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Daniel Jones #1
Frenzy
Daniel leads a peaceful life with his family until he finds out a repulsive secret about the Over-seers, the ‘saviours of humanity’, and his security is blown to smithereens. He enters a world where death is the only certainty and quickly learns to kill – or be killed.
Enter Gwendolyn, with the charm of a snake and a bite that’s twice as dangerous. People skills aren’t her thing but she knows how to survive in a post-apocalyptic world; she’s a hotshot with a bow and arrow and can rustle up a mean rat soup.
Mary is the only person left alive over forty. She’s not too good at fighting but she knows where to find the one thing that could save their lives.
Only Mary can remember life before the invasion, before humanity was brainwashed into following the procedures.
Pursued by the Over-seers, the Triclops and the barbaric hunters, can the three brave rebels triumph in their quest for survival? The odds are stacked against them – hold tight for a white-knuckle ride through a landscape of devastation!
Enter Gwendolyn, with the charm of a snake and a bite that’s twice as dangerous. People skills aren’t her thing but she knows how to survive in a post-apocalyptic world; she’s a hotshot with a bow and arrow and can rustle up a mean rat soup.
Mary is the only person left alive over forty. She’s not too good at fighting but she knows where to find the one thing that could save their lives.
Only Mary can remember life before the invasion, before humanity was brainwashed into following the procedures.
Pursued by the Over-seers, the Triclops and the barbaric hunters, can the three brave rebels triumph in their quest for survival? The odds are stacked against them – hold tight for a white-knuckle ride through a landscape of devastation!
- GenresScience Fiction
226 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
1613 people want to read
About the author
Mark King
2 books90 followersMark King is an award-winning author, free spirit, lover of life, family, friendships, good food, drink and travel. After facing death on more occasions than is good for a hot blooded male he now lets his vivid imagination take the risks in life.
'I will try anything once, and if I like it I will try it again, but if I don't then I won't. So even now I'm still making mistakes learning something new along the way, and when I stop making these it will be the day my maker calls me to judgment.'
'I will try anything once, and if I like it I will try it again, but if I don't then I won't. So even now I'm still making mistakes learning something new along the way, and when I stop making these it will be the day my maker calls me to judgment.'
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 22, 2017
First of all I want to thanks Mark King for the opportunity to offer me a hardcover "Frenzy " in exchange an honest review. I like the book, it was interesting to read and the way it was written was very good. It's about 6o years from now on, it has a apocalipse scenario where over-seers rules the actual world and Daniel will break that cycle of that power. This novel is a mix of "Hunger Games" and "The Road". I would recomend to read it to any booklover.
September 26, 2013
I really liked the look of this book. In fact, so much so, that I highlighted it in my March book release post. It will therefore come as no surprise, as to how pleased I was, to get an email from Susan from the Book Publishing Guild asking if I would be interested to receive a copy for review. Therefore, many thanks Susan for getting it to me so quickly.
I don't know anything about this author, for example, I don't know whether this is his debut book or how many books are going to be in the series. I am presuming that there will be another one to come based on the ending/outcome of the book. At least, I am really hoping that there will be another one because I would love to see how the plot unfolds.
Bang. Bang. Bang. . . . The pages of the book gave a mighty shake from the power of the author's storytelling. Bang. Bang. Bang. . . . . Frenzy is a compelling dystopian novel that will wrap the readers up in a vivid and exciting adventure. Every page had me gripped in a vision of a new world order - aliens invading earth and life returning back three thousand years to the Dark Ages.
Bang. Bang. Bang. The ground shook with such terrifying power that once again the soul of humanity would cry out in fear tonight.
Daniel, the main character, stumbles on The Overseers barbaric secret. Unfortunately, they soon learn about his discovery. From then on his peaceful life is shattered forever. On the run, he leaves his family, friends and village behind. Accompanied by Gwendolyn, who has the charm of a snake and a bite that's twice as dangerous, and Mary, who is the only person left alive over forty. She's no good at fighting, but at least she can remember what life used to be like... and, maybe, just maybe, how to restore it.
The author has captured and produced an atmospheric dystopian vision. He has kept the storyline simple, but with just enough detail to let your imagination run wild. The story felt fresh and original. Although in parts, it was very emotional especially the further you travel down the path. The three main characters are particularly well written with just the right amount of dialogue to keep the focus on the adventure ahead. Some graphic action and a small slice of sci-fi gave the story a new dimension, which made it really memorable.
This story will feed the soul of the imagination. It is for those who love a good story - one that will unsettle you one minute and then play with your heart strings the next. It's a quest to save lives at any cost by avoiding the many enemies that cross their path. Family, friendships and past lives creates and interesting read - it will keep you on your toes until the very end. The only small problem is that it is far too short at only 226 pages and even then, some of these were taken up by a number of black and white illustrations. In my opinion, it needed to be 150 pages longer in order to really feed my appetite for this brilliant story. I'm really hoping for much more as part of another instalment. This story is really just starting the written journey.
Please support this new author in town and also the smaller publisher company. You'll find that the hardback will look really nice on your bookshelves. If you do purchase a copy to read, then please leave a comment, as I love reading them. Bang. Bang. Bang. . . . Silence
I don't know anything about this author, for example, I don't know whether this is his debut book or how many books are going to be in the series. I am presuming that there will be another one to come based on the ending/outcome of the book. At least, I am really hoping that there will be another one because I would love to see how the plot unfolds.
Bang. Bang. Bang. . . . The pages of the book gave a mighty shake from the power of the author's storytelling. Bang. Bang. Bang. . . . . Frenzy is a compelling dystopian novel that will wrap the readers up in a vivid and exciting adventure. Every page had me gripped in a vision of a new world order - aliens invading earth and life returning back three thousand years to the Dark Ages.
Bang. Bang. Bang. The ground shook with such terrifying power that once again the soul of humanity would cry out in fear tonight.
Daniel, the main character, stumbles on The Overseers barbaric secret. Unfortunately, they soon learn about his discovery. From then on his peaceful life is shattered forever. On the run, he leaves his family, friends and village behind. Accompanied by Gwendolyn, who has the charm of a snake and a bite that's twice as dangerous, and Mary, who is the only person left alive over forty. She's no good at fighting, but at least she can remember what life used to be like... and, maybe, just maybe, how to restore it.
The author has captured and produced an atmospheric dystopian vision. He has kept the storyline simple, but with just enough detail to let your imagination run wild. The story felt fresh and original. Although in parts, it was very emotional especially the further you travel down the path. The three main characters are particularly well written with just the right amount of dialogue to keep the focus on the adventure ahead. Some graphic action and a small slice of sci-fi gave the story a new dimension, which made it really memorable.
This story will feed the soul of the imagination. It is for those who love a good story - one that will unsettle you one minute and then play with your heart strings the next. It's a quest to save lives at any cost by avoiding the many enemies that cross their path. Family, friendships and past lives creates and interesting read - it will keep you on your toes until the very end. The only small problem is that it is far too short at only 226 pages and even then, some of these were taken up by a number of black and white illustrations. In my opinion, it needed to be 150 pages longer in order to really feed my appetite for this brilliant story. I'm really hoping for much more as part of another instalment. This story is really just starting the written journey.
Please support this new author in town and also the smaller publisher company. You'll find that the hardback will look really nice on your bookshelves. If you do purchase a copy to read, then please leave a comment, as I love reading them. Bang. Bang. Bang. . . . Silence
February 19, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and was so excited! I started reading it a day after it arrived and basically couldn't put it down -- every chance I got I was sneaking time to read. I found it to be refreshing and original, and particularly appreciate that it is written in third person omniscient narration. It is set in a post-apocalyptic America after the world has been destroyed and is now run by aliens who execute anyone not following their rules. I absolutely recommend reading this novel -- it has many important life lessons, including the following: the importance of friendship, the power of knowledge, the necessity of working together against common opposition, and the danger of allowing ourselves to be misled. I will especially recommend this book for my high school students, as the fast pace, gruesome details, lovable protagonist, and regular action will grab their attention.
March 9, 2014
Sixty years into the future, the earth is a dystopian wasteland. Small populations of humanity thrive in villages ruled by the Overseers. As generations pass by, these survivors have been conditioned to believe the Overseers are their salvation. On their fortieth birthdays, a celebration takes place in their honor and happy goodbyes are given as members of the village are led to the achievement center for their 'just rewards'. Each morning, villagers gather and recite the 'seven procedures'. Humans live in ignorant bliss, until Daniel finds a tunnel in the thicket. Curious to see where it leads, Daniel soon discovers he has found the achievement center and witnesses these 'just rewards' for himself.
When the Overseers realize their secret has been discovered, they will stop at nothing to destroy Daniel and maintain their hold over humanity. Forced to leave his family behind, Daniel flees his village and enters into the desolate lands where he is found by Gwendolyn and Mary, the oldest living human and member of what was once called the resistance. The three must outrun the hunters sent to destroy them as they search for the golden shield, theorized as the only item strong enough to reflect the triclops lasers and destroy them.
Frenzy is a mix between The Village and War of the Worlds. While in no way related to the H.G. Wells classic, it feels as if it's telling the speculative story of what could have happened had the aliens not been afflicted with the common cold. The adventurous story gives readers an escape from reality with cannibalistic aliens set in a futuristic, yet primitive, landscape. Appropriate for younger readers and intriguing enough for adult minds, Frenzy appeals to the masses. This book is perfect for an afternoon read with its imaginative story line and just the right amount of tension to keep readers invested and unable to put it down.
Ending in such a way that begs for a sequel, Frenzy is a percolating work of fiction that has the potential to be successfully adapted into box office gold. Due to some minor editing issues and a slow start, frenzy receives 4 out of 5 stars from The Bookie Monster.
When the Overseers realize their secret has been discovered, they will stop at nothing to destroy Daniel and maintain their hold over humanity. Forced to leave his family behind, Daniel flees his village and enters into the desolate lands where he is found by Gwendolyn and Mary, the oldest living human and member of what was once called the resistance. The three must outrun the hunters sent to destroy them as they search for the golden shield, theorized as the only item strong enough to reflect the triclops lasers and destroy them.
Frenzy is a mix between The Village and War of the Worlds. While in no way related to the H.G. Wells classic, it feels as if it's telling the speculative story of what could have happened had the aliens not been afflicted with the common cold. The adventurous story gives readers an escape from reality with cannibalistic aliens set in a futuristic, yet primitive, landscape. Appropriate for younger readers and intriguing enough for adult minds, Frenzy appeals to the masses. This book is perfect for an afternoon read with its imaginative story line and just the right amount of tension to keep readers invested and unable to put it down.
Ending in such a way that begs for a sequel, Frenzy is a percolating work of fiction that has the potential to be successfully adapted into box office gold. Due to some minor editing issues and a slow start, frenzy receives 4 out of 5 stars from The Bookie Monster.
May 4, 2014
Because I am now writing the sequel to Frenzy which I have initial titled Daniel Jones Doom I am re-reading the original story to refresh my memory and check character features and even now I still find it an enjoyable pleasure even though I know the whole book from start to finish. It's fast pace adventure will continue in the next book, but with even more exciting twists and turns.
February 21, 2016
I was blown away by Frenzy! Admittedly, it has been a while since I have read a post-apocalyptic adventure series, but author Mark King drew me in with his great story-telling skills, fantasy and some brilliant characters. I was so hooked I went straight on to read the sequel, Doom!
In a world, not as we know it, but only as Daniel and future generations know, we realise that mankind is isolated in small villages, left only alive to ‘farm’ themselves ready for what they believe will be a time for rest and rewards in the ‘Achievement Centre’, which they are due to attend after their fortieth birthday. This is a world, unlike anything we know now, where humans go back to basics, with no reminders of the past, and a world run by other beings: the Over-Seers!
The story gives the reader a true sense of what it is like to be Daniel, describing his home life, daily routines and reactions perfectly. There is no holding back from description when it comes to Mark King‘s terrific writing. The reader is truly drawn in, feeling every moment as Daniel does.
Daniel is a great, young character, living in a hut with his family, and being able to live off the land, felling trees with his father, in order to trade for food. They are living a relatively comfortable life given the circumstances, aside from the usual lack of sanitary conditions and few clothes, etc. After all, this is all Daniel has ever known.
However, after celebrations of a friend departing to the Achievement Centre, Daniel and his young friends decide to wander whilst playing a game. During this turn of events, Daniel discovers something so incredibly horrifying about the Over-Seers and the future of his human friends! Even more terrifyingly, he is found out, and now has no choice but to run for his life throughout the desolate lands, for he simply cannot return to his village and safe haven of his family.
Not only does he fear the Over-Seers, and the prospect that they could attack his family if they are aware of just who he is, he has to outrun human hunters and the terrifying, ground-trembling Triclops! His insubordinate and mischievous actions have landed him in a horror he has never known. His only slight relief comes when he meets survivors Gwendolyn and Mary, who work with him in an attempt to save humanity!
Initially, Frenzy was a story I would have recommended to 11+ readers, however after learning the secret as Daniel did, and the sheer shock, horror and gore I quickly changed my mind. Frenzy, however is an exceptional read, easy to follow, yet at a nice, quick pace for the adventure it holds. You will be hooked! I would advise it for readers certainly 14yrs+.
In a world, not as we know it, but only as Daniel and future generations know, we realise that mankind is isolated in small villages, left only alive to ‘farm’ themselves ready for what they believe will be a time for rest and rewards in the ‘Achievement Centre’, which they are due to attend after their fortieth birthday. This is a world, unlike anything we know now, where humans go back to basics, with no reminders of the past, and a world run by other beings: the Over-Seers!
The story gives the reader a true sense of what it is like to be Daniel, describing his home life, daily routines and reactions perfectly. There is no holding back from description when it comes to Mark King‘s terrific writing. The reader is truly drawn in, feeling every moment as Daniel does.
Daniel is a great, young character, living in a hut with his family, and being able to live off the land, felling trees with his father, in order to trade for food. They are living a relatively comfortable life given the circumstances, aside from the usual lack of sanitary conditions and few clothes, etc. After all, this is all Daniel has ever known.
However, after celebrations of a friend departing to the Achievement Centre, Daniel and his young friends decide to wander whilst playing a game. During this turn of events, Daniel discovers something so incredibly horrifying about the Over-Seers and the future of his human friends! Even more terrifyingly, he is found out, and now has no choice but to run for his life throughout the desolate lands, for he simply cannot return to his village and safe haven of his family.
Not only does he fear the Over-Seers, and the prospect that they could attack his family if they are aware of just who he is, he has to outrun human hunters and the terrifying, ground-trembling Triclops! His insubordinate and mischievous actions have landed him in a horror he has never known. His only slight relief comes when he meets survivors Gwendolyn and Mary, who work with him in an attempt to save humanity!
Initially, Frenzy was a story I would have recommended to 11+ readers, however after learning the secret as Daniel did, and the sheer shock, horror and gore I quickly changed my mind. Frenzy, however is an exceptional read, easy to follow, yet at a nice, quick pace for the adventure it holds. You will be hooked! I would advise it for readers certainly 14yrs+.
May 29, 2018
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I have recently really been enjoying the dystopia genre. When I first read The Hunger Games I thought I had died and gone to heaven. When I read the first two books of The Divergent Series I felt the same. So I was extremely excited to read this book.
I’ve been trying to work out what I love so much about Dystiopain books. I think it’s how when the world come’s crashing down ans everyone is brainwashed into thinking something is the truth that there is someone who fight’s back. That one person that is resilient enough to fight it.
Being a city girl I found village life to not be my cup of tea. As Mary says “you can take the girl out of the city but not the city out of the girl”. I like the anonymity of the city.
Daniel had always thought that he like his father would spend his life in the village, cutting down trees for fire wood and trading it for food, tools and any other necessary supplies until he reached his 40th season and retired to the achievement centre. That was until he found out the Over-seers secret. Then his life became interesting.
Gwendolyn is a feisty young woman. I loved her spirit and her attitude. I did however spend the whole book hoping she would soften up to Daniel.
Mary is excellent. She is ever the optimist even down to the last few scenes. I was biting my lip with nerves and Mary was just there thinking it will all be ok.
When you first begin the book it’s all a little confusing but stick with it and it all becomes clear. The information is given to you at just the right pace to keep on that fine balance between intrigue and frustration. I am presuming that based on the ending of this book that it will be a series and I really hope so as I would like to see how this pans out.
If you love the dystopia genre with a good amount of tension and intrigue I would highly recommend this book.
I’ve been trying to work out what I love so much about Dystiopain books. I think it’s how when the world come’s crashing down ans everyone is brainwashed into thinking something is the truth that there is someone who fight’s back. That one person that is resilient enough to fight it.
Being a city girl I found village life to not be my cup of tea. As Mary says “you can take the girl out of the city but not the city out of the girl”. I like the anonymity of the city.
Daniel had always thought that he like his father would spend his life in the village, cutting down trees for fire wood and trading it for food, tools and any other necessary supplies until he reached his 40th season and retired to the achievement centre. That was until he found out the Over-seers secret. Then his life became interesting.
Gwendolyn is a feisty young woman. I loved her spirit and her attitude. I did however spend the whole book hoping she would soften up to Daniel.
Mary is excellent. She is ever the optimist even down to the last few scenes. I was biting my lip with nerves and Mary was just there thinking it will all be ok.
When you first begin the book it’s all a little confusing but stick with it and it all becomes clear. The information is given to you at just the right pace to keep on that fine balance between intrigue and frustration. I am presuming that based on the ending of this book that it will be a series and I really hope so as I would like to see how this pans out.
If you love the dystopia genre with a good amount of tension and intrigue I would highly recommend this book.
May 1, 2014
I would like to thank Shaz at fictionaddictionbooktours and the author Mark King for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I wasn't sure how I would like this book when I first started reading it, having previously read The Hunger Games and Divergent I didn't know if this would follow in those footsteps, I was wrong it is different in an an usual and creative way.
Daniel lives with his family in a village and from the beginning you could think that this is how they have always lived, a simple life without the trappings of modern day... Then one day while playing an innocent game of hide and seek Daniel and his friends discover a tunnel. His friends are too scared to follow and go back to the village, Daniel carries on and what he witnesses is devastating, he also knows he has been seen by the Over-seers. Desperate to get away he kills one.
This leads him on a road to discovery where he meets Gwendoline and Mary.
All 3 main characters are very easily likeable and you get to know about them all as the story unfolds. It's fast paced enough but not soo fast that you lose the thread of the story, but you also know that this is just beginning.
I like the authors description of the lands and area the Daniel, Gwendoline and Mary cross, the terrors on the journey they undertake but also knowing once they are at an end to the journey this is only just beginning.
Wolf and his gang of hunters are on their tail and the must get to the Sheild Mary has told them about while avoiding the gang, unscrupulous villagers and the TriClops, that are searching for them.
A fascinating story that is building nicely, any fan of dystopian would love this book.
I wasn't sure how I would like this book when I first started reading it, having previously read The Hunger Games and Divergent I didn't know if this would follow in those footsteps, I was wrong it is different in an an usual and creative way.
Daniel lives with his family in a village and from the beginning you could think that this is how they have always lived, a simple life without the trappings of modern day... Then one day while playing an innocent game of hide and seek Daniel and his friends discover a tunnel. His friends are too scared to follow and go back to the village, Daniel carries on and what he witnesses is devastating, he also knows he has been seen by the Over-seers. Desperate to get away he kills one.
This leads him on a road to discovery where he meets Gwendoline and Mary.
All 3 main characters are very easily likeable and you get to know about them all as the story unfolds. It's fast paced enough but not soo fast that you lose the thread of the story, but you also know that this is just beginning.
I like the authors description of the lands and area the Daniel, Gwendoline and Mary cross, the terrors on the journey they undertake but also knowing once they are at an end to the journey this is only just beginning.
Wolf and his gang of hunters are on their tail and the must get to the Sheild Mary has told them about while avoiding the gang, unscrupulous villagers and the TriClops, that are searching for them.
A fascinating story that is building nicely, any fan of dystopian would love this book.
October 16, 2015
I do really enjoying read this book so much as the story go flowed smooth with fast paced in gripping chapters as it revealed to me clearly in the right places...
BANG. BANG. BANG. (read it to understand what those noises came from as not want to be spoiler)
I find no distort from well structure plots of the story and also captured my mind with exciting. That's mean I cannot able to put it down so had to read it all on one sit as I want to find out what outcome in the end...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
The characters are convincing me as real & believable so their dialogues too...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Only I was gutted when I saw the outcome in the end as it seem not finished from there so expecting there will be next book/s to follow up...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
I would not hesitate to recommend to reading the book. Hope next book is good or better as this one...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
BANG. BANG. BANG. (read it to understand what those noises came from as not want to be spoiler)
I find no distort from well structure plots of the story and also captured my mind with exciting. That's mean I cannot able to put it down so had to read it all on one sit as I want to find out what outcome in the end...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
The characters are convincing me as real & believable so their dialogues too...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Only I was gutted when I saw the outcome in the end as it seem not finished from there so expecting there will be next book/s to follow up...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
I would not hesitate to recommend to reading the book. Hope next book is good or better as this one...
BANG. BANG. BANG.
April 1, 2013
I first bought Frenzy by Mark King for my teenage son. I was attracted to the look of the cover, and as I stood in the book shop reading the first chapter (very gripping) twenty minutes had passed before I noticed I was still reading it. I purchased the book more in hope for my son's birthday as he is addicted to gaming, and won't touch anything as old hat as a book. To my surprise he read it from front to back, and once he had finished I read it too. Frenzy is a classic quest story, but with a very modern twist with three great charactors in Daniel Jones, Gwendolyn and Mary. I never completed a book review before, but as my husband is now reading Frenzy I was compelled to add my voice so others may be inspired to enjoy Frenzy. Once he is finished I hope my daugher will get the chance to read it before she returns to university.
August 25, 2014
Frenzy is a book in the YA/ dystopia genre. It opens with some powerful imagery which is featured throughout the book. There is much fear of that which causes the BANG. BANG. BANG.
Daniel lives with his family in a very primitive society, ruled by a set of procedures and the Over-Seers who are saviours of humanity. Village elders look forward to their Day of Achievement on the turn of their 40th birthdays as a reward for all their hard work in life. Life is simple in the village, Daniel helps his father as a wood cutter.
All this changes when curiosity gets the better of Daniel and he discovers more about the Over-Seer's way of life. He runs away to the Desolate lands where is meets Mary and Gwendolyn and together they go on a hazardous quest for a Golden Shield.
Daniel lives with his family in a very primitive society, ruled by a set of procedures and the Over-Seers who are saviours of humanity. Village elders look forward to their Day of Achievement on the turn of their 40th birthdays as a reward for all their hard work in life. Life is simple in the village, Daniel helps his father as a wood cutter.
All this changes when curiosity gets the better of Daniel and he discovers more about the Over-Seer's way of life. He runs away to the Desolate lands where is meets Mary and Gwendolyn and together they go on a hazardous quest for a Golden Shield.
May 26, 2013
Fast paced, short chapters, 3 focal point characters blitzing their way through every page, can't go wrong. Frenzy is set out as a teen last hope to save humanity style adventure but for an adult reader looking for something exciting to clear out the cobwebs this one is pretty much as good as it gets, the interaction between characters is sharp and believable, the characters themselves are clevely drawn out and easy to invest in and it really is non stop. With this being a relatively short novel and the length of each chapter sitting in well to match it is so easy to follow it's unreal. I can not recommend Frenzy enough to anyone young or old.
April 1, 2013
Frenzy is a great story that takes you on ride of emotions as you follow Daniel Jones in his fight for survival. Set in the near future at first the picture that it places in your mind is of times long since past. But as the story unfolds at a fast pace you find out the terrible truth which Daniel knows and are glued to the story as he seaks survival with the help of two female strangers. Frenzy is a book that I enjoyed a lot and I just know is going to be a big hit.
August 30, 2017
The adventure and the quest come together for three unlikely people who with their different abilities form a capable team.This is science fiction but told in a manner of a fantasy story., This story quickly falls into place. It is fast moving and a page turner.I recommend this book you will not want for it to end It was a very nice escape for me.
May 15, 2013
A hard life, but rewarded with paradise at 40. Or is it?
So when you discover the truth, what can you do?
Chilling and gripping, a good read for the young adult and the not so young, a page turner for me.
Waiting for the sequel I know is on the way.
JMB
So when you discover the truth, what can you do?
Chilling and gripping, a good read for the young adult and the not so young, a page turner for me.
Waiting for the sequel I know is on the way.
JMB
January 11, 2025
Not just for the teens, if you purchase this for your son or daughter, make sure you read it when they've finished. A real page-turner form author Mark King that is crying out to be made into a film... for those that loved Hunger Games or Twilight, it's a must read.
July 16, 2014
loved this book a must read :)
May 30, 2014
Loved this book!
August 13, 2014
All the family loved this story, aged from 11-67.
Brilliant, not my normal genre, but read it in a day as couldn't put it down
Brilliant, not my normal genre, but read it in a day as couldn't put it down
October 8, 2020
A fellow book reviewer has been lamenting about missing the good old days of reading just for fun. Most of my reading is non-fiction and reading for fun is not much different than reading and reviewing. I do all the same things read for detail, take notes, evaluate the thesis, and so on. It’s my guess that reading non-fiction for fun is probably not most peoples idea of fun. It made me think of the last time I read something fun.
Recently, Mark King sent me a copy of his book Frenzy to review. Once it arrived, I set it on my desk and mentally bumped it up in my queue since it was a hardcover sent all the way from England. Yesterday, knowing that I was going to spend three hours on a train, I removed the dust jacket, put the book in my bag, caught the train.
There was some valuable introductory information on that dust jacket I left at home. I started the book on the train and began to wonder: What kind of world is this taking place on?…Overseers? I began thinking a futuristic feudal system, prison colony, maybe aliens like the television series “V”. As I read more information came out. It is earth. But something happened that changed the entire planet. King puts together a great story, never leaking too much information to the reader too quickly. Several thoughts came as I read farther, maybe Logan’s Run. No, it wasn’t quite that either.
Daniel is an apprentice woodcutter and works under his father’s supervision. They live in a mud and thatched hut and are entrusted with a metal ax. The culture and society seems to be early Middle Ages with two key differences. The people are completely illiterate and quality metal tools and weapons are scarce. No one remembers society before the Overseers came. That is mostly because after reaching the age of forty people are removed from their village and sent to a retirement community as a reward for their work and tithing to the overseers. People seem relatively happy in their station and all look forward to their retirement award. Life is primitive, but pretty good.
However, like any society where things run smoothly and there is a powerful ruling group, there is a darker side. Daniel accidentally discovers that darker side and goes on the run to avoid summary execution and to protect his family. On the run, he meets the young hunter Gwendoline (don’t call her Gwen) and Mary, who is past her fortieth birthday and hiding to avoid summary execution. Mary remembers life before the Overseers and slowly she begins to tell Daniel what happened to earth. Now the three of them must leave and try to find the item that may allow them to resist the Overseers who are hunting them down and maybe free mankind from their tyranny.
Needless to say, three hours on a train and I completed the book. It took me a while, but I know what the book reminded me of. Years ago, I read books like Riftwar Saga and other fantasy adventures where people were put into situations that they did not expect and were called upon or pushed into by fate. Frenzy has that same feel. The adventure and the quest come together for three unlikely people who with their different abilities form a capable team. This book, however, has no magic or magical beings. It is science fiction but told in a manner of a fantasy story, but I could almost see Daniel as the fighter, Gwendoline as the their or ranger, and Mary as mage/sage.
I can say this book took me back to the days when I read just for fun. King creates a story that is fun and easy to fall into. Even without reading the summary on the jacket, the story quickly fell into place. It is fast moving and a fast page turner. I managed to read this book in two sittings, but wished I could have read it all in one. It’s a book you do not want to put down. I recommend to any who likes science fiction and particularly to those who like fantasy novels. Frenzy takes the best from both genres and gives the reader a nice escape.
Book Review by Joseph Spuckler
Link to My Author Alliance Review
Recently, Mark King sent me a copy of his book Frenzy to review. Once it arrived, I set it on my desk and mentally bumped it up in my queue since it was a hardcover sent all the way from England. Yesterday, knowing that I was going to spend three hours on a train, I removed the dust jacket, put the book in my bag, caught the train.
There was some valuable introductory information on that dust jacket I left at home. I started the book on the train and began to wonder: What kind of world is this taking place on?…Overseers? I began thinking a futuristic feudal system, prison colony, maybe aliens like the television series “V”. As I read more information came out. It is earth. But something happened that changed the entire planet. King puts together a great story, never leaking too much information to the reader too quickly. Several thoughts came as I read farther, maybe Logan’s Run. No, it wasn’t quite that either.
Daniel is an apprentice woodcutter and works under his father’s supervision. They live in a mud and thatched hut and are entrusted with a metal ax. The culture and society seems to be early Middle Ages with two key differences. The people are completely illiterate and quality metal tools and weapons are scarce. No one remembers society before the Overseers came. That is mostly because after reaching the age of forty people are removed from their village and sent to a retirement community as a reward for their work and tithing to the overseers. People seem relatively happy in their station and all look forward to their retirement award. Life is primitive, but pretty good.
However, like any society where things run smoothly and there is a powerful ruling group, there is a darker side. Daniel accidentally discovers that darker side and goes on the run to avoid summary execution and to protect his family. On the run, he meets the young hunter Gwendoline (don’t call her Gwen) and Mary, who is past her fortieth birthday and hiding to avoid summary execution. Mary remembers life before the Overseers and slowly she begins to tell Daniel what happened to earth. Now the three of them must leave and try to find the item that may allow them to resist the Overseers who are hunting them down and maybe free mankind from their tyranny.
Needless to say, three hours on a train and I completed the book. It took me a while, but I know what the book reminded me of. Years ago, I read books like Riftwar Saga and other fantasy adventures where people were put into situations that they did not expect and were called upon or pushed into by fate. Frenzy has that same feel. The adventure and the quest come together for three unlikely people who with their different abilities form a capable team. This book, however, has no magic or magical beings. It is science fiction but told in a manner of a fantasy story, but I could almost see Daniel as the fighter, Gwendoline as the their or ranger, and Mary as mage/sage.
I can say this book took me back to the days when I read just for fun. King creates a story that is fun and easy to fall into. Even without reading the summary on the jacket, the story quickly fell into place. It is fast moving and a fast page turner. I managed to read this book in two sittings, but wished I could have read it all in one. It’s a book you do not want to put down. I recommend to any who likes science fiction and particularly to those who like fantasy novels. Frenzy takes the