A Book I Won't Soon Forget

First and foremost I need to call out the cover art on this.  I didn't realize when I first started it just how much the imagery was going to ring true to the story - but the yield sign almost underwater, the one-story building up to its eaves and the 2-story building more than half flooded are all parts of the story.  Along with the flotsam that comes along with a major flood.  So, kudos to Hristo Kovatliev for this stellar artwork.

Second, I need to point out that I've been championing this series on my blog and in my interview with Paul Stokes (the audiobook reviewer) because it feels so original and incredibly unique.  I thought that with the first two books.  This third book has completely blown the other two out of the water (pardon my pun).

This might be one of the best non-apocalyptic apocalypse books I've ever read (I say that because it appears to have only affected New Orleans and not the rest of the world).  Abrahams was able to portray a city in panic both outwardly and quietly.  There were people who were riding out the storm and surviving with no issue, others who weren't going to make it, and then there were the heroes.  The ones who run into the fire (in this case swim into the water) to selflessly save others.  One of the lines that stood out to me was:

"Freaking A, man... You were amazing. I didn’t think you had that in you. No offense. But…freaking A, man."
..."Anybody would have done it."
"Not true," said the field producer. "I didn’t do it."
"Me neither," said the photographer."

Abrahams also threw in something that was new to me for any of his books (and makes me really want him to write a technothriller once he's done with The Alt Apocalypse).  I can't go too deep into it, but the scene(s) with the tech guy had me scratching my head and making wild assumptions and guesses.

Abrahams was able to portray the water and its depth (both actual depth and the amount that's hidden just below the surface) in such a way that when a character would underwater (almost drowning or trying to save someone) I wouldn't even think about it, but I would be holding my breath until they surfaced. It was an exhausting book (in such a good way).  He kept throwing the characters into the water and hoping for the best.

I can say this without any hyperbole.  This will be a book that will be hard to forget.  Seriously, it was my favorite in the series and I'm pretty sure it's going to get better from here.

If you've been on the fence about this series so far (first off, what's wrong with you) and secondly - get it. You won't regret it. I requested a review copy of this book - it has not affected my review in any way.

3 people found this helpful

FLOODS

Absolutely love this series as it is different takes on post-apocalyptic/dystopian stories and no zombies with some of the same characters in 1St ash and radiation 2nd burning inferno 3rd Floods, Rain,( nonstop hurricanes). Loved the characters of Dr Steven Konkly, Keri, and Dub Daniel and Maggie make appearance , love to see the people helping out each other. Cannot wait for next book Affliction, keep them coming. I also recommend the author’s Travelers series. Recommend to anyone who likes post-apocalyptic/dystopian with great narration. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. THANK YOU

2 people found this helpful

This was all to real for way to many people.

The Alt Apocalypse Series has an interesting premise, but I am beginning to think their is more to it than completely separate stories as presented.
This is the first book I have read/listened to in this series. I have read another book by Tom Abrahams and it was good enough to make me interested in this series.
This book was well written and as usual their is no better narrator for this genre than Kevin Pierce.
This book felt more real than other books I have read in this genre mostly because it has already happened in real life. That being said... If you still have nightmares about Katrina stay away from this story. It was way to real for me and I was not there to be fighting those memories.
I did have one issue with the story. The end was very abrupt. Stand alone stories generally do not have cliffhanger endings or characters in them that have nothing to do with the story at hand. The extra character's in this story are what makes me think this series is more than just a set of stand alone stories. We will see.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

2 people found this helpful

Nailbiter!

I love the idea for this series where each seperate book is a different apocalyptic scenario. In this story a massive flood puts the characters into a very wet situation. At times the outcome looks bleak then a character rises up and becomes a hero of sorts.In some situations the characters find the strength to overcome and survive. Its a fast paced story filled with suspense.

The writing has solid and reached into the human soul. What people really might be thinking or feeling. The descriptions were enough for me to envision the situations and feel like I was there yet they weren't so much they took away from the story. Well written, well narrated. The only thing that didn't grasp me was this happening in New Orleans. Maybe because that already happened and its an obvious mark. Its was a fantastic listen either way and I highley reccomend it for anyone who loves disasters, suspense and characters that will return in another scenario!

1 person found this helpful

Great narration, ok story

I had heard about this series through a "sneak peek" at the end of another Tom Abrahams book so I was happy to get an opportunity to listen to it for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

I had mixed feelings about the book and found myself having to separate the "Story" from the "Writing" in my ratings. I thought the story was great, four stars; it was fun, somewhat unique, and easy to listen to - of course it didn't hurt that Kevin Pierce was narrating. But the writing itself fluctuated between a 2 star and a 3 star for me. It must just be me though, I see that Torrent gets very high ratings from just about everyone else, but there were too many things about the book that bothered me to give it that high of a rating: editing mistakes (e.g. one sentence describing water at someone's waist while the next sentence calls it neck-deep, stuff like that), places where writing style didn't fit the tone, and some things that didn't quite make sense to me. Nothing terrible, just many little things.

On the other hand, the story was good enough that I didn't want to base my "Story" rating solely on how I felt about the nit-picky stuff. There was enough deeply descriptive writing that, at times, I was really drawn in to the cold, wet horror of the situation and that took some skill on Abrahams part.

One thing that bothered me was the primary protagonist being named Dr Steven Konkoly! I suppose it can be fun to include a known author as a character in a book like this but for some reason I didn't like it. No marks down because of it though, that is just personal preference. I read a story once where the primary protagonist was named Eddie Bowers...so yeah, it could have been worse...

So, solid 3 star for me with a 4+ star narration. I have consistently felt that Abrahams could be better served by a decent editor, no idea what the story is there, maybe some future works will be better cleaned up. Until then I'll probably still pick him up from time to time.

1 person found this helpful

Best book of the series

Ash was okay, the fire book I couldn’t finish, but this was a good book. I really like where it’s going and maybe this should have been book #1. This has the end of the world and dark matter by Blake crouch mixed together to make one interesting read. Really excited to see where the next one goes with the cause and effect.

1 person found this helpful

Great concept

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I want to start with saying how much I love Kevin Pierce as a narrator! His performances always provide depth and interest. As for the book, wonderful! I love where this series is going. Although the author mentions that you can read/listen to the Alt Apocalypse books in any order, I highly recommend that you read/listen to them by date published. This book is hinting at some exciting developments to come and I am very excited to listen to the next book. The author tears at your heart strings with each book in the series and leaves you cheering for your favorite characters. Well done Mr. Abrahams!

1 person found this helpful

A new great series to add to my library

This book was really well done. The different characters in different chapters was a nice mixing of the story.

The characters were very well developed and actually did believable things.

As always Kevin Pierce brings everything to life. He is a Master!

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher.

I voluntarily left this review.

So Original

Tom Abrahams has a master imagination. And the Alt Apocalypse series is the optimal example of that being put to great use. This series has characters with the same names in each book put into different roles and virtually playing different people in each book. What a brilliant concept. It's an anthology series if will. There's Dub, Carrie, Lane, Barker, and a handful of other characters the reader is more than familiar with. In many ways, each book is a standalone. But knowing where each character was in the last book is helpful and interesting.

There is NO swearing, which is always a relief. And in the absolute coolest, more fun way he references his famous character Marcus Battle in each installment! This is just pure, enjoyable storytelling. He doesn't have to result to fillers to make the story breathtakingly scary, thrilling, and startling close to a reality. And a flood that encompasses multiple states is such a reality, especially with monster hurricanes.

Kevin Pierce is at his best when paired with Tom Abrahams. He almost always pairs with certain PA fiction authors, but he strikes such an amazing tone when voicing Abrahams work. I can't imagine another, save Jonathan Davis in the Watcher series. To say that Abrahams is the perfect author for a PA fan is an understatement. Can't wait for the next book!

Wow! Great book!

Wow, it’s a great book! I love the “alt apocalypse” series. It’s a unique way to show how our own strengths and weaknesses can cause our death or be an asset. It drives me a little crazy that something is going on, but I think I know how it comes together. Either way, it’s an excellent book!