When the Bough Breaks

By: Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Galactic Empire is dying. In their high towers, the Grand Senators plot and struggle to grasp a larger share of power while on the streets, the poor struggle to survive just one more day. Chaos and anarchy are running through the megacities of Earth, while giant corporations tighten the screws and colony worlds plot to declare independence and escape the Empire's increasing demands for resources. Centuries of mismanagement are finally catching up with the human race. The end cannot be long delayed.

Specialist Belinda Lawson, a Marine Pathfinder who survived the fighting on Han, is assigned to serve as a bodyguard to the Childe Roland, the Heir to the Imperial Throne, and attempt to prepare him to be Emperor. But Roland is a puppet and a spoilt brat - and, perhaps, the only hope of saving the Empire, if he can be redeemed in time.

And yet, as shadowy figures prepare to make their final bid for apotheosis - or nemesis - it may be all she can do to keep her young charge alive.

©2012 Christopher G. Nuttall (P)2014 Podium Publishing

The collapse of empire

The story for book 3 departs from the main storyline that the first two books start out with. To be clear, this book does not follow Edward Stalker or his Marines on Avalon. This story takes place simultaneously or so it would appear on earth. The story explains in detail the collapse of empire.
Both the author and the narrator do a great job on this book. Christopher G Nuttal did a good job of painting the picture of a tragedy, but with a story of hope in its midst. Five stars. Would highly recommend to anyone over the age of 14.

My only quibble would be the explanation of how society on earth develops. The end result of societal development on earth seems to be very similar to the movie idiocrasy (A comedy with a plotline that was purposefully ludicrous). Basically, The entire population is too ignorant to do the most basic tasks.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Very enjoyable.

Full of action, good story, and good narrator. I will be downloading book 4 right now.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Could be ripped out of today's political Headlines

Extremely impressed with how the political situation was woven into the story and yet didn't take away from the action... It enhanced it. The political situation and the fall of the Empire could be taken directly from our current ruinous political situation. The technology of the enhanced Marines and other people made for a very fast paced and exciting read. Hopefully there will be more in the future regarding the Prince... He kind of grew on me!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

All history, nothing like the first two books

Would you listen to When the Bough Breaks again? Why?

Not likely, since it is mostly a history of how the empire fell. It doesn't follow any of the characters from the first books. still it is a very riveting story of how the empire falls, and what happens when people rely completely on government for food and support.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book doesn't really focus on one particular character, but i would say the development of the prince was my favorate thing about the book.

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

He is good at doing the different voices in a way that makes you forget one person is reading.

Any additional comments?

The book reads more like a history book in fictional form.This book lays out all the reasons why the marines in the first two are stranded, and why they must learn to survive outside the empire. The story does have hero's, mainly the prince's body guard,but like I said before, don't expect the story to be focused on one group or person like the first two books.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Love the Series

Would you consider the audio edition of When the Bough Breaks to be better than the print version?

No... Mr Kafer reads were fully involving. I'm on the road alot and find audio books to be a real time saver. There were several wow moments of the audio. Which makes me to want the next in the series.

Any additional comments?

Great military action. In my humble opinion, I find the American narrator In the Empire series to be superior over the British Narrator in his ARK series. Regardless. excellent Sci fi writer.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A great new series

This is book three in the Empire series. It appears this book is being used as background filler about the decay of the Empire. Avalon and the Rim colonies are not part of this story.

Instead we have Marine pathfinder, Specialist Belinda Lawson who survived the fighting on Hon, and is now assigned to serve as a bodyguard to the child Roland, the heir to the Imperial throne. Nuttall portrays him as a puppet and a spoiled brat and a possible addict. Roland is starting to realize the Empire is collapsing but is he too late and too little power to change things? The Grand Senators plot and struggle to gain more power, mega corporation tighten their grips on power, the Empire is corrupt and falling apart. A plot is discovered to assassinate Roland can Lawson protect him?

The author appears to be creating a world of good guys and bad guys. The character development in this episode is poor. What is going to happen to the Marines? What is going on at Avalon? Guess I will have to listen to next book to find out. Jeffrey Kafer narrated the story.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Exceptional

The author obviously served and it shows in the best kind of way. All to often mil-sci-fi pulls me out of the experience with baffling poor understanding of how military institutions and individuals function. Not that Mr. Nuttall's work is a duplicate of a military service per say (this is certainly sci-fi), but there is an authenticity here which is sorely lacking in the genre. Also the book brings up some very valid and pointed social commentary. Excellent all around.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent

I stumbled upon this author and have been happily surprised on the enjoyment factor. Excellent narration as well. Will be looking for more books by both artist and narrator .

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

loved it

great way for the earth to end! A fresh look on how society collapses and empires fall.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good Story, not as predictable as I thought.

This story was a nice break from the norm in this series. It was hard getting used to the inhumanity of this future society. But this book is time well spent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Better than average military sci-fi

Nuttall always turns in a good yarn. It's not going to win any literary prizes, but it's usually quite gripping and well paced.

Marine Corps Pathfinder is tasked to bodyguard the crown prince as his Empire collapses around him.

Wow

Was a little apprehensive when I started as the storyline had moved back from the rim to the home world. I need not have worried though as when the characters formed this book was every bit as good as the previous two and has pointed to a more in-depth series which contains many facets that will eventually all tie in.

I am very much looking forward to the continuing series.

great story

absolutely loved it, all of the empire corps books are truly great, incredibly well written and beautiful narration, who could ask for more

Great book Great series so far

Im not good at writing reveiws I like to keep things simple. I am loving this series of books. Roll on the next one.

Side story that worth it for completion.

It's quite hard to judge this one. It's really nothing more than a side story to act as background to the rest of the series. If it adds anything further down that line I do not know.

It is well read and has decent pace, but doesn't grab and feels more like an after thought that was published as it has been done. It's not bad, it's just not that good.

If you enjoy the Empire's Corp series then it is worth it, if after tow books you were thinking of calling it a day, ignore it.

More of a standalone novel

What did you like most about When the Bough Breaks?

Whilst this novel is more of a stand alone novel than the others earlier in the series, there is plenty to tie the story into the series.

I liked the idea of the more insular nature of this novel and the way the plot strands pulled together.

What about Jeffrey Kafer’s performance did you like?

The continuity from the other novels.

Barely Hanged on :-(

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A completly different story and writing style !!

Would you ever listen to anything by Christopher G. Nuttall again?

Thats done, no more, cant stand it , such a good start first two books and then utter crap !! Developed two characters and then nothing !! Then start writing gibirish

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Narrator was good

Unoriginal but entertaining

The main problem with Nuttall's books is not that he borrows but rather steals from other authors - it's okay to borrow concepts or devices from other authors but the main problem I have is that they are outright stolen for example the "Boost" from Simon R Green's Deathstalker same word and exactly the same effect, even the limitations of plasma pistols is replicated, there is also a gladiatorial area and, yes a foppish prince. (Green's books are better!)

Nuttall has not developed his own mythos so his books lack originality. There are better authors out there that are unsigned and I can't help but think that Audible should be doing a better job of talent acquisition rather than simply consuming whatever the publishers put in front of them.

The reader was entertaining if cheesy but funny at times.

Readers will forgive a lot in the name of entertainment or escapism but the author should try to be responsible for the material they put out there. I have listened to the his Galactic Empire books and have found that he has outright pilfered material also - Phoenix Conspiracy Series oh and Star Trek - come on USS Enterprise?! Part of the satisfaction of reading science fiction is having an author's mythos explained and unfold as the story develops I can't help but think that Nuttall is cheating his readers from a better science fiction experience. The problem with outright copying is that your stuff is never as good as the original author - who has put proper work and thought into their material.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful