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America Falls #4
Rude Shock
Infection. Invasion. Chaos... After their hurried escape from the Drake Mountain Facility, Isaac, and his group stumbled upon a farmhouse in a secluded valley. It's what they've been looking for. A place to make their home, both now and in the future. Their joy is tempered by questions though. How will they feed and look after themselves, especially with a baby on the way? Was the virus unleashed against the invaders successful or, will they be watching out for their oppressors for the rest of their lives? And...even if they are gone, what other dangers in the post apocalyptic world await them. Danger is coming and only time will tell if they have found the salvation they've been seeking or if their dreams will be crushed, leaving them to the same fate as all of those that died before them. Rude shock is the 4th installment of the action-packed AMERICA FALLS post-apocalyptic series.
278 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2018
340 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 30, 2024
4.75
Rounded up! This wasn’t a perfect book, not by a long shot, but goddamn did I enjoy it. The character really touched me this go ‘round!
Rounded up! This wasn’t a perfect book, not by a long shot, but goddamn did I enjoy it. The character really touched me this go ‘round!
September 2, 2020
Although I must admit that the ending of Scott Medury's fourth novel of the America Falls series was extremely exciting and impossible to put down, Rude Shock was, in my opinion, a very frustrating book. The frustration is caused by reading about people that simply don't understand what it means to be prepared. I understand these were young kids, probably the oldest being in his or her early twenties by the time this story occurs, but they must have some common sense that would warn them that the current environment would require "adequate defense." Instead, they sit around for FIVE years doing I'm not sure what until the bad guys attack who they were well aware had been skulking around the country side. It's like drinking the water in a creek when you know cattle were just upstream. You're just asking for trouble and that's how our characters end up. And then they wondered why this had to happen. Well, let me suggest that when you have 800 people camped out in a stockade (or whatever you call their settlement), you need to get them to do things like scout around for weapons, build earthworks, etc. etc. etc. My goodness! Doesn't anyone ever read?
And by the way, what is it with the F word? In the first book, it was only used once (at least that's what the search shows). The second book it was used 3 times. Now I get to the fourth book and it was used 28 times. I guess that's what they spent the five years doing. They learned to cuss.
In any case, the book is very entertaining, but, as I say, it is also very annoying. I guess this is where the old adage becomes appropriate: Live and Learn!
And by the way, what is it with the F word? In the first book, it was only used once (at least that's what the search shows). The second book it was used 3 times. Now I get to the fourth book and it was used 28 times. I guess that's what they spent the five years doing. They learned to cuss.
In any case, the book is very entertaining, but, as I say, it is also very annoying. I guess this is where the old adage becomes appropriate: Live and Learn!
August 19, 2024
It's a bit of a letdown this time. Bummed that it flashed into the future because I thought it was interesting from a kid's perspective.
Also, there were minor irritations. For instance, the segregation of work/duties for men and women. In a flash, all the girls became these perfectly sweet little mothers who took care of the boys, from cooking and cleaning to tending wounds. Even worse, when one gets pregnant, she steps down from a leadership role to take care of the baby? I mean, honestly, I was wondering if the author knew any real women because of how silly they were acting.
Also, even after all they went through in the mountain facility, they get to an open farm and just stop and play house? Without any real defenses or ingenuity? That seemed way off base as well.
Also, there were minor irritations. For instance, the segregation of work/duties for men and women. In a flash, all the girls became these perfectly sweet little mothers who took care of the boys, from cooking and cleaning to tending wounds. Even worse, when one gets pregnant, she steps down from a leadership role to take care of the baby? I mean, honestly, I was wondering if the author knew any real women because of how silly they were acting.
Also, even after all they went through in the mountain facility, they get to an open farm and just stop and play house? Without any real defenses or ingenuity? That seemed way off base as well.
December 16, 2020
Very short but very intense with an intense ending that changes everything for Luke and the others as well in this series.
Since I only had books 1-4 am stopping but may finish the series at some future point in time.
Since I only had books 1-4 am stopping but may finish the series at some future point in time.
