Praise
R D White's first offering in The Dying Time trilogy, 'Impact', hits the mark bang on. White plays out the plot & character introduction slowly & carefully, even adding a character summary at the back of the novel for quick reference. (Why don't more authors do this?) The central character, Micheal Whitebear, is on par with other similar protagonists in this genre, ie: Lee Harden (The Remaining) & Bishop (Holding Their Own ) With 'Impact', White is vaulted into the upper ranks of survival authors such as D J Molles, Joe Nobody & others. Another well thought out addition is the product, site & publication appendix, in the novel, making it a go-to reference source. I'll be picking up book #2 'After The Dying Time' asap. It's that good.
A great read. Enjoyed it immensely. I have bought book two and will be hassling R.D.W for the final one. This guy writes very well.
5.0 out of 5 stars Jam packed with suspense and action!
I really enjoyed this book, thank goodness because I was wondering if I was burned out on PA fiction. But I'm not. Those other books books were just mediocre. This story is awesome. I have a hard time following multiple characters, and this book has multiple groups as well as multiple characters. But the author focused on each group enough times that I could remember them. The story takes you from the president's office upon the appearance of the asteroid through several years after impact and into the lives of the survivors on earth. The characters are so well developed that when one of the good ones gets killed, it pokes you in the gut. This novel is on the same level as Bobby Akart's for depth of scientific knowledge and intrigue. I will be reading book 2 tonight.
5.0 out of 5 stars A world I would pray never comes to pass, but could picture very easily, unfortunately.
The beginning of the end, be afraid very afraid.
Raymond Dean White writes a very realistic view of what America could look like after an asteroid strike that doesn't kill everyone. The preppers that everyone calls crazy are dealing with the atmospheric dust cloud better then most. The factions on what is left of the west coast isn't pretty, a cannibal King is building his kingdom using slaves and violence to rule those that can't manage to do otherwise and restored power. While those on the Space station have started seeing the Moon as their last refuge. This book is layers upon layers of groups and actions, the good the bad and the so ugly that almost everyone would rather not even think of it happening. It's gritty, gripping and far too close to home as to what could happen, and even with wanting to turn away and think of unicorns and fluffy kittens you stay gripped in the story lines. It is not reading for kids, and heaven forbid it be used as a how to by the give me society. You find your self reading it and sitting wondering what would you do? Frankly scared because you can't imagine preparing for this level of an event. One astronomers all agree it will happen just a case of when, in mankind's near future or long after we have done something stupid and attempted to wipe ourselves off the planet bringing the story to life with a different cause..It is well written and while it seems to bounce around at first stick with it because it comes together and the lessons of what humans are capable of are realistic and reasons to start thinking what would you do. While fictional it is an eye opener and I am glad I read it. Those that think everyone should just sit around a campfire and sing folk songs will not like this book. Those that want to try to survive the end of the world as we know it will learn someone actually knows what being a prepper is about. No matter your mindset opening this book you will close it with a very different thought process, good or bad. I recommend it to those that think that unicorns are just hidden in a forest somewhere. Maybe more would be able to survive the zombie apocalypse that fiction claims will end us.
One person found this helpful
The Dying Time, a smashing read
This book is probably the best book in the genre since Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Lucifer’s Hammer, according to a sizable number of people including myself, started the survivalist movement back in 1977. I would predict that The Dying Time will reignite that movement.
Raymond Dean White writes a smashing book. His characters are real, well thought out, and the dialog is to die for. This book has been responsible for me suffering sleep deprivation the past week but I loved it.
I’ve always been a fan of a writer whose characters sort of drift into the store through no fault of their own and have to fight to live. This was a technique used by Robert Heinlein and White has the technique down to a fine science. Characters are briefly mentioned and then move on. Three chapters later they pop up again and are up to their eyeballs in S#&T.
I also loved the way this book ended, not so much as a cliff hanger for the next in the series but enough to where the book can stand on its own and at the same time leaving you wanting more. I have to believe that books two and three will be equally as good.
Now for full disclosure, I’m an Amazon Kindle author with six books. The only think I can find wrong with White’s book is that I didn’t write it.
Pat Price
Newport Investigations
3 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read and well researched!
I like this type of survival of the fittest story. Years ago I read "Lucifers Hammer". It's also a asteroid strike on the earth story and it made me think about things like "what skills or knowledge do I have that would make me worth feeding in a time like that". I love a book that makes you think and The Dying Time really does that. Yes it has a lot of characters to keep up with but there is an index of characters and an index of products and useful survival products that are used in the book. So if you want to learn more, it's right there for you.
The story is good and it keeps up a good pace. I do wish we had just a little longer to get to know some of them before the asteroid hit but you learn as you go. There is a very diverse group of people that make this world go around and you grow to care for them in their fight for survival. I think it's one of the better books of this kind. So give it a chance and you will not be disappointed.
2 people found this helpful
A MUST READ Thriller in the Apocalyptic genre!
The book begins with a great line that pulls you in immediately. 'Everyone will be dead within two months'. It's Carl borzowski...Science advisor to the President of the U.S, that has to inform the President of an impending Asteroid impact two months away. The asteriod is 12 miles across and moving at great speed.'Two Months...total annihilation'. The book is realistic with the scene of the meeting in the Situation room and the options and possiblities of preparation. But this edge of your seat page-turner has many unpredictable twists and turns of plot and characters. The science research is there...the author's done his homework. This is a MUST READ if you're into this genre. 'Preppers' will find it especially interesting. With offbeat characters like Doctor Raoul Garcia and his wife, 'Joey the Giant mobster', 'Benny Bonifacio', 'Lola Madonna' and many others on the character list the 'before' and 'after' the event scenes run the gamut from grim dark humor to mind bending tragedy.Two thumbs up and five stars for a well-written well-plotted adventure!. (Review by Howard Lipman, pen name PanOrpheus, author of the 'Delphic Oracle', 'Tesla's Tower' and 'Mage and Source' series of Sci-fi-fantasy Alternate history steampunk novels and short story collections.)
One person found this helpful
Great Read!
Excellent book. It isn't your typical disaster book, but rather a dark battle for survival in a post apocalyptic setting. There is so little hope, and the tragedy just keeps getting bigger and bigger, but in the Freeholds area of Colorado, we find the only true sense of peace that appears on the earth after the dying time has run it's course. And, because there is so little to hope for, those who hear of it, want what the Freeholds have and will do whatever it takes to take it away from them.
The characters, both good and bad, are many. How the author kept up with so many is amazing, but he did and does. Each one has a distinct and vital role to play in the plotting of this book, even those who have little to do or say. The book's action takes place in multiple venues and the scenes switch back and forth as bits and pieces of the book are unfurled. It's a lot like unwrapping a prized birthday gift one little piece of tape at a time.
Looking forward to the next book as we see how our Freeholders are faring in this new and strange world!.
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CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!!
Fantastic book, I almost didn't buy it but did anyway as I enjoy books like this. This book changes characters a lot but in a way that you don't always have to try to remember who is who. After awhile you will know who the author is talking about. A very realistic look at what could happen if we had an astroid hit or even a major disaster, how would survivors act, react and move forward? This book covers all the bases. I will warn there are some graphic scenes in it during attacks and taking "slaves" and women hostage. I would suggest a mature audience for reading this. I for sure see ares in which every person could prepare even a little to help themselves in the case of disaster. I high suggest buying this book and promise you will not be upset that you did. Looking forward to book 2 and hoping it comes out FAST! I hate waiting forever so I am hopeful, although I will say this book is so well thought out and researched that I understand if it takes a little while. Amazing read
3 people found this helpful