Melt Down

Breakers, Book 2

By: Edward W. Robertson

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In upstate Idaho, Ness Hook is run out of his mom's house by his bullying brother Shawn. In Redding, California, Tristan Carter is graduating college, but with no job and no prospects, she'll have to move back in with her parents. Then the world ends. After Ness discovers his best friend dead of disease, Shawn takes their family to the mountains to wait out the plague.

As Tristan's parents fall sick, she's left to care for her younger brother, Alden. Both sets of siblings dig in for the long haul. Humanity is reduced to splinters. And then the creatures who sent the virus appear in the sky. Flushed from the mountains, Shawn and Ness join a tribe at a nuclear power plant, where they plan to launch a guerrilla war against the invaders. In California, Tristan and Alden are taken prisoner. Separated from her brother, Tristan crosses the ruins of America to track him down. She will stop at nothing to get Alden back - but her fellow survivors prove even more dangerous than the monsters who broke the world.

©2012 Edward W. Robertson (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Snappy Dialogue Perfect for Ray Chase

What did you like about this audiobook?

The dialogue between characters was really interesting - a bunch of nailed one liners and retorts, especially from Tristan. That gal has a biting verbal slap on tap and has no compulsions about letting them loose.

Ray Chase scored another 10 out of 10 on my narrator excellence scale. He brings every character to life in a uniquely cool way. In my opinion, he has secured a spot on the starting squad of the top team in the big leagues when it comes to narration.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

Subject matter being.......science fiction? How humanity copes with sudden mass extinction through a pandemic prior to alien invasion? As long as the author is creative as Mr. Robertson and Ray Chase is sitting in the narrator's chair my interest will continue to wax.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

To be frank, this question doesn't exactly jive with a science fiction book focused on 2 sets of siblings trying to stay alive and together while humanity slouches into oblivion around them. I'd say the author has a keen insight into the depth of solidarity that can exist between siblings when circumstances demand they make tough decisions. The bonds run deeper than one may acknowledge when sauntering through 'salad days".

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Absolutely nothing. Ray Chase has my pocketful of votes for Narrator of the First Half of the Second Decade Award hands down. Mr. Chase is so fun to listen to. I pretty much automatically press purchase when I see his name in the narrator spot. Keep up the good work, Mr. Chase!

Do you have any additional comments?

This audiobook flew by, and that's a good thing. I am impressed with the Breakers series so far and will press play on Book 3 as soon as I stop typing. This was one of those books that I wished would just keep going on so I could "hang out" with the characters. That's either kind of sketchy and somewhat worthy of waving a mental yellow flag of concern or it is a symptom of finisher's remorse after listening to a well written and narrated piece of science fiction worthy of this glowing endorsement and the multi-5 star rating given by yours truly at the top of this review. I am leaning toward the latter.

good story

nice way of tying character s to first book
I'll try the next book. good job

save your money

Any additional comments?

The first book was quirky enough to interest me. I found this one a rehash of the first book with different characters introduced and the third book is just tedious. Don't bother.

this series just gets better and better

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended it. I love the characters and the story is plausible in the alien sense of the word...

Did Ray Chase do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes he did, the characters are distinguishable and have distinct characters

Any additional comments?

can't wait for the next book

Love this series!

Excellent character development and interweaving of the story. Exciting storyline as well. Also, the author either does a lot of research or is knowledgeable on many subjects... At least he is convincing!

Excellent addition to the series

I have never been as captivated by a book where I didn't have any particular attachment to the characters. Robertson has woven an intriguing tale driven by human determination.

Awesome

Where does Melt Down rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would rank the series in the top 10

Have you listened to any of Ray Chase’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love how his voice sounds. His narration draws you in and keeps you mesmerized. He is fast becoming my new favorite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I love the story line. Very original! Great characters!

Amazing Characters

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes; come for the journey experienced by some amazing characters. The author and reader have a great ability to bring these characters off the pages. Very well done.

Awesome sequel

Love the story so far. Narration is flawless which is the norms from Ray Chase. I will be listening to book 3 and 4.

A let down from Book 1

What did you like best about Melt Down? What did you like least?

I really wanted to like this - Book 1 was exceptional, but sadly this compared poorly to the first book, and I was disappointed by the plot. Whilst the narration and performance by Ray Chase was first class, the story seemed to take a diversion to Camelot / Westoros which was a step too far. Like a good film the author should sweep the reader along in a willing suspension of disbelief , sadly this scenario was a complete disconnect from everything preceding it.

Has Melt Down turned you off from other books in this genre?

Perhaps the author was under pressure for a quick follow up to Book 1, this has made me think carefully about Book 3.

Any additional comments?

I would caution listeners to only use spare credits on this episode in the series, in retrospect I kind of wish the series had been limited to Book 1, it was that good, and this struggled to reach 60% of the heights reached in the first book.