Surviving The Collapse Super Boxset - EMP Post Apocalyptic Fiction

I liked the story very much. It was a real page turner. I was terribly disappointed when it ended. I had a load of questions that would never be answered. I gave it four stars because it was very good - as far as it went.

I hated these books. They really scared me. Made me think. Not for kids. Does this j. s. Donovan work for the government? Or the military? It could be either one or just a good writer. I now want to go get a big prepper storage unit in my backyard and fill it up with water, food, supplies and guns. The reason I'm giving the huge 2200 page book 4 stars is because of all the errors. Lots of words out of place or incorrect and my special pet peeve: incorrect past tense words. Dive is dove. Not dived. Weave is wove not weaved. Slink is slunk not slinked. You get the idea. There are about a dozen words writers now use that have the incorrect past tense. Drives me crazy!!! My favorite series is the last one. Eric is an absolute riot.....

This is by far to stupid for human consumption. The 4 stars that the few that tried to read it worry's me to some extent. Survival may incur a lot of hardship and cruelty. But this account is a trashy bunch of endless words that could have been wrapped up in 25% of the blab and a plot of some sort. Sorry lady you need a course in writing 101. But "free" on the store is not worth that much once you have downloaded the classics.

I enjoyed the book. The Dynamics among the characters was enjoyable. I would have given this book a 4th star, except for a few things. The editing should have been better. Repeatedly there were lists of names with characters who should or should not have been there. I won't go into detail to avoid spoilers.

I think the writer(s) have skill, but the gore factor is abhorrent and, actually, self-defeating. As other reviewers have pointed out the graphic violence is unnecessary and over the top: babies being killed in detail, families killing each other, a father killed and a mother raped in front of their children described in detail is a great way to lose readers.

I quit reading at that point and skipped through to confirm what I already knew was going to happen. Every single person that we're supposed to care about surviving, including children, gets brutally murdered.

This made me completely indifferent to the story or the plot. If you know everyone is going to be horrifically killed (described in detail), you have no reason to keep reading--unless you're either numb to human suffering or a sick psychopath who gets their thrills out of things like this. I will not read another book by this author and will warn others who read in this genre to steer clear.

Gave up after the first two books. Never mind the poor editing, the characters are implausibly stupid, and there are huge logical flaws/plot holes. Huuuuge. Gratuitously graphic gore completes the lameness. But hey, if you can totally switch off your intellect, sure, you might enjoy this box set.

As an example, in Sleeper Cell, the hero (a disgruntled FBI agent) does so many moronic things. For just one example, when the FBI guy gets the bad guys' laptop, does he immediately give it to govt experts? Noooo, he stays offline, drives for 8+ hours then tries checking it himself, which leads to ever more ridiculous events. A day or more later, two "experts" look at the laptop (author has no idea how it is done) and despite encryption, in minutes they have info about the phase 2 and 3 attacks. So, phase 2 could have been prevented if the laptop had been promptly turned in. And the implausibility only snowballs from there.

The main culprit in this boxset getting a lower rating is due to the "Exil" story by James Hunt. While the story was otherwise engaging and the plot interesting, the practical aspects of the his writing were failures. It was obvious he knew the nomenclature and model numbers of the technology and equipment described, but had no idea of how they function. As an example, he described the use of a Ruger LCR revolver, then promptly described its ejection of a spent shell. There is no way that revolver would eject a shell immediately upon firing as he described. That would make it a semi automatic pistol! Then, the author described the ejection of a "clip" from a revolver! Impossible unless it uses a moon clip! Other impossibilities exists everywhere in that book. As in, the Mexican Navy being within a mile of a US aircraft carrier just prior to combat engagement! James has no concept of modern naval combat. Also, he described a submarine being detected on radar (not sonar) and that US submarine sent to engage was immediately able to intercept incoming torpedoes with their own torpedoes within yards of the carrier. Dream on!! it's not the days of the Spanish Galleons firing broadsides at each other. Other examples of ignorance are laced throughout the book. James please read up on the technical aspects before you write about them. That would make your book that much more enjoyable and elevate your stories from an otherwise interesting pulp to a first rate novel. ENGAGE A TECHNICAL CONSULTANT OR LEARN HOW THINGS WORK!!

This book started out ok with the onset of an EMP but then devolved into unlikeable characters and illogical events that made no sense. The stories following the first two were boring and repetitive. Boring and poorly written.
Spoiler alert.
The principal protagonist has no leadership skills and makes ridiculous decisions. Mike is an idiot and lays down his weapons when confronted with any hostage situation even though he has a sniper with a clear shot. His appeasement philosophy puts everyone around him in jeopardy and results in death and mayhem. A completely unlikeable character and story line where Mike thinks the local Biker gang which has murdered an entire town will suddenly have mercy. Just stupid people doing stupid things.

I am surprised at all the 4 and 5 stars these five books are receiving, they are enjoyable escapism but none are worth 4 stars. I do wish that indie writers would at least edit their own books, if they can't afford an editor. The amount of mistakes are distracting for the reader, not many misspelled words, but often the writer will start a sentence then change the wording somewhere between the brain and the typing fingers and the reader has to figure out what he/she really meant.

Riveting, kept my attention from the beginning.

The second book in this five part series is a true tear jerker. As a mother it tears me apart.

The third book isn't as good. Get a new copy editor and try using grammar and spell check. I had to read a number of sentences two or three times to decipher the word/sentence construction. But it did keep me reading.

The fourth book is also riveting and kept me reading but needs a total rewrite. The time lines were off many times. A new copy editor would help. The grammar and syntax need work. I had to read several sections over more than once. That said I couldn't have conceived this story so good work to the author. Get a better copy editor and use spell check and grammar check.

This review is about the boxset, not just any one of the books alone. I did not enjoy the first few books. They were too "blood and guts" for me. The main focus did not seem to be the characters in the story, but rather the battles that ensued. The last three books still had battles and desperate circumstances, but the main focus was on the efforts and hardships of the people fighting to save themselves and the United States. I became very involved with the characters and their survival. Thumbs up for the set.

disjointed plots. bizarre behavior bt characters that make no sense. diesel fuel for land cruiser?? launching jets from carroer in sandiego bay?? spent shells from a revolver?? navy masterchief giving battle orders?? where did the massive water machine get the energy to operate esprcially on the west coast?? 4million price tag for plant magically changed to 400k
still i was able to plow thru the whole thing

I read the other reviews first and thought can it be that bad? It is!! Truth is I could have handled the gross violence if the story or characters had been half way believable. Story started off exciting, then became totally unbelievable. I made it thru to 13%of the boxset, then couldn't read any further. I'm moving on, and not looking back.

I've read many many of this genre, and can't get enough. I've just finished book one, and I'm ready to see how Mike and his neighbor do on the trip to 'the cabin'... Everyone seems to have a cabin... I was a little surprised that they didn't even attempt to wait for Mike. Anyway.... The trip for them will not be easy...

This book started out ok with the onset of an EMP but then devolved into unlikeable characters and illogical events that made no sense. The stories following the first two were boring and repetitive. Boring and poorly written.
Spoiler alert.
The principal protagonist has no leadership skills and makes ridiculous decisions. Mike is an idiot and lays down his weapons when confronted with any hostage situation even though he has a sniper with a clear shot. His appeasement philosophy puts everyone around him in jeopardy and results in death and mayhem. A completely unlikeable character and story line where Mike thinks the local Biker gang which has murdered an entire town will suddenly have mercy. Just stupid people doing stupid things.

I am surprised at all the 4 and 5 stars these five books are receiving, they are enjoyable escapism but none are worth 4 stars. I do wish that indie writers would at least edit their own books, if they can't afford an editor. The amount of mistakes are distracting for the reader, not many misspelled words, but often the writer will start a sentence then change the wording somewhere between the brain and the typing fingers and the reader has to figure out what he/she really meant.

Riveting, kept my attention from the beginning.

The second book in this five part series is a true tear jerker. As a mother it tears me apart.

The third book isn't as good. Get a new copy editor and try using grammar and spell check. I had to read a number of sentences two or three times to decipher the word/sentence construction. But it did keep me reading.

The fourth book is also riveting and kept me reading but needs a total rewrite. The time lines were off many times. A new copy editor would help. The grammar and syntax need work. I had to read several sections over more than once. That said I couldn't have conceived this story so good work to the author. Get a better copy editor and use spell check and grammar check.

This review is about the boxset, not just any one of the books alone. I did not enjoy the first few books. They were too "blood and guts" for me. The main focus did not seem to be the characters in the story, but rather the battles that ensued. The last three books still had battles and desperate circumstances, but the main focus was on the efforts and hardships of the people fighting to save themselves and the United States. I became very involved with the characters and their survival. Thumbs up for the set.

I read these books before but separately. So me rereading the books again tells you I enjoyed it.
I knew right off that I read this was the author wrote the word 'said' more than any other word in the first story. It got better later on.
Quasi spoiler:
The character I hated (1st series) was Kalen. Her little escapade caused so many people to die. I wanted to just beat the dodo out of her.

It took me 2.5 days to read this group of books. Exciting reads.

disjointed plots. bizarre behavior bt characters that make no sense. diesel fuel for land cruiser?? launching jets from carroer in sandiego bay?? spent shells from a revolver?? navy masterchief giving battle orders?? where did the massive water machine get the energy to operate esprcially on the west coast?? 4million price tag for plant magically changed to 400k
still i was able to plow thru the whole thing

I read the other reviews first and thought can it be that bad? It is!! Truth is I could have handled the gross violence if the story or characters had been half way believable. Story started off exciting, then became totally unbelievable. I made it thru to 13%of the boxset, then couldn't read any further. I'm moving on, and not looking back.

This is a well written noble. There is lots of excitement, action and mystery of what will happen next. Enjoyed it very much. There was no sex in these. Other than the violence. I would recommend these to anyone who like suspense. Hope you enjoy these as much as I did. Thanks

I've read many many of this genre, and can't get enough. I've just finished book one, and I'm ready to see how Mike and his neighbor do on the trip to 'the cabin'... Everyone seems to have a cabin... I was a little surprised that they didn't even attempt to wait for Mike. Anyway.... The trip for them will not be easy...

Each story was wonderful. I do not regret this box set. A bargain fir sure. I have read the last story b/4, but couldn't remember it. So have to read all the way through again. But it was worth it. I have told everyone about this good deal and look forward to many more. Thanks........

I followed the action easily until time jump to near the end. Jumping back and forth left me dizzy. I muddled through and was satisfied at the end.

Second story needs Editing. Good sequencing in fights but occasional unbelievable items makes this hard to swallow.

Wow! Just finished all five books in this set. All I can tell you is don't start this at
Wow! This set is incredible! Can't wait to see what else he's written. I highly recommend this set to everyone who enjoys a fast paced thriller.

As with so many kindle offerings, the editing is bad.

Also, I am struggling to "bond" with the Kalen character. Struggling is a good word. She goes from the all too typical whiny, bratty teen to Rambette. Yep, it's a struggle.

Also, why is Mike making food bartering deals on day one? Shouldn't a prepper (especially one who took his daughter hunting...many times) at least TRY to come up with better ideas?

Plus... 6 months of food prep with only 4 cases of water? Defies logic.

I read this book as the last book in a "box" set. My biggest gripe was that the story line from book 1 through all the others varied. The characters and plot was different in each one. The individual books were good reads each but I was expecting to follow the same characters through entire set.

The story was well written and flowed well. The one glaring fault throughout the story was the complete and total misunderstanding of military ranks, hierarchy, equipment, training and tactics destroyed an otherwise good story. Simple research could have made this a really good book. Researching the background of the main character should have been priority one.

The books found in this collection are an interesting read. A few approach the end of current civilization in novel ways. I enjoyed reading them all but did find quite a few errors in the editing/proofreading. Whom ever proofed these books needs to look closer.