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Deep Winter #2
Shatter: Book Two in the Deep Winter Series
A continuation of the story begun in 'Deep Winter', finding the Drummond family and their friends adapting to the radically altered world they now find themselves in.
689 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 24, 2019
Shatter continues on from Deep Winter, where the Drummond family find themselves in the midst of a collapsed society after a catastrophic earthquake which set off catastrophic volcanic activity which in turn led to the economic collapse of the United States.
The first book was reasonable, but this one was really good I though, vastly more interesting seeing the protagonist having to adapt and improvise versus the shenanigans in the first book where virtually every adversity faced led to him getting yet another stored doo-dad from the barn or basement.
The worldwide military tensions present in the first book ratchet up further in this installment leading to additional adversity for the struggling society in the Spokane Valley.
All in all it was vastly better than the first book and actually a good story, I do think you would need to have read the first book though to get the most out of this else you'd be starting in the middle of nowhere without a frame of reference. The religious aspect continues in this book, it's starting to get a bit preachy, but doesn't detract from the story too much.
The first book was reasonable, but this one was really good I though, vastly more interesting seeing the protagonist having to adapt and improvise versus the shenanigans in the first book where virtually every adversity faced led to him getting yet another stored doo-dad from the barn or basement.
The worldwide military tensions present in the first book ratchet up further in this installment leading to additional adversity for the struggling society in the Spokane Valley.
All in all it was vastly better than the first book and actually a good story, I do think you would need to have read the first book though to get the most out of this else you'd be starting in the middle of nowhere without a frame of reference. The religious aspect continues in this book, it's starting to get a bit preachy, but doesn't detract from the story too much.
August 31, 2011
I really like post-apocalyptic works, but once again, there are only two dimensional women in this 2nd book. I did like it better than the first (I got all 3 kindle books in this series on the same day).
It seemed like the author lost interest in the last 1/4 or so in the book. Names were messed up (Amy vs Annie), and the grammar got worse. I thought the protagonist had been a submariner vet in book one. In this book, he indicated he had never served at all.
But on to book 3....
It seemed like the author lost interest in the last 1/4 or so in the book. Names were messed up (Amy vs Annie), and the grammar got worse. I thought the protagonist had been a submariner vet in book one. In this book, he indicated he had never served at all.
But on to book 3....
January 22, 2015
Good book but a bit pollyanna. If the disasters in this book were real I would imagine it would be much worst than portrayed. Too religious as well. A friend recommended this series and the library only had book 2. So it may have been better if I was able to read book 1. No chance of getting book 3.
August 17, 2012
The first book was better I didnt like it enough to buy the 3rd. Lost interest half way threw.
January 1, 2020
Second or third time reading the series and enjoy it. Since we’ve never been through all these events, no one can really judge accuracy, but it *feels* realistic. Check your expectations of Nirvana at the door and enjoy.
December 23, 2020
Excellent
I absolutely love this series. The characters are alive and I can see some of their screw ups. The wife needs to be a bit stronger and reflect her ability to protect herself and her fsmily.
I absolutely love this series. The characters are alive and I can see some of their screw ups. The wife needs to be a bit stronger and reflect her ability to protect herself and her fsmily.
June 27, 2020
The Saga Continues
Take away: Save and store everything. It will be needed. You never know how stuff will come in handy when nothing is being made.
Take away: Save and store everything. It will be needed. You never know how stuff will come in handy when nothing is being made.
June 28, 2024
Book one was good. This one moved better.
Good book. Moved along quite nicely, especially towards the end. I really really liked it. New author to me. I will follow him.
Good book. Moved along quite nicely, especially towards the end. I really really liked it. New author to me. I will follow him.
November 1, 2012
A great continuation of events from book one. It stands to reason that once the fit hits the shank there will be multiple problems to solve, some simultaneously some congruently. Or in Spokane's case Mindanao in a cascade failure. This is believable in that the death toll will be huge and there will be deaths fromthe simple things, during the initial earthquake injuries needing tetanus shots weren't addressed which resulted in deaths. Realistic? Probably so. As is the looting, the "have nots " expecting the "haves "to share. Opportunistic robberies, rape, accidental misfortune all will play a part in a post SHTF or TEOWAWKI scenario.
I feel this book alternates the fast paced mile a minute page turning with interesting character / plot / general growth needed. I totally love books that do not try to get it all in 250 pages, or disguise an entire novel as a trilogy of novellas. This "trilogy " was reasonably priced (I got each shook for about $5.00. Each with around 600 pages. I certainly think this will end up on my favorites shelf, and will re-read now and again as well.
I feel this book alternates the fast paced mile a minute page turning with interesting character / plot / general growth needed. I totally love books that do not try to get it all in 250 pages, or disguise an entire novel as a trilogy of novellas. This "trilogy " was reasonably priced (I got each shook for about $5.00. Each with around 600 pages. I certainly think this will end up on my favorites shelf, and will re-read now and again as well.
May 16, 2011
The editing is better with this book than its predecessor, but some of the over-detail remains and the main character's proselytizing is more pronounced. However, as with the first book, the human element is a nice change from the usual shoot-em-ups in the disaster genre, and it's interesting to see the expansion from one house to an entire city.
Read
December 6, 2011Overly political (Libertarian) and religious, and not particularly well-written, but still entertaining.
June 1, 2017
This is my review and my opinion and I am sure there will be a lot of people who disagree remember it is just one reader's opinion and I am entitled to that:
This really isn't SHTF genre it is more science fiction or dystopian fantasy but not true SHTF book and I couldn't call it a Christian book although there is scripture quoting, however, the themes seems to go against Christian Values.
*Viral - Ebola
*Nuclear War
*Collapse of America
*Volcano/Earthquake
*Canada at Civil War
*At war with Mexico
AT war with just about everyone... too many themes... leads to nowhere fast.
Air Force at war with Army...
Self-aggrandizing, Extreme Alt-Right Fantasy World, Non-Christian values in Christian values clothing (think of wolf in sheep's clothing) with serious undertones of Mein Kampf. Deeply disturbing almost to the point where you wonder if the writer has serious delusions of grandeur if this is an SHTF book but if it is Science fiction fantasy or dystopian future than just a one-dimensional worn out plot line. This is all about the views of one character's rise to power and "institutionalizing people" or "weeding people" out as he sees fit. There really isn't a spot for the elderly, aged, disabled as these people considered "useless eaters". Women are relegated to subservient support roles with a dialogue of "k" "yes" "love you babe" very, very, very little character development - this is just all one character's "Rick Drummond's" story. It reads as if you are reading alt right ranting fantasy dream conspiracy theory diaries.
Everyone is at war and it is so overly contrived that it is hard to get your head around it. The only real "money" is "gold or silver" think back to the days when people "bit down on the coin" to make sure it is real or "barter" system. I don't know about you but I always carry around sacks of silver and gold... just hear me "clanking away as I walk around". So many financial lectures and not very good ones either. He goes back to pre-1913 finances but seems to forget about all banking before that.
No one seems to know how to garden, very few people have gardens and it seems like very few people know how to survive in cold weather. Rick Drummond harkens back to his father or grandfather... that changes during the book about being in WWII - it seems that Rick Drummond had ignored anything to do with "Victory Gardens" here is the definition Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany during World War I and World War II. People are more resilient than you give them credit for and have been long before Rick Drummond came along. Let's not forget the Women's Land Army where women enlisted.... maybe Rick Drummond would like to take a page from history instead of "thinly veiled slave labor program. Women have always played a pivotal role in War and should not be relegated to subservient support roles with a dialogue of "k" "yes" "love you babe" very, very, very little character development and completely juvenile dialogue. I will bring up there is one person that does gunsmithing that is a woman although the mention is in passing and very brief and one woman in uniform but written in as an afterthought.
The Radio/Government - Gardening is mentioned.
We still see pages of listing "prepper stuff" however, it really isn't true "prepper" or survival it is just some "look at me" how much stuff I have accumulated. Never ending magical barn or shed of just what is needed. I mean never ending magical shed or barn. This is not a true "SHTF or TEOTWAWKI it isn't even a true disaster book. I had such high hopes... even after slogging through the first book... he had wonderful disaster descriptions but not a believable storyline.
We are "treated" to pages of financial fantasy world where the main character seems to be RELISHING the death of hundreds of thousands and ENJOYING the failure of America. In my humble opinion, this is the most unchristian, UNAMERICAN book you can get he even has Canada... CANADA... in a civil war. Yes... Canada! Where they don't care whom you love as long as you both love hockey Canada!!!
No one has emotions... seeing all that devastation... you would think that people would be in a state of shock or have some emotionally grieving... but if they do... they are "disturbed"? Huh?
He has all "Blue" State people as just "useless eaters" and "Red" State a little better than that and only Rick Drummond can save the world and rebuild man in Rick Drummond's image. Yes... a "God complex" Everyone goes to Rick for his or her "salvation" even the military forces. ****Sarcastic Comment Alert***** I did not know Jesus came back and his new name is Rick Drummond!
In my opinion: Rick Drummond's ideology and the underlying view is to have an UnChristian "caliphate" think Isis only in an "UnChristian, UnAmerican version dressed up as "Christian Values". My humble opinion again, this is not a true "Christian" book, just because you can quote scripture does not make you a "Christian". It is by your deeds and actions.
The only believable storyline I felt was with his alcoholic brother, the struggle to maintain the "tough love" because you can't follow someone down the pit to save them... only that person can save themselves. It was a realistic view. It is as if the author has struggled with a family member that way.
Was truly disturbed by the lack of compassion for his other brother's wife... nothing so far is said about what to do with her... it is left at just leaving her with the people that found her. It is like "oh well, no blood left there...you are on your own... " truly disturbing...
The main character seems to be overjoyed with the abolishment of the Government which includes btw the Department of Education... so schools are no longer a factor. Really disturbing.
People who are on "prescriptions" are useless or dead if you have any kind of depression or mental health issues you are "those people" useless and used to be "institutionalized" he stops short of what do to with "them" so far.
This really isn't SHTF genre it is more science fiction or dystopian fantasy but not true SHTF book and I couldn't call it a Christian book although there is scripture quoting, however, the themes seems to go against Christian Values.
*Viral - Ebola
*Nuclear War
*Collapse of America
*Volcano/Earthquake
*Canada at Civil War
*At war with Mexico
AT war with just about everyone... too many themes... leads to nowhere fast.
Air Force at war with Army...
Self-aggrandizing, Extreme Alt-Right Fantasy World, Non-Christian values in Christian values clothing (think of wolf in sheep's clothing) with serious undertones of Mein Kampf. Deeply disturbing almost to the point where you wonder if the writer has serious delusions of grandeur if this is an SHTF book but if it is Science fiction fantasy or dystopian future than just a one-dimensional worn out plot line. This is all about the views of one character's rise to power and "institutionalizing people" or "weeding people" out as he sees fit. There really isn't a spot for the elderly, aged, disabled as these people considered "useless eaters". Women are relegated to subservient support roles with a dialogue of "k" "yes" "love you babe" very, very, very little character development - this is just all one character's "Rick Drummond's" story. It reads as if you are reading alt right ranting fantasy dream conspiracy theory diaries.
Everyone is at war and it is so overly contrived that it is hard to get your head around it. The only real "money" is "gold or silver" think back to the days when people "bit down on the coin" to make sure it is real or "barter" system. I don't know about you but I always carry around sacks of silver and gold... just hear me "clanking away as I walk around". So many financial lectures and not very good ones either. He goes back to pre-1913 finances but seems to forget about all banking before that.
No one seems to know how to garden, very few people have gardens and it seems like very few people know how to survive in cold weather. Rick Drummond harkens back to his father or grandfather... that changes during the book about being in WWII - it seems that Rick Drummond had ignored anything to do with "Victory Gardens" here is the definition Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany during World War I and World War II. People are more resilient than you give them credit for and have been long before Rick Drummond came along. Let's not forget the Women's Land Army where women enlisted.... maybe Rick Drummond would like to take a page from history instead of "thinly veiled slave labor program. Women have always played a pivotal role in War and should not be relegated to subservient support roles with a dialogue of "k" "yes" "love you babe" very, very, very little character development and completely juvenile dialogue. I will bring up there is one person that does gunsmithing that is a woman although the mention is in passing and very brief and one woman in uniform but written in as an afterthought.
The Radio/Government - Gardening is mentioned.
We still see pages of listing "prepper stuff" however, it really isn't true "prepper" or survival it is just some "look at me" how much stuff I have accumulated. Never ending magical barn or shed of just what is needed. I mean never ending magical shed or barn. This is not a true "SHTF or TEOTWAWKI it isn't even a true disaster book. I had such high hopes... even after slogging through the first book... he had wonderful disaster descriptions but not a believable storyline.
We are "treated" to pages of financial fantasy world where the main character seems to be RELISHING the death of hundreds of thousands and ENJOYING the failure of America. In my humble opinion, this is the most unchristian, UNAMERICAN book you can get he even has Canada... CANADA... in a civil war. Yes... Canada! Where they don't care whom you love as long as you both love hockey Canada!!!
No one has emotions... seeing all that devastation... you would think that people would be in a state of shock or have some emotionally grieving... but if they do... they are "disturbed"? Huh?
He has all "Blue" State people as just "useless eaters" and "Red" State a little better than that and only Rick Drummond can save the world and rebuild man in Rick Drummond's image. Yes... a "God complex" Everyone goes to Rick for his or her "salvation" even the military forces. ****Sarcastic Comment Alert***** I did not know Jesus came back and his new name is Rick Drummond!
In my opinion: Rick Drummond's ideology and the underlying view is to have an UnChristian "caliphate" think Isis only in an "UnChristian, UnAmerican version dressed up as "Christian Values". My humble opinion again, this is not a true "Christian" book, just because you can quote scripture does not make you a "Christian". It is by your deeds and actions.
The only believable storyline I felt was with his alcoholic brother, the struggle to maintain the "tough love" because you can't follow someone down the pit to save them... only that person can save themselves. It was a realistic view. It is as if the author has struggled with a family member that way.
Was truly disturbed by the lack of compassion for his other brother's wife... nothing so far is said about what to do with her... it is left at just leaving her with the people that found her. It is like "oh well, no blood left there...you are on your own... " truly disturbing...
The main character seems to be overjoyed with the abolishment of the Government which includes btw the Department of Education... so schools are no longer a factor. Really disturbing.
People who are on "prescriptions" are useless or dead if you have any kind of depression or mental health issues you are "those people" useless and used to be "institutionalized" he stops short of what do to with "them" so far.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews