What do you think?
Rate this book
Collapse
What you are about to read has already happened…
Based on real-life events this part action-thriller, part cautionary tale, Collapse is the story of one man’s fight to save the ones he loves when the tenuous fibers that hold society together become strained and begin to snap.
Matt Avery is put to the test as his entire city experiences a loss of electricity, failure of lines of communication, and civilian looting and violence. With a wife, daughter, and small circle of friends in his company, Matt’s survival skills and nerve are tested as he fights to protect his home and feed his family in the wake of disaster.
Matt must make difficult life and death determinations that no one ever hopes to face. Matt has been planning for this moment for years, but now that it is upon him, does he really have what it takes to survive?
Based on real-life events this part action-thriller, part cautionary tale, Collapse is the story of one man’s fight to save the ones he loves when the tenuous fibers that hold society together become strained and begin to snap.
Matt Avery is put to the test as his entire city experiences a loss of electricity, failure of lines of communication, and civilian looting and violence. With a wife, daughter, and small circle of friends in his company, Matt’s survival skills and nerve are tested as he fights to protect his home and feed his family in the wake of disaster.
Matt must make difficult life and death determinations that no one ever hopes to face. Matt has been planning for this moment for years, but now that it is upon him, does he really have what it takes to survive?
114 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2013
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 14, 2014
Collapse: A Survival Thriller is a novella that tells the story of Matt Avery, a regular guy working in a downtown office building who gets caught up in the middle of a blackout and the riots that follow. With the roads jammed and roaming bands of looters and others who are looking for a reason to get violent, Matt is forced to take to the road on foot to get back home. With him is his hotheaded co-worker who feels that the rules of society no longer apply. Matt is a prepper and is prepared with survival items in his office, in his car he must abandon at work, and is focused on getting home to wife and child, where he has more supplies to ride out the storm. This short tale tells of the perils he faces and the preparations he has made so that he and his family could survive when things go bad.
I was provided a copy of this novella by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. The story is easy to read and I was able to finish it within a couple hours. The premise behind the tale is more generic than anything. The city is anonymous, the cause for the blackouts is limited, outside of hints at a failing power grid, and the riots are caused initially by a woman being accidentally shot by the police when they were trying to maintain order in the city. My interest in apocalyptic fiction mostly leans toward those with a fictional bent. Zombies, alien invasions, and nuclear holocausts populate many if not most of the apocalyptic tales I read. This is a far more straight forward and generically plausible meltdown of society scenario. While the author made an effort to give Matt and his co-worker some depth, both characters are, unfortunately, as generic as the background on the story itself. Outside of his knowledge of Matt as prepper, there is very little detail about him that made me interested in what was happening with him. His co-worker, a thinly veiled sociopath from the get go, acts as an obvious foil to the character, with his urges to throw off the shackles of the rules of civilization barely restrained from almost the beginning of this tale. Unfortunately, the story felt far more like an educational pamphlet on prepping than it did a story about real people. There are hints within its pages of an author with some potential to create something with more gravitas and emotion than this piece and I hope to see something like that in the future.
Collapse would be most interesting to someone who is looking for a beginners guide on being prepared for disasters, both man-made and natural. For a fan of apocalyptic fiction though, the story is a bit forced and fits too easily into the format of a guidebook on prepping rather than a story of people desperate to survive the rapid breakdown of society.
I was provided a copy of this novella by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. The story is easy to read and I was able to finish it within a couple hours. The premise behind the tale is more generic than anything. The city is anonymous, the cause for the blackouts is limited, outside of hints at a failing power grid, and the riots are caused initially by a woman being accidentally shot by the police when they were trying to maintain order in the city. My interest in apocalyptic fiction mostly leans toward those with a fictional bent. Zombies, alien invasions, and nuclear holocausts populate many if not most of the apocalyptic tales I read. This is a far more straight forward and generically plausible meltdown of society scenario. While the author made an effort to give Matt and his co-worker some depth, both characters are, unfortunately, as generic as the background on the story itself. Outside of his knowledge of Matt as prepper, there is very little detail about him that made me interested in what was happening with him. His co-worker, a thinly veiled sociopath from the get go, acts as an obvious foil to the character, with his urges to throw off the shackles of the rules of civilization barely restrained from almost the beginning of this tale. Unfortunately, the story felt far more like an educational pamphlet on prepping than it did a story about real people. There are hints within its pages of an author with some potential to create something with more gravitas and emotion than this piece and I hope to see something like that in the future.
Collapse would be most interesting to someone who is looking for a beginners guide on being prepared for disasters, both man-made and natural. For a fan of apocalyptic fiction though, the story is a bit forced and fits too easily into the format of a guidebook on prepping rather than a story of people desperate to survive the rapid breakdown of society.
November 25, 2013
Collapse is an aptly named novella because it depicts the shockingly fast downfall of a large American city. Unlike other dystopian works, there is no major plague outbreak, no nuclear war, no widespread famine; there is simply a prolonged loss of electricity. That might not seem like much of a catalyst to spiral an entire city into mob rule, but it could definitely be the spark to ignite a wildfire of social unrest. It would not take much to push people over the edge in some large cities today such as Detroit, Washington D.C., etc. because city dwellers are not likely to be prepared for even a short period without electricity. With that said, the story seemed a bit unbelievable. I am sure small parts of a city could breakdown, but would an entire large city descend to mob rule after losing electricity for just a couple days? Perhaps I have an unrealistic trust in government and human nature. It just seems like the National Guard would be able to step in and help bring some stability if a single city went offline.
The story follows Matthew Avery who has a hobby “prepping” for disasters. Matthew has gadgets, food and water stores, weapons, and knowledge of how to cope in a lawless society. Despite all these things, Matthew still learns some hard lessons that he did not anticipate. The story felt like it focused more on “prepping” techniques than it did developing endearing characters.
While this is a work of fiction, it does leave you with a chilling thought– could something like this really happen? There is an old saying, “It has never happened before until it happens for the first time.” The Foreword does not contain any spoilers, but it does provide some interesting examples of events in the United States that sparked similar civil unrest as depicted in this novella. Those living in rural settings with access to well water, animals, etc. would have it much easier, but most people living in a large city would find themselves destitute and struggling to survive. If the book does nothing else, it does provide some good preparation strategies at both work and home.
DISCLOSURE
Velocity House Publishing sent me a complementary review copy. I do not have a relationship with the publisher, and the free copy did not influence my review.
The story follows Matthew Avery who has a hobby “prepping” for disasters. Matthew has gadgets, food and water stores, weapons, and knowledge of how to cope in a lawless society. Despite all these things, Matthew still learns some hard lessons that he did not anticipate. The story felt like it focused more on “prepping” techniques than it did developing endearing characters.
While this is a work of fiction, it does leave you with a chilling thought– could something like this really happen? There is an old saying, “It has never happened before until it happens for the first time.” The Foreword does not contain any spoilers, but it does provide some interesting examples of events in the United States that sparked similar civil unrest as depicted in this novella. Those living in rural settings with access to well water, animals, etc. would have it much easier, but most people living in a large city would find themselves destitute and struggling to survive. If the book does nothing else, it does provide some good preparation strategies at both work and home.
DISCLOSURE
Velocity House Publishing sent me a complementary review copy. I do not have a relationship with the publisher, and the free copy did not influence my review.
December 4, 2013
Survival Depends on Foresight
This is not even a novella, it is so short. It is like a long chapter, which is why I am giving it three stars. The protagonist is Matt Avery, a young man who listened when there were many warnings to be prepared to take care of self in case an emergency arises, and certainly the U.S. has seen many of them in the past ten years. The temperature was climbing. Everyone was suffering from the heat and there was a blackout of electricity. As the temperature rose, many people began to go a little crazy. First there was huge traffic jams in the inner city so that people couldn’t get home. Anything that needed electricity, even cell phones, would not work. It didn’t take long for gangs of young men who usually don’t work and look for a chance to loot, formed small armies of looters and injured anyone in their path.
Matt had stowed in his car some survival items and he invited his co-worker, Kepler, to join him. Matt couldn’t get his family on the cellphone and he wanted to get to them. The story encompasses the emergency supplies Matt carried in his car, in his home, and at another location. Kepler, whom he didn’t really know, showed his true colors when he used cruel and uncalled for violence against anyone whom he felt superior to. The story, however, short, is a manual for what each person should be prepared for at any time and many people in the north country, because weather might keep them isolated, quite often do carry these extra supplies. For the lessons being taught throughout this short novel, I encourage people to read it or get a manual on survival. One never knows when their life lies in their own hands and no others.
This is not even a novella, it is so short. It is like a long chapter, which is why I am giving it three stars. The protagonist is Matt Avery, a young man who listened when there were many warnings to be prepared to take care of self in case an emergency arises, and certainly the U.S. has seen many of them in the past ten years. The temperature was climbing. Everyone was suffering from the heat and there was a blackout of electricity. As the temperature rose, many people began to go a little crazy. First there was huge traffic jams in the inner city so that people couldn’t get home. Anything that needed electricity, even cell phones, would not work. It didn’t take long for gangs of young men who usually don’t work and look for a chance to loot, formed small armies of looters and injured anyone in their path.
Matt had stowed in his car some survival items and he invited his co-worker, Kepler, to join him. Matt couldn’t get his family on the cellphone and he wanted to get to them. The story encompasses the emergency supplies Matt carried in his car, in his home, and at another location. Kepler, whom he didn’t really know, showed his true colors when he used cruel and uncalled for violence against anyone whom he felt superior to. The story, however, short, is a manual for what each person should be prepared for at any time and many people in the north country, because weather might keep them isolated, quite often do carry these extra supplies. For the lessons being taught throughout this short novel, I encourage people to read it or get a manual on survival. One never knows when their life lies in their own hands and no others.
January 21, 2014
Once I started this book I could not put it down. I had to read it from beginning to end. I have my students complete a creative writing assignment each year that puts the world in a position where things do not work and they must find a way to survive. In this story when power goes out and civilians are told to stay home we see what can really happen. It is scary to think that people will behave the way they do in the story. Unfortunately, whenever we have had any major catastrophe we see the ugly side of humanity. The question is, are we really prepared? I live in Florida and we have hurricanes. We are told to keep a hurricane kit ready. I know for a fact that the more time that goes by without a major hurricane the less we follow that directive. The same goes with people who live in earthquake or fire prone zones. History has demonstrated that when society hears the tornado sirens or tsunami sirens and nothing happens they get complacent. With all of the technology we have today, do we rely on it so much that we won’t be able to function or survive? I recommend this book to everyone. It is terrifying on one hand and an eye opener on the other.
February 11, 2014
I was given a copy of this book to read. It was pretty good. I wish I could have given it 3.5 stars, so instead I am going to give it four stars for having potential.
I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but it was super short so that was easy to do. When getting ready to read the book I had to go back and look at it, and then read the full description because the picture and short description were not enough to jar my memory on what it was about. That's a bad sign. It wasn't that memorable. I am into survival, reading, researching, and hoping to one day actually start preparing for it. So that part of this story was good. I feel that if it was a bit longer I might be able to get into it more and start to enjoy the characters.
It is hard to review it without having more invested in it. If a second part comes out, I would be willing to read it and it will hopefully have more of an impact than this one did on its own.
I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but it was super short so that was easy to do. When getting ready to read the book I had to go back and look at it, and then read the full description because the picture and short description were not enough to jar my memory on what it was about. That's a bad sign. It wasn't that memorable. I am into survival, reading, researching, and hoping to one day actually start preparing for it. So that part of this story was good. I feel that if it was a bit longer I might be able to get into it more and start to enjoy the characters.
It is hard to review it without having more invested in it. If a second part comes out, I would be willing to read it and it will hopefully have more of an impact than this one did on its own.
January 2, 2014
A blackout in New York City caused rioting, panic and destruction that lasted three or four days. Two young men, coworkers, had to make it home on foot through mobs to rescue one of them's wife, child and sister-in-law. The protagonist was something of a survivalist, which was key to their success.
December 15, 2013
A short novella capturing one man's struggle to find and keep his family safe in the wake of a power failure of unknown cause. Ultimately unsatisfying in it's ending but promising if future installments maintain the pace of what appears to be an origin story.
November 27, 2013
Good story, a little short. The city breaks into anarchy at a pretty fast rate but it's possible. the story was interesting and I would recommend it.
January 12, 2014
Easy read
Held my interest, it was fast paced. Made me think about what I would do if society went to pieces.
Held my interest, it was fast paced. Made me think about what I would do if society went to pieces.
January 24, 2014
Too short, don't bother. Predictable and one dimensional characters.
October 20, 2014
Nothing new here, not to exciting.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews