Reviews

Brilliant and disturbing. So apt in today's world.

Sometimes you start reading a book and you never want it to end. You want to stay in that world with those characters forever. Reliance by Paul McMurrough is that book.
...A brilliant but disturbing read. Five stars!

An excellent dystopian sci-fi!

Reliance is an excellent read and I was gripped by the story from the first pages – it is very well written and felt real. The characters and events are vividly painted, and the twists and turns of the plot keep you guessing – if you like dystopian thrillers, you will not be disappointed! The pacing is also very good and keeps you hooked, making it very difficult to put down. The reader is left thinking that the scenario detailed in the book could happen (a terrifying thought!).

Epic Apocalyptic Fiction...or could it really happen?

This is such a well thought out, realistic account of what may happen if suddenly the whole world's power is cut that it really made me think, and it sparked plenty of 'what if' discussion at the dinner table! I could really imagine everything happening the way it did in the book, including the way the government dealt with it. The characters are very relatable and I got totally invested in them. The story is suspenseful, gripping, scary and sad all at the same time, but injected with hope and also showing human kindness as well as cruelty. I'm really looking forward to part two, but it's a a perfect stand alone too. Loved it. Highly recommended!!

Mind blowing

One of the most gripping books I've read in a long time. Every single page leads on to the next. And the last page leaves you wanting to know more.
The ones who appreciate technical stuff about writing - to them I'd say, the book handles POVs very deftly. The chapters are organised well. And the theme of power outage matches with our lockdown situation the world over, so it's very relatable.
Looking forward to the next installment. Highly recommended!

What an audio - an absolute gem

Having stumbled upon this by sheer chance, I was captivated from the very first line. The narrator delivers excellence, the author spins an intricate tale with the character’s backgrounds skilfully woven within the credible plot. Once beginning to listen, it was near to impossible to stop, the narrator drawing me deeper into the story with an outstanding performance. Reliance by Paul McMurrough is an absolute gem leaving the listener to wonder what indeed would result if the story ever came to reality. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars.

Gripping

I am not usually a reader of dystopian novels, but I am so pleased that I picked up Reliance.
We start by following a few crucial characters develop and begin to interact with each other - as they are spun closer together by world events. The unfolding catastrophe is all too plausible - does the collapse of transport, infrastructure and institutions sound a little familiar just at the moment? Innocents, and the old and vulnerable are put at risk as the authorities struggle to maintain supplies and security.
But as with our current world situation - this is also a story of individuals, love, loss and survival, not just logistics.
In one word? Gripping.

Control
A gripping sequel

That was a brilliant second book, I couldn't put it down. So much tension and fear, a glimpse into what life without power will do to people. A highly recommended series so far.

Control
Believable dystopian. My blood ran cold reading this thriller

Control by Paul McMurrough is second in his Powerless Earth series - although he did manage to slip in a fantastic stand alone spin-off called Dr Death. I suggest reading the first in the series, Reliance, first - although all three books are perfectly formed and fully stand alone.
The series is a dystopian apocalyptic thriller - but we are not talking zombies here! We are talking a hugely believable plot of how quickly society can malfunction and dysfunction. I read Reliance at the height of the Covid pandemic - both books made my blood run cold.
Nothing is off the table with Paul’s novels - they are far from cozy.

Dr Death
A Heartbreaking but Stunning Read

If you’ve read Reliance, then you know just got phenomenal the world that McMurrough has created is. He leaves readers clinging to every word, cheering for every good guy, and swearing vehemently at the bad ones.

This work of art is no different. George is my absolute hero at this point, and I was in TEARS at the end of this short novelette.

You will not regret picking up this story. Unless you just hate fantastic books. Always a 10/10 for one of my new favorite authors.

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