Crash: Book One

By: Michael Robertson

Narrated by: Steve Barnes

Length: 3 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Chris's life of luxury is gone, devastated by the collapse of the European economy. Huddled in a small room with his petrified ten-year-old son, Chris made the decision to stay in his lavish and once cherished home. Gas, water, and electricity are all cut off; his wife and daughter have gone, and food is running out.

Driven by the need to survive, Chris has decided to keep secrets from his son. Secrets that will make everything else up until this point seem trivial. Secrets that—one way or another will come out before the day is done.

Cowering in his home, he watches as his neighbors are dragged into the street and brutally executed by a small army of psychotic scavengers hell-bent on making the formerly privileged pay. As they methodically purge each home, Chris realizes that staying was the worst decision of his life. Secrets or not, he has to act fast; the murderous pack only has one more house before they reach his…

Crash - A post-apocalyptic/dystopian thriller.

WARNING: THIS BOOK CONTAINS SCENES OF BRUTAL VIOLENCE. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

©2015 Michael Robertson (P)2015 Michael Robertson

A BISCUIT SHORT OF A FULL TIN

IS THIS LORD OF THE FKING FLY?
Sorry, Virginia, but their are people like this in our world and the minute something happens, to allow it, they will come out of the woodwork and they will have followers. You look at our current election in the good old US of A and the hatred on both sides, we are getting dangerously close.

THIS WASN'T A WORLD FOR FAT WHITE MEN IN SUITS
There are some gory scenes and some involve children. The majority of the book is not the violence though. Most of it centers around the main character's bad marriage. The bad marriage which is all his fault. I felt no empathy for the guy.

WHAT'S GREECE GOT TO DO WITH IT.
I hate to disagree with the beautiful reviewer with the long flowing hair, but this is not for Konrath or Crouch fans. When you listen to those two, the story is all about entertainment and it is either twilight zone like or so outrageous, that you know it is not real. This was not that entertaining, was too real and spent too much time on the bad marriage. Having said that, I put the next two books in the series in my wish list. I want to know what happens to the kid and it looks like it will be book three, before I can find out.

I did not receive this book for free, I bought it during the % off sale. The brutally honest do not get freebies.

25 of 34 people found this review helpful

WELL WRITTEN AND MACABRE!

What made the experience of listening to Crash: Book One the most enjoyable?

it was a very enthralling story...sad and dark...I was shocked!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mmmm...really no faves...but I guess I will say Chris...all these characters are messed up!

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

no, but I certainly would and will!

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

When George leaves Michael...even though it wae almost certain still a death sentence...he at least showed a little compassion...

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

This is a scary and messed up story...its about a post apocalyptic world...not done by war, but by a financial crash...causing a fall in society...no zombies...but regular people are the monsters here...really dark listen about a father and son trying to survive...I did like it, it was well written and narrated and I will listen to book 2!

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

Time well spent!!!

Would you listen to Crash: Book One again? Why?

I am a AVID listener with close to 800 titles in my library. I either love a book or I hate it. I received this book at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com and was somewhat hesitant because that meant I had to listen to it. NO PROBLEM. As a matter of fact, I had to get up early the next morning and I am glad it was a short book because I didn't go to bed until 3 am when I was done listening to it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Favorite character? The main character Chris was an ass. He tried to redeem himself at the end but too late. I don't want to give away the book but if I related to anyone it was his son Michael.

What does Steve Barnes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He did a great job with the narration, providing just enough drama without overdoing it.

Who was the most memorable character of Crash: Book One and why?

The main antagonist was one of the most brutal sadistic characters that I have run across in some time.

Any additional comments?

If you like books that are along the lines of Blake Crouch, Konrath, etc, then this is for you. I love those kinds of books. Matter of fact, even though I received this copy free, I immediately went and purchased another book by Michael Robertson because I wanted more. If you don't like graphic novels, then you shouldn't listen. I just wish the books were longer and that Mr. Robertson would put out Book Two!!!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Proceed with caution

I am far from prudish when it comes to post-apocalypse fiction. Having suffered some of the same slings and arrows as Mr. Robertson, I was not prepared to give this book one star. I will say that you should heed the negative reviews that hammer on the graphic violence. I am no believer in human nature, and I can see humanity taking a nasty turn in the event of any apocalyptic scenario, but this did seem to push the limits. Running over a little boy's head after defiling him is a bit over the top, but I am not saying there might not be a twisted psycho out there to do such things, only, I don;t see that person gathering a squad of like-minded monsters. Also, there is one person obviously not on board with what is happening, yet he still turns on Chris when it is clear he was made to seem like he was not part of Dean's sociopathic assault on the gated community. That was hinted at after the scene with the dog as well as when he made eye contact with Chris at an earlier point.

Tread with caution.

I was provided a copy (audio) of this title in exchange for an honest review. My biggest issue with the narrator is that he almost seemed to be whispering. At times I had to struggle to hear him but overall, the production quality was excellent.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

Not the feel good book of the year

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

Very good narration. Nothing distracted from the story line.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for a hero saves the day dystopian adventure, this won't be your cup of tea. This book is a gritty, painful look at what will be the reality will be for most people in a breakdown of society. The main character is completely unprepared for the collapse of the economy and loss of access to goods and services. His life, marriage and physical condition are in shambles before the collapse and serve to magnify the painful dissolution of his world.
While the book takes place in Britain, the outcome would be pretty much the same anywhere in Europe due to their strict firearms restrictions. The main character has no options for self defense and even the aggressors are limited in their weapons options. Similar situations would would occur in the U.S., but the options for defense and resistance would be improved.
The book jumps around in time and takes some attention to follow where in time the narrator is presenting. It is an effective presentation of the partial realization of the failure to protect and provide of the main character. Ultimately it seems that he never comes to a complete understanding of his failure as a husband, father and protector.
The narrator does a good job of dealing with a difficult subject matter and flawed character.
This is the first book in a series, and it will be interesting to see how the author takes the story line.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Darkly Realistic

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the dark and realistic portrayal of the collapse of society.The author is talented at creating well developed characters and world building.

Which character – as performed by Steve Barnes – was your favorite?

Steve Barnes portrayal of Chris was exceptionally well done.The narration of this book was excellent.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook.The author created a sense of tension and uncertainty in the book that kept me engaged.The book finishes nicely without a huge cliffhanger;yet left me wanting to know more about the world he created.I look forward to reading the next book in this series.I received a copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Tedious story and annoying performance

I think that the overall story will probably be a good one however I don't believe that all listen to the other parts because the narration is done so annoyingly. The entire performance is whispered and the acoustics have entirely too much reverberation so it is difficult to listen to. And not to spoil the story but this entire book is about what is really only 30 minutes of time in the life of the characters. Too tedious and too slow

Morbid

Read this book in bad weather. It is morbid and gloomy. I enjoyed the sequence in the events,especially towards the end.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bloody!!

I like to read the EMP, Changed world, All hell breaks loose books but this one is really bloody beyond what I'm used to. Dont think Ill read the next one.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

GREAT BOOK!!

I love these types of books & THE AMAZING WORLDS THAT GET CREATED!! DYSTOPIAN NOVELS ARE GREAT APOCALYPSE IS EVEN BETTER BUT PUT THE 2 TOGETHER & DAMN IT MAKES MAGIC!!!!

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Gripping Story!

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

I really loved this audio book....the narrator did an excellent job of bringing this story to life..and giving the listener a vivid, realistic picture of the father and son's plight. As you listen, you can imagine the terror with each word. The author of the Crash series gives the reader a great story...and listening to this story will make you stop what you are doing to make sure you hear every word. Highly recommend.

What other book might you compare Crash: Book One to, and why?

I love all the series written by author Michael Robertson...and I would compare this to The Alpha Plague. Both are apocalyptic stories that will have you craving the next book in the series.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The narrator brings you into the story so well that you feel exactly what the characters are going through....I felt horror, sadness, hopelessness, afraid.....and without spoiling the ending....you do want to cry!

Any additional comments?

Please read all the series by author Michael Robertson. Crash, New Reality, The Alpha Plague....all of these books really pull you in and make you think. Great author and recommended reading!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

moved very slowly. not a book I'd recommend

music between chapters made it sound cheap and tacky. reader made the book sound eerie. story moved so slowly it irritated me. was more like a monologue than a story. bit too much gore. lacked action. didn't have me on the edge of my seat. had me bored in fact. won't read 2nd book.

A possible conclusion

listening to this it sounds like the death knell of the EU and the UK, this could be all so real if the government, MP's and the courts went against the people and refused to act on BREXIT, the feeling is higher now then when the vote was taken, this should be a warning to all.

Okay

I've 'read' my fair share of post apocalyptic books recently. This one isnt too bad. It's pretty short and lacks depth in places but it doesn't skrimp on graphic and gratuitous violence.

Chilling. Not for the faint hearted

Perhaps the most brutal shocking book ever read as an adult.
Akin to reading Stephen King or James Herbert for the first time in my teens.
Strangely compelling, impossible to stop.

NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED

Any additional comments?

This is an incredibly visceral and very disturbing story showing humanity at it's very worst. The story is set shortly after a fairly trivial slow collapse of society due to global financial reasons.
The bad guy is almost cartoonishly deranged and vile, yet his character cuts very close to the bone. If civilisation collapses and consequences are removed, this type of sick personality will emerge very quickly.
The flashbacks to pre-collapse times give no respite, the utterly failed work and family life of the main character are just as painfully horridly realistic.

Michael Robertson gives a visceral painful look at what humans are capable of if there are no consequences, and he doesn't let you look away for a second.
Highly recommended!