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Collapse

(The Ashwood Lies #1)

R.J. Infantino (Goodreads Author)

3.89 · Rating details · 151 ratings · 37 reviews

How far would you go to save your friends?

When Chase finds survival gear hidden in the attic of his boarding school, he realizes Ashwood Prep isn’t what it seems. Thrust into a conspiracy that is centuries old, he can choose to run or stand up and fight.

After an earthquake cuts the school off from the rest of the world, Chase has to figure out who’s a friend, who’s an ene ...more

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Kindle Edition, 273 pages

Published December 27th 2016 by Kindle Press

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Average rating 3.89 ·

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· 151 ratings · 37 reviews

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Start your review of Collapse (The Ashwood Lies, #1)

Feb 15, 2017 Sarah Elizabeth rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, r2r-complete, dystopian, read-2017, do

(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to Kindle Scout.)

This was a YA apocalyptic story, about some kids at a boarding school.

The characters in this were okay, but I didn't really love any of them, and found them quite hard to connect with.

The storyline in this was about a boarding school where kids were trained to be useful in the event of an apocalypse. I found the story quite boring though, and struggled to finish the book.

The ending had a bit of action and some unexpected ...more

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Aug 06, 2017 Montzalee Wittmann rated it liked it

Collapse (The Ashwood Lies #1) by R.J. Infantino is a kindle scout book. It is more a teen book and has a good plot and interesting characters. The teens dialogue seemed real enough. It had intrigue, suspense, adventure and some action esp. near the end. I don't know if adults will find this down their alley but teens might find it good. ...more

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Sep 04, 2017 Alice rated it it was ok

Shelves: dnf, 2-star

2* dnf: 25%
(edit: The romance was stupid and the plot was lame.)

This book does some of my pet peeves. Puts in character development with the love interest by random conversation without relating it to the plot. Lots of flashbacks to past events. Whenever the main character meets someone he knows he gives a long description on his history with them. Just have a conversation (related to the actual plot of course) and I will know what type of character they are. Action scenes were ok.

The best part ...more

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Jul 04, 2017 Susie rated it liked it

Recommended to Susie by: Kindle Scout

Shelves: owned, thriller, mystery, science-fiction, young-adult, dystopia, ebooks, apocalyptic, kindle-scout

Yes, but no.

I voted for this in the Kindle Scout program. It is one of the few books that I’ve ever read preview chapters for before selecting and it left me intrigued. But, when it came down to the book itself, that same first few lines dissipated into… High School drama. Now that can’t be too bad, if it were more than that, and more solid. Eventually, the story is. Eventually there’s more to it than boys who like girls and girls who like boys and all the quarrelling and infighting and gossip. Yes, but no.

I voted for this in the Kindle Scout program. It is one of the few books that I’ve ever read preview chapters for before selecting and it left me intrigued. But, when it came down to the book itself, that same first few lines dissipated into… High School drama. Now that can’t be too bad, if it were more than that, and more solid. Eventually, the story is. Eventually there’s more to it than boys who like girls and girls who like boys and all the quarrelling and infighting and gossip. But, eventually. You have to trawl through several pages to start to find the intrigue. It’s strange how these usual, mundane high-school activities can actually lead to something extraordinary. Well, what do we know? The students themselves have been selected to study based on their extraordinary qualities and strengths (and we’re not talking superheroes here).

Disaster strikes and these highly-intelligent students are put to the test. Who will survive? Will fighting and rivalry destroy them all? Can they eventually pull together in the end?

The beginning was boring enough that I could barely bring myself to read a chapter at a time. The middle started to pick up somewhat. The ending suddenly became so interesting that it raced. The characters didn’t really have enough depth to be able to picture them accurately, which also made the story drag. Yet, on a whole, enough tension could be put inside the groups to make them believable.

Another failing, however, (aside from the incomplete editing) was that the beginning doesn’t completely match the ending. Now is it the apocalypse or isn’t it? Are they going to choose to survive or not? I can understand that the beginning was written for the sake of drama (we have so many days to live, etc.), but considering that everything is written from the viewpoint of one of the survivors, Chase, who knows very well as he’s writing it all out that he has a choice to make if he wishes to survive, it negates the opening lure. Just as it was getting exciting, that realisation throws frustration into the mix.

Will I read the next instalment or not? I’m intrigued, based on the ending, but considering the current length of my TBR, I think I’m going to let the rest of this one pass me by.

Final rating: ★★★☆☆ – Sort of liked/OK ...more

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Jan 07, 2017 Jason rated it really liked it

This is like a cross between Lord of the Flies and the multitude of young-adult dystopian books that are out at the moment, but with a good mix of gender equality. I will definitely give Infantino credit there, there is a good quantity of strong female characters in this book. Unfortunately, given that it is aimed at a young adult audience, I'm not sure it would pass the Bechdel test as the Female characters do tend to talk a lot about boys and be infatuated with them.
However, this is a really f This is like a cross between Lord of the Flies and the multitude of young-adult dystopian books that are out at the moment, but with a good mix of gender equality. I will definitely give Infantino credit there, there is a good quantity of strong female characters in this book. Unfortunately, given that it is aimed at a young adult audience, I'm not sure it would pass the Bechdel test as the Female characters do tend to talk a lot about boys and be infatuated with them.
However, this is a really fun and interesting story, and worth the read.
The story follows Chase, who is in his 4th year at the Ashwood Academy, a prestigious boarding school for those who are talented. The boys like to go shiking at night, lurking through the academy after lights out, to see what they can discover, without getting caught. If you get caught by a professor, you are expelled. Of course, during their ‘Shiking’, they finally manage to get into the heavily secured attic, and find all sorts of gear, including guns. This leads to some other interesting discoveries after a run in with one of the Professors. However, before anything else can happen, there is a major series of Earthquakes, the school is cut off from everywhere, communications are destroyed, and it appears that this may not just be a locale Earthquake.
Further to this, it happens at break time, when there are only a few dozen students at the school, including most of Chase’s senior class who stayed to study, with some Professors, and this leads to more interesting outcomes.
The book develops at a bit of a slow pace to start with, but there is some good Character development in these early stages that gives you insight for later in the story when things pick up and are running faster. As the story progresses, multiple different plots are introduced, compelling you to read on.
This is definitely an interesting read, and I'm looking forward to the next books to see how the story continues and progresses. Particular events are going to unfold that will be fascinating for particular characters. This is the true strength of Infantino’s writing, you just can’t wait to read what is going to happen next. ...more

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Jan 01, 2017 Susan rated it liked it

3.5 stars. I first found this on the Kindle Scout site. I wanted to read it it just from the 2 chapters posted there and made sure to nominate it. So glad I did! Collapse is the first book in the Ashwood Lies series and does end in a cliffhanger. There is violence.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. This is a dystopian thriller filled with high schoolers attending a private school in the middle of nowhere. They are not aware that th ...more

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Feb 19, 2017 Kay Smillie rated it liked it

I was given this eBook free through the Kindle Scout scheme.

The chapters posted on the Kindle Scout website enticed me to vote for this book at the time as it sounded occultish, full of lies, hidden historical meanings, and old groups through the centuries ensuring our safety.

The book was exciting to begin with, but I'm afraid that it didn't hold my interest all the way through as it became very slow. It's a pity, because I thought that this had all the hallmarks of being a top notch read.

I stru ...more

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Mar 02, 2017 Mary Bronson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, contemporary, young-adult, science-fiction, favorites, mary-s-challenge, dystopia, e-books, the-challenge-factory-reads, own-2017

I thought this book was AMAZING! Once I got started it was hard to put down. I thought the characters and plot were very well written. It is like Hunger Games mixed with Lord of the Flies. The idea of the Founders creep my out, but it made for a very exciting book. It is very rare to read a young adult dystopia novel at the beginning. When you usually read a dystopian book it the world has already changed and people are trying to fight to change it. Can not wait to read the next book!

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May 04, 2018 Alex Shrugged rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed-books, science-fiction, survival, dystopia, young-adult

Collapse is the first book in Ashwood Lies series. While it is a good read, it ends in a cliffhanger which I do not like. I almost gave this book 2 stars, but the actual writing is good. Character development from the standpoint of a teen book is good. The number of corny lines is kept to a minimum but they exist. (Teenage boys trying to express their feelings to teenage girls should limit their words to single syllables and try not to grunt.)

Any problems? The S-word is used but the F-word is no Collapse is the first book in Ashwood Lies series. While it is a good read, it ends in a cliffhanger which I do not like. I almost gave this book 2 stars, but the actual writing is good. Character development from the standpoint of a teen book is good. The number of corny lines is kept to a minimum but they exist. (Teenage boys trying to express their feelings to teenage girls should limit their words to single syllables and try not to grunt.)

Any problems? The S-word is used but the F-word is not. There is a suggestion that a professor at the school is having sex with a 14 year-old student and she welcomes it. Lesbian and gay sex are treated as normal. Sex is a common topic of discussion amongst the teens, but actual sex is either implied or simply waking up the next morning next to the one you love.... fully clothed. Fine. Prayer and G-d is discussed along with sex, so it has some redeeming qualities.

This is supposed to be a survival school, and while they occasionally discuss survival topics (like how a toilet can be flushed without any running water or electricity) it is handled in a few words expecting the reader to know how to do this already. (FYI, you take a bucket of water and dump it into the bowl. That pushes the fluids and your excreta past an S-shaped trap built into the toilet and down into the sewer pipe. Try it right now. You'll see that it works.) Other survival topics are either glossed over or not addressed at all. This seemed strange to me and a missed opportunity to teach a few basic survival skills when the power goes out or your water supply is down.

There is enough advanced technology to qualify as science fiction, but just barely.

I will only read this book again if I decide to read the sequel when it comes out.

If you like this book, I recommend reading Tunnel in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein. In this story a number of high school students are given a final exam on a distant planet. The goal is to survive. Getting eaten by an alien monster is a distinct possibility. Teen competition, egos and love bloom in this story. It is pretty good.

I also liked Under a Graveyard Sky by John Ringo. This is a survivalist/libertarian dream of a zombie apocalypse. The focus is on two teenage girls who survive and thrive because their parents have taught them how. This book discusses survival topics and the reasoning behind them in detail. It is also rather graphic in the violence department and apparently even zombies have a sexual urge. Yuck!
...more

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Nov 16, 2017 Jim rated it really liked it

Shelves: thrillers, ya

Another great story is born. Come to Ashwood Prep in the wilds of Pennsylvania and meet a large cast of characters who are working hard in college prep and becoming who they can be. Then the earthquake comes, the professors mostly abandon the youth, and hints of a conspiracy develop. What is the real purpose of the school, is it actually an earthquake or a nuclear war, why are there so many guns and bunker on site, and who will lead the students? Many questions are answered here, but so many to ...more

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Sep 25, 2017 Rebecca rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-scout

This book is classified as dystopian, but much of the beginning felt more like it was just some natural disaster. Which, in itself, is fine. People isolated from society as this school group was wouldn't necessarily think that it was the end of the world. The story is slow-building, with the students forming "sides"--determining which leader they'll follow. I had a hard time with the professors not reacting more. Even if they hadn't expected the catastrophe when it happened, I would have expecte ...more

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Oct 28, 2018 Garth Mailman rated it really liked it

Chase’s narration perfectly captures that private school ethos. That snobbish love/hate relationship with the institution you’re stuck in irrevocably for your adolescent years. Then comes the earthquake and isolation turning this into a disaster tale that harks back to books such as Lord of the Flies.

The book becomes a post-apocalyptic novel set in a private school. The book needs further editing but is better than some I've read. It would seem the author plans to write at least one more volume ...more

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Mar 20, 2020 Alberto Sanchez olivas rated it liked it

Entertaining

The subject matter is interesting, but too many areas have unclear content while others are lost due to unnecessary portions. As a sequel, I understand the idea is to grab you so you would want to read the next book in the series, but too many unknowns discourage that from happening. I read, on average, 200+ books per year, many genres, and feel this could have been improved. However, the characters are what kept me reading until the end . Wonderful personalities!

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Mar 14, 2018 Louise Benham rated it it was amazing

Stunning

I was swept in from page 1, this is one of those great reads that draws you back to it every chance you get, keeps you up late to find out what's next. I can't wait for the next one! ...more

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May 19, 2019 Doug McNutt rated it it was amazing

Great Story Telling

Good characters, well thought out. Interesting take on "the end the world?" . Great dynamic between characters, especially at their age in the book. Surprising twist leading to the next book. Can't wait to read book 2. ...more

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Aug 30, 2018 Amy rated it really liked it

Impatiently awaiting the sequel.......

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Mar 13, 2017 Mary Barb rated it it was amazing

Intriguing and compelling, Yep!

Theirs much to consider if there are such Prep Schools of breeding future leaders at the expense of devastating the rest of the world. Don't know? Then read this book and go "Hummmm, what if?" Enjoy ...more

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Mar 02, 2017 Solitarius Lupus rated it really liked it

While this book is YA dystopian fiction, it can be enjoyed by adults as well. It has a feeling similar to Laybourne's MONUMENT 14 trilogy. ...more

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Jan 03, 2017 Savannah rated it really liked it

It was highly enjoyable, and so much fun! The premise was compelling, the plot was well thought-through and the characters were interesting. It's worth reading, and has re-awakened my love for dystopian. I know dystopian played out a few years ago, but this one's not the same-old same-old, ultra-formulaic stuff we were getting by the end of the craze a couple years ago; this was pretty good. I don't want to prime anyone with indications to things I didn't like or which parts were amazing, so I'l ...more

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Jan 30, 2017 Pat Cummings rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Pat Cummings by: Kindle Scout

Shelves: reviewed

Why would a high-end private school be stock-piling weapons and ammunition in the attics? Chase isn't sure, but he knows something is wrong, and suspects his girl-friend's claims about her brother's death are more than just fantasy. If Maya's fears are real, graduating from Ashwood Prep may be less about getting into an Ivy League school, and more about surviving the Apocalypse.

If disaster does strike, how will the elite students at Ashwood respond? As in real life: some will lead. Some will pa ...more

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Feb 11, 2017 Roylyne Markos rated it really liked it

Good rtory

This book was interesting all the way through. The chara.cters were very real to me and their interaction was real too. Infantile kept everything moving right along, up to a rather surprising end. I am looking forward to the sequel. This is a bonified purchase

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Feb 07, 2017 ryder rated it really liked it

Great

This was actually a really good book. I was surprised. I will be reading more of this authors work. Can't wait for the next book.... ...more

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Jan 16, 2017 Bridgett Brown rated it really liked it

I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout Program. Ashwood is a private high school in the middle of nowhere. Everyone has secrets but none are darker than the secrets that belong to the school itself. During the Thanksgiving break, a series of earthquakes traps a group of students and professors at the school. As they realize that help isn't coming anytime soon, those secrets will start to be revealed. The premise was great, the plot was well thought-through and the characters wer ...more

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Feb 05, 2017 Liz rated it liked it

Shelves: finished-in-2017

3.5 out of 5

Special thanks to RJ for letting me read and be apart of his journey to his first published book! Also, I thank him for exposing me to his writing style and thought process!

I really enjoyed the story RJ wove, and the complexities he introduced to his characters. To me, he gave a fairly accurate account of how teenagers will react to a series of unfortunate events due to natural and unnatural disasters. The characters each held their own distinct personalities full of strengths weakne ...more

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Aug 09, 2018 Laura E. Mackey rated it it was amazing

Great book

I enjoyed the plot. When I was young I always wanted to go to boarding school, and have not found many books on boarding schools that would have changed my mind. I like end of world, dystopian stories, and this is a great start to a series. I read this book the first time last summer, and I am disappointed that the next book has not been released.

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Dec 30, 2016 PJ Lea rated it really liked it

The ugly truth.

Lies and secrets, knowing who to trust and, more importantly, what is really going on.
A darn good story, disturbing at times, I was pretty much hooked by the end of the first chapter. It is something that I want to read more of.

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Dec 24, 2016 Tina Huntz rated it liked it

Entertaining and nostalgic. It made me want to go back to school, but a boarding school. It kept me away from my seasonal blues.

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Dec 27, 2016 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

Shelves: love-will-re-read

Twists and turns around every edge of this book.

If you do not enjoy cliffhangers, wait to read this until the sequel is available. Or don't, but read it. ...more

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Dec 28, 2016 Ann Simpson rated it it was amazing

I enjoyed reading this book and will read #2 when it is published. I want to know what happens to Chase and his friends now that their worlds have been....

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