Apocalypse: Underwater City

A Dystopian Novella, Part 1, The Hope Saga

By: Chrissy Peebles

Narrated by: Elizabeth Meadows

Length: 1 hr and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

I'm a survivor living in a post-apocalyptic world. I live deep in the ocean, and that's how we all survived the world's greatest catastrophe known to man. I'd often dreamt of a normal life, but sadly, that wasn't what fate had in store for me.

Where do I even begin? Let's start from the beginning, shall we? My name is Sky Hammons, and this is my story. It's actually quite like my name, because it is a tale of hope, faith, and new beginnings - like a bright, blue summer sky. Or at least that was what I'd wished for, back when I was naive and clueless enough to believe it. I really wish my journey could be summed up like that, and at first, it seemed like that might be the case. But then that bright sky darkened, and things fell apart. They say, "The truth will set you free," but I can't say I believe that - at least not anymore. I never would have imagined that life could be so cruel or that people could be so deranged outside of an Alfred Hitchcock script or some awful horror movie, but I learned one thing: Never, ever believe what you're told. I'd been hand-fed lies since birth from my so-called government, and like a mindless drone, I'd happily believed every fraudulent word of the garbage they were spewing. Maybe I just wanted that warm, fuzzy feeling; their lies comforted me and allowed me to sleep better at night.

When I got a little older and started to take a good, close look at the world around me, I began to challenge the world I lived in. I began to realize it wasn't all marshmallows and unicorns and Norman Rockwell paintings, and I started to ask questions. I'd always hoped for a bright future, but little did I know that absolute terror was lurking just around the corner. As I dug into the unknown, I was confronted by my worst nightmare.

My name is Sky, and this is my story.

Note: This series does have dark moments and is intended for mature audiences only.

©2014 Chrissy Peebles (P)2014 Chrissy Peebles

Interesting novella

Very interesting concept so far. Novella was a short into. Im very intrigued to see what's next in this story. The narrator isn't the best but isn't the worst I've herd either.

A futuristic world, in turmoil

It's hard to imagine what our world would do if a asteroid threatened earth. Yes there would be those that would find a solution, like in this episode.
Then, afterwards, how would that population re-assimilate into a new world.
A sixteen years old youngster's view of a situation is often narrow and emotional.
This is an ongoing story, so expect to have to read (or listen) to the rest of the episodes, to have the whole story completed.

grest read

I received this book for free for a honest review.  I loved the characters and storyline.  it flowed very well and held together.  The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.  reccomend

Unfinished

This is a new author to me and I have very mixed feeling if I'll check out anymore of her books. I enjoyed the author's style and the story. I'm the reader that enjoys YA because of the angsty teenage moments because they make a YA book realistic. Said honestly that's from my many years teaching secondary students. This story nails teenage drama.

The world is thrust into disorder and death when a huge asteroid strikes the surface. Fortunately for Sky her grandparents were on top of that and with investors built an underwater city for the survivors to live in until the surface recovered. Sky is a very normal teenage girl. She bucks rules and authority and does what she wants. Her best friend isn't so rebellious and more of a follower.

I purchased this book without checking to see who the narrator was. Huge mistake. Elizabeth Meadows is my least favorite of any narrator I've heard. That's my fault for not checking. I did learn she sounds better when I increase the speed.

A huge issue I had with the story is that it just abruptly stops. No cliffhanger, nothing solved. It simply stops after a major event. Nothing is solved in the book only introduced. It's like the first 8 chapters of a larger text that was cut. The characters and situation are introduced and that's it. There's no real purpose. If it wasn't for that its a fun story but that ruined it for me.

Short but good start

I like how this book starts out. There are several mysteries to unravel. First is the mystery of going top side. Next is the secret admirer and the final mystery is who is the serial killer.

This book is punishment

I had to force myself to finish this book. The writing its sophomoric at best. She used just about every cliche available. She constantly used vernacular that would have faded after so many years in isolation. There were no idioms that would have naturally came about in a closed society. Then there is the narration. Oh my Lord, take the candy out of your mouth before you start narrating a story, Her cadence was horrible. It was like a bad Christopher Walken impersonation. Breaths on the wrong places and conversations not broken up, but ran together as if from one character. Inconsistent attempts to make different voices permeated this book. I have heard better line delivery at elementary school plays. I wouldn't recommend this to someone I disliked.

Meh...

Apocalypse: Underwater City (A Dystopian Novella, Part 1, The Hope Saga) by Chrissy Peebles and narrated by Elizabeth Meadows was meh all around. It’s forgettable, which is a bummer because the cover is fantastic and the idea has potential. It should be labeled YA. 2 stars.

I’m not really sure what I can say that other reviewers haven’t- Sky lives in a dystopian world and likes to venture out into places she shouldn’t and it catches the eyes of those in charge (who appear to have some nefarious plan). It is meant to be a series and you get more unnecessary dialogue than story in this novella. I struggled hella with this narrator- voices not distinct, a bit annoying at times. I’m not sure I’ll be finishing the series if it continues as is (even though I have the remainder in my library and have heard good things about this author and narrator). At this point, I do not recommend this.

Worst audiobook ever

What would have made Apocalypse: Underwater City better?

ANYTHING

What could Chrissy Peebles have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

It wasn't a book, it was an advertisement, and read like a student project. Awful. I read several reviews that talked about how awesome this was, but I suspect friends and family.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Narration was the worst I have ever heard. Amateurish, mumbles, rushed, couldn't differentiate characters. I will never but anything with that narrator, and will likely not choose an ebook from that author if their choice of narrators gives me a hint as to their judgement.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

It was so bad it actually irritated me.