Review of The Big One

[Jeffrey S Brown]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Big One" by Alan Parkin.]

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2 out of 5 stars

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Many inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest of North America know that a massive earthquake will hit the region. It’s a matter of when, not if. The city of Seattle, Washington, sits directly atop a fault line that will be affected when the Cascadia subduction zone off the Pacific coast releases its ever-building pressure. Beginning in 2027, The Big One kicks off with a 9.5 magnitude earthquake that results in massive loss of life, destroys most of Seattle, and sparks wildfires that burn millions of acres. Three years later, Sarah, a journalist who escaped the destruction, and Tim, a videographer, set out from Kansas toward the devastation to document the stories of survivors still in the region. The U.S. government keeps the area under quarantine, claiming that terrorists from the fledgling country of Cascadia threaten national security, so Sarah and Tim require special passes to travel across the border. The security is just as strict on the Cascadia side, and only the name of a resident vouching for them allows them entry. Skye Flower, the interim governor of Cascadia, is delighted to see them, sits for the first interview, and provides resources to continue their journey to get the truth out to the rest of the world. Joy and suspicion greet Sarah and Tim as they drive further into the area, and odd and sometimes hostile behavior keeps them tense and worried. The situation becomes more uncomfortable and unstable as the story progresses.

A natural disaster is not selective. Survival often depends on sacrifice, determination, and cooperation. This is not the time for politics or selfishness, as the book makes very clear. The premise is believable, disturbing, and possibly not far away. Community societal norms and compassion may be lost to necessity, fear, and greed, and the author follows this theme.

Unfortunately, poor editing interferes with the readability. There are problems with continuity within and between scenes, faulty sentence construction, and awkward word selection, requiring some time to understand without re-reading paragraphs. The lack of any separation between scenes, a blank line, or a symbol, for example, confuses, disrupting the thread of the story. The subject is interesting, but the editing needs some serious help. The Big One is barely worth reading, but prepare for a bumpy ride. It is suitable for young adults and older adults; there are no sex scenes, and profanity is minimal. I rate this two out of five stars.

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The Big One
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[Williams Jaden]

This review captures the gripping tension of The Big One. The vivid depiction of a post-earthquake Pacific Northwest, combined with the political intrigue of a quarantined Cascadia, makes for a compelling narrative. The evolving danger and suspense as Sarah and Tim uncover survivor stories add depth to this thrilling tale.

[Naimah Agboluaje]

Review: After reading the review for "The Big One," I must say I am intrigued by the premise of the book. The concept of a massive earthquake hitting Seattle and the aftermath that follows seems both believable and disturbing. The review highlights the importance of sacrifice, determination, and cooperation in the face of a natural disaster, emphasizing the need to put politics and selfishness aside. However, the reviewer does mention that poor editing poses a challenge in terms of readability, with continuity issues and awkward word choices. Despite this, I am still interested in exploring the story and seeing how the characters navigate this post-disaster world. Overall, I would rate this book a three out of five, as the intriguing premise outweighs the editing concerns. Atmospheric tension, kept me hooked throughout.

[NetMassimo]

The concepts of the Big One with its consequences and some political intrigue are interesting but they seem hindered by the execution. More editing work is needed to properly develop plot and themes and to do proper proofreading. A professional editor might be of great help in such a task. Thank you for your honest review!

[Joe Alex 2]

The concept of a massive earthquake leading to societal collapse and the challenges of surviving in a chaotic world is intriguing. However, the poor editing and continuity issues seem like they could make the story difficult to follow. While the premise is compelling, I’m not sure I would read it myself given the issues with readability.