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Michael Robertson
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Crash (Book One): A Dark Post-Apocalyptic Tale. (Crash - The Complete Series 1) Kindle Edition

by Michael Robertson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.8 out of 5 stars 2,257 ratings
WHEN EVERYTHING'S BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU, SOMETIMES THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS RUN.

Chris’s life of luxury is gone, devastated by the collapse of the European economy. Huddled in a small room with his petrified ten-year-old son, Chris made the decision to stay in his lavish and once cherished home. Gas, water, and electricity are all cut off; his wife and daughter have gone, and food is running out.

Driven by the need to survive, Chris has decided to keep secrets from his son. Secrets that will make everything else up until this point seem trivial. Secrets that—one way or another—will come out before the day is done.

Cowering in his home, he watches as his neighbours are dragged into the street and brutally executed by a small army of psychotic scavengers hell-bent on making the formerly privileged pay. As they methodically purge each home, Chris realizes that staying was the worst decision of his life. Secrets or not, he has to act fast; the murderous pack only has one more house before they reach his…

Crash - A post-apocalyptic/dystopian thriller.

WARNING: THIS BOOK CONTAINS SCENES OF BRUTAL VIOLENCE. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Crash - The Complete Series
  2. Print length
    104 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    17 Jan. 2014
  6. File size
    5.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DJBJVY8
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 17 Jan. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 104 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1628400274
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Crash - The Complete Series
  • Customer reviews:
    3.8 out of 5 stars 2,257 ratings

About the author

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Michael Robertson

Michael Robertson

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Michael Robertson is a writer of dark post-apocalyptic fiction, horror, and science fiction. He's been writing for over fifteen years and has been published in several anthologies and magazines, as well as being published by HarperCollins.

As a father of two young children, he writes when he can, which is mostly before they get up and after they've gone to bed.

He loves reading, writing, watching movies and spending time with his family.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
2,257 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a fantastic read with extremely well-written content that keeps them reading until the end. The storyline receives mixed reactions - while some find it gripping and realistic, others note it has no happy ending and lacks a coherent plot. The book features unnaturally graphic violence that some find difficult to read, and while customers appreciate the situation of the characters, they find them unlikable. The pacing and thought-provoking elements also receive mixed reviews.

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ReadabilityWriting qualityStorylinePacingThought provokingCharacter developmentViolence levelDark content
105 customers mention ‘Readability’79 positive26 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a fantastic read that kept them engaged until the end, with one customer noting it was executed to flawless perfection.

"...violence in this book but it is superbly described and executed to flawless perfection...." Read more

"...I like this writer. Well worth reading this book if you're a fan of dystopian literature and definitely a name to look out for in the future." Read more

"...Not a bad book." Read more

"...It is bleak and hopeless, but I think as this is the first one in a series, it may be interesting to see how the plot develops...." Read more

42 customers mention ‘Writing quality’37 positive5 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as extremely well written and easy to read, with one customer noting its incredible detail.

"...before the next layer of tension kicks in resulting in a wonderfully paced read...." Read more

"...this book disturbed me, which means that the author is brilliant with his descriptive writing and in depth narrative style...." Read more

"...If you like dark, dark stuff then this is for you. Well written, but will give you a bad dream for sure!" Read more

"...Michael's writing is raw and interesting and in no way does he apologise for his violence; the brutality never failed to horrify me chapter after..." Read more

75 customers mention ‘Storyline’52 positive23 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the storyline of the book, with some finding it gripping and realistic, while others describe it as completely bereft of plot and say it drags.

"...This story was told with panache - each revelation of back story provides temporary relief before the next layer of tension kicks in resulting in a..." Read more

"...The situation is very believable. The details of the economic crash so like what we are seeing today with the uncertain future we are living...." Read more

"...The end is gruesome but the novella shows what a cruel world we live in." Read more

"...the author is brilliant with his descriptive writing and in depth narrative style...." Read more

56 customers mention ‘Pacing’22 positive34 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the pacing of the book, with some saying it had them hooked from the first page and kept them engaged throughout, while others find it very depressing and absolutely sickening.

"yes its bleak, yes its gory and graphic! but what did you expect?? this book contained everything i wanted in survival/ post apocalyptic book...." Read more

"...the horrific events unfold right in front of me; I felt tense and on edge throughout...." Read more

"...It is disturbing but not so much because of the world it is set in, it's more to do with the main agressor and his gang and that at the time of the..." Read more

"...The story is gripping, sad, dark, observational and personal... this is a book about a father's relationship with his son in the face of every..." Read more

31 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’21 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's thought-provoking nature, with some appreciating its exploration of reality and topicality, while others find it goes into too much detail and lacks depth.

"...Michael reminds me of Charlie Higson, as he writes fresh metaphors and deftly handles both the explosive impact of the violence, whilst punctuating..." Read more

"One of the most unnerving and thought provoking books I have read in a long time. Not just a standard post-apocalyptic book at all...." Read more

"...the desperate plight the characters are in, but a little too much detail for my aged intestines. He doesn't go for the obvious tropes...." Read more

"...The creative and vivid description made me feel like I was watching the horrific events unfold right in front of me; I felt tense and on edge..." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Character development’6 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some appreciating the situation of the characters while others find them unlikable.

"...I see what the author has tried to do, but as none of the characters are likable, it is a window into a very miserable situation with no uplifting..." Read more

"...-Good range of emotions in such a short story, albeit most of them negative (Anxiety, hope, panic, despair) Cons:..." Read more

"...give Crash 5 stars just because I found it slightly difficult to relate to the characters especially the mother...." Read more

"...manages to capture the horror and fear whilst maintaining raw, believable characters...." Read more

75 customers mention ‘Violence level’22 positive53 negative

Customers find the book's violence level concerning, describing it as unnecessarily graphic and gory, with one customer noting that some scenes are particularly difficult to read.

"...Unlike some of his books this one is a bit overly violent for my taste, not gratuitous as it helps to amplify the desperate plight the characters..." Read more

"It was ok. Yes it's graphic - possibly unnecessarily so in parts but given the current economic climate, we are already overdue a financial..." Read more

"...Yes, there is graphic violence in this book but it is superbly described and executed to flawless perfection...." Read more

"yes its bleak, yes its gory and graphic! but what did you expect?? this book contained everything i wanted in survival/ post apocalyptic book...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Dark content’2 positive8 negative

Customers find the dark content of the book negative.

"I found this a really hard read because of the dark content, and I do not mind brutal and bloody...." Read more

"This book for me was far too dark and depressing...." Read more

"I thought it was spellbinding, dark but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down, it even made me flinch at so of the darker parts but a..." Read more

"...The story is gripping, sad, dark, observational and personal... this is a book about a father's relationship with his son in the face of every..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • ChilliDog
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Review of Crash by Michael Robertson
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 June 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I read this book in one sitting. It was truly relentless.

    Once you start, you really won't be able to stop. I genuinely felt anxious for the characters and I had to keep going because their plight seemed so real and plausible that I simply had to know how each new chapter was going to unfold as soon as possible.

    Yes, there is graphic violence in this book but it is superbly described and executed to flawless perfection. I felt like I was literally in a horror movie and forced to sit alongside the protagonists, as they contemplate how despicable the antagonists are and how bleak their situation is, yet they still keep fighting and never giving up hope, despite the chaos of the world unfolding around them.

    The dynamic between the Father and son really made me feel empathy for Chris and I also love how his son is called Michael too.

    To witness how the world changes Chris and how he interacts with his son, you kind of watch it in bemused terror as each new development unfolds. This story was told with panache - each revelation of back story provides temporary relief before the next layer of tension kicks in resulting in a wonderfully paced read.

    There are comedic elements in this story, which lighten its harrowing tone, bigoted sentiments of Chris's boss and Chris's wife also seemed perfectly realised and seemed both hauntingly familiar yet starkly original.

    Michael reminds me of Charlie Higson, as he writes fresh metaphors and deftly handles both the explosive impact of the violence, whilst punctuating it all with humorous moments of brevity.

    Michael deserves a ton of attention for this debut and I simply cannot wait for the next one, I am sure that you will feel the same - highly recommended.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • mister bee
    4.0 out of 5 stars A little too close to our own possible future
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 March 2022
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Have been reading quite a few of Michael Robertson's books and I'm really impressed at the depth of emotion and understanding in them.

    This, as the title suggests, is about a world where an economic crash has caused a complete and rapid erosion of norms of society. Chris and Michael, his ten year old son are trapped in their house as a gang of vicious looters ransak each house in turn, killing the men and taking prisoner the women. As they wait the story of how the crash happened and it's mounting effects on the life of Chris, his wife and daughter now strangely absent, and Michael. Chris is no hero, in fact he's a bit of a p**ck, something he comes to understand as he realises the love he has had from his family and only now, when it is too late, does he realise his own failings.

    The gang outside are ruthless and the people of the gated community are all rich, or had been before the crash...will Chris save his son from the fate of a vicious class war where a psychopathic gang leader is executing the 1% ers with no compassion?

    The situation is very believable. The details of the economic crash so like what we are seeing today with the uncertain future we are living. Unlike some of his books this one is a bit overly violent for my taste, not gratuitous as it helps to amplify the desperate plight the characters are in, but a little too much detail for my aged intestines. He doesn't go for the obvious tropes. His main protagonist isn't a hero, far from it, he's a middle aged,overweight failed banker with a lousy personality whose only redeeming quality is his love for his son, who seems dead set on getting them killed with his overly curious behaviour. The gang are ruthless but have risen from the downtrodden member of society that have suffered most from the actions of the rich and are out to redress the balance. Reminiscent of the various revolutions , French,Russian, where peoples militia hunted down aristocrats, killed them and took their possessions with a vengeful rightousness.

    I like this writer. Well worth reading this book if you're a fan of dystopian literature and definitely a name to look out for in the future.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Hoops
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good start, can't wait for the next one
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I thought this was a solid start to the series. I couldn't put it down and finished in just over 24 hours which shows you just how addictive the book is!

    I really felt their struggle and found my mind trying to race ahead of my eyes to find out what happened to both Michael and Chris. It was very difficult to take in such ruthless detail at times but this only served to increase my hope for the father and son as I flicked each page.

    Pros:
    -Superb description, you really feel like you are there alongside the main characters every step of the way.
    -The unconditional bond between the father and son draws you in immediately.
    -Gripping storyline
    -Excellent switch between chapters of past and present which slowly builds your understanding and relationship with the main character
    -Good range of emotions in such a short story, albeit most of them negative (Anxiety, hope, panic, despair)

    Cons:
    -Could have done with a bit more positivity in the book at various points It was pretty negative throughout.
    -Some stereotypical views unnecessarily inserted that made the story less realistic. I find it very hard to believe bankers could ultimately cause this sort of level of anarchy without there being more detail presented to the reader behind the collapse of the government and law enforcement.
    -The ending.

    Overall a very good start and 3* reflects my inability to put the book down. That is always a good sign in my eyes! Ending improvement and less generalisation for book 2 please.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • JoanneG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic Portrayal of the Aftermath of a Financial Crisis
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 January 2016
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I just finished this book, and I feel sick. I feel sick because I believe this is what would truly happen if a worldwide financial crisis occurred, something we barely avoided in 2008. Right now, in the US--and apparently in the UK as well--the country is run by the richest of the rich who have bought the media and politicians to get even richer. As they get more, the rest of us get less and less. How long until a revolution happens? It is inevitable. The only way "we can get our country back" is probably through war. The rich have security and places to run to, but they make up 1% of the population and the rest of us will eventually find them. The poor and marginalized, who have somehow been blamed for the state of the world, will survive to get revenge. They fight every day to survive, so when the end comes, they will be far more prepared to fight than the pampered rich. And they will be ruthless. Why shouldn't they? The rich have been nothing but ruthless with the rest of us, taking what little we have for their own and leaving us with breadcrumbs.

    This book had extreme violence, which I believe is an accurate portrayal of what would occur in this situation. Just as the rich got drunk on power, the poor will get drunk on revenge. There are evil people out there who are currently held back by the veneer of civilization. When civilization is gone, there will be nothing to stop them. They will get their revenge and more because there will be no one to stop them--unless people like George, good people in terrible circumstances, stop them. People like George are the hope for the rest of us. We will all have to decide what side to take--George's or Dean's. Is torture and killing justified, as it is by Dean, who was one of the 99% and now sees his chance for power? There are still good people around, but do good people stand a chance against violence and insanity? Good people will have to become just as violent to survive. Will they still be good people?

    Will a worldwide financial crisis happen? As described in the book, when things start to get bad, people in power look out for themselves. They don't do what's right for the world; they do what is right for them. Unmitigated greed will eventually lead to this. How could it not? People are already dying all around the world because they don't have enough to eat and wars are being fought over resources.

    Will this happen? I hope not. I would hope people would open their eyes and do the right things before we reach this point, but, somehow, I doubt that. Hope is represented in the book by Michael. George let him survive. He may be damaged beyond repair, but he survived and he is a good person, but will what he experienced change him? Who knows? People react differently to horrible circumstances. If there is to be a future, people like Michael will be the ones to lead us forward. We have to hope enough of them survive to make it possible.
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  • nanamurdock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very dark....very addictive....
    Reviewed in Canada on 3 March 2017
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    After reading a few chapters I felt I could not continue reading this very dark and graphic book....however, I could not put the book down. I couldn't wait to read the rest of all the books in this series....excellent stuff! Enthralling and addictive...
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  • Large Marge
    5.0 out of 5 stars The one book you need to read before you bust a finger downloading another one. A+ all round
    Reviewed in Australia on 21 December 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This book smacked in the head when it started and then kept smacking me throughout. Thought it was going to be some piss poor attempt to do something superhuman then the book became all too human. I love the post apocalyptic genre to the point of exclusion to all others. This book was not only well written but it was a rickety rollercoaster that just had to be ridden. I finished reading it and immediately went and kissed my husband and my pets (read children here). It's FREE so go for it.
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  • Silvia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Terror psicológico con altas dosis de realismo
    Reviewed in Spain on 12 July 2018
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Me ha enganchado muchísimo, ya estoy buscando el siguiente. Es una historia dura e impredecible.
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  • Sandy00oz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Brutal, sickening but probably how it would be
    Reviewed in Australia on 16 February 2018
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This story of a World brought to its knees by a crashed global market is brutal. People being what they are, I think the cruel and greedy really would act this way, and there would be people emerging like the ones in the story. As much as the written violence sickened me, I couldn’t stop reading it. People are not always nice when their lifestyle is threatened, we see it on the news every day, violence is everywhere.
    This is well written, and the story line believable. The main character is not very nice, is a bit arragant end self absorbed, and so nothing screams hero who will save the world, when he can’t save himself. This is not about a zombie apocalypse, although I do love that genre, This is much more frightening as it could happen. Rather depressing story but it does make a point.
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