Regular price: £19.39
Five years after a pneumonic plague killed two-thirds of the world's population, army veteran Marcus Battle is isolated. He's alone with his guns, his food, and the graves of his wife and child. Unaware of the chaos that's befallen everything outside of his central Texas ranch land, Marcus lives a Spartan life. If anyone steps onto his property, he shoots first and never asks questions. But when a woman in distress, chased by marauders, seeks asylum, Marcus has a decision to make.
Already cited on the floor of Congress and discussed in the corridors of the Pentagon as a book all Americans should read, One Second After is the story of a war scenario that could become all too terrifyingly real. Based upon a real weapon - the Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) - which may already be in the hands of our enemies, it is a truly realistic look at the awesome power of a weapon that can destroy the entire United States.
If society collapsed, could you survive?
When Morgan Carter's car breaks down 250 miles from his home, he figures his weekend plans are ruined. But things are about to get much, much worse: the country's power grid has collapsed. There is no electricity, no running water, no Internet, and no way to know when normalcy will be restored - if it ever will be.
In a night of devastating terror, ISIS operatives have unleashed a coordinated attack on America's infrastructure. With thousands of trapped travelers and scarce law enforcement, the miles between Jim Powell and his family become a brutal gauntlet where the rules of civilized society no longer apply. As Jim puts his years of preparation and planning to the test, he is forced to ask himself if he has what it takes to make it home. Does he have the strength - the brutality - required to meet this new world toe-to-toe?
Charlie finds herself caught in the city as it degenerates into chaos following an EMP attack. Charlie, a successful pharmaceutical sales rep, has no background in prepping or survival. Thrust into a do or die situation, she quickly learns that leaders in Washington are working to change the country as she knows it. Her world has become a race to freedom while attempting to avoid capture by the new government's agents.
Sylvie Rossi has the loner thing down pat, with the exception of her best friend, Grace. But when the two are trapped in a hospital during the last gasp of a dying city, alone time is no longer an option. A nurse's offer of sanctuary promises Sylvie the supplies she needs to survive the zombies - it's the coexisting with people that might do her in. Eric Forrest will do whatever it takes to get into the dead city for his sister, including ending up dead himself. He's used to taking risks, but with every mile he travels death looks likelier.
Five years after a pneumonic plague killed two-thirds of the world's population, army veteran Marcus Battle is isolated. He's alone with his guns, his food, and the graves of his wife and child. Unaware of the chaos that's befallen everything outside of his central Texas ranch land, Marcus lives a Spartan life. If anyone steps onto his property, he shoots first and never asks questions. But when a woman in distress, chased by marauders, seeks asylum, Marcus has a decision to make.
Already cited on the floor of Congress and discussed in the corridors of the Pentagon as a book all Americans should read, One Second After is the story of a war scenario that could become all too terrifyingly real. Based upon a real weapon - the Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) - which may already be in the hands of our enemies, it is a truly realistic look at the awesome power of a weapon that can destroy the entire United States.
If society collapsed, could you survive?
When Morgan Carter's car breaks down 250 miles from his home, he figures his weekend plans are ruined. But things are about to get much, much worse: the country's power grid has collapsed. There is no electricity, no running water, no Internet, and no way to know when normalcy will be restored - if it ever will be.
In a night of devastating terror, ISIS operatives have unleashed a coordinated attack on America's infrastructure. With thousands of trapped travelers and scarce law enforcement, the miles between Jim Powell and his family become a brutal gauntlet where the rules of civilized society no longer apply. As Jim puts his years of preparation and planning to the test, he is forced to ask himself if he has what it takes to make it home. Does he have the strength - the brutality - required to meet this new world toe-to-toe?
Charlie finds herself caught in the city as it degenerates into chaos following an EMP attack. Charlie, a successful pharmaceutical sales rep, has no background in prepping or survival. Thrust into a do or die situation, she quickly learns that leaders in Washington are working to change the country as she knows it. Her world has become a race to freedom while attempting to avoid capture by the new government's agents.
Sylvie Rossi has the loner thing down pat, with the exception of her best friend, Grace. But when the two are trapped in a hospital during the last gasp of a dying city, alone time is no longer an option. A nurse's offer of sanctuary promises Sylvie the supplies she needs to survive the zombies - it's the coexisting with people that might do her in. Eric Forrest will do whatever it takes to get into the dead city for his sister, including ending up dead himself. He's used to taking risks, but with every mile he travels death looks likelier.
When the lights go out, can you survive?
For years, a few have warned that a day of reckoning was coming, but those warnings went unheeded and even mocked. Then that day came...
When Nicholas McNeil, a father and dedicated husband, turned out the lights in his suburban home Sunday night, they would never turn on again. During the early Monday morning hours, a spectacular and well-coordinated attack destroys the grid and brings the United States to its knees.
Nicholas was a man who had heeded the warnings to a degree, but most did not. With a society unprepared and a government overwhelmed, panic turns to chaos and soon violence.
Fighting for what resources are still available, Nicholas and his family also find themselves fighting to survive as society turns on itself.
I was gutted to realise the story was almost identical to that of a book written by G Michael Hopf. the only difference is the names. I was able to easily guess what would happen next due to this. author can't expect credit for this. amd the reader can't seem to pronounce argh properly and sounds silly. he also doesn't portray shouting properly. so disappointed l.
Not sounding as dogmatically preachy as most end of the world novels The Defiant, Grid Down, is a pleasant surprise. The story , following the average "post EMP" plot keeps your attention none the less.
The narration was pleasant and I look forward to hearing more.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
What would have made The Defiant: Grid Down better?
The narrator's voice is deep and likeable, and would probably excel at commercial voiceovers. However, I don't think his style suits audiobooks for the following reasons: he uses the same voice for all characters (confusing), he misreads/mispronounces things repeatedly (instead of saying "Nicholas' bag" he will say "Nicholas bag").
Perhaps I should blame the editor/producer, too, because it seems like a professional one would have ordered multiple takes when an error occurred.
Would you recommend The Defiant: Grid Down to your friends? Why or why not?
I will not recommend this audio version, but I would recommend the paper book.
Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Joseph Morton?
Duke Fontaine, without a doubt!
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have now officially listened to all of Mr. Vance's books on tape available on audible. I am eagerly awaiting his next one. The man really knows how to write a great book! You won't be disappointed
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
What disappointed you about The Defiant: Grid Down?
The fact that you have to buy 2 more books to finish the story. I have been an Audible member for a number of years now and recently I have been noticing a significant trend towards shorter and shorter "books" that force you to eat up credits to get the whole story. Two recent examples are "The Defiant:Grid Down" and "Vagos, Mongols, and Outlaws". The first ebook mentioned is the worst offender, if you want to hear the whole story you have to purchase 3 books, burning up 20% of my annual allotment. At least the second book tells a whole story. There have been others over the last year that have struck me as a poor value given the length of the read.
As much as I enjoyed The Defiant, there is not way I am going to reward the author's and Audible's (Amazon) greed by shelling out two more credits for what should have been one.
If this trend continues I will look for an alternate source of audiobooks.
What did you like best about this story?
Well written and narrated
You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?
Good story line and action, my issue is with the poor value proposition and the author's greed
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
What did you love best about The Defiant: Grid Down?
I liked that it didn't just tell the story from one perspective. Characters from different places actually meet and come together. Fresh idea.
Would you recommend The Defiant: Grid Down to your friends? Why or why not?
Yes I would. It's a good book with a lot of interesting twists.
What does Joseph Morton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I have listened to several books that he has read. He is a awesome narrator. I'm convinced he could take the worst book ever written and make it interesting.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Yes but I can't put it on here without telling some of the story.
Any additional comments?
Okay there is one thing that bothered me throughout the book. I happened to read "the end" by G. Michael hopf. There are many parallels in this book, and one section that seems straight up copied out of the book by Hopf. These books are so close in nature that it seems the authors wanted to have a competition. If that was the case "the end" blows this one out of the water. But still a good book.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Story was a disjointed and a bit slow.
Would recommend author develops characters further as well as improving plot and subplot. This is an author with a lot of potential and I would consider picking up his next book to see how it goes.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
I think this book was written in a way so its believable for most. Opens the eyes of those who dont want to plan for "what if"......... Cant wait to listen to the others! Thank you for a great book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great plot with several story lines each with outstanding character development. No superheroes, just everyday people; some you will like and a couple you will really dislike. Not because they are over the top nasty mean, but because we all know people who would become these characters.
Keep em coming, this plot has legs!
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I was worried for the first 15 minutes but then I just couldn't stop listening. I like how realistic the story was. I will definitely be following this series!
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Enjoyed this one from beginning to end...hope the next one is soon to arrive. Characters are developing. Michael Rowe, Indiana
6 of 8 people found this review helpful