September 30, 2025
3.5. Series gets better as it progresses.
December 10, 2024
LOVEDD this book. Best audiobook I’ve listened to this year. This series is a mix of Lord of the Flies meets Contagion & I’m obsessed
April 23, 2025
3.5 stars. The rating would be better on this one if not for the same issues with every book that came before it.
Still super annoyed by the sexist views that it seems all of the male characters hold. Every time something happens, it’s, “get the girls to the basement,” “Watch over the girls,” or “we need to protect the girls.” They are all women (not girls!), and they have survived by doing just as much dangerous shit as the guys. Put some respect on their names!
About the plot, this book was better than the rest in the series, so far. The ending was good, even if I did predict most of it. The antagonist’s story is not explained at all. We are given no reason as to why Ash would snap like that on the people who rescued him. The author hints at the sexual abuse, but that would not explain why he is killing “the good guys.” There’s no explanation as to why he kills the people the MCs care about but not all the random people he seems to amass to build his army. There’s no reason offered as to why he attacked their farm in the first place. It couldn’t have been to covet the land because he had that when they left and he still chose to pursue them. There’s no logic to this plot point.
Still super annoyed by the sexist views that it seems all of the male characters hold. Every time something happens, it’s, “get the girls to the basement,” “Watch over the girls,” or “we need to protect the girls.” They are all women (not girls!), and they have survived by doing just as much dangerous shit as the guys. Put some respect on their names!
About the plot, this book was better than the rest in the series, so far. The ending was good, even if I did predict most of it. The antagonist’s story is not explained at all. We are given no reason as to why Ash would snap like that on the people who rescued him. The author hints at the sexual abuse, but that would not explain why he is killing “the good guys.” There’s no explanation as to why he kills the people the MCs care about but not all the random people he seems to amass to build his army. There’s no reason offered as to why he attacked their farm in the first place. It couldn’t have been to covet the land because he had that when they left and he still chose to pursue them. There’s no logic to this plot point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2019
Another great book
This is a great series. Just finished book 4 and had some surprises not expected for sure. I would recommend this series to everyone. Now on to book 5. See you later.
This is a great series. Just finished book 4 and had some surprises not expected for sure. I would recommend this series to everyone. Now on to book 5. See you later.
May 19, 2018
Awesome
Very good gripping read. I wish there was more. I never put all the books down. It's worth the read
Very good gripping read. I wish there was more. I never put all the books down. It's worth the read
July 1, 2018
Great series! Very well written.
August 7, 2018
The kids are alright
As our heroes carry on the US that is no more it seems psychotic killers are drawn to these just trying to survive.
Good read
As our heroes carry on the US that is no more it seems psychotic killers are drawn to these just trying to survive.
Good read
May 14, 2019
Isaac and crew finally make it out of Drake Mountain and find a place to call home. Too much happy ending foreshadowing here for it to be true though. This is just the calm before the storm.
I found it interesting that we fast forward a few years living on the farm after getting there and settling in. All the minute details in there aren't important but the passing of time is.
This one was action packed and emotional and painful. You feel for the characters and wish you could tell them to turn back and just wait! But you'll only have to wait for the 5th story to see what befalls them next.
Some things feel a little predictable and some are surprises.
I love that the author spends ZERO time playing catch up between books like so many other authors do. While for lengthy stories it might be nice to recap, but sometimes its just tedious and unnecessary. I like that Medbury doesn't do that here. You put one book down, and start the next and you're right where you left off.
What's next?!?! Onward to book 5.
I found it interesting that we fast forward a few years living on the farm after getting there and settling in. All the minute details in there aren't important but the passing of time is.
This one was action packed and emotional and painful. You feel for the characters and wish you could tell them to turn back and just wait! But you'll only have to wait for the 5th story to see what befalls them next.
Some things feel a little predictable and some are surprises.
I love that the author spends ZERO time playing catch up between books like so many other authors do. While for lengthy stories it might be nice to recap, but sometimes its just tedious and unnecessary. I like that Medbury doesn't do that here. You put one book down, and start the next and you're right where you left off.
What's next?!?! Onward to book 5.
December 12, 2023
If permitted this would be 3.5 starts book. This book follows the survivors who have escaped from the Drake Mountain facility. They stumble on an old house in an isolate valley and settle down to rebuild their lives. As the story progresses we see the small group expand as they come across other people on their scavenging runs. As seems obligatory in these types of survivalist dystopian novels eventually they come across someone who is full of hate, steals all of their scavenge weapons, and leaves to form an army that naturally targets the peace loving survivors who are just trying to get through the days. I appreciate that the only way to have a long story if the writer wants to have the situation where life is starting to settle down is to develop struggles and battles between the new settlements. I think it would be nice occasionally to have a shorter series when the group of survivors have settled down somewhere and are starting to develop and new way of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
Gas expires. Quickly. You do not have gas after 5 years, even in the BEST of circumstances
This one was pretty dumb.
Pregnant woman says: I'm coming to help in this huge fight we're expecting, I won't get in the way
Men think she should stay behind and be safe
Woman: but I have my big strong man to protect me!
The ~natural~ assumption of sexist roles i.e. girls do housework boys do MASCULINITY is gross, it stops JUST SHY of saying "little lady" and tipping a fedora. Girls cook and wait on the boys, boys do mechanics and tools!
They fled a place in cars (that mysteriously still run in the land of never expiring and never running out of gas) and had been gone for ~4 hours. They've traveled FIVE MILES TOTAL. Keep in mind, the young children are being driven in the buses and loads of people are walking, but the average walking speed for someone able-bodied under 30 is 3 mph. Again, they'd gone 5 miles in 4 hours. Embarrassing and absolutely useless.
This one was pretty dumb.
Pregnant woman says: I'm coming to help in this huge fight we're expecting, I won't get in the way
Men think she should stay behind and be safe
Woman: but I have my big strong man to protect me!
The ~natural~ assumption of sexist roles i.e. girls do housework boys do MASCULINITY is gross, it stops JUST SHY of saying "little lady" and tipping a fedora. Girls cook and wait on the boys, boys do mechanics and tools!
They fled a place in cars (that mysteriously still run in the land of never expiring and never running out of gas) and had been gone for ~4 hours. They've traveled FIVE MILES TOTAL. Keep in mind, the young children are being driven in the buses and loads of people are walking, but the average walking speed for someone able-bodied under 30 is 3 mph. Again, they'd gone 5 miles in 4 hours. Embarrassing and absolutely useless.
November 21, 2021
after getting out of the mountain the group finds a farm and starts making a life for them selves. they do so good at building a small community they stay for 5 years . growing older,getting married and having babies. but all good things must come to an end. a boy who ran away from the group right after getting recued starts a group of his own. from here he turns his group in to a ruthless heartless army. his names ash and he only wants to take over and kill . he chases the group out of the farm and followed them to a city where they must face off .commander to commander if ash wins he kills the other group and if the other group wins ashs group turns and leaves. with the faith of the group in the hands of a killer its all or nothing.
August 8, 2019
The second trilogy, also downloaded as one book.
Continuing the story of Isaac, Luke and the other kids surviving in a dystopian world where all the non Chinese adults have been killed by a manufactured virus and the USA has been invaded by China.
The Chinese have disappeared after an engineered version of the virus was unleashed on them. Our protagonists settle down in a farm, until attacked by a gang of psychos.
Again, a real page turner. Well written and well thought out.
Continuing the story of Isaac, Luke and the other kids surviving in a dystopian world where all the non Chinese adults have been killed by a manufactured virus and the USA has been invaded by China.
The Chinese have disappeared after an engineered version of the virus was unleashed on them. Our protagonists settle down in a farm, until attacked by a gang of psychos.
Again, a real page turner. Well written and well thought out.
May 12, 2022
A senseless death and another a long time coming.
This is possibly the best book in the series thus far. Well written and fleshed out with an actually excellent story. It's unfortunate that the passing of some characters took place with one in particular hurting more than the rest. Character development is excellent and the setup for the ending is believable, expected and sad. Do not read this without reading the first three books.
This is possibly the best book in the series thus far. Well written and fleshed out with an actually excellent story. It's unfortunate that the passing of some characters took place with one in particular hurting more than the rest. Character development is excellent and the setup for the ending is believable, expected and sad. Do not read this without reading the first three books.
June 4, 2018
Soap opera
Each book this guy writes ends with nothing but a big come on for the next book He should write for soap operas. They end with stuff like..... I left her sitting there, and we never saw her again. Too lazy to write an ending. Not wasting my time reading any more after 2 of these!
Each book this guy writes ends with nothing but a big come on for the next book He should write for soap operas. They end with stuff like..... I left her sitting there, and we never saw her again. Too lazy to write an ending. Not wasting my time reading any more after 2 of these!
June 12, 2018
This was book rang true to the post-apocalyptic genre's version of a third or fourth book. Still very well written and engaging. Though I have seen this happen where the group is uprooted and has to face a huge challenge/ tragedy. After four books this with a writer I am truly hooked. I plan to seek out more of this works.
June 26, 2018
The joys of youth
Mr Medbury has taken the joys of youth and condensed them to the point of being forced to face a harsh reality of adult decisions. He has written a terrific series that I would recommend to anyone who has an imagination. A good job of drawing the reader into the characters lives.
Mr Medbury has taken the joys of youth and condensed them to the point of being forced to face a harsh reality of adult decisions. He has written a terrific series that I would recommend to anyone who has an imagination. A good job of drawing the reader into the characters lives.
March 8, 2025
After reading so many Post Apocalyptic books from authors like Franklin Horton, AJ Newman and A. American, my bar has been sey pretty high. This series is a solid 3 for me. That's the best I can do. The biggest issue is that people as naive and woke as these would never last this long. Darwin would visit them quickly. But so far the series is bearable.
May 17, 2018
Great story lines
While there are some inconsistencies between the books, these are great, easy reads. I have watched the characters grow, rooted for the good guys, hated the bad guys. Preordered #5, can't wait!
While there are some inconsistencies between the books, these are great, easy reads. I have watched the characters grow, rooted for the good guys, hated the bad guys. Preordered #5, can't wait!
July 17, 2018
Love it, love it, love it!!
Continuing saga of Issac and his band of teenage survivors after a flu released by terrorist that killed all the adults. You must go back to book one for an incredible journey!
Continuing saga of Issac and his band of teenage survivors after a flu released by terrorist that killed all the adults. You must go back to book one for an incredible journey!
August 19, 2018
Disappointed with this one. Years go by and they still don't have any serious security set up to deal with aggressors, so a little boy gets nabbed and probably tortured to reveal what the community has. I couldn't finish because I was so disappointed with how the book was progressing.
January 30, 2020
4 stRs
I like this series. Sometimes simple and straightforward is epically more readable than a complex and twisting, socially preachy, boring rehash of another’s beliefs and nonsense.
I like this series. Sometimes simple and straightforward is epically more readable than a complex and twisting, socially preachy, boring rehash of another’s beliefs and nonsense.
February 19, 2023
Wow, wow and wow.
Rude Shock is number four in the America Falls series and it's an excellent book...actually...it's better than excellent... It's an action-packed page-turning unputdownable book. I highly recommend this book, series and author.
Rude Shock is number four in the America Falls series and it's an excellent book...actually...it's better than excellent... It's an action-packed page-turning unputdownable book. I highly recommend this book, series and author.
March 8, 2024
Amazing....just amazing! These books are full of characters that seem so real, truly vibrant, and I can tell that the author loves all of them. I adore this series and the world building of Scott Medbury!
June 10, 2024
Lots of suspense.
I liked the 4th book, Rude Shock, in the America Falls series. I have grown attracted to some of the characters. There is plenty of suspense as Issac’s group try to find a peaceful place to survive. I will read the next book in the series.
I liked the 4th book, Rude Shock, in the America Falls series. I have grown attracted to some of the characters. There is plenty of suspense as Issac’s group try to find a peaceful place to survive. I will read the next book in the series.
December 8, 2025
Good setup/pivot after the first three installments of this series. The jump in timelines from 3 to 4 was pretty jarring so it took a while for me to get into the plot. That said this was fast paced and had an incredible amount of action throughout the book.
September 13, 2018
Yet another great installment
There were not nearly as many typos and grammar mistakes in this one as in the first 3 books in the series! Made it much more pleasant to read!
There were not nearly as many typos and grammar mistakes in this one as in the first 3 books in the series! Made it much more pleasant to read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews