Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Tube Riders

by Chris Ward (Goodreads Author)

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 41 ratings · 22 reviews

Mega Britain in 2075 is a dangerous place. A man known only as the Governor rules the country with an iron hand, but within the towering perimeter walls of London Greater Urban Area anarchy spreads unchecked through the streets.

In the abandoned London Underground station of St. Cannerwells, a group of misfits calling themselves the Tube Riders seek to forget the chaos by p...more

Kindle Edition, First Edition, 624 pages

Published March 17th 2012 by AMMFA Publishing

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 431)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 26, 2012 Iluzija O. Istini rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: virtual-life-shelf

The
Hell
Ends

There, where you decide you are not
Unable, you are not weak, you are not
Broken, tired, dead.
Even when they hunt you,

Ride you, scare you,
Island of Mega Britain will hear your voice,
Dead will cheer your life, whispers and sighs
Echoing through the tunnels.
Ride will take you further, to where
Sun can rise again.

Yes, that is an acrostic poem about this book. Shut up.

This is not a book I would call a literary wonder. It is not beautiful or artistic. It is raw and it stings. It is not there...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 25, 2012 Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Mallory Anne-Marie by: Making Connections

Shelves: september-2012-reads, september-reading-challenge-ntoyab

Review of The Tube Riders by Chris Ward

An amazing adventure through a dystopian futuristic Britain that I sincerely hope no one ever lives to witness, “The Tube Riders” is an immensely creative and thoroughly imagined, riveting novel. I couldn’t step away and I doubt any other reader could. Marta, Simon, Paul, Jess, Switch, and later Paul’s brother Owen, and young Carl, undergo danger, horror, adrenaline surges, friendship, family loyalty, deaths galore-and what doesn’t kill them does indeed mak...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 24, 2012 Caleb Blake rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

Cross-posted from Papyrus Independent Author Reviews: http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/08/24/the-tube-riders-by-chris-ward/

In a future Britain where travel is restricted and the Governor rules with an iron fist, the Tube Riders stumble across a secret and become Mega Britain's most wanted.

The Tube Riders is a book in which several scruffy, disenfranchised youths are the main characters. However, this does not mean that this book would comfortably sit in the young adult category. These kids hav...more Cross-posted from Papyrus Independent Author Reviews: http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/08/24/the-tube-riders-by-chris-ward/

In a future Britain where travel is restricted and the Governor rules with an iron fist, the Tube Riders stumble across a secret and become Mega Britain's most wanted.

The Tube Riders is a book in which several scruffy, disenfranchised youths are the main characters. However, this does not mean that this book would comfortably sit in the young adult category. These kids have a dark background and the author lets the harshness of a cruel future Britain leak through the pages. Rape, prostitution, violence, murder and the omnipotent presence of a government which "disappears" people on a regular basis form the reality in which these teenagers survive - and survive they do. I feel the author offsets this harsh existence by presenting us with a bunch of intelligent, resilient and loyal friends who jump onto moving trains for entertainment. The setting, the form of entertainment and the young protagonists themselves had me hooked from the start. I sometimes felt the author was channelling Michael de Larrabeiti's Borribles trilogy, one of my favourite journeys into a darker folkloric London.

The action in the first part of the book was gripping. A gang war builds and in escaping, the Tube Riders accidentally discover a secret that could get them killed. And this is where the relentless manhunt across Britain commences. Relentless is a word that so accurately describes the chase itself and the pursuers, a mix of government agents and nightmarish creatures devised in laboratories run by a sadistic government. The author gives us a barrage of perspectives from which to observe the action bouncing from character to character. Sometimes this can be disorientating in a story, but I actually found that it helped flesh out different characters in the novel from the Tube Riders to the Governor himself. Consequently, I felt more invested in the story which can only be a good thing.

It's important to have disbelief in check throughout this book as the story pushes the boundaries in some places. However, I think the author tries hard to inject credibility. A group of kids can evade an organised manhunt because the country has been restructured to discourage organised movement. The character, Switch, steers our gang all too true, but revelations make sense of his eerily accurate bearings (although this is really pushed to the limit as the story progresses). The man-made paranormals, if I can call them that, are unlikely, but I still had difficulty scoffing and I thought their inclusion made the flight all the more desperate. Then lastly, the success of this self-appointed dictator of Mega Britain seems unsustainable until an equally fantastical explanation makes some sense of it. In any case, I became happy to check my cynicism at the door which means that something had to be working well.

There are several major characters that we spend time with thanks to switching points of view throughout the novel. However, Marta is arguably the principal character of the story. The leader of the Tube Riders remained an interesting blend of resilience and vulnerability to me and in some ways she was a hopeful look at what a teen surviving in such a bleak existence could be. The death of her parents and the disappearance of her brother do not rob her of humanity. She remains fierce, she does what she has to do, but she also remains compassionate and loyal. The Tube Riders become her family, one that she is prepared to fight for.

However, although Marta is the main character, there are more interesting characters in my opinion. The nasty knife-wielding Switch, shows several different shades of colour over the course of the story. Jess is jolted by the horrific death of her parents and transitions from a sheltered, innocent girl through grief and loss into a callous and violent instrument of vengeance. However, most interesting to me is the walking horror that is Dreggo. Part terminator, part crushed spirit I enjoyed watching her battle for her own humanity knowing that there could be no happy ending.

There were a few issues I had with the book, but thankfully not too many. There were a few more errors than I'd like to see but none of them exposed an inability to use the English language. Additionally, I had a bit of an issue with the finale. The action by this stage had become fever pitched and rather absurd, but that wasn't as much of an issue as it remained immensely entertaining even if possibly pushing that suspension of disbelief a little too far. What bothered me a little was how unresolved the ending was. Because I was on every step of this journey with the protagonists I was invested in their success of failure, but the author left that hanging to some degree, the possibility of a sequel dangling with it. I could understand that it would take far too much at that stage to really provide a conclusion and some hundreds of pages of resolution reduced to a mere epilogue probably would have angered me more, but I couldn't help but feel a little flat.

My few reservations aside, I enjoyed The Tube Riders a great deal. The author has recently broken up the volume into three parts and I would highly recommend grabbing the first and giving it a try if a 500+ page novel from an indie author seems too high a risk. If you like your action set in a dark and cruel future - and who doesn't - you owe it to yourself to give this a go.(less)

1 like · like · see review

May 08, 2012 Opal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, book-submissions

Read my review here or at The Akamai Reader.

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

This book reads more like a YA novel as the Tube Riders are most like a gang of skateboarders. That doesn’t make this story any less fun or unique. It’s got a lot of action and the violence in the story seems to contradict my snapshot judgment of it being a YA novel.

Nonetheless, the characters in the book are all very young and their problems are very young. I don’t want that to steer you away fr...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Jenny Twist rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Absolutely Riveting!
It is 2075 and Britain is now a dangerous, frightening place, ruled over by a cruel despot. The cities have become the stalking grounds of thugs and psychopaths and have been walled in to prevent the insalubrious citizenry from escaping to the countryside where the nice people live. Government agents prey on the people, transporting children to factories as slave labour or worse, to be fodder for the strange cyber experiments going on in secret places underground. Every so of...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 08, 2012 Jennifer-Crystal Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: suspenseful, thriller, futuristic

Action-packed, suspenseful, and highly entertaining, this book is a wonderful blend of sci-fi and apocalyptic horror, with a refreshing sense of adventure and a dash of drama that just makes it all around a wonderful read.

It reads better if you use a British accent in your head, but that simply adds to the charm.

"It was a cold October day, the sky a leaking grey bucket that spat rain on her leather tunic and ripped jeans."

The descriptions in this book are vivid and truly enjoyable; even though I...more

like · see review

Apr 10, 2013 Ann Foweraker rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Like other reviewers here I gained this novel on a special offer - and probably wouldn't have chosen it otherwise, as I don't usually read sci-fi - however I do read Thrillers.
After a bit of a slow start where I wasn't 'in the world of the book' nor 'caring enough about the characters' I was suddenly tipped into a Thriller (albeit set in a dystopian future) with the whole government backed horror driving the story, characters (now fully fleshed out) to care about, and a goal to achieve that will...more

like · see review

Jul 04, 2012 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

When I first came upon The Tube Riders, it caught my attention with the originality of the premise. Here is a world that is cut off, harshly governed, and mysterious as all get out. Add in a set of characters who are willing to put their lives at risk for a little bit of a rush, and you have my attention. I don't think I would have ever thought of riding on trains as a way to unwind. For these characters though? That's reality. It's fabulous!

More than anything else, I instantly fell in love with...more When I first came upon The Tube Riders, it caught my attention with the originality of the premise. Here is a world that is cut off, harshly governed, and mysterious as all get out. Add in a set of characters who are willing to put their lives at risk for a little bit of a rush, and you have my attention. I don't think I would have ever thought of riding on trains as a way to unwind. For these characters though? That's reality. It's fabulous!

More than anything else, I instantly fell in love with the characters in this book. Marta, Paul, Switch and Simon are all intriguing in their own right. They are all the family that each other have, even when things get crazy. If I had to choose some favorites, I'd go with Marta and Switch. Marta is a no-nonsense kind of girl who does whatever it takes to keep her family safe. Switch is a little off sometimes, but loyal as they come and deadly to his enemies. This group is so diverse that you'd think they'd argue, and sometimes they do, but they play off one another wonderfully. Above everything, I loved seeing how they survived.

The world that Chris Ward builds here is fantastic in its own right though. Mega Britain is an insane world that uses militant rule to keep people down. There is poverty, violence in the form of daily riots, and so many secrets that it'll make your head spin. When the Tube Riders uncover a sinister plot by accident, it sets in motion a series of events that will have you holding on for dear life as you read. These poor characters never really have a moment to rest. Running from the authorities, being hunted by half animal, half human creatures, and trying to just stay alive. It kind of puts the high that they used to get from riding trains in perspective.

If there was one thing that was tough for me, it was just the length of the book overall. That's not to say that it doesn't maintain a pretty steady stream of action. More that I felt there were some descriptions, and some events, that probably could have been left out and still made for a intriguing story line. Parts of the story just felt a little over written. Totally my opinion! It might be different for other readers. It obviously didn't stop me from reading all 500+ pages of this book. Rightfully so, because the ending was awesome!

Let's just say that if you're looking for something original and exciting to read, this is for you! Chris Ward once again proves that self-published works can be just as amazing (if not more so) than traditionally published ones. I am extremely glad that I picked up The Tube Riders and I so hope that there is more. Now that I've been immersed in the world of the the Tube Riders, I'm not willing to leave yet.
(less)

like · see review

Jun 12, 2012 Captivated rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Such an action-packed adventure from the very beginning, The Tube Riders had me on the edge of my seat from the very first chapter. This book is so incredibly orginal in its plot and it was so extremly pleasing to read something that has a powerful story and captivating characters. I would classify this book as a YA, dystopian but most enjoyable for all ages.

This story takes place in Great Briton, in the future, in a world that doesn't exist in reality. But, fictionally, it's terrifying and all...more

like · see review

Jan 02, 2013 Leigh Clemons rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Apr 18, 2013 Eric Dunn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fun-reading

The Tube Riders by Chris Ward was one of the best books that I have read in a very long time. I don't say this often because I hate movie adaptations of books, but I think this book would make an amazing movie. Chris is one of the best "builders" I have come across. Allow me to explain what I mean: the world that the tube riders live in is so rich in detail that I can totally see myself running alongside them as they are running from the government. I can feel myself hanging off the side of subw...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 17, 2013 Christopher Carrolli rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The year is 2075; the location, the futuristic Mega-Britain in a post apocalyptic world. The once Great Britain is now ruled by an extreme totaliterian regime run by the mysterious "Governor" that few have laid eyes on. But, what many have laid eyes on are the ghosts that peer through the windows of London's underground trains. Yet, they are not ghosts; they're real. They are The Tube Riders.
The young band of train riding daredevils have formed a familiar kinship through their love of "tube ridi...more The year is 2075; the location, the futuristic Mega-Britain in a post apocalyptic world. The once Great Britain is now ruled by an extreme totaliterian regime run by the mysterious "Governor" that few have laid eyes on. But, what many have laid eyes on are the ghosts that peer through the windows of London's underground trains. Yet, they are not ghosts; they're real. They are The Tube Riders.
The young band of train riding daredevils have formed a familiar kinship through their love of "tube riding," a secret and solitary activity in a country where perimeter walls are erected and dead trees have bent like old men toward the ground. TV, books, and internet are banned, freedom is a thing of the past, and all inhabitants must pay strict homage to the corrupt government.
During an altercation with a rival group of train lovers, The Tube Riders gain possession of vital evidence that could bring revolution and tear the tyranical government down forever, allowing a new world to begin. But, the evil government is not about to let that happen. And so the book continues with its thrilling suspense that begins on page one.
Chris Ward is an astounding writer, who has written one of the best Sci-fi thrillers to come along in years. Ward's fast paced action is riveting, while his description is vivid, placing one within the picture-perfect scenes. But most of all, Ward's characters are magnificently crafted and real. The vigilante Tube Riders are vibrant, powerful kids turned freedom fighters within minutes of a single instance in their lives.
The Government is also steeped in its activity of genetic engineering and soon unleashes the most frightening component of Ward's novel--The Huntsman. These indestructable, half-human, half gentically altered hounds are bounty hunters set on the trail of The Tube Riders. These and other characters serve as the spellbinding antogonists that keep the page turning continuously.
The Tube Riders by Chris Ward is a Sci-fi masterpiece and a must read for all! I anxiously await the the sequel and hopefully, the movie!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 03, 2012 Yzabel Ginsberg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: requested-reviews, science-fiction

(Book provided by the author through ARR #534 in the Making Connections group, in exchange for an honest review.)

A long book packed with action and events, for sure, and one that I had a hard time putting down whenever I had to.

First, the theme. A book about young people riding trains, barely hanging onto them with tiny boards, and using them first for games, then to escape and run for their lives. In Tube stations and tunnels. In the hands of a reader who's been known to ride the London Tube an...more (Book provided by the author through ARR #534 in the Making Connections group, in exchange for an honest review.)

A long book packed with action and events, for sure, and one that I had a hard time putting down whenever I had to.

First, the theme. A book about young people riding trains, barely hanging onto them with tiny boards, and using them first for games, then to escape and run for their lives. In Tube stations and tunnels. In the hands of a reader who's been known to ride the London Tube and explore corridors and stairwells there just for fun. Awesome. Also, I think the author did a good job depicting his world. Granted, there were a few points on which my suspension of disbelief was somewhat stretched at times (some of the experiments, and a couple of plot junctures). But Chris Ward quickly falls back on his feet, giving us explanations about Mega Britain's shortcomings, that make it more understandable why a group of fugitives manages to outsmart officials for some time. If anything, I would've liked to know a little more about how exactly that country and government came to be; on the other hand, the books is already quite long, and this probably isn't absolutely essential in order to enjoy it (it's just me being curious).

The characters portrayed throughout the story were all heroic in their own ways, while remaining very humane, with both merits and flaws. Among the heroes, I especially liked the street-savvy Switch, always so resourceful, and Jess, who had to wade through so much grief and try to find her own answers. (view spoiler) The villains themselves had humane sides and redeeming points, in spite of their vices; the Huntsmen were clearly victims before being monsters, and Dreggo herself had a vulnerable side and a very hard past that made her anger and resentment all the more understandable. For sure, she was a resilient and interesting adversary.

I'm still hesitant about the ending, to be honest: I can't decide whether I'd like to see a sequel or not. So much may still happen—the Bristol guys, the person left on the beach at the very end...—yet at the same time, the story still feels self-contained no matter what. It's hard to tell.(less)

like · see review

Dec 26, 2012 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

I got this book for free through Goodreads First Reads (go up to the top menu, where there is a drop-down arrow next to 'Explore', and look at 'Giveaways'!)

While waiting for this book to arrive...my main intrigue is to why a book set in the London Underground has a Deltic on the front cover :-)

****
26th Dec 2012
I got about 20% of the way through the book, and just didn't engage with any of the characters. I don't think it's anything to do with the way it is written, but me as a reader - perhaps I...more

like · see review

May 25, 2012 John Daulton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi

A fun romp with lots of action, cool bad guys and an interesting and believable world that is created very well. I'd call this book a young adult book, but would qualify that it's not young adult for parents who are out of touch with the YouTube generation, who think that anything "politically correct" is still a good idea, or who are super religious, etc. But, for the rest of the universe, the plot, characters and action would appeal very well to the sensibilities of the sub twenty-five male in...more

like · see review

Jan 27, 2013 Don Hebert rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I spotted this book free on the Freebooksy Facebook page and WOW! I read a LOT of science fiction and The tube Riders is by far the best book I've read in a very LONG time! It's one wild ride that keeps you up late at night reading to see what happens next when you really should be sleeping because you have to get up early for work in the morning. Book 2 is in the works and I can't wait to get it in my hands!

1 like · like · see review

Jan 20, 2013 Cinta rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was sent a copy of this book by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

It was difficult for me to get into the story and I am afraid to say that I found it boring very soon. But I went on reading because I thought that it would start being interesting... but it didn't. I stopped reading this book when I reached 68% on my Kindle. A group of young people who called themselves Tube Riders because they ride the trains in the Tube. They get in trouble and there are some people who want to kil...more

like · see review

Nov 03, 2012 Bob rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fantastic book! Plot keeps moving with enough twists and turns to make you want to never get off this wild ride.

like · see review

Nov 08, 2012 A. R. rated it 4 of 5 stars

This isn't the genre I usually read, but this book creates a genuinely creepy vision of 2075 London. In this fictional reality, Britain has become Mega-Britain, and poverty and street warfare rage, leaving no one safe but the priviledged few. Enter a group of daredevils called The Tube Riders, using a clawboard and riding subway trains, who are in the wrong places at the wrong times, and soon, a rival gang and a pack of mortals mutilated into dog-men/cyborg soldiers of destruction are out to wip...more

like · see review

Dec 21, 2012 Doreen Dalesandro marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopia, sci-fi, owned-kindle

Kindle freebie, 12/21/12

like · see review

Sep 09, 2012 Jo Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was an interesting book, bit like 1984 and Brave New World....

like · see review

Mar 11, 2013 Craig rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was ok...

like · see review

May 20, 2013 Ellie [The Empress] marked it as next-tbr · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian

May 18, 2013 Åsa marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 15, 2013 Louis Baker rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

May 07, 2013 Legato Darksummers added it · review of another edition

Shelves: daddy-dark-s-baby-warrior-list

May 07, 2013 Victoria Limbert is currently reading it · review of another edition

May 05, 2013 Dorothyrossmaciver rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

May 04, 2013 Amadeus marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 02, 2013 Doug Hayes is currently reading it · review of another edition

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 14 15 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Goodreads Librari...: How do I create an alternative cover edition?	6	28	May 16, 2013 06:58am
Making Connections: 534. THE TUBE RIDERS by Chris Ward	20	103	Jan 19, 2013 01:14pm
Future Survivors,...: The Tube Riders	4	19	Dec 09, 2012 10:31pm
Future Survivors,...: The Tube Riders - Giveaway ends this week	1	12	Aug 27, 2012 01:37am
Who was your favorite character?	1	4	May 14, 2012 12:05am

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Science Fiction > Dystopia

5 users

Science Fiction

3 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

2 users

Young Adult

2 users

Thriller

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Revamp
by Beck Sherman
Prison Nation
by Jenni Merritt
At the End: A Post-apocalyptic Novel
by John Hennessy
Darklandia
by T.S. Welti
Caterpillar
by Kate Oliver

About Chris Ward

A proud and noble Cornishman (and to a lesser extent British), Chris Ward ran off to live and work in Japan back in 2004. There he got married, got a decent job, and got a cat. He remains pure to his Cornish/British roots while enjoying the inspiration of living in a foreign country.

He is the author of the novels The Tube Riders and The Man Who Built the World, as well as 33 published short storie...more

More about Chris Ward...

Books by Chris Ward

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Tube Riders

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Tube Riders
avg rating	preview: The Tube Riders Goodreads rating: 4.07 (41 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13563621-the-tube-riders?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332925632l/13563621.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13563621-the-tube-riders?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Tube Riders by Chris Ward[/url]

The Tube Riders

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website