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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 2,255 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 2,255 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
2,255 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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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
    Verified 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
    Verified 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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  • Slow reader
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    It was ok.
    Yes it's graphic - possibly unnecessarily so in parts but given the current economic climate, we are already overdue a financial collapse. Exponentially increasing debts everywhere, insane politicians making the most messed up decisions and allowing the continual enrichment of already rich people and ignoring climate change. Dwindling natural resources, the americans constantly trying to go to war. You can be pretty sure, that ours or the next generation will be utterly screwed.

    So although people like the particular types looters in the book will be very few and far between because these ones seemed to enjoy inflicting pain, there probably will be some somewhere.

    And about the book, I can't say I particularly gelled with the characters so I wasn't overly gutted about what happened to some of them.
    I did, however, like the touch where the story flitted from present to past.

    Not a bad book.
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  • 3181MN
    5.0 out of 5 stars FAB!! Couldn't stop reading!!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    yes its bleak, yes its gory and graphic! but what did you expect?? this book contained everything i wanted in survival/ post apocalyptic book. i read it in one sitting, and i just couldnt put it down. this book disturbed me, which means that the author is brilliant with his descriptive writing and in depth narrative style. i truly felt as if i were there with the character, and was experiancing every emotion they felt. A MUST BUY! you wont be disappointed!! :D
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Dave
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very realistic and riveting read
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 September 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I found the book page for this on Amazon before I purchased it. I was about to pass based on the low Amazon score when I noticed the reviewers were complaining about things like foul language and graphic violence - exactly the type of things you would expect to see in a graphic dystopian book like this. So, since I trust Michael Robertson having read close to 20 of his books I decided to buy it and see for myself. Now that I am finished I noticed the reviews are better on Goodreads which leads me to wonder if some of the negative reviews on Amazon are from competing authors or people they've paid. Yes, the book is full of graphic violence and some foul language, though not that much cursing really. I found this to be one of the most realistic dystopian books I've ever read. If some reviewers doubt people are going to act in disgusting ways towards one another should society ever break down then those reviewers are simply naive. The actions described in this book are probably only the tip of the iceberg for how depraved people would really become if there were no consequences. And, the author warns the reader twice by labeling the book "Dark" and placing a "Reader discretion is advised" warning on the Amazon book page. What else could you want? Some have said there are no redeeming characters or situations to root for and this is true. But this fails to recognize how powerfully the main character keeps you reading because you want to see what he will do next (even though he is a dreadful man personally). Overall the book is riveting, just go into it forewarned.
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  • nanamurdock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very dark....very addictive....
    Reviewed in Canada on 3 March 2017
    Verified 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
    Verified 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
    Verified 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
    Verified 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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