With Gehenna burning behind them, Karen and McCall had hoped to escape by using the railroad. When one of the moaners is pulled aboard by concerned passengers, the unlikely duo have to survive a train ride from Hell.
As they head further West, toward the mighty Tartarus River, the outlaw and the prostitute must deal with not only an ever increasing army of the dead, but also with the machinations of the living.
"JASON BRANT" is an anagram for Bas Trojann, a former Bigfoot hunter who, after being abducted (and subsequently returned) by aliens, decided to hang up his ghillie suit and enter the world of professional arm wrestling. Despite back-to-back first place finishes in the South Dakota World International Championship League, Bas receded from athletics to invent cheese and give Al Gore the initiative to create the internet.
Nearly a decade after writing the bestselling self-help series, Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese (Cut into Four Pieces) for the Soul, Bas has left his life of notoriety and critical acclaim behind him to write existential, erotic poetry.
With Gehenna in flames, Mad Dog McCall and Karen jump aboard the train heading west, toward the Tartarus River. Too bad there's also two criminals and a moaner on board...
The second installment of West of Hell picks up seconds after the first left off. McCall and Karen are on the train but so are a lot of passengers who think they are full of shit, a moaner that's already attacking people, and two criminals named Jones and Evans.
I'm happy to say Tartarus doesn't suffer from middle book in the trilogy syndrome. It's a satisfying installment on its own and is on par with the original. Zombies on a train, bitches!
The relationship between McCall and Karen is further developed, including McCall's past, and I'm happy to say they've neither fallen implausibly in love nor done the hokey-pokey, as it was called in those days.
As with Gehenna, the gore factor is high, maybe even a little higher than the original. Evans and Jones took some of the sheen off of McCall's armor and the hardened outlaw shoes that has a tender side. Karen continues to be a tough woman in a tough world.
Jason Brant's writing is quite polished. From now on, I'll cite him as an example of self-publishing done right. Not a typo nor grammatical error to be found. Not only that, he's a good storyteller and a good writer. I have no complaints.
Jason Brant has a great thing going with West of Hell. I'll be sad to see it end in the final volume, Sheol. Four out of five stars.
Tartarus continues the story of Mad Dog McCall, Karen and the Zombie Outbreak that happened sometime in the 1880s in the South-Western US. (I missed that week of 8th grade so I'm not really clear on precisely when that outbreak happened).
The duo escape Gehanna on a train that fortuitously happens to be passing through the town as it burns. They are only a few arm-lengths away from the ravenous undead and barely make it on to the train. Unfortunately, the passengers don't really know what is going on and so they try to 'help' the zombies. Of course that means that someone gets bitten and now the infection is on the train. Complicating matters for the duo there are two bad dudes on the train intent on some mysterious, nefarious plot.
Like Genhanna, Tartarus grabs readers by the scruff of the neck and shakes vigorously. The action is fast paced and virtually non-stop. It is also a load of fun. There are escapes, fist fights, swift kicks to the groin, multiple zombie decapitations, rescues, and a budding relationship between McCall and Karen.
Journeying back to the wild west…cowboys, prostitutes, and zombies (oh my). Tartarus starts off exactly where Gehenna left off. McCall and Karen boarded a train to escape the hell of Gehenna, which was full of “moaners”. Moaners are the living dead, infected people that are eating other people…zombies. Once aboard the train they learn that some of the moaners have made it on and are infecting the other passengers. Throw in a couple of outlaws trying to get to the Tartarus River and a trainload of passengers, and you have the makings of a huge ‘fustercluck’. They exit the train (not that it was really that easy but I am not going to give you all the details!) after finding out that the moaners are everywhere outside, that nowhere is safe. McCall, Karen, and surprisingly, a little boy take off on foot with no food or water. Their continued journey takes them through hell and back…with an ending that will have your mouth falling open in shock.
Tartarus was an excellent addition to the West of Hell series. It was a quick but anticipation filled read that had you dying for more when you finished. Gehenna (Book 1) broadened my horizons since I have never been a big fan of zombie books, but Tartarus opened my eyes. I am a huge fan of character interaction and getting to know the people I am reading about. In Tartarus you finally get the chance to get to know Karen and McCall. Gehenna was action packed from the start to the finish and Tartarus slowed it down a bit. I went through a myriad of emotions while reading. I laughed, cussed, and even teared up a time or two. McCall ended up being just the sort of hero that women love and Karen is one of those kick ass chicks that you root for till the very end. You see a much softer side of the outlaw McCall and even a spark of romance. Of course the ending will kick you in the teeth and leave you wondering what the hell is going on in Jason Brant’s mind! He’s a bit twisted but that twisted part is what makes his books so addicting…you never know what to expect. I give Tartarus 5 stars and I CAN’T wait to see how the West of Hell trilogy ends. I bet I couldn’t imagine the ending even if I tried.
Quotes from the Book:
“Didn’t you hear what the kid said? I’m Mad Dog McCall. I do what I want, when I want.”
(McCall) “Remind me not to piss you off. (Karen) “Yeah, well, I don’t like being called a bitch.”
“Judging by the redwood you have there, I doubt it.”
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Jason, Jason, Jason. You brilliant douche. Excellent addition to the West of Hell Trilogy. If you haven't had a chance to read this series and are considering it, do so. You won't be sorry. Action, Adventure, Humor, Gore, and enough suspense to have you clamoring for more- Jason Brant and his western zombies are one of the best things I have read in years. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.
Tartarus picks up where Gehenna left off. So if you didn’t read Gehenna yet, what are you waiting for?! Go read Gehenna, then read Tartarus and then, like me, look forward to Sheol.
Mad Dog and Karen have escaped the infected of Gehenna and managed to hop on the train as it passes through town. Unfortunately, one of the infected was helped on board as well. The story follows the spread of the infection on an enclosed rail car. I am beginning to think that Mad Dog and Karen are perpetually stuck in Murphy’s Law…what can go wrong, does go wrong.
This book was exactly what I needed for where I was at the time. I completed the book in one evening. Jason Brant writes so well that I could not wait to turn the page to see what would happen next. What I truly appreciate is the time, effort and energy that Jason Brant has put into what is essentially a fun, fast paced zombie story. Even the book titles themselves, “Gehenna”, “Tartarus”, and “Sheol”. How perfect for a zombie trilogy (if you don’t get it, “google” or “Wikipedia” them).
All I can say is that Tartarus is Brantastic and I can hardly await my inevitable trip to the depths of Sheol.
After a zombie out break in Gehenna, Mad Dog MaCall and Karen have to hop a train, in hopes of putting as much distance between them and Gehenna as they can. Little do they know, things are about to get alot worse. Zombies are not the only things Karen & Mad Dog have to fight against now.
Tartarus is the 2nd book in the West of Hell Series by Jason Brant. This Series really took me by suprise for a couple diffrent reasons. First, Gehenna (book #1) was my first ever zombie book & second it takes place in the old west(I never was one for westerns). So I wasn't sure what to expect, & you know what, it turns out I love this series. Gehenna has tons of zombie action, & in Tartarus you really get to know the characters. The books really flow good togeather. Jason Brant is really good at the twist and turns, more than once while reading Tartarus I was like wtf, I didn't see that coming. As much as I liked book #1, Tartarus is my favorite so far. I can't wait to see what he has instore for book 3.
Picks right off from the first book in the series (3 overall). It has been a year or so since I read the first one, but I caught on quick enough. A short read, must be a novella length. Sooner or later I will get the 3rd book just to see how the whole thing ends. Zombies and the ole west!
Let me start by saying that I don't like zombie books, except for Gehenna. The reason I read that book in the first place, is that I LOVE Jason Brant's writing style. I was excited about the sequel, Tartarus, but honestly didn't expect it to be even better than the first book of the West Of Hell series! There wasn't as much action as the first, but that allowed me to get to know the characters better. The characters are just as interesting as the story itself! As per Jason Brant's style, the "moaners" were vividly described, making me again smell their stench as I read. What an amazing imagination he has! I was, as usual, surprised at the ending to this book, another trademark of his writing style... I just can't figure out what's going on in his mind (although I kind of like it that way, haha). All in all, I'm giving this a MUST read, five star review. The few spelling and grammatical errors weren't enough to drive this self-described grammar Nazi away. The story blew me away, and I'm looking forward to the final book in this insanely good series!
I was hoping a locomotive was all McCall and Karen needed to distance themselves from the town of Gehenna and the hellacious death that destroyed the town. Yet it seemed like the devil stayed right on their heels with every step they took. Listening to their struggles, I actually felt physically exhausted, empathizing with the characters just a little too much as I immersed myself into the story.
Each twist in the story had me holding my breath more often than not as they continued on their ventures. I couldn’t help but dive right into Sheol after reading the classic cliffhanger Jason so creatively and abruptly placed at the end of Tartarus.
If you read my review of Gehenna, you will see that I enjoyed the book a lot more than I thought I would.
In Tartarus, Jason goes above and beyond. I even venture to say I liked Tartarus more than I liked Gehenna. After hopping on a train out of Gehenna, Karen and McCall have their hands full. Danger lurks at every turn, and the twists and turns I've come to expect from Jason are everywhere. He surprises with the most unexpected events.
This book has more story line than Gehenna, and a little less action, but I enjoyed it from the moment I got it to the moment I finished.
Jason Brant picks up right where he left off in Gehenna. McCall and Karen are fleeing one hell on earth just to be thrown into another one. They face even more horror's in this book. I was hooked from the very first page. I needed to know what would happen to McCall and Karen. I even teared up toward the end and was truly surprised.
I seriously enjoyed this read, despite not liking zombies. I can't seem to resist reading everything by this author. couldn't put it down, and I'm looking forward to the next!
You're killing me, Jason! I love a good zombie movie, but in all honestly, these West of Hell books are the first zombie BOOKS I've read and am thoroughly enjoying. Tartarus picks up right where Gehenna ends. It's super fast paced and well-written. I only bought the first two and am now chomping at the bit to get my hands on #3. Brant really left me hanging here and I'm not at all happy about his treatment of a certain lawman gone outlaw! The nerve!
I am enjoying this look at the old west. Adding zombies is certainly making it interesting. I never thought of what would happen in times of old where the Law and the outlaws were the only ones with guns. This is a great take on that. Starting part 3 next.
TL;DR: Another installment that was just as suspenseful and thrilling as the first. The zombies are still coming for the main characters, but new threats appear. And the ending will definitely leave you itching for the next book! _____ As mentioned in my review of the first book in this series (Gehenna), I want to mention that Jason is actually my cousin. Despite this, I tried to read and review as objectively as possible. I've kept my review spoiler-free.
I wasn't sure if I would still enjoy this series as it continued since westerns aren't really my thing. However, those fears were quickly put to rest. If anything, I enjoyed this installment even more. I read it in one sitting and was tempted to immediately start the third and final book.
This continued the story right from where the first book left off. This series is about zombies taking over a town called Gehenna, and a outlaw, Mad Dog McCall, and a prostitute's, Karen, attempts to outrun the coming horde.
The series is definitely all about the action and suspense, but I did find myself connecting to the characters a bit more in this book. I was much more invested in their fate, but still just as engrossed in the story itself.
If you're a fan of zombies, fast pacing, and the need to just know what happens next, then I think this series would be for you. This one left off on a major cliffhanger, and I will be starting the last book soon. And I'm sure I'll have lots of questions for my cousin as the series approaches it's final destination!
Tartarus is the second in the West of Hell series written by Jason Brant, continuing the story of outlaw Mad Dog McCall and prostitute Karen and their arduous battle with the legion of the undead.
This novel takes places immediately after the first one, the two protagonists having boarded a train in an attempt to escape the now burning town of Gehenna and all of the cannibalistic monsters in it. They think they’ve made it, only to discover the disease has followed them, and most likely will until it consumes them both.
There isn’t too much I can say about the plot line of this book without spoiling it. The Ol’ West versus Zombie plot goes strong, and by no means gets old once. Jason Brant managed to continue his streak of keeping what could have been a silly idea alive and well, whereas I believe others would have failed. I’ve praised his ability to write horror and thrilling action many times in the past, and I will continue to do so because I honestly believe this author has some serious talent, and deserves his place as a best seller with this amazing series.
I eagerly await my foray into the next – and final – book of this series!
Karen and McCall thought they had escaped Gehenna and the nightmare they left behind, only to find themselves fighting to survive aboard a train which is slowly but surely being overrun by zombies.
Things go from bad to worse very quickly for the pair as they are fighting not only the zombies, but also a couple of outlaws on the train with their own very dangerous agenda.
Their eventual escape from the train was traumatic, but they were off, and then their struggle goes from bad to worse as as they set off to Sheol on foot – across the desert – not an easy task.
This was a great book, and was in my opinion, even better than Gehenna. Nail biting stuff, especially the ending.
Well that train ride was a disaster, but the book was great. I still love Mad Dog and Karen and I have already started Sheol (the 3rd book in the series) but I wanted to write a quick review before I got to far into it. I had avoided this series for a while, as horror and zombies books really aren't or better put didn't used to be my style. However I am loving this series. There are definitely some gag worthy moments, flesh eating and all, and some great sarcasm from the two main characters. There were a couple plot twists in this book that I did not see coming and I cant wait to see what happens with them now that I have a started Sheol!
Zombies in the Old West, on a Train? Yes. It works. It works incredibly well in this 2nd installment of the West of Hell series, an enjoyable followup to Gehenna. Not much in the line of new characters, but more development to the two survivors of the previous book. And again, another cliff hanger that will make you jump right into book 3.
I'm a big fan of books that combine the Western and Zombie genres. And this one did not disappoint. Easy to read, good pacing, and characters that I cared about. Plus a few gory zombie scenes.
I liked Gehenna slightly better, and am looking forward to the next book, Sheol. But not looking forward to it being the end of the story...
This is a fun and hectic follow-up to Gehenna. A large part of the story takes place on a train and Brant, appropriately enough, keeps events moving at a brisk pace. I was also impressed by how well Brant shared some of the major hurt the protagonists endure. I had fun reading this and will likely finish the trilogy.
Book 2, in the West of Hell series. Even better than the first. With McCall and Karen trying to survive humans that are significantly more evil than the mindless, walking dead.
Perfectly adequate second chapter in the story which is short but interesting enough for part 3. Typical of this sort of book and either you like them or you don't.
The book was really good. I didn't like how it ended but I'm hoping that it changes with the next book. The book was very detailed in descriptions. I could literally picture the action taking place.
More undead, cowboys and struggle. I was surprised how real and relatable it felt. There is a section or two that makes it emotional, but that just leads into the struggle.