Armageddon

by J.E. Taylor

There had to be someone out there whose fever broke before the worst of the symptoms hit, whose bruises faded away like shadows formed by clouds passing on a sunny day. Someone who has no understanding why they were spared. Someone like me. Surely, I couldn t be the only human left on the earth, could I?

Genres: Ebooks, Short Stories, Fiction

Nook

First published August 4, 2010

About the author

J.E. Taylor is an award winning, USA Today Bestselling author, a publisher, an editor, a mother, a wife, a business analyst, and a Supernatural fangirl, not necessarily in that order. She first sat down to seriously write in February of 2007 after her daughter asked:

“Mom, if you could do anything, what would you do?”

From that moment on, she hasn’t looked back.

In addition to being co-owner of Novel Concept Publishing (www.novelconceptpublishing), Ms. Taylor also moonlights as a Senior Editor of Allegory (www.allegoryezine.com), an online venue for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.

She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and during the summer months enjoys her weekends on the shore in southern Maine.

Visit her at www.jetaylor75.com

Reviews

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story

Really good short story but I wish the author would go forward or backwards from it so we can see what happened either way. Ms. Taylor, are you planning on doing that?

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very, very, VERY short story. Just warning you now. However, that being said, it's a really GOOD 5-minute short story.

As far as post-apocalyptic tales go, the premise for this one is highly intriguing. We hear from an unnamed narrator, who seems to be the only human left on the planet. Some horrible type of virus has been unleashed by a terrorist enemy, and, as always happens, the people in charge slightly misjudged the effect that their airborne attack would have. Now we have our lone(?) survivor searching for signs of life and learning to live in a world without the current day's necessities.

My only complaint about this free read? How short it is! I would absolutely pay to read a full-length novel - or even novella - about our heroine and her trials. This short is well-written, edited a lot better than many free reads I've picked up, and has a storyline that fits right into my reading tastes.

Can I have more, please?

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short story. A bit disjointed. Nice hook in the ending which left me wanting to read more. 3.5/5

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely an Idea

The story was so short it hardly served a purpose. For full exposure, I’m generally not a fan of short stories, I never understood taking a good idea and not trying to cultivate it. It was hard to get a feel if this sample would ever have developed into something. A missed opportunity.

[Mark Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last woman standing…

After a virulent disease rips across the globe, one woman heads off in search of survivors, praying she is not the only one left…

A neat little post-apocalyptic short with a twist in the tail

[Dawn Peers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in less than five minutes. I can appreciate authors writing short fiction for the Kindle, especially teasers for larger novels, but this little piece is just daft. The main character has no depth, the premise of an airborne virus consisting of the most virulent diseases the author could possibly think of is ridiculous, and there is no real end to the work either.

I would like to see this in a novella at the very least - it has vague promise. But similar to another reviewer, this seems to be a lackluster effort and I'd need more to draw me in to reading again.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another free short story found on www.amazon.co.uk.

Quick read about one woman's perspective and 'journey' (literal and metaphorical) about being the supposed sole survivor in a post-apocalyptic world.
Slightly disjointed at times and lacks detailed description on some aspects but would make a decent novella if the author were to expand it.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the premise was interesting enough, it was the surprise ending that earned this story the 3 stars and had me wishing the style was more fluid and appealing to my taste. A very quick read that, as of this writing, is free for the kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Armageddon-eboo...

[Cordenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short but sad story. A lone woman, she might be the only one left. Everyone else is dead. Is she really the only one?

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! I would love to read a full version of this.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a brilliant full length novel this would make.....

but its a 5 minute read at most!!!

[Karen’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

As indicated by referrals, this was a very short story. Scary, horrific and sad, but eye opening in a " what if?" sense. The end was very thought provoking and a bit haunting. I liked it.

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deadly plague destroys all humanity, except for one woman who overcomes many obstacles while travelling across country, finally finding a deserted haven.

Is she the last person alive?

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story. It had a lot of potential. I just wish it was longer.

[☆Joycedale☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read this before. Still a good story.