The Fallen

by Jack Ziebell

A post-apocalyptic journey across three continents, The Fallen explores how far we would go to protect the ones we love.

When a wave of energy from deep space passes over the Earth, human memory is erased and technology destroyed. With humanity reduced to a state of nature, Tim finds himself in Africa, separated from his wife by unimaginable distance. Meanwhile, two young scientists in America try to escape the chaos, seeking answers and safety.

Will they find what they are looking for, or will they succumb to The Fallen?

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'A modern science fiction adventure in the tradition of 28 Days Later, War of the Worlds and The Road.'

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Post Apocalyptic, Apocalyptic, Fiction

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2012

Reviews

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good page-turner, though too shortish for my taste :) A well-written story with the developed characters I had no problems to sympathize with. I also liked the setting for the apocalypse and what happend after. I don't want to post spoilers, you should check for yourself.

This is not your typical pure action quest for survival in post-apocalyptic world. On the contrary, the action is there but IMHO the author focused more on dialogues and interactions between humans in extreme situations. Plus he included quite a lot of observations on various topics ranging from the present-day Africa still exploited by whities through scientific community to dumb and highly dangerous military leaders who in the face of danger push the "all means justified" button too eagerly (which was actually a cliche I did not like in The Fallen). Unfortunately, the end of the story seems to be too haste and artificial, as if the author couldn't decide whether the story should end here or a bit later.

However, all in all this was a good read, even better as I grabbed the copy for 0.00 USD from Amazon :)

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this story, and although I'm not a fan of the zombie genre this was a new and refreshing take. Something turns the inhabitants on earth into primeval versions of their former selves. Those left who weren't affected, are left to struggle for their lives. This is the heart of this story, two groups left to struggle, one in San Francisco, another in East Africa. The one problem I have with this story is the Epligoue, I just feel it isn't need and doesn't really explain enough to be included. It seems like an arbitrary place to end the story, it should have been a jumping off point not an ending. The characters in this story were written well and are the main reason I gave this story such a high rating. A good read and worth the time.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really torn on how to rate this book. Overall it was good; fast paced and really kept my attention. I felt I could really connect with one of the main characters Tim and the struggles that he was going through. On the other hand what a crappy ending. It does wrap everything up nice and tidy, but it’s a bit of a cop out, and doesn't show a lot of the post apocolyptic stuff I like. I won’t spoil it for you but my hope is that maybe he’ll write another one to take us where I hoped he would go. After you read it I think you will know what I was talking about. I still gave it four stars.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book... part way through I thought it might be a five star, but I think to give it five stars I would need a bit more from the ending and the military angle to have serious echoes of twenty eight days later. That a side it was a really refreshing approach to the genre and I would recommend it to a fan of dystopia and similar fiction.
Definitely worth reading!!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, couldn’t put it down and finished it in a couple of days. The mix of the author’s views on international development and tense adventure kept me reading – plus I wanted to find out what happened to his wife, who was my favourite character!

[Jack Fallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking post-apocalyptic adventure, in which a man searches for his wife through the chaos caused when most of humanity is reduced to a state of nature.

[John Wiltshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a good read if you like apocalyptic novels. A huge wave of electromagnetic energy sweeps across the world turning almost all humans into mindless zombies. A few people lucky enough to be in submarines, mines, caves, etc, survive. The novel focuses on a few of the survivors during the first few days. Why only three stars? The ending seemed far too rushed and utterly unrealistic to me. In America, for example, out of the whole population, only about a hundred people weren't affected by the pulse. Everyone else is like a mindless animal turning cannibal and unable to conduct any higher process thinking. And yet within a year the 'zombies' recover (like a brain damaged patient learning to walk and talk again and returning to fully functioning) and then the others, those who survived, seem to be on trial for not looking after them properly? What, one hundred look after two hundred million plus? Seems a bit harsh. And the pulse didn't hit all the world, it missed New Zealand. So yey. But one year and everything is back to normal? To the extent that we're in a TV studio interviewing the author of the new book about the Forgotten Year? I don't think so. Kiwis are a get up and go sort of people but even they can't put the world back to rights, especially with no planes left working... all pilots zombies... But bizarre ending aside, this was a good read.

[David VD · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got the book for free on Amazon, thanks to a head up by the author himself (thanks again for that!)
Not too bad, but way, waaay too short.
The introduction is quite good, with enough time to flesh out the most of the main characters. They are credible, with enough nuance in their personalities and backgrounds.
Once the story really starts though, it becomes a little bit troublesome. In my opinion the author should have taken more time to describe the effects of the cataclysmic events, rather than to focus only on the main characters.
The protagonists all seem to undertake a long, troublesome roadtrip, but it never feels like that. We learn afterwards what horrific things they underwent, but I couldn't feel concerned or attached.
Where as the story set in Africa is quite good, the one set in the US is much more packed with cliché's and less developed characters. It feels a bet like the author started with the Africa story, found he didn't have enough material and then added a second plotline.
Biggest flaw of the story is however the ending. Sorry, but that's just lame. Cutting corners here and there is ok (unless you're Robert Jordan), but this was way too much cutting. One page desperation is everywhere and the next everything is back to ok? Sorry, but that's just sucks, really.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book and the author's writing style is ok. Not too complicated and fast paced, so suited perfectly for this kind of story. However, it should go back to the drawing board, to add more mass to the story and to come up with a credible ending.

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent entry into the apocalyptic fiction, exactly how it ought to be, exciting, vastly original (which is no small task in the said and done genre), intelligent, humane and well paced. Ziebell chose to end, or alter, the world via an EMP signal which turned off the electronics and turned humans into savages. The book follows two separate narratives of survivors in US and Africa. Of course, the plot no matter how good and original, can only take the story so far and Ziebell, realizing this, creates some really great characters, strong, realistic, capable, sympathetic, humane and otherwise, the kind of characters the reader can really care about. The Fallen is a real page turner, the African setting was absolutely fascinating, vivid and frightening in that wow, it really is a terrible place to live with or without apocalyptic happenings. Wasn't sure how the ending was gonna work out, for a while it seemed like it might be an open ended sequel ready sort of thing, but Ziebell wrapped the story up perfectly in a very satisfactory ending. Bonus points for pointing out that misguided pride should never be a mask for mindless brutality and that humanity, however scant, should be worth saving. Well done, Jack Ziebell, whoever you are, do write more. Highly recommended.

[Paul Weldon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, great plotlines and great characters. It races along nicely and as some others have commented, a sensitive touch on developed developing world themes.

However, and this is my spoiler alert....

...why did the story have to end so suddenly and so positively? I could see the makings of a real franchise with this storyline, but we're suddenly transported into a news item that wraps up the whole thing too conveniently. did the writer get bored? Jack, if you're reading this, I really urge you to scrap the last chapter or two and reveal a what REALLY happened ending. You could easily turn it into a volume two scenario.

..perhaps Tim tries to get home to the USA, maybe the brain scramble doesn't recover, maybe the nuclear meltdown scenario you hint at does come to pass, maybe the brain scrambled people can be taught but they remain disinhibited, maybe the ISS crew are unaffected and manage to do a bit of rewiring, etc, etc...the possibilities are endless!!!

Let us know if you reconsider as you have a faithful followership out there if you do

[Cheer Papworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author of The Fallen, Jack Ziebell, who sent me a message letting me know this book was FREE on Amazon this weekend. The premise of this book is that "the swathe" or outer space EMP hits Earth knocking humanity on its butt. Basically, humans turn into maniacal, mindless freaks with the exception of a few survivors who were either geographically in the safe zone or consist of those lucky few buffeted from the "blast". This story follows some of the survivors and how they deal with the havoc and aftermath the World has found herself in, but most importantly it's a story about the ethical dilemma of killing the insane to survive and to what degree they will go. Although this story wasn't completely original, I found it an easy read. The way the story fast forwards to the ended ticked me off, I must say, but I still found the story worthwhile.

[Prabal Guha · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book begins interestingly but falls into a plot hole from which it never comes out. The writer spends much of his time ranting against Indians, Pakistanis and Africans and then to compensate allows strong African character to racially abuse the whites. He famously declares that Africa is the most racist continent in the world. Well, instead of channelizing his hate he should've paid more attention to the craft of writing this book which is extremely boring and unbelievable even though it is a small book. I spent too much money and I want it back.

[Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had two problems with this book: I felt like there was far too little punctuation in the dialogue and I thought that some of the characters were somewhat one-dimensional.
Nonetheless, I came for the (not quite) zombies but stayed for the characters and plot; in fact, I would have gladly read about these characters in a completely mundane setting.
If there were a sequel, I would buy it immediately.

[Sarena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out interesting, but quickly went downhill. The holes in the EMP plot were conveniently used (and not used). The characters were very black and white, meaning either you like them (the were good), or you immediately disliked them (they were bad). This book was a lot like a star trek episode, quickly getting into the thick of it and wrapping up the story in the last 10 pages.

[Kellie Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim and Sarah work in the third world countries , each go their separate ways to work. Marius and Brian both scientists one notices something in space coming toward earth. Marius and Brian make a mad dash to save themselves. Tim is with a co worker in a mine when this hits earth. Sarah not so lucky. Humans are not the same but as time goes on the humans heal. This is an excellent book, kind of scary if that could really happen though.

[Brad Theado · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book that was missing about 150 pages in my opinion. It had the potential to be so much more than it was but just fell flat in the last 2 pages. I was so disappointed because i loved the character development and the premise but to take a NASCAR ride to the finish just made me mad. I would love to see the author pull this off the market, finish it and then i will give it 4 stars.

[Rune · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Good basis for a story, well written, but it's just too far fetched and especially the ending - which is just annoying and quite frankly stupid.

Really wanted to read a Post-apocalyptic book which isn't a part of a series, and fell for the intro on Amazon when I found it recommended after finishing another book.

Still want something NOT part of a series...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast paced read about a massive energy wave that sweeps across the earth, destroying electronics and people's minds. Kind of a twist on the zombie premise. The story follows a handful of people who were shielded and try to survive. I enjoyed the characters, and was pleased it had a positive ending.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well thought and intriguing story. While the novel wasn't very long, it still captured my interest. As a post-apocalyptic fiction fan, of course I wanted to see a somewhat different take on the end, but I also feel there could have been so much more.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. It started well with a quick pace, then settled into repetition and poor writing. I couldn't finish it.

[Chris Sherwood]

Not bad.

[Crs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book.