The Silent Explosion

World Apart #0.5

by Robin D. Mahle

Peace should follow war, but this time, fate has different plans for the Ceithren Empire. Four characters witness the unfolding of The Silent Explosion in quick succession, and each of them has a role to play. Follow the event that serves as a catalyst for the beginning of the upcoming YA Dieselpunk Novel, The Fractured Empire.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Steampunk

ebook

Published July 1, 2018

About the author

Robin D. Mahle started out as a pen name I shared with my husband for The World Apart Series, but since then, I've absconded with it to delve into the wonderful world of fairy tale retellings and fantasy romances with my partner in crime, Elle Madison.

When I'm not writing, you can find me spending time with my seven hundred cats and drinking wine by the barrel.

Reviews

[Demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short overview of the events that happened before The Fractured Empire.
Following Gunther, Amelie, PeNelope, and Locke, you get a little insight to the thoughts and emotions going on in the lead up to, and the aftermath of the silent explosion.
While not necessary to read, it does help to give a little more understanding.

[Aizlynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after having read the rest of the series. It is so amazing how much it enriched the story in so few pages. Learning about the silent explosion and the happenings around it helped set up so many aspects of the series and characters. It really is a perfect prequel.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It fell a little flat

I felt like everyone had a lack of real emotions in this book. Maybe the monotone rhythm was because this was just a short introduction to the story. I hope it isn't how the next book will be.

[Lana | Libraryofabibliotaph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this prequel between books 1 and 2. Nice to get some insight on what happened before the first book of this series. I liked that the POV's were different from te first book. But you don't get to know that much more, so 3 ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lissa Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prequel short story is short and prequelly. I never read these before the series, but it is a fun little extra when you are craving more.

[Valerie Worster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice start

Beautiful cover. I can see the nautilus in the explosion. I haven’t yet read this series, but with this introduction, I’m looking forward to it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but gives the reader a little more insight into minor characters and how they fit into the storyline.

[Delanie Slattery · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭

[OldBird · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ceithren Empire is a place of steam and gears, motor cars, mag-levs and mysterious islands that stretch out to the Ever Falls which carves the oceanic world in two. A diverse group of characters are witness to the events leading up to a terrible explosion that will touch all their lives...

As world-building setups go - wow. This one had me thinking strongly of settings for Studio Ghibli films: a bit bucolic old European, a bit 1930s America, all fantastical. There is a lot to take in over such a short story, and there might be a bit too much too soon with the first two chapters, but it's a beautifully realised idea. I wasn't too keen on the hopping between so many characters as it doesn't give much of a chance to really get to know anyone before you're into a new chapter and new perspective. Despite this, I'd say Nell stood out the most. Her personality was conveyed really well with the events.

So we're left with the big questions: who caused the explosion and why? What did happen during the war, and how will it shape what is to come? Why do two rich girls harbour dreams of reaching the Ever Falls, and could anyone ever make it there anyway? There's a rich and mysterious history to be mined there, and if this series starter is anything to go by we'll be deep in intrigues before long...

-I received a free copy of this ebook from a giveaway-

[Madelon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For pretty obvious reasons, short stories are pretty hard to review without giving everything away. "The Silent Explosion" provides an entry into an upcoming series, World Apart, authored by a husband and wife team writing as Robin D. Mahle. The writing is crisp without having sharp edges, emotional without being maudlin. In other words the writing is very good.

In this short piece, readers are introduced to what I imagine are going to be the four primary characters in the upcoming series. We are also introduced to the concept, captured in the title, of a 'silent' explosion that is every bit as devastating as noisy bomb would produce. There is also a modicum of world building started here. World building is always a challenge, so I did not expect to come away with a full-blown picture of the Ceithren Empire.

I believe that the story accomplishes what it set out to do, namely present an intriguing premise and some interesting characters in order to spark an interest in the longer works to follow.

As a fractal artist myself, I would be remiss not to mention the wonderful cover on the digital edition.

[A_MOTUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short that really gives one the desire to read more about the Ceithren Empire.
Fast but precise description of the characters: their feelings, their habits. I was quick to like them and sad to see one already gone. Actions and events were given in a tale for the opening (and closing for some) of very good stories. In fact here I found exactly what I like in a short story: passing between very different states of mind in the blink of a word.
Can't wait to read more from Robin aka Brittany and Steven.