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Numbers Game #0.5
Richard's Story
Richard just wanted a girlfriend - not the apocalypse.
Richard Peak's senior year is looking painfully ordinary - fighting for position on the soccer team, his parents' constant arguing, a glaring lack of a girlfriend. He can't wait to graduate and join a soccer team overseas, preferably as far from home as possible.
Then the president is assassinated and his life changes forever.
As an alarming chain of nationwide terrorist attacks trigger a civil war, Richard finds himself on a dangerous journey for survival. As those around him fall prey to hunger, illness, and hatred, Richard must decide between a full stomach and humanity - and somehow create a new society out of the ashes of a fallen world.
Richard's Story is the secret journal of the boy eventually founded the New Order Republic of America (NORA). This is an exclusive prequel to the bestselling Numbers Game Saga.
Richard Peak's senior year is looking painfully ordinary - fighting for position on the soccer team, his parents' constant arguing, a glaring lack of a girlfriend. He can't wait to graduate and join a soccer team overseas, preferably as far from home as possible.
Then the president is assassinated and his life changes forever.
As an alarming chain of nationwide terrorist attacks trigger a civil war, Richard finds himself on a dangerous journey for survival. As those around him fall prey to hunger, illness, and hatred, Richard must decide between a full stomach and humanity - and somehow create a new society out of the ashes of a fallen world.
Richard's Story is the secret journal of the boy eventually founded the New Order Republic of America (NORA). This is an exclusive prequel to the bestselling Numbers Game Saga.
120 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2017
About the author
Rebecca Rode
23 books208 followersRebecca is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of TIDES OF MUTINY (Little, Brown Book for Young Readers). Her previously published work includes the dystopian Numbers Game trilogy and the Ember series for fans of Firefly and The Mandalorian. She has also published an inspirational nonfiction book for moms (How to Have Peace When You're Falling to Pieces) and a number of online newspaper and magazine articles. It's her books about fierce teens smashing societal barriers, however, that she enjoys writing the most.
Rebecca and her husband are raising their family in the Rocky Mountains. She has two cats, a ridiculous number of books, and an odd assortment of book-related socks. She is represented by Kelly Peterson at Rees Literary.
Rebecca and her husband are raising their family in the Rocky Mountains. She has two cats, a ridiculous number of books, and an odd assortment of book-related socks. She is represented by Kelly Peterson at Rees Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 29, 2020
Well unfortunately this wasn't my type of book. It sets the scene for the series well but didn't do much for me. The idea behind the story seems okay. I liked when it all started with how the president and assistance president were killed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2018
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve never read the Numbers Game series, so this was my introduction to the series, and it really makes me want to read the main series because it was a well written, really believable and all the characters fell like real people.
The narrator, Stacey Glemboski, was brilliant. I don’t normally like narrator that are a different gender to the main character, but she was so good that I forgot about it. She voiced Richard and Beyu brilliantly, and it was so easy to tell which characters were speaking.
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve never read the Numbers Game series, so this was my introduction to the series, and it really makes me want to read the main series because it was a well written, really believable and all the characters fell like real people.
The narrator, Stacey Glemboski, was brilliant. I don’t normally like narrator that are a different gender to the main character, but she was so good that I forgot about it. She voiced Richard and Beyu brilliantly, and it was so easy to tell which characters were speaking.
December 4, 2017
This was a very grim apocalyptic story, and although I liked it, it was sad.
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July 21, 2020My third story in the Shattered Worlds Box set!
Richard is a normal high school senior, and he looks forward to being able to go to college on a soccer scholarship in order to play for England one day. For now, he is living in LA, and he just wants his coach to stop doubting his skills as he comes to terms with only being a defender on the soccer team. On top of this, his parents won’t stop arguing about his sister who is constantly sneaking off with her boyfriend and has dropped out of college, and his older brother who is working in the military. Then the president is assassinated, the Vice President is assassinated, and the House Speaker is assassinated after being inaugurated. Richard’s parents decide to move inland to Hawthorne to avoid the terrorists, and Richard’s life is turned upside down.
I enjoyed this short story. It had romance, but it wasn’t the stupid kind of romance where “Oh yeah the world is about to end but lets make out in the middle of the wasteland”. It is a prequel to the Numbers series, so it does not have an ending but instead continues to where the series will pick up. But the semi-ending that it does have is not a happy ending. Which also satisfied me, because I dislike it when the world is ending and yet the main character is perfect in every way. Richard makes mistakes, and those mistakes may hurt people, but it seemed like a more realistic dystopian tale.
This story is short, which means I cannot tell that many details without spoiling the story, but I would recommend this story/box set to anyone looking for a realistic dystopian tale.
Richard is a normal high school senior, and he looks forward to being able to go to college on a soccer scholarship in order to play for England one day. For now, he is living in LA, and he just wants his coach to stop doubting his skills as he comes to terms with only being a defender on the soccer team. On top of this, his parents won’t stop arguing about his sister who is constantly sneaking off with her boyfriend and has dropped out of college, and his older brother who is working in the military. Then the president is assassinated, the Vice President is assassinated, and the House Speaker is assassinated after being inaugurated. Richard’s parents decide to move inland to Hawthorne to avoid the terrorists, and Richard’s life is turned upside down.
I enjoyed this short story. It had romance, but it wasn’t the stupid kind of romance where “Oh yeah the world is about to end but lets make out in the middle of the wasteland”. It is a prequel to the Numbers series, so it does not have an ending but instead continues to where the series will pick up. But the semi-ending that it does have is not a happy ending. Which also satisfied me, because I dislike it when the world is ending and yet the main character is perfect in every way. Richard makes mistakes, and those mistakes may hurt people, but it seemed like a more realistic dystopian tale.
This story is short, which means I cannot tell that many details without spoiling the story, but I would recommend this story/box set to anyone looking for a realistic dystopian tale.
September 11, 2017
If you enjoyed the Numbers Game trilogy by Rebecca Rode, Richard's Story is a must read to understand the background and origin story of how the once prosperous United States becomes a desolate place to live with few survivors. The similarities between Treena and Richard are numerous, the least of which is how they unwittingly become extraordinary heroes.
Richard’s Story follows the life of Teena’s grandfather, Richard Peak, who is just a normal senior in high school. Then, almost overnight, the world changes drastically after numerous terrorist attacks trigger a civil war. After going to live in the mountains in pure survivalist mode, Richard watches as his parents are killed or fall victim to disease like many others around him. Richard takes matters in his own hands and creates a new society – the New Order Republic of America (NORA) -- where everyone must do their part if they want to survive.
Stacey Glemboski did an outstanding job narrating the audio version of this story. She provided distinct and consistent voices for all characters throughout and had great intonation and pace, conveying urgency in all the right places.
Richard’s Story follows the life of Teena’s grandfather, Richard Peak, who is just a normal senior in high school. Then, almost overnight, the world changes drastically after numerous terrorist attacks trigger a civil war. After going to live in the mountains in pure survivalist mode, Richard watches as his parents are killed or fall victim to disease like many others around him. Richard takes matters in his own hands and creates a new society – the New Order Republic of America (NORA) -- where everyone must do their part if they want to survive.
Stacey Glemboski did an outstanding job narrating the audio version of this story. She provided distinct and consistent voices for all characters throughout and had great intonation and pace, conveying urgency in all the right places.
September 19, 2017
Very entertaining and enjoyable. Great addition to the series. This was an interesting insight to how the number system started. Even if you have already read the rest of the series this prequel fills in the backstory of how and why the country is the way it is.
Told by Treena's grandfather Richard. The story details the events that preceded the collapse of society. The changes it had on not only Richard's life but the whole country. Leading him to implement the number system.
Stacey Glemboski did a fantastic job with the narration as usual. She has one of those voices that just pulls you into the story and makes it and the characters come to life. Great character voices. Both male and female. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. She was the perfect narrator for this series. Very enjoyable
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
Told by Treena's grandfather Richard. The story details the events that preceded the collapse of society. The changes it had on not only Richard's life but the whole country. Leading him to implement the number system.
Stacey Glemboski did a fantastic job with the narration as usual. She has one of those voices that just pulls you into the story and makes it and the characters come to life. Great character voices. Both male and female. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. She was the perfect narrator for this series. Very enjoyable
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
July 30, 2017
Richard's Story: A Numbers Game Short (Audible Audio) by Rebecca Rode and narrated by Stacey Glemboski is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary. I absolutely loved this story. It had my emotions all over the place. Is this a scenario that could happen, maybe slightly differently? Could our own government do this to us instead? Would we did this to ourselves after? A terrifying story, a touching story, a story of holding on to humanity when humanity is a thing of the past. It is a short story but it packed a punch! The narration was so perfect, it was chilling. Loved this short but powerful story.
September 23, 2017
Of all the books in the series I liked this one the least. While the content was excellent a lot of it was already covered word for word in the third book. There is new material and it is interesting to get Richard Peak's story in this own words but I was a little disappointed that so much of it was a repeat.
Is it worth listening to? Yes, this book effectively gives the story of the birth of NORA and the numbers system.
The narration is once again excellent. The POV for this story is Richards' but Stacey did such a great job I forgot I was listening to a female narrator!
I received this book free from the narrator/publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.
Is it worth listening to? Yes, this book effectively gives the story of the birth of NORA and the numbers system.
The narration is once again excellent. The POV for this story is Richards' but Stacey did such a great job I forgot I was listening to a female narrator!
I received this book free from the narrator/publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2017
My review is based on the Audio version. Richard's Story was captivating from beginning to end and got me very interested to read/listen to the entire series. What makes this story all the more intriguing is the possibilty that it could become our reality one day. Stacey Glemboski did a great job as narrator. The story and characters were easy to follow. Looking forward to ore from this Author and Narrator
August 5, 2017
** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
This was a prequel to this series, the start of it all...Richard and others had to suffer in order for things to come to order as they did....Richard was very brave, and endured lots of negative treatment, but vowed to make things better....he lost his entire family, all his friends and was shunned..but he never gave up! Good story and narration....I recommend it if you are a fan of the series!!!
This was a prequel to this series, the start of it all...Richard and others had to suffer in order for things to come to order as they did....Richard was very brave, and endured lots of negative treatment, but vowed to make things better....he lost his entire family, all his friends and was shunned..but he never gave up! Good story and narration....I recommend it if you are a fan of the series!!!
September 3, 2017
Richard's Story by Rebecca Rode was another great companion story. Richard didn't expect the world to turn into the apocalypse. His whole life changes after the present assassinated and his family goes for safety at his families. It quickly becomes a journey of survival. I love the Numbers Game series and can't wait to read more about Rebecca Rode.
November 6, 2017
This was very fast moving.A high school boy just wants to get through his tests.Right before he learns that the president has ben assinated.After that nothing will ever be the same.Great witing!Narration by Stacey Glemboski was really good.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
December 1, 2017
I loved getting to hear Richard's story fully. Even with all the tragedy and the end of the world as we know it it was still a good read. Getting the full picture instead of just the glimpses from Numbers raging this explained so much about how it all happened. Stacey did an amazing job narrating and showed how awesome she really is at filling her voice with emotion.
January 23, 2018
Yet another short story already covered in the series, this time the 3rd book, Numbers Raging. This is Richard's diary and in more detail. Nothing new or original..
January 2, 2024
my heart is broken
November 24, 2017
Reading these journals before the rest of the books may give different perspective to the series -- that I will be continuing.
July 5, 2018
With dystopian you always see the aftermath of the situation. It was refreshing to see it unfold from ground zero. I liked the passages from the journal that were also in Numbers Raging. It really brought the series together as a whole.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews