Customer Reviews

Earth, the New Frontier

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a long-time fan of post-apocalyptic fiction I've read just about every novel in the genre I can track down. Unfortunately, that means I'm now left waiting for new titles and most of them aren't worth the time. Celaya's book is a good example of bad writing from this field-- terrible characterization, pointless violence included for shock value, and a ridiculous fixation on the technical aspects of the firearms. If you bother to finish the book you'll feel like you know John Hammond's Colt 1911 more intimately than Hammond (the central character). If you've ever had the misfortune to read one of Ian MacAllister's thrillers from the 1970s (_Strike Force 7_, _Driscoll's Diamonds_, etc.) you'll know the gun fetish can get in the way of a narrative; with Celaya it's so bad that at times you wonder if you're reading a gun catalog rather than a novel. Top this off with a story that is really just a basic vengance fantasy with a bit of a sci-fi setting and you have one crappy book. The icing on the cake is the poor editing (even the copy editing is bad-- watch for typos!) from what appears to be just short of a vanity press. Don't waste your time on this one-- read one of the classics instead.

I admit I have not read all of this book just the few sample pages here on Amazon. I am an avid reader of apocalypse fiction and at first I was excited to see a new entry into the genre but then a few warning signs popped up. The book was published by PublishAmerica, a vanity press (they say they are not, but any press that takes almost every book submitted and relies on the author to do their own publicity is one). Another concern is that all of the previous reviews were written by people who have written no other reviews. These items together make it all look a little fishy to me. Having read the first few pages I can say there is an interesting idea there but the dialog and pacing were amateurish. I am afraid that the rest of the novel may continue in this vein. This definitely does not belong on the same level as classics like Earth Abides. Get some legit reviews on here and maybe I will take another look at it.

I found this to be a fair thriller and I did appreciate the spin on the post-apolcalyptic theme (what does happen to the incarcerated when the world ends? Apparently they become homicidal maniacs). However, I could not get away from the feeling this was a first attempt, writer's group type of novel. Many characters were stereotypes and the dialogues were a bit wooden. However, there was enough of a plot and human interest to sustain this reader to the end.

Story is original and full of action, can easily keep readers interested. It is one of those books that is very hard to put down. Writer is able to paint a detailed picture of what is happening without bogging down the story with long winded explanations. However sometimes the detail of horrific scenes is a little over the top. Could be great,could be a burden depending on the type of reader you are. Character detail is less than what my heart desires but other readers may enjoy the imaginary freedom. Overall the story is greatly entertaining. The ultimate race of survival between good and evil. It had you rooting for the good guys and cursing the bad guys.

I found this novel on Book Crossing and was intrigued by the story line. Having always been a fan of apocalyptic books like Left Behind and The Stand (both were very similar) I was anxious to read this book.

ETNF is a pretty good read and I enjoyed it. I would have liked to see more of the end of world book but I guess I'll have to look for the sequel. Overall the writing was decent and the story and characters got pretty entertaining after the first chapter or two.

Along with this book I'd recommend The Stand, Left Behind, Earth Abides, Lucifer's Hammer and Ender's Run. If you like EOW books then add this one to your list.

The first part of the book was good in the typical "doomer" fashion. But the rest of the book was all chase scenes between the bad guys and the good guys. I stuck it out to the end hoping to read about the survivors and maybe a description of their new life at their destination, but it was a real letdown with just a short page of the end of the journey.

Every ten years or so someone comes along and writes a really good end of world book, and Mister Celaya has done it with Earth the New Frontier.

No sugar coating on this story! Although there are some graphic scenes of death, even a rape, they are well written and not just the usual gratuitous death and sex you see so much these days. There's some scenes in this book that will haunt you and make you wonder how you would do under the same circumstances.

I liked this book quite a bit. It is well written, well researched, the characters are very well crafted and interesting, and the story is absolutely entrancing by chapter 3. The ending had me on the edge of my chair until the last page. It was one of those books that when it's over you feel like your best friend moved away or your dog died.

I almost put this book when I first got ahold of it because the first chapter starts out slow. Fortunately I didn't because the pace picks up from about chapter two and just starts steamrolling to the finale. I was pretty impressed with this book by the end.

I got an email from someone saying this book was awesome, so I bought a copy.

Oh Man! At first this book starts off with the usual 'meet the characters--a disaster is coming' stuff. Then in chapter 2, after the storm has hit--wammo! The real action starts. you got convicts preying on the locals like wolves on a flock of sheep, you got a buncha soldiers chasing the prisoners, and a group of people trying to head north to a bunker.

The writer does a good job of depicting the scene as it gets cold and dark around them. he also does a great job of making the characters lovable. You really get to liking several of them before things really get bad so you spend the second half of the book worrying who is gonna get killed. I liked this book more than any other end of the world book I have read yet.

It's pretty cool to see a new PA (post apocalyptic) book on the market. It's been years since anyone wrote one.

I liked this book. It's obvious that it's the author's first book, but I'd definately like to see more from this author (Adam Caleya.)

Earth the new frontier starts off with the usual end of world build up and moves pretty fast, but by the second or third chapter you really get to know the characters, the villains, and the action moves along at a great pace. I liked this book and would be willing to buy more books from this author.