Warning: this novel ends in a cliffhanger

The good news is that the second novel in the series will be released in 5 days.

Fractured State is set in San Diego area of California in the year 2035. Parts of the state have water rationing and most of the state is in poverty brought on by leftist state and local governments. Politicians are being murdered. A state of war exists between those who want to secede from the US and those who want to remain a US state. The novel certainly is action and suspense filled.

13 people found this helpful

Interesting start to a new series.

Fractured State is the first book in a new series by Steven Konkoly. Taking place in the not too distant future where drought is a major problem for much of the world, California is one of the few places in the country still prosperous due to strict water/ societal regulation. Nathan Fisher, an expert in water reclamation, accidently witnesses something he shouldn't have and gets drawn into conspiracy/battle between two factions: one side fighting for California independence and other desperate to keep them part of the union. It's an interesting story with a unique take on the future. If it could give half stars I'd probably give it 3.5, but since I can I decided to round up. Definitely enjoyed it enough that I intend to continue on with the series.

This is the first time I've heard Timothy Pabon's work and I have to say I was impressed. I'll gladly listen to him again in the future.

3 people found this helpful

Good but doesn't tell the whole story

‘Fractured State’ is an interesting story part eco warning, and part thriller with a bit of George Orwell mixed in. The writing is good, the story is well thought out and the characters are likable, but I had two issues with this book. First, it took a long time to get going. As a thriller, it didn’t really have any action until about half way though, but from there it kept but a pretty good pace. Second is that this book doesn’t tell the whole story. You’ll need to get the second book (and possibly more?) to get the whole picture. I’m a big Konkoly fan so I don’t mind the investment but it’s a little bit of a pet peeve of mine. Overall, I enjoyed the story and can’t wait to move on to the next book.

The narrator does a great job with all the characters and really helps bring the story to life.

3 people found this helpful

so bored. much eye rolling

What disappointed you about Fractured State?

this book is described as a possibly realistic idea of what life would be like in america after a disaster. i suppose that could be true. but as someone who enjoys non fiction that has a STORYLINE, it BORED me to tears. this book just drones on an on about guns, their technical specifications, the military, and covert operations.

sigh. the characters are wooden gi joe caricatures, the women are cast as stressed out crazies who are also damsels in distress, and the main characters are politically void.

i listened right up to the last 1 hour of narration in hope it would get more interesting, but it just never does. the pace never picks up. supposed military geniuses make obvious mistakes, the characters tend to just sit around with their thumbs up their ars**

skip it. i'd be returning it if i hadn't bought 2 books on one credit. (the other one was great).

What could Steven Konkoly have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

written a better book.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Timothy Andrés Pabon?

anyone without a monotone voice

What character would you cut from Fractured State?

hmm, probably all of them

Any additional comments?

just dreadful. i can't believe someone published this trash.

2 people found this helpful

This story is schizophrenic.

It’s fiction, and thank god for that, but the author couldn’t seem to decide who the bad guys were.

On the one hand, the State of California has gone full fascist, monitoring its citizens movements, consumption of food, water use, and rating those things publicly for your neighbors to see. In addition, the CSP has turned into the California Secret Police.
But the author seems to think that all of those things are no big deal, and in fact attributes the “success” of the state in the face of “water theft” by the state of Colorado (because Colorado is using too much water from the Colorado river before Kalifornia can get their hands on it) to exactly these big brother measures.

And there is an apparently popular movement for Kalifornia to secede from the USA. And that movement is apparently only opposed by large, evil corporations, who have private armies, access to better weapons and tech than the government, and have a willingness to blow up nuclear plants in the name of saving their investments in California.

The ideas here are ridiculous. The impression the author has of the military is more parody than reality.

Worst book I’ve read in a long time.

1 person found this helpful

A military thriller

Didn't like it. Mostly a military story, but some political intrigue also. I did not think the story was creative. I plugged through all the way to the end, but found the end unsatisfact'ry. Seems to be hoping for a series.

1 person found this helpful

Incomplete story, sterotypical characters

The storyline is interesting, there is enough action to keep one listening. But I had two huge problems with the book.
First, the story ends abruptly without any (even minor) conclusion. It’s like the first episode of a multi part series. From the reviews of the second episode, even that doesn’t conclude the story. I am not sure if I can commit to at least two more 10+ hours of books to get to the end. It’s likely to be longer than that.
The second is that both female characters (wives of the two key characters) are one dimensional, stereotypes. They do nothing more than whine and overreact constantly to a point where it becomes distracting. I nearly wished they would get killed so they would be out of the story. Spoiler alert, one of them does near the end.

1 person found this helpful

not Steve's best work

the book starts out ok but goes down hill fast. the idea of a water shortage was great but the main caricature was hard to figure out. i couldn't tell if he was a real bad ass or just a guy that got lucky a lot. and his wife is real bad she wines there the whole book. for the price it kept me listening.

excellent!

An exciting page turner. Well written and voiced. I will now continue with the entire series

This could be the future

Quite interesting plot. 2030 isn't that far away. Makes you think this could happen.