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Collapse #0.5
Downfall
The only thing anyone wants to talk about lately is the stupid virus that’s making people sick around the globe. But thirteen-year-old Lizzy Tilbrook has bigger things on her mind, like winning her class presidency.
It’s the first stepping-stone in her plan to get into Yale. Then she’ll capture the title of Atlanta’s top lawyer.
Lizzy doesn’t need friends to do that — she needs voters. She’ll do anything to win them over and take down her rival. The new pandemic is just a speed bump along the way.
Or so she thinks.
When the virus reactivates in individuals who’ve already had it, it snuffs out millions of lives within days.
Insanity and chaos follow. Supply chains collapse, along with Lizzy’s plans.
Soon there aren’t enough essential resources to go around. Violence erupts.
With no place safe, priorities shift, and relationships become vital. Suddenly, being a lone wolf isn’t a sign of strength. It’s her greatest weakness.
Lizzy must find allies or face the apocalypse alone.
Downfall, prequel to the Collapse Series, an apocalyptic, young adult novel. Experience the beginning of the Collapse by Angela D. Shelton.
It’s the first stepping-stone in her plan to get into Yale. Then she’ll capture the title of Atlanta’s top lawyer.
Lizzy doesn’t need friends to do that — she needs voters. She’ll do anything to win them over and take down her rival. The new pandemic is just a speed bump along the way.
Or so she thinks.
When the virus reactivates in individuals who’ve already had it, it snuffs out millions of lives within days.
Insanity and chaos follow. Supply chains collapse, along with Lizzy’s plans.
Soon there aren’t enough essential resources to go around. Violence erupts.
With no place safe, priorities shift, and relationships become vital. Suddenly, being a lone wolf isn’t a sign of strength. It’s her greatest weakness.
Lizzy must find allies or face the apocalypse alone.
Downfall, prequel to the Collapse Series, an apocalyptic, young adult novel. Experience the beginning of the Collapse by Angela D. Shelton.
- GenresYoung Adult
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 16, 2022
Following the collapse of society due to another deadly covid wave, seventh grader Lizzy Tilbrook learns what is most important in life as she reflects on past mistakes and missed opportunities.
I really enjoyed this clean, middle grade read. Packed with lessons all ages can learn from, the biggest takeaway for me was the theme of friendship and the value of letting others in and leaning on them in times of need. I also appreciated the subtle importance of drawing strength from God that was alluded to, and I hope in the sequel this is expounded on even more. It was interesting to see how the main character evolved over the course of the book and I look forward to seeing how she continues to grow, both emotionally and spiritually. It was wonderful to read a book with such important life lessons that I can share with my children!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this clean, middle grade read. Packed with lessons all ages can learn from, the biggest takeaway for me was the theme of friendship and the value of letting others in and leaning on them in times of need. I also appreciated the subtle importance of drawing strength from God that was alluded to, and I hope in the sequel this is expounded on even more. It was interesting to see how the main character evolved over the course of the book and I look forward to seeing how she continues to grow, both emotionally and spiritually. It was wonderful to read a book with such important life lessons that I can share with my children!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 6, 2022
Lizzy is currently running for Class President. Though she's only in the seventh grade, Lizzy has plans to get into Yale for college, and her becoming the Seventh-Grade Class President is step number one of that plan. Her mom has been mentoring her on how to run her campaign, and things seem to be going well.
What Lizzy is NOT focused on is the pandemic that is pandemic currently affecting the world - not even when her cousin Mary arrives from Honduras to live with them until things settle down again. But everything changes when a new variant begins wreaking havoc. Suddenly, people who had already had the virus and recovered are getting sick again. Seemingly overnight, millions of people around the world have died.
Now, being class president is the last thing on Lizzy's mind as she and her family struggle to find food, fuel, and safe shelter.
This newly published book serves as a prequel to Shelton's Collapse series and reveals the early days of the collapse through the eyes of Lizzy. At the beginning of the book, I did not like Lizzy at all. She was incredibly self-centered, viewing people as tools or resources to be used instead of people with whom to cultivate relationships. This viewpoint was only encouraged by her mother, who's used the same view to rise up the corporate ladder at her job while also looking down on Lizzy's dad, who has never had the same drive and is happy with where he is.
Even when Lizzy's cousin Mary comes to live with them because the international borders are closing, Lizzy is more concerned with making sure Mary has the "right" clothing to wear so she doesn't embarrass Lizzy at school than how Mary might be feeling living with them while her own mother is still in Honduras.
Even allowing for the self-centeredness of tweens and teenagers, I wanted to knock some sense into Lizzy to try and get her to really look at the consequences of her own behavior. Thankfully, as the world around her begins to crumble, Lizzy begins to grow; by the end of the book, she was much more likable, and it was much easier to connect with and hope for her.
My struggle with liking Lizzy as a character actually helped soften the blow of the pandemic they were experiencing. With the background of the last few years, the scenario in this book is all too real, and even with life back to a relative normal, it wouldn't take much for our own world to move in this direction.
The other part that helped soften the blow was the relationship Lizzy has with her father and the strength she draws from him. He serves as a pillar of strength for both Lizzy and Mary, and that was nice to see.
As a general... warning isn't really the right word, so I'm going to go with informing... In the spirit of informing for clarity and transparency, his strength comes from his Christian faith, and there are several references to faith in God, and the characters pray before eating their meals. For those readers who aren't Christian, at no point does it feel like proselytizing. Instead, it is an organic shift to prayer as a source of strength in the midst of everything falling apart around them.
Finally, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, which was narrated by Samantha Norbury. She did a fantastic job, and I feel like listening to her narration elevated the book for me, bringing it to life in a way that reading it myself would not have. There were several places I found myself tearing up, and by the end, I was sitting on the edge of my proverbial seat as I hoped Lizzy and her family would be okay.
If you have the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, I highly recommend you take it. If not, you should definitely read the book. It is a wonderful story about the strength of the human spirit.
What Lizzy is NOT focused on is the pandemic that is pandemic currently affecting the world - not even when her cousin Mary arrives from Honduras to live with them until things settle down again. But everything changes when a new variant begins wreaking havoc. Suddenly, people who had already had the virus and recovered are getting sick again. Seemingly overnight, millions of people around the world have died.
Now, being class president is the last thing on Lizzy's mind as she and her family struggle to find food, fuel, and safe shelter.
This newly published book serves as a prequel to Shelton's Collapse series and reveals the early days of the collapse through the eyes of Lizzy. At the beginning of the book, I did not like Lizzy at all. She was incredibly self-centered, viewing people as tools or resources to be used instead of people with whom to cultivate relationships. This viewpoint was only encouraged by her mother, who's used the same view to rise up the corporate ladder at her job while also looking down on Lizzy's dad, who has never had the same drive and is happy with where he is.
Even when Lizzy's cousin Mary comes to live with them because the international borders are closing, Lizzy is more concerned with making sure Mary has the "right" clothing to wear so she doesn't embarrass Lizzy at school than how Mary might be feeling living with them while her own mother is still in Honduras.
Even allowing for the self-centeredness of tweens and teenagers, I wanted to knock some sense into Lizzy to try and get her to really look at the consequences of her own behavior. Thankfully, as the world around her begins to crumble, Lizzy begins to grow; by the end of the book, she was much more likable, and it was much easier to connect with and hope for her.
My struggle with liking Lizzy as a character actually helped soften the blow of the pandemic they were experiencing. With the background of the last few years, the scenario in this book is all too real, and even with life back to a relative normal, it wouldn't take much for our own world to move in this direction.
The other part that helped soften the blow was the relationship Lizzy has with her father and the strength she draws from him. He serves as a pillar of strength for both Lizzy and Mary, and that was nice to see.
As a general... warning isn't really the right word, so I'm going to go with informing... In the spirit of informing for clarity and transparency, his strength comes from his Christian faith, and there are several references to faith in God, and the characters pray before eating their meals. For those readers who aren't Christian, at no point does it feel like proselytizing. Instead, it is an organic shift to prayer as a source of strength in the midst of everything falling apart around them.
Finally, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, which was narrated by Samantha Norbury. She did a fantastic job, and I feel like listening to her narration elevated the book for me, bringing it to life in a way that reading it myself would not have. There were several places I found myself tearing up, and by the end, I was sitting on the edge of my proverbial seat as I hoped Lizzy and her family would be okay.
If you have the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, I highly recommend you take it. If not, you should definitely read the book. It is a wonderful story about the strength of the human spirit.
August 30, 2022
Lizzy had plans…. big plans, and no one was going to stand in her way. She had no doubts about her future, after all she schemed and plotted and had it all worked out. Too bad for Lizzy that she couldn’t manipulate things beyond her control, like a worldwide pandemic.
Life changed, suddenly. In the blink of an eye Lizzy and her dad had to make new plans. Survival would be Lizzy’s next goal. As food became scarce, mobs formed to steal, rob and destroy. Lizzy and her dad had to stay on the run, aways looking for a place to hide and to subsist.
This book starts with life as usual. Snobbish teens parading around in school, adults going to work and family disagreements as well as reunions. But it didn’t take long for that modern world to collapse. Almost overnight loved ones are dead from the spreading illness or from the burgeoning violence. City life was dangerous so Lizzy and family have to make a run for it and eventually divide up. They have to find ways to remain alive and stay one step ahead. They never give up hope and they reevaluate and restructure life in this new world.
🤔 OBSERVATIONS:
✒︎ Lizzy’s mom and dad were as different as night and day, in more ways than one. Her mother was all about success and taught Lizzy how to game the system. Lizzy’s dad was kind, fair and honest.
✒︎ This book makes you believe in that phrase, be ready in season and out of season. Life may be all full of peace and safety but sudden destruction can hit … be it pandemic, flash flooding, hurricanes or tornados. In this book it’s a contagion .
✒︎ I appreciated the elements of faith represented. It’s not overboard but is present. And realistically, who wouldn’t be thankful for food provided when it was so hard to come by.
✒︎ I wonder if Mary and her mother made it to Honduras. How could they go back when the military retrieved them from there. What mode of transportation was available? There was little to no fuel. I also wonder if Mary ever gets to see her dad and if he has regrets.
✒︎ I loved the lack of foul language. Good job getting the point across without using profanity. I actually added a star for that reason.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Life changed, suddenly. In the blink of an eye Lizzy and her dad had to make new plans. Survival would be Lizzy’s next goal. As food became scarce, mobs formed to steal, rob and destroy. Lizzy and her dad had to stay on the run, aways looking for a place to hide and to subsist.
This book starts with life as usual. Snobbish teens parading around in school, adults going to work and family disagreements as well as reunions. But it didn’t take long for that modern world to collapse. Almost overnight loved ones are dead from the spreading illness or from the burgeoning violence. City life was dangerous so Lizzy and family have to make a run for it and eventually divide up. They have to find ways to remain alive and stay one step ahead. They never give up hope and they reevaluate and restructure life in this new world.
🤔 OBSERVATIONS:
✒︎ Lizzy’s mom and dad were as different as night and day, in more ways than one. Her mother was all about success and taught Lizzy how to game the system. Lizzy’s dad was kind, fair and honest.
✒︎ This book makes you believe in that phrase, be ready in season and out of season. Life may be all full of peace and safety but sudden destruction can hit … be it pandemic, flash flooding, hurricanes or tornados. In this book it’s a contagion .
✒︎ I appreciated the elements of faith represented. It’s not overboard but is present. And realistically, who wouldn’t be thankful for food provided when it was so hard to come by.
✒︎ I wonder if Mary and her mother made it to Honduras. How could they go back when the military retrieved them from there. What mode of transportation was available? There was little to no fuel. I also wonder if Mary ever gets to see her dad and if he has regrets.
✒︎ I loved the lack of foul language. Good job getting the point across without using profanity. I actually added a star for that reason.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 21, 2022
I enjoyed this book about 7th grader Lizzy and her experience during a pandemic. (I'm unclear on whether the pandemic is the current COVID pandemic or a fictional one. It doesn't matter, many of the safety protocols are the same.) Lizzy is an ambitious girl who knows what she wants but goes about achieving them by questionable means. She's not afraid to step on people to get to the top, not her supposed BFF Ava or her rival for the class presidency Harper. This makes Lizzy a little unlikeable, but when you get a look at her home life, you see why Lizzy is the way she is. I definitely liked her a lot more at the end of the book than I did at the start.
Just as Lizzy is starting to question whether her way is right, things go from bad to worse. It's not long before Lizzy is forced to leave what's left of her life and home behind. She's going to have to learn a whole new way of living and forget about those old goals. Her only goal now is surviving both the variant and other people. I'm interested in reading more of this series, although with a two year time jump in this one and the next book looking to be focused on a different character, I wonder if I'll ever find out what happens to Lizzy.
It's important to mention for those who might not want to read about this at all, there's some Christianity in this book. I don't remember whether Lizzy herself even believes in God, but it is there with some of the other characters. Her and aunt and cousin are missionaries in Honduras and her father prays.
I received an advance review copy for free from Booksprout, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Just as Lizzy is starting to question whether her way is right, things go from bad to worse. It's not long before Lizzy is forced to leave what's left of her life and home behind. She's going to have to learn a whole new way of living and forget about those old goals. Her only goal now is surviving both the variant and other people. I'm interested in reading more of this series, although with a two year time jump in this one and the next book looking to be focused on a different character, I wonder if I'll ever find out what happens to Lizzy.
It's important to mention for those who might not want to read about this at all, there's some Christianity in this book. I don't remember whether Lizzy herself even believes in God, but it is there with some of the other characters. Her and aunt and cousin are missionaries in Honduras and her father prays.
I received an advance review copy for free from Booksprout, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 7, 2022
Lizzy is a mean girl, or better she is trying to have her best life as her mother want her to do.
For her to have the best curriculum possible she is focused in trying to be the class president, but the other girl running against her is really a good girl and very popular.
I did like this book, the characters are very likable and Lizzy really sounds as a teen, she is a clueless girl that want to give her best for her dreams and objectives to come true.
Then the variant arrived and with that all the world around Lizzy changed very fast, her cousin Mary came to live with them, because she was with her mother in a mission at Honduras, but her mom managed to send Mary away before they closed the airports, and her mom wants to keep Mary safe.
Things only get really serious around 60% of the book, but the whole world construction, the world crumbling around Lizzy is very well done, you get pain, sadness and redemption..
I highly recommend this book, its completely safe for all ages, and even adults can fully enjoy this book.
Thank you story origin for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
For her to have the best curriculum possible she is focused in trying to be the class president, but the other girl running against her is really a good girl and very popular.
I did like this book, the characters are very likable and Lizzy really sounds as a teen, she is a clueless girl that want to give her best for her dreams and objectives to come true.
Then the variant arrived and with that all the world around Lizzy changed very fast, her cousin Mary came to live with them, because she was with her mother in a mission at Honduras, but her mom managed to send Mary away before they closed the airports, and her mom wants to keep Mary safe.
Things only get really serious around 60% of the book, but the whole world construction, the world crumbling around Lizzy is very well done, you get pain, sadness and redemption..
I highly recommend this book, its completely safe for all ages, and even adults can fully enjoy this book.
Thank you story origin for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
September 29, 2022
Great for any Age, Post Apocalypse After Covid Like Virus
Parents- PG- really kept very clean
Language- none
Violence- some violence around civilization collapse but nothing very descriptive
Sexual Content- none
For those not wanting to relive Covid in any way you'll want to avoid this one, but if you're looking for a post apocalyptic read for your elementary and middle school aged kids then this series will fit the bill. It's from a 7th grade girls perspective, with all the teenage drama, friend dilemmas, disagreements about parent rules on clothing, and masking. There's great messages about living with choices and their consequences, importance of friends, family and God. There is a Christian element, that I love, because it's not done in a pushy or preachy way. I would definitely let my kids read it.
Narrator- does a great job with the voice differentiation, I preferred listening at 1.35x speed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents- PG- really kept very clean
Language- none
Violence- some violence around civilization collapse but nothing very descriptive
Sexual Content- none
For those not wanting to relive Covid in any way you'll want to avoid this one, but if you're looking for a post apocalyptic read for your elementary and middle school aged kids then this series will fit the bill. It's from a 7th grade girls perspective, with all the teenage drama, friend dilemmas, disagreements about parent rules on clothing, and masking. There's great messages about living with choices and their consequences, importance of friends, family and God. There is a Christian element, that I love, because it's not done in a pushy or preachy way. I would definitely let my kids read it.
Narrator- does a great job with the voice differentiation, I preferred listening at 1.35x speed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 4, 2022
This book had me very excited by the cover, and I couldn't wait to read it. The beginning was a little slow, and it took me a while to get past the first three chapters. Once I got farther in though, I really started to enjoy it and immerse myself in the book.
I loved the concept and idea of the book, and I liked the way it was executed. The novel wasn't childishly sounding, it sounded more proper with a broader vocabulary than I was prepared for.
One of the things I didn't enjoy so much was how the characters were written. I didn't connect with any of them all that much, I felt like an outsider and someone who was barging in on scary, frustrating, and sad moments.
Secondly, I didn't really feel too much for the book. Maybe it just wasn't something I'm into... but I didn't feel connected to it much. I wanted to put it down several times, I was a little bored.
Although, this author did a wonderful job and I can see this book flourishing with some small edits to the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the concept and idea of the book, and I liked the way it was executed. The novel wasn't childishly sounding, it sounded more proper with a broader vocabulary than I was prepared for.
One of the things I didn't enjoy so much was how the characters were written. I didn't connect with any of them all that much, I felt like an outsider and someone who was barging in on scary, frustrating, and sad moments.
Secondly, I didn't really feel too much for the book. Maybe it just wasn't something I'm into... but I didn't feel connected to it much. I wanted to put it down several times, I was a little bored.
Although, this author did a wonderful job and I can see this book flourishing with some small edits to the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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November 13, 2022~Disclaimer: I received a free audiobook copy of this book.~
Lizzy is an ambitious and calculating thirteen year old. The bulk of the story is the time before things get too chaotic. A build up to when things start to fall apart.
I think the book is a bit too short for me to really vibe with the characters. The messaging felt a little too heavy handed about not using people and religion. As an atheist, the fact that those who were atheist acted badly was rather insulting.
Overall, an interesting word which is clearly looking at the covid pandemic for inspiration. If you are religious you likely will get more out of it than I did. I think I’ll pass on the sequels.
Lizzy is an ambitious and calculating thirteen year old. The bulk of the story is the time before things get too chaotic. A build up to when things start to fall apart.
I think the book is a bit too short for me to really vibe with the characters. The messaging felt a little too heavy handed about not using people and religion. As an atheist, the fact that those who were atheist acted badly was rather insulting.
Overall, an interesting word which is clearly looking at the covid pandemic for inspiration. If you are religious you likely will get more out of it than I did. I think I’ll pass on the sequels.
July 28, 2023
This was an odd little book. It started out as a YA read about a stressed and driven thirteen-year-old who at her mother’s prompting sets up a rival for a cheating rap in order to be class president. I was expecting for her to realize she’d done wrong and apologize. Lesson learned, she goes on with her life. She does get the chance to apologize but not before the world collapses due to a rampant virus. Lizzie and her dad end up leaving their home due to people looting and toting guns. Though I knew this was a prequel to the Collapsed series, I still didn’t expect that from the beginning of this book. I did enjoy it, and look forward to reading the series.
February 9, 2023
Audiobook: This was my first experience with Angela D. Shelton's work, and I enjoyed it. Once the audiobook started, I became so engrossed that I had to listen to the end, in one sitting. The story featured a 13-year-old girl whose life revolved around becoming the class president, when a pandemic rocked her world. I liked that the author created a character who seemed genuine. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Samantha Norbury's narration was fine and kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
August 4, 2022
Robin's Review: Downfall: The Collapse Series Prequel. This is a clean and easy-to-read book. It is a well-written story about the collapse of society from Covid. It follows the main character, Lizzy, and how she deals with it and follows her growth throughout the story. It is an excellent book for middle-school-age children.
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story
October 6, 2022
Angela D. Shelton writes an engaging post-apocalyptic story. The story follows Lizzy, a 7th grader who must find allies in order to survive the collapse of a disease ridden post-apocalyptic world. The MC and supporting characters are well written, the world is well developed, and the plot moves at a good pace. I look forward to the first book in the series! Audio Version: Samantha Norbury does a great job with the narration and each character's voice.
January 4, 2024
I felt as if I was reading two different books as the story shifted from an indepth exploration of a young girls' experience in a typical secondary school environment to a dystopian experience in the throes of pandemic chaos. The slower pace of the first chapters exploded into summaries of a fast and frantic arrival of pandemonium.
But that said, I couldn't put the book down once during the second half. It was a very interesting shift in the pacing of a story.
But that said, I couldn't put the book down once during the second half. It was a very interesting shift in the pacing of a story.
July 22, 2022
We’ll written from the perspective of a very young teen. Liszt Tilbrook grows from a self centered spoiled materialistic overachiever to a survivor of society’s collapse with a better attitude. There was a realistic portrayal of very differing role models and she has to decide what type of person she wants to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2023
A very enjoyable read.
Downfall is a very good story and although there is a Christian element to it it’s not over the top and in your face. It was nice to have a no-bad-language book to read and I liked the prayer that was said before they ate to be thankful for the food they were about to eat. There are a few lessons to be learned from the book so all in all I really enjoyed Downfall.
Downfall is a very good story and although there is a Christian element to it it’s not over the top and in your face. It was nice to have a no-bad-language book to read and I liked the prayer that was said before they ate to be thankful for the food they were about to eat. There are a few lessons to be learned from the book so all in all I really enjoyed Downfall.
July 9, 2022
Simple yet great story of what can happen when a world pandemic is not stopped. Although dealing with a serious and scary subject, the author has infused it with hopeful characters and the perseverance of the American people. I loved the uplifting take of a deadly time.
February 11, 2024
Not for me, others may like it.
I got this book through Book Funnel.
Why I didn't like it...
1. Mmm...Covid
2. Mmm...Covid
3. Mmm...Masks
I don't want to read about it in books I want to enjoy.
I almost didn't finish the book, but I was bored so I finished it.
I got this book through Book Funnel.
Why I didn't like it...
1. Mmm...Covid
2. Mmm...Covid
3. Mmm...Masks
I don't want to read about it in books I want to enjoy.
I almost didn't finish the book, but I was bored so I finished it.
August 4, 2022
This is really good! I did really enjoyed it! Grabbed me in from the very start & was intrigued just to the end! Great!! Will definitely be reading the next in the series!
October 31, 2023
Excellent - Get the rest!!
February 28, 2025
This series is really good. I hope to read more.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews