Caffeinated Reviewer

The following are novelette stories from a post-break world. These shorts are all set in the same world as the Murder of Crows trilogy and each is narrated by Joseph Vernon. Tullbane gave us intriguing stories. Some featuring secondary characters we already know, and I devoured them all. If you haven’t listened to the Murder of Crows trilogy, I highly recommend it.

In the post-Break world of superpowers, Los Angeles is a city divided between the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor, the Capes and the Black Hats.

But there is a secret organization working in the shadows of the underworld. The Company focuses on illicit profit instead of mayhem or fame.

Clive Treeble isn't a Power. He isn't much of anything at all, other than a petty criminal struggling to hold on to his mother's house.

Until the day an old acquaintance reaches out with an offer. The Company needs a man for its latest heist. Succeed and Clive's future is assured. Fail and the city might not be big enough to hide in.

Stories From a Post-Break World are short tales that take place in the same post-apocalyptic superhero world as See These Bones and the rest of the Murder of Crows trilogy.

This story takes place in the same world as the Murder of Crows trilogy. The story takes place in Los Ángeles where Clive Treeble, a petty criminal, is trying to hold on to his mother’s house. When an opportunity to work for a secret organization working in the shadows of the underworld, he leaps at the chance and promised income. Fate has other plans.

Clive is not a power, but he is clever and once he passes, he is invited to be a member of a high stakes heist. The tale that unfolds shares what happens on that fateful night and the outcome.

Tullbane pulled me in from the powers to the heist. Once again, morals and redemption play a factor in the story and I was held captive. I don’t think it is necessary to listen to the trilogy to enjoy this tale.

At under two hours, the author proves he can write a full story regardless of the length. Joseph Vernon narrates and did a wonderful job of giving voice to Clive and the cast.

Amazon * | Audible

In the post-Break world of superpowers, every town has a story, and Mobile, Alabama is no exception.

In Mobile, the waters have finally receded, but the streets run red with blood. For the past few years, the city's been the domain of the Melendez brothers; crime lords, murderers, and would-be kings.

Charity is forgotten. Compassion is a lie. Weakness is death.

Until the day an electric motorcycle rolls into town carrying a lone rider in black. They call her the Queen of Smiles, and she has a job to do.

Stories From a Post-Break World are short tales that take place in the same post-apocalyptic superhero world as See These Bones and the rest of the Murder of Crows trilogy.

In the second stories from a post-break world, we head to Mobile, Alabama. The city is controlled by Melendez brothers; crime lords, murderers, and would-be kings. It’s a ruthless place until an electric motorcycle rolls in. I was so stoked to get a story about the Queen of Smiles. We met her in the Murders of Crow trilogy and she’s a character you won’t forget. Dressed in black with a helmet sporting a yellow smiley face, I prepared for a reckoning. Tullbane delivered that and more! Her powers are unique and she is definitely on a mission.

Lots of action, intense scenes and some gore had me listening to this in one sitting. It’s a little over an hour, but certainly packs a punch. Joseph Veron narrates and I love his voice for our Queen of Smiles.

Dark, intense and kick-ass, The Storm in Her Smile is a must listen for fans and new listeners alike.

Amazon* | Audible

In the post-Break world of superpowers, not everyone is lucky enough to be born in the Free States. Some labor under the repressive lash of Steel's regime. Others die young on the war-torn streets of the dirty South. And then there's Old Baltimore, where Lord Legion's thousand Eyes fill the night sky.

Samara and Cornelius James are two children growing up too fast on the streets of Old Baltimore. The only thing they know for certain is that their lives and their deaths are to be used as Lord Legion deems fit.

Escape is impossible. Rebellion is futile. Hope is a fairy tale.

Until the day a stranger is spotted on the city streets, and the world they know starts to shift.

Stories From a Post-Break World are short tales that take place in the same post-apocalyptic superhero world as See These Bones and the rest of the Murder of Crows trilogy.

One of the things I most enjoy about these post-break stories is how Tullbane expands our view of the world where The Murder of Crows trilogy takes place. It really gives us insight into the world after the break and the reality for so many humans.

In The Stars That Sing, we head to Old Baltimore, where Lord Legion a power rules. Sure, he keeps the town safe, but humans are nothing more than numbers in their pods. The nuclear family is no more, and bots watch over the streets.

Samara and Cornelius James are two children growing up in Old Baltimore. They are too young yet to be assigned work, and that is determined when they tested for powers. The dream of escape but reality offers little hope. One day, a stranger enters the city and everything changed.

This was an addictive tale as the children befriend this strange and risk discovery when they visit him. We got a look at how the town works and the power struggle over resources and food between the different pods. Powers, struggles, fear, hope and news of the world outside Baltimore was well done. The climatic scenes were spectacular.

Once again, Tullbane’s skill at crafting complete stories, regardless of length, blew me away. I devoured this and want more. Joseph Vernon narrates and brought the characters to life.

Amazon* | Audible

*all titles are available in KindleUnlimited

About Chris Tullbane

Chris Tullbane began as a gleam in someone’s eye, but birth and childhood were quick to follow. He’s been fortunate enough to live in Spain, Germany, and all over the United States of America, and is busy planning a tour of the distilleries of Scotland. He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house. Chris is the author of two series; The Murder of Crows and The Many Travails of John Smith, as well as a collection of novelettes and stand-alone novels, Stories from a Post-Break World, which are set in the world of The Murder of Crows.

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Audiobook Challenge

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

• By Chris Tullbane
• Same Genre