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The Remnants Trilogy #1
Ashes of the Fall
Sometimes the fall is only the beginning.
In the year 2048, the crumbling remnants of western North America are suddenly buried in ash, weakening the grip of the brutal dictatorship. A factional landscape springs from the ashes, con man Luke Stokes artfully navigating the clash.
But he can't remain above the fray for long, as each faction seeks the truth from Luke regarding his murdered brother's final project. A neural-interface technology that will forever shift the fragile balance of the ashen plains.
With the true believers, desert nomads, survivalists and existing regime closing in, Luke must delve deeper into his genius brother's secrets. And the truth about his last project will dramatically alter the remnants of civilization.
Because the fall isn't always the end - sometimes, it's only the beginning.
In the year 2048, the crumbling remnants of western North America are suddenly buried in ash, weakening the grip of the brutal dictatorship. A factional landscape springs from the ashes, con man Luke Stokes artfully navigating the clash.
But he can't remain above the fray for long, as each faction seeks the truth from Luke regarding his murdered brother's final project. A neural-interface technology that will forever shift the fragile balance of the ashen plains.
With the true believers, desert nomads, survivalists and existing regime closing in, Luke must delve deeper into his genius brother's secrets. And the truth about his last project will dramatically alter the remnants of civilization.
Because the fall isn't always the end - sometimes, it's only the beginning.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 23, 2023
Luke lives in a post-apocalyptic society ruled by a dictator. He goes to the city to meet with his brother who he hasn’t seen in years. When he gets there, his brother’s dead. Now he has to delve in his brother’s past to find out what’s really going on.
Admittedly, this book is well written and has some cool world building. It has a strong concept and the execution up to a certain point is actually pretty good. After a while though, the story just loses itself in a sea of too many plot twists, making it more than a bit hard to follow, or to remain invested in the story.
A science fiction story that starts out promising but kind of loses itself along the way.
Admittedly, this book is well written and has some cool world building. It has a strong concept and the execution up to a certain point is actually pretty good. After a while though, the story just loses itself in a sea of too many plot twists, making it more than a bit hard to follow, or to remain invested in the story.
A science fiction story that starts out promising but kind of loses itself along the way.
November 2, 2018
2.5 to 3. I'm conflicted. The writing is not bad at all. It started out good and then too many things happened and no real back story. I was confused a lot of the time of what was happening. There are so many organizations in this new era but you dont really get any info of what happened and why. Dont think I will read any of the books in the series.
October 2, 2018
An interesting world and engaging main character. Made me want to continue with the series.
May 29, 2016
I enjoyed this first book in the Remnants Trilogy.The author creates a unique world with an intelligent and sarcastic main character i liked.I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2018
Detailed trilogy
I usually love to read dystopian books but this was a little complicated for me. Con man Luke had alliances coming and going a little too quickly to keep track of while there was so much action
I usually love to read dystopian books but this was a little complicated for me. Con man Luke had alliances coming and going a little too quickly to keep track of while there was so much action
October 30, 2018
Good gravy, this novel is terrible. It may be the worst novel I've ever read to completion. Unfortunately, it's not so bad it's good; it's just bad. The author is not competent at any aspect of the novel -- lousy, uninteresting characters who never evolve; disjointed, frequently incomprehensible plotting; excruciatingly awful dialogue; he does not know what a MacGuffin is for; and he seems not to have any understanding of distances, rendering his action sequences risible. So, no, I won't be completing the trilogy.
October 29, 2018
The author refers to the man in the high castle several times throughout his narration. Using the novel by Dick as a comparison, this falls short. There is lots of action and internal reflection, and everyone is lying. It's hard to like or empathize with any of the characters. I'm not sure if I will continue with the remaining 2 books, other than morbid curiosity like watching a train wreck.
October 20, 2018
It was ok.
Not really a fan of these type of books, too close to what actually might happen. I'm also not a fan of being forced to write a review.
Not really a fan of these type of books, too close to what actually might happen. I'm also not a fan of being forced to write a review.
October 11, 2018
Pretty poor. It's like someone watched Mad Max, Escape from New York, Hunger Games, Book of Eli and thought 'I can do that.'
Attempts at plot twists got pointless, characters that help the protagonist out suddenly turn, turn back, turn back again. And the point of the whole thing, to bring online what a quasi-'internet' that is going to save a post-apocalypse world?! Boring boring. I read 80%, scan-read to the end and never even got round to turning the final 5 pages.
Attempts at plot twists got pointless, characters that help the protagonist out suddenly turn, turn back, turn back again. And the point of the whole thing, to bring online what a quasi-'internet' that is going to save a post-apocalypse world?! Boring boring. I read 80%, scan-read to the end and never even got round to turning the final 5 pages.
October 7, 2018
Stark, Post-Apocalyptic “Mad Max” Nightmare
Reminiscent of the Chris Carter series “Dark Angel”, the aforementioned “Mad Max” and other genre works, the dogged determination of the main protagonist to simply survive is paramount.
Virtual reality also figures in, at least peripherally, in this installment.
Reminiscent of the Chris Carter series “Dark Angel”, the aforementioned “Mad Max” and other genre works, the dogged determination of the main protagonist to simply survive is paramount.
Virtual reality also figures in, at least peripherally, in this installment.
March 24, 2017
A fantastic adventure that follows Luke Stokes as he navigates his way through a world in ruins.
I really enjoyed this story - it was exciting, full of action, and fast-paced.
The main character is likeable as well; sharp and quick-witted - I really liked those sarcastic one-liners!
I really enjoyed this story - it was exciting, full of action, and fast-paced.
The main character is likeable as well; sharp and quick-witted - I really liked those sarcastic one-liners!
February 24, 2019
Ashes of the Fall is the first in Nicholas Erik’s The Remnants Triology. Ashes is a dystopian sci fi story that is action-packed throughout. Our hero is Luke Stokes, a self-described grifter who is called from Seattle to New York City by his brother Matt whom Luke hasn’t seen since childhood. Matt is a genius who has come up with a “neural interface technology,” and he wants Luke to help him keep it out of the hands of the dictator. When Luke arrives, he finds Matt dead in his apartment. Suicide or murder? Luke doesn’t know. He just knows he has to get out of town fast so he won’t get caught in a trap.
This book has some interesting constructs that could potentially reflect reality. For example, the Yellowstone Supervolcano (very real, not fictional), if it ever blows again, is going to be just as destructive as described in Ashes. Areas of what was once the U.S. described in this book seem plausible enough – wastelands, wild lands inhabited by nomadic tribes, an area where people are exiled for not going along with the ruling government in yet another very urbanized area,t he Circle.
Erik has made a very fast-paced adventure as Luke attempts to figure out what his brother was up to and keep himself alive at the same time. Many characters are introduced, too many for some readers. But for me, Erik did a good job of keeping them sorted out. I never got confused. There was just enough character development to make Luke seem real, especially his efforts to keep away the “black dog of despair.” He was a bit too resilient at times, though. I mean, can a guy get shot and beat up and broken and still keep going like this?
All in all, this is a great read if you are into dystopian thrillers with a lot of suspense and action.
This book has some interesting constructs that could potentially reflect reality. For example, the Yellowstone Supervolcano (very real, not fictional), if it ever blows again, is going to be just as destructive as described in Ashes. Areas of what was once the U.S. described in this book seem plausible enough – wastelands, wild lands inhabited by nomadic tribes, an area where people are exiled for not going along with the ruling government in yet another very urbanized area,t he Circle.
Erik has made a very fast-paced adventure as Luke attempts to figure out what his brother was up to and keep himself alive at the same time. Many characters are introduced, too many for some readers. But for me, Erik did a good job of keeping them sorted out. I never got confused. There was just enough character development to make Luke seem real, especially his efforts to keep away the “black dog of despair.” He was a bit too resilient at times, though. I mean, can a guy get shot and beat up and broken and still keep going like this?
All in all, this is a great read if you are into dystopian thrillers with a lot of suspense and action.
October 12, 2018
Kobo edition 9781940708928
The world has collapsed after the polar ice melts and what remains seems to be most of the former USA. Canada is a Frozen Waste, Mexico and the south is Unknown. What is left is divided into the Western Stronghold, the Eastern Stronghold and the Otherlands on the east coast and the vast central Lost Plains, abandoned to nomadic survivors (the Remnants). The Circle has replaced democracy and the country is ruled by Chairman Tanner and an Inner elite - and an increasing use of technology to monitor the population. Despite withdrawing into a traditional isolationist policy the Circle is not stable - climate continues to change and tectonic shifts are occurring...
What is needed is a hero to unite the different factions as Tanner's health fails. What they get is the unwitting pawn Luke, summoned by his older brother Matt (a member of the Inner Circle). Luke stumbles into a difficult situation when he finds the dead body of his brother. With no friends and no explanation he is driven from crisis to crisis as he navigates the tortuous route Matt has established.
This is a definitely fast-paced apocalyptic story, first of three volumes and well worth reading - the summary doesn't do it justice.
The world has collapsed after the polar ice melts and what remains seems to be most of the former USA. Canada is a Frozen Waste, Mexico and the south is Unknown. What is left is divided into the Western Stronghold, the Eastern Stronghold and the Otherlands on the east coast and the vast central Lost Plains, abandoned to nomadic survivors (the Remnants). The Circle has replaced democracy and the country is ruled by Chairman Tanner and an Inner elite - and an increasing use of technology to monitor the population. Despite withdrawing into a traditional isolationist policy the Circle is not stable - climate continues to change and tectonic shifts are occurring...
What is needed is a hero to unite the different factions as Tanner's health fails. What they get is the unwitting pawn Luke, summoned by his older brother Matt (a member of the Inner Circle). Luke stumbles into a difficult situation when he finds the dead body of his brother. With no friends and no explanation he is driven from crisis to crisis as he navigates the tortuous route Matt has established.
This is a definitely fast-paced apocalyptic story, first of three volumes and well worth reading - the summary doesn't do it justice.
October 22, 2018
This is a nicely written book, all from the point of view of one character and set in a distopian future of Earth after some cataclysmic event has happened.
After receiving a message from his brother who had been taken to join the "Gifted Minds Institute" 15 years earlier, Luke finagles his way through security into New Manhattan. He is, by his own words, a con artist and has been using this skill to his advantage most of his life.
But other than getting through the security cordon for entering the city, things rarely go his way and rapidly descend into chaos with several different parties all needing him for something he doesn't yet understand and Luke is constantly on uneven ground and trying to escape the position of "Hero" that several groups are trying to place him in.
It's a great read, plenty of challenges for the character and more than a few desperate situations and villaneous characters who try to use him for their own gains.
After receiving a message from his brother who had been taken to join the "Gifted Minds Institute" 15 years earlier, Luke finagles his way through security into New Manhattan. He is, by his own words, a con artist and has been using this skill to his advantage most of his life.
But other than getting through the security cordon for entering the city, things rarely go his way and rapidly descend into chaos with several different parties all needing him for something he doesn't yet understand and Luke is constantly on uneven ground and trying to escape the position of "Hero" that several groups are trying to place him in.
It's a great read, plenty of challenges for the character and more than a few desperate situations and villaneous characters who try to use him for their own gains.
October 2, 2018
An unrecognizable world
A story that shows humanity what can happen when to much power is given to one person. Is it reality or is it just a portent of what we should expect it we don't mend our ways as individuals, governments??
This was an intriguing story, giving us a glimpse of how the world could be if we don't learn how to curb our traits of being inhumane to those that don't measure up to our own standards. Mankind needs to remember why we are on earth--it is not to be self promoting but to be aware of the needs of others at all times!
A story that shows humanity what can happen when to much power is given to one person. Is it reality or is it just a portent of what we should expect it we don't mend our ways as individuals, governments??
This was an intriguing story, giving us a glimpse of how the world could be if we don't learn how to curb our traits of being inhumane to those that don't measure up to our own standards. Mankind needs to remember why we are on earth--it is not to be self promoting but to be aware of the needs of others at all times!
October 4, 2018
Interesting Post Apocalyptic book
This story takes place after environmentally induced floods, earthquakes and volcanoes threaten the extinction of human life. It follows a streetwise, wisecracking conman, who is a reluctant hero chosen to unite political fa;ctions and overthrow the a Elite faction that is speaking immortality. His involvement is initiated by his genius brother who was kidnapped as a child and forced to develop the means to assure immortality . The adventures of this hustler are entertaining and encourages you to read the next book in the series.
This story takes place after environmentally induced floods, earthquakes and volcanoes threaten the extinction of human life. It follows a streetwise, wisecracking conman, who is a reluctant hero chosen to unite political fa;ctions and overthrow the a Elite faction that is speaking immortality. His involvement is initiated by his genius brother who was kidnapped as a child and forced to develop the means to assure immortality . The adventures of this hustler are entertaining and encourages you to read the next book in the series.
July 3, 2019
I enjoyed this novel. The world was plausible if not extremely scary beacause it could all be so real. But the aspect I enjoyed the most was the main character, his thoughts and comments on life and the other characters, and the situation as it unfolded. It was great all the way through. Really good story which never sagged. Every character well done. I don’t usually like first person present tense as it can sound like the writing of a child in primary school. But this was far from it. Masterful. Thank you Mr Erik for a good read.
June 20, 2025
This book will take you on a wild ride through a broken society that will keep you turning pages. You follow Luke Stokes on his journey that his brother sent him on. The technology is crazy and everything isn't as it used to be. With not being sure who to trust Luke has to sort of work all sides of what is going on and just hope for the best.
There are so many twists and turns through this book. A great read if you want adventure, war, a little bit of drama, and some mystery thrown in there.
There are so many twists and turns through this book. A great read if you want adventure, war, a little bit of drama, and some mystery thrown in there.
December 21, 2021
This story seems like several others I've read or seen in the movies. At the end of this first part of the trilogy I'm a bit disappointed in the characters, which I don't really care about, the story itself which isn't really surprising or original in any way I can see, and the fact that nothing in this volume impressed me or made me want to continue reading. It just seemed a tad dull... Stopping here.
October 18, 2018
Excellent!
This is one of the few series i have read that makes me want to buy the next book. Often with the first novel in a series being fred, you get a weak storyline. This story line is is strong and complex. I can't figure out the plot too early as usual.. Plot twist don't reveal themselves until you look back and see how c!every the author foreshadowed events.
This is one of the few series i have read that makes me want to buy the next book. Often with the first novel in a series being fred, you get a weak storyline. This story line is is strong and complex. I can't figure out the plot too early as usual.. Plot twist don't reveal themselves until you look back and see how c!every the author foreshadowed events.
November 7, 2018
Not a bad read, a little slow in parts
I would.recommend this to someone looking for a good post apocalypse world read. Not your typical nukes, disease, or zombie apocalypse, but one just as lethal, and actually more plausible. Will be interesting to see where it goes from this point.
I would.recommend this to someone looking for a good post apocalypse world read. Not your typical nukes, disease, or zombie apocalypse, but one just as lethal, and actually more plausible. Will be interesting to see where it goes from this point.
January 17, 2019
There were quite a few things I really liked about this book, but... The story is interesting and unusual, the action made me want to keep turning the pages, and the world building was very well done. On the other hand, I had a hard time keeping track of what the hell was going on, and I often thought the behaviour of some of the characters was beyond belief.
July 9, 2019
It took a while to get into this dystopian sci fi, It's a first person narrative which is not a genre I warm to very well. Anyway once I did get into it I did like the flow although the ending is a bit hurried, but there is more to come.
It's a bit of a ripping yard, similar to a lot of cold war action stories. just when you think you have met the good guys, nope, and that's the way of the world.
It's one of those. This could be a possible future for us.
It's a bit of a ripping yard, similar to a lot of cold war action stories. just when you think you have met the good guys, nope, and that's the way of the world.
It's one of those. This could be a possible future for us.
March 14, 2020
This is one intense story. It moves so fast with hardly a recovery minute to spare. I felt so sorry for the main character for all the shock that he had to undergo. He is brave and more strong than he gives himself credit for. I doubt very much if the average guy could go through what he does in this novel and come out surviving.
If you like a lot of action, this is where you will find it.
If you like a lot of action, this is where you will find it.
July 7, 2020
Set 32 years into the future (from written), most of the physical elements are already in existence.
The main difference is that everybody is connected to the holo-net. It confirms your identity for travel, accesses your bank account, and tracks you...
Luke finds his brother dead and gets co-opted into a cross/double-cross search for the means to rule the world.
Engrossing story.
The main difference is that everybody is connected to the holo-net. It confirms your identity for travel, accesses your bank account, and tracks you...
Luke finds his brother dead and gets co-opted into a cross/double-cross search for the means to rule the world.
Engrossing story.
September 14, 2022
The story line could be good but it falls apart due to trying to put too much action macho stuff into a good mystery story. This would be one good book without all the overdone senseless action. I kept thinking this author is hoping this will be the renegades solders of the future movie. I had to work hard to get to the end and was left not wanting book 2.
October 7, 2018
Good story, mesmerizing, suspenseful, a little hard to follow
Luke and Matt, brothers, are trying to change the world back to what it should be. Black stone and Tanner, both have supporters and Blackstone and Tanner want a world that they rule.
Luke and Matt, brothers, are trying to change the world back to what it should be. Black stone and Tanner, both have supporters and Blackstone and Tanner want a world that they rule.
October 22, 2018
Not my cup of tea
Read a lot of dystopia. S. M. Stirling, Eric Flint, Tom Kratman, John Ringo...this didn't do it for me. Can't describe why, may be how it goes down, but this was it for me.
Read a lot of dystopia. S. M. Stirling, Eric Flint, Tom Kratman, John Ringo...this didn't do it for me. Can't describe why, may be how it goes down, but this was it for me.
November 20, 2018
WOW!
From the moment I read the first sentence i was consumed. This was an amazing book. I never wanted to stop reading it. The author drew an image so vivid you felt like you were right there with Like Stokes.
From the moment I read the first sentence i was consumed. This was an amazing book. I never wanted to stop reading it. The author drew an image so vivid you felt like you were right there with Like Stokes.
November 23, 2018
Plot twisting ,
Never ending change, an can you trust and what is the real truth. The elite have taken over and by computer mind interface control everything and everyone. What can be done to stop it. Great book get the whole series though or you'll be left hangit
Never ending change, an can you trust and what is the real truth. The elite have taken over and by computer mind interface control everything and everyone. What can be done to stop it. Great book get the whole series though or you'll be left hangit
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews