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Kelly (279 KP) rated Year One: Chronicles of The One in Books
Jan 8, 2019
Interesting characters (1 more)
Use of fantasy mixed into the apocalypse
Post apocalyptic with a sprinkle of fairy dust!
Originally purchasing this based on my previous purchases, I have to honestly confess that I had never heard of Nora Roberts! How I have missed this author, I do not know. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will definitely be reading the remainder of the series.
Year One is the first in the three novel series - The Chronicles of The One. The novel itself definitely has undertones of Stephen Kings ‘The Stand’, and follows a similar format with the bulk of the worlds population being wiped out by a mysterious infection, leaving behind the survivors, who quickly divide into a good/ light side or bad/dark side. Unlike The Stand, which to me had slight biblical undertones, the unique selling point of Year One, is the addition of the uncanny’s, magical beings who have been living amongst us, some knowingly different, others benign until the doom releases their powers. I felt this added a new twist to the common post apocalyptic format.
I felt that the characters were varied and relatable within the story. Nora Toberts clearly spent a lot of time creating a varied population for cast, which helped their reactions within the story become more believable.
There is a lot going on within the story,which jumps between places and people as well as over the course of months, but as a reader I found this was necessary for the plot to develop. Surprisingly, despite all of the jumps, the story is still a relatively easy read. Throughout the narrative, I also find that Roberts gives very clear clues as to the direction that the next books will take, through the dreams/ visions of the characters.
The weakest part of the novel for me was the start, which is why I have only scored this a 9, rather than 10. It is probably me being picky, but I would have preferred another 50-100 pages giving me a little bit more background to some of the characters prior to the doom. I felt the background for some of the characters was there, but for others was a little sketchy, although ultimately this did not stop me engaging with them in the long term.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fantasy and, or post apocalyptic novels. It is an interesting, enjoyable and easy read.
Year One is the first in the three novel series - The Chronicles of The One. The novel itself definitely has undertones of Stephen Kings ‘The Stand’, and follows a similar format with the bulk of the worlds population being wiped out by a mysterious infection, leaving behind the survivors, who quickly divide into a good/ light side or bad/dark side. Unlike The Stand, which to me had slight biblical undertones, the unique selling point of Year One, is the addition of the uncanny’s, magical beings who have been living amongst us, some knowingly different, others benign until the doom releases their powers. I felt this added a new twist to the common post apocalyptic format.
I felt that the characters were varied and relatable within the story. Nora Toberts clearly spent a lot of time creating a varied population for cast, which helped their reactions within the story become more believable.
There is a lot going on within the story,which jumps between places and people as well as over the course of months, but as a reader I found this was necessary for the plot to develop. Surprisingly, despite all of the jumps, the story is still a relatively easy read. Throughout the narrative, I also find that Roberts gives very clear clues as to the direction that the next books will take, through the dreams/ visions of the characters.
The weakest part of the novel for me was the start, which is why I have only scored this a 9, rather than 10. It is probably me being picky, but I would have preferred another 50-100 pages giving me a little bit more background to some of the characters prior to the doom. I felt the background for some of the characters was there, but for others was a little sketchy, although ultimately this did not stop me engaging with them in the long term.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fantasy and, or post apocalyptic novels. It is an interesting, enjoyable and easy read.

The Rending and the Nest
Book
A chilling yet redemptive post-apocalyptic debut that examines community, motherhood, faith, and the...

MechBox 2: Hardest Puzzle Ever
Games and Entertainment
App
MechBox 2 challenges players to uncover the secrets of a mysterious post-apocalyptic puzzle box....

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Exit West in Books
Jul 24, 2017
A dystopian current affairs magical realistic fiction
A deeply tragic account of how two people can be caught in circumstances of war, how easy it is to lose everything and the potential hope that humanity offers. Saeed and Nadia attempt to face an apocalyptic situation in the face of adversity despite having a tenuous connection to one another. It is quite a depressing read especially given the current situation in the Middle East - but Hamid does a great job in humanising the characters. They are just two simple people attempting to make a relationship work under intense circumstances. A beautiful account, I just wished the story was slightly more developed as it tended to run from one scene to another.

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The End of the World Running Club in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Tragic family drama disguised in apocalyptic genre
I spent at least three quarters of this book getting irritated by the protagonist's whiny outlook, however, I was sympathetic by the end when he faces his own demons and realisation.
It's like a drama wrapped in an end of the world scenario, so I was relieved that it avoided any of the ridiculous zombie / outbreak type of plot. It was mostly realistic, analysing how people react differently to extreme situations, apart from the fact a man with zero running skills could manage to run 450 miles in total let alone 20 miles within the first day.
And there were some great characters including old man Australian Harvey and female soldier Grimes, who blasted any stereotypes out of the water.
It's like a drama wrapped in an end of the world scenario, so I was relieved that it avoided any of the ridiculous zombie / outbreak type of plot. It was mostly realistic, analysing how people react differently to extreme situations, apart from the fact a man with zero running skills could manage to run 450 miles in total let alone 20 miles within the first day.
And there were some great characters including old man Australian Harvey and female soldier Grimes, who blasted any stereotypes out of the water.

Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Eruption (Supervolcano, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I got really excited when I saw this book! I love reading about disasters and post apocalyptic and the concept of a super volcano under Yellowstone is something that fascinates me. [Supervolcano: Eruption] by [Harry Turtledove] lived up to all my expectations. The characters were well developed and very believable. The intertwining stories kept the plot moving.
Usually I have stayed away from [Harry Turtledove] since stuff with aliens is not my thing and that is what I thought about when I saw his books but in the first installment of [Supervolcano] I was happy to not see one alien! [Turtledove] does have a good story telling style and perhaps I may give some of his alternative history a shot.
Usually I have stayed away from [Harry Turtledove] since stuff with aliens is not my thing and that is what I thought about when I saw his books but in the first installment of [Supervolcano] I was happy to not see one alien! [Turtledove] does have a good story telling style and perhaps I may give some of his alternative history a shot.

Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated Hater (Hater #1) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I've currently read the first and second book, about to start the third.
Firstly I love this plot, I like the twist that instead of zombies you have haters, which are like extremely high functioning zombies, it unique and very clever, secondly I've read reviews on here about how they thought it was a slow burner,but I like that, he is setting up the story, getting to know the characters and I love the fact that he makes you empathise and root for the haters, I found myself hating the unchanged lol!! really can't say any more as I'll give the plot away but I throughly enjoyed the unique take on a apocalyptic style event that destroys the world you know and take for granted!
Firstly I love this plot, I like the twist that instead of zombies you have haters, which are like extremely high functioning zombies, it unique and very clever, secondly I've read reviews on here about how they thought it was a slow burner,but I like that, he is setting up the story, getting to know the characters and I love the fact that he makes you empathise and root for the haters, I found myself hating the unchanged lol!! really can't say any more as I'll give the plot away but I throughly enjoyed the unique take on a apocalyptic style event that destroys the world you know and take for granted!

Awix (3310 KP) rated Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) in Movies
Aug 2, 2019 (Updated Aug 2, 2019)
Head-bangingly silly action movie, but knowingly so; Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham squabble, drive very quickly and crossly, and crack heads all over the world while trying to stop Idris Elba from getting his hands on an apocalyptic McGuffin. Tip-top action choreography and a knowing sense of its own ridiculousness keep proceedings very engaging.
The subtext and character bits are perhaps a bit too perfunctory for the film to really fly, and there's a laborious comic relief turn from Kevin Hart which feels rather crow-barred in, but this ticks all the action and buddy movie boxes in lavish style. Features a cameo from Helen Mirren and Idris Elba being head-butted in slow motion, so surely there's something for everyone here.
The subtext and character bits are perhaps a bit too perfunctory for the film to really fly, and there's a laborious comic relief turn from Kevin Hart which feels rather crow-barred in, but this ticks all the action and buddy movie boxes in lavish style. Features a cameo from Helen Mirren and Idris Elba being head-butted in slow motion, so surely there's something for everyone here.

This World We Live In (Last Survivors, #3)
Book
It’s been a year since a meteor collided with the moon, catastrophically altering the earth’s...
post apocalyptic natural disasters