All Systems Down

All Systems Down is the first fast-paced post apocalyptic thriller in the Cyber War series written by author Sam Blush. Thanks to NetGalley and Lakewater Press for the advance copy.

It's generally pretty difficult to write an apocalyptic story that I find engaging, unique, and that I would recommend to others. There are typically so many cliches in these type of novels that it actually makes the end of the world seem boring. Because of this, I was hesitant to read ALL SYSTEMS DOWN. 

I am so glad that I didn't go with my initial gut feeling. 

ALL SYSTEMS DOWN is written in such a unique, compelling way, that I had to have more. It is told from several points of view, which made me wonder if there were going to be way too many characters to keep track of. I'll admit that there were several characters that I kept getting confused with each other because there wasn't a whole lot differentiating them, however, because the story was told from different points of view, I was able to keep track of who was who.

Developing characters when there are several points of view can be really difficult, especially because all of the characters are leading separate lives. They don't appear in each other's point of view until the very end, so you have way less space and time to make us care about each one. Sam Bousch did a brilliant job at this. For good or bad, I connected with all of the characters and was completely immersed in their world. And when they all finally met, I couldn't help but cheer. It was like the dream team just got together. 

Portland, Oregon is where much of the story takes place, but it is in complete chaos. Anything that connects to a computer is no longer working. This includes most forms of transportation, food distribution, and water plants. There is no electricity, heat, or running water. Most people can't get out of the city because all the cars stopped working at the same time and are blocking the roads for those who have older cars. Not that there is anywhere to escape to, since the whole country...and much of the world...is in the same condition. 

Looting and violence are, of course, the next stop on the crazy train. 

This may sound like your typical doomsday novel, but the way that it is done is so unique and fresh, it felt anything but typical. 

If you can't tell already, I loved ALL SYSTEMS DOWN, was completely sucked in, and am giving it 5 out of 5 Stars.

Note: In the first chapter there is a lot of language and vulgarity, all from one particular character, but it is almost non-existent with any of the other characters throughout the rest of the book.

Mr Boush brings us the first book in what he indicates will be a series about a war between the US and it's enemies North Korea, China, and Russia. If volume I is at all indicative of what is to follow we are in for a treat. The book opens with the sudden advent of the loss of the electrical grid throughout the U.S. New cars stop suddenly, planes fall from the sky, all lights go out, traffic is a disaster and satellites begin falling down from their orbits above us. Mr Boush indicates that in his personal opinion our electrical grid installations would be simplicity itself to hack into and control. This is what happens with a technician working for North Korea who the author utilizes to illustrate what is going on with the forces allied against America and how this war is being fought.

With Armageddon occurring the author uses 9 people from different areas experiencing the disaster and moving to Portland, Oregon as a possibility to regain some semblance of the now lost civilization. Two of those nine are depicted taking off from an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, losing control and ejecting from the plane before it crashes into the sea.

Another is Brendan Chogan an out of work Parking enforcement officer who is introduced as he takes a job interview and told that he has not been successful in getting hired. He is a huge man, formerly a heavy weight boxer whose only desire is providing for his wife and two daughters as best as he can.
The adventures of the nine strangers in safely moving through the disasters around them provide a well orchestrated read about ordinary people suddenly thrust into a situation in which every facet of the civilization they formerly counted on sustaining their lives is gone. Mr Boush is successful in showing these people in moving towards a situation where they are forced to and do adapt to the circumstances they are surrounded with. The novel can easily be read on a stand alone basis, but we are shown enough background to understand that more will come shortly. These books will surely be well received and looked forward to.