that you follow throughout the story. Warning - do not get too attached to any of them... people do die in this book. This is not a fluff story. It is gritty, edgy, sad at times and a little scary. That being said - great characters and equally great development.
Although it was very intense and very futuristic/sci-fi-ish it is also very easy to follow. An excellent beginning to a series that I will definitely want to continue!
AUDIO -
The narration was absolutely outstanding and in this case, really made the story for me! Often I will love the story but not really care for the audio but I give both the story and audio 5 stars!
If you are a fan of Post-Apocalyptic type books you will definitely want to give this one a try! I promise you will not be disappointed!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from The Audio Bookworm - Thank You!
Well this was just fantastic!!!
Is it weird that I love Post-Apocalyptic/end-of-the-world type books so much! Yeah it probably is.
I have read many book of this genre and this is one of the best! There is so much happening it keeps your full attention all the way through.
I love that there are different groups of characters that you follow throughout the story. Warning - do not get too attached to any of them... people do die in this book. This is not a fluff story. It is gritty, edgy, sad at times and a little scary. That being said - great characters and equally great development.
Although it was very intense and very futuristic/sci-fi-ish it is also very easy to follow. An excellent beginning to a series that I will definitely want to continue!
AUDIO -
The narration was absolutely outstanding and in this case, really made the story for me! Often I will love the story but not really care for the audio but I give both the story and audio 5 stars!
If you are a fan of Post-Apocalyptic type books you will definitely want to give this one a try! I promise you will not be disappointed!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from The Audio Bookworm - Thank You!
June 9, 2018
I am often scared of exploring books written by new, self-published authors because so many seem only half-baked. But as a beta reader for Chris Muhlenfeld's "Obsolesence" series I was in for a rare treat: I was unable to put these books down even while I was reading early versions of the manuscript!
I particularly enjoy sci-fi, speculative fiction and dystopian works, however I feel that the story here would appeal to a broader audience because of its language, pacing, and a high level of tension. There are multiple story-lines and with each new chapter I found myself at the edge of my seat; Muhlenfeld seems to have a knack for writing convincing cliffhangers. Also, what made the series particularly interesting is that these events seem like a plausible version of our reality 20 or so years from now. "Crash" is full of mysteries I was dying to solve and if you're anything like me, it will be hard to keep yourself from getting the next one in the series for very long.
This book is a great new pick for those that are ever-curious about the future of technology and the human kind, as well as those that enjoy fast-paced stories and imaginative universes.
I particularly enjoy sci-fi, speculative fiction and dystopian works, however I feel that the story here would appeal to a broader audience because of its language, pacing, and a high level of tension. There are multiple story-lines and with each new chapter I found myself at the edge of my seat; Muhlenfeld seems to have a knack for writing convincing cliffhangers. Also, what made the series particularly interesting is that these events seem like a plausible version of our reality 20 or so years from now. "Crash" is full of mysteries I was dying to solve and if you're anything like me, it will be hard to keep yourself from getting the next one in the series for very long.
This book is a great new pick for those that are ever-curious about the future of technology and the human kind, as well as those that enjoy fast-paced stories and imaginative universes.
June 13, 2018
What a marvelous debut novel from a very talented author, If you enjoy reading dystopian fiction this book is for you! I personally love this genre and would put Crash up there with my favorites being Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and Ira Levin's This perfect Day. The characters are well developed and believable, so much so I fear for their future and I pretty much gobbled it up in two sittings so can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
June 9, 2018
The book is excellent. The author paints emotive pictures of a dark time with realistic integrity .
The characters are deep and believable and the narrative has a magnetic quality that won’t allow you to put it down .
All in all an excellent read .
The characters are deep and believable and the narrative has a magnetic quality that won’t allow you to put it down .
All in all an excellent read .
June 13, 2018
A great new series from a new author! Can't wait for the next two!
November 29, 2019
I read a lot of post-apocalyptic fiction and am always looking for the next great read. This isn't a great book, but it is pretty good.
In the world of the future, humans are highly dependent on technology to the point of having neural implants, bots doing most of the work, and using virtual reality sites for entertainment, often to the point of addiction. Suddenly, planes are being forced to land, power grids are down and the bots seem to be in control.
The author focuses on three groups of individuals and jumps from one to the other throughout the book. The first group the reader encounters is a young girl travelling to Atlanta on one of the diverted planes. Jessica is taken under the wing of her seatmate and they decide to take their chances outside the Charlotte Airport in order to get to Atlanta.
The second group is Logan, Mia and their daughter Grace, who are herded like cattle from their NYC apartment to an underground haven by their Bot. And, the third group is James and his girlfriend, Alexa, who try to weather the impending disaster on his ranch outside Flagstaff, Arizona.
As the groups of survivors try to discover what is happening, they encounter some people who are less than savory. Be prepared for the deaths of some of the characters that you have come to care about. This was almost a deal breaker for me because I couldn't really see where the author was going with this particular storyline. Also, I thought that the book got to be a little boring at times. It moved at a fairly slow pace at times and the jumping between stories got confusing and tiresome.
There were some unique aspects to this book that made for a very different ending. Of course, since this is the first in a series, it ends without anything being resolved. The author does offer a novella to bridge the gap between the first and second book, so I will check that out before deciding whether or not to continue the series.
The narrator does a good job and his pacing keep my interest at times when I wanted to give up on the story. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by Audiobookworm Promotions and chose to review it.
In the world of the future, humans are highly dependent on technology to the point of having neural implants, bots doing most of the work, and using virtual reality sites for entertainment, often to the point of addiction. Suddenly, planes are being forced to land, power grids are down and the bots seem to be in control.
The author focuses on three groups of individuals and jumps from one to the other throughout the book. The first group the reader encounters is a young girl travelling to Atlanta on one of the diverted planes. Jessica is taken under the wing of her seatmate and they decide to take their chances outside the Charlotte Airport in order to get to Atlanta.
The second group is Logan, Mia and their daughter Grace, who are herded like cattle from their NYC apartment to an underground haven by their Bot. And, the third group is James and his girlfriend, Alexa, who try to weather the impending disaster on his ranch outside Flagstaff, Arizona.
As the groups of survivors try to discover what is happening, they encounter some people who are less than savory. Be prepared for the deaths of some of the characters that you have come to care about. This was almost a deal breaker for me because I couldn't really see where the author was going with this particular storyline. Also, I thought that the book got to be a little boring at times. It moved at a fairly slow pace at times and the jumping between stories got confusing and tiresome.
There were some unique aspects to this book that made for a very different ending. Of course, since this is the first in a series, it ends without anything being resolved. The author does offer a novella to bridge the gap between the first and second book, so I will check that out before deciding whether or not to continue the series.
The narrator does a good job and his pacing keep my interest at times when I wanted to give up on the story. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by Audiobookworm Promotions and chose to review it.
January 24, 2020
Some years from now, in a world with neuroderms, bots, food assemblers, something has gone wrong. Ian and Jess are on a plane that is redirected to land and as soon as the people are off a load of robots fill up the plane and take off. Nothing is connecting to the web and nothing is working. Ian takes Jess under his wing and tries to get her home to her parents.
Logan, Mia, and Grace are shepherded from their apartment to a secret underground bunker then to New Chicago. A world of strange material, everything is automatically provided for them and not wasted. But something is wrong with this new city, the story of a nuclear war doesn’t sound right, and Logan can’t help but try to get his family safe.
James and Alexa are on his ranch in the forties when things go wrong. They have managed to stock up and have neighbors that are similarly minded. Strange reports are coming in from around the world and everyone is worried about whatever caused the crash.
This was a really good start to the series. It seems humans have become very dependent on technology. When something happens some turn evil and many people die. It’s interesting to follow along with the different groups. It’s not real surprising what happens if you love dystopian stories like I do.
Price Waldman does an amazing job narrating this book. He had my attention through the whole story even if I become a touch tired of the redundant events. I admit that I guessed what happened but then again I love these kinds of stories. I am really glad that I have the whole series to review because although Crash tended to drag at points I am excited to see what happens next. If you like dystopian stories I think you will like this one. It’s definitely worth checking out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to listen to and post an honest review.
Logan, Mia, and Grace are shepherded from their apartment to a secret underground bunker then to New Chicago. A world of strange material, everything is automatically provided for them and not wasted. But something is wrong with this new city, the story of a nuclear war doesn’t sound right, and Logan can’t help but try to get his family safe.
James and Alexa are on his ranch in the forties when things go wrong. They have managed to stock up and have neighbors that are similarly minded. Strange reports are coming in from around the world and everyone is worried about whatever caused the crash.
This was a really good start to the series. It seems humans have become very dependent on technology. When something happens some turn evil and many people die. It’s interesting to follow along with the different groups. It’s not real surprising what happens if you love dystopian stories like I do.
Price Waldman does an amazing job narrating this book. He had my attention through the whole story even if I become a touch tired of the redundant events. I admit that I guessed what happened but then again I love these kinds of stories. I am really glad that I have the whole series to review because although Crash tended to drag at points I am excited to see what happens next. If you like dystopian stories I think you will like this one. It’s definitely worth checking out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to listen to and post an honest review.
November 10, 2024
CRASH is a gripping introduction to a dystopian world where technology and humanity are at odds, creating a compelling narrative that blends futuristic innovation with human resilience. The author does an excellent job of immersing readers into a universe on the brink of collapse, where the pace of technological advancement has outstripped humanity’s ability to control it. The story is anchored by well-developed characters, each struggling to adapt to a world where society is increasingly reliant on machines and artificial intelligence. The protagonist's journey is both thrilling and deeply emotional, as they navigate complex moral questions about the cost of progress. The blend of fast-paced action and philosophical undertones makes for an engaging read that questions the consequences of human reliance on technology.
While the world-building is exceptional, offering a vivid backdrop of a society teetering on the edge, some readers may find the pacing uneven at times. There are moments where the narrative slows down to delve into character development and thematic exploration, which, while insightful, can feel like a bit of a drag in the middle of the book. However, these quieter moments are integral to the overall tone of the series, creating a rich layer of complexity that adds to the story's depth. The book leaves readers at a cliffhanger, setting up the stakes for the following installments in the trilogy. Overall, CRASH is a thought-provoking and suspenseful start to The Obsolescence Trilogy, leaving plenty of room for the series to expand its exploration of humanity’s relationship with technology in the books to come.
While the world-building is exceptional, offering a vivid backdrop of a society teetering on the edge, some readers may find the pacing uneven at times. There are moments where the narrative slows down to delve into character development and thematic exploration, which, while insightful, can feel like a bit of a drag in the middle of the book. However, these quieter moments are integral to the overall tone of the series, creating a rich layer of complexity that adds to the story's depth. The book leaves readers at a cliffhanger, setting up the stakes for the following installments in the trilogy. Overall, CRASH is a thought-provoking and suspenseful start to The Obsolescence Trilogy, leaving plenty of room for the series to expand its exploration of humanity’s relationship with technology in the books to come.
July 25, 2025
When the lights go out across the globe in *Crash*, Christopher Muhlenfeld drops readers straight into a chilling near‑future disaster. An unexplained electrical failure plunges civilisation into chaos, and we experience the catastrophe through two very different families: names and Alexa watching from their ranch in Montana and Logan and his loved ones trapped high in a Manhattan tower. Both groups must decide whether to stay or flee as the world devolves around them, and the only glimmer of hope may lie with Logan’s domestic android.
I loved the way Muhlenfeld combines high‑stakes action with character‑driven drama. The tension ramps up quickly, but you also care deeply about these people as they battle looters, hunger and their own fears. The mystery surrounding the blackout kept me turning pages, and the introduction of the android adds a fascinating sci‑fi twist that raises questions about trust, technology and what it means to be human. The ending delivers satisfying revelations while setting the stage for the rest of the trilogy.
If you enjoy apocalyptic thrillers like *One Second After* or *Station Eleven*, this first book of the Obsolescence Trilogy delivers plenty of pulse‑pounding adventure with thought‑provoking ideas. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
I loved the way Muhlenfeld combines high‑stakes action with character‑driven drama. The tension ramps up quickly, but you also care deeply about these people as they battle looters, hunger and their own fears. The mystery surrounding the blackout kept me turning pages, and the introduction of the android adds a fascinating sci‑fi twist that raises questions about trust, technology and what it means to be human. The ending delivers satisfying revelations while setting the stage for the rest of the trilogy.
If you enjoy apocalyptic thrillers like *One Second After* or *Station Eleven*, this first book of the Obsolescence Trilogy delivers plenty of pulse‑pounding adventure with thought‑provoking ideas. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
June 2, 2020
This is a very interesting take on the Post-Apocalypse survival genre. There's no real intro, the action starts immediately. There are a number of different character POV's in concurrent threads. Each POV is very different in location and circumstances and perspective. It's not easy to predict the journey or fate of the different characters. The time passages are not always smooth. Sometimes things move slowly, other times they jump ahead. But everything is interesting. The big mystery is what caused the Apocalypse and the scope of that event. That's the big reveal given at the end of the book. This is the first book in a trilogy, so this is nowhere near a stand alone story. I liked almost everything in the book. My only nitpicks would include no real attempt to connect the plotlines (in this first book, at least) and some dubious actions/reactions by some of the characters. Now, I have to decide if I want to go through two more books to complete this journey. Some trilogies (or longer series) are highly stretched-out clumsy and awkward stories better told in one longer coherent book.
November 9, 2024
This book is nothing short of a triumph. The author has created a richly imagined world that feels both fantastical and grounded in reality. The characters are flawed, complex, and utterly human, which makes their struggles and triumphs all the more compelling. The prose is lyrical yet accessible, striking the perfect balance between poetic and readable. The pacing is spot on, with each chapter leaving me eager for more. This is the kind of book that you get lost in, one that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page. I really wanted to love this book, and there were definitely aspects that I enjoyed. The author clearly has a gift for description, painting scenes so vividly that you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters. However, the plot felt meandering, and I often found myself wondering where it was going. The central conflict wasn’t as compelling as I had hoped, and the characters, while likeable, lacked the depth needed to make me truly care about their fates. It’s a decent read but ultimately didn’t live up to its potential.
February 26, 2021
Interesting premise, compelling beginning, but quickly started falling apart in terms of unrealistic behaviors, overwrought dialogue, and investment into dead ends.
One big turn-off I had was that every character had incredible powers of premonition- like, 100% accurate reading of others’ deepest thoughts from the briefest of glimpses into their eyes, which is a pretty bizarre literary vehicle to then have to describe how they were exactly right and how they should’ve trusted themselves.
All in all a decent what-I-presume-to-be debut novel, which could’ve used some professional editing.
One big turn-off I had was that every character had incredible powers of premonition- like, 100% accurate reading of others’ deepest thoughts from the briefest of glimpses into their eyes, which is a pretty bizarre literary vehicle to then have to describe how they were exactly right and how they should’ve trusted themselves.
All in all a decent what-I-presume-to-be debut novel, which could’ve used some professional editing.
December 24, 2018
Unbelievable! 21/2stars
I really did not like this one. Saccharin , and cloying, with no realistic basis. The work is well put together but not at all to my liking. I received this copy free in return for an honest review. Honestly, I have no interest in reading anything more from this author. There were many opportunities for the story to be awful but never went that low. I just do not like it.
I really did not like this one. Saccharin , and cloying, with no realistic basis. The work is well put together but not at all to my liking. I received this copy free in return for an honest review. Honestly, I have no interest in reading anything more from this author. There were many opportunities for the story to be awful but never went that low. I just do not like it.
November 9, 2024
A page-turner from beginning to end! The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the characters were richly developed. I loved the unexpected surprises that were sprinkled throughout. It’s rare to find something that keeps you hooked like this. Definitely one of the best reads this year!
January 23, 2019
Robots
Interesting twist to a dystopian story, so close to what could happen as we become more and more reliant on computers. Loved it
Interesting twist to a dystopian story, so close to what could happen as we become more and more reliant on computers. Loved it
March 11, 2019
Pretty good read, I just felt it was really slow getting to the point. I still enjoyed reading it and plan on reading the novella and the 2nd & 3rd books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews