First Fate

Waves of Fate #1

by Kendall Talbot

Prepare for a cruise like no other.

When an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) strikes Rose of the Sea, the pleasure cruise becomes a drifting nightmare. Powerless and desperate, the eleven hundred passengers and crew must face their new reality: No one is coming to save them.

The First Mate. When the EMP destroys the captain’s pacemaker, killing him in a heartbeat, Gunner McCrae is thrust into the top position. But no amount of training could prepare him for the savagery of desperate humans and an unforgiving ocean.

The Anchorwoman. Gabrielle Kinsella is known for bringing shocking stories to the world. She should be reporting on the headline of the century. Instead she’s fighting for her children’s lives.

The Acrobat. Held captive by a predator as a child, Madeline Jewel found freedom as the ship’s acrobatic dancer. But being trapped in an elevator brings her worst fears back to life.

The Gambler. Zon Woodrow, notorious gator hunter, won his ticket to the cruise in a poker match. But that isn’t the only pot he’s looking to score. With the ship’s security system obliterated, Zon turns his attention to the casino’s vault. And this time, the house won’t win.

As resources dwindle aboard Rose of the Sea, the body count continues to rise. Will ordinary people survive an extraordinary disaster? Or will human nature drown them in darkness?

Find out in this gripping disaster/survival thriller.

FIRST FATE is the first book in the Waves of Fate trilogy and is perfect for fans of Matthew Reilly, Tim Tigner, Jack Hunt, A. G. Riddle and Steven Konkoly. And don't worry, there are no zombies.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Thriller, Adventure, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Apocalyptic, Fiction

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2021

About the author

Kendall Talbot is a thrill seeker, hopeless romantic, virtual killer, and award-winning author of stories that’ll have your heart thumping from the action-packed suspense in exotic locations and the swoon-worthy romance.

Kendall has sought thrills in all 46 countries she’s visited. She’s abseiled down freezing waterfalls, catapulted out of a white-water raft, jumped off a mountain with a man who spoke little English, and got way too close to a sixteen-foot shark. When she isn’t writing, she’s enjoying wine and cheese with her crazy friends, and planning her next thrilling international escape.

She lives in Brisbane, Australia with her very own hero and a fluffy little dog who specializes in hijacking her writing time. Meanwhile, Kendall’s two sons are off making their own adventures – look out world.

Kendall’s book, Lost in Kakadu won the acclaimed title of Romantic Book of the Year 2014, and her books have also been finalists for Best Romantic Suspense, Best Crime Novel, Best Continuing Series, and Best New Author.

I love to hear from my readers!
Find my books and chat with me via any of the contacts below:
Website: http://www.kendalltalbot.com.au/
Email: kendall@universe.com.au
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Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some days out of Hawaii, Rose of the Sea was being enjoyed by just under 1000 passengers and 200 crew. Up on the bridge, Captain Nelson was with his team when suddenly everything went blank – computers, electronics, lighting, personal smart watches – everything. Rose of the Sea was dead in the water, and the terror on Captain Nelson’s face when he realized what had caused it had fear rippling through the bridge. An EMP (ElectroMagnet Pulse) attack had hit them; everyone who had pacemakers would – and did – die. Captain Nelson was dead; first mate, Gunner McCrae was now captain, whether he wanted the job or not…

As Gunner tried to make sense of what was happening and direct his crew to positions of aid for the unsuspecting passengers, Gabrielle Kinsella, a newspaper journalist and her husband Max were down on the deck, staring in horror at what was coming. She and Max needed to find their children, Sally and Adam, who were with the children’s club for activities. And down in one of the elevators, staff entertainer, Madeline was imprisoned with a passenger named Sterling. Stuck between floors in total blackness. While in the casino, Zon Woodrow was determined to make the most of what had occurred.

What would happen to Rose of the Sea as she drifted aimlessly? What would happen to the passengers and crew as storms hit the ship, as food and water dwindled, as toilets backed up? It was the cruise that no one had envisioned.

First Fate is the 1st in the Waves of Fate series by Aussie author Kendall Talbot, and WOW! What an incredible, fast paced, unbelievable adventure! Suspend your disbelief and just go along for the ride! Thank goodness it’s fiction as I’d hate to have been on Rose of the Sea for that cruise!! The characters are all well written, from the person who does his best to help everyone, to the most selfish and self-centred person of all – I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Feral Fate. Highly recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Aristotle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shill: a person who poses as a customer in order to decoy others into participating.
All these five star reviewers are shills.

Poseidon Adventure
Instead of a giant wave an EMP hits the ship and moments later a plane hits the ship. What? D plane! D plane! Now that's a bad day.
Read like a second rate movie script. Make that a third rate tv script. Shallow characters with hollow dialogue, at times silly and head shaking laughable.

"No power for the lights. We can't see"
"Oh, no!"
"Let's get candles" "Great idea!"
"We have no matches. Oh, no!"
"How about checking the kitchen?" "Great idea, let's go!"

This is what you are in for.
Just a big no!
I'm up for a good action story but this was terrible. Shame on all the five star reviewers.

Won this on Goodreads giveaway.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW what an action packed story this one is, it is a real page turner wanting to see what happened next, it is fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat at times. When Cruise Liner Rose of the Sea is hit by an Electro Magnet Pulse EMT it leaves the ship powerless, with over one thousand passengers and staff on board, disaster is about to happen surely.

When Captain Nelson is killed by the EMT Gunner McCrae is forced to take over as captain, nothing he has learned in his training is going anywhere near to helping him with this and he must use his instincts to save as many people as possible, even it that upsets some people.

Passengers Gabrielle Kinsella a journalist and husband Max are there on deck when everything happens but they desperately need to find their children Adam and Sally, then there is Madeline one of the entertainers on the ship who ends up trapped in an elevator with passenger Sterling and we have Zon Woodrow caught in the casino who is determined to make things work for him anyway he can.

With the help from passengers and some crew, Gunner gets some sort of contingency plan going but food and water are running out, the toilets are blocking up and people are dying. With bad weather causing even more problems I am on the edge of my seat waiting to find out how they fare, this book ends with me needing to read the next book in the series ASAP

This one ends on a cliff hanger and I really need to read book 2, thank you Kendall Talbot for an exciting action packed story a fabulous start to a new series and one I highly recommend.

Thanks to the author for my copy to read and review

[Leon Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Fate by Kendall Talbot is a whirlwind of events; it's an action packed story set aboard the ‘Rose of the Sea’ cruise ship, stranded in the Pacific Ocean after a suspected Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack. Hold onto your pool deck cocktails because this story's tension escalates when an airplane, also affected by the EMP, ploughs into the side of the cruise ship.

The fate of the crew and passengers are left to the mercy of the deteriorating conditions aboard the ship and the ever changing weather conditions. Captain Gunner tries his hardest to instil order as his world spirals out of control. Gabby, a famous news anchor, frantically searches for her missing children with her husband Max. Madeline, a ship’s performer, and Sterling, a teacher, are trapped in a pitch-black elevator, and try to escape their impossible situation. Zon, a self centred opportunist, thinks this catastrophe is his lucky payday - his actions add to the mounting tension aboard the ship.

With death, gore and terror aplenty how will these first strike survivors handle their predicament? Will they make it home safely? What is instore for humanity?

First Fate races along at an amazing, page turning pace, but don’t think this detracts from the quality of story set out. The main characters have so much backstory that there would be enough substance for their own individual novels. I was drawn to the characters in Madeline and Zon - they were my favourite. I especially loved the chapters focused on Zon, and the way the narration changed to his voice.

The action and detail throughout the novel was realistic, and spectacular to say the least. This is a well researched piece and fans of all things nautical won’t be disappointed. I must admit, I was a little put off by the over-the-top similes and metaphors in the beginning of the novel, but it did grow on me and I realized it added to the tension of the novel (I was also reading this coming of the back of a slower novel; it was sort of a jolt to the system). I will give it to Talbot though, she has quite an imagination when describing internal feelings in times of despair.

First Fate had me thinking what I would do in these situations, and I wasn’t sure if I would have done anything differently - I probably would have been an emotional mess! Some of these characters showed some surprising growth and heroics when they seemed down on their luck - this was a pleasure to read.

First Fate by Kendall Talbot, the first installment in the Waves of Fate trilogy, and it’s a great read. It’s action packed, character driven and has enough catastrophic events to keep your interest. I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series and I hope we learn more about the mystery behind the EMP strike.

[Anselm Patey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating 1.5 stars.

I kinda knew what I was getting into when I picked this book up - it's a B-movie in novel form. I love adventure stories told on board cruise or container ships, so I was drawn to this story on those grounds.

I like B-movies for two reasons. Firstly, there's a lot of fun action. Secondly, there's a lot of terrible dialogue and logic-defying behaviour to have a chuckle at. Kendall Talbot delivers both in her novel.

So why a low-star rating? Because it's a badly written book. The prose is absurd, the characters are mostly deplorable, the dialogue is unnatural and the plot is all over the place.

"It was like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie" - She says in her dystopian apocalyptic novel.

Every character's arc is heavily weighed down by reminiscences of previous traumas that have ZERO bearing on the present story, with the arguable exception of Maddy who at least can draw some kind of similarity with her past. But even that is heavily overworked. I've always felt that if an author has to write "but he pushed those thoughts aside", then they've probably just written something unnecessary. That happens a lot here.

"It wasn't time for reflection. It was time for action." Oh, but you know the time for reflection will be around again soon enough.

An especially annoying feature is that in Zon's chapters, the narrator voice switches to Zon's voice, with all of the apostrophes replacing 'g's, reference to "his-self" and other speech tics that come with it. On the one hand, this saves the author some embarassment, because the stupid prose can be blamed on the character. On the other hand, this book is written in third person, so why is there a different narrator voice for different characters?

The book is in desperate need of an editor. At one point, the cruise liner is described as a "seventy-ton ship" which is clearly not much weight for a cruise ship. Later it's descibed as weighing seventy-thousand tons, so I guess the first one was a typo. A typo in good company, by the way. Along with other silly mistakes like mixing singular and plural: "As much as Gunner prayed that there were people still alive in that section, he also hoped that there wasn't".

Talbot has a very distinctive toolbox when it comes to imagery.

Time is very often counted in "beats". Volume of space is quantified in terms of how many dump trucks you could fit into it (or, one time near the end, Zon's prize alligator).

In more than one place, pain is quantified in wasp-stings ("The pain was like a dozen wasps simultaneously stinging her left eye"), as well as other types of torment ("The unanswerable questions kept coming, stinging with random brutality, like a wasps' nest had exploded in his brain").

She often mentions people "snagging" their eyes on things, which I hope is just her way of saying they've spotted something. Especially since at one point Madeline snags her eyes on a hole in some debris.

When it comes to sound, demons feature heavily:
"The ship slumped into the next swell, but when it shuddered this time, it came with a horrific noise, like a demonic scream"
"The squeals around him were like those of strangled demons".

Having never heard a live demon myself before, I found myself disadvantaged as a result.

There are plenty of other extremely clumsy similes and images that just aren't fit for purpose.
"The shaft trembled as if it'd been hit with a million-watt Taser"
"Despair stabbed at him like thousands of ice picks"
"A petri dish of diseases could spread through the remaining passengers like wildfire"
"the supply-filled raft bounced against the side of the hull like a giant orange football"
"Nausea wobbled in his throat"
"She spied a shattered plumbing pipe" (I understand the relationship between pipes and plumbing, but what is a "plumbing pipe"?)
"Forcing the cramps to the back of his brain" (seems like a terrible place to keep cramps)

Perhaps my absolutely favourite is: "He slapped at the wet fabric...and it sounded like he was slapping wet toast."

I don't know about you, but I can more readily access the sound of wet fabric being slapped than the sound of wet toast.

The most infuriating part was when the captain tasks Gabby with giving a morale-boosting speech to the survivors...you know, on account of her experience as an ambulance-chasing journalist and news anchor. Gabby then proceeds to give the WORST speech you can possibly imagine (summary: I know most of us are dead, but just look at that sunset!) and the captain remarks to himself: "Gabby was good. She had the crowd hanging off every word." So the reader immediately disregards the garbage they just read, and knows the speech was good because the captain thought so.

Several times, Talbot shoe-horns in some fact she's picked up during her research that add nothing to the plot, such as the comprehensive inventory of a standard life-raft. A favourite of mine was in the doctor's letter, where he outlines his calculation of how many parts-per-million of carbon monoxide were probably in the air when all the people died, then ties off his letter with "Please tell my wife and children that my last thoughts were with them". (Them and pointless carbon monoxide calculations.)

The romantic subplot between Madeline and Sterling is nauseating, especially when she contemplates whether they would see each other again after escape and "Suddenly, she wasn't sure she wanted to go any further". Seriously? And by chapter 26, she's still enjoying "his lovely tropical scent" even though they've been swimming through oily water. At one point, Madeline has "pirouetting butterflies" in her stomach, then a page later she has buzzing bees in her gut, then a few paragraphs later "The bees in her stomach morphed into butterflies". Sounds like a serious medical problem.

When they think they've found a way to safety, "Sterling's face lit with a curious mix of relief and elation." Why curious? Relief and elation are the most understandable emotions in that moment.

But let nobody say Talbot can't be poetic: "images of bodies floating face-down in a churning ocean were ingrained in his brain like a hideous dark stain". Because, as the saying goes, 'dark stains in Spain are ingrained mostly on the brain'.

And Talbot knows that you see a person's love, not just in their eyes, but specifically in their irises: "her breath was taken away by the love in his chocolate irises". (I recall I bought a box of chocolate irises in an optometrists gift shop once.)

And other times I just chuckled at unfortunate choices of phrase. "Sterling pressed his fingers to her neck and then, after a few heartbeats, he shook his head and stood". Whose heartbeats? Not the woman whose pulse he was looking for. No, these beats are Talbot's baffling standard unit of time.

I don't want to drop spoilers, but the closing image mentions people swimming in the sea recreationally and for hygeine. "It had taken three long days in the raft before Sykes had agreed to let people swim in that areas if they wanted." Three days sounds like a cautious length of time...until you consider that it's taken the survivors ONLY three days to forget about the GODDAM SHARKS they'd seen in the water during the mass-funeral.

As you can tell, I enjoyed this book immensely, but for mostly the wrong reasons.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) goes off near a cruise ship? What would be the fate of those aboard and that of the ships and planes in its vicinity? A tantalizing, seat of your pants adventure awaited me when I started reading the latest release by a favorite author.

First Fate is the opening installment in a new intense trilogy. It is narrated by five diverse voices from among the sea of passengers and crew aboard the Rose of the Sea. They are all in the midst of work and their lives when the power of ship and all electrical devices and goods is suddenly gone and they must learn to do without and rely on their ingenuity and will to survive.

Not that the loss of power was the only taxing issue, the ship is hit shortly after the EMP when a plane lost power and crashed into the hull and that is only the beginning. The life toll is great from the crash of the plane, but also something as simple, but momentous as the loss of electricity to pacemakers and fatal accidents that result from panicked people and people at a loss.

Great thought has gone into how people will think and act under such deteriorating conditions as supplies are used up and desperation sets in. This was what was neat about having five very different perspectives narrating the story. I liked some more than others and at first didn't get them all, but as the story progresses and they face things and disclose more about themselves, they start to make sense. I found myself enjoying the Cajun Zon who is blunt and driven, quite selfish and out to help no one, but himself. This guy is a survivor, but not to discount the others even unsure Gunner and fearful Madeline.

Things seem to be looking up after several bad points, but of course that is just when out of no where they are back in the fight of their lives. They have to get off the death trap cruise ship somehow. No one is coming for them out in the ocean and who knows the range of that EMP's destruction. The book ends on something of a cliff hanger that is also a good point to pause before the next part of the adventure beings.

All in all, it was riveting action and the intro of complex, engaging characters in a horrific situation. I recommend it to those who enjoy adventures, thrillers, and even sci-fi suspense or survivor stuff.

My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Katrin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF bei 20%.

Lohnt sich für mich leider nicht.

Nicht besonders gut geschrieben, mit Charakteren, die mir jetzt schon null sympathisch und egal sind.

[Sally906 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Fate hooked me from the very first page - the end of the world in Kendall Talbot’s book doesn’t end with an explosive bang but with an end of all things electrical in a world that is totally dependent on it. And yes, this could very well be a ‘thing’ that could severely impact the world, an EMP - or electromagnetic pulse. The reader never learns who released the pulse, or who it was aimed at, but the devastation unfolds on the pages.
All the action takes place on a cruise ship which loses all its power when the pulse hits. Lights out is the first sign, followed by people dropping dead as their pacemakers stop, people trapped in lifts - a plane in the air crashing into the ship as its own power fails, and a massive storm hitting a damaged ship with no way of taking steps to avoid it, or mitigate the impact. All of this in the first few chapters. As life on the ship descends into a battle of survival the reader is introduced to the lead characters of the story - Gunner, Madeline, Sterling, Gabby, Max and Zon. None of these characters are perfect, they all have issues, and one is downright scary with his selfishness, but they each carry the story through from their unique perspectives.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for all those suspense/thriller lovers out there and wants to be kept on the edge of their seat not knowing how things are going to turn out.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book, but in no time, I was swept away into the tragedy of people on a cruise ship having to endure the limitations after an EMP strikes. On top of that, a plane crashes into the ship. Hundreds of people will die, but how will the rest fair?

This novel has a unique cast of characters. I liked most of the characters, but a few I did not like very much. They were selfish, but perhaps they had a good reason? Or maybe they didn't, and they were just looking out for themselves. Either way, they added some depth to the cast of characters and there were times I actually sort of rooted for these characters. Not often though! The situation these characters found themselves in, definitely tests their mettle. I wonder how I would react in this situation.

I think the whole book covers just a few days, but it feels like so much longer because you wonder how could so much happen in such a short period of time? Given the situation, it is totally plausible and I think that is what sucked me into the story...wondering what could possibly happen next and how would they handle the situations that arose?

This is the first in a trilogy. The story does end where you could stop with just this book...but you won't want to stop. You will want to know what will happen next for this band of people. I don't want to share too much otherwise it will give away part of the ending.

I will say that this makes me question ever flying or taking a cruise again. I know some people that were on a cruise that lost power for days and it wasn't pleasant. I don't think I want to be in that situation.

We give this book 5 paws up.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a story. A cruise that should be fun turns into something more deadly. I was completely gripped. This book needs to be read by everyone once it’s released.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚓⚓ONE SPINE TINGLING RIDE⚓⚓
Bursting barnacles! Kendall hit the motherload with this turbulent tilt-a-world, delivering one helluva rollercoaster, action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, nerve racking, block busting dynamo, skyrocketing this bad boy to staggering heights. Trapped in vicious nightmare chocked full of riveting drama, gripping intrigue, terrifying situations, cruel brutality, callous atrocities, spiraling danger, spinning suspense and oh-shit moments aplenty, propelling this bad boy into the eye of the hurricane, launching it into a frenzy with mind-blowing results, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. The characters, banter, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Kendall, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness if I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! There is so much happening in this story that you just want to keep reading. Its nearly impossible to stop reading as the characters in this book are going through such a horrendous situation you just want to know what is going to happen. Although this book is fiction, it will make you think of the Titanic. As most people have either read or watched the movie you know what the end is like with the people floating around in the water. This book takes us so much deeper into that as the ship didn't just hit an iceberg and sink. In this book Ms
Talbot with her way with words takes us onto a cruise ship that has been impacted by an EMP. Which stands for electromagnetic pulse. I don't know if this is something that can actually happen but I wouldn't be surprised. You just have to read this book it is absolutely amazing! I found myself really getting involved in the characters lives and feeling their pain, their fear and absolute confusion over what was happening. Ms. Talbot has really delved into what the human heart will do in a situation such as this. You really find what people are made of. I can hardly wait for the next book in this series to be released! But it looks like it could be a while so I may have to read another of this author's books while I wait.
I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is totally my own honest opinion of an amazing book!

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a dedicated reader of EMP or "end of the world as we know it" books and this is the first one I have read that featured a group of people on a cruise ship when doom strikes. It makes you wonder why when Kendall Talbot has done such a good job of showing us what could happen. When the captain of the ship dies due to a malfunctioning pacemaker, it starts a chain of events that makes you take a look around at your world and try to imagine what WOULD happen if our everyday lives were to be singularly disrupted. As the passengers and crew face many unique problems, some with integrity and bravery, some with so much less, their stories move quickly, very quickly, while you keep turning pages long after everyone else is asleep. But I could not go to sleep until I found out what happens to everyone.....
It looks like this is the first in a series so I'm adding Kendall Talbot to my "followed" authors to make sure I don't miss the next one.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Fate is the first book in the Waves of Fate Trilogy and is a great start to this set.

This thriller captured my interest from the start and kept me turning the pages until the end with lots of action and intrigue. I cannot wait for the next two books in this trilogy. The characters are well depicted, diverse, and interesting. The storyline is well written and engaging. Will the survivors ever make it home again?

I read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book with no obligation.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride this read took me on, talk about disasters of epic proportions! I am really glad I'm not a fan of cruise ships because I'm not sure I'd ever want to take another cruise after this.

When the first EMP struck, I had no idea just how much terror was going to occur for the 1100 passengers and crew who were on board.

We live through the nightmare and chaos their world has turned into through four main characters. Each has their own demons to deal with if they want to survive. The characters were easy to get to know, easy to like, or feel empathy for, or in one case, not like so much.

Things go from worrying to downright terrifying as events on the ship go from bad to worse. Plenty will die, others will show their true colours and others will step up when needed, one or two may even find love. One thing's for Sue, there's never a dull moment, barely even time to draw a breath.

This novel has a cliffhanger ending, but book 2 is due out very soon, I can't wait.

Thanks to the author for providing me with a digital copy in return for an honest review.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Such an original concept! A roller-coaster ride full of action, drama, suspense and a story that centers on several key characters rather than the usual "favored few". I cannot wait to read what happens next!!

[Anima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely unputdownable! I’ve been on cruises and have decided they aren’t for me. But I could never imagine being stuck on a ship without electricity, water, satellite, anything with technology. It’s amazing what these poor people did and the Captain was so level headed. The story is told from the view of a few different people as they survive and brave the new situation. I found myself becoming attached to these characters and rooting for their success. This is going to be a thrilling trilogy as the survivors look toward the future. I received my copy through Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Fate by Kendall Talbot
Waves of Fate #1

Desperate situations bring out the best and worse qualities of humans and this story provides both. An Electromagnetic Pulse can occur naturally with a solar flare or when too close to a lightning strike but can also be manmade, intentional, and used to debilitate one’s foes in times of war. Doomsday worriers have backup plans for end of world scenarios but on the Rose of the Sea cruise ship nobody was prepared for the EMP that struck and all that happened afterward. As the first book in a new series the cast of characters are all presented with their good and bad traits and some backstories. Who will live and who will die? What doe people truly value when in dire circumstances? Who will rally to the cause and who will give up?

What I liked:
* Madeline: a survivor that has overcome much, has a strong will to live, does not give up, and may have found a love to stand by her forever.
* Sterling: a teacher, surfer, nice guy, ditched at the altar, on his honeymoon alone, stalwart, supportive and he may have found his potential future mate in a bad situation.
* Gabby: mother, wife, journalist, selfish but perhaps grows and sees the world differently after her life changes so drastically.
* Max: father, business owner, athlete, calm, caring, giving, and perhaps more than his wife Gabby realizes.
* Gunner, Sykes, and other crew members that survived. I am guessing each will show up more in future books in the series.
* The way that some of the survivors pulled together.
* That there happened to be a physician that survived…they definitely needed her.
* The pace and writing that were intense, graphic, and made me feel I was there.
* Thinking about what I might be able to do now to be better prepared for a worst-case scenario like this.
* That it was almost like watching a movie…it would adapt well to that medium.
* Wondering what will happen next…

What I didn’t like:
* Zon: a bit of a crazy guy…his childhood sounded intense and horrible but he also ended up not being the best guy in the world…self-centered, me-first, gambler, not very nice BUT he might be redeemable…maybe?
* Knowing that EMP’s are real and that a big one could be devastating.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cruise ships have the potential to be a great setting for post-apocalyptic fiction, but sadly this more resembled an early Irwin Allen disaster movie script. An EMP would have to be very widespread to affect ships so far out, unless it was an CME...we never find that out. The odds of the ship, now dead in the water, being hit directly by a plane with no power would be astronomical. Absolutely anything that can go wrong does in this tale with the immediate death of the captain, the plane, fire, sharks at the funeral etc. Every focus character has some hidden secret that torments them--Gunner (with his lifetime of lies), Zon (terrible childhood and now a self-serving miscreant), Madeleine (survivor of a childhood kidnap and torture), Gabby (screwy priorities and all around awful person). Most of the characters are just unpalatable. Max is a dedicated dad with a shrew of a wife in Gabby and had some potential as a good character, but he seems erratic and what father calls his thirteen-year-old son, "little man?" The storyline of Madeleine trapped on the elevator was a little more compelling (and kind of gave me some claustrophobia), but was spoiled with her distraction with the handsome man trapped with her. They are in a desperate race to get out of their elevator car, nearly die doing so and she can't help but notice how good he smells? What cologne does this guy use that still works after most of a day trapped in an unventilated box, racing through flooding and grime and still smells good? They haven't eaten for most of a day, but when Sterling finds some snacks and offers them to Madeleine her first thought is that those snacks belong to someone else and they will have to pay them back. Really??? Gabby is a truly awful character with no redeeming qualities at all. I only gave two stars because I managed to finish, but didn't really care how they ended up. I'm sure an alien invasion and a comet strike are coming in book 2 just so the ship survivors have a challenge going forward, but I they are all so difficult to like that I won't go further with the series.

[Mmgeric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Another stunning beginning to a new series, Waves of Fate, by Kendall Talbot!
The first book in the series, First Fate, is a very imaginative addition to Ms. Talbot's repertoire of adventure story lines. Hop aboard this cruise ship to encounter a trip to hell (not literally but certainly figuratively). Crew and passengers are in for quite a rough ride as they leave Hawaii only to start running away from a hurricane which is in pursuit. Before they can escape it the ship loses all power leaving the ship and everyone aboard at the mercy of a treacherous storm and an erratic sea. Did I mention the ship has no power to outmaneuver the storm nor counter balance fierce waves, wind and oh yes, total loss of all electric enabled devices, so no communication ability; computerized equipment; lighting!!! and things only go from bad to worse. Start off with a captain having a heart attack and passing away. Make way for a second in command (who has plenty of his own baggage and doubts) to take control of the situation.

If you like provocative, stressful situations and nail biting intrigue then you are in for the ride of your life!!! Pickup a copy of this terrific adventure and enjoy this action series provided by Kendall Talbot.

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love me a cheesy disaster movie, so Love Boat: Apocalypse seemed like a safe bet. The action scenes were good, but the dialogue was cringy and the inner dialogue was even worse.

There are four POV here: Gunner, Gabby, Zon and Madeline. All four of them have some major baggage in their past that they spend way too much time thinking about, even though IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE STORY. Immediately following the EMP, the captain has a heart attack due to his pacemaker, and Gunner becomes captain. His thoughts are a running commentary about how he can't do this, he's not prepared...I just wanted him to shut up, he became that tedious.

There are so many bizarre moments, like when Gabby is eulogizing the dead and sums it up like this: "Sure 90% of the passengers have died, but look at that beautiful sunset!" She's a horrible human, I kept wishing for her to wash overboard.

Since there's no mention of the outside world, there's no explanation of how the EMP happened. The ending is a cliffhanger, but I will read the next book because I bought this as a box set. Or because I'm a glutton for punishment.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is told from the viewpoints of four different characters: Gunner McCrae, a ship's officer who is suddenly thrust into the role of the ship's captain ; Madeline Jewel, a ship's performer with a hidden past; Gabby Kinsella, a driven journalist; and Zon Woodrow, a Louisiana swamp man. Out of nowhere an EMP strike disables all the electronics on board the cruise ship, Rose of the Sea, and also stops pacemakers, including that of Captain Stewart Nelson, killing the wearers instantly. Unfortunately, the same EMP strike causes a large passenger plane to fall out of the sky and into the ship's hull. In an instant, death, casualties, and destruction are rampant. This story follows the struggles of Gunner, Maddy, Gabby, and Zon as they struggle to survive on a cruise toward death. I found this book to be very fascinating, and have even pre-ordered the sequel, as I am anxious to see what happens next. If you enjoy cruise ship disasters, such as the Titanic, The Poseidon Adventure, and many others, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had me from page one. Reminiscent, in a way, of the old movies like The Poseidon Adventure or the rest of the disaster movies of the 70’s?, I was all in for the adventure.

And it was quite the adventure in a life or death sort of way. When the unthinkable happens and the world shifts forever leaving a cruise ship dead in the water with no help coming, the action is just beginning. Then more and more disasters happen aboard the ship and the number of people still alive as the story unfolds is just sad. This is certainly not a good time story or a happily ever after. In fact, it had the dreaded cliffhanger which is probably my most hated thing when I read. The good news is that the follow up is available already.

I quite enjoyed the story being told from several prospectives however. It made for many different stories that were going on at the same time, just in different parts of the ship. It definitely kept me interested and involved in the story. Recommended to adult readers of extreme adventure with a dystopian vibe.

[Caroline McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book to read and want to give her a wonderful review. I just don't want to give anything away.

Kendall has once again drawn me into her writings. I have always enjoyed her books. When an (EMP) strikes Rose of the Sea. This cruise ship becomes a floating nightmare. This book kept me up into the wee hours of the night with all the twists and turns. She builds her characters and as you read you become one with the book. I am not going to give aways any spoilers. If you are looking for a book filled with a great storyline and wonderful characters this is the book for you. I am on pins and needles waiting for her second book in this series.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with buying her book when it comes out January 21. 2021

[Jay Beatrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf -35%

Just don't really care. Rather move on to another book.

The author warns that she played loose with facts about an EMP at the beginning of the book. I almost didn't start the book because I hate inconsistencies. I can handle stories about zombies, werewolves, or aliens but it drives me a bit nuts when authors don't get facts right.

When they do so deliberately to make the story work, it's so annoying. Be creative and make the story work without screwing around with the facts. So instead of the captain telling everyone about EMPs before his pacemaker gives out and he dies five minutes after the EMP. Have him die immediately when the EMP hits (like he should have) and have another crew member tell everyone what an EMP is. Simple! Same with battery operated flashlights and rsdios!

I also hate huge coincidences! What are the chances thst a plane crashing in the ocean would hit the only boat within 100 miles? The whole ocean and it hits that one spot! Please!

[Sandass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may give you a lot of anxiety. It certainly did give a boatload of it to all of the people onboard the 'Rose.' It also delivered a great deal of hunger, broken limbs, smashed heads, fear, burns, cuts, gouges, and an assortment of other maladies after the Rose lost power.
I doubt that many onboard had ever heard of an EMP prior to this trip. Unfortunately they became all too familiar with it. The EMP also disabled a passenger jet and a cargo ship in their vicinity. All three experienced mass casualties and death.
About five passengers experiences are highlighted as we follow them through a week of hell waiting to be rescued.
My favorite character is a redneck Cajun from Louisiana. His language is colorful and his thinking somewhat primitive like you might expect from someone with little formal education. He's not all bad but he is narcissistic and a thief. His mind constantly dwells on collecting stolen items he believes will make him rich when he's rescued.
His story reminds me of our outgoing president's fascination with his own worth. It also reminds me of church training and the concept 'you can't take it with you.'
This book may have ended but the tale has not. There's more to come.
I Voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Wayne Mikel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! First Fate hooked me in the first few pages and I didn't want to put it down! The characters came alive to me and I laughed and cried with them. Gunner McRae is thrust into a position he's not ready to take and yet does it with such authority. If post apocalyptic fiction is your jam then this book will make you want more like it did me. I can't wait for the rest of the series. Well done Kendall!

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cruise ship with a EMP strike. All power is cut out, cell phones do not have any signals. An airplane that lost power, crashes into the ship. The ships' captain has an apparent heart attack and dies. The second in command, Gunner, is put into the captain's position. A number of story lines keep you wanting to read. This is a page turning thriller that ends too soon and leaves you wanting more. A cliff hanger that makes you want the next installment.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have read all the books written by Kendall Talbot. To say she is a favorite author goes without having to say it. Yet this time I was unsure. I am not a reader of post-apocalyptic stories but found this one un-put-downable. So she is without a doubt an impressive skillful storyteller which First Fate (Waves of Fate #1) proves. The story is unbelievable believable so that it is both hopeful and scary at the same time. Never have I thought of what an EMP would cause to happen on ships at sea. Ms. Talbot has one incredible imagination along with what must have been some terrific research to write such a conceivable tale. Scenarios that I would not have thought of happening do with all events seemingly not just entirely possible but even likely. Yes, hopeful but scary. I think I already said that but it needs saying again.

The storyline and events are not all that is outstanding in this book. The depth and the many layers of the story are only surpassed by the complexity of the characters. The emotional turmoil as well as the varied backgrounds of the crew and passengers bring them all vividly alive. To say it is a griping story is an understatement, nor does saying it is a nail biting story do it justice. I had that same feeling as the characters of being in a lifeboat that is hung up on the side of ship with an impossible way to get it in the water. Then suddenly the plunge happens. The story is that intense, that I must find out what happens next. Until the end where I kept hoping that there is more.

Even so this novel ends at a point where hope abounds but it is obviously not the end of the story. Characters that I have come to care for, some I am not sure how I feel about them, and a few that I loathe cause me to want the second book to come soon. Very soon. I want to know what happens next. How do these survive when many have not?

The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Gail Hoak]

Amazing edge of your seat roller coaster ride. This is the first book I've read by Kendall Talbot but it won't be the last! Imagine being on a cruise ship when the proverbial SHTF. Every time you turn around some unthought of crisis rears its ugly head making the passengers on this cruise wonder what else could go wrong. This is the first book in the story and it leaves you breathless waiting for the next one. Good job with character development. The story line puts you front and center wondering what you would do if you were in their place. Nicely done Kendall