The Shock

After #1

by Scott Nicholson

A massive solar storm erases the world's technological infrastructure and kills billions. While the remaining humans are struggling to adapt and survive, they notice that some among them have...changed.

Rachel Wheeler finds herself alone in the city, where violent survivors known as "Zapheads" roam the streets, killing and destroying. Her only hope is to reach the mountains, where her grandfather, a legendary survivalist, established a compound in preparation for Doomsday.

Other survivors are fleeing the city, but Zapheads aren't the only danger. Rogue bands of military soldiers want to impose their own order in the crumbling ruins of civilization. When Rachel discovers a 10-year-old boy, she vows to care for him even at the risk of her own life.

And the Zapheads are evolving, developing communal skills even as they lay waste to the society they will eventually replace.

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

319 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

With more than 800,000 books sold worldwide, Scott Nicholson is an international bestselling thriller writer. He won the Writers of the Future Award in 1999 and was a Stoker Award finalist in 2003. His Fear series was published by Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint and 47North released the supernatural thriller McFALL.

He's also published a number of supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy books and stories, including the AFTER, NEXT, and ARIZE post-apocalyptic series, as well as children's books, comics, and screenplays. His 2006 novel The Home is in development as a feature film.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe that this is only my second Halloween read for the year 2023, and the month is halfway gone. It totally slipped me that my favorite time of the year had begun and I was ill-prepared, but that just means I have to focus and catch up.

Scott Nicholson is generally great for a short novel with scares, and gore sufficient for any hardcore, horror fanatic. After: The Shock is definitely not his best. It struggles to be a post-apocalyptic zombie narrative without actually having "zombies."

A solar storm has in effect behaved like an electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) not only affecting technology throughout the world, but also frying the brains of most of the population. There are some survivors that were immune to the harmful storm, but since their society has fallen apart, they look to make due in this newly altered milieu.

My major problem is that Nicholson wets your appetite for some juicy conflict with exceptional world-building but then closes the novel without actual closure. Don't get me wrong. I don't have an actual problem with this story as the first part of a series. I have a problem with a set up that essentially stops mid-story, practically mid-sentence, at a spot that leaves the reader asking questions so open-ended that you don't even know if you're really reading a zombie novel. I was a little irritated.

[11811 (Eleven) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honest reviews are a bitch. It means that every now and then I have to give a one star rating. I hate that. It seems mean. But it’s honest. Seriously, I hate it.

I received this from Audiobookblast in exchange for a review, I think they preferred honest, and here we are. Considering who gave me the book, we should start with the audio.

I strongly disliked the narration. It was read well with proper enunciation and displayed a substantial talent when it comes to portraying different characters through the use of inflection but this was a unique case where every character invoked came across as cheesy and cliche.

The only way I can explain how cheery all these voices were is to show you this and hope it’s enough to make my point.



Everyone sounded like a character from this type of program. The cheesy sounding narrator is partly to blame, the cheesy dialogue takes the rest of the responsibility. I switched between Audio and ebook because the narrator was driving me nuts but this isn’t whispersync enabled, making it harder to do both at the same time. I tried to stick with the audio since this is an audio review but I really hated it so I relied heavily on the Kindle version as well.

One star for the audio. One star for the book.

This is my first Nicholson book and I wish I picked a sub-genre that was less beaten to death than the post-apocalyptic zombie routine. I’ve heard some good things about this guy and he seems to have all the basic writing tools in place but this was a jump-on-the-bandwagon story, with little originality and an open-ended plot that leaves zero satisfaction because the story doesn’t end; it stops. There’s a difference...

Unless you’re cool with reading this as a smaller part of an incomplete story that you look forward to reading in installments, I would steer clear. Book 1 was not self-contained. It relies on whatever happens next. It’s also not a comic book and if it were, my review would reflect the difference in mediums, and why the episodic structure doesn’t work here the way it does in the graphic novel world.

Yes, I’m a Walking Dead fan. Cliffhangers work just fine there.

I hate to rely on the Old Faithfuls of the post-apoc literary world but try to imagine THE STAND or SWAN SONG broken up into parts. It doesn’t work. When you start to staccato the hell out of your singular narrative, you lose readers.

Well, you lost this one, at least.

It’s a common tool these days, chopping up one book into many so it can be sold more than once. I get that, but I’m not a fan of it.

Lastly, I gotta mention the overabundance of religion used in this story. I wouldn’t label it as religious literature, but there is enough Christian Eschatology 101 littered throughout the story to make me occasionally have to confirm that I wasn’t reading the latest installment in the LEFT BEHIND Series. Nothing new. Just generic characters asking themselves rhetorical cliche questions about the meaning of life, god, etc. A sixth grade Sunday School pamphlet would have been a more efficient avenue.

And lastly, (didn’t I do lastly already?,) The Zombies in this story are called Zapheads. I won’t explain it but I’ll let it bounce around in your brain until you decide for yourself whether or not that is an incredibly stupid name for the undead. Every time it was used, I cringed. I hated it. It was almost enough to ruin the story all on its own.

Thanks for the book, Audiobookblast. Sorry it didn’t go a little better but I can’t recommend this one.

[Emma Sea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. The characterization was flat, the plot development didn't interest me, and I ended up not giving a damn about anyone. No sense of danger, fear, or excitement.

[Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book to review from the Author. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way for providing them.

Review:

After: The Shock introduces us to a world gone mad after a solar flare strikes Earth. The majority of the population has been wiped out in the blink of an eye. Those unfortunate to survive have to deal with what is left behind. These aren't technically Zombies (since they aren't cannibals) but still scary nonetheless and I feel they are close enough to count. Zapheads as we learn are humans reduce to their most basic primal state. They kill without prejudice and exhibit all the traits a proper Z-head should. What's worse is they are evolving but into what exactly?!? That is the question and something I can't exactly answer for you. I thought I had a grasp on what the Zapheads were and was prepared to hate them all equally but by the end I was actually, dare I say it, feeling sorry for them. It's like Zapheads were in a foggy haze and as the book progresses they start slowly crawling back from whatever recesses in their mind they had been locked in. I really cannot wait to see where this transformation leads us in the next book. As the thought of them potentially coming out of this state is fascinating, especially considering what they'd done while in it.

The Characters in After: The Shock were likable enough. The story is told from multiple POV's which is fun since we get to follow a variety of personalities and backgrounds. If you're wondering who my favorite might be, that would have to be Campbell. I felt he was the most grounded in reality and loyal to a fault as proven time and time again as he looks for his drunken friend Pete.

What I didn't like however is the lack of world building. I don't know if the Author is holding out for the second book or is just going to skip it entirely but a couple pages at the beginning showing before the Flare would've been a nice to see. It doesn't downrate the book but personally I would of liked to see the characters in their lives before the world went to hell in a handbasket.

Overall this was a great addition to the Post-Apocalyptic genre and a series I no doubt will follow. It does have a few small flaws but those can be forgiven since the story was just so entertaining. If you like unconventional Zombies, Post-Apocalyptic books and plausible dooms day scenarios then pick this up. I will be rating After:The Shock by Scott Nicholson ★★★★.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

I was severely underwhelmed by this take on the zombie apocalypse. And it was not even due to the zombies, or Zapheads as they are called, either. (But seriously, what is wrong with calling a zombie a zombie?)

Solar flares have destroyed all technology and also most of mankind. The surviving few notice that some of them are human no more, instead they are killing everything in their path. For fun, apparently as they don't seem to eat them.

In this mess we find several group of survivors, all trying to adjust to this new world, called After. And here is my biggest problem with the book: the characters are all so terribly clichéd that it almost physically hurt me. I can't even begin to describe all of them but it caused a lot of eye rolls. Also, the ending is very, very abrupt, or even close to there no being an ending at all. The book just ends, with nothing resolved and no questions answered, and you'll have to continue with the second book.

I think I'll pass...

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was Nicholson serious with that Afterword? I'm glad he called himself a survivalist nutjob and saved the rest of us the trouble.

About the actual book though - I thought it had an interesting premise and I liked that the characters were all very real. No overly perfect heroines, no muscle bound savior heros with impossibly chiseled abs and perfect teeth. However, the ending was terrible. It just stops, no closure and it didn't even give me much idea about whether there would be a sequel or if the story was just completely finished. Either way I wouldn't read another one.

Also, was it just me or were there a few parts where the plot didn't quite match up from one moment to the next? A character might have a thought or say something and then a few paragraphs later that would be contradicted. Seems like a good editor might be in order.

[Chip · Rating 2 out of 5]

*DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this book from the author to review*

I enjoy a good post-apocalyptic book and when the author offered me a copy of the book for free to review (and I'd heard good things about the author).

The action was good and I enjoyed the plot. The characters were decent, but a bit too one dimensional for my taste, but that could have all be overlooked except for one thing.

The book ended way too abruptly. I don't mind cliff hangers and I don't mind series books. The problem is that the book just ended. It is almost as though an editor gave the author a deadline and then published all of the chapters that were received as of that date.

The series shows good promise - especially if you want to read the entire series at once (and after the writing is tightened up a bit).

[Scott Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great imaginative new view on the subject ! Any fan of The Walking Dead will love this. Never a dull moment in this book. Many things going on at once with several groups of people but never gets you lost or confused like a lot of books do. Ranks as one of Nicholson's best works. Get this book! You won't regret it. Can't wait until the next one in what hopefully is a long series!

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too many religious references for my taste, especially in what I thought was going to be a zombie story. I'm sorry I invested my time in it, since I have little to no desire to read any of the following books in the series.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every PERSON in this book was an idiot.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Star rating, just enough to continue the series. This one was just a bit all over the place.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but got fed up with its religious undertone--even though it's mainly Nicholson's turf. 3½ stars really, for it was intriguing nonetheless.

[G.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't intend to read another zombie story. I was looking for a novella to read in between other books and touched the cover by accident. It opened, I read a few pages, and I thought, that will do. I don't need to finish it anyway. Well I did.

Like most zombie stories, the book has no ending and promises to have a sequel (or two). None of the plot lines were actually finished or at least not in a way that would leave you satisfied. It’s well written though and even if the genre isn't new, the author found a way to make it original. The zombies (called zapheads because it happened after solar flares) are different from other zombies you see in most books. They act differently. They are not crazed killers. Actually, they seem to be able to think and coordinate attacks and might even have feelings.

If you're not tired of the genre, you should give it a try, but know there are many more books in the series.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this first book is not a zombie story, it should appeal to post-apocalyptic sci-fi fans and zombie fans alike.

Nicholson has set up several compelling plot lines dealing with the cause of the After and its effect on the living. Each character is written with a unique perspective and voice, which makes them likeable (or unlikeable) and very believable. Some characters have found purpose in the After, some have started down dark paths, and others are simply lost. Towards the end, I found myself feeling a bit sorry for the Zapheads (and, hey, Zapheads!), but I suspect that will change. The world of the After is continuing to evolve, and it looks like things could soon go from bad to worse.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Allison Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to like an author who mocks Twilight and Robert Pattinson.

Not one single review has mentioned the religious element to this book. Am I the only one who noticed Rachel's come and go religion? It was weird and jarring and the ending was too abrupt. I'm starting to think the third star was just for the Pattinson joke.

[Jon Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Nicholson has proven himself to be one of the best storytellers in the business in the arens of horror and thrillers. Now, he brings those talents to bear in a post apocalyptic novel that will rock you and leave you screaming for more. Highly recommended.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une nouvelle histoire de zombies mais avec, peut être, un petit plus : ces derniers ne sont pas réellement morts et ils évoluent. Une piste potentiellement intéressante pour la suite de la série. En dehors de ça, intrigue convenue, personnages assez classiques même si certains points sont à saluer comme la remise en question des principes catholiques dans un monde en pleine apocalypse. Mais de manière générale il n'y a rien qui sorte vraiment du lot. Une lecture pour passer le temps mais qui ne marque pas.

[Carl Alves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to be on a run of post-apocalyptic novels in my queue of late. Most of them have been of the zombie variety. In this novel, the culprit that leads to the demise of the human race is a series of solar flares, which wipes out most of humanity. Of the survivors, there are those who remain normal –although of seriously questionable character—and the zapheads, who have little humanity left and are basically mindless, violent people, whose sole purpose seems to be to injure and kill. The story follows several different groups of survivors, who are interlinked in various ways. These are the early days of the apocalypse and the people are still trying to figure things out and seek out safety.

Because there is so much post-apocalyptic fiction, movies, and television shows out there, one of the biggest challenges for an author is to distinguish their series from all of the other ones out there. On the plus side, the idea behind the apocalypse is pretty good. Although solar flares ending humanity is not that uncommon, I like what the author did in terms of having zapheads along with regular humans. The other interesting thing happening is that the zapheads seem to be evolving, getting some level of communication and coordination among them, while at times, it seems like the humans are devolving. The writing is professional and has a good flow to it. The only trouble spot is that there are too many unlikeable characters in the mix. Pete and Campbell are two college kids who are more into drinking and drugs than surviving. In addition, the characters of Arnoff and Donnie are idiots. Fortunately, there were good characters in this novel to balance those ones out. All in all, this was a good start to a series and I will look forward to reading more.

Carl Alves – author of Reconquest: Mother Earth

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The experts knew that the solar storm was coming, but there was no way of stopping it and no one could imagine what the solar flares would cause. When the first flares hit, the world’s computers fried; throwing the modern world into gridlock; so much for putting all your eggs in one basket. Some people died during the storm, some survived relatively unaffected, but a large part of the population was altered into mindless monsters; Zapheads. The breakdown of national, state and municipal services brings the United States into standstill; a true apocalypse.
Individuals and small groups of normal people wander the roads and fields of North Carolina. With no real plan, it takes them some time before their movements and goals become synchronized and coordinated.

Ever since Stephen King published his epic book, The Stand, stories of apocalyptic disasters have sprung up, like dandelions in a field of grass. The one saving grace with this subject is that the inevitable smells associated with mass death and destruction, can only be described and not actually experienced. Some are good and some will soon disappear into ignominy. North Carolina doesn’t have the horror magic of New York or Maine but the characters in this story do much to keep it out of the literary basement. The presence of a good supply of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups goes a long way to counteract the occasionally cheesy dialog. The main problem I have with this story, and most others in the post-apocalyptic genre, is the world in which they are left (if they survive) is still a far cry from the one I’m in. I guess you can mark it up to my age, but I am set in my ways and don’t take kindly to change.

[Taksya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nella quarta di copertina c'è tutta la trama del libro.
Non capita molto di più e buona parte delle situazioni si possono trovare in buona parte dei libri dedicati ad una qualsiasi realtà post apocalittica.
La descrizioni di come ci troviamo in questa situazione viene spiegata più nel dettaglio nel prequel (After: First light), ma non è fondamentale leggerlo per capire cosa è capitato e a cosa stiamo andando incontro.
La dinamica della storia, i personaggi, le situazioni... tutto è prevedibile e si lascia leggere senza troppe sorprese.
Gli zombie... Zaphead promettono qualche brivido in più, sempre che non venga rovinato tutto nel secondo volume della serie.
Siamo a quattro episodi, escludendo il prequel. E si trovano spesso in offerta a prezzi più che accettabili su Amazon. In lingua originale si trovano anche a prezzo zero, il che li rende ancora più interessanti.
Da leggere se si vuole passare qualche ora di divertimento, ma non se si cerca una storia originale e mai letta prima.

[D. Krauss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh. Brother.

That was my reaction when I finished this. That was my reaction when I started it, too, but decided to give it ye olde college try, even though I had not liked Nicholson's Red Church and expected The Shock would be like that, checklisted characters in checklisted situations reaching a checklisted ending.

It was.

The premise was like a throwaway: yeah, let's destroy the world somehow so we can have a post-apocalyptic high old time. Okay, now, let's put all these people-who-don't-react-like-you'd-expect-people-to in weird situations where they can react like you don't expect any real person would, with some kind of zombies, some kind, and we'll give the zombies a real dismissive moniker and we'll have people all acting like B movie characters and don't forget a survivalist. And a cute kid.

Oh brother.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the story line as it provides a somewhat new twist on the EMP induced shattering of society. It is well written. The Characters have depth and dimension, the evolving story lines of each group of characters suggests that at some point all these separate groups, having experienced similar challenges, will cross paths. But while their common goal is survival when the various groups with their diverse characters do meet up we aren't sure what will happen. The individuals from each group may clash and cause dissension with some groups, while other groups may band together quite easily. While one groups seems likely at this point to rebel or go to war against other groups of survivors. Who knows at this point ? Gotta read the rest of the series..... which I intend to do as this is turning out to be a very compelling read.

[Gaston Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a new way of looking at the apocalypse...

I had a great time reading this book; so much so that I couldn't put it down except for a little sleep. Scott Nicholson has written a great book with real characters who have each their own personalities. The "zapheads" were scarier than the run-of-the-mill zombies that are in most apocalyptic novels these days because they didn't waste time eating people, they just wanted to kill everyone in sight. All of the characters were real, with the frailties of real people, but they tried their best to overcome the obstacles that fate put before them. It was a gripping read. I highly recommend this book to all apocalypse readers.

Gaston Sanders, Author

[Daniel G Keohane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing change to the usual post-apocalyptic novels hitting the shelves these days. No zombies, though the population of the Earth has been nearly wiped out by massive solar flares - those who survived have either been unchanged, or transformed into mindless (or so it seems at first) murderers. These latter are referred to as Zapheads by the survivors. Nicholson keeps the actions moving at a decent clip, and because of the uniqueness of the situation you never quite know what's coming next. Good, solid characters throughout as well. This is the first of a series of novels following humanity in the After (as in 'after the solar storm'). If you're one of the many fans of this genre, and haven't given this series a try, I highly recommend it!

[Nanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Nicholson has Outdone Himself YET AGAIN!

WOW. What a great twist on an apocalyptic scenario. These"zapheads" don't have a taste for flesh, but they do love blood! Chills and thrills galore!

Scott Nicholson has been my favorite author for many, many years. (Beginning with the purchase of his
"The Harvest" back in '03.) That novel hooked me, and I have enjoyed each one of his works. I have his entire collection.....hardbacks, paper backs and Kindle editions. LOVE HIM!

This guy just keeps getting BETTER and BETTER. If he keeps publishing, I'll keep purchasing! Can't wait to see where this tale takes us. Bring on BOOK TWO!

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this post-apocalyptic book, I was gripped from the beginning. Although there were a few holes in the story, I loved the pace of the book and only finding out small pieces of what's going on in the chaos.

It reminded me of the Tv series The Walking Dead, but without the Zombies. Nicholson has a great balance of characters; none too macho or making illogical decisions, no screaming females flapping, and no snotty-nosed kids.

A few reviews have moaned about the abrupt ending, it as I knew this was a series book I can't say it. bothered me. The book is a short series, but action packed. I'm looking forward to reading the rest.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Loved this book... solar flares could actually happen. Love how we met the characters own point of view and you just know they are connected. Love how the story keeps you questioning is this how the humans would be if there were only a few survivors. Never read anything from this author before but you simply fall in to this world he creates and wonder would you pluck a chicken. What would you to if you survived.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so caught up in The Shock…An apocalypse brings out the best and worst in some people and Scott can make his characters shine as they step up and grow up after being thrown into turbulent and dangerous times…and I was pissed when it came to an end, leaving me needing the next book, and the next, to find out how it will end.

[Char · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Gef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon.