DTC709

Good listen! Went really fast but I did get slightly annoyed with the authors consistent use of the phrase ‘this fallen world’ otherwise 5 stars!

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Great read!!

It is not often I write a review for a book I listen to but this one was really special! If you are looking for a unique take on the end of the world this one is for you especially if you do not enjoy too much world building descriptive writing. All 3 of the books had me hooked immediately-now to try and find the next book by this author as I have another favourite!

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Pretty good for free

Overall a good book with good performance. I gave the story 3 stars at times it seemed like the author was being paid by the word. The phase "In This Fallen World" is repeated so often it becomes a running joke. The book was good to listen to while walking around the neighborhood.

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Great listen!

I really enjoyed the books as soon as I figured out what was happening in book two, the reverse explanation of the story was very different!

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Good start

Loved almost everything about this book except the droning and repetitive mantra of “this fallen world, I hope the other books don’t drone on like this?? We get it the world has changed, now shut up and stop using filler lines !!

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Mostly A Silly Futuristic 'Equalizer' Clone. Just Go With It.

You really have to set aside logic to enjoy this book. If you can get past the unoriginal "evil-corporations-creating-automatons-by-using-brainwashing "Imprinting Chairs"" plotline (yes, exactly like 'Total Recall'), you run into the idea that these companies somehow got a hold of nuclear weapons and triggered a survivable Armageddon. It's pretty ludicrous.
If you can manage to suspend disbelief, however, Christopher Woods rewards you with two über-violent Gun-For-Hire stories following 'Matthew Kade' - former corporate assassin and enhanced "Agent" - slashing & shooting his way through dozens of opponents at a time while shrugging off multiple gunshots, stabbings, envenomations, and crushing injuries.. and one following 'Zechariah Pratt' - a superhuman fighter/farmer effortlessly killing hordes of bad guys in the name of justice and trying to establish a heavily-armed safe refuge for helpless victims of the horrible cannibalistic rape-gangs that sprang up hours after civilization failed. You can also mine the book for some intriguing ideas [post-apocalyptic infrastructure - food, water, electricity - being delivered (and sometimes withheld) by criminal consortia, for example]. The book is largely adrenaline-fuelled nonsense, but worth a contemplative listen at times.
As to closing every single one of 47 chapters with "Blah-Blah-Blah.. in this fallen world ": it's awkward, mildly annoying, and would make for a great liver-killing drinking game.. but not intrusive. It's less a deal-killing deficiency & more a sign that Woods is never going to win any writing awards (it's a cringeworthy storytelling convention).

As to presentation: doubtless, excellent narration from Mark Boyett makes this book easier to consume. His interested tone and uncanny ability to read groanworthy lines with appropriate gravitas makes the illusion of reality easier to incorporate. If given the option between a text (paper or eBook) copy of 'This Fallen World' or this recorded version.. take this one every time.

Altogether, the book rates 6 stars out of 10. I am pleased to have found it as a 'Plus' selection (it was an entertaining distraction for a couple of quiet afternoons).. but paying a Credit for it would be debatable. Better alternatives beckon.

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