An asteroid on a collision course with Earth. A government coverup. A family caught in the middle.
Welcome to Falling Skies. Do you have what it takes to survive?
Former Marine Caleb Machert is managing overworked line crews when reports of an impending world-wide disaster hit the news. His men panic, but he’s not buying it. The government would never hide something this important, would they?
Elizabeth is busy herding her students into the library when she discovers an asteroid is headed straight for the east coast. Her first instinct is to find her husband and daughter and flee west, but she can’t leave. Twenty first graders are depending on her.
Lana spends her morning slogging though a calculus exam, oblivious to the news spreading across social media. When her boyfriend demands they escape before it’s too late, she refuses. She’s not leaving without her parents.
It’s a race against the clock for the Macherts to find each other and reach safety before the world they know and love ceases to exist.
Fire and Ashes is book one in the Falling Skies series, a post-apocalyptic thriller series following ordinary people struggling to survive when a meteor strike plunges the United States into chaos.
The first 2/3 was pretty good. I liked the way the characters were developing, great storyline. Then... BOOM! You blew it and I put the book down. If you're going to write a book abour the military do your research. There is no such thing as a Marine rank of "communications specialist." Nor is there anything called a Private 4th Class" in the Army. I'm a Veteran. If you are going to write about us show enough respect to get details correct!! Military rank structure is a simple thing to find out with Google or you could call a recruiting office and talk to a soldier working there. Or ask a neighbor. Chances are there's a Vet or two around. Military rank has been pretty much the same since WWII and this was a contemporary setting. No excuse.
Now, if you're a civilian, it doesn't mean anything to you. But as a Vet and an author it indicates a lazy writer.
This is my first time reading Harley Tate and so far so good. There is an asteroid on a collision course with Earth that the government has not revealed to the population. By the time the story is leaked, people have 3-days to get out of dodge. Calen Machert, a former marine (of course), and his wife are trying to get their daughter from college and to somewhere safer.
The story is tightly confined to the family's story, this turns it into a page-turner as we switch from one family member's perspective to the other. As with most post-apocalyptic plots, the family needs to deal with those elements of society that think it is the right time to take advantage of the weak or to assert their right to your stuff.
For the most part, I found the book well-written and a quick read. We see changes in the family's stagnant relations - nothing like an apolypse to bring a family together. The only impact in terms of other people is left to our imagination - they all seem to be on the freeway or not home.
The book has a twist at the end that I would not describe as a cliffhanger but a twist that entises the reader to go to the next book. It's a three book series that were all released at roughly the same time - makes wonder if it was one book split into three for a better revenue stream. That's okay, its only a trilagy so I will check the next book out.
An asteroid is speeding through space on a collision course with Earth. When it strikes, it will be death for millions of people living along the eastern coast of the US. Caleb Machert, former combat Marine, is determined to save his wife and daughter from the catastrophe. The world is in chaos and they have to fight to save themselves and find shelter, which they do, on a former Army base hidden on top of a mountain in North Carolina. The Army welcomes them in, none too kindly, so at least they have shelter, but Caleb isn’t sure whether they are safer in the Army installation or whether they would be safer on their own. This is the first book in a series and was a good story with all kinds of action, death and destruction. It was different in that it was a natural disaster and not a zombie virus, but I don’t know if I liked it well enough to continue the series.
I like how the author set up the scene with viewing set of characters and there problem and how they work through it. They each had their problems and how they dealt with it. Some good ideas and some bad.
This is a fairly decent start to the series and it is generally written well with not a lot of editing issues. I have a couple of quibbles. Breaking a security NDA for the federal government would not involve the CIA (who don't handle those domestic issues), but the Department of Justice/FBI. There is also no rank of Private 4th class in the U.S. military. I was put off by the inclination of both Caleb and Liz to abandon Lana's friends and leave them to a certain death. Yeah you are short on food, but you are heading west to apparent safety, had just killed two men that had very ill intent towards your daughter and her friends and now you just want to take off an wish her friends the best of luck? Good people just don't do that even in a flee to survive situation. You make room and make it work to at least get them to a safer place. A later death seemed a bit gratuitous. The rogue state has some potential for the story.
The asteroid. Is going too his earth. Mom dad travel to get daughter. Intro to daughter was a little of shock. I thought she was disrespectful to her parents. Ending of this first book had a twist that caught me off guard.
Have no idea what book everyone read to give it a good rating! This book had no depth, character development and plot. horribly executed and far fetched. Will not continue with any of this series!!!!
Still trying to scratch my apocalyptic itch, I've decided to give this series a go and am quite glad I did (so far, of course). This first entry was a solid start to what I hope can be an enjoyable series that will maintain its stamina. Having become so familiar with stories like this, it can sometimes be hard to stay original. There's usually always a military man, as well as a smattering of other characters contending with harrowing circumstances. Fortunately, neither of those clichés bother me. Frankly, I prefer it. So long as you give me a believable story, I'll be won over.
Thankfully, this book did more than a decent enough job in keeping my interest with its quick pace, believable story, and likable characters. The narrative responsibilities are shouldered mostly the main family: Caleb (former marine), Elizabeth (his wife), and Lana (their daughter). There are a couple of other narrators in the story, but not as dominant. I enjoyed the perspectives of the main core group and appreciated their growth in so short a period of time. It was also nice to see just the kinds of mental battles that can plague regular people dealing with the same situation.
The story itself was gripping from the start. I mean, it's an asteroid on its way to Earth; how could it NOT be gripping? And terrifying. Especially considering that this particular asteroid is pretty much the government's dirty little secret, something they'd rather not reveal too soon for whatever reasons they see fit. While some readers may find such ideas as a nation's government willingly hiding things of this magnitude far-fetched or conspiratorial, I'm so not one of them. I appreciated the dare to explore such a notion as this. Heck, I believe it's high time to stop this constant assumption that governments have its peoples' best interests at heart. But that's another topic.
Anyway, I have very little complaints about this first book. While the quick pace didn't really bother me, I'm not gonna say I wouldn't have liked it to be a little longer. Some moments seemed to have ironed out a bit too perfectly too. A couple of other quibbles not worth mentioning or not really memorable, so I won't dwell. All I know is, I'm so ready for book two.
I’ve been on a path of irritation with finding a book series in this post apocalyptic genre and have been disappointed 3 times until I read this book. So without further ado, and no spoilers, here’s my .02¢. The author goes on a typical opener for this genre; separated and being found, humanity in chaos, no plans in place, one main character is ex military, etc. I usually speed read through this part retaining about 90% of the story, but Tate added just enough pizzazz and action timed perfectly with the pace of events. It’s not slow or fast paced, but medium paced. I can tell Tate read and reread her story and maybe had some others read and give input. It’s a medium paced beginning with action and a splash of drama. The characters are very well thought out and very relatable. Of course there is a relationship of major convenience, but it doesn’t take away from the story for me, I just shrugged it off and read on. As a science nerd myself, I’d say the damage incurred was a bit underplayed, but if Tate was accurate we’d have no story. The ending was not at all what I was expecting, and to Tate I applaud! It’s hard to surprise me and when I am it’s worth mentioning. So many book series in this genre follow a model or pattern for the first book, Tate did and did not. She had the rough outline but added flair. It’s a great read. It’s a medium paced action read, not fast nor slow. I’d say it’s an easy-level read. I’d rate it M for mature for suggestive actions and there is killing but not descriptive enough for a solid R rating. So if you’re a parent concerned for the innocence of your teen, they’ll be fine. I do plan on reading the second book. Happy reading!
The story involves an asteroid that is going to collide with the Earth and the government trying to keep it all secret. The secret leaks out and you have, of course, massive panic. The asteroid will hit in the Atlantic Ocean and will result in a massive tsunami plus firey eject from the impact.
The main characters are Caleb (a former marine), Elizabeth (a school teacher) and Lana (a student.) Their basic task is to try to survive what is going to happen. Another character appears a little later, Jessup, who is sort of a boyfriend to Lana.
Most of the book covers their trying to find a place of safety while avoiding the panic-driven people and the the various thugs that try to attack them and anyone else they can. They want to find a place on a mountain but it's going to be a lot more difficult than they thought and a lot more violent.
There is a theme that leads into the next book and that involves a possible rogue military element.
The book does a good job showing the panic that happens and the types of low-lifes that are willing to attack others and take what they have. The asteroid impact and its effects is well done.
I'm not totally happy with the ending, though, since it seems just to be there to lead into a second book that will probably be quite different since the impact has already taken place.
Come on now....... I've read a number of this author's series and they were enjoyable, not too far fetched with reasonably developed, motivated characters. Fire and Ashes, Vol. 1 almost immediately dives into being a military/techno thriller. Of course there is a family in danger, actually several families. Society breaks down, the government is missing at all levels after an asteroid strikes the Atlantic Ocean. It's as if no one knew this was coming. Apparently it was kept super secret ...give me a break please. All I'm asking for is a semblance of realism.....
I've read a few of this author's books and have never been disappointed. Fire and Ashes is a truly amazing start to a series. It's not a full-action or fast-paced book, it's more of a steady compelling read and a page-turner. The characters were really good, I don't like it when I start to care about them, as sure as fate, something will happen to at least one of them. There are some twists and turns and that kept me turning the pages. I have Thunder and Acid downloaded and ready to read.
I love this author’s stories but thus one fell way short of the mark. While the premise was interesting, every one of the characters fell flat and I simply couldn’t get myself to care about what happened to ANY of them. Don’t pass this author up based on this book because many of her others are top notch. Don’t know if I’ll continue wirh this series however.
Harley Tate has hit another one out of the park! This is a little different than the normal EMP lights out apocalyptic thriller. It is of the sky is falling scenario. I liked it. There were a few nail-biting situations, and the story flowed well. I recommend this book. Now I am off to buy and read the next book in the series. See you at the end of it.
Quick read. The book has a great concept, plus good characters. The failings of the book, and why I rated it at three stars, is that too much time is spent on "feelings". The interpersonal hopes and fears of the mother daughter and to a lesser extent, husband and wife took up too of the plot.
The characters feel real and you want to know them better. The minor characters and the mother could be written better, but still enjoyed them. The story moves briskly and the action isn't over the top with weapons jargon and the heroes are not super peppers like in many of these stories. I would recommend.
rather pedestrian end of the world novel, same old, s,amme old
For the most part a slow moving tale of family clinging together in aftermath of planet killing asteroid strike and dissolution of the US infrastructure. Feels like I had already read it, only the name change. Part of a series, .can’t imagine reading any further
loved this first book in the Falling Skies series.
Loved this first in this series. A large meteor hits the Atlantic northeast of the US. We find three members of a family each in different areas of North Carolina finding out about what is coming and then trying to meet up with each other. Good story, can’t wait to read more.
Awful. Won’t be reading the rest of the series. Agree with Roger P. As for the security/access control aspects of the story, the probability of a visitor badge being able work as described here is less than the chance of earth being hit by a meteor. Zero! Even if it had been a badge from a person with full access it wouldn’t have worked. Codes are changed regularly. It made the whole story laughable. Sorry. Have read and enjoyed some of your other books. What happened?
Great book, wow what amazing world development. She did a fantastic work of describing the catastrophe events of the meteor showers and weather events occurring from. Very detailed and you can visualize them in your head occurring. Great characters development. Going for book 2
Well written story, good plot. So far, A good mix of When Worlds Collide and The Perseid Collapse. Not too rushed, as most of these genre books do. Characters believable but a bit one-sided. Miss Tate is developing a good series here.
Following the story was easy because of the people. You immediately feel pulled into their lives. Its a plausible storyline. We actually have an asteroid coming close to earth this week that has been rated as hazardous. I can't wait to get to book two
I liked the characters, their circumstances, and the twist at the end. I do not like that the story started in Summerfield only to have the author forget and start calling it Summerville. Thus, the reason for 4 stars. I do recommend.
The government keeping asteroids a secret is the start
What would the smart family do? Yep, find a bunker and hide. believable characters and situations here keep you following the action. I can't wait for the next book.
This was a real good book. It is good to read this fiction account and get an idea of how a family might react in such an event. The possibility of an astroid hitting earth is all too real.
The plot of the storyline is starting. Who will be the heroes &who the bad players. Book two will start defining who is who. The only true heroes are the newly saved family. Read on and watch the world turn dark & cold.
Another great book by Harley Tate. I love the characters in this book and series. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I would recommend this book and all of Harley’s books.
I started reading the book because I thought it was the book series to match the show Falling skies, it is not. With that said it was still enjoyable. I think my only complaint is that I never got to know anything about the bad guys.
It was a great build-up. I'm concerned that we are moving directly into the phase of the deranged general who wants to build his own empire and rule with an iron fist.