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Renewal #2
Echoes of the Breakdown
The young Reclamation Engineer, Terry, has new problems to solve as he learns how Bill's family managed to survive the sudden breakdown of the lives they had once known, and as he prepares to tackle a future that has the potential to be much brighter and much tougher than the one he was expecting.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2011
12 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
J.F. Perkins
15 books26 followersI was born two years before we landed on the moon, somewhere in the middle of Long Island. I was too young to remember much, except for the park ritual of spinning three times on a stump, the bee that flew down my throat, and getting my fingernails smashed off in a car door. Ok, that's not fair. I also remember when the mean kid across the street was run over by the mailman.
I currently live in Olympia, Washington with my fantastic wife, Sharon, five dogs (Hunter, Hope, Elke, Jay, and Luna - Queen of the Lunaverse), and two cats (Donner - loves everyone, Jenny - rarely leaves the bedroom closet). Whew! That was a mouthful. I'm a digital artist by trade, woodworker by hobby, gardener by spousal association, and dog trainer by hard necessity.
I currently live in Olympia, Washington with my fantastic wife, Sharon, five dogs (Hunter, Hope, Elke, Jay, and Luna - Queen of the Lunaverse), and two cats (Donner - loves everyone, Jenny - rarely leaves the bedroom closet). Whew! That was a mouthful. I'm a digital artist by trade, woodworker by hobby, gardener by spousal association, and dog trainer by hard necessity.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 18, 2017
To start off, this is not a full-length book but the second of a ten-part series of short stories: it will take you less than an hour to read this one and, of the ten stories, this is probably the weakest one as it is just too short and leaves you really hanging wanting more and is a little incomplete. If you haven't read the first book of the series (Renewal without any of the numbers after it), you need to read that one first then progress in numerical order through #10.
Similar to the other books in the series, the author sets you into a futuristic (and believable) outlook of America several decades after a nuclear destruction of organized society, with frequent flashbacks / narrations of what happened immediately after to the surviving families. I could actually visualize the various scenes and situations, and found myself wondering "what if" or "what would I do" while reading not only this one, but the other stories in the series. The author does a good job of wetting your tastebuds and wanting a little more at the conclusion of the story - hence, let's go purchase the next book of the series. Overall, the series is very good and I highly recommend it.
Similar to the other books in the series, the author sets you into a futuristic (and believable) outlook of America several decades after a nuclear destruction of organized society, with frequent flashbacks / narrations of what happened immediately after to the surviving families. I could actually visualize the various scenes and situations, and found myself wondering "what if" or "what would I do" while reading not only this one, but the other stories in the series. The author does a good job of wetting your tastebuds and wanting a little more at the conclusion of the story - hence, let's go purchase the next book of the series. Overall, the series is very good and I highly recommend it.
April 24, 2013
This is the second book in a series. Terry Shelton is a 20-year old Reclamation Engineer in/around Tennessee. This takes place around 40-50 years after a series of nuclear bombs are detonated in America, some resulting on EMPs that knock out all electricity. The government does not recover and smaller county and state governments are running the show. The rich people in the areas have created basically a feudal system for their own benefit. Although electricity has been restored, it is unreliable at best. However, many people still believe the government is going to send help so they accept the way life is. The job of Reclamation Engineers is to ride out into the country and survey land to decide if it can be used for anything (e.g. farming, agriculture, housing). On Terry's first assignment, he discovered a community of people living together in apparent harmony. They work together and make a life similar to the one before the Breakdown, including machinists, hydroelectric power, and agriculture. However, the new life he has decided to adopt may be threatened.
Pretty good - although again a little short. I like the story of the Breakdown. I even like the way we (the readers) hear about the Breakdown as it is told to Terry. He later explains that his own grandfather didn't like to talk about what happened (which helps explain why he seems to be hearing what happened for the first time). Good story, although a little short. I think I read this one in a few hours or less. I'm a quick reader, but that's a little crazy. However, I will finish the series. Even when each part being $1, it's the equivalent of 1-2 good long stories at about $2-3 each. Still a pretty good deal for a good story.
Pretty good - although again a little short. I like the story of the Breakdown. I even like the way we (the readers) hear about the Breakdown as it is told to Terry. He later explains that his own grandfather didn't like to talk about what happened (which helps explain why he seems to be hearing what happened for the first time). Good story, although a little short. I think I read this one in a few hours or less. I'm a quick reader, but that's a little crazy. However, I will finish the series. Even when each part being $1, it's the equivalent of 1-2 good long stories at about $2-3 each. Still a pretty good deal for a good story.
March 3, 2012
Great world-building and awesome dual storyline in this post-apocalyptic/renewal & rebuilding type of book.
It's about 35 years after the "Breakdown" (nuclear missiles worldwide, all hell broke loose, etc., etc., etc.). Since the nukes headed for the US were detonated in space, there is little bomb damage or fallout (not really believable, but it's not a big plot hole). The struggling survivors have slapdash governments and plans and such, but life pretty much sucks. A good group has an amazing town and life, but they keep hidden for obvious reasons. The protagonist stumbles onto it, and the backstory is great.
Big major problem is that this is probably only novella length, which is personally very annoying, and in order to make it great, probably 3 or 4 of the novellas in the continuing series need to be combined into one book each, and could make a great sequel or trilogy, depending on how far the author intends to take the series.
I sat for the last two days and read the remaining consecutive books in this outstanding series. LOVED the series, but hate the novellas. They need to be combined into one fantastic book.
It's about 35 years after the "Breakdown" (nuclear missiles worldwide, all hell broke loose, etc., etc., etc.). Since the nukes headed for the US were detonated in space, there is little bomb damage or fallout (not really believable, but it's not a big plot hole). The struggling survivors have slapdash governments and plans and such, but life pretty much sucks. A good group has an amazing town and life, but they keep hidden for obvious reasons. The protagonist stumbles onto it, and the backstory is great.
Big major problem is that this is probably only novella length, which is personally very annoying, and in order to make it great, probably 3 or 4 of the novellas in the continuing series need to be combined into one book each, and could make a great sequel or trilogy, depending on how far the author intends to take the series.
I sat for the last two days and read the remaining consecutive books in this outstanding series. LOVED the series, but hate the novellas. They need to be combined into one fantastic book.
June 19, 2012
Theses are actually novellas in a series that when taken together would make a great book. I always purchase the next "couple chapters/installment" quickly after finishing one. Usually only taking tine for these reviews and to post them on Amazon as well. I am enjoying the reminiscent tale of the EMP days, and am about to start the next chapters. This book holds your attention easily and flows well.
Fornthe price you can't lose. When you stop enjoying, stop buying the next chapters. Although I do not foresee this happening anytime soon for me.
Fornthe price you can't lose. When you stop enjoying, stop buying the next chapters. Although I do not foresee this happening anytime soon for me.
December 11, 2011
Very well written and a great story, with both a look at the past and current time well interwoven.
My only problem is each book is too short, this is more of a series of short stories than a book series, if that makes sense?
Still for less than a 1/2 the price of a cup of coffee these stories provide a good hour or so entertainment and a message of hope in a dark world...
My only problem is each book is too short, this is more of a series of short stories than a book series, if that makes sense?
Still for less than a 1/2 the price of a cup of coffee these stories provide a good hour or so entertainment and a message of hope in a dark world...
June 27, 2015
I liked the second short story installment. What's great about the first two installments are the two story lines, current time for the characters and then back as the apocalypse happens.
January 23, 2012
Short books. I wish the author had tied them all into one or two. I've heard the books get longer as you proceed. Pretty interesting for an end-of-times scenerio. Light and simple.
January 23, 2018
All of my comments on the Renewal series can be found in the first installment of the story.
January 11, 2013
Unlike traditional post-apocalypse fiction, Perkins writes of a hopeful future. Volume 2 continues the story of Terry and Bill, flashing back and forth between future and past.
August 31, 2021
Bill continues telling Terry the story of the breakdown. Terry is welcomed into the Teeny Town community. Bill and Aggie have plans for Terry and their daughter, Sally.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews