Charges

The Event Trilogy, Book 1

By: Stephen Knight

Narrated by: Lee Alan

Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

It was the end of days.

The world had less than seven hours to prepare. When it hit, the coronal mass ejection from the sun rolled back hundreds of years of technological innovation. Airplanes fell from the skies. Power grids crashed. Even electrical cabling was turned to slag. No Internet. No cable TV. No electricity. No modern day conveniences of any kind, from fancy European sedans to smart phones to clean, running water. The entire world is plunged back into the Dark Ages in less than a second, courtesy of the most powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event in recorded history.

Television development exec Tony Vincenzo has always lived a high-society life, first in Los Angeles, now in Manhattan. As New York City tears itself apart in an orgy of violence, Vincenzo has to leave his high-floor luxury condominium on Central Park South's Billionaire's Row in order to return to his wife and young son in the Hollywood Hills overlooking LA. But the only way to get there is to walk, and Vincenzo is no Joe Survivalist - he's the kind of guy used to the trappings of the good life. While society unravels all around him, he has to not only make it out of New York alive, but across the entirety of a nation descending into feral madness.

His journey becomes more complex when he commits a truly selfless deed, and winds up with two young charges: seven-year-old Daniel, an autistic boy ill-equipped for a life of hardship, and his sassy four-year-old sister, Gabriella. Together, the trio will need every stroke of luck they can find to persevere in the lawless lands that lie ahead of them...and survive the brutality of the serial killer Roth who pursues them.

©2015 Stephen Knight (P)2017 Stephen Knight

A Different Post Apocalyptic Presentation

Not your typical audio book. It was more like an old radio show, not bad, just different. There were a few things that showed that the author had little actual outdoor experience or old 4x4 off-road driving and some liberties were taken in the telling of the story. I believe a couple of times the author focused too much regarding women's breast sizes. Overall a good adventure for mature individuals.

Terrible additional sounds.

The story was well written and enjoyable in my opinion but the book was completely ruined by the additional sounds during the narration.

Interesting Spin on an EMP Event

What three words best describe Lee Alan’s performance?

Distracting, odd, pointless. The narrator has a good voice and should have just read the book. The special effects and different voices and sound effects are unnecessary and very distracting from a good story.

Any additional comments?

This is a good spin on a semi prepared but essentially mentally unprepared guy's trek to cross the country after an EMP event. There is a realistic interplay of emotions as he struggles with helping or getting involved in other's troubles. Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. Either way, he struggles with the after effects of his action.
Some scenarios are a bit convenient, but overall don't distract from the story.
I'm looking forward to the next book, but hopefully the narration will be more straightforward.

From NY To LA

Walking home isn't as easy as it sounds. Over 3000 miles but the lead character seems to be making supernatural strides. I don't really mind although for someone not accustomed to walking or hiking he is doing amazingly well (actually unbelievable.) I get that the author is trying to report the action but when you have periods of stale then all of a sudden action it doesn't tie nicely to me.
The story is good though and I am enjoying the trip. I will probably get the next one in the series to see if it gets more exciting.

I'll say it's different.

Good book and different. I liked it after getting used to this style of writing.

When will there be a second book?

I really enjoyed this book. I am anticipating a second book. It has been more than a couple of years since this book came out. I come to the author's page constantly and patiently waiting for Book 2.

Starts slow.....but gets good

I'd say it's a series of realistic scenarios as an average guy comes to grips with a world turned upside down. Highly entertaining.

This one surprised me

I kept this one on my wish list for a few months, not sure if I wanted to risk the credit on it based on reviews and possible political viewpoints. VERY glad I took the risk. I am a post apocalyptic genre junkie. This one was very good. The character stayed true to form throughout the book and evolved appropriately with every situation he faced. Although described as a liberal, he is definitely more in line with a moderate and it doesn't get in the way of the plot. I enjoyed the various characters that wandered into and out of the story and left you hoping they were successful in their own journeys (which actually leaves the author open to many off shoot books if he ever decides to go that route!)
I noticed many other reviews criticizing the reading of this book. I actually enjoyed the sound effects, occasional music, and production. The varying acoustics with the voices and effects with the dialog made the book come more alive as you listen to it and I didn't find the other noises or music distracting. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next in the series.

Would love a Charges follow up book!

I really enjoyed the story as well as the narration from Lee Alan. loved the interactions with the children that are rescued. only issue is no follow-up novels yet.

Good story

The story was good. A lot of info and a lot of action. The narration was good however the background sound effects were distracting, goofy and annoying