Fractured State

A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (Fractured State, Book 1)

By: Steven Konkoly

Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

In 2035, the southwestern United States is ravaged by drought, reeling from an environmental catastrophe that has left the landscape a chaotic, depleted ruin. California, still viably inhabitable due to its oppressive social controls, marshals state-of-the-art surveillance technology and totalitarian policies to preserve its fragile hold on rapidly dwindling resources and an increasingly unsettled population.

After a prominent California congresswoman is assassinated for her support of the state's secession from the United States, Nathan Fisher - accidental witness to a clandestine military-style operation - is drawn into an unraveling conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power and threatens the lives of Fisher and his family.

Hunted by ruthless killers seeking to ensure his silence, suspected by the authorities, and aided only by a loyal Marine officer with a mysterious agenda, Fisher and his loved ones must somehow stay a step ahead of their relentless pursuers, navigating a ruined world in a desperate search for sanctuary.

©2016 Steven Konkoly (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Starts slow, but picks up speed

Found it hard to put down (or stop listening) after I've gotten past the first half of the book. There are some hard to believe details, like why would a highly sophisticated voice controlled vehicle built in 2035 have a trunk release button? Or, why in the future people are still driving gasoline vehicles in the most resource conscious state of California. Overall though, these minor things do not detract from the overall story.

Fractured State--Steven Konkoly, A Together Tale!

Steven Konkoly can really, really tell a thoroughly blistering thriller. Set primarily in Southern California 2030, alot has changed from 2022, especially dealing with WATER! A severe drought has focused on the Golden State as they have been able to conserve this precious resource and plenty of very interested and very determined parties with unlimited funding will go to extreme measures to acquire a sizable portion of this life sustaining commodity! Experience Marines, preppers, paramilitary forces, advanced weaponry, generational determinism, and so much more with plenty of intense action!
I highly recommend this outstanding thriller!!! And I'm getting Rogue State ( Fractured State Book 2)by Steven Konkoly next!

Crystal Ball

What did you love best about Fractured State?

Konkoly has an uncanny insight toward the developing trajectory of our Republic. This fictional story is compelling enough but it is somewhat secondary to the prescient, ineluctable trends he has captured in this series. Aptly titled, "Fractured State", is the closest condensation of thought that I have read on the current processes which continue to balkanize our nation - a transformation that is as tragic as it is long overdue.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Fractured State

Any additional comments?

Bravo Steve Konkoly.

Ending ??

While it took me a few chapters to get into the story the intensity and story were a thrill. The ending was disappointing to me but that’s the way it goes I guess.

Action Mystery

Action packed storyline in a futuristic Davy vs. Goliath tale. A corporation with very relaxed morals used to getting it's way by any means faces an unlikely adversary with the right connections. Good read.

Beware of the cliffhanger ending!

I think I was expecting a political spin and never figured out what it was or if it was actually there. This book was different enough from most everything in the genre, but still quite believable, IMO.

My only real complaint was that it was hard for me to keep track of the characters. I noticed that the author would alternate between calling somebody by their first name, their last name, their relationship to another character, etc. I usually appreciate this avoidance to repeating the same word (or name) over and over, but this may have added to my confusion. It may have also been the names, specifically, but I don't have a specific reason to say that is the case. I do know it would have been nice if the narrator had more voices in his repertoire, but I may be getting spoiled. ;-). I did think the narrator did a good job overall.

My only other complaint is that the ending is one helluva cliffhanger! I don't always have a problem with cliffhanger endings, but this one is a doozy! Thank goodness book 2 is already out!

Oh, my last comment... this book is a great value at under $8! I didn't even feel right using a credit when I could buy it so cheap!

Excellent book!

Exciting story, fantastic action scenes, and natural dialog. The material was well researched and well written!

not Steve's best work

the book starts out ok but goes down hill fast. the idea of a water shortage was great but the main caricature was hard to figure out. i couldn't tell if he was a real bad ass or just a guy that got lucky a lot. and his wife is real bad she wines there the whole book. for the price it kept me listening.

Slow start

The beginning was slow and I even put it down for awhile. However I truly enjoy Konkoly’s work so I eventually picked it back and it took off and lived up to what I expected. Good story. Heading right into book 2

You Like Conspiracy Theories?

Then this is the book for you. It is the 2030's and shadowy groups are fighting for and against the break up of the USA with the states going their own way to make new nations. Well written but the subject material is not to my taste. If you like this genre you will probably really enjoy this novel in ways I did not.
The audiobook performance was excellent, the narrator did a great job and made the material immersive. While the story itself was only marginal in my opinion the audio performance made the experience much better for me than simply reading the text.