This post-apocalyptic novel really exceeded my expectations! The plot, the characters, and the action held me glued almost through to the end. The depiction of the aliens and the scenes leading to the climax felt not too original, though. Barring that, this book was a great read and is an exciting start to a series I'm looking forward to continue reading. ( )

When I was a young girl I made the mistake of watching War of the Worlds, something a child with a fear of aliens should never do. It catapulted me into years of nightmares and insomnia. Breakers takes that fear to a new level. It throws the reader into a world where humanity is almost annihilated from the planet earth. Many apocalyptic novels host a disease that is man made and often released by mistake courtesy of the government. This novel also hosts a disease but it is the product of a hostile alien life force which releases the disease then proceeds to remove any lingering survivors so that they may have earth for themselves. The story line follows a young couple from LA and a young man from New York City. The disease wipes out everyone Walt cares about including his girl friend, who we discover is about to leave him. In despair Walt sets out for Los Angeles which is where his deceased girl friend had wished to move to. He believes along the way he will meet his death and he is fine with that. He surprises himself to find himself still alive upon his arrival in LA which he takes as a sign that he should fight back against the aliens. The couple from LA, Mia and Raymond, are down on their luck when the disease ravages the country. They are content to move into a mansion and wait out the disease until they discover the enemy is not only the disease but the aliens who sent the disease to earth. Eventually Walt crosses their path and the trio sets out to join with rebel forces so that they can salvage the remnants of humanity. While I could relate to the young couple it was a bit more difficult to like Walt. Although the reader understands his claim to have loved his girl friend dearly we also get a feel for why she was not as enamored with him as he appears to be with her. I can not say this book was a real page turner for me but it did capture my interest. I wanted to see how Walt's journey would end and if Mia and Raymond would survive. I did appreciate that the novel was fairly fast paced. No lingering and dwelling on needless details. ( )

What I liked:

Apocalypse on two levels: Most of the world’s population is killed off by a very aggressive disease. We watch its progression through the eyes of the main characters. Just when you think this is a story about the world descending into anarchy, the aliens arrive.

A clever means to an end: The aliens in this book are not an overwhelming race of apex predators, for a change. Their invasion is based on cunning rather than military strength. In some ways, it’s similar to the way countries were colonised by the European nations centuries ago.

Humanity laid bare: Walt is a jerk in some ways, but he’s also a realist and his introspective moments make for an interesting view on the human species. While there will always be people willing to cooperate towards a shared goal, there will also be those who seek only to further their own agenda. This is played out on a personal level in this book.

What I didn’t like:

Uncertain motivation: I found it strange that the three main characters decide to stick together without any preamble. As a reader, I was waiting for the moment they’d meet and hoping they’d join up somehow, but I found the execution unrealistic.

I don't often read books set in an apocalypse scenario, but I enjoyed this one. Breakers tells quite a poignant tale. I didn't like Walt much at first, but he's such a fascinating personality that it more than makes up for that. ( )

3 and 1/2 stars, actually, so I rounded up to 4.

Great concept, just could use better flow.

This is the first book in the Breakers Series. The story was good the writing was "glitchy" at times, yeah, I'm going to go with glitchy. It was interesting enough for me to know what happens in the other books in the series. The story is told from two point of views: Raymond and Mia and Walt. I liked Mia and Raymond's story best. Walt does get more likable toward the end, when you see that he does have some redeeming qualities. I felt like I really got to know these characters fairly well. There were lots of typo's and passages that didn't make any sense, I had to reread them; sometimes more than once to understand what was being said.

Overall, I did like it and if you like end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it/virus/aliens kinds of stories then you should read it.

15+ for somewhat mature audiences. ( )

A mysteriously illness overcomes the US and leads to the breakdown of society. Then after struggling to make sense of the loss of a majority of the population, it's disclosed that it was part of a bigger plan and that a rebellion must be formed. Really fun sci-fi with some touching moments and interesting personal dynamics. ( )