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Collapse
In 2026, the United States government made a last-ditch effort to ensure the American dream. The citizens, however, did not have the same vision.
When forty-year-old Tess, a widowed mother and nursing home administrator, is forced to comply with the REEP Program and receives notice that all government funding for residents has been cut, she is faced with making decisions that stretch her moral standards. Doug, a fuel truck driver, sees first-hand how devastated America is as people become desperate to survive. And when fuel allocation and vouchers become the norm, Doug discovers he is a rolling bull’s-eye. Ten-year-old Brenna is excited to see her father again and has been granted a plane ticket from St. Louis to Richmond, VA. When the plane lands, a raid breaks out in security as bandits try to take the plane, which leaves almost everyone dead…except Brenna.
America lost her focus. We swore it wouldn’t go too far. We didn’t see this coming.
When forty-year-old Tess, a widowed mother and nursing home administrator, is forced to comply with the REEP Program and receives notice that all government funding for residents has been cut, she is faced with making decisions that stretch her moral standards. Doug, a fuel truck driver, sees first-hand how devastated America is as people become desperate to survive. And when fuel allocation and vouchers become the norm, Doug discovers he is a rolling bull’s-eye. Ten-year-old Brenna is excited to see her father again and has been granted a plane ticket from St. Louis to Richmond, VA. When the plane lands, a raid breaks out in security as bandits try to take the plane, which leaves almost everyone dead…except Brenna.
America lost her focus. We swore it wouldn’t go too far. We didn’t see this coming.
- GenresScience FictionDystopia
260 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2013
20 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
T.K. Carter
6 books148 followersTK Carter is a Southern born-and-bred middle child with all the complexes that accompany this birth order. She loves the color red, anything shiny, and has an unnatural love for peanut butter Snickers and Diet Coke.
In response to her chaotic, single life as a divorced mother and head of household, she started a blog called My Ms. Adventures where she holds nothing back as she tells exactly what it's like to be her.
Tami, as she is casually known, was raised in mid-Missouri and now lives in Centralia. She has two children, two dogs, a mortgage, and a dream. She is the author of women’s fiction novels: Independence, An Afternoon with Aunt Viv, and the Dystopian Suspense series: Collapse and Three Meals to Anarchy. Book Three of The Yellow Flag Series is due out Summer 2015.
Follow TK Carter’s career at:
tkcarter-author.com
www.facebook.com/mstkcarter
Goodreads- TK Carter
Twitter: @TamiCarter2
Instagram: tk_carter
In response to her chaotic, single life as a divorced mother and head of household, she started a blog called My Ms. Adventures where she holds nothing back as she tells exactly what it's like to be her.
Tami, as she is casually known, was raised in mid-Missouri and now lives in Centralia. She has two children, two dogs, a mortgage, and a dream. She is the author of women’s fiction novels: Independence, An Afternoon with Aunt Viv, and the Dystopian Suspense series: Collapse and Three Meals to Anarchy. Book Three of The Yellow Flag Series is due out Summer 2015.
Follow TK Carter’s career at:
tkcarter-author.com
www.facebook.com/mstkcarter
Goodreads- TK Carter
Twitter: @TamiCarter2
Instagram: tk_carter
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 29, 2016
Every empire rises the same way, using it power and financial muscle to rule the world. This planet has seen many supposedly " indestructible" empires from The Roman, to The Ottoman, The Russian, Napoleon's French Empire, the thousand year Reich that lasted barely twenty years. It is a chilling thought that the American Empire could slide into a decline. Some would argue it already has.
TK Carter paints a bleak picture of the future where the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been trampled by too much government. There is widespread shortages, and as a result, the government decides who will be allowed to travel, get gas, or have medical treatment. Unrest between classes has forced them into an experimental program of reallotments - much like when the Bolsheviks confiscated homes and reassigned who would live there. The Nazi's did the same. Seem farfetched? It has happened time and time again throughout history. We have seen our own current government use brinkmanship shutting down services so many agencies went to part-time until funding was released.
The story follows several characters, the most terrifying, a ten year old cut off from her parents. Fast-paced and horrifying, this is a scary look into the possible scenario of the collapse of a government. While it may feel stretched as well as a little extreme, I think we have to remember that revolution of any kind takes people by surprise in ways they never see it coming.
TK Carter paints a bleak picture of the future where the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been trampled by too much government. There is widespread shortages, and as a result, the government decides who will be allowed to travel, get gas, or have medical treatment. Unrest between classes has forced them into an experimental program of reallotments - much like when the Bolsheviks confiscated homes and reassigned who would live there. The Nazi's did the same. Seem farfetched? It has happened time and time again throughout history. We have seen our own current government use brinkmanship shutting down services so many agencies went to part-time until funding was released.
The story follows several characters, the most terrifying, a ten year old cut off from her parents. Fast-paced and horrifying, this is a scary look into the possible scenario of the collapse of a government. While it may feel stretched as well as a little extreme, I think we have to remember that revolution of any kind takes people by surprise in ways they never see it coming.
December 25, 2013
This is my first time reading a book by Carter. So I came into it with no preconceived ideas are expectations. The book starts out pretty fast and keeps going till the end. It made me tear up it made me think and it made me laugh out loud at times with the realism of the every day man dealing with the breakdown of society. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
July 15, 2016
The year is 2026, and the United States is trying to create a secure America where everyone can live the American dream. Collapse focuses on three characters:
• Tess, a 40-year-old widowed mother who works as a nursing home administrator
• Doug, who drives a fuel truck
• Brenna, a 10-year-old trying to get to her father
The president is making widespread changes under REEP (Redistribution for Economic Equivalency Program). The plan is to provide greater equality for each family, but for Tess, it means that her house, job, and the lives of the nursing home residents are at risk.
Vouchers for fuel are now standard, and rebels abound. This makes Doug and his fuel truck a prime target. Citizens are fighting back everywhere, and armed guards and fences are a common site.
Brenna is headed east to visit her father. Her mother Kim is not allowed to accompany her, as it would be “inefficient.” Attacks and chaos ensue at the airport, and all of Brenna’s plans go awry.
Tess, Doug, and Brenna find themselves in a battle unlike any other they have faced. Will they be able to survive when the country is losing control all around them?
This is the first book I have read by Carter, but it certainly will not be the last! The remaining two books in this series are high on my TBR (to-be-read) list. The fast pace, smooth flow, and palpable tension make this a page turner which is difficult to put down. The events are easy to visualize, which may leave the reader wondering just what could happen if the government had more power.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
• Tess, a 40-year-old widowed mother who works as a nursing home administrator
• Doug, who drives a fuel truck
• Brenna, a 10-year-old trying to get to her father
The president is making widespread changes under REEP (Redistribution for Economic Equivalency Program). The plan is to provide greater equality for each family, but for Tess, it means that her house, job, and the lives of the nursing home residents are at risk.
Vouchers for fuel are now standard, and rebels abound. This makes Doug and his fuel truck a prime target. Citizens are fighting back everywhere, and armed guards and fences are a common site.
Brenna is headed east to visit her father. Her mother Kim is not allowed to accompany her, as it would be “inefficient.” Attacks and chaos ensue at the airport, and all of Brenna’s plans go awry.
Tess, Doug, and Brenna find themselves in a battle unlike any other they have faced. Will they be able to survive when the country is losing control all around them?
This is the first book I have read by Carter, but it certainly will not be the last! The remaining two books in this series are high on my TBR (to-be-read) list. The fast pace, smooth flow, and palpable tension make this a page turner which is difficult to put down. The events are easy to visualize, which may leave the reader wondering just what could happen if the government had more power.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2015
This is a fast paced book that tells the story of normal every day Americans and how they would respond of America collapsed. The story is told from three main perspectives: Tess'- the director of an old folks home, Doug - a truck driver, and Brenna - a ten year old girl. Each character represents different ways Americans would be effected if the every day security of the American way of life were to fall. The writing is tight with the stories flowing from one perspective to the next very nicely. Very well done! If I had a complaint it would be to ask the question, how realistic is the story? Of course the story is supposed to show the worst case scenario. But I don't think this kind of thing could ever happen. I believe there are more good people than bad, and that the good would prevail. So good story telling with great writing, just not believable for me. I guess that means I'm too trusting and would be one of the first people to be taken advantage of.
December 24, 2014
What if the government quit? How would your world change? Collapse is a story of how some people in Middle America would react, survive and cope. TK Carter explores many different aspects of what a complete governmental shut down would mean, through thoughtful internal monologue, while still managing to build a cast of believable, addicting characters. This installment of the Yellow Flag series starts you from the beginning of the Collapse. I think that is what made me love the book so much. It wasn't a world that was built for the reader, it was a world that was building for us as time goes one.***warning**** there is a cliff hanger - which is to be expected when a story encompasses many complex story threads while the world is crashing around them. You won't regret this read. I couldn't put it down once I started.
October 11, 2015
As I was reading this book I though about our countries current affairs and realized that although I believe this would not happen; there is always that possibility. TK Carter does an amazing job at bringing home the problems of too much governmental involvement in every day life; as well as, the personal affects it would have on individuals. This book is a page turner and due to the content and the ways she writes, you are able to see it in your mind. If you are a Missouri resident it makes it that much easier to visualize. I am going to purchase the next book and continue reading! Suggest this to anyone who is looking for an interesting and entertaining read!
April 13, 2015
I absolutely fell into this book! I took it to work and read on my breaks, stayed up late in bed, willing my eyes to stay open at 2am for 'one more chapter...' TK Carter does an extraordinary job creating this realistic plot that gave me goosebumps and made me think about how America would react to the events that take place! I live in the heart of the town she centers on and it struck chords in me with this novel at how close to home these events can hit! I am in awe of her writing and if you aren't yet, YOU'RE MISSING OUT!!! Get your read on with TK CARTER, You WON'T regret it!!!
April 6, 2016
I would like to begin by saying that, generally speaking, I would not consider myself a fan of the dystopian genre, but that being said, I truly enjoyed this book! As soon as I finished it, I started the next book!!! I love the way the book is written from the POV of several different characters. That is so far one of my favorite things about TK Carter's writing. After reading The Breakup Mix, I wasn't sure what to expect as this was a completely different genre, but Collapse did not disappoint! I can't wait to read more of the series!!!
May 15, 2016
I truly enjoyed this first book! The characters were so captivating that I read it straight through and moved right into the next one. I love dystopian novels. As a native Missourian it was easier to see this dystopic future possibility as I have traveled the areas and roads written about most of my life. This also made it more real, as it was easy to see that this could be our future, and the potential for societal collapse.
June 4, 2015
Wow! I loved this story and can't wait to start book two. America has let us down. It truly makes you think that one day this may truly happen.
Loved all the characters involved and how it's effecting them and how their trying to survive in a America that is broken.
Wasn't thrilled with the ending as the story just stops. Makes me glad I have book two to start!
Loved all the characters involved and how it's effecting them and how their trying to survive in a America that is broken.
Wasn't thrilled with the ending as the story just stops. Makes me glad I have book two to start!
April 5, 2014
I can't wait to read what comes next. It's the same feeling I had at the end of each chapter and now even more so at the end of the first book. Fast-paced, thought-provoking story. While reading it, I could envision it playing out in my mind's eye like a movie.
January 5, 2014
My first but NOT my last book by TKCarter!
What a suspenseful, scary realistic story. I live right along side of Tess, Doug, Kim and Brenna.
I lived the fear, anguish, love, heartbreak and determination!
A must read!!!
What a suspenseful, scary realistic story. I live right along side of Tess, Doug, Kim and Brenna.
I lived the fear, anguish, love, heartbreak and determination!
A must read!!!
April 14, 2015
LOVE this book! It was so exciting and so realistic. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I have also read the second book and TK Carter doesn't disappoint. Can't wait for the next one in the series!
November 8, 2014
An awesome book set now, and the collapse of our union. What it could be like what our children could see. Being forced from our home. Great read.
May 16, 2015
Collapse review
Collapse is the first book in The Yellow Flag series written by author TK Carter. It portrays a frightening picture of America after the collapse of society.
Collapse is the first book in The Yellow Flag series written by author TK Carter. It portrays a frightening picture of America after the collapse of society.
April 30, 2016
Are we headed here?
Enjoyed the story. Some things make you say we could be headed in that direction. Need less government ruining freedom .
Enjoyed the story. Some things make you say we could be headed in that direction. Need less government ruining freedom .
November 28, 2016
Great storyline
TK Carter has written a fabulous book that really draws the reader in. The characters and the storyline take hold and don't let go, round every twist and turn.
TK Carter has written a fabulous book that really draws the reader in. The characters and the storyline take hold and don't let go, round every twist and turn.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews