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Wool Omnibus Edition (Wool #1-5)

by Hugh Howey (Goodreads Author)

4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 · rating details · 21,340 ratings · 3,681 reviews

This Omnibus Edition collects the five Wool books into a single volume. It is for those who arrived late to the party and who wish to save a dollar or two while picking up the same stories in a single package.

The first Wool story was released as a standalone short in July of 2011. Due to reviewer demand, the rest of the story was released over the next six months. My thank...more

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Published July 16th 2012 by Broad Reach Publishing (first published January 1st 2012)

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May 11, 2012 Cass rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, books-i-own-ebook, dystopian-utopian

There are two stupid things about this book, neither have to do with the writing. The writing is good, the story is original, I highly recommend this book.

Let's address the stupid things.
The name is stupid. It is like a garage band was after a clever name. There are no sheep in this book, there is no wool in this book. There is one tiny insignificant piece where a character is knitting but she isn't even using wool, she knits with cotton. Given the subtitles are all knitting related (unravel,...more There are two stupid things about this book, neither have to do with the writing. The writing is good, the story is original, I highly recommend this book.

Let's address the stupid things.
The name is stupid. It is like a garage band was after a clever name. There are no sheep in this book, there is no wool in this book. There is one tiny insignificant piece where a character is knitting but she isn't even using wool, she knits with cotton. Given the subtitles are all knitting related (unravel, cast off etc) I think the book should have been called "knitting" and then the book would have never sold a single copy.

I shall rename the book for the author SILO. Hereafter I shall refer to the book as such... Because it is a much better name that will actually appeal to the target market.

The second stupid thing about SILO (okay WOOL but my name is better) is that it is serialised into individual books. The author asks at the end of this omnibus if the reader would rate and review each book separately. As far as books/stories/novellas go only WOOL1 and WOOL 3 really stand alone. The others are just parts in a novel. They are also all the size of novellas not novels, making this omnibus edition about the size of a book. Here is my advice to the author. Just sell the omnibus edition, ebook users can read a sample anyway, the $6 price tag is very reasonable for the whole book. In fact because I didn't realise it was a series of novellas I bought the first part plus the omnibus which was silly of me. Perhaps good for the authors pocket but it doesn't endear me toward him.

None of that has anything to do with the novel. The novel was original and highly interesting. Finally a novel that I don't think I could flippantly surmise in a paragraph or two.

Usually I do like to give a summary of the novel but I won't in this review as I think there are lots of refreshing little things about the novel that are enjoyable to discover while reading, plus a few good places where you can say "oh wow I didn't see that coming".

WOOL is a good little dystopian novel. The type that leaves you thinking about it for days. The type that creeps back into your mind months after you have read it. It has a fairly original concept that kept me thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all lovers of dystopian fiction.

Despite complaining about the way it has been serialised I am hoping the author has lots more little stories about this world coming. (less)

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Mar 14, 2012 Nataliya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the review for the entire Wool pentalogy (my new favorite word, btw). Wool introduces us to a postapocalyptic world where survivors of whatever disaster that made the outside uninhabitable huddle underground in a giant "silo" that houses hundreds of people. As we can predict, the disaster was man-made (*). (view spoiler)

(*) "You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn

...more This is the review for the entire Wool pentalogy (my new favorite word, btw). Wool introduces us to a postapocalyptic world where survivors of whatever disaster that made the outside uninhabitable huddle underground in a giant "silo" that houses hundreds of people. As we can predict, the disaster was man-made (*). (view spoiler)

(*) "You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!" - courtesy of "Planet of the Apes" (I give credit when it's due!)

Left - what a silo looks like, in case you are agriculturally challenged, like me. Right - apparently people already live in the underground missile silos. No shit.

Even speaking about the outside has become taboo, and breaking this taboo results in exile to the toxic outside, where - for reasons unknown to most - the condemned take time to clean the silo "windows" before their death, and the survivors inside can enjoy the toxic views for a few more years. For a long time, the Silo has been functioning like a well-oiled machine until we witness a confrontation between a strong-willed young woman who is not afraid to dig through the secrets of this shelter/prison and an equally strong-willed official who for reasons of his own prefers a status quo. The question stands - what is preferable: safety and security or truth and potential devastation? And the answer to that one is not that easy.

This story began as a standalone novella and was subsequently expanded into 4 more volumes (with more potentially to follow, but seems that this particular story arc is complete). The first part has a bleak and haunted, almost vintage sci-fi feel to it. The sequels are more action-packed and touch upon this world's politics (which do not detract from the story). All together they make a fun and enjoyable read. The plot remains tight throughout and all the storylines are compelling. The end may be a bit rushed, but it is still satisfying.

The characters are well-developed and multidimensional. Due to originally unplanned expansion of the story, the protagonist Juliette does not take center stage until the third part, but she quickly and effortlessly becomes the natural center of the story. She is an awesome heroine - rational, practical, level-headed, strong-willed, courageous, tough, and outspoken. She is good with machinery and kicks ass. She is a good friend. In short, she is cool, and I want to be her BFF now.

The story is well-written and a page-turner. Worth giving it a shot. 4.6 stars - rounding up to 5 with clear conscience. (less)

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Mar 25, 2013 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: dystopia fans, revolutionaries, thoughtful fantasists

Shelves: apocalypse, dystopia, sci-fi, female-lead

Forget Wool. This should have been called Forge.
description

Writing that's a power-punch to the gut. Direct, slow build of heat, singeing as it suddenly roars into flame. A world that feels solid, heavy, hard-edged, soldered with characters that are heated and molded into something new. This isn't knitting a scarf so much as forging a steel chain.

I absolutely love the character of Juliette, determined, essentially elemental, a person that rocks my character world. I love how all her metaphors are mechanical...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Trudi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: apocalyptic-types, on-my-kobo, series, science-fiction, 2012-reads, dystopia, kick-ass-heroines

Outstanding!

WOOL began its life as a self-published short novella in July of 2011. That's hard to believe. I feel like I've been hearing about this thing for ages and ages.

So I'm late to the party, but not that late. Due to excited reader response over WOOL 1, author Hugh Howey quickly released the next four parts in the series. Then came along this Omnibus which collects Parts 1-5. There is now a 2013 edition with a great new cover that features a blurb by none other than Justin Cronin, author...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Damali rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian-pa-zombies-survivalist

Wool tells the story of a group of people living in an underground bunker with over 100 floors. Just talking about what's on the outside, or a desire for any change in their situation is considered treason, and may cause them to be sent for Cleaning. Cleaning is when the condemned person cleans the windows so the people can get a clearer view of the world outside. This series has Twilight Zone written all over it, and I'd be surprised if it doesn't end in a Twllight Zone-type fashion.

Wool One, 4...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Kaila rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopia, science-fiction

This is going to end up being one of those books I force on all my friends, insisting that they read it immediately. I loved it and can't wait for more.

Please see my full reviews of the stories:

Wool 1
Wool 2: Proper Gauge
Wool 3: Casting Off
Wool 4: The Unraveling
Wool 5: The Stranded

Now go read this! You won't regret it!

Update May 13, 2012:

Hugh Howey has announced over on his blog that his self-published book Wool has been acquired by Fox! I couldn't be happier for him, and I am so excited for the...more

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May 09, 2013 Rob rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-laser, read-2013

Executive Summary: While I feel only the first story works by itself the 5 stories as a collection make for an excellent novel that shouldn't be missed.

Full Review
I first heard about Wool sometime last year as it gaining momentum, but before Mr. Howey had signed the print deal. It's become a pretty trendy pick as of late, and Sword and Laser chose it for the May pick this year.

While this is technically 5 connected stories, I think it reads much better as a novel. I think only the first story is...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Lynxie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Lynxie by: Molly Woah

Shelves: 5-star-review, legendary-leading-ladies, made-me-think, smirk-worthy

Main Entry:
wow [wou]

Part of Speech:
verb

Definition:
amuse, delight

Synonyms:
bowl over, break one up, charm, cheer, crack up, entertain, go over big, kill*, knock dead, knock someone's socks off, make laugh, make roll in the aisles, slay, tickle, tickle pink, tickle to death

Review:
I don't even have a more eloquent way of saying that. It's the only thing I can really say about Wool.

Hugh Howey paints a vivid picture of a world that is so stark, it's deadly. What started out as a rather in-your-f...more

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May 27, 2013 Gary rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, atl-pocalypse

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm not one to expound too much on low ratings, but I feel compelled to do so, here, given the high praise heaped on this book by other reviewers.

That said, this will be spoilerific, so if you want out, now would be the time to bail. Seriously. I'm going to spoil the hell out of this.

Disclaimer: I have absolutely nothing against indie publishers (authors who choose to self-publish). This review has nothing to do with that.

First, the things I liked about the book.

The author is actually very good...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Mark Souza rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wool Omnibus creates an absorbing dystopian world of oppression and treachery. The inhabitants of this world live underground in a silo, the outside world above ground is hostile and toxic, a world they can only see on video screens. The political climate is almost as poisonous as that outside. Those who voice their unhappiness are sent to cleaning, a death sentence where offenders are sent outside in airtight suits with a limited oxygen supply to clean the sensors which project a view of the ou...more

16 likes · like · see review

Nov 15, 2012 Cory rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of post-apocalyptic, dystopian novels

Shelves: science-fiction, dystopia, post-apocalyptic, 4-stars, amazeballs, reviewed

Wool simply is an outstanding book.

It surprised me on so many levels. I can’t even.

At first, I was wondering, why would you name your post-apocalyptic-sci-fi-dystopian novel “Wool”.
Figured that one out pretty soon and now I think it’s an awesome title for the whole series.

The first book of the five, is pretty short but all the more intense!
It left me disbelieving, shocked, surprised and certainly wanting to read more, getting behind the secrets going on there!
That continued with the next books,...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Louise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: apocalyptic, post-apocalypse, sci-fi, female-protagonist, favorites

You know that feeling you get when you finish a really great book and you want to shout about it from the highest mountain and tell everyone you know to read it? Yeah, that's me right now.

The Wool Omnibus is *the* way to read this series of stories. Once I read Wool #1, I couldn't stop. Good thing I bought the omnibus! Wool is about the people who live in a sealed silo that goes for more than a hundred levels below Earth because the surface of Earth is toxic and uninhabitable.

What happens when t...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Derek Rasmussen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’ve only just started on the 5th book of this fascinating series, so I will update this as I go. But so far me review is only of the first 4 books.

This is a unique series, since it started as about a 45 page short story that has spawned 6 books and counting. (hopefully many more to come). That’s about 45 pages according to my tablet I read it on, minus the table of contents and things like that. It may not be a completely accurate number, but close enough to give you the idea.

My mother thought...more

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May 18, 2013 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, dystopian-fiction

Wow. I'm blown away. I'm going to force everyone I know to read this book.

What I liked most about this was its unpredictability-Hugh Howey grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me up and down that spiral staircase, through secret passageways, and I never knew what would happen next. (view spoiler)

I'm interested to read the Shift omnibus, but what I'm really eager for is to get back to the characters...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Ema rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favs, science-fiction, american, read-in-english

This book got me from 2012 to 2013. On New Year's Eve, I was so sick that I had to cancel my plans for the big night. Upset as I may have been, I found the perfect cure in this book. I was so utterly captivated by the story that I felt quite at peace with not celebrating along with my friends. How many times does a book have this impact?
I found the perfect setting, too: I switched off the lights, leaving only the Christmas tree blinking in the dark, I turned on my Kindle lamp and immersed mysel...more This book got me from 2012 to 2013. On New Year's Eve, I was so sick that I had to cancel my plans for the big night. Upset as I may have been, I found the perfect cure in this book. I was so utterly captivated by the story that I felt quite at peace with not celebrating along with my friends. How many times does a book have this impact?
I found the perfect setting, too: I switched off the lights, leaving only the Christmas tree blinking in the dark, I turned on my Kindle lamp and immersed myself in the strange world imagined by Hugh Howey.

Now, about the book: except for the first story, which stands on its own, the others are better suited as parts of a single novel, so I'm glad that I've chosen the Omnibus. I wouldn't have minded if it were 1000 pages long, as the writing was really good and the plot well-developed, not to mention the events which sometimes were so intense that I was almost biting my nails. Just when I though I might get a little bored, something unexpected happened and I was swept onto the crazy ride again. The ending is satisfying, although a bit abrupt, yet the story is far from being over. There are a lot of threads left open and I'm really anxious to read the next parts of the series.

The events take place in a post-apocalyptic future, when people live underground in a silo that extends 100-stories deep. There are no elevators, just a spiral staircase that leads from the bellows of the earth, where the Mechanical resides, to the top floor where the windows show the bleak, inhospitable world outside. The closed society is thoroughly organized and self-sufficient - there are farms, vegetable plots, nurseries, the silo has a mayor, a sheriff and deputies, IT and Supply departments. Yet people are kept in ignorance about their past and their purpose. There are rules and taboos (including that it's forbidden to talk about what's outside) and those who think on their own and revolt are put to "cleaning", which means they are sent outside in a protective suit, with enough oxygen to last for a short time. None of them has come back, yet everyone ends up cleaning the camera lenses that are located outside the silo. Nobody knows why they do that, seeing that they are about to die.

The first part focuses on the head sheriff who decides, on his own will, to be put to cleaning, just like his wife took the same strange decision three years ago. The things are not like he imagined them to be and the mystery deepens.
The second part follows the mayor on her long journey through the silo to the down deep of Mechanical, in search for a new sheriff. We get to know the structure of the silo and the destination of its levels. This part was a little bit boring at times, but it has its purpose in the plot development.
The third part focuses on Juliette (who from now on becomes the central character), the intelligent and hard-working girl who was chosen as head sheriff by the mayor. Until then she was fully absorbed in her work as a mechanic and she was oblivious to what happened on the higher levels. She wasn't a bit curious about the toxic world outside the silo. The situation changes when she finds out some things that are not quite right and becomes involved in a series of events that lead to tremendous discoveries.
I can't say anything about the last two parts without spoiling the story. Anyway, the book is a wild ride and it's worth embarking upon it.

If you are looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then that's the one. It's a well-written, action-packed SF, with credible events and strong characters. (less)

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Jan 05, 2013 byeol rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-sci-fi-dystapocalyptica, ebooks, overhyped-or-pretentious-or-shitty, 2013

2.5 stars

Part 1 - Wool ★★★☆☆
One does not simply call their wife "baby" (or "honey"). Minus one star for me not being able to tolerate grown, sensible men calling grown, intelligent women ridiculous pet names. Else a quick read with some twists that manages to pull you in despite its short length and relative little world building (yet). Looking forward for more to come!

Part 2 - Proper Gauge ★★☆☆☆
Rather slow in the beginning, catching up speed in the last third, with some interesting meditations...more 2.5 stars

Part 1 - Wool ★★★☆☆
One does not simply call their wife "baby" (or "honey"). Minus one star for me not being able to tolerate grown, sensible men calling grown, intelligent women ridiculous pet names. Else a quick read with some twists that manages to pull you in despite its short length and relative little world building (yet). Looking forward for more to come!

Part 2 - Proper Gauge ★★☆☆☆
Rather slow in the beginning, catching up speed in the last third, with some interesting meditations on and insights into life and death, vibrant characters, and definitely leaving me curious for more. So many questions about the silo!

Part 3 - Casting Off ★★★☆☆
Again: so many questions! I better get some answers before this omnibus is over!
And what a killer ending, definitely had me grinning ("I KNEW IT!") one second and then gaping with an open mouth ("WHA...? Oh my, now it's getting interesting!"). Good stuff, gimme more!

Part 4 - The Unraveling ★★★☆☆
Let the action begin! Enjoyed the various perspectives and parallel subplots. Good characters again but would have loved for a more balanced pacing but let's see how this one plays out. On to the last one!

Part 5 - The Stranded ★☆☆☆☆
The last one was too convoluted, losing itself in dull prose and prodding along like glue in its minutious descriptions of plotlines ultimately contributing nothing to the plot. The endless descriptions of war and fighting didn't help in endearing it to me.
I ended up skimming the last 150 pages or so and it turned out I did not miss anything of big importance. This could have easily been trimmed down around 40% and would have been better. The names started to grate on my nerves as well as some wording choices (what's with the constant bobbing of heads, dipping of chins, and "he took this" and "she put this"--just say "it" already!) and the inorganic nature of this collection of short stories.
This series could be much better with a professional editor at hand, evening out the rough edges and making it into an more balanced-out whole novel.

In Conclusion...
I had such high expectations for this as it has been praised basically everywhere but I don't think I'll be following the series anymore; what started off as exciting, interesting, and full of potential quickly became an ordeal and I dreaded picking it up and having to spend more time in this gray and dull world with random characters suddenly getting some spotlight. At some point I just wanted it to be over and I only finished it so I didn't start off the new year with a DNF.(less)

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Dec 26, 2012 William Winkle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There's no need to recap what many hundreds of others have said about WOOL and its plot. This is character-based science fiction at its finest. In WOOL 1 through 5, we follow the path of Juliette on her way from mechanic to sheriff and well beyond, all set within the crucible of a post-apocalyptic underground silo. Hard SF fans may find the detail here a bit light. Personally, I appreciated that Howey didn't stall the story with Clancy-like devotion to the technical minutia of silo operation and...more

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May 26, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopia, sci-fi, kindle

I loved "WOOL"! (And being a knitter, the title didn't bother me one bit). Great sci-fi always creates a world so well developed that you feel like you are living there. I could feel my feet hit the rungs of the spiral staircase reaching throughout the 147 levels of the Silo where survivors of the last atomic war have survived for hundreds of years; living like worker ants beneath the surface of a barren scorched earth. Here in Silo 18, the inhabitants are stored like seeds waiting for the futur...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Ruby Tombstone is currently reading it · review of another edition

Shelves: short-stories, apocalypse-please, dystopia-utopia-anytopia-will-do

I do really stupid things at airport book shops.

I am 90% done with This Book Is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don’t Touch It and left it at home because the hardcopy weighed too much to take in my luggage. Then on the first leg of the flight, I got bored waiting for the signal that tells me I can switch on my Kindle, and felt like I was wasting too much reading time. So at the next stop, I bought the paperback of Wool Omnibus, since I have already read Part 1 and it's on my "currently readi...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Marie Loughin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone looking willing to read SF

Shelves: dystopian, science-fiction

First, I highly recommend this book. It is a shining example of (dystopian) science fiction. Go, Hugh Howey!

The opening story was particularly good as a stand alone and does a nice job setting the stage for what follows. Throughout the omnibus, the characters are all three dimensional, thereby making the multiple viewpoint approach very enjoyable.

I did lose track of who the main protagonist should be for a little while. Sometimes it seemed there was no "good guy;" Everyone was a little bit in...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Nenia Campbell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: x-2012s, netgalley

You can read more reviews at my blog, The Armchair Librarian!

One of the best things about being friends with writers is that we're on top of all the book drama and book trends. So when my delightfully eccentric and amazingly talented friend Em said, "HAVE YOU READ WOOL? I'M READING THE WHOLE SERIES ON MY KINDLE AND IT IS SO GOOD" I took notice.

Wool is an indie dystopian novel that takes place at an unspecified point in the future. Our world has been rendered completely toxic and unlivable (oh us...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Jen Walker rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are few books that really make you say "wow" from the first page and this is one of those rare few. Like some I am a little late to this great book but better late than never. This one truly grabbed my attention from the beginning and had me wondering what exactly this book was all about. It really had my mind thinking. To me the sign of a great novel is when you can't stop thinking about it and you can't wait to get back to it.

This book is a post apocalyptic story that is a bit different...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Outerspace Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone who loves a great story

Shelves: dystopian-apocalyptic-worlds, the-cream-of-the-crop

So, I read this in installment form (you have no idea how damn hard it was waiting for each part to come out), but I am lazy and it’s simply easier to review Wool as a package, so I am reviewing this edition. I downloaded the first one when it was free. And you know how free books can sometimes be, so it took me a bit to get around to reading it. I knew it was a novella so I was sort of saving it for one of those stuck waiting somewhere boring moments where I needed a shorter read. Finally I sta...more So, I read this in installment form (you have no idea how damn hard it was waiting for each part to come out), but I am lazy and it’s simply easier to review Wool as a package, so I am reviewing this edition. I downloaded the first one when it was free. And you know how free books can sometimes be, so it took me a bit to get around to reading it. I knew it was a novella so I was sort of saving it for one of those stuck waiting somewhere boring moments where I needed a shorter read. Finally I started book one, and was blown away within the first couple chapters. In fact, I could not put it down until I had finished it. So imagine my HUGE disappointment when I got to the end of this grim little story (unaware initially that there were more). As I was bemoaning its brevity, I went online to see if Hugh Howey had written anything else. That is when I discovered there were other installments available (can I getta’ hallelujah)!! Each section continued to be as good, if not better, than its predecessor. I read each peice in whole gulps because I simply couldn’t find out fast enough what was going to happen. Complex well-developed characters, an engaging original plot, impeccable timing, and a richly detailed dystopian setting will keep any reader of fiction hooked. The moral quandaries created by the unique situation and the required sacrifices to ensure the silo’s continued survival would also make it a good book club choice, that kind of stuff is good fodder for discussion.
Onto a brief synopsis of the plot…Some apocalyptic event in a future time has occurred rendering the planet no longer habitable. The air and the land are too toxic for human/plant/animal survival, but a small cluster of individuals have survived. They did so by creating a completely self-contained mini-society within an underground silo, and with strict rules and established infrastructure generations later they continue to survive. But this well-oiled machine is housing secrets, and it has no tolerance to prying eyes and dissidence. It demands strict obedience and conformity to ensure the maintenance of the status quo. It also requires a firm commitment to complete and permanent encapsulation within its walls forever. Talk of even going outside is forbidden and punishable by death (which fittingly enough is carried out by being sent outside).
So let’s refresh- this book is insanely good (like one of my favorites good, and that is a hard list to get on); in fact everything Hugh Howey has written that I have read to date has been golden. If you haven’t read it yet, then DO IT NOW, you have no idea what a gem in the dystopian/ sci-fi genre you are missing. And if you have already read it, then go try out some of Howey’s other stuff, because it’s all exceptionally good. I look forward to his subsequent releases with much anticipation (and BTW he should seriously consider making The Plagiarist and Half Way Home full novels! They were too brilliant to just be novellas, but that’s just my humble opinion)
(less)

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Jun 01, 2013 Jordan Gregory rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5 stars? I have no idea how to rate this book.

The first couple books are... pretty bad. Painfully boring, at times.

Well, okay, the first book is alright. This section is the story of Holston, the sheriff for Silo 18. After his wife Allison is put to death for treasonous actions, he volunteers to clean the silo's exterior cameras. But this is a suicidal mission: the air outside is toxic. Like, post-nuclear-holocaust toxic. He'll die within minutes, even with a special suit. This section doesn...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Jennifer Wilson-niskanen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sciencefiction-jen-books

These stories were exceptionally good! I gobbled them like candy. The author has a real sense of suspense and can really put a reader in the edge of their seat. He is excellent at knowing how to twist a plot and surprise me. The characters are very good and there is a sense of attachment to many of them. It was definitely one of those books that were very hard to put down because you just wanted to see them through the next bit, and the next, and the next. When the omnibus ended I was surprised...more These stories were exceptionally good! I gobbled them like candy. The author has a real sense of suspense and can really put a reader in the edge of their seat. He is excellent at knowing how to twist a plot and surprise me. The characters are very good and there is a sense of attachment to many of them. It was definitely one of those books that were very hard to put down because you just wanted to see them through the next bit, and the next, and the next. When the omnibus ended I was surprised because I didn't want it to end and was so engrossed I hadn't noticed it was almost over. This writer has a real classic sci-fi feel. I don't mean it feels derivative, because it doesn't. The writer has a voice of his own that doesn't feel like it's just a temporary trendiness type of popularity but something that could really last and deserves to stand with the great sci-fi and speculative fiction authors of the past. This is story telling at its best. It has something to say about today and our world as well as the dystopian future of the book and human nature itself. There is lots to think about but it never feels preachy the plot and characters are too good for that. I even like the title. It does sound like something partly picked for marketing and I imagine it is serving a good purpose there but it also is what the "cleaners" use to clean the sand and toxic gunk from the sensors to the outside world. I like the symbolism of a too to assist others to see things more clearly. There is certainly a lot to see here and I can't wait for more. This is also a bit of a success story of an independent author outside the traditional publishing system to a large degree. The books are very reasonably priced right now and I mean it when I say it was worth every penny. I hope the recently blossoming success encourages further growth and I would encourage anyone to buy this collection. I've read so much sci-fi that it probably takes a lot to really impress me at this point in this field and I haven't seen a lot there that has really appealed to me the way this writer has.(less)

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May 21, 2013 Alex Ristea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2013, library, pub-2013, science-fiction, sword-laser, standalone, trade-paperback

This self-published sensation is all the rage on the internets these days, so of course I hopped on board.

(Full disclosure--this review won't deal with any of the controversy surrounding the author. Chuck Wending explains it more eloquently here.)

Wool earned a solid 4 stars. Not less, because I have to admit that it was gripping. It's a quick read; Howey's pacing makes the book impossible to put down. There are enough twists, turns, and mysteries that Wool is a book that is not read, but devoure...more

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Apr 06, 2012 SJ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I feel as though I really need to go to confession before I start this review. Bless me for I have sinned...I initially gave Wool #1 a 3 star rating.

I did! I know. I know! I need to hang my head in shame. Please forgive me!

Here's the deal. Someone mentioned the first book in this series was seriously discounted or possibly completely free. I picked it up. I read a few pages. I was HOOKED BEYOND BELIEF. Then, the book ended. I didn't know the book was a sequel, assumed it was a novella, and was...more I feel as though I really need to go to confession before I start this review. Bless me for I have sinned...I initially gave Wool #1 a 3 star rating.

I did! I know. I know! I need to hang my head in shame. Please forgive me!

Here's the deal. Someone mentioned the first book in this series was seriously discounted or possibly completely free. I picked it up. I read a few pages. I was HOOKED BEYOND BELIEF. Then, the book ended. I didn't know the book was a sequel, assumed it was a novella, and was exceedingly disappointed. Nothing written that good should end that abruptly with nothing tied off and finished off. And as a stand alone, it IS an excellent bit of fiction, but I don't LIKE short stories. Even when I know in my heart they are good, I resent them for their brevity. With this book being as amazing as it was, I was even more annoyed than normal with it. I gave it 3 stars, I moved on.

Or did I? No, I didn't if I'm honest with you. I TRIED to move on, but I kept thinking about it. And thinking about it. And disagreeing with certain aspects of how groups of people in the story coped with certain things that happened. But then I started to think maybe I wasn't giving it enough credit, changed my mind and started finding it plausible again. Rinse, repeat. The book got in my head, which meant that it filled one of my major criteria for a 5-star rating. When you keep thinking about a book long after you've put it down, there's something about it that is special. At least, for someone like me, who has the attention span of a gnat.

I found myself 'Google-ing' the author, wanting to know what else he had written, and BAM, I realized I was a moron and had overlooked that there was more to the series. Back to Kindle, found the omnibus, picked it up, and DEVOURED the book. I couldn't put it down! It was so well written, and yet so unclear what the final message would be, I read frantically with dread in my heart. Dread that the story would end on the same sort of cliffhanger, dread that characters that I cared about and had invested in would be tossed away, but most importantly..well...

Most importantly I worried about what exactly this author, who is so gifted at making the reader FEEL something, would decide was the *message* of this book. I didn't want it to be an act of futility, and I cared enough about it to hold my breath and read at a frantic pace to try to rush to the end. I NEEDED to know what the truth of humanity would be in this world.

What WAS the verdict? What was the message? I can't tell you that. I won't even tell you whether I found the ending disappointing or not. Spoilers. But I will say that this book is fantastically written, and it WILL become a classic work in this genre in the next 20 years, you can bet your bottom dollar on it.

Yup, go read it. It's cheap, it's fab, it's worth it.(less)

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Jun 07, 2013 Anna Mari rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi

The year is not mentioned, but people are living underground in a silo. The world is unfriendly, other worldly and unfriendly, and projected on screens in many community rooms of the silo. The sensors of the silo keep track of the flesh eating toxins and watch the crazy weather. Keeping those sensors clean, well that is corporal punishment. If you are convicted of the crime, or believing the outside world is ok and the government of the silo is keeping you here against your will, you get to "see...more

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Oct 22, 2012 monkeycat rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to monkeycat by: gck

Shelves: kindle-purchase

After finishing the first Wool book I was eager to dive into further storyline and felt more than ready to take on the other four books in this presentation. My overall impression of this series after finishing book 5 is that it is absolutely fantastic. I embraced the world and the characters, cared about them, was fascinated by what they went through and excited to learn more at every turn. The characters rang true including the strong female leads. I would strongly recommend this series to any...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Dawna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I absolutely Loved this omnibus!! This story is like none I've read before. Cant wait for the next two parts.I can only back up what everyone else here is saying. this story is amazing and everyone should read it. Its just really really great. Hugh Howey has a winner with WOOL and I cant wait for the rest.

2 likes · like · see review

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Dystopia Land: * [June Main Read] Wool Omnibus, by Hugh Howey	41	54	8 hours, 35 min ago
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About Hugh Howey

I'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.

A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified...more

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Quotes from Wool Omnibus

“He’d only ever seen a gun once, a smaller one on the hip of that old deputy, a gun he’d always figured was more for show. He stuffed a fistful of deadly rounds in his pocket, thinking how each one could end an individual life, and understanding why such things were forbidden. Killing a man should be harder than waving a length of pipe in their direction. It should take long enough for one’s conscience to get in the way.” — 5 people liked it

“its not because we knew'' lukas said, sucking a gasp of air. ''it's because we did it''.” — 2 people liked it

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