a good listen

enjoyed this one, I will be listening to the rest of the series for sure

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A really good read

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

i found that i was listening to this book not only on my way to and from work, but also at work. i would find an excuse to nip to the shops to listen a bit more and even have headphones on in bed just to reach the end of the section.
You know, it was that good, i may even buy the next one
Great book, expertly read, fascinating story based on good research. i may buy a few tins of corned beef on the way home........just in case

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Good post apocalyptic fun

This series has started really well. Some really interesting ideas in a typical end of the world story. No zombies for a change. Highly recommended

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Scary good!

What did you like most about Catalyst Downward Cycle?

This book is scary good. By which I mean not only is it a great book but it feels real. It feels to be how society would react on a small town and government level. I also really like our main character, Scott. The story eases us into the situation in a way that's amazing to listen to and makes it easy to follow the story progression.

What other book might you compare Catalyst Downward Cycle to, and why?

I'm not sure how I would compare this to other works. I can honestly say, think of your favorite authors and if they wrote a book about this topic it would be this book. It's got a polished feel to it with really well developed characters and it feels normal. Normal in a sense of this is our world and this is how the loss of power and government control would play out in a small town.

What about Steven Varnum’s performance did you like?

The sense of the world feeling normal comes across really well and also Scott comes to life through the narration. I really liked at the start where we have this calm before the storm, where people are going to coffee shops like its a normal day with a slightly irritating power problem but not thinking bigger, the narration made it feel normal but through Scott's thoughts and actions also to feel what's coming.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I started my own internal inventory of what I'd need to survive and it really got me thinking what I'd do. In fact I was suddenly happy to think of all my camping gear and other equipment as a start.

Any additional comments?

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

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Gripping

Fantastic story and characters! Whilst function, there are more things about government we don’t know then we do!

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Great end of the world as we know it book.

This just goes to show you do not need zombies, aliens or other flesh eating monsters to have a good end of the world as we know it book. If that sounds interesting to you this may be the book for you.

J K Franks’s writing is good and interesting, the story is kept moving with good pacing and characterful dialogue. This book is a well thought out and executed story of what would happen if most of the world’s technology failed, what would people do, what choices or actions would people need to take and the grey area between right and wrong that gets wider as the modern world falls to pieces. It is a little bleak at times but that how this sort of story should be.

Steven Varnum’s narration is clear and easy to listen to, they add threat to the battles and dangers. Each character has a unique voice that fits them adding to the listing experience, making it simple to tell who is who and conveying their emotions. I did not notice any errors in the recording.

Overall
This is an interesting book that is well worth a listen. I just hope nothing like this really happens.


I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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1 person found this helpful

Entertaining story about the fall of civilisation

excellent story narrated well. would have been 5 Star but for the pace of the story seemed to dip in the middle before picking up again. the detailed description of how the world falls apart will make you wonder if it could go down that way!

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Standard stuff.

Slow paced, bog standard end of world dross. Without any fantastical beasts, mythical creatures or drooling zombies it is just survivalist porn with lots of gun detail.

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Amazingly timed & relevant

Unwittingly I began this epic book/series on the same night of our most recent (10th May 2024) Northern Lights which, whilst not a new phenomenon to me living in rural Scotland was exacerbated by a solar storm (emc) making the sky light up in pink and purple waves visible with the naked eye in areas of the unnatural street lights and houses of our local town. This coincidence had me gripped from the very first chapter and I'm currently just starting book 3 which is reliving that night all over again. As an avid wild camper and part time survivalist the story and characters portrayed in this book made it a fascinating read and the narration and plot have you gripped at every chapter.

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Fun apocalyptic romp, but room for improvement

Reminded me of Clive Cussler - Easy to follow and moves along at a good pace. Well researched re. Prepping. But I found myself predicting story beats as it was quite formulaic even down to specific language and phraseology.
Characterisation felt a little light and one dimensional. Relied on obvious stereotypes rather than complexity and depth.
My big issue with the audio book was when it came to the African American characters, the white narrator adopted a very stereotypical approach to tone and vernacular, with the author even referencing ‘ghetto speak’ at one point. This feels like something that shouldn’t happen any more. Similar for female characters who were all granted a high pitch, soft inflection that felt very basic. Generally the narrator did a good job with the material though.

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