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Crash #1
Crash
Chris' life of luxury is gone, devastated by the collapse of the European economy. Gas, water, and electricity are all cut off. Food is running out. Even his wife and daughter have gone. Huddled in the smallest room of their lavish house with his petrified and dirty eight-year-old son, Chris has made the decision to stay put. A small army of psychotic scavengers is outside, hell-bent on making the once-privileged pay. Chris now knows that not leaving when he had the option was the worst decision of his life.
Cowering in his home, he watches as his neighbours are dragged into the street and brutally executed. The scavengers have one more house to go, and then it will be his turn. He has to act fast, or he and his son will meet the same fate.
Driven by the need to survive, Chris has decided to keep secrets from his son. Secrets that will make all of the events up until this point seem trivial. Secrets that, one way or another, will come out before the day is done.
*** Warning - This is a horror book and contains scenes that may be upsetting for some readers. ***
Cowering in his home, he watches as his neighbours are dragged into the street and brutally executed. The scavengers have one more house to go, and then it will be his turn. He has to act fast, or he and his son will meet the same fate.
Driven by the need to survive, Chris has decided to keep secrets from his son. Secrets that will make all of the events up until this point seem trivial. Secrets that, one way or another, will come out before the day is done.
*** Warning - This is a horror book and contains scenes that may be upsetting for some readers. ***
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
About the author
Michael Robertson
95 books182 followersMichael Robertson is an author and blogger. He has had several short stories published, including one with HarperCollins. He is the author of Crash - http://michaelrobertson.co.uk/crash--...
You can connect with Michael on Twitter at @MicRobertson, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRober... and you can also contact him through his website at www.michaelrobertson.co.uk
You can connect with Michael on Twitter at @MicRobertson, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRober... and you can also contact him through his website at www.michaelrobertson.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
October 17, 2020
The European economy has collapsed. Water, gas and electricity are cut off, and food is scarce. It is against this background that Michael Robertson's 'Crash' is set.
A small army of renegades set out to take revenge on those they deem to be responsible for this collapse, namely the bankers, and anyone in general really who appeared to have it all, the nice house, private schooling for the kids, top of the range cars, the big fat salary. The violence in this book is probably the worst I have come across, truly sickening, and I almost stopped reading it at one point. What made me continue was the fact that it was clear the author wanted to portray exactly what can happen when civilised society descends into anarchy. We've all heard of despicable acts of violence in wars and despotic regimes, and there's no doubt that given the right scenario it could happen here. It's obvious that this army of renegades contain characters who show sociopathic/ psychopathic traits, and when coupled with the breakdown of law and order, it gives them free rein to carry out whatever vile acts they wish.
Chris a former banker, and his son Michael are hiding in their home when these thugs appear in the cul de sac, in what was once a gated community in London. They peep from behind closed curtains as their neighbours are executed in the most sickening ways, the thugs going from house to house, in their search for more victims. Chris's house is next, and the story follows their sheer desperation as they try to stay alive. It's heart stopping stuff, and definitely not for the faint hearted. These scenes will stay with me for a long time, but they do demonstrate how easily life could change, when a certain set of circumstances, coupled with the baser aspect of humanity come together. A very scary read, but I believe the author does give a good sense of a world gone mad.
A small army of renegades set out to take revenge on those they deem to be responsible for this collapse, namely the bankers, and anyone in general really who appeared to have it all, the nice house, private schooling for the kids, top of the range cars, the big fat salary. The violence in this book is probably the worst I have come across, truly sickening, and I almost stopped reading it at one point. What made me continue was the fact that it was clear the author wanted to portray exactly what can happen when civilised society descends into anarchy. We've all heard of despicable acts of violence in wars and despotic regimes, and there's no doubt that given the right scenario it could happen here. It's obvious that this army of renegades contain characters who show sociopathic/ psychopathic traits, and when coupled with the breakdown of law and order, it gives them free rein to carry out whatever vile acts they wish.
Chris a former banker, and his son Michael are hiding in their home when these thugs appear in the cul de sac, in what was once a gated community in London. They peep from behind closed curtains as their neighbours are executed in the most sickening ways, the thugs going from house to house, in their search for more victims. Chris's house is next, and the story follows their sheer desperation as they try to stay alive. It's heart stopping stuff, and definitely not for the faint hearted. These scenes will stay with me for a long time, but they do demonstrate how easily life could change, when a certain set of circumstances, coupled with the baser aspect of humanity come together. A very scary read, but I believe the author does give a good sense of a world gone mad.
September 23, 2021
This is a story about the collapse of civilisation and some very violent looters taking out their frustrations on rich people who live in gated communities who have just lost all their privilege.
Trigger warnings include gratuitous violence including against children and animals, and people too stupid to live. Some of the violence is really gruesome.
I had to really think about how many stars to give this because the concept is original and very interesting. The failure of worldwide economies brings civilisation down instead of an asteroid, virus or zombie attack.
The writing is very good as far as sentence structure goes and very effective. There's not an editing mistake to be found. I cared whether Chris and his son Michael would find a way out of this very tricky situation. Michael is 10 according to the narrative, but his naivety and behaviour struck me more like a 5-year-old.
Where it really falls down is plotting. After a few chapters I found myself wondering why Chris is still watching the horrible things happening to his neighbours from behind a window curtain when his house is going to be next.
Though English homes seldom have firearms, other weapons can be improvised. The improvised weapons the looters carry should have triggered some lateral thinking.
Kitchen knives, garden tools, the average home is loaded with items that can be weaponised. We've got a tool for scraping up old floor tiles that I would go straight for in a zombie apocalypse.
We're told some men have gone out the back to keep people from sneaking out but the real sicko and most of the looter group are occupied out front so why wait to be dragged out by all of them?
Then we have Michael ignoring all his father's instructions and acting like an idiot who's going to get them caught until suddenly he starts thinking logically. That and mixed messages from the wife created inconsistencies.
Worst of all was that Chris' 'solution' would have had the exact same effect if he left things as they were. Can't explain that without major spoilers.
The lead in to the next book didn't grab me. I won't be continuing the series, though I admit I was edge of my seat through this one.
Trigger warnings include gratuitous violence including against children and animals, and people too stupid to live. Some of the violence is really gruesome.
I had to really think about how many stars to give this because the concept is original and very interesting. The failure of worldwide economies brings civilisation down instead of an asteroid, virus or zombie attack.
The writing is very good as far as sentence structure goes and very effective. There's not an editing mistake to be found. I cared whether Chris and his son Michael would find a way out of this very tricky situation. Michael is 10 according to the narrative, but his naivety and behaviour struck me more like a 5-year-old.
Where it really falls down is plotting. After a few chapters I found myself wondering why Chris is still watching the horrible things happening to his neighbours from behind a window curtain when his house is going to be next.
Though English homes seldom have firearms, other weapons can be improvised. The improvised weapons the looters carry should have triggered some lateral thinking.
Kitchen knives, garden tools, the average home is loaded with items that can be weaponised. We've got a tool for scraping up old floor tiles that I would go straight for in a zombie apocalypse.
We're told some men have gone out the back to keep people from sneaking out but the real sicko and most of the looter group are occupied out front so why wait to be dragged out by all of them?
Then we have Michael ignoring all his father's instructions and acting like an idiot who's going to get them caught until suddenly he starts thinking logically. That and mixed messages from the wife created inconsistencies.
Worst of all was that Chris' 'solution' would have had the exact same effect if he left things as they were. Can't explain that without major spoilers.
The lead in to the next book didn't grab me. I won't be continuing the series, though I admit I was edge of my seat through this one.
November 3, 2013
Michael has a superb way with words, that I found both unsettling and eloquent.
Our main MC and his son are alone in a desolate and desperate world, trying to survive after a massive economic disaster. We're painted a very bleak picture on what could happen if things are left to spiral out of control.
The once weak of society have risen up and are now the strong--if not completely fucking disturbed, and those that are used to riches and the spoils that life has to offer, now live in fear.
Let me be honest with you, this book is a true horror novel. It doesn't dress itself up and try to be anything but a horror book. There's no HEA,there's only the quiet desperation as you frantically turn the pages to find out what the outcome will be for Chris and his son. And at times, a lot of times, I felt physically ill reading it...
And Chris, the MC, maaaaaan you hate him, yet you can't help be fear for him and want a better outcome, if not for him--then for his son. But there's a small band of psychotic scavengers outside ready to inflict their own style of punishment on these once wealthy men and women.
The book flits from the past to the present, giving you glimpses of how things came to be, and it was these parts that I particulary liked. It was these parts, for me anyway, that gave the characters true depth, and changed my entire feeligns towards nearly every character in the book.
If you read this, do so on an empty stomach. This book had me heaving at times, and that's something that a book hasn't managed to do in a long, long time.
Our main MC and his son are alone in a desolate and desperate world, trying to survive after a massive economic disaster. We're painted a very bleak picture on what could happen if things are left to spiral out of control.
The once weak of society have risen up and are now the strong--if not completely fucking disturbed, and those that are used to riches and the spoils that life has to offer, now live in fear.
Let me be honest with you, this book is a true horror novel. It doesn't dress itself up and try to be anything but a horror book. There's no HEA,there's only the quiet desperation as you frantically turn the pages to find out what the outcome will be for Chris and his son. And at times, a lot of times, I felt physically ill reading it...
And Chris, the MC, maaaaaan you hate him, yet you can't help be fear for him and want a better outcome, if not for him--then for his son. But there's a small band of psychotic scavengers outside ready to inflict their own style of punishment on these once wealthy men and women.
The book flits from the past to the present, giving you glimpses of how things came to be, and it was these parts that I particulary liked. It was these parts, for me anyway, that gave the characters true depth, and changed my entire feeligns towards nearly every character in the book.
If you read this, do so on an empty stomach. This book had me heaving at times, and that's something that a book hasn't managed to do in a long, long time.
June 24, 2014
-Se derrumba el sistema y sale lo peor de nosotros mismos.-
Género. Relato.
Lo que nos cuenta. Chris y su hijo Michael tratan de sobrevivir en su hogar situado en lo que una vez fue una próspera área residencial londinense. Chris trabajaba en una firma que vivió de primera mano el impacto de la crisis mundial y en la que tenía que escuchar comentarios absurdos sobre la misma y sus implicaciones, aunque los buenos ingresos que le generaba y lo que lograba con ellos le permitían soportar cosas que no le agradaban. Ahora, la llegada a su barrio de un grupo de saqueadores no presagia nada bueno. Primer volumen de la serie Crash.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Relato.
Lo que nos cuenta. Chris y su hijo Michael tratan de sobrevivir en su hogar situado en lo que una vez fue una próspera área residencial londinense. Chris trabajaba en una firma que vivió de primera mano el impacto de la crisis mundial y en la que tenía que escuchar comentarios absurdos sobre la misma y sus implicaciones, aunque los buenos ingresos que le generaba y lo que lograba con ellos le permitían soportar cosas que no le agradaban. Ahora, la llegada a su barrio de un grupo de saqueadores no presagia nada bueno. Primer volumen de la serie Crash.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
October 20, 2013
This is the first book I've read from Michael Robertson and it was so different to what I expected.
This shorter story novella unfolds in the aftermath of a global economic crash; its about desperation and the fall of governments. Set in London this originally normal family husband, wife and twin girl and boy were happy and used to living in luxury. This plot is about lack of money recession no jobs, lack of food and how it can turn some people to desperation. We watch as horrific events unfold as a sadistic gang turns up to teach the rich in one cul-de-sac a lesson; and here unfolds a day of horror for father and son.
Warning; this is violent from the start and I was shocked to find it was so sadistic against children....and....a dog; don't get me wrong I get it and it may happen should the world go to pot; but felt this violence was unnecessary. This book isn't for the faint hearted its violent and some will be offended.
I have to say at this point I have been reading horror stories for over 30 years and really enjoy murder mysteries. But this story left me cold, the main problem for me it was way to short, I felt the whole plot should have been just 1 chapter, then we get on with the rest of the storyline!
I usually enjoy longer novels and would have preferred to see father and son escape and read more of their perils along the way, see more of their survival, how they relate to each other etc. I would have liked to warm to Chris but I genuinely didn't like him or take to him; but maybe the author meant us to dislike him.
Even though the author kept adding flashbacks to help explain, I didn't feel they helped in anyway and didn't find it was believable. Hey I even wanted to slap him as I hated his attitude especially towards his own son; but then I also wanted to strangle the boy too for being so annoying so the author did get strong emotions from me lol!
I just didn't take to these two main characters at all (father and son), I felt these characters needed more depth and most good books this horrific have some sort of hope even if its for the next book; but the ending was shocking and far too abrupt. This just didn't work for me.
This shorter story novella unfolds in the aftermath of a global economic crash; its about desperation and the fall of governments. Set in London this originally normal family husband, wife and twin girl and boy were happy and used to living in luxury. This plot is about lack of money recession no jobs, lack of food and how it can turn some people to desperation. We watch as horrific events unfold as a sadistic gang turns up to teach the rich in one cul-de-sac a lesson; and here unfolds a day of horror for father and son.
Warning; this is violent from the start and I was shocked to find it was so sadistic against children....and....a dog; don't get me wrong I get it and it may happen should the world go to pot; but felt this violence was unnecessary. This book isn't for the faint hearted its violent and some will be offended.
I have to say at this point I have been reading horror stories for over 30 years and really enjoy murder mysteries. But this story left me cold, the main problem for me it was way to short, I felt the whole plot should have been just 1 chapter, then we get on with the rest of the storyline!
I usually enjoy longer novels and would have preferred to see father and son escape and read more of their perils along the way, see more of their survival, how they relate to each other etc. I would have liked to warm to Chris but I genuinely didn't like him or take to him; but maybe the author meant us to dislike him.
Even though the author kept adding flashbacks to help explain, I didn't feel they helped in anyway and didn't find it was believable. Hey I even wanted to slap him as I hated his attitude especially towards his own son; but then I also wanted to strangle the boy too for being so annoying so the author did get strong emotions from me lol!
I just didn't take to these two main characters at all (father and son), I felt these characters needed more depth and most good books this horrific have some sort of hope even if its for the next book; but the ending was shocking and far too abrupt. This just didn't work for me.
August 2, 2013
I just finished reading Crash on my Kobo the other night (I should say morning rather) at 4:OO a.m. - I read it cover to cover. I could NOT put it down. I genuinely recommend this new Author.
Robertson catapults the Reader into a London gone mad in the aftermath of a global economic crash ... and I can't go any farther without turning this into a spoiler.
Crash is the first book in an intended series and in setting the stage Robertson demonstrates his gifted story-telling ability. Tension builds from the outset and it is impossible to finish the book without wanting to know more about the characters and the turbulent, often violent, world they live in.
Stage well set. I can't wait for Book 2! Follow this Author!
Robertson catapults the Reader into a London gone mad in the aftermath of a global economic crash ... and I can't go any farther without turning this into a spoiler.
Crash is the first book in an intended series and in setting the stage Robertson demonstrates his gifted story-telling ability. Tension builds from the outset and it is impossible to finish the book without wanting to know more about the characters and the turbulent, often violent, world they live in.
Stage well set. I can't wait for Book 2! Follow this Author!
July 16, 2014
This book was a fantastic change to what I am used to reading. Crash is absolutely phenomenal, and I immediately needed to to read Crash II: Highrise Hell. The descriptions are so vivid that you can't help but picture the scenes. It is the perfect length to sit down and read in an afternoon and then think on it for the rest of the day or jump straight into the next book.
February 22, 2018
I am a fan of Michael Robertson’s dystopian/ apocalyptic stories. He manages to capture the horror and fear whilst maintaining raw, believable characters. This book had a lot more graphic violence than I’m used to, and if Robertson’s aim was to shock me, he did a great job.
The narrative didn’t stray from the house and the street, but a lot happened to make your toes curl. I didn’t see one plot twist coming, and perhaps that was because even when it was revealed I couldn’t get my head around it. No spoilers, but as a parent, a certain action did not make sense. The backstory between husband and wife was present, but not the other divide.
The ending sets up book two which no doubt will be as gory and shocking as book one.
The narrative didn’t stray from the house and the street, but a lot happened to make your toes curl. I didn’t see one plot twist coming, and perhaps that was because even when it was revealed I couldn’t get my head around it. No spoilers, but as a parent, a certain action did not make sense. The backstory between husband and wife was present, but not the other divide.
The ending sets up book two which no doubt will be as gory and shocking as book one.
May 15, 2017
This is a really hard book to rate. Because I emphatically did not like the story but recognize it is told with skill. 3 stars is supposed to mean "liked it" - but in this case it's as far as I can go up the scale to account for the good writing of an awful story. Emotionally, this book is a solid 1 for me.
Let's be clear: I'm no stranger to either dystopian fiction or horror, and yeah I watch The Walking Dead, which, if you're familiar with the TV show, is a good frame of reference for the brutality on display in this novella.
So it's not on that basis alone that this book gets a big ole NOPE from me.
Bottom line: everyone's awful and I don't care about any of them enough to keep reading. The main character, Chris, is deeply unlikeable and only becomes more so over the course of the story. In fact it's one of the places the skill of the writing shows: you start out inclined to like the guy and dislike all these terrible people around him like his boss and wife, and by the end those characters seem relatable and Chris monstrous. I thought that slow reveal through the interspersed flashback chapters was well done.
The other sympathetic character - I *guess* - is his son Michael. Who is just whimpering and sniveling and shows no backbone whatsoever. And the one thug who's slightly less psychotic than his pals, George, is too remote to really care about.
The writing is strong, the descriptions quite bold and visceral - the author does do a good job of really bringing the reader into the physicality of fear in the crumbling modern world. And like I said, the flashbacks are well utilized to develop character and backstory of how the world fell (though in 2017 the emphasis on cascading economic failures starting with weaker European countries does feel a bit dated).
But I think the author made a crucial miscalculation in his choice of storytelling. It's always that one shining ribbon of hope or good that make even the darkest dystopias palatable - and beyond that, believable. The Crash lacks anything like that. It's just depressing and maybe even borderline violence porn. Maybe future installations develop a character worth caring about. But in my case, it's too late for that opportunity. I'm out.
Let's be clear: I'm no stranger to either dystopian fiction or horror, and yeah I watch The Walking Dead, which, if you're familiar with the TV show, is a good frame of reference for the brutality on display in this novella.
So it's not on that basis alone that this book gets a big ole NOPE from me.
Bottom line: everyone's awful and I don't care about any of them enough to keep reading. The main character, Chris, is deeply unlikeable and only becomes more so over the course of the story. In fact it's one of the places the skill of the writing shows: you start out inclined to like the guy and dislike all these terrible people around him like his boss and wife, and by the end those characters seem relatable and Chris monstrous. I thought that slow reveal through the interspersed flashback chapters was well done.
The other sympathetic character - I *guess* - is his son Michael. Who is just whimpering and sniveling and shows no backbone whatsoever. And the one thug who's slightly less psychotic than his pals, George, is too remote to really care about.
The writing is strong, the descriptions quite bold and visceral - the author does do a good job of really bringing the reader into the physicality of fear in the crumbling modern world. And like I said, the flashbacks are well utilized to develop character and backstory of how the world fell (though in 2017 the emphasis on cascading economic failures starting with weaker European countries does feel a bit dated).
But I think the author made a crucial miscalculation in his choice of storytelling. It's always that one shining ribbon of hope or good that make even the darkest dystopias palatable - and beyond that, believable. The Crash lacks anything like that. It's just depressing and maybe even borderline violence porn. Maybe future installations develop a character worth caring about. But in my case, it's too late for that opportunity. I'm out.
August 20, 2017
I could have gotten over the endless gore if there had been any kind of YES moments. A tiny period of time in a whole novel? And the outcome was terrible. I wanted to go to the author and make them change it.
November 28, 2014
I read this novella in a single evening. Then I came to Amazon to leave a review and was shocked at how many one and two star reviews I found. I read a few and came to the conclusion that those reviewers are simply horror adverse, expect too much from a novella, or have weak stomachs. So I ignored them as prospective readers should also do.
As I said, this is a novella. Consequently do not expect the deep development of characters or multiple plot lines. There is simply not sufficient real estate for that. I personally thought that Mr. Robertson successfully generated a few characters that resonate and will transfer into future installments very well. The plot line for this novella was well described and I could visualize just about all scenes. I liked that this edition of the novella contained an epilogue which provided closure but left open serial editions.
Any future readers should also read the introduction by the author. He lays out his political and moral positions. The basis of this novella, and I presume subsequent installments will follow his persuasions. While I do not completely agree with his opinions, I was happy to note that he did not go overboard in trying to preach to the reader. He is entitled to his opinions and has generated a thought provoking novella for you. Yes it is gory and cruel with difficult scenes to write. Just keep in mind that this is fiction - well written fiction. Give it a try - it is only about 100 pages so you have very little to lose and much to gain.
As I said, this is a novella. Consequently do not expect the deep development of characters or multiple plot lines. There is simply not sufficient real estate for that. I personally thought that Mr. Robertson successfully generated a few characters that resonate and will transfer into future installments very well. The plot line for this novella was well described and I could visualize just about all scenes. I liked that this edition of the novella contained an epilogue which provided closure but left open serial editions.
Any future readers should also read the introduction by the author. He lays out his political and moral positions. The basis of this novella, and I presume subsequent installments will follow his persuasions. While I do not completely agree with his opinions, I was happy to note that he did not go overboard in trying to preach to the reader. He is entitled to his opinions and has generated a thought provoking novella for you. Yes it is gory and cruel with difficult scenes to write. Just keep in mind that this is fiction - well written fiction. Give it a try - it is only about 100 pages so you have very little to lose and much to gain.
July 12, 2013
Michael's dark and brutal story was gripping from beginning to end. The creative and vivid description made me feel like I was watching the horrific events unfold right in front of me; I felt tense and on edge throughout. I particularly liked how he alternated the chapters from the present action to past events, enabling me to have a moment to breathe away from the horror that was unfolding and learn more about the main character and his relationships with his family. However, just as I had started to relax slightly, I was plunged back into the present day with a shock.
Michael's writing is raw and interesting and in no way does he apologise for his violence; the brutality never failed to horrify me chapter after chapter. I felt particularly concerned about the presence of the young child which made it even more terrifying and emotional. A great read, I can't wait for his next!
Michael's writing is raw and interesting and in no way does he apologise for his violence; the brutality never failed to horrify me chapter after chapter. I felt particularly concerned about the presence of the young child which made it even more terrifying and emotional. A great read, I can't wait for his next!
July 16, 2013
If you are looking for an easy-breezy book don’t read this one. But if you want to read a well written, descriptive story that is smart, political and somehow manages to make you laugh once and a while in all its darkness, then this one is for you. Michael Robertson brilliantly shows what is ugly in our society and what might happen if we don’t start thinking about how we are living our lives. The last chapters I read anxiously with a pounding heart. And when you realize how it all comes together in the end, your mouth will fall open. In horror or awe I won’t tell, just read the book and see.
May 4, 2015
A well written story that demonstrates the worst of human behaviour.
Imagine everything you know and have is gone, wiped out through the world collapsing...a very real scenario because of how we live today. And then imagine the mob mentality that takes over when humans are afraid...
This book is terrifying because of its believable storyline and that we understand exactly the underlying base behaviour that rises within humans when faced with a failed life.
Scarey and true and I hope never to be one of the survivors of such a future.
Imagine everything you know and have is gone, wiped out through the world collapsing...a very real scenario because of how we live today. And then imagine the mob mentality that takes over when humans are afraid...
This book is terrifying because of its believable storyline and that we understand exactly the underlying base behaviour that rises within humans when faced with a failed life.
Scarey and true and I hope never to be one of the survivors of such a future.
August 15, 2018
Dark vibe that is suffocating. The writing is well done and - even if the main character wasn't exactly endearing, he was interesting. It was a painted picture of a twisted but typical rich family and a world that goes mad when society completely collapses. Despite well-done pacing, a surprisingly smooth ease with transitions of time in between paragraphs, and impressive writing, there's no way I can rate it higher than 3. The trauma with the children was too heartbreaking, and the dog Charlie...yeah, too awful.
April 21, 2014
This is a dark book about a dark future. If you don't like reality don't bother reading this. The crazy fuckers have taken over and the cops are all missing. Contains graphic violence and and The word fuck appears in all its adjective's, you have been warned
May 27, 2014
Awesome!!
Could not stop reading this book. Got book 2 as soon as I finished the first one. Lots of violence, some of which was disturbing, but to me, that added to the hatred I felt for Dean. He is one sick f***.
Could not stop reading this book. Got book 2 as soon as I finished the first one. Lots of violence, some of which was disturbing, but to me, that added to the hatred I felt for Dean. He is one sick f***.
April 4, 2014
Disturbing and yet captivating. I couldn't put it down. Had to get to the end and find out what happened to Chris and his son Michael. Not for the faint of heart but I would definitely recommend.
April 6, 2014
Fuck me, that was a grim read. A banker gets what he deserves after the fall of capitalism.
May 28, 2014
great book but ended to quickly for me, it is graphic but a really scary thought what if?. I will be getting the second book in this series.
July 30, 2014
awesome story ...so not what I expected! well worth a read!
January 21, 2024
This is a post apocalpytic story / horror. It contains scenes that may be upsetting for some readers. Bizarrely, I quite enjoy apocalypse tales! Make of that what you will! This was reasonably good, scary because of the possibilities of our world actually going this way. Makes you think. It's quite a short book and leads into the next book. I believe there are 4 or possibly 5 in the series. I wish they were just one book as I would quite like to know what happens next but on the otherhand I am not invested enough to seek out and pay money for book 2!
**************************************
Chris' life of luxury is gone, devastated by the collapse of the European economy. Gas, water, and electricity are all cut off. Food is running out. Even his wife and daughter have gone. Huddled in the smallest room of their lavish house with his petrified and dirty eight-year-old son, Chris has made the decision to stay put. A small army of psychotic scavengers is outside, hell-bent on making the once-privileged pay. Chris now knows that not leaving when he had the option was the worst decision of his life.
Cowering in his home, he watches as his neighbours are dragged into the street and brutally executed. The scavengers have one more house to go, and then it will be his turn. He has to act fast, or he and his son will meet the same fate.
Driven by the need to survive, Chris has decided to keep secrets from his son. Secrets that will make all of the events up until this point seem trivial. Secrets that, one way or another, will come out before the day is done
**************************************
Chris' life of luxury is gone, devastated by the collapse of the European economy. Gas, water, and electricity are all cut off. Food is running out. Even his wife and daughter have gone. Huddled in the smallest room of their lavish house with his petrified and dirty eight-year-old son, Chris has made the decision to stay put. A small army of psychotic scavengers is outside, hell-bent on making the once-privileged pay. Chris now knows that not leaving when he had the option was the worst decision of his life.
Cowering in his home, he watches as his neighbours are dragged into the street and brutally executed. The scavengers have one more house to go, and then it will be his turn. He has to act fast, or he and his son will meet the same fate.
Driven by the need to survive, Chris has decided to keep secrets from his son. Secrets that will make all of the events up until this point seem trivial. Secrets that, one way or another, will come out before the day is done
September 10, 2018
This is a well written, gripping book that spares nothing in a quest for realism.
I'd describe this as post-appocolyptic / horror, with a heavy leaning toward horror.
To say the violence is extreme, is a bit of an understatement. It's alarming and sickening, and unfortunately all to close to what might actually happen should society break down.
It is hard to put this book down, and also hard to keep going. If you can cope with the more extreme episodes of something like 'the walking dead' then you might just make it through.
Not for the faint hearted...and even someone with a strong constitution may find this difficult to stomach.
I'm off to read something lighthearted before I try and sleep! I suspect it won't do me much good.
Four 'disturbing' stars.
I'd describe this as post-appocolyptic / horror, with a heavy leaning toward horror.
To say the violence is extreme, is a bit of an understatement. It's alarming and sickening, and unfortunately all to close to what might actually happen should society break down.
It is hard to put this book down, and also hard to keep going. If you can cope with the more extreme episodes of something like 'the walking dead' then you might just make it through.
Not for the faint hearted...and even someone with a strong constitution may find this difficult to stomach.
I'm off to read something lighthearted before I try and sleep! I suspect it won't do me much good.
Four 'disturbing' stars.
August 13, 2019
I don't read a lot of horror despite horror being one of my favorite genres in other mediums, like movies and video games. So, I wanted to expand my horror repertoire of novels. I think I got Crash for free on Amazon? It wasn't very long so I decided to slip it in between some of the other things I was planning on reading.
If I start with the good, I'll say that the gore is well-written. I'm not squeamish when it comes to blood and guts, especially when it's written and not visual, so the gore didn't bother me one bit. It did lend itself to a nasty visual, but that's part of horror and it was well done. The concept of the book was interesting, but it was too short to really give much weight to the back story of the apocalypse happening. And, that's about all the good I had for it.
I don't know how I feel about the reasoning behind the apocalypse happening. It seemed to happen too quickly, but I'm no expert on economies and how they affect people. It just felt like some weird commentary on capitalism and I'll leave it at that.
You get to follow Chris, aka the shittiest protagonist a post apocalypse has ever seen. He's got no redeeming qualities about him. Yeah, his boss is shitty but that take-that he did at him was so embarrassing. You're not cool, Chris. Just stop. He's also horribly verbally abusive towards his wife. In the same thought as wanting his wife to have plastic surgery on her lips because he doesn't like how they look, he insults her for having plastic surgery on other parts of his body. He complains she does nothing all day when she's taking care of the children he's a shitty father towards. And, he tries to tell his boss off for harassing women while having only married his wife because she was hot (he thinks she's an idiot and outright mentions marrying her for looks) and points out how good looking a teenage girl is when he's in his forties. I hope this was all intentional on the writer's behalf to make Chris a nasty S.O.B. Either way, I was rooting for him to die in the end because shitty people in horror deserve shitty deaths.
Speaking of the other characters, Michael acts like he's five years old and not ten (or eight? The description says eight). He couldn't listen for five seconds, but maybe that's because Chris is a poor parent. I wouldn't listen to anything he would say either. Dean, our villain, is discount Negan. Like he watched The Walking Dead and thought he could one-up him. I've seen a lot of horror, played a lot of horror. He needed to tone it down. For me, in horror, if they get this over the top with their violence, they get comical rather than scary.
I do applaud tennis-racket-wielding-baddie though. I'm all for creative apocalypse weapons.
There were good concepts in this novel, but I don't think the execution was there. For one, it's just a one star and I won't be continuing the series, but if someone doesn't have my horror genre pickiness, they might still enjoy this one.
If I start with the good, I'll say that the gore is well-written. I'm not squeamish when it comes to blood and guts, especially when it's written and not visual, so the gore didn't bother me one bit. It did lend itself to a nasty visual, but that's part of horror and it was well done. The concept of the book was interesting, but it was too short to really give much weight to the back story of the apocalypse happening. And, that's about all the good I had for it.
I don't know how I feel about the reasoning behind the apocalypse happening. It seemed to happen too quickly, but I'm no expert on economies and how they affect people. It just felt like some weird commentary on capitalism and I'll leave it at that.
You get to follow Chris, aka the shittiest protagonist a post apocalypse has ever seen. He's got no redeeming qualities about him. Yeah, his boss is shitty but that take-that he did at him was so embarrassing. You're not cool, Chris. Just stop. He's also horribly verbally abusive towards his wife. In the same thought as wanting his wife to have plastic surgery on her lips because he doesn't like how they look, he insults her for having plastic surgery on other parts of his body. He complains she does nothing all day when she's taking care of the children he's a shitty father towards. And, he tries to tell his boss off for harassing women while having only married his wife because she was hot (he thinks she's an idiot and outright mentions marrying her for looks) and points out how good looking a teenage girl is when he's in his forties. I hope this was all intentional on the writer's behalf to make Chris a nasty S.O.B. Either way, I was rooting for him to die in the end because shitty people in horror deserve shitty deaths.
Speaking of the other characters, Michael acts like he's five years old and not ten (or eight? The description says eight). He couldn't listen for five seconds, but maybe that's because Chris is a poor parent. I wouldn't listen to anything he would say either. Dean, our villain, is discount Negan. Like he watched The Walking Dead and thought he could one-up him. I've seen a lot of horror, played a lot of horror. He needed to tone it down. For me, in horror, if they get this over the top with their violence, they get comical rather than scary.
I do applaud tennis-racket-wielding-baddie though. I'm all for creative apocalypse weapons.
There were good concepts in this novel, but I don't think the execution was there. For one, it's just a one star and I won't be continuing the series, but if someone doesn't have my horror genre pickiness, they might still enjoy this one.
April 13, 2015
This book is incredibly brutal, I can't stress that enough. If this were a movie it would be rated R and on the edge of NC-17 for violence, language and gore. So if you're into gore and seeing the absolute worst in humanity from both the protagonists and the antagonists, then you'll enjoy it. If you're even slightly squeamish, then I'd recommend giving this book a pass.
I will say that this is a very well written book. And I guarantee it will make an impression on you, for better or worse. This view of an apocalypse makes you actually hope for zombies or plague. The reality of humanity's readiness and competence for violence is absolutely horrifying. At least with zombies and virus's it isn't necessarily someone's choice to brutalize you.That is one of the things this book did so incredibly well. It shows you the hideousness of each character. All of their flaws are laid out in front of you and are vivisected for a closer look. However, despite the ugliness, Robertson finds ways to show the underlying glimmers of humanity that somehow redeems the flaws. It's a pretty masterful manipulation of the reader's emotions. When you first meet Chris, the ex-banker, you just hate him. I was incredibly frustrated with his inability to act and his fetid personality. But somehow, I actually came to understand and almost like him by the end of the book. Also, how this book wraps up was the perfect lead-in to the sequel. I'm not sure how else you could have ended it and still manage to get people to want to read the next blood soaked tale.
I will say that this is a very well written book. And I guarantee it will make an impression on you, for better or worse. This view of an apocalypse makes you actually hope for zombies or plague. The reality of humanity's readiness and competence for violence is absolutely horrifying. At least with zombies and virus's it isn't necessarily someone's choice to brutalize you.That is one of the things this book did so incredibly well. It shows you the hideousness of each character. All of their flaws are laid out in front of you and are vivisected for a closer look. However, despite the ugliness, Robertson finds ways to show the underlying glimmers of humanity that somehow redeems the flaws. It's a pretty masterful manipulation of the reader's emotions. When you first meet Chris, the ex-banker, you just hate him. I was incredibly frustrated with his inability to act and his fetid personality. But somehow, I actually came to understand and almost like him by the end of the book. Also, how this book wraps up was the perfect lead-in to the sequel. I'm not sure how else you could have ended it and still manage to get people to want to read the next blood soaked tale.
June 21, 2015
Terrifying Concept
I don't give 5 star reviews often so an author has to really strike a chord in me to get one. This is a truly terrifying, yet sadly also very plausible world that this author has created. However as a parent, and as a person, I thought the Dad in this story was absolutely useless and left me feeling like I just wanted to punch him in the head!
Even if there was nothing he could have done to physically save his son's life ( not that he seemed to even explore any options for even a moment anyway) he could have at least either found a way to ensure his child didn't suffer the way he'd seen others suffer at the hands of a bunch of absolute psychos as well as ensuring that his child's time left on earth wasn't filled with both the terror he witnessed by the brutal gang as well as him also becoming afraid of his own Dad, the only person he had left on earth! Instead his father allowed his own fear to paralyze him from protecting his son both emotionally and physically. By the time the Dad had "a solution" his child was already so scarred by what he'd seen, as well as how his father was reacting to the situation, no matter what happened fear would be the only emotion this little boy could feel or react with.
A potential moment in time captured incredibly well that left me with some very strong, visceral reactions as both a Momma and just as a person in general...
I don't give 5 star reviews often so an author has to really strike a chord in me to get one. This is a truly terrifying, yet sadly also very plausible world that this author has created. However as a parent, and as a person, I thought the Dad in this story was absolutely useless and left me feeling like I just wanted to punch him in the head!
Even if there was nothing he could have done to physically save his son's life ( not that he seemed to even explore any options for even a moment anyway) he could have at least either found a way to ensure his child didn't suffer the way he'd seen others suffer at the hands of a bunch of absolute psychos as well as ensuring that his child's time left on earth wasn't filled with both the terror he witnessed by the brutal gang as well as him also becoming afraid of his own Dad, the only person he had left on earth! Instead his father allowed his own fear to paralyze him from protecting his son both emotionally and physically. By the time the Dad had "a solution" his child was already so scarred by what he'd seen, as well as how his father was reacting to the situation, no matter what happened fear would be the only emotion this little boy could feel or react with.
A potential moment in time captured incredibly well that left me with some very strong, visceral reactions as both a Momma and just as a person in general...
April 18, 2016
A brutally realistic story of absolute despair and destruction. This book is the first of a series and it's blatant 'rawness' is ruthlessly disturbing.
After an economic collapse throughout Europe, Chris and his son, Michael are barely surviving in a single room of their once lush and gorgeous mansion home. For a long time, the gates of their luxurious community have kept out the ruthless and vengeful...but with a single crash, their fears have multiplied.
Watching in stealth from a window, Chris witnesses the depravation and wretchedness of a group of men who have decided that those of the one percent must feel and experience the pain and anguish of the common man.
The story moves seamlessly through the current hopelessness and the past history of Chris and his family, when the strife and quarrel of the initial collapse only served to distance them all.
This story is abject hopelessness and vicious trepidation all rolled into one. It is beautifully and agonizingly written. A poignant read that will not be for everyone, but is a real reminder of what can and is actually occurring in the world today. Well done.
After an economic collapse throughout Europe, Chris and his son, Michael are barely surviving in a single room of their once lush and gorgeous mansion home. For a long time, the gates of their luxurious community have kept out the ruthless and vengeful...but with a single crash, their fears have multiplied.
Watching in stealth from a window, Chris witnesses the depravation and wretchedness of a group of men who have decided that those of the one percent must feel and experience the pain and anguish of the common man.
The story moves seamlessly through the current hopelessness and the past history of Chris and his family, when the strife and quarrel of the initial collapse only served to distance them all.
This story is abject hopelessness and vicious trepidation all rolled into one. It is beautifully and agonizingly written. A poignant read that will not be for everyone, but is a real reminder of what can and is actually occurring in the world today. Well done.
March 10, 2015
Not what I was expecting at all. A great dystopian that had a lot of dark stuff I haven't seen in a dystopian book before. A little unsettling, but I want to read the next one.
Chris was a white collar banker living a lavish life with his wife and children. He had a set of twins, Matilda and Michael that attended the local private school while Chris worked and his wife was a stay at home mom. That was, until the economy collapsed. An uprising occurred and all of those that had contributed to the economic downturn (i.e. bankers) were being killed off one by one by those in the lower classes.
The story takes place inside Chris's home as a group of looters ransacks the cul-de-sac he lives in. Chris and Michael are the only ones left at this point and it is basically a waiting game to see what the looters will do to their neighbors and eventually, to them.
A very dark book that I really enjoyed.
Chris was a white collar banker living a lavish life with his wife and children. He had a set of twins, Matilda and Michael that attended the local private school while Chris worked and his wife was a stay at home mom. That was, until the economy collapsed. An uprising occurred and all of those that had contributed to the economic downturn (i.e. bankers) were being killed off one by one by those in the lower classes.
The story takes place inside Chris's home as a group of looters ransacks the cul-de-sac he lives in. Chris and Michael are the only ones left at this point and it is basically a waiting game to see what the looters will do to their neighbors and eventually, to them.
A very dark book that I really enjoyed.
January 15, 2014
I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 I found it on the whole a good read, it was brutal and disturbing in places. Although I found some bits overly repetitive and the main character really hard to connect with. I personally would have liked this to have been longer, as I'd want to learn a lot more about the husband and wife dynamics and how the relationship ended up the way it did. This is a worthwhile read and brings up issues that will make you think and wonder what if?
August 4, 2019
Scary in that our world could look like that one day. Bleak. Hopeless.
If you've got a good stomach and can easily read scenes from nightmares, this a great book. Short enough that you can savor the ferocity of survival.
And this is a series! I may look them up one day.
A nice little free nugget. 4 stars!
If you've got a good stomach and can easily read scenes from nightmares, this a great book. Short enough that you can savor the ferocity of survival.
And this is a series! I may look them up one day.
A nice little free nugget. 4 stars!
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