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Sanctuary: Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse
The change strikes without warning. All across the world men, women, and children cry out in agony. There is no pattern, nothing to explain why some are afflicted and others spared, but in the end a quarter of the population falls. A mere seven minutes later the corpses rise and begin to attack the living. The speed in which it happens, coupled with the survivors’ disbelief and horror, is simply too great. Chaos takes hold. Civilization crumbles. Hidden away inside his home, Jacob Thornton prepares to flee. The streets belong to the shambling dead. Power vanishes. The airways are silent. To remain is to die. Sticking to back roads in an effort to pass unseen, he travels north. Others are encountered on the way, and together they gather supplies, seek a place of safety, and discover how to defend against the zombies, creatures which have begun to leave the population centers and spread across the land.
- GenresHorrorZombiesApocalyptic
344 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2012
17 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 25, 2015
Entertaining
I like to read the different techniques people do for survival. Even though this a fictional story some of the survival techniques are interesting and useful to consider.
I like to read the different techniques people do for survival. Even though this a fictional story some of the survival techniques are interesting and useful to consider.
November 20, 2013
From the start, the narrator explains that these are his accounts of his experiences and those he encountered from the beginning and during the zombie uprising so that alone gives the reader a clue that he'll most probably survive whatever ordeals he will be narrating. The main character, Jacob, sounded almost glib about his experiences, whether it was looting or killing zombies or those he called 'breathers'. A lot of the conflicts or at least the people causing him conflicts met their end away from the screen so to speak, often with Jacob and his cohorts finding the body of whomever unfortunate person that used to cause him grief and them reacting in an oh well that's that kind of way that made it a bit difficult to empathise with the characters. Jacob has very little character development too. He remained pretty much the same in his views, and set in his way being almost nearly always the only right way. I kept expecting something huge to happen near the end, and though it did with the battle at the castle, it still ended with me going 'meh' because it was just so anticlimactic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2013
I was liking the book until it got to the part where the main character not only tries to have sex with a minor, but expresses disappointment when she says 'not now'. In the very same chapter, he mentions that a 13 year old girl is way too young to be making any kind of important decisions. But I guess a grown man can take advantage of a girl that's just 4 years older as long as 'she wants it'?
You write about what you know....clearly this writer knows a thing or two about under age girls.
With all the cool, well written zombie literature out there, don't waste your time with this dribble.
You write about what you know....clearly this writer knows a thing or two about under age girls.
With all the cool, well written zombie literature out there, don't waste your time with this dribble.
February 9, 2021
Stories within a main story
This is written from a man’s perspective which is interesting because it is very detailed. There are stories within the main story about him and what happened when people turned
There is his accounting about different people that he meets and their background stories. It is definitely gory and horrifying but it is said matter of factly and somehow it makes it easier to read.
I have read these books three times, so of course I will recommend them!
This is written from a man’s perspective which is interesting because it is very detailed. There are stories within the main story about him and what happened when people turned
There is his accounting about different people that he meets and their background stories. It is definitely gory and horrifying but it is said matter of factly and somehow it makes it easier to read.
I have read these books three times, so of course I will recommend them!
September 14, 2019
As zombie book go there are better series to pick up and read. Overall it wasn't a bad read however, the world is overrun with zombies and it felt like the author had his characters out on a picnic. There was no real danger from the zombies or other survivors. Supplies were plentiful and none of the characters had any depth. I enjoyed some of the humor but overall the whole story was lacking. I'm reluctant to read the next book in this series.
March 18, 2021
I was really enjoying this book til the much much Older man started jumped on a much much Much younger girl!! That was pushing it too far!! I won’t be reading anymore of his books
October 2, 2014
Would benefit from a good proof & edit: to take out the dozens of redundant instances of, "like I said" & "i'm the sort of person"/"if you knew me". Let's assume your readers don't know you, so TELL them as you write.
The narrator's choice of technical gadgets to take with him as he flees his home is profoundly irritating and pointless - there's no internet and no phone signal very early on, how useful is your iPhone going to be?? Later he criticises another character for being "a bit of an Apple fan" because she takes her iPhone with her when fleeing.
Once or twice he excuses a lack of word-for-word transcription due to a diary having a "complete disregard for grammatical rules"... the narrator can be incredibly pedantic about correct language which is at odds with the situation the characters find themselves in. He takes great pains to write "whom" at every possible opportunity yet neglects commas in places where they're needed for the reader to make sense of what's being said. He corrects his friends several times for saying "car" instead of "Jeep". Would anyone care what a vehicle was called during the zombie apocalypse? As long as it has four wheels, it's a car. Two wheels, it's a bicycle. And so on.
Paper-thin characters (lesbians are always angry, religious people are always psychotic and irrational unless they're male). Fairly good zombie apocalypse plot with some very very boring, implausible conversations. Most of the "interludes" (the stories of people the narrator encounters) could be better-written - they were unconvincing as it always feels as if it's the narrator speaking rather than someone different. In one place the narrator tells a girl's story which he's read from a diary they find and says he want copy "word for word". It would be more convincing that way, in my opinion. Perhaps the author doesn't feel he can get the voice of his teen characters convincing enough.
A few reviewers have mentioned the massive age difference between the narrator and his girlfriend. That's not so much a problem for me as the way their relationship seems to progress and then not and then all of a sudden Briana decides they need to get married before they consummate their relationship (when society's shot to pieces? really? that's your priority?) and then all of a sudden she's pregnant (and happy about it). And that's the last thing you read which is a betrayal of the genre because a key theme of the zombie outbreak/apocalypse is that it never ends well...
The narrator's choice of technical gadgets to take with him as he flees his home is profoundly irritating and pointless - there's no internet and no phone signal very early on, how useful is your iPhone going to be?? Later he criticises another character for being "a bit of an Apple fan" because she takes her iPhone with her when fleeing.
Once or twice he excuses a lack of word-for-word transcription due to a diary having a "complete disregard for grammatical rules"... the narrator can be incredibly pedantic about correct language which is at odds with the situation the characters find themselves in. He takes great pains to write "whom" at every possible opportunity yet neglects commas in places where they're needed for the reader to make sense of what's being said. He corrects his friends several times for saying "car" instead of "Jeep". Would anyone care what a vehicle was called during the zombie apocalypse? As long as it has four wheels, it's a car. Two wheels, it's a bicycle. And so on.
Paper-thin characters (lesbians are always angry, religious people are always psychotic and irrational unless they're male). Fairly good zombie apocalypse plot with some very very boring, implausible conversations. Most of the "interludes" (the stories of people the narrator encounters) could be better-written - they were unconvincing as it always feels as if it's the narrator speaking rather than someone different. In one place the narrator tells a girl's story which he's read from a diary they find and says he want copy "word for word". It would be more convincing that way, in my opinion. Perhaps the author doesn't feel he can get the voice of his teen characters convincing enough.
A few reviewers have mentioned the massive age difference between the narrator and his girlfriend. That's not so much a problem for me as the way their relationship seems to progress and then not and then all of a sudden Briana decides they need to get married before they consummate their relationship (when society's shot to pieces? really? that's your priority?) and then all of a sudden she's pregnant (and happy about it). And that's the last thing you read which is a betrayal of the genre because a key theme of the zombie outbreak/apocalypse is that it never ends well...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
It all began one morning, just as people in Texas were starting their day at 6 a.m. An inexplicable extinction level event occurs which causes fully one quarter of the earth's population to die in an ugly, painful, convulsion-laden way that results in zombification seven minutes post-mortem. In just a few short hours, the supposed civil barriers of society are destroyed and mayhem reins throughout the United States of America.
Jacob Thornton, luckily lives alone. Where many people in families awoke to find their loved ones biting into them, those that live alone experienced no such trauma. However, when Jacob wakes, he watches television while enjoying his breakfast, and sees what other are experiencing. When he looks out his window, the traumas are exponentially multiplied. When a 17 year-old neighbor, Briana, is pursued, Jacob helps her and realizes that Texas is too heavily populated. They need to find a safer haven.
When they leave, they have weapons, supplies, and a plan. Along their travels they find potential allies, and enemies, while experiencing the plodding, relentless force of the dead. Every town is an opportunity to find food, supplies, and ammunition, but there is danger behind every corner.
The writing is very strong with good characterization for the main characters. This of course provides pathos for when the inevitable deaths occur. This is just the first part of a trilogy called: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse so clearly there is more to come, but as for this first novel, the story arc ends complete with just a hint that there is more.
I liked Sanctuary a lot, but there seems to be a big controversy over Jacob hooking up with Briana. If you think that societal mores will continue after such a collapse, you are naïve. I'm not saying "Good for Jacob." I'm saying, "Who gives a $#!+?" If Briana is being abused, and disrespected, then I might say something; but, as long as Briana is cool with it and she's seventeen and she feels protected by the guy, I'm not getting involved. The novel gets my recommendation.
Jacob Thornton, luckily lives alone. Where many people in families awoke to find their loved ones biting into them, those that live alone experienced no such trauma. However, when Jacob wakes, he watches television while enjoying his breakfast, and sees what other are experiencing. When he looks out his window, the traumas are exponentially multiplied. When a 17 year-old neighbor, Briana, is pursued, Jacob helps her and realizes that Texas is too heavily populated. They need to find a safer haven.
When they leave, they have weapons, supplies, and a plan. Along their travels they find potential allies, and enemies, while experiencing the plodding, relentless force of the dead. Every town is an opportunity to find food, supplies, and ammunition, but there is danger behind every corner.
The writing is very strong with good characterization for the main characters. This of course provides pathos for when the inevitable deaths occur. This is just the first part of a trilogy called: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse so clearly there is more to come, but as for this first novel, the story arc ends complete with just a hint that there is more.
I liked Sanctuary a lot, but there seems to be a big controversy over Jacob hooking up with Briana. If you think that societal mores will continue after such a collapse, you are naïve. I'm not saying "Good for Jacob." I'm saying, "Who gives a $#!+?" If Briana is being abused, and disrespected, then I might say something; but, as long as Briana is cool with it and she's seventeen and she feels protected by the guy, I'm not getting involved. The novel gets my recommendation.
April 27, 2013
I first read this book and thought.... if this is a man who is telling his tale of living in a zombie world, then he did a good job... It is not a book where you are reading his actions then and there. It is a book where he is telling you his story day by day, week by week, ect. If you can look at the book that way then you will enjoy it.If you do not like reading something that is like a diary then this is not for you.
It has a lot of characters and also has side stories of their stories and how they came to where they are now.
I normally do not enjoy a Diary like book. But if you are living in a ZOMBIE world and telling your tale day by day he did an excellent job.
As for the underage love... it was not so much as he wanted the girl but actually fell for her.. it is a different world the norm is out the window. the dead are walking the earth. They experienced the new world together and found love. Do I agree with underage love NOOOOOOOO but this is fiction and in a world where all the old rules are out the window. He is not in love with a 13 Year old, she is 17 and he treats her with respect!!
As for the comment on goodreads.... writers write what they know?!?!?!?!? Really, because I read a lot of books where writers blew my mind away... Death, Love, Romance, Running in streets getting shot at,Ghost, Living on MARS.... so are you saying they know that. They actually lived threw it... I think NOT! they just have an amazing imagination or they are making the story fit.... Not everything is just black and white, where rules are kept and everything is in order especially when it comes to fictional reading. write your review about the book not the author.
I did enjoy this book.. I also enjoyed it as a podcast on itunes...I would recommend it my zombie loving friends!
It has a lot of characters and also has side stories of their stories and how they came to where they are now.
I normally do not enjoy a Diary like book. But if you are living in a ZOMBIE world and telling your tale day by day he did an excellent job.
As for the underage love... it was not so much as he wanted the girl but actually fell for her.. it is a different world the norm is out the window. the dead are walking the earth. They experienced the new world together and found love. Do I agree with underage love NOOOOOOOO but this is fiction and in a world where all the old rules are out the window. He is not in love with a 13 Year old, she is 17 and he treats her with respect!!
As for the comment on goodreads.... writers write what they know?!?!?!?!? Really, because I read a lot of books where writers blew my mind away... Death, Love, Romance, Running in streets getting shot at,Ghost, Living on MARS.... so are you saying they know that. They actually lived threw it... I think NOT! they just have an amazing imagination or they are making the story fit.... Not everything is just black and white, where rules are kept and everything is in order especially when it comes to fictional reading. write your review about the book not the author.
I did enjoy this book.. I also enjoyed it as a podcast on itunes...I would recommend it my zombie loving friends!
August 28, 2025
Did not finish.
Made it to about chapter 5 in the audiobook.
Main character is a 36 year old, that elects to spend the apocalypse sexually slobbering over a 17 year old....
Every possible chance it's like "Mmmh I wouldn't mind seeing them in that tight bathing suit" (Literally the sentence that made me quit)
Not a case of "Last x on earth" trope, as they do meet other survivors.
Main even acknowledges upon meeting the 17 year old side character, after spending a full paragraph describing how sexually pleasing they are to look at, that they would probably be pretty angry if they read that. BUT DON'T WORRY the 17 year old immediately starts flirting, so it's all fine - (NOT).
I hope, and suspect, that this is a case of - 19 year old author identifying with their main character, not thinking about the fact that a 17 year old being attractive to them is fine, and then upscaling the Main character's age for plot reasons, not thinking about the implications.
I've intentionally left genders out of this review, even though we all know exactly what the configuration is - But try to flip them in your mind and read it again -
Is it okay for our Main Character to be sexually attracted to our side character from the onset, when they are old enough to be their parent?
When they would, in the world context of the book, still legally be considered a child?
TL;DR : Book reeks more of grooming than of zombies, even though it's supposed to be about zombies.
Made it to about chapter 5 in the audiobook.
Main character is a 36 year old, that elects to spend the apocalypse sexually slobbering over a 17 year old....
Every possible chance it's like "Mmmh I wouldn't mind seeing them in that tight bathing suit" (Literally the sentence that made me quit)
Not a case of "Last x on earth" trope, as they do meet other survivors.
Main even acknowledges upon meeting the 17 year old side character, after spending a full paragraph describing how sexually pleasing they are to look at, that they would probably be pretty angry if they read that. BUT DON'T WORRY the 17 year old immediately starts flirting, so it's all fine - (NOT).
I hope, and suspect, that this is a case of - 19 year old author identifying with their main character, not thinking about the fact that a 17 year old being attractive to them is fine, and then upscaling the Main character's age for plot reasons, not thinking about the implications.
I've intentionally left genders out of this review, even though we all know exactly what the configuration is - But try to flip them in your mind and read it again -
Is it okay for our Main Character to be sexually attracted to our side character from the onset, when they are old enough to be their parent?
When they would, in the world context of the book, still legally be considered a child?
TL;DR : Book reeks more of grooming than of zombies, even though it's supposed to be about zombies.
January 29, 2013
Joshua Jared ScottSanctuary: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse
If this is this gentlemans first zombie book I am breathless for more - the author certainly does not need to improve his writing skill - this book has it all, interesting characters, zombies a-plenty, I cannot wait for a book 2 as I really want to see how things go for them - for such a low price - purchase this book it is a full length novel not a little short one like so many of the cheaper kindle books - Stephen King is the master of horror - this guy will give him a run for his money .
If this is this gentlemans first zombie book I am breathless for more - the author certainly does not need to improve his writing skill - this book has it all, interesting characters, zombies a-plenty, I cannot wait for a book 2 as I really want to see how things go for them - for such a low price - purchase this book it is a full length novel not a little short one like so many of the cheaper kindle books - Stephen King is the master of horror - this guy will give him a run for his money .
February 20, 2015
Wow! Just wow, I was mesmerized.
I started reading with low expectations because of some of the reviews and I am glad I got the book before reading them. This book reads like I would expect a real journal of the zombie apocalypse would. The narrator is Jacob. You never really learn what he did for a living or really any personal details. However, his actions and reasoning are shown clearly through the journal. He becomes the de facto leader of a small group. There is some unrest with the other survivors who joined them--which ultimately probably saves the original members when outlaws and zombies attack. I found myself thinking--"I would have never thought of that!" when Jacob explained his reasons for doing certain things. I would recommend this book.
I started reading with low expectations because of some of the reviews and I am glad I got the book before reading them. This book reads like I would expect a real journal of the zombie apocalypse would. The narrator is Jacob. You never really learn what he did for a living or really any personal details. However, his actions and reasoning are shown clearly through the journal. He becomes the de facto leader of a small group. There is some unrest with the other survivors who joined them--which ultimately probably saves the original members when outlaws and zombies attack. I found myself thinking--"I would have never thought of that!" when Jacob explained his reasons for doing certain things. I would recommend this book.
February 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, it was a lot longer than i expected which i loved, it kept you wanting to find out what happened to the chatacters, there is some romance, a lot of gore which you expect and a lot of zombies lol, the characters all had depth and growth, loved it, will be watching to see if there is a second book.
May 14, 2013
Maybe if I'd read it instead of listening to this book I'd have liked it. He shouldn't narrate. His voice is boring and takes away from the action taking place. The story was ok but his sexual advances on a minor was tasteless and put me off. I didn't finish the book but as an author, he tried.
January 19, 2015
Great book ,loved it.
This book did not drag out, it went strait to a very believable story line. It kept me interested through until the very last page. I cannot wait to read the second half.
This book did not drag out, it went strait to a very believable story line. It kept me interested through until the very last page. I cannot wait to read the second half.
September 13, 2019
Surprisingly engrossing
The story line takes right off and develops quickly. The characters come to life with detailed insight into personal life and frame of mind. I enjoyed a look into post zombie apocalyptic struggles and the groups dynamics.
The story line takes right off and develops quickly. The characters come to life with detailed insight into personal life and frame of mind. I enjoyed a look into post zombie apocalyptic struggles and the groups dynamics.
September 19, 2015
I would have liked this A LOT better if the author didn't have the main character's love interest be a f**king 17 YEAR OLD. That, I believe, was a poor choice. It also makes me question the proclivities of the author. Not good...not good at all.
October 29, 2012
A good zombie survival story. Convulsions at 3am lead to death. 7 minutes later we have reanimated zombies who bite to cause more zombies.
April 14, 2013
i really enjoyed this book, it was a fab zombie tale and i couldnt put it down. cannot wait to read more from this writer.
May 7, 2013
Great read x can't wait for he next one x
April 4, 2015
Enjoyed the story; already have the next one.
August 5, 2016
This is a great book! It is a very satisfying zombie story--every zombie lover must read!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews