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The Rule of Three #2
Fight for Power
As this apocalyptic trilogy hurtles to a chilling conclusion, Adam is pushed to the edge of his endurance and sanity.
Adam has killed again. It had to be done, part of him knows that, but murder changes a person. It can certainly change a teenager who's already grown up too quickly, too harshly, in the wake of the catastrophic global blackout five months ago. In the name of safety and survival, Adam and his neighbors have turned their middle American suburban neighborhood into a fortress, defending against countless enemies. But what's lurking in the dark is a greater danger than ever before: somebody who wants to destroy the neighborhood and Adam at any cost. Soon, the hunted will have to become the hunter . . . and Adam hates himself for what he will have to do. Because sometimes even the dark is not cover enough for things that would never happen in the light.
Adam has killed again. It had to be done, part of him knows that, but murder changes a person. It can certainly change a teenager who's already grown up too quickly, too harshly, in the wake of the catastrophic global blackout five months ago. In the name of safety and survival, Adam and his neighbors have turned their middle American suburban neighborhood into a fortress, defending against countless enemies. But what's lurking in the dark is a greater danger than ever before: somebody who wants to destroy the neighborhood and Adam at any cost. Soon, the hunted will have to become the hunter . . . and Adam hates himself for what he will have to do. Because sometimes even the dark is not cover enough for things that would never happen in the light.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2015
214 people are currently reading
2537 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
159 books902 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
January 15, 2015
For those of you who want to see my previous review of Book 1, you can find it.
But for my thoughts on book 2... In many ways, I liked it more than the first one!
The book picks up right where no. 1 left off - in the very same scene, in fact. It's shortly after this that one of the major upsides of this book starts to show - characters I wanted to see more of started to appear. People like Lori, Brett and Todd (all people the main character, Adam, knows) spend a lot more time on stage then some others, which I appreciated - and that's saying something from a person who LOVED the first book.
Things also turn a little grittier in this book, which I'm glad they showed - in some ways, when the characters start really talking and getting face time with the ordinary townsfolk, the cracks in their society really begin to show. Coupled with ominous lines delivered by some characters we've looked up to up until now, this makes for a very realistic and unsettling atmosphere.
There's also more comedy in this book - for fans of a certain well-known TV show, you'll probably have a hard time not laughing at some of the names that come up. The main characters also deliver some very dry humor to levy some situations. The writing also (in my mind) seems to flow more smoothly than some of what was said in the first book (which was sometimes a little wooden).
I won't spoil ANYTHING about the ending half of the book, but I will mention my main problem with this book - length. This book is significantly shorter than The Rule of Three, so in some ways it made me wanting more - although the great ending made me thirsty enough for that anyway. :)
All in all, this book is a great sequel to the Rule of Three, and I think if Walters plays his cards right he'll have a sweet, realistic trilogy in the vein of titles like Hunger Games and Divergent. Keep 'em coming!
But for my thoughts on book 2... In many ways, I liked it more than the first one!
The book picks up right where no. 1 left off - in the very same scene, in fact. It's shortly after this that one of the major upsides of this book starts to show - characters I wanted to see more of started to appear. People like Lori, Brett and Todd (all people the main character, Adam, knows) spend a lot more time on stage then some others, which I appreciated - and that's saying something from a person who LOVED the first book.
Things also turn a little grittier in this book, which I'm glad they showed - in some ways, when the characters start really talking and getting face time with the ordinary townsfolk, the cracks in their society really begin to show. Coupled with ominous lines delivered by some characters we've looked up to up until now, this makes for a very realistic and unsettling atmosphere.
There's also more comedy in this book - for fans of a certain well-known TV show, you'll probably have a hard time not laughing at some of the names that come up. The main characters also deliver some very dry humor to levy some situations. The writing also (in my mind) seems to flow more smoothly than some of what was said in the first book (which was sometimes a little wooden).
I won't spoil ANYTHING about the ending half of the book, but I will mention my main problem with this book - length. This book is significantly shorter than The Rule of Three, so in some ways it made me wanting more - although the great ending made me thirsty enough for that anyway. :)
All in all, this book is a great sequel to the Rule of Three, and I think if Walters plays his cards right he'll have a sweet, realistic trilogy in the vein of titles like Hunger Games and Divergent. Keep 'em coming!
June 6, 2022
Still lowkey bangers I swear I read these in grade 6 and they still hit
December 20, 2023
Well now! Wow! That was dramatic and traumatic! 😳 such a surprise ending… and still so many unanswered questions! Book three should be fantastic… I’ll definitely be reading it soon! 5 stars! Highly recommended!
December 30, 2014
Well. I wasn't going to read this one. But because I'm part of the blog tour, I thought I should. And even though I did not like book one at all, I admit to being curious about this one, as I felt like book one ended way too soon. Hmph. I wish I could say I loved this book. But I actually liked it less than book one. Sad face.
It just makes me so sad that I disliked these books. But damn. They were not for me. Not at all. I really wanted them both to be amazing, but for me, they were all kinds of awful. I don't think there was anything I liked about this sequel. Sort of sorry for my negative review, but I'm going to be honest about it.
I know I should have read this sequel. As I did not like book one; it was a one star for me. But I was also curious about it. And since I had the ARC from Macmillan, I just had to read it. And, of course, the blog tour in a few days. So I gave it a try. And, honestly, I had hoped this sequel would be better than book one. But no. For me, this sequel was worse than the first one. Which I'm not even sure is possible. I just so wish I had loved these books. But so happy I didn't, because these books had a lot of issues. Especially this second one. Also. Book one just suddenly ended. And then book two starts up in the same damn scene. Seriously. They are still up in the plane. I have never read any series where that has happened. It bothered me.
One of the biggest issues for me in this sequel was the writing. I cannot stand it. I'm sorry. It was just.. awful. Not realistic. There is almost no talking at all in this book. Most of it just takes place inside of Adam's head. And that isn't a good thing. Nothing is happening. Sure, some deaths. Don't care. Some kisses. Don't care. Just as bad as the first book; we kissed. She is beautiful. But not a single damn thing about the girl. Or anyone else. Who are all these people? I have no damn idea. It annoyed me so much.
Then there was all my issues with Adam. He is still just sixteen. He is still being included in all the important meetings. He is still getting to decide things. He is still so damn smart. It isn't natural. And I still don't get how the he knew to fly so damn well. How he knew just about everything. Yet he was still such an idiot. He didn't see anything coming. He didn't understand anything about anyone. Well, there isn't enough going on anyway. Hah. There is so little interactions going on. And it bothered me greatly.
I just cannot with this book. It was all kinds of awful. I'm not going to bother to explain all the things I disliked about it, because I feel like I could talk about it for ages. But I don't want to. I really don't want to. But I shall mention a few things. Like this old guy, Herb. I don't get the point of him. How come he is in charge, sort of, how come he knows all the things? How come he have so many guns and other things? Those things bothered me too. Sigh. I'm using the word bothered a whole lot in my review right now.
Then there was that guy, Brett. Seriously. I couldn't care less. He is obviously not a good guy. Yet Adam is always thinking of him as the hero and blah blah blah. He didn't like him, but damn it. Stop thinking about that idiot. I just couldn't stand him. And he is in this book a lot. Just so much boring. So much things that didn't need to be there. So many dumb people. I wish this book had been better. I wish it had been more about the power being gone. I wish there had been less people. I wish it had been exciting.
Because, damn it. This book was so boring. I wanted to stop reading it at all times. But I managed to read it fast, with few breaks. Just wanted to be done with it. I was curious about some things, true, but I was never excited about a single thing. The writing was too dull for that. I still don't know what any of the characters look like. I still don't know what any of them likes doing. Who any of them are. Oh, Adam likes to fly. Which he does all the damn time. It got boring pretty fast. Sigh. Enough of this book for me.
Huge thank you to Ksenia at Macmillan Kids for sending me a review copy of Fight for Power. <3 You are the most awesome. I'm so sorry I disliked these books. But yeah. They weren't for me. I wish I could say I'm happy I read them, but I'm not. I'm curious about other thoughts, though. So if you do read it, please let me know :) I read this because of the blog tour in early January. I might get kicked off because of my negative reviews, but if not, I am happy about being a part of the blog tour for this book. <3 Hopefully.
It just makes me so sad that I disliked these books. But damn. They were not for me. Not at all. I really wanted them both to be amazing, but for me, they were all kinds of awful. I don't think there was anything I liked about this sequel. Sort of sorry for my negative review, but I'm going to be honest about it.
I know I should have read this sequel. As I did not like book one; it was a one star for me. But I was also curious about it. And since I had the ARC from Macmillan, I just had to read it. And, of course, the blog tour in a few days. So I gave it a try. And, honestly, I had hoped this sequel would be better than book one. But no. For me, this sequel was worse than the first one. Which I'm not even sure is possible. I just so wish I had loved these books. But so happy I didn't, because these books had a lot of issues. Especially this second one. Also. Book one just suddenly ended. And then book two starts up in the same damn scene. Seriously. They are still up in the plane. I have never read any series where that has happened. It bothered me.
One of the biggest issues for me in this sequel was the writing. I cannot stand it. I'm sorry. It was just.. awful. Not realistic. There is almost no talking at all in this book. Most of it just takes place inside of Adam's head. And that isn't a good thing. Nothing is happening. Sure, some deaths. Don't care. Some kisses. Don't care. Just as bad as the first book; we kissed. She is beautiful. But not a single damn thing about the girl. Or anyone else. Who are all these people? I have no damn idea. It annoyed me so much.
Then there was all my issues with Adam. He is still just sixteen. He is still being included in all the important meetings. He is still getting to decide things. He is still so damn smart. It isn't natural. And I still don't get how the he knew to fly so damn well. How he knew just about everything. Yet he was still such an idiot. He didn't see anything coming. He didn't understand anything about anyone. Well, there isn't enough going on anyway. Hah. There is so little interactions going on. And it bothered me greatly.
I just cannot with this book. It was all kinds of awful. I'm not going to bother to explain all the things I disliked about it, because I feel like I could talk about it for ages. But I don't want to. I really don't want to. But I shall mention a few things. Like this old guy, Herb. I don't get the point of him. How come he is in charge, sort of, how come he knows all the things? How come he have so many guns and other things? Those things bothered me too. Sigh. I'm using the word bothered a whole lot in my review right now.
Then there was that guy, Brett. Seriously. I couldn't care less. He is obviously not a good guy. Yet Adam is always thinking of him as the hero and blah blah blah. He didn't like him, but damn it. Stop thinking about that idiot. I just couldn't stand him. And he is in this book a lot. Just so much boring. So much things that didn't need to be there. So many dumb people. I wish this book had been better. I wish it had been more about the power being gone. I wish there had been less people. I wish it had been exciting.
Because, damn it. This book was so boring. I wanted to stop reading it at all times. But I managed to read it fast, with few breaks. Just wanted to be done with it. I was curious about some things, true, but I was never excited about a single thing. The writing was too dull for that. I still don't know what any of the characters look like. I still don't know what any of them likes doing. Who any of them are. Oh, Adam likes to fly. Which he does all the damn time. It got boring pretty fast. Sigh. Enough of this book for me.
Huge thank you to Ksenia at Macmillan Kids for sending me a review copy of Fight for Power. <3 You are the most awesome. I'm so sorry I disliked these books. But yeah. They weren't for me. I wish I could say I'm happy I read them, but I'm not. I'm curious about other thoughts, though. So if you do read it, please let me know :) I read this because of the blog tour in early January. I might get kicked off because of my negative reviews, but if not, I am happy about being a part of the blog tour for this book. <3 Hopefully.
November 11, 2018
In The Rule of Three, life as teenager Adam Daley knew it came to an abrupt halt when a virus crashed every computer and digital-operated device in the world. With the help of his next-door neighbor, Herb, everyone in Adam's neighborhood fortified their neighborhood and made preparations to survive and defend their territory until the computers came online again. The book ended when Adam and his neighbors defeated a group of renegade soldiers who threatened to destroy their neighborhood.
Fight for Power opens with the defeat of the renegade soldiers. The title is a misnomer, though, because nothing in the story resembles a "fight for power." Everyone just breezes along planting crops and doing everything else they need to do to survive. Adam persuades his neighborhood to help some people outside their enclave. There's a weak plot line – which is easy to spot way before it comes into play – about their neighborhood being threatened from within. And there's a weak cliff hanger ending.
All in all, Fight for Power hardly contains a fight. That's unfortunate because a theme like this has so much potential if it were presented as a real existential battle, as would occur in real life.
Fight for Power opens with the defeat of the renegade soldiers. The title is a misnomer, though, because nothing in the story resembles a "fight for power." Everyone just breezes along planting crops and doing everything else they need to do to survive. Adam persuades his neighborhood to help some people outside their enclave. There's a weak plot line – which is easy to spot way before it comes into play – about their neighborhood being threatened from within. And there's a weak cliff hanger ending.
All in all, Fight for Power hardly contains a fight. That's unfortunate because a theme like this has so much potential if it were presented as a real existential battle, as would occur in real life.
October 18, 2019
I loved this book! It is a continuation of the original book, but this one involves other variables that were previously unknown. I think that the author did a very good job of starting up again right where he left off and making it perfect!
September 6, 2020
Not a fan of cliffhangers but that really makes you hook into the next one. Fortunately I have the next book and look forward to diving right in. Start to finish action, and always got to love a twist.
August 7, 2015
"The Rule of Three Fight For Power" continues Eric Walters' exciting survival adventure ten weeks after a global blackout. The military force that threatened the neighborhood has been destroyed and lies in the valley below the bridge. Even their base of operations has been deserted. Afraid that the danger has not been eradicated, Herb, the ex- CIA agent has stepped up Adam's flights in his ultralight and has Brett's team exploring and scavenging at night.
But as the neighborhood continues to maintain tight security and to refuse refugees admittance to their haven, trouble is brewing outside the gates with a new tent town. When an enemy storms the tents killing the innocent while they sleep, Adam and Herb begin to suspect that danger lurks in an unexpected direction; a menace that could disrupt the harmony in the community.
The plot begins ten weeks after a global blackout left humanity without power, scrambling for food and water and gangs of armed people attacking small communities to survive. In a fast paced, mesmerizing sequel to "The Rule of Three" threads of this story follow not only a surprise raid on the military base; a mysterious fire in a nearby condo; but an attack on the tent town that's sprung up near the wall. In the turmoil, tragedy and death that stalks the neighborhood, the inhabitants try to hold tight to their principals of decency, justice and fairplay, but with the rationing of food and fear of another attack, cracks in the neighbourhood's solidarity begin to show. As the hopelessness and anxiety mounts, doubts and uncertainty leave the community unsettled and the atmosphere tense.
Eric Walters in this absorbing struggle for survival slowly builds tension and suspense as loyalties are tested and a psychopath starts making plans to kill the community's leadership and take over the reins of authority. The intensity of the plot is often broken by Todd's wit and humor as well as the ongoing romance between Adam and Lori.
In this story the well-developed and realistic personalities of some very unforgettable characters continue to grow in complexity. Sixteen year old Adam Daley who believes in doing what's right and continues to voice his opinions still trusts explicitly in Herb and his mother's judgement. He often distances himself from the problems on the ground, taking to the air whenever he can. Upright and conscientious Adam will have to confront his worst nightmare when he has to kill or be killed. His highly independent girlfriend Lori grounds Adam with her compassion and empathy for the tenters. She's smart, level-headed, strong and suspicious of Brett's erratic behaviour. Herb the tough, skilled former agent is the key organizer and planner, who will finally make a mistake in judgement that could cost lives. As Brett becomes more and more of an adrenaline junkie his personality takes on sinister and reckless undertones. Smug, cocky and over-confident he changes, becoming more of a "plastic action hero" rather than someone Herb and the Committee can depend on.
What I like about "The Rule of Three " trilogy is its believability as the story grows and takes on momentum especially after a betrayal rocks the community bringing death and destruction. The story is intoxicating and the action gripping as the neighborhood struggles to survive in a chaotic tempest, hoping that their troubles will soon end. It will be interesting to see what Adam and his family face in the next adventure.
But as the neighborhood continues to maintain tight security and to refuse refugees admittance to their haven, trouble is brewing outside the gates with a new tent town. When an enemy storms the tents killing the innocent while they sleep, Adam and Herb begin to suspect that danger lurks in an unexpected direction; a menace that could disrupt the harmony in the community.
The plot begins ten weeks after a global blackout left humanity without power, scrambling for food and water and gangs of armed people attacking small communities to survive. In a fast paced, mesmerizing sequel to "The Rule of Three" threads of this story follow not only a surprise raid on the military base; a mysterious fire in a nearby condo; but an attack on the tent town that's sprung up near the wall. In the turmoil, tragedy and death that stalks the neighborhood, the inhabitants try to hold tight to their principals of decency, justice and fairplay, but with the rationing of food and fear of another attack, cracks in the neighbourhood's solidarity begin to show. As the hopelessness and anxiety mounts, doubts and uncertainty leave the community unsettled and the atmosphere tense.
Eric Walters in this absorbing struggle for survival slowly builds tension and suspense as loyalties are tested and a psychopath starts making plans to kill the community's leadership and take over the reins of authority. The intensity of the plot is often broken by Todd's wit and humor as well as the ongoing romance between Adam and Lori.
In this story the well-developed and realistic personalities of some very unforgettable characters continue to grow in complexity. Sixteen year old Adam Daley who believes in doing what's right and continues to voice his opinions still trusts explicitly in Herb and his mother's judgement. He often distances himself from the problems on the ground, taking to the air whenever he can. Upright and conscientious Adam will have to confront his worst nightmare when he has to kill or be killed. His highly independent girlfriend Lori grounds Adam with her compassion and empathy for the tenters. She's smart, level-headed, strong and suspicious of Brett's erratic behaviour. Herb the tough, skilled former agent is the key organizer and planner, who will finally make a mistake in judgement that could cost lives. As Brett becomes more and more of an adrenaline junkie his personality takes on sinister and reckless undertones. Smug, cocky and over-confident he changes, becoming more of a "plastic action hero" rather than someone Herb and the Committee can depend on.
What I like about "The Rule of Three " trilogy is its believability as the story grows and takes on momentum especially after a betrayal rocks the community bringing death and destruction. The story is intoxicating and the action gripping as the neighborhood struggles to survive in a chaotic tempest, hoping that their troubles will soon end. It will be interesting to see what Adam and his family face in the next adventure.
April 17, 2020
This is book 2 of the series. This book didn't miss a step. It started where book one ended I thought the first book was action-packed but this book added a whole new level to what Adam, Herb, his friends, and neighbors had to go through. Looking forward to reading the continuation in book three.
abandoned
May 22, 2016I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I started to get bored with this second one and I couldn't make it past the first few chapters. The dynamics of an EMP are so compelling, yet Fight for Power focuses more on the war between neighboring factions than it does on the present apocalyptic event. I really wanted to read more about the nuances of teenagers trying to survive life after an EMP, not teenagers in a world where adults make all the decisions and they just go with the flow. And it's way too easy of a flow, too. The author has created such clever ways that this community survives without modern conveniences that, as a reader, I keep forgetting that there even was an EMP. Unlike the adult novel One Second After, where the survivors of an EMP are confronted with life/death hardships and struggles on a daily basis (i.e. how to procure insulin shots for the diabetic little sister; whether or not to eat the family's beloved dog; etc.), this series is pretty gentle to its characters. The community faces virtually no challenges, other than the "mean guys" outside of their wall.
There is a lot of military-type strategizing, which is probably appealing for some readers, but it dragged on for me. When it starts to become "work" to read a book, that's when I know it's time to call it quits.
On the plus side, I love Adam--how moral and mature he is. There are times when his maturity is unrealistic (I often felt like I was reading about an adult, not a teenager), but I would still take this dynamic any day of the week over the whiney angst-filled protagonists you often see in YA lit.
I'm leaving my star-rating blank for now since I didn't finish the book. I still plan to give Fight for Power another chance once I've cleared my head with another novel.
There is a lot of military-type strategizing, which is probably appealing for some readers, but it dragged on for me. When it starts to become "work" to read a book, that's when I know it's time to call it quits.
On the plus side, I love Adam--how moral and mature he is. There are times when his maturity is unrealistic (I often felt like I was reading about an adult, not a teenager), but I would still take this dynamic any day of the week over the whiney angst-filled protagonists you often see in YA lit.
I'm leaving my star-rating blank for now since I didn't finish the book. I still plan to give Fight for Power another chance once I've cleared my head with another novel.
September 3, 2016
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
This book is alright! It's much more enjoyable than the first one in the series, but it's not particularly a well-written book. Most of the book is quite average, with sudden dips and peaks that occur quite randomly. Overall, it gets better as it moves along.
There were two major disappointments that bring this down from four stars to three: First, there's a scene in which some random new character named Paula attempts to kill the prisoner Quinn and he spills the beans about his base because Adam saves his life. Seems cool, right? WRONG. It's written in such a stupid, contrived, sloppy way that I actually cringed when I read it. Second, Lori (Adam's "girlfriend". I should mention the romantic scenes in this book are completely pointless) has next to no character development and she has no purpose in the story - she is mostly a liability. She does manage to befriend a "tent town" in the woods but they die later so it doesn't really matter.
Aside from those two problems, the book is enjoyable. The ending is definitely the best part of the book - Adam's character was developed enough that I actually cared about what happened to him, and it was truly thrilling to read. The rest of the book is decent.
This book is alright! It's much more enjoyable than the first one in the series, but it's not particularly a well-written book. Most of the book is quite average, with sudden dips and peaks that occur quite randomly. Overall, it gets better as it moves along.
There were two major disappointments that bring this down from four stars to three: First, there's a scene in which some random new character named Paula attempts to kill the prisoner Quinn and he spills the beans about his base because Adam saves his life. Seems cool, right? WRONG. It's written in such a stupid, contrived, sloppy way that I actually cringed when I read it. Second, Lori (Adam's "girlfriend". I should mention the romantic scenes in this book are completely pointless) has next to no character development and she has no purpose in the story - she is mostly a liability. She does manage to befriend a "tent town" in the woods but they die later so it doesn't really matter.
Aside from those two problems, the book is enjoyable. The ending is definitely the best part of the book - Adam's character was developed enough that I actually cared about what happened to him, and it was truly thrilling to read. The rest of the book is decent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2015
**I received this book for free from Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Fight for Power (Rule of Three #2) is the sequel to The Rule of Three. In fact, Fight for Power picks up right at the very same scene where Rule left off. Fight for Power is told in the first person narrative by 16-year old Adam Daley. Lead by the secretive Herb, and Adam's mother, the residents of Eden Mills have fought back a bloody invasion by The Division. Yet, nobody really believes they are truly safe from yet another group trying to take what they've created.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://www.gizmosreviews.blogspot.com...
Expected publication: January 20th 2015 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
*Genre* Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Fight for Power (Rule of Three #2) is the sequel to The Rule of Three. In fact, Fight for Power picks up right at the very same scene where Rule left off. Fight for Power is told in the first person narrative by 16-year old Adam Daley. Lead by the secretive Herb, and Adam's mother, the residents of Eden Mills have fought back a bloody invasion by The Division. Yet, nobody really believes they are truly safe from yet another group trying to take what they've created.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://www.gizmosreviews.blogspot.com...
Expected publication: January 20th 2015 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
August 7, 2015
This book is a little bit better than the first (I won't call it "better" since the first book is not good at all). There is no major, as in BIG, happenings at all but small ones leading to a I skip a lot of phrases that doesn't have dialogues since some are just describing how this happens and is written in one or two long paragraphs.
The ending is the only part that interested me
February 6, 2019
Very good sequel to Rule of Three. Things are getting more desperate as people make decisions to determine whether they will adapt or crumble in a world that has reverted back to the early 1900s (No electricity, cell phones, Internet, computers). A few even grow more sociopathic in their treatment of those around them. One neighborhood bands together and brings people and resources together to maintain food, water, and essential human needs. Other areas become more militant and lawless (destroying and taking anything useful and killing those in their way). A great examination of an apocalyptic world that harkens back to examples in history of how people behaved during blackouts and grids shutting down. It is a glimpse of a world I hope doesn't become reality any time soon! I can't wait to see how the last book ends!
April 8, 2021
This book is a sequel to Rule Of Three, this book takes place in the eden mills compound where the whole neighbour hood has to fight for survival. Adam is the main character in the story he is a teenage boy, that has a huge interest in flying planes. He uses his skills to help the neighbour survive, his enemy is the outside world there are gangs, and powerful militia forces that threaten there neighbour hood. They have to fight off threats and help there neighbourhood flourish. This book contains great suspense, mystery and always has me on the edge of my seat, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to young adults who like apocalyptic, suspenseful and mystery’s books filled with action.
December 5, 2024
More tention and surprises than the first book. What makes it a better read in my opinion. The end of the book ends in a cliffhanger which makes me eager to discover the rest of the story. Still lacks character development and a common thread story, just like the first book.
September 24, 2022
Great book with a big cliffhanger ending to make you want to read more!
March 23, 2025
I love being back in this world so much. Eric Walters has created a dystopian world that feels familiar and not very far off, and I think he has done a great job as capturing how human nature and instincts would respond in this world.
Fight for Power is one of the rare 2nd books that actually improves upon the first. The world is expanded and we are introduced to new characters, but not at the sacrifice of our original characters' development. I really appreciate that the core focus has remained on the main characters from the first book.
I can't really say too much more without spoilers, but overall, I am very excited to continue on with this series (which I just found out is 4 books, not 3?!? Either way I am excited for it!)
Fight for Power is one of the rare 2nd books that actually improves upon the first. The world is expanded and we are introduced to new characters, but not at the sacrifice of our original characters' development. I really appreciate that the core focus has remained on the main characters from the first book.
I can't really say too much more without spoilers, but overall, I am very excited to continue on with this series (which I just found out is 4 books, not 3?!? Either way I am excited for it!)
October 1, 2018
it left me off right where the 1st book ended, which was very exciting and cool.
Some important character will be a 16 year old Adam, who has an ultralight and they are just trying to survive and it is very thrilling. They need to defend.I recommend this book because so far the series is amazing, and very thrilling, and surprisingly realistic.If you like action and adventure you should totally read this it has even taught me what I should in case of the apocalypse.
Some important character will be a 16 year old Adam, who has an ultralight and they are just trying to survive and it is very thrilling. They need to defend.I recommend this book because so far the series is amazing, and very thrilling, and surprisingly realistic.If you like action and adventure you should totally read this it has even taught me what I should in case of the apocalypse.
January 14, 2015
I just finished this one and I am seriously stressed out. That last chapter! Yikes!
Fight for Power continued on where The Rule of 3 ended: with Adam and his friends and neighbours battling against the group of men who were threatening their neighbourhood. Much like The Rule of 3, Fight For Power focused on the struggle to survive. However, as more and more time passes with no hope of rescue, the group begins to focus more and more on the long term, specifically surviving the winter.
Adam is kind, thoughtful and extremely moral, which makes him a direct contrast to characters like Brett and even Herb. He constantly acts as the voice of morality for the governing committee. While I think it's a bit unrealistic that the committee would put so much stock in the opinion of a 16 year old, it does help the reading to connect with Adam and his struggle to do the right thing in such crazy times.
One thing that bothered me a little bit was that occasionally the writing and Adam's voice felt a little awkward. Like there was a bit too much explaining for a first person story.
But overall I did enjoy the survival aspect of the story and I thought the suspense at the end was very well down. I did guess what was going on before it was revealed, but not too early and I enjoy being able to pick up on author's hints and create my own theories.
Fight for Power continued on where The Rule of 3 ended: with Adam and his friends and neighbours battling against the group of men who were threatening their neighbourhood. Much like The Rule of 3, Fight For Power focused on the struggle to survive. However, as more and more time passes with no hope of rescue, the group begins to focus more and more on the long term, specifically surviving the winter.
Adam is kind, thoughtful and extremely moral, which makes him a direct contrast to characters like Brett and even Herb. He constantly acts as the voice of morality for the governing committee. While I think it's a bit unrealistic that the committee would put so much stock in the opinion of a 16 year old, it does help the reading to connect with Adam and his struggle to do the right thing in such crazy times.
One thing that bothered me a little bit was that occasionally the writing and Adam's voice felt a little awkward. Like there was a bit too much explaining for a first person story.
But overall I did enjoy the survival aspect of the story and I thought the suspense at the end was very well down. I did guess what was going on before it was revealed, but not too early and I enjoy being able to pick up on author's hints and create my own theories.
February 28, 2015
3.5 stars
The best word that I found to describe this book would be: bridge. I really loved The Rule of Three and I couldn’t wait to dig into its sequel, The Fight for Power but this novel just didn’t have the excitement and the storyline like the first book. In the prequel, I just couldn’t get enough of the drama and adventure that seemed to occur with every passing page but with this second book, I really did not feel that type of adrenaline rush or that intensity. I feel as if this book will serves as a bridge between a terrific beginning and I am hoping a fantastic ending novel, which has yet to be released. There was really nothing terribly wrong with this novel; it just didn’t have what I was expecting based on the first book in the series. The author did an excellent job emerging the situation from novel one into this second novel which really helps put things into perspective if you forgot what happened or if you hadn’t read the first novel.
As the crisis becomes more long term, individuals become more on edge and they begin to lash out at each other. Inside their walls, they are trying to be a self-sustain community but there is only so much they can do. With tents of individuals living outside their fortress, their community is always being watched, a slip and a breech is likely. How long can they survive on their own?
The best word that I found to describe this book would be: bridge. I really loved The Rule of Three and I couldn’t wait to dig into its sequel, The Fight for Power but this novel just didn’t have the excitement and the storyline like the first book. In the prequel, I just couldn’t get enough of the drama and adventure that seemed to occur with every passing page but with this second book, I really did not feel that type of adrenaline rush or that intensity. I feel as if this book will serves as a bridge between a terrific beginning and I am hoping a fantastic ending novel, which has yet to be released. There was really nothing terribly wrong with this novel; it just didn’t have what I was expecting based on the first book in the series. The author did an excellent job emerging the situation from novel one into this second novel which really helps put things into perspective if you forgot what happened or if you hadn’t read the first novel.
As the crisis becomes more long term, individuals become more on edge and they begin to lash out at each other. Inside their walls, they are trying to be a self-sustain community but there is only so much they can do. With tents of individuals living outside their fortress, their community is always being watched, a slip and a breech is likely. How long can they survive on their own?
May 19, 2015
At A Glance
Genre: Young Adult; Dystopia.
Love Triangle/Insta Love?: nope.
Cliff Hanger: Yep!
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 9
Plot: 8
Characters: 8
World Building: 7
Flow: 6
Series Congruity: 8
Writing: 7
Ending: 9
Total: 7.5
In Depth
Best Part: Bad guys got what was coming to them!
Worst Part: draggggggingggggg.
Overall Feels Felt: Dragging; Oh snap!; NOOOO!
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: yep
Recommending: yah
Misc.:
Short Review: Well this was another sequel i read recently that didn't live up to my dreams for them! I love this series thou. I love how real it is and how it truly shows how shit will go if this event for sure happens. I did love the happy parts. I won't spoil! The ending nailed it for me. But the middle dragged kinda bad. I can't wait to see how this is gonna end!
Review In GIF Form
Genre: Young Adult; Dystopia.
Love Triangle/Insta Love?: nope.
Cliff Hanger: Yep!
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 9
Plot: 8
Characters: 8
World Building: 7
Flow: 6
Series Congruity: 8
Writing: 7
Ending: 9
Total: 7.5
In Depth
Best Part: Bad guys got what was coming to them!
Worst Part: draggggggingggggg.
Overall Feels Felt: Dragging; Oh snap!; NOOOO!
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: yep
Recommending: yah
Misc.:
Short Review: Well this was another sequel i read recently that didn't live up to my dreams for them! I love this series thou. I love how real it is and how it truly shows how shit will go if this event for sure happens. I did love the happy parts. I won't spoil! The ending nailed it for me. But the middle dragged kinda bad. I can't wait to see how this is gonna end!
Review In GIF Form
March 29, 2015
For anyone that has read my reviews, you are aware that I dislike books in a series that fail to complete their internal story arc within there individual book. This book fails to do that. More so, it fails to have a significant internal story arc to begin with. So much so that at the conclusion of the book, I basically said "that was it? That was the main point of this book?" The storyline is enjoyable though I still feel things are working out too perfectly for Adam and his neighborhood. I feel they should be facing more challenges. The book picked up directly after the first novel and continued to advance what was happening with Adam's village but there seemed to be no strong plot, just day to day events.
November 16, 2017
The book rule of three is a detailed filled dystopian book that will hook you in the first chapter. It has so many characters in it and there each unique in many ways. The story line is like a puzzle because some events that happen are related to an event that happens down the road. The reason why I love this book so much is because of what the book is about. If this actually happened in real life, I feel we would have the same reaction because of how much we rely on technology. It also has a lot of action packed events so people who love action filled books would love this book. This book also has a little romance and a little bit of emotion in it so its not just for action lovers. In all this book is one of my favorites and I would recommend it to a wide range of people.
April 2, 2015
I liked this a whole lot more than the first one.. The story was as awesome as in the first one, but the characters were so much better. They got some much needed character developed and weren't just paper cutouts, as it felt like in the first book. And! Adams father is back! Yes! Yes!!!
And the ending... I can't believe herb is dead, I throughly don't believe it.
I NEED THE THIRD BOOK NOW!!!
And the ending... I can't believe herb is dead, I throughly don't believe it.
I NEED THE THIRD BOOK NOW!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2015
I need to emotionally sit down and think about this book for a week.
Currently reading
December 9, 2015
May 20, 2022
As most of you know, I hardly ever give a book five stars! It has to be one of the best books I have ever read!
That said, this book (and this series) qualifies! It is so good that I find myself trying to find more time to read it! I steal moments from my time when I am usually doing chores, cooking meals, playing with my dogs, etc. And if someone disturbs me, well ... let's just say, I am more than a bit annoyed!
As usual, I found several instances that really struck home with me.
The first is:
"It's not the same. They're prepared to kill innocents. I'm proposing that we kill the guilty to protect the innocent. Sometimes there are necessary evils that must be done. Does that make sense?" (Herb)
I slowly nodded. There were many things that were necessary, but that didn't make them any less evil." (Adam)
I have to admit that I am with Adam on this! I am blessed with a very compassionate nature. I can't stand by and see others hurt or sad or upset and not try to do something to help. I also do not believe I would ever support killing of any kind. But I am not in their situation, thank the Lord!
Like Adam, I am convinced in the humanity of man; even when the world exhibits such inhumanity of man and to man. I will never give up in believing that what is fair is the way we should live our lives!
The second instance is this.
"He (Herb) gave me (Adam) a sad smile. 'I could be, but I'm not.' He paused. 'At least I don't think I am. I've played so many games in my life that sometimes I'm not even sure anymore. What I am sure about is that we need people like me to help us survive. We also need people like you help build something that matters once we survive"
"I think we each need to part of both. Don't sell yourself short,' I said. 'I know in the end you'll not just do what needs to be done, but you'd do the right thing.'
"I know I'll do what needs to be done, ' Herb said. 'I just hope the right thing doesn't get in the way."
This discussion is laying down the philosophy of what the world has become in Adam & Herb's present day; trying to live in a world, where evil is actually right outside the gate of their community, is daunting to say the least! I am glad the author chose these characters to demonstrate that it is not all black and white by any means. In this time, morality has unfortunately gone into many grey areas!
Again, my only criticism is this world seems to have forgotten about God. Without the Lord, we won't have much of a world at all. We will have a society where most people only think about themselves! How civilized are we then?
That said, this book (and this series) qualifies! It is so good that I find myself trying to find more time to read it! I steal moments from my time when I am usually doing chores, cooking meals, playing with my dogs, etc. And if someone disturbs me, well ... let's just say, I am more than a bit annoyed!
As usual, I found several instances that really struck home with me.
The first is:
"It's not the same. They're prepared to kill innocents. I'm proposing that we kill the guilty to protect the innocent. Sometimes there are necessary evils that must be done. Does that make sense?" (Herb)
I slowly nodded. There were many things that were necessary, but that didn't make them any less evil." (Adam)
I have to admit that I am with Adam on this! I am blessed with a very compassionate nature. I can't stand by and see others hurt or sad or upset and not try to do something to help. I also do not believe I would ever support killing of any kind. But I am not in their situation, thank the Lord!
Like Adam, I am convinced in the humanity of man; even when the world exhibits such inhumanity of man and to man. I will never give up in believing that what is fair is the way we should live our lives!
The second instance is this.
"He (Herb) gave me (Adam) a sad smile. 'I could be, but I'm not.' He paused. 'At least I don't think I am. I've played so many games in my life that sometimes I'm not even sure anymore. What I am sure about is that we need people like me to help us survive. We also need people like you help build something that matters once we survive"
"I think we each need to part of both. Don't sell yourself short,' I said. 'I know in the end you'll not just do what needs to be done, but you'd do the right thing.'
"I know I'll do what needs to be done, ' Herb said. 'I just hope the right thing doesn't get in the way."
This discussion is laying down the philosophy of what the world has become in Adam & Herb's present day; trying to live in a world, where evil is actually right outside the gate of their community, is daunting to say the least! I am glad the author chose these characters to demonstrate that it is not all black and white by any means. In this time, morality has unfortunately gone into many grey areas!
Again, my only criticism is this world seems to have forgotten about God. Without the Lord, we won't have much of a world at all. We will have a society where most people only think about themselves! How civilized are we then?
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January 13, 2021 The book that I am doing my book review on is called “The Rule of 3 Fight for Power.” The book is written by Eric Walters and the lexile level is 730L. The book is about how it has been over a month after the power and everything with electronics has been cut out and they still are having to find a way through this wasteland. And even without their electronics they are making things out of ordinary things that you can find at people’s houses.
I would say that if there is a theme for this book it would be something along the lines of everyone has something that they can do that others might not be able to do and that they should make use of the talent that they have. Some way that it showed this throughout the book was when they were talking to a character that had lived in their neighborhood that was a doctor and they had set up a clinic of sorts to help with sick people. Another way that this was shown is the fact that the main character was taking flying lessons in school, and he and his father had built a sort of makeshift aircraft that would actually take flight, and they had used that in raids that they had done on different places that were planning on attacking them. A piece of textual evidence that reveals something about a character was when the main character and a guy named Brett were out hunting they ran into some kids and the main character said “I’m going to get that kid the meat I gave him my word.”
From me reading the first and second books in this series I would really like to recommend it to people who are interested in almost anything that has to do with things like the apocalypse and warfare. Some of the reasons that I liked the book was that when they are going into a time where they are fighting the author really makes you feel like you are there with them even if you are just reading the book. And I just really like Eric Walters writing style and how he incorporates characters talking to each other and knowing what a person would be saying or thinking if they had never had to deal with something like this before, and more to do with his writing style. In the book the main character and Brett get mad at each other because Brett said that he shot the deer and that the kill was his but the main character said that they needed to be fair and give the kid his share because he shot it. That is my book review on “ The Rule of Three; Fight for Power.”
I would say that if there is a theme for this book it would be something along the lines of everyone has something that they can do that others might not be able to do and that they should make use of the talent that they have. Some way that it showed this throughout the book was when they were talking to a character that had lived in their neighborhood that was a doctor and they had set up a clinic of sorts to help with sick people. Another way that this was shown is the fact that the main character was taking flying lessons in school, and he and his father had built a sort of makeshift aircraft that would actually take flight, and they had used that in raids that they had done on different places that were planning on attacking them. A piece of textual evidence that reveals something about a character was when the main character and a guy named Brett were out hunting they ran into some kids and the main character said “I’m going to get that kid the meat I gave him my word.”
From me reading the first and second books in this series I would really like to recommend it to people who are interested in almost anything that has to do with things like the apocalypse and warfare. Some of the reasons that I liked the book was that when they are going into a time where they are fighting the author really makes you feel like you are there with them even if you are just reading the book. And I just really like Eric Walters writing style and how he incorporates characters talking to each other and knowing what a person would be saying or thinking if they had never had to deal with something like this before, and more to do with his writing style. In the book the main character and Brett get mad at each other because Brett said that he shot the deer and that the kill was his but the main character said that they needed to be fair and give the kid his share because he shot it. That is my book review on “ The Rule of Three; Fight for Power.”
June 16, 2017
Fight for Power was a book I was looking forward to reading ever since I finished the first book in Eric Walter’s trilogy, The Rule of Three. I had high expectations for the book, and it did not disappoint. It picked up right where the first book left off and left me wondering where Walters would go with the final book of the trilogy, which I fully intend on reading this summer. This dystopian novel depicts a world in which any item with a computer or requires electricity to run is hindered useless after the ‘blackout.’ From cell phones, to light bulbs, to even cars and planes, nothing worked, except older and simpler engines such those that the protagonist, Adam Daley, owns. The action never slows once you get into the book, and from beginning to end, it is hard to take any breaks.
As the first book ended, the second book began in the very same scene; Adam and his seemingly mild-mannered neighborhood of Eden Mills just blew up a bridge to halt an oncoming attack. With no electrical appliances working, communities start to band together to form smaller societies with no outside contact. Eden Mills decided to become defensive, setting up large walls around the perimeter and guarding what they had inside the walls. This defensive effort is led by Adam’s mother, and chief of police, and their neighbor, and ex-CIA agent, Herb. The agrarian community is working well, but they still have salvage groups, heavily armed, that go beyond the walls to find resources necessary to livelihood within the walls. A lot of the conflict in the story arises from a belligerent young police cadet, Brett, who heads the night patrols. Herb set up the night patrols to gain intelligence on what happens outside the walls at night, and found some very important information because of it. Living in constant fear of the world outside the walls, the story takes a turn when the reader find out the greatest enemy may be inside the walls rather than out.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, action, or dystopian novels, but read the first book, The Rule of Three, before the second. The characters are all well developed, and some you will love, and others you can tell right off that their personalities are a little sketchy. Enjoy!
As the first book ended, the second book began in the very same scene; Adam and his seemingly mild-mannered neighborhood of Eden Mills just blew up a bridge to halt an oncoming attack. With no electrical appliances working, communities start to band together to form smaller societies with no outside contact. Eden Mills decided to become defensive, setting up large walls around the perimeter and guarding what they had inside the walls. This defensive effort is led by Adam’s mother, and chief of police, and their neighbor, and ex-CIA agent, Herb. The agrarian community is working well, but they still have salvage groups, heavily armed, that go beyond the walls to find resources necessary to livelihood within the walls. A lot of the conflict in the story arises from a belligerent young police cadet, Brett, who heads the night patrols. Herb set up the night patrols to gain intelligence on what happens outside the walls at night, and found some very important information because of it. Living in constant fear of the world outside the walls, the story takes a turn when the reader find out the greatest enemy may be inside the walls rather than out.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, action, or dystopian novels, but read the first book, The Rule of Three, before the second. The characters are all well developed, and some you will love, and others you can tell right off that their personalities are a little sketchy. Enjoy!
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