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Re: Review: Without Warning (America is Gone) John Birmingham

Sherwoodforest47 — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:52:02 -0000

Please include excerpts with all your new books, you will sell more books that way. J. sherwood

Re: Review: Without Warning (America is Gone) John Birmingham

Patty_mate2002 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:42:46 -0000

I made my way through the book on the understanding that the characters would develop, and the plot would reach an interesting and plausible denouement, but alas...like many Australian stories of this genre, this one goes down the same path of improbability. The variety of sub plots was a good idea, however, they went their merry disjointed way and at no stage combined to strengthen the book as a whole. I actually question the value of the Caitlin Monroe sub plot. It did not appear to have any context whatsoever - who cares if she was AKA Cathy Mercure? What on earth was she doing? - and why did she have a brain tumor? Similarly, the whole "Aussie Rules" thing was a bit sad really. The good ship Diamantina and Old Pete Holder should have remained - they were far more interesting than "Jules", "Fifi" (please!) and "Mr Lee". Yes, no explanation for the "Wave" even though we as readers were expected to embrace the idea and react emotionally to it's catastrophic effect on America. Well I'm sorry, but it had the opposite effect and annoyed me to the point where I was hoping it (the Wave) would expand and envelope the globe, and therefore rid the world of the rest of the ridiculous characters - like "Rhino", "Jed Culver", "Larry Zood", et al. I don't know if I should have a crack at the next instalment or not. Maybe Caitlin's tumor may get better and she stops running around in the rain?

Re: Review: Without Warning (America is Gone) John Birmingham

john — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:16:34 -0000

I liked the axis books very much but was dissapointed in the third book and thought that the ending was rushed and disjointed leaving the reader with a disatisfied feeling.
Hope this trilogy doesnt die the same way

Re: Review: Without Warning (America is Gone) John Birmingham

Daskalosistoria — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 10:27:28 -0000

I think what I appreciated most about the novel was its utter unpredictability with the characters and their individual survival. *WARNING SPOILER* When Pete was killed early in the novel, I was stunned. When Fifi died, I was just as shocked, and went back and re-read that line several times. What this did was actually keep me in suspense from 'chapter' to 'chapter' or individual narrative. I honestly never knew which of the main characters was going to die.
The lack of an explanation for the "Wave" I found both intriguing and frustrating, but not to the point of ruining the read. Explaining calculus to a five year old would be just as productive.
The biggest problem I had with the entire premise was how quickly food shipments were ended in places far removed from the American agricultural machine. Why would Poles run out of food within days? They aren't dependent on American food shipments.
Overall though, this was an excellent read, and I *will* be purchasing the next book. I hope its just as good.

Re: Review: Without Warning (America is Gone) John Birmingham

Chico — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:53:06 -0000

"Recommended reading, although American’s will obviously..." -- You don't need an apostrophe there in "American's."

Re: Review: Without Warning (America is Gone) John Birmingham

Birmingham guy — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:00:56 -0000

Looks like a good book to read...

Re: Review: Without Warning (America is Gone) John Birmingham

Frank — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:19:28 -0000

Great review and I couldn't agree more with the French stream. I struggled with that one too and somehow it almost put me a little off all character in general. The balance between the big story and the fillings was just a little out of whack. He could have taken the book to a whole different level with drilling more into the effect on countries such as China but I don't want to complain.

What I loved was that I was waiting and waiting for the explanation of the thing and whether there would be some kind of alien involvement. But having looked at Birmingham's other books I doubted that to happen. At the end I was somewhat flabbergasted that it wasn't solved but then it might be better that way as it's open to everyone's own interpretation.

If you loved this you absolutely have to read Frank Schtzing's 'The Swarm' (http://www.amazon.com/Swarm.... He's a German advertising guy and author and that would have to be the best thing I ever read.

Sorry for the long comment but I have to post the PR blurb:
Whales begin sinking ships. Toxic, eyeless crabs poison Long Island’s water supply. The North Sea shelf collapses, killing thousands in Europe. Around the world, countries are beginning to feel the effects of the ocean’s revenge as the seas and their inhabi-tants begin a violent revolution against mankind. In this riveting novel, full of twists, turns, and cliffhangers, a team of scientists discovers a strange, intelligent life force called the Yrr that takes form in marine animals, using them to wreak havoc on humanity for our ecological abuses. Soon a struggle between good and evil is in full swing, with both human and suboceanic forces battling for control of the waters. At stake is the survival of the Earth’s fragile ecology - and ultimately, the survival of the human race itself. The apocalyptic catastrophes of The Day After Tomorrow meet the watery menace of The Abyss in this gripping, scientifically realistic, and utterly imaginative thriller. With 1.5 million copies sold in Germany — where it has been on the bestseller list without fail since its debut - and the author’s skillfully executed blend of compelling story, vivid characters, and eerie locales, Frank Schatzing’s The Swarm will keep you in tense anticipation until the last suspenseful page is turned.