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Outer Earth #3
Impact
Following Tracer and Zero-G comes Impact , the explosive conclusion to the Outer Earth trilogy -- a heart-pounding thriller set in space where the hero moves like lightning and the consequences for failure are deadly.
A signal has been picked up from Earth.
The planet was supposed to be uninhabitable. But it seems there are survivors down there -- with supplies, shelter and running water. Perhaps there could be a future for humanity on Earth after all.
Riley Hale will find out soon enough. She's stuck on a spaceship with the group of terrorists that is planning to brave the planet's atmosphere and crash-land on the surface.
But when the re-entry goes wrong, Riley ends up hundreds of miles from her companions Prakesh and Carver, alone in a barren wilderness. She'll have to use everything she knows to survive.
And all of them are about to find out that nothing on Earth is what it seems . . .
A signal has been picked up from Earth.
The planet was supposed to be uninhabitable. But it seems there are survivors down there -- with supplies, shelter and running water. Perhaps there could be a future for humanity on Earth after all.
Riley Hale will find out soon enough. She's stuck on a spaceship with the group of terrorists that is planning to brave the planet's atmosphere and crash-land on the surface.
But when the re-entry goes wrong, Riley ends up hundreds of miles from her companions Prakesh and Carver, alone in a barren wilderness. She'll have to use everything she knows to survive.
And all of them are about to find out that nothing on Earth is what it seems . . .
463 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 25, 2016
13 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Rob Boffard
11 books111 followersRob. Thirty-one. Author. Journalist. Sound Engineer. Snowboarder. Hip-hop artist. Tall. Basketball-player-length arms. Lots of tattoos. Glasses. Bad hair. Proud South African. Born in Johannesburg. Splits time between London and Vancouver. Digs New York. Doesn’t dig Vegas. Loves New Orleans. Not a helicopter pilot.
Debut novel. Tracer. On Orbit Books. Out now. Space stations. Parkour. Explosions. Good times. Two sequels. Huzzah!
Debut novel. Tracer. On Orbit Books. Out now. Space stations. Parkour. Explosions. Good times. Two sequels. Huzzah!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 14, 2016
Oh Impact. How I loved you. Except now we are at the end of the Outer Earth trilogy and I am immeasurably bereft. But before I sobbed into my pillow I was all OOH. Yay. Wait don’t do that. NO OR THAT. Ok you can do that. DON’T GO SO FAST. Actually go faster…
Rob Boffard’s writing style is akin to racing a Ferrari down a one way street and hoping to God the brakes are good before you hit the wall – it is fast, furious, utterly delightful and manages somehow to be as character driven as it is action packed. This was true of Tracer, of Zero-G and is even more true of Impact in a lot of ways as the author widens the scope and sets new targets in his sights.
I can’t really review the plot that much – I’m aware that some people will not even have started this series yet (why not? Go grab those car keys) so don’t want to spoil anything at all. Suffice to say the entire experience has been one of adrenalin fuelled imaginative joy with the odd introspective moment that just adds a beautiful layer to the whole. If you like your thrills thrilling, your characters complex and your world building artistic and ingenious then the Outer Earth trilogy is probably for you.
Loved it. And then loved it some more. What now Mr Boffard I say what now? Do that again. Do it better. Do it FASTER. Why even bother with brakes?
Mad, exhilarating insanity. Every. Second. Counts.
That is all.
Highly Recommended.
Rob Boffard’s writing style is akin to racing a Ferrari down a one way street and hoping to God the brakes are good before you hit the wall – it is fast, furious, utterly delightful and manages somehow to be as character driven as it is action packed. This was true of Tracer, of Zero-G and is even more true of Impact in a lot of ways as the author widens the scope and sets new targets in his sights.
I can’t really review the plot that much – I’m aware that some people will not even have started this series yet (why not? Go grab those car keys) so don’t want to spoil anything at all. Suffice to say the entire experience has been one of adrenalin fuelled imaginative joy with the odd introspective moment that just adds a beautiful layer to the whole. If you like your thrills thrilling, your characters complex and your world building artistic and ingenious then the Outer Earth trilogy is probably for you.
Loved it. And then loved it some more. What now Mr Boffard I say what now? Do that again. Do it better. Do it FASTER. Why even bother with brakes?
Mad, exhilarating insanity. Every. Second. Counts.
That is all.
Highly Recommended.
September 11, 2016
This book was great, non-stop action like the previous two in the trilogy. I love the dystopia that Boffard built, and did I mention it is action packed? His short chapter structure adds to the urgency of the book, there's always something going on and while you're reading you think, "just one more chapter before I put it down."
So why only 3 stars? The main protagonist, Riley, is just so whiny to me. She's supposed to be in her earlier twenties but comes off like a sophomore in high school sometimes. I wish that Boffard would have built more on her PTSD as opposed to her relationships with Prakesh and Carver. The actual teen girl from the trilogy, Anna, comes off as a much stronger and mature character to me, especially in this book.
Despite my complaints of Riley's love life, I enjoyed all three of these books and will absolutely buy the next books that Rob Boffard writes.
So why only 3 stars? The main protagonist, Riley, is just so whiny to me. She's supposed to be in her earlier twenties but comes off like a sophomore in high school sometimes. I wish that Boffard would have built more on her PTSD as opposed to her relationships with Prakesh and Carver. The actual teen girl from the trilogy, Anna, comes off as a much stronger and mature character to me, especially in this book.
Despite my complaints of Riley's love life, I enjoyed all three of these books and will absolutely buy the next books that Rob Boffard writes.
June 22, 2018
Meh. Serien opna bra. Andreboka tok ein del av det gode frå førsteboka vidare, men trearen var ein nedtur eg dryge over nesten ein månad. Greitt å vita korleis det endar, elles sit eg ikkje att med mykje etter denne boka.
September 11, 2022
This was the first series by Rob Boffard that I've read, and the premise, prose and pacing are all excellent. Impact is the conclusion of the Outer Earth trilogy, and I can tell that Boffard is knowledgeable about the science he's writing about and clearly has done some setting research. I appreciate this as an Alaskan because most of the book takes place near Anchorage, my home town.
There were a couple minor gripes that brought the book down one star, including the fact that some of the conflict that set up the climax of the book seemed self-inflicted. It was a little hard to sympathize with the main character, Riley Hale when she actively makes her situation worse several times to satisfy her rage at another character.
Additionally:
Again, these choices may have felt more realistic to the writer (and many readers), but it isn't very satisfying to read about. For what is basically an action/sci-fi without much depth of meaning beneath the plot, it didn't feel worth the darkness that this type of morbid realism engenders in an otherwise very fun read. But this is my personal opinion, and I have to admit that while I was left a little dissatisfied by the conclusion, the writing was excellent and so was the premise. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fast-paced action, sprinkled with pretty believable sci-fi elements. I'll be keeping my eye out for other things written by Boffard.
There were a couple minor gripes that brought the book down one star, including the fact that some of the conflict that set up the climax of the book seemed self-inflicted. It was a little hard to sympathize with the main character, Riley Hale when she actively makes her situation worse several times to satisfy her rage at another character.
Additionally:
Again, these choices may have felt more realistic to the writer (and many readers), but it isn't very satisfying to read about. For what is basically an action/sci-fi without much depth of meaning beneath the plot, it didn't feel worth the darkness that this type of morbid realism engenders in an otherwise very fun read. But this is my personal opinion, and I have to admit that while I was left a little dissatisfied by the conclusion, the writing was excellent and so was the premise. I would recommend this to anyone who likes fast-paced action, sprinkled with pretty believable sci-fi elements. I'll be keeping my eye out for other things written by Boffard.
July 1, 2017
The final part of Rob Boffard’s “Outer Earth” trilogy packs just as munch punch as the previous two books. Impact picks up the story immediately after Zero-G’s cliff-hanger ending, with our hero, Riley Hale and he companions drifting away from the Outer Earth space station.
The bulk of the action in the final instalment takes place on a cold and almost barren Earth. Raveg by a nuclear holocaust, the whole planet is swathed in an eternal winter; except for one area centred on Anchorage, where things have started to change.
The pace of Impact is relentless, and the body count just as high as in the previous two books. But now Riley is no longer trying to save the station – that is beyond saving now – this time she is after revenge. There is definitely going to be reckoning, and she knows who is going to come out on top. She also needs to decide who she wants to be with.
Back on Outer Earth things are going from bad to worse. The damage inflicted by the fire fight at the end of the second book has forced the remaining residents into the lonely intact section of the station, but time is running out and there are not enough escape pods for everyone. Who lives and who dies is to be decided by lottery.
The race to escape the station and Riley’s personal race for revenge and answers can only be won by the kind of daredevil escapades that have become the hallmark of this series. If you like your thrillers full of action then this is definitely a must. A great read that kept me hooked from the very beginning to the climactic end.
The bulk of the action in the final instalment takes place on a cold and almost barren Earth. Raveg by a nuclear holocaust, the whole planet is swathed in an eternal winter; except for one area centred on Anchorage, where things have started to change.
The pace of Impact is relentless, and the body count just as high as in the previous two books. But now Riley is no longer trying to save the station – that is beyond saving now – this time she is after revenge. There is definitely going to be reckoning, and she knows who is going to come out on top. She also needs to decide who she wants to be with.
Back on Outer Earth things are going from bad to worse. The damage inflicted by the fire fight at the end of the second book has forced the remaining residents into the lonely intact section of the station, but time is running out and there are not enough escape pods for everyone. Who lives and who dies is to be decided by lottery.
The race to escape the station and Riley’s personal race for revenge and answers can only be won by the kind of daredevil escapades that have become the hallmark of this series. If you like your thrillers full of action then this is definitely a must. A great read that kept me hooked from the very beginning to the climactic end.
September 25, 2019
Boffard, Rob. Impact. Outer Earth 3. Redhook, 2016.
The Outer Earth trilogy concludes by forcing Riley Hale and her friends, frenemies and enemies from the space station to find out what is happening on earth. It turns out that things are just as chaotic and unexpectedly dangerous there as they were in space. As usual action trumps all. So, if you like a roller coaster ride, you will like this one. But you will have to put your rational impulses aside.
The Outer Earth trilogy concludes by forcing Riley Hale and her friends, frenemies and enemies from the space station to find out what is happening on earth. It turns out that things are just as chaotic and unexpectedly dangerous there as they were in space. As usual action trumps all. So, if you like a roller coaster ride, you will like this one. But you will have to put your rational impulses aside.
July 24, 2017
This was a good conclusion a fun trilogy.
The story is well paced, working from cliffhanger to cliffhanger in a way that is just shy of overdone.
Overall, I didn't possess the same quality of the previous two parts, but hats-off to the seamless change of setting whilst staying true to the series.
3.5 stars rounded up. Solid.
The story is well paced, working from cliffhanger to cliffhanger in a way that is just shy of overdone.
Overall, I didn't possess the same quality of the previous two parts, but hats-off to the seamless change of setting whilst staying true to the series.
3.5 stars rounded up. Solid.
February 28, 2017
Top Shelf. Again.
October 12, 2019
High level action but too far-fetched for my liking.
February 8, 2021
A thrilling end to a hugely entertaining trilogy. More please!
February 4, 2024
Change of location made it feel less sci-Fi than the first two books. However, great characters and a driving plot made it hard to put down. Almost makes me want to take up running again
September 22, 2016
It's not really a spoiler that this book takes place on Earth. The title of the book suggests it, and if you read the back cover blurb, you'll know for certain. It makes sense that the trilogy takes us there -- Boffard has been hinting at it since the first book -- but it strikes me as odd that the catchphrase on the cover is "In space, there are no second chances...". Why not "On Earth, there are no second chances..."? It's not a spoiler, after all.
Impact concludes the story of Riley Hale, who crash-lands on Earth after the events of Zero-G. She crashes apart from her shipmates, and spends part of the story trying to find them. While she's doing that, her surviving shipmates are finding troubles of their own,after tracing the source of the radio message that drew them back to Earth in the first place.
Boffard utilizes short microchapters in this book, as he did with the two preceding ones. I like this style, since it keeps the story moving forward, and makes it harder to stop reading, since it's easy to justify reading two or three more pages before, say, going to sleep. I found that the microchapters worked best here, though, since Boffard finally started flitting about among his main characters more equally (though Riley still gets the most attention), shifting from Riley to Okwembu to Prakesh and then back through them again. It keeps the tension high, since the reader will have to wait a few more pages before seeing how a scene will end. In previous books, the chapters would end on a high point, and then jump right into the next chapter with its immediate resolution; Boffard avoids that here, and the story improves because of it.
The story continues to strain credibility with me. I forgot to mention in my Zero-G review that Riley had bombs in her knees, which didn't prevent her from running, nor did her immediately waking from the surgery and having to run halfway across the station. Within just a few hours, she's performing high-kicks and breaking people's jaws with her feet, with freshly-stitched incisions in the backs of her knees providing no problems. Sure, she has painkillers, and suffers a few aches in her knees, but overall she's moving around as well as Elizabeth Shaw did in Prometheus after having abdominal surgery, and I couldn't believe it. It happens in Impact, too. In one case, the crew in the escape ship aims for Alaska, and after entering the atmosphere earlier than they expected and losing control of the ship on re-entry, they still manage to hit their target close enough to count.
I also had some problems believing what some of the characters do in the story. A complaint I had about the previous books was how Boffard had his characters react however was necessary to keep his story moving, and I found that in Impact, as well. I can't go into specifics without giving too much of the story away, but a critical decision one of the characters makes in the last third of the novel goes against everything they believed in the previous chapter. Boffard makes an effort to give us some of the difficulties the character goes through before making the decision, but it didn't feel like enough to me. Why create such a principled character if they can waffle like that on such an important choice?
The characterization overall felt weak, but I can let it slide some since the book is more about plot than character. That being said, I've read books that have both, so I know it can be done. Even the characters with so much to lose feel flat, when we should have more of a connection to them. Boffard has a habit of glossing over large chunks of the story that seem pretty important, which I think plays into how I feel about his characters. He'll jump from a riveting scene with a lot of tension to its immediate conclusion, robbing the reader of the chance to feel concern for the characters. How can we make that connection if we never worry for them?
Impact is entertaining, as much as either Tracer or Zero-G was. They don't break new ground, and they won't leave a lasting impression on the readers, but for engaging science-fiction thrillers, they work well enough. They lack the emotional impact of books like The Martian, namely because Boffard's characters don't quite hit the mark, but they're compelling. They're solid beach reads, but not much more than that.
Impact concludes the story of Riley Hale, who crash-lands on Earth after the events of Zero-G. She crashes apart from her shipmates, and spends part of the story trying to find them. While she's doing that, her surviving shipmates are finding troubles of their own,after tracing the source of the radio message that drew them back to Earth in the first place.
Boffard utilizes short microchapters in this book, as he did with the two preceding ones. I like this style, since it keeps the story moving forward, and makes it harder to stop reading, since it's easy to justify reading two or three more pages before, say, going to sleep. I found that the microchapters worked best here, though, since Boffard finally started flitting about among his main characters more equally (though Riley still gets the most attention), shifting from Riley to Okwembu to Prakesh and then back through them again. It keeps the tension high, since the reader will have to wait a few more pages before seeing how a scene will end. In previous books, the chapters would end on a high point, and then jump right into the next chapter with its immediate resolution; Boffard avoids that here, and the story improves because of it.
The story continues to strain credibility with me. I forgot to mention in my Zero-G review that Riley had bombs in her knees, which didn't prevent her from running, nor did her immediately waking from the surgery and having to run halfway across the station. Within just a few hours, she's performing high-kicks and breaking people's jaws with her feet, with freshly-stitched incisions in the backs of her knees providing no problems. Sure, she has painkillers, and suffers a few aches in her knees, but overall she's moving around as well as Elizabeth Shaw did in Prometheus after having abdominal surgery, and I couldn't believe it. It happens in Impact, too. In one case, the crew in the escape ship aims for Alaska, and after entering the atmosphere earlier than they expected and losing control of the ship on re-entry, they still manage to hit their target close enough to count.
I also had some problems believing what some of the characters do in the story. A complaint I had about the previous books was how Boffard had his characters react however was necessary to keep his story moving, and I found that in Impact, as well. I can't go into specifics without giving too much of the story away, but a critical decision one of the characters makes in the last third of the novel goes against everything they believed in the previous chapter. Boffard makes an effort to give us some of the difficulties the character goes through before making the decision, but it didn't feel like enough to me. Why create such a principled character if they can waffle like that on such an important choice?
The characterization overall felt weak, but I can let it slide some since the book is more about plot than character. That being said, I've read books that have both, so I know it can be done. Even the characters with so much to lose feel flat, when we should have more of a connection to them. Boffard has a habit of glossing over large chunks of the story that seem pretty important, which I think plays into how I feel about his characters. He'll jump from a riveting scene with a lot of tension to its immediate conclusion, robbing the reader of the chance to feel concern for the characters. How can we make that connection if we never worry for them?
Impact is entertaining, as much as either Tracer or Zero-G was. They don't break new ground, and they won't leave a lasting impression on the readers, but for engaging science-fiction thrillers, they work well enough. They lack the emotional impact of books like The Martian, namely because Boffard's characters don't quite hit the mark, but they're compelling. They're solid beach reads, but not much more than that.
September 24, 2016
Terrific end to the Tracer series. Very well thought out story that kept you wanting to read what happens next. My only small dislike was 98% into the end of the book where the author Fast Forwarded/Skipped an event in the story that was being led up to since the beginning. Almost felt cheated that there wasn't another Anna chapter. Please, please put it in the story!
June 12, 2019
good ending to the trilogy love robs writing style
October 30, 2016
Wow, Rob Boffard leaves the best part of the Outer Earth trilogy till last! Impact is outstanding, exhilarating, nail biting science fiction!
Warning Spoilers next...
We return to Outer Earth after the events of book two Zero G. Riley Hale, Carver, Prakesh and a party of Earthers are on an asteroid catcher ship towing and asteroid in front for protection as they attempt an entry into Earth's atmosphere. Chasing a signal which indicates the possibility there is life surviving on Earth.
An impact and crash landing separates Riley from Carver and Prakesh leading to a fight for survival in the harsh weather conditions and aggressive wild animals.
Carver and Prakesh are rescued by a community living out an existence in an old abandoned US navy aircraft carrier in what used to be Alaska.
The community is not what it seems and puts the survivors of Outer Earth in mortal danger. Can Riley battle her way through the harsh and dangerous wilderness of northern Canada and Alaska to find Carver and Prakesh and can they make a go of life on Earth.
I loved this book, incredibly addictive, thrilling and inspiring. I'm quite sad the trilogy is over. I really hope Rob Boffard decides to continue with the story of the survivors on Earth!
Highly recommended five stars.
Warning Spoilers next...
We return to Outer Earth after the events of book two Zero G. Riley Hale, Carver, Prakesh and a party of Earthers are on an asteroid catcher ship towing and asteroid in front for protection as they attempt an entry into Earth's atmosphere. Chasing a signal which indicates the possibility there is life surviving on Earth.
An impact and crash landing separates Riley from Carver and Prakesh leading to a fight for survival in the harsh weather conditions and aggressive wild animals.
Carver and Prakesh are rescued by a community living out an existence in an old abandoned US navy aircraft carrier in what used to be Alaska.
The community is not what it seems and puts the survivors of Outer Earth in mortal danger. Can Riley battle her way through the harsh and dangerous wilderness of northern Canada and Alaska to find Carver and Prakesh and can they make a go of life on Earth.
I loved this book, incredibly addictive, thrilling and inspiring. I'm quite sad the trilogy is over. I really hope Rob Boffard decides to continue with the story of the survivors on Earth!
Highly recommended five stars.
September 4, 2016
Regular readers will be aware that I am somewhat of a fan of Mr Boffard's work. Tracer was fantastic and made my books of the year list for 2015, Zero-G upped the ante, and now we have Impact, book #3 in the Outer Earth trilogy.
The question was, having turned the action up to 11 for Zero-G, could Rob find a new setting on the dial for the finale?
Well, yeah, he knocked it out of the park.
Again.
Impact is an interesting change of setting from the first two as we find Riley and chums down on earth. The action still comes thick and fast, and the stakes are cranked up to the max. Facing new dangers, she has to put her tracer skills to full use just to survive.
Hard to say more without spoilers, but go with me on this - if you liked Tracer and Zero-G, you're going to love Impact. And if you've not read Tracer or Zero-G, what are you waiting for? You're in for quite a ride...
The question was, having turned the action up to 11 for Zero-G, could Rob find a new setting on the dial for the finale?
Well, yeah, he knocked it out of the park.
Again.
Impact is an interesting change of setting from the first two as we find Riley and chums down on earth. The action still comes thick and fast, and the stakes are cranked up to the max. Facing new dangers, she has to put her tracer skills to full use just to survive.
Hard to say more without spoilers, but go with me on this - if you liked Tracer and Zero-G, you're going to love Impact. And if you've not read Tracer or Zero-G, what are you waiting for? You're in for quite a ride...
January 11, 2017
Awesome ending to a generally awesome trilogy. Riley (unlike some heroes I could mention, coughNickSeaforthcough) is able to survive an entirely new and pretty damn hostile environment, adapt as needed, and push past her anger and guilt over everything that happened on Outer Earth. I also applaud the very well-done perspective of what it must look and feel like on a planet after an entire life spent in an orbital, man-made environment. Riley has to adjust to surfaces that aren't uniformly smooth and firm (makes her tracer/parkour moves much trickier), the whole concept of a horizon, and the delights of weather in the Yukon. Poor thing.
I stand by my casting of Viola Davis as Janice Okwembu, Rahul Kohli as Prakesh Kumar, and someone not white (Amandla Steinberg? Auli'i Cravalho?) as Riley. Come on, Hollywood, this concept is just waiting for you...
I stand by my casting of Viola Davis as Janice Okwembu, Rahul Kohli as Prakesh Kumar, and someone not white (Amandla Steinberg? Auli'i Cravalho?) as Riley. Come on, Hollywood, this concept is just waiting for you...
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January 25, 2018I read this without realising it was the third instalment in a series, so for that reason i'm going to reserve judgement until i've at least read the first book. But i'm not in a big hurry to pick it up.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews