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Chris Tullbane
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The Queen of Smiles: A Post-Apocalyptic Superhero Novel (The Post-Break World: The Storm Who Rides Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Chris Tullbane (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars 360 ratings

They burned her town.
They killed her friends.
They roused the storm.
They won't live to regret it.

The Queen of Smiles has long been a mystery, even to herself. A storm of steel wrapped in a human shell, she's spent decades crossing the continent in search of answers about her origin and the rules she has been forced to live by. Three years ago, under a bright New Mexico sun, she found those answers… and they were as unsatisfactory as they come.

And so, she withdrew from the world, doing only small jobs for the people of the nearby town of Eclipse. But life carries on and the post-Break world won't stop spinning. When she returns from a trip to find Eclipse burned to the ground and its people slaughtered, the Queen of Smiles begins a mission of revenge that will take her through the Badlands, into the path of the horrors of Texas, and ultimately, to the seat of power of the teenage warlord who calls herself the Crimson Queen.

Because sometimes, the biggest question isn't why; it's what's next.

The Queen of Smiles is the first book in a new 'weird west' trilogy set in the post-Break world of The Murder of Crows. It takes place after the events of that trilogy's final volume, One Tin Soldier, but can be read as a stand-alone series.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Post-Break World: The Storm Who Rides
  2. Print length
    431 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    November 22, 2022
  6. File size
    1.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

QoS Boxes
qos postbreak timeline

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Con men. Fugitives. Mercenaries.

The people of the Badlands are living on borrowed time, all too aware of what's coming: the overwhelming military might of the teenage warlord known as the Crimson Queen. But that army's soldiers made one mistake. They took a nothing little town in the broken remnants of a nothing state and burned it to the ground.

Bandits. Rebels. Heroes.

Eclipse, Nebraska was the sometimes-home of a woman with her own claim to royalty, and now the Queen of Smiles wants revenge. She doesn't eat, she doesn't sleep, and she won't stop until the scales are balanced.

A life for a life, a town for a town. Because two queens might be one too many.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BK2YH33G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ghost Falls Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 22, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 431 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1955081085
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ The Post-Break World: The Storm Who Rides
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 360 ratings

About the author

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Chris Tullbane

Chris Tullbane

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Chris 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 USA, 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 multiple fantasy series: The Murder of Crows, The Many Travails of John Smith, The Storm Who Rides, The (Second) Life of Brian, and Stories From a Post-Break World. He regularly shares status updates on his author website..

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
360 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a true pleasure to read, with one noting it works brilliantly as a stand-alone novel. The story receives positive feedback, with one customer particularly appreciating how the narrative flows well. Customers praise the character development, with one highlighting the morally complex protagonist, and they find the pacing fascinating.

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23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, describing it as a true pleasure to read and a must-read. One customer notes that it works brilliantly as a stand-alone novel.

"...the originally trilogy is well written and likely enjoyable being read for the first time after reading this book even with the revealed..." Read more

"...Great read from start to finish, took me less than two days (7-8 hours probably) to read it, and how fast I devour a book generally says something..." Read more

"...such a great side character makes me excited for the next book, awesome job." Read more

"...a few mentions of events from the previous trilogy, this novel stands alone very well...." Read more

16 customers mention "Story quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one customer noting that it flows well, and another mentioning that the original trilogy is well written.

"...Personally, the originally trilogy is well written and likely enjoyable being read for the first time after reading this book even with the revealed..." Read more

"...All the characters have depth, their own stories, they change and grow as the book moves forward, there's more focus on some characters than others..." Read more

"...What we have here is a new entry into a gritty world but a prolific author that is accessible and transparent about his work...." Read more

"I found this book to be engaging, fascinating, surprising, and well written...." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one review highlighting the morally complex protagonist and another noting the wonderful mix of superhero elements.

"...has a plethora of hints, contextual details, and references to characters and story threads from that book and others, all of which made this book’s..." Read more

"...All the characters have depth, their own stories, they change and grow as the book moves forward, there's more focus on some characters than others..." Read more

"...-break world series of books, seeing this world through such a great side character makes me excited for the next book, awesome job." Read more

"...The Queen of Smiles is a great character, and her nemesis in this book is well up to the task." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book fascinating, with one customer noting how it becomes more humanized as it progresses.

"...This book has a plethora of hints, contextual details, and references to characters and story threads from that book and others, all of which made..." Read more

"...Her life has changed and she learns about herself and is humanized as this book progresses...." Read more

"I found this book to be engaging, fascinating, surprising, and well written...." Read more

"...I had forgotten what a gifted writer and World imaginer the author is. If my memory serves the ghost that inhabited Selene is Sally Cemetery...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic Standalone, An Amazing Follow-up Book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book works as a standalone and is well written. The protagonist sets out on a metaphorical journey as she embarks on a literal one, and both are resolved by the end of the novel in a satisfying, natural, and well earned fashion. The supporting cast is well fleshed out, with backstories hinted at, if not gone into with heaps of detail. The author struck a great balance with descriptions of setting and character to bring the world to life without dumping exposition or dragging the pace. In short: This story flows well and is entertaining.

    To those who have not read the other books in this setting, there are a lot of references to all but one (as far as I can tell) of the books, including the short stories. They are not required reading, but they greatly increased the enjoyment I got out of this story, which starts approximately one year after the epilogue of One Tin Soldier. It also spoils the end of that series (without some of the context). Personally, the originally trilogy is well written and likely enjoyable being read for the first time after reading this book even with the revealed information, but some surprises won’t hit as hard. This book has a plethora of hints, contextual details, and references to characters and story threads from that book and others, all of which made this book’s locations feel more alive and connected to the overall, increasingly robust, setting. Selene as a character is the one aspect that works on its own, as not much detail regarding her backstory is required for her role/actions in this book, but is greatly benefited from reading the original trilogy. The context from those books provide her character with a lot of additional narrative weight and explains her character motivations a great deal more clearly.

    Also, if you enjoy this book and/or others in this setting, I encourage you to read the afterword. I cannot wait for next year.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Em
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I found myself liking this book more than I thought I would. I came at it from being a bit disappointed with the way that the last book in the crow series had ended (I liked all three books in the series tremendously, but it ended in a battle that had been heavily foreshadowed for at least two books, and we never even get to experience it, we're told only briefly that it occurred without us (the readers) present, it was kind of a big letdown, probably wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been foreshadowed so heavily), so I do hope we'll get to have another chance to commune with Bakersfield even if it's only through the Queen's eyes, maybe hear something more of that battle or even just the present day Bakersfield. It just feels like there's a loose end there, a thread I hope the author pulls someday.

    As for Her Majesty, she didn't disappoint in this book, not at all. I appreciate how her character developed, apparently not even the Queen of Smiles can stay the same forever, even if she might live that long. All the characters have depth, their own stories, they change and grow as the book moves forward, there's more focus on some characters than others of course, but none are totally left behind. Great read from start to finish, took me less than two days (7-8 hours probably) to read it, and how fast I devour a book generally says something about how good it is.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Katlen Watson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great spin-off
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Another great novel from the Post-break world series of books, seeing this world through such a great side character makes me excited for the next book, awesome job.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cubertnine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Different Hero, Same Great Result - Awesome Book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent addition to the post-break world that began with See These Bones. While there are a few mentions of events from the previous trilogy, this novel stands alone very well.

    Queen of Smiles is the title character and we begin learning about her background as well as what makes her tick immediately. I was thrilled that Tullbane gave us as much background as he did.

    We also see the post-break world continue to grow and other characters that were previously referenced make appearances. Tullbane is never shy about showing the power his characters can bring to bear or disappoints his audience by holding back. We get to see the powers being powers throughout this novel.

    What impressed me most was Queens growth. Her life has changed and she learns about herself and is humanized as this book progresses. Amazingly, the author blends her growth with a cold blooded ruthlessness I absolutely love.

    What we have here is a new entry into a gritty world but a prolific author that is accessible and transparent about his work. If you love super powers, character driven stories or even westerns this is a must read. There is so much here to love you'll find something. Give Chris Tullbane a shot, you won't be disappointed.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I found this book to be engaging, fascinating, surprising, and well written. The Queen of Smiles is a great character, and her nemesis in this book is well up to the task.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is what Stephen King's "The Stand" could have been if it had included Powers. Could have been... but nobody could have written a character as awesome, funny, and terrifying as The Queen of Smiles except Chris Tullbane. His Post-Break is truly amazing and worth spending a lot of time exploring. DO read the entire series, from the beginning, but don't be surprised when you get to this book by how much you will enjoy it! Great read, I can't wait for more!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome World Awesone Character (tiny spoiler following)
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It feels like a long tune since I read the Trilogy that started the Post Break World for me. I had forgotten what a gifted writer and World imaginer the author is. If my memory serves the ghost that inhabited Selene is Sally Cemetery. I remember thinking that the scene where Walker meets her made me feel like I was watching an A quality movie. This story is a fitting addition to the ongoing series. Read the earlier work for sure. Thanks to the Author!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Random
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best writers I've read in my 70 years
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Chris please, please, please, write more of these books. The short stories are great but the full novels are fantastic. I have read everything I can find by this writer multiple times and have purchased them all.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Misfit Malice
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in Canada on June 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It was a real pleasure to dig into Her Majesty's life, one of the most interesting and mysterious characters of The Post-Breakup trilogy. Let's hope there will be more about her.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful writing, great characters
    Reviewed in Germany on May 21, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastic return to the badlands. Another amazing book in the series
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  • Laola
    5.0 out of 5 stars Kopflose Motorradfahrerin reist durch postapokalyptische Welt
    Reviewed in Germany on October 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Sehr gut und smart geschrieben. So viel ergab in der Story einfach Sinn. Leider waren die ersten paar Kapitel etwa mühselig zu lesen, da die Hauptprotagonistin, die Queen of Smiles, viel alleine durch eine Wüstenlandschaft reißt. Aber sobald mehr Charaktere dazukommen, ist die Story richtig gut. Der Plot und die Wendungen, die Struktur des Buches, gefiel mir sehr. Die Dialoge waren auch sehr stark.

    Ich möchte noch kurz bemerken, dass es ein richtiges Buch ist. Der Autor hat auch ein paar Kurzgeschichten verfasst, aber es hat knapp 400 Seiten. Und nur die ersten 100 Seiten sind na ja, dafür die letzten 300 phänomenal.

    PRO
    + alles wird aus einer Perspektive, der Queen of Smiles, erzählt.
    + Die Queen of Smiles ist ein interessanter Charakter, der in dieser Form noch nie in anderen Büchern zu finden war. Erinnert vielleicht etwa an den kopflosen Motorradfahrer in Durara.
    + Der Plot ist der Versuch der Zerschlagung einer kriminellen Organisation in einer postapokalyptischen Wüste mit einigen wenigen Siedlungen. Gibts auch nicht so oft.
    + Einige Charaktere verfügen über Superkräfte und wirken dennoch wie nochmals Menschen mit vielen Schwächen.
    + Die Orte und Charaktere wirken sehr realistisch und vieldimensional.
    + Hin und wieder wird etwas überzeichnet, aber das macht es auch so spannend.
    + Die Dialoge sind richtig gut geschrieben.

    CONs
    - Die Queen of Smiles ist zwar eine Frau, wurde aber von einem männlichen Autor geschrieben. Teilweise sind ihre Ansichten zu sich selbst und auch von anderen sehr männlich geprägt. die wiederum ergibt Sinn, wenn man weiß, dass sie kein echter Mensch ist, sondern eine real gewordene Idee von einer Person. Aber cringe ist das manchmal schon.
    - Durch die ersten paar Kapitel muss man sich leider total durchbeißen. Aber man kann sie auch überspringen, da es nicht so viel Einfluss auf die anschließenden Geschehnisse hat.

    Fazit:
    Es ist ein sehr gut geschriebenes Buch mit außergewöhnlichen Ideen. Es ist nicht abgehoben, sondern bleibt auf dem Boden. Es gibt keine Dämonen oder Engel, sondern ein sehr solides Worldbuilding und einzigartige Ideen. Es ist auch kein typisches Superheldenbuch im Urban Fantasy Bereich.
    Es hat auch genug Aktion und LOGISCH VONEINANDER ABHÄNGIGE Wendungen, welche dem Plot eine hohe Qualität verleihen.
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