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Desperate Measures
The stability of the Survivor’s Alliance is still fragile. They made it through the winter, but now it’s flu season. Every year the virus changes just a little. Tillie and Angus are trying to prepare for every scenario, even the possibility that they will be the first to go. Nick is working to bridge the gap in supplies until the spring crops come in. Wisp and Bridget are preparing for the birth of their child. But there are changes coming that no one expected.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2018
About the author
Alice Sabo
51 books63 followersAlice Sabo is the author of character-driven stories in multiple genres. Her characters struggle to make the right choices in difficult and often dangerous situations. Whether seeking lost cultures in an unforgiving galaxy or finding a murderer on the streets of LA, her books have strong world building, multi-layered characters and a satisfying culmination.
You can find all her series and the order in which to read them on her website, along with maps and other extras. www.alicesabo.com
You can find all her series and the order in which to read them on her website, along with maps and other extras. www.alicesabo.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 17, 2024
A HOPEFUL POST-APOCALYPTIC SERIES CONCLUDES
Apocalyptic visions abound in science fiction. From asteroid collisions to nuclear holocaust to super-volcanoes, there’s no lack of lurid images for the extinction of all life on Earth. But our planet’s 4.5-billion-year history tells us that something less extreme is much more likely. For example, even the most virulent and lethal pandemic will no doubt leave survivors. And that’s the premise for Alice Sabo’s five-book series of post-Apocalyptic novels, A Changed World. In fact, in Desperate Measures, the series’s conclusion, one American community has already taken the first long, difficult steps back to a secure and comfortable life. And we can be reasonably sure there are other such settlements scattered about the planet.
FIVE CENTRAL CHARACTERS THROUGHOUT
In each of the four novels preceding Desperate Measures, we’ve met the principal characters who carry the story. High Meadow Med Center has morphed into High Meadow Town. But the same five people hold our attention.
** Angus and Tilly Moss, the resourceful founders of the community.
** A former special forces soldier named Martin who heads the militia, which is now divided into three specialist forces.
** A former FBI agent named Nick who handles trade negotiations with the farms and smaller communities around the region.
** Wisp, an android (“biobot”) with the capacity to read emotions at a distance. He roams the region, seeking others who need help, bringing many of them to High Meadow.
A THRIVING TOWN IN A REGION STRIVING FOR NORMALCY
Ten years have passed since Year Zero, when the first wave of the “flu” wiped out more than half the Earth’s population. And High Meadow has begun to resemble a town in the old sense of the word. Well over 5,000 people live there now, and the number continuously increases.
Trade relations with the surrounding farms and smaller communities are robust. Specialized crafts and trades are reemerging. A well-trained militia defends the town, patrols the newly-claimed borders of the larger region, and roams throughout the territory, seeking any who need help. And Angus has introduced a form of currency, using it as a means to reward members of the community for their work. Because everyone works at High Meadow. There’s no alternative short of succumbing to the ravages of the annual spring “flu” or the inertia of despair.
So, it’s taken ten years. But High Meadow now appears to be on the way to a stable future. And, though Sabo is not a literary stylist, her storytelling skills are strong. We care about the people of this vibrant and caring community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice Sabo describes herself as “the author of character driven stories in post-apocalyptic, space opera, fantasy and mystery series.” She has written more than twenty-five novels in seven series of books. Sabo is an independent author who publishes and promotes her own work.
Apocalyptic visions abound in science fiction. From asteroid collisions to nuclear holocaust to super-volcanoes, there’s no lack of lurid images for the extinction of all life on Earth. But our planet’s 4.5-billion-year history tells us that something less extreme is much more likely. For example, even the most virulent and lethal pandemic will no doubt leave survivors. And that’s the premise for Alice Sabo’s five-book series of post-Apocalyptic novels, A Changed World. In fact, in Desperate Measures, the series’s conclusion, one American community has already taken the first long, difficult steps back to a secure and comfortable life. And we can be reasonably sure there are other such settlements scattered about the planet.
FIVE CENTRAL CHARACTERS THROUGHOUT
In each of the four novels preceding Desperate Measures, we’ve met the principal characters who carry the story. High Meadow Med Center has morphed into High Meadow Town. But the same five people hold our attention.
** Angus and Tilly Moss, the resourceful founders of the community.
** A former special forces soldier named Martin who heads the militia, which is now divided into three specialist forces.
** A former FBI agent named Nick who handles trade negotiations with the farms and smaller communities around the region.
** Wisp, an android (“biobot”) with the capacity to read emotions at a distance. He roams the region, seeking others who need help, bringing many of them to High Meadow.
A THRIVING TOWN IN A REGION STRIVING FOR NORMALCY
Ten years have passed since Year Zero, when the first wave of the “flu” wiped out more than half the Earth’s population. And High Meadow has begun to resemble a town in the old sense of the word. Well over 5,000 people live there now, and the number continuously increases.
Trade relations with the surrounding farms and smaller communities are robust. Specialized crafts and trades are reemerging. A well-trained militia defends the town, patrols the newly-claimed borders of the larger region, and roams throughout the territory, seeking any who need help. And Angus has introduced a form of currency, using it as a means to reward members of the community for their work. Because everyone works at High Meadow. There’s no alternative short of succumbing to the ravages of the annual spring “flu” or the inertia of despair.
So, it’s taken ten years. But High Meadow now appears to be on the way to a stable future. And, though Sabo is not a literary stylist, her storytelling skills are strong. We care about the people of this vibrant and caring community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice Sabo describes herself as “the author of character driven stories in post-apocalyptic, space opera, fantasy and mystery series.” She has written more than twenty-five novels in seven series of books. Sabo is an independent author who publishes and promotes her own work.
December 29, 2018
Summary / Review:
As I have thoroughly enjoyed the first four books of Alice Sabo's well-written and emotionally riveting 'A Changed World' series - including here on goodreads one of my usual long-winded reviews for each - I feel like there is little new I can add to convince anyone else out there to try these books. Bluntly put: "Desperate Measures" is no exception to anything I've previously commented after completing the first books and whether it is the final chapter or just a new one as this world continues to heal, I really can't add more. If you're not reading them, its your loss.
Again, these books provide a much lighter dystopian read than what we usually see in this 'genre'. If you're coming into these stories looking for the next 'Pines' trilogy or other similarly crafted tale of survival in a world we manage somehow to ruin, well, you might be disappointed as you'll not be finding any kind of horrificly mutated life-forms to conquer nor wicked overseer with apocalyptic ulterior motives. If, however, you are geniuinely interested in not just that people have to fight to survive but also make seemingly mundane decisions about how to keep enough food on the table or prevent their lifestock from becoming too inbred (yes, its a thing), well, you'll be intrigued. And sure, the presence of the biobots, the angry weather and the constant threat of whatever new strain of flu will strike every year only adds to the suspense, zombies or not!
I can only underline that I've enjoyed the heck out of these very fairly priced books and find them to be excellent compliments to the aforementioned Crouch offerings or even those by such fine authors as Joe Hart or Marcus Sakey as well. Sabo's books are quick reads - both in length but naturally as well in terms of free-flowing style - but once you become as emotionally attached to these characters as I, you'll only want more! Enjoy!
As I have thoroughly enjoyed the first four books of Alice Sabo's well-written and emotionally riveting 'A Changed World' series - including here on goodreads one of my usual long-winded reviews for each - I feel like there is little new I can add to convince anyone else out there to try these books. Bluntly put: "Desperate Measures" is no exception to anything I've previously commented after completing the first books and whether it is the final chapter or just a new one as this world continues to heal, I really can't add more. If you're not reading them, its your loss.
Again, these books provide a much lighter dystopian read than what we usually see in this 'genre'. If you're coming into these stories looking for the next 'Pines' trilogy or other similarly crafted tale of survival in a world we manage somehow to ruin, well, you might be disappointed as you'll not be finding any kind of horrificly mutated life-forms to conquer nor wicked overseer with apocalyptic ulterior motives. If, however, you are geniuinely interested in not just that people have to fight to survive but also make seemingly mundane decisions about how to keep enough food on the table or prevent their lifestock from becoming too inbred (yes, its a thing), well, you'll be intrigued. And sure, the presence of the biobots, the angry weather and the constant threat of whatever new strain of flu will strike every year only adds to the suspense, zombies or not!
I can only underline that I've enjoyed the heck out of these very fairly priced books and find them to be excellent compliments to the aforementioned Crouch offerings or even those by such fine authors as Joe Hart or Marcus Sakey as well. Sabo's books are quick reads - both in length but naturally as well in terms of free-flowing style - but once you become as emotionally attached to these characters as I, you'll only want more! Enjoy!
July 21, 2019
Can't remember how I discovered this series, but I've been so invested in these characters from Book 1. Some are perhaps a little too good to be true, but I love them anyway--perhaps because I've been lucky enough to know so many people like them.
Pretty sure this won't be the last book, because Sabo leaves us with a new relationship and a couple of interesting mysteries. Looking forward to Book 6.
Pretty sure this won't be the last book, because Sabo leaves us with a new relationship and a couple of interesting mysteries. Looking forward to Book 6.
March 20, 2021
Very good read
Really enjoyed the characters and their stories. Sorry the series concluded but the wonderfully positive plot was just what I needed. Thank you Alice Sank. Look forward to more of your works.
Really enjoyed the characters and their stories. Sorry the series concluded but the wonderfully positive plot was just what I needed. Thank you Alice Sank. Look forward to more of your works.
September 12, 2019
Nice to catch up with all the happenings at High Meadows.
October 9, 2019
Awesome series
I would give this five stars, but it only gets 4 because I’m sad it’s ending! Such a great series, easy to read- keeps you engaged.
I would give this five stars, but it only gets 4 because I’m sad it’s ending! Such a great series, easy to read- keeps you engaged.
May 3, 2023
Pretty good but kind of a rush and abrupt ending.
More research done and more well thought out.
I would recommend this series to those who want a light and comfortable survival read.
More research done and more well thought out.
I would recommend this series to those who want a light and comfortable survival read.
June 22, 2023
I liked this series of World wide Armageddon and how these folks made a better life for all peoples, even biobots. I hated for the series to end.
January 25, 2026
The last book in the series. It was great! Brought everything to a close.
June 13, 2019
I loved this book as much as all the preceding ones, but I found it a bit disappointing. It was much shorter than the others, and I felt it was rushed. I really enjoyed it but would have liked a bit more detail on some of the major characters.
Read
March 17, 2019With all the apocalyptic books and series out now, this one truly stands out. Great characters, and a sense of the need to rebuild together, rather than selfishness and isolation. Compelling and well worth the time!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews