The Rule of Three: The Neighborhood Book 1

416 pages

Published Jan. 21, 2014 by Razorbill Canada, Razorbill.

ISBN:: 978-0-670-06705-3

(2 reviews)

One ordinary afternoon, every single machine in sixteen-year-old Adam's high school computer lab stops working. At first the problem seems to be an electrical outage, but it quickly becomes apparent that it is far more serious. Outside, cars won't start, phones are down, and a blackout is widespread. Adam is surprised to find that his ancient, cyber-free car is one of the only vehicles to function. And he senses a rising storm tide of anger and fear as he drives home past hundreds of stranded motorists. Soon Adam will discover that the problem has paralyzed not just his town but the whole region if not the whole country and beyond. Soon--as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends--he will see that his suburban neighborhood must band together for protection. Soon violence will erupt and Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government agent …

One ordinary afternoon, every single machine in sixteen-year-old Adam's high school computer lab stops working. At first the problem seems to be an electrical outage, but it quickly becomes apparent that it is far more serious. Outside, cars won't start, phones are down, and a blackout is widespread. Adam is surprised to find that his ancient, cyber-free car is one of the only vehicles to function. And he senses a rising storm tide of anger and fear as he drives home past hundreds of stranded motorists. Soon Adam will discover that the problem has paralyzed not just his town but the whole region if not the whole country and beyond. Soon--as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends--he will see that his suburban neighborhood must band together for protection. Soon violence will erupt and Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government agent living next door are not just the facts of his life but the keys to his survival.

11 editions

Nerywood reviewed The rule of 3 by Eric Walters (Rule of 3 series -- bk. 2)

Review of 'The rule of 3' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Rating: 3.8 / 5

This is the second book in this series, please have read the first book before reading this book (or this review). The book picks back up at the end of an action scene from the first book, but also does a nice recap of the first book.

"What a thought. Did any of us really appreciate something until it was gone?"

Numerous periods of time are skipped over, which could have been done to not bore the reader, but didn't indicate how much time has passed.

"there’s a basic human need for things to be normal and predictable"

It's interesting how many things (like small talk) stop happening when you see someone multiple times per day, when your all trying to survive. And how people can change over a length of time.

“So this wasn’t a social visit.”
“Nope.”

At multiple points, there could have been …

Rating: 3.8 / 5

This is the second book in this series, please have read the first book before reading this book (or this review). The book picks back up at the end of an action scene from the first book, but also does a nice recap of the first book.

"What a thought. Did any of us really appreciate something until it was gone?"

Numerous periods of time are skipped over, which could have been done to not bore the reader, but didn't indicate how much time has passed.

"there’s a basic human need for things to be normal and predictable"

It's interesting how many things (like small talk) stop happening when you see someone multiple times per day, when your all trying to survive. And how people can change over a length of time.

“So this wasn’t a social visit.”
“Nope.”

At multiple points, there could have been a different story line. It's interesting why the author kept the story line they did.

The book does get emotional at multiple times, especially near the end. Once you get near that ending you will want to keep reading.

“I don’t think you’re helpless … just special … too special to put at risk.”
“I know that was supposed to be a compliment, but I’m just as capable as you out here, probably more so with a gun.”

The book does end on a cliffhanger.

"Safe might never happen again."

Nerywood reviewed The rule of three by Eric Walters

Review of 'The rule of three' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Rating: 3.7/5

There are three books to this series (which I didn't know until after I started reading) which is why the book may be a slower pace then would otherwise be expecting. This review is for the first book in the series.

The main character whose perspective we read from is a male high school student, which means there are a few times that a high school sense of humour will be written. It isn't disrespectful in any way, but it's something to keep in mind, and at times you may be wondering why the main character decided to do a certain something.

"Funny how much older I felt than these kids. Actually I’d always felt older than everybody who was my age and quite a few grown-ups. Throughout this whole situation I’d been entrusted with information that almost nobody else knew, information that made me feel older, weighed …

Rating: 3.7/5

There are three books to this series (which I didn't know until after I started reading) which is why the book may be a slower pace then would otherwise be expecting. This review is for the first book in the series.

The main character whose perspective we read from is a male high school student, which means there are a few times that a high school sense of humour will be written. It isn't disrespectful in any way, but it's something to keep in mind, and at times you may be wondering why the main character decided to do a certain something.

"Funny how much older I felt than these kids. Actually I’d always felt older than everybody who was my age and quite a few grown-ups. Throughout this whole situation I’d been entrusted with information that almost nobody else knew, information that made me feel older, weighed me down."

While it's categorized as a young adult book, there is tons of action which in some places the author includes tons of detail. So much so, that the reader may need to stop and step away from the book for a moment. There are also spots where more details could have been added by the author.

“Not pulling. Showing you this weapon that I have a permit to carry and know how to use.”

“I guess it’s the best plan we have”

The book does get the reader to think about things they may not thought about before (and which hopefully never happen).

"Not as well prepared as I should have been. I never dreamed of a scenario this severe. This has the potential to be so much worse than anything I’ve ever seen before."

It is interesting how the passage of time happens, and how certain people change over that time, which I believe the author did on purpose. There are also times when the author skipped over certain things, either to keep the book interesting or because there was a set page limit.

The book does end on a cliffhanger.

“You’ve done enough. More than enough. I want you to go and spend some time relaxing, being a kid again. At least for one evening.”