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Fall of the Cities #4
Fall of the Cities: A Mercedes for Soldier Boy
Despite the global genocide and destruction, the Cabal are still trying to salvage their master plan for mankind. In the UK, that involves wiping out the last of the population trapped in the cities, those who don't fit into the new future. Inside the ruined cities, both peaceful and gang-dominated enclaves are beginning to realize time is running out. For some cities, it is already too late, but even a few dedicated survivors can be a serious setback for the Cabal. Elsewhere, the more violent use the reprieve to grow stronger, while possible allies for Orchard Close combine to survive. The UK Cabal adapt again and again, recruiting mercenary armor while still trying to control the in-fighting inside the enclosures. Despite all the death and destruction there is hope, and possibly love. Soldier Boy meets a woman who really gets under his skin - a she's a cold-blooded assassin for a neighboring gang. He can't be sure if she's setting him up for the kill, or trying to get into his pants, but either way he can't ignore her. His friends are worried, his enemies wonder if she is a weakness to exploit, while to the north the Bloods are recruiting because they owe Orchard Close some payback. In one terrible night of treachery, violence and tragic loss, plots stretching back three years come to fruition. As bullets fly and gangster machetes meet the Riot Squad, Harold's questions are answered, but is it too late?
675 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2018
21 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Vance Huxley
110 books185 followersVance Huxley lives out in the countryside in Lincolnshire, England. He has spent a busy life working in many different fields. Eventually Vance tried writing though without any real structure.
Then he actually sent one off to be read. As an editor and beta readers explained the difference between words and books, he tried again.
Now he tries to type as often as possible in spite of the assistance of his cats, since he is no longer mobile. An avid reader of sci-fi, fantasy and adventure novels, so his writing tends towards those genres.
Then he actually sent one off to be read. As an editor and beta readers explained the difference between words and books, he tried again.
Now he tries to type as often as possible in spite of the assistance of his cats, since he is no longer mobile. An avid reader of sci-fi, fantasy and adventure novels, so his writing tends towards those genres.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 24, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Fall of the Cities: Uprooting the Orchard
Author: Vance Huxley
Book Series: Fall of the Cities Book 4
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: dystopian lovers
Publication Date: October 25, 2020
Genre: Dystopian
Recommended Age: 17+ (language, gore, violence)
Publisher: Entrada Publishing
Pages: 518
Synopsis: Orchard Close survived Caddi's invasion, and smashed the General's army, but was the price too high? The Riot Squad are dead or wounded, the Army is watching from the bypass, and the attacking gangs were beaten but not annihilated. This time they don't even have a leader, because Soldier Boy will be out of action for months.
At least the attackers left behind plenty of weapons, providing the Army don't take them, and one person is ruthless enough to use them all. Without telling even 'Arold, the Killer Queen uses illegal weaponry to recruit, then launches a true Blitzkrieg across the battered city. With their enemies occupied, the Orchard Close survivors try to come to terms with the deaths, the destruction, and a growing conviction they can never win, that the government and scroats will keep coming.
The Cabal is distracted because the Reivers spring their own May Day surprise party. The Bruce is aiming high this time, he wants to buy Scotland from the Cabal and the first payment is in blood. As brave men and women launch their attacks or make their last stands, the foreign mercenaries and Specials find that their own families are vulnerable, and even the Royal Navy gets a wake-up call. While they are occupied, Bruce strikes for the real prize, a way to bring the Cabal to the negotiating table.
Throughout the summer, as Harold heals, he begins to plan the evacuation of Orchard Close. The gangs are finished, but when the Army withdraws from the bypass their replacements, Mart guards, will have machine guns aiming right into the heart of Orchard Close. Even as he tries to keep his plans secret, a rumour begins to grow, about an operation called Silent Running. It spreads and grows, helped by a song, until even the surrounding gangs believe it; Soldier Boy is leaving to set up a secret base. When the government finally comes for the Cities, there'll be a haven for those who escape and a strike force poised to disrupt the assault. By the time the convoy is ready, even the Cabal knows about the breakout, but with all the rumours Harold hopes that even his resident government spy is confused.
Review: I really like this book. I really like to genre and I thought that way that the author wrote this book was very well done. I also felt like the author did very well regarding character development and world building. The plot of the bus also hooks you in very early it doesn't let you go until the very end.
The only issue I really had with the book was that the pacing of the book can be pretty slow compared to what I am normally used to. It’s also a hard book to get into as the book is in the middle of a series and it’s hard to figure out where in the series this book falls as it’s not easily listed on Goodreads.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Fall of the Cities: Uprooting the Orchard
Author: Vance Huxley
Book Series: Fall of the Cities Book 4
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: dystopian lovers
Publication Date: October 25, 2020
Genre: Dystopian
Recommended Age: 17+ (language, gore, violence)
Publisher: Entrada Publishing
Pages: 518
Synopsis: Orchard Close survived Caddi's invasion, and smashed the General's army, but was the price too high? The Riot Squad are dead or wounded, the Army is watching from the bypass, and the attacking gangs were beaten but not annihilated. This time they don't even have a leader, because Soldier Boy will be out of action for months.
At least the attackers left behind plenty of weapons, providing the Army don't take them, and one person is ruthless enough to use them all. Without telling even 'Arold, the Killer Queen uses illegal weaponry to recruit, then launches a true Blitzkrieg across the battered city. With their enemies occupied, the Orchard Close survivors try to come to terms with the deaths, the destruction, and a growing conviction they can never win, that the government and scroats will keep coming.
The Cabal is distracted because the Reivers spring their own May Day surprise party. The Bruce is aiming high this time, he wants to buy Scotland from the Cabal and the first payment is in blood. As brave men and women launch their attacks or make their last stands, the foreign mercenaries and Specials find that their own families are vulnerable, and even the Royal Navy gets a wake-up call. While they are occupied, Bruce strikes for the real prize, a way to bring the Cabal to the negotiating table.
Throughout the summer, as Harold heals, he begins to plan the evacuation of Orchard Close. The gangs are finished, but when the Army withdraws from the bypass their replacements, Mart guards, will have machine guns aiming right into the heart of Orchard Close. Even as he tries to keep his plans secret, a rumour begins to grow, about an operation called Silent Running. It spreads and grows, helped by a song, until even the surrounding gangs believe it; Soldier Boy is leaving to set up a secret base. When the government finally comes for the Cities, there'll be a haven for those who escape and a strike force poised to disrupt the assault. By the time the convoy is ready, even the Cabal knows about the breakout, but with all the rumours Harold hopes that even his resident government spy is confused.
Review: I really like this book. I really like to genre and I thought that way that the author wrote this book was very well done. I also felt like the author did very well regarding character development and world building. The plot of the bus also hooks you in very early it doesn't let you go until the very end.
The only issue I really had with the book was that the pacing of the book can be pretty slow compared to what I am normally used to. It’s also a hard book to get into as the book is in the middle of a series and it’s hard to figure out where in the series this book falls as it’s not easily listed on Goodreads.
Verdict: It was good!
February 15, 2020
Fall of cities
What a great series, violent from the outset with characters you will love and hate. Harold is great hero, truly human with all our faults and foibles. He is a good guy forced into a bad situation doing the best he can,generous,brave,loyal to a fault. On the dark side he can become a vicious killer capable of all and any violent act to protect his loved ones and enclave. The bad guys are really bad without any redeeming features, you will hate them with a vengeance. This is a really realistic view of our world which you imagine could become reality. I cannot recommend highly enough this series. Fab
What a great series, violent from the outset with characters you will love and hate. Harold is great hero, truly human with all our faults and foibles. He is a good guy forced into a bad situation doing the best he can,generous,brave,loyal to a fault. On the dark side he can become a vicious killer capable of all and any violent act to protect his loved ones and enclave. The bad guys are really bad without any redeeming features, you will hate them with a vengeance. This is a really realistic view of our world which you imagine could become reality. I cannot recommend highly enough this series. Fab
December 30, 2018
I love this series! The main characters are very well developed and I love the direction in which they are going. I really wanted to know what was going to happen when I started this book but I finished it with a sinking feeling. I don't want this series to end!!!!
September 2, 2018
Shocked
Brilliant book when you read often you can see the ends of books coming sadly. This one had me on the dark to the last page brilliant
Brilliant book when you read often you can see the ends of books coming sadly. This one had me on the dark to the last page brilliant
July 30, 2022
Wonderful story
This episode is full of surprises and a bit of treachery. There is action, fun, and loss. I can't wait to read the next one.
This episode is full of surprises and a bit of treachery. There is action, fun, and loss. I can't wait to read the next one.
January 9, 2020
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher for reviewing purposes.
When I originally opted to review this book I wasn't familiar with it asides for the blurb sounding pretty interesting, as it turns out it's the 4th book in a series of 5 (so far) books, the 3 prior of which I obviously haven't read when reviewing this.
Starting out thankfully the author includes a brief overview of the situation at hand in a concise manner that gives you a reasonable grounding when starting out. Whilst I'm sure it would be immensely beneficial to have read the 3 prior books it wasn't too jarring starting out with just the overview although you do step straight into the action. I found it took a few chapters to really get a feel for the story's atmosphere, but as I said I haven't read the prior books so if you have you won't have this limitation.
The story itself was enjoyable and I became quite enthralled as events unfolded to the point that I'll be looking for book 5, Last Man Standing, to see how things unfold after this rather dramatic ending.
Overall, and excellent dystopian slash post collapse Europe novel.
When I originally opted to review this book I wasn't familiar with it asides for the blurb sounding pretty interesting, as it turns out it's the 4th book in a series of 5 (so far) books, the 3 prior of which I obviously haven't read when reviewing this.
Starting out thankfully the author includes a brief overview of the situation at hand in a concise manner that gives you a reasonable grounding when starting out. Whilst I'm sure it would be immensely beneficial to have read the 3 prior books it wasn't too jarring starting out with just the overview although you do step straight into the action. I found it took a few chapters to really get a feel for the story's atmosphere, but as I said I haven't read the prior books so if you have you won't have this limitation.
The story itself was enjoyable and I became quite enthralled as events unfolded to the point that I'll be looking for book 5, Last Man Standing, to see how things unfold after this rather dramatic ending.
Overall, and excellent dystopian slash post collapse Europe novel.
November 22, 2018
I am delightedly changing my review and rating for this book. My original negative critique was entirely due to severe display problems on my Kindle. I'm happy to report that a revised edition appears to have cleared that up, and I can now give this story the rating it deserves. It is the fourth in a series that has made me laugh and cry. I did that again with this addition to the series, despite the formatting issues. For me, that emotional response is what tells me that a story is good and well written. I am hoping that there will be another story added soon.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews