Edward W. Robertson

What I liked:

Apocalypse on two levels: Most of the world’s population is killed off by a very aggressive disease. We watch its progression through the eyes of the main characters. Just when you think this is a story about the world descending into anarchy, the aliens arrive.

A clever means to an end: The aliens in this book are not an overwhelming race of apex predators, for a change. Their invasion is based on cunning rather than military strength. In some ways, it’s similar to the way show more countries were colonised by the European nations centuries ago.

Humanity laid bare: Walt is a jerk in some ways, but he’s also a realist and his introspective moments make for an interesting view on the human species. While there will always be people willing to cooperate towards a shared goal, there will also be those who seek only to further their own agenda. This is played out on a personal level in this book.

What I didn’t like:

Uncertain motivation: I found it strange that the three main characters decide to stick together without any preamble. As a reader, I was waiting for the moment they’d meet and hoping they’d join up somehow, but I found the execution unrealistic.

I don't often read books set in an apocalypse scenario, but I enjoyed this one. Breakers tells quite a poignant tale. I didn't like Walt much at first, but he's such a fascinating personality that it more than makes up for that. show less

Already 2nd recently read sci-fi that gave feeling of watching a Hollywood movie. But if [b:The Martian|18007564|The Martian|Andy Weir|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413706054s/18007564.jpg|21825181] was a good movie, interesting, scientific, original and fresh (though lacked some suspense), this one was not so much fun. But the beginning was so good - thousands of years old guy (for unknown reason and the reason stays unknown in the end), android Che Guevara, kind HAL9000 with sense of show more humor, colonies on the planets... but that's it - only the ideas a 13 years old sci-fi loving teenage can also think of. However there are parts where one could see that Robertson can really write, he knows how it is done, at least on the level of a quite nice movie script, but for the same unknown reason he does not do it.

I would not recommend this book unless you have nothing else to do. show less

The Breakers Series by Edward W. Robertson is an absolutely captivating, original, character-filled, compelling post-apocalyptic tale. The world building is detailed, so believable as to be completely transparent and absorbing. The logic of what has happened to end the world (a plague) fits together nicely, with no wrong steps or weird missing facts. It is chillingly realistic.

Then, each book in the series introduces a new set of characters and follows them as they navigate through the show more apocalyptic world. Mr Robertson has a knack for showing his characters as deeply flawed people, but leading the reader to come to understand and respect (if not like) them -- even the most socially retarded and selfish ones. Each book concentrates upon several of these characters, but is filled with interesting secondary characters who are also well drawn out and multi-dimensional. And, in what I considered a bonus gift, characters from the earlier novels appear or are referenced in later books. This constant weaving together threads from different novels reinforces the overall story (of a world collapsed, with survivors fighting for their lives) and somehow makes it more believable and real.

I hope that Mr. Robertson will continue writing these books forever and ever. If you haven't discovered this series yet you are in for a treat. Start at the beginning so you can experience the complete story fully. Then join me in asking for more books in the series!

Book 3, Knifepoint, is my favorite in the series. Raina, the teenage heroine who grew up on her own in a post-apocalyptic world, is absolutely flawed and dysfunctional and fascinating. And deadly. She learns how to survive from dogs and rats, and applies those lessons to people when she finally rejoins society. We also get to see Walt from Book 1 which is a real treat. show less

Starts out like The Stand and the takes wild left turn. Got the 1st three book as a kindle bundle so I didn't have high expectations. I was very pleasantly surprised. The story and writing are very good. The characters are interesting, engaging, and believable. The second and third books introduce new characters, locations, and dimensions to the challenge of living in the new world Robertson built. Two Thumbs Up!