Fork in the Road to Apocalypse

by Jeff Gonsalves

Elliott Andersson is a disturbed young boy with a dangerous psychic talent. His mother believes that he can make a victim's worst fears materialize in times of stress, so she keeps him locked in her house for days at a time. In a fit of desperation, Elliott transforms her home into a fiery vision from Hell, drawing the government's attention. A frantic chase results in the crippling of federal agents and detainment of Elliott in a maximum-security seclusion tank.Elliott's uncle Chuck is an operative working for the Genetics Bureau, the agency that has subdued his nephew. His job is to interrogate mutants to see if they possess lethal psychic abilities. When Elliott is imprisoned, Chuck embarks on a moral roller-coaster ride, uncertain whether to protect his nephew or society. His nonchalant attitude masks an innate desire to save Elliott at all costs--even if it means leaving casualties in their wake.An interrogation proves that he can alter reality, and the government decides to evaluate Elliott for use in military combat. Frightened, but with a strong will to survive, he resists the hands twisting him into a weapon. He is reeling on the brink of despair when his uncle forms a band of renegade soldiers to smuggle Elliott out of the Genetics Bureau.After this daring escape attempt, Chuck and a group of aberrants board a skim-cruiser headed into an uncharted wasteland. Pursued by the military, an android stalker, and a vengeful government agent, their only hope is to reach a leper colony that may not exist.Shadowing every victory is the suspicion that Elliott cannot control his psychic ability, and is unconsciously using it against the people he loves most.Chuck must determine whether Elliott can be saved, or whether his psychic ability must result in his own termination. But at whose hands?“Fast, brutal, and darkly rewarding.” --SciFi Books“Gonsalves becomes a master storyteller as he creates an earth-shattering adventure that rivets and amazes.” –Geri Ahearn, Surrounded by Books“Full of action and fast-paced, Fork In The Road To Apocalypse is an ‘in-your-face’ sci/fi read that will keep you on the edge.” –WebbWeaver Reviews "A very deeply entertaining story, and I would recommend it to people who like their science fiction a bit dark and violent." --Matt Heckler, Android DreamerAuthor Web

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2010

Reviews

[Geri Ahearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"THE FINE LINE BETWEEN NIGHTMARE AND REALITY IN A HAIR-RAISING RIDE!"


Elliot Anderson creates bizarre illusions in his own battle with his psychic mind, his mother is a manic-depressive, and his uncle sets out on a mission to protect Elliot, regardless of the consequences. Is Elliot dangerous, and how does one control his homicidal impulses? Chuck works for the government, but does his plans become Mission Impossible? Interrogation showed proven results that Elliot can alter reality, was he selected to be used for military combat, and why did he resist? When Elliot was imprisoned, what steps did his uncle take? Can Elliot control his psychic ability, and who does he use it against? Why did Elliot's mother lock him up in the house, and what did he transform his home into? What struggles must Elliot's uncle deal with, what is his nephew capable of, and how far will Elliot go? Why does Jerry hate himself, is Joey violent, and who is the insane android assassin? How disturbed can Elliot become under extreme stress, and what can he do to his victims? I highly recommend this novel to all science fiction lovers, who enjoy thrilling stories, filled with suspense. Jeff Gonsalves becomes a Master storyteller as he creates an earth-shattering adventure that rivets and amazes. The characters are colorful, and the unique story is covered in explosive, non-stop action, made for the movie screen. What kind of chaos will result in Elliot's actions? Do health issues rise, and what will be the outcome? Does Elliot's psychic ability need to be terminated, can he be saved, and who will survive? "FORK IN THE ROAD TO APOCALYPSE" is as chilling as VIRUS, as terrifying as THE LANGOLIERS, and as haunting as THE FOG.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

FORK IN THE ROAD TO APOCALYPSE by Jeff Gonsalves is a gory and disturbing tale of the costs of differences in society.

Chuck, an operative of the Genetics Bureau, strives to keep his nephew Elliott’s agenda under control and out of the Bureau’s eye, but when his nephew’s psychic talents become too dangerous, they capture and interrogate him. Now the government wants to use his dangerous abilities for their good. Chuck has other plans, but can he save his nephew or lose everything in the end?

FORK IN THE ROAD TO APOCALYPSE starts out with great promise. Then, the interrogation scenes take over. These scenes are brutal and violent. At times, I am not sure if they serve the plot, and they seem almost gratuitous and sensationalized in nature when they come one right after the other. Of the characters, Chuck was my favorite, but by the end, I didn’t care as much about any of the characters and their plight. The plot sags in the middle. Gonsalves creates a well-written novel with beautiful descriptions in a stark world, but it is a struggle for me to pick out the good within the gore. As a second novel in a series, I feel a little more backstory could’ve helped me understand the Subnorm world some more. The novel has promise, and it’s an interesting world.

Jeff Gonsalves’ FORK IN THE ROAD TO APOCALYPSE is a bleak portrayal of life after an apocalypse. Although this novel was just okay for me, it is well-written and touches on the worst of society with seemingly little hope.

[D.J. Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuck Anderssen's nephew, Elliott is a subnorm. A very disturbed child with the ability to alter reality and the government knows it. Chuck is an operative and works for the Genetics Bureau. It's his job to bring in people just like Elliott. So when Elliott can no longer control his outbursts, Chuck sees no other way to save him except to bring him in.
But when the Bureau decides to make Elliott into a combat weapon, using his psychic abilities as weaponry, Chuck and a team of renegades spirit Elliott away to a vast wasteland to hide. Is Elliott unconsciously using his abilities against them? Chuck must try to save his nephew, even though Elliott's powers may be more than mankind can handle.
This second book in Jeff Gonsalves' 'Subnorm Series' does not disappoint. Full of action and fast-paced, Fork In The Road To Apocalypse is an 'in-your-face' sci/fi read that will keep you on the edge. The characters are fascinating and authentic and the descriptions are well written and panoramic. Jeff Gonsalves has penned another exciting read for the scifi/fantasy genre and it is a winner.
I'm giving Fork In The Road To Apocalypse a 4 spider rating and recommending to anyone who loves the genre or who just loves to read a well written novel. Follow this author!
DJ Weaver

[C.M. Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fork in the road to Apocalypse, the second novel in the subnorm series, is set on a dystopian Earth that has been ravaged by the effects of global warming, destruction of the ozone layer and a widespread viral epidemic. Jeff Gonsalves masterfully immerses you in the resulting almost alien world, full of genetically mutated creatures, abandoned and destroyed cities, gifted humans and an overbearing government agency hell-bent on their annihilation.

The underlying themes of loyalty, devotion, open-mindedness and acceptance of others add depth to the characters and far greater significance to the storyline. The novel successfully blends the science-based supernatural elements with an emotional, character driven plot that will keep you reading well into the night. If you enjoy novels such as Divergent or Daughter of Smoke and Bone this is a must read.

[Jansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too painful to finish when I realized that I really didn't care what eventually happened to any of the characters of the book. Feels more like an early released first draft than a final edition. Poor writing skill combined with no plot and no emotional connection to the characters made me stop this book at chapter 8 when a major character personality change occurs, with no reference to how. Plus there is grizzly things happening, but not grizzly done in a good way, just bad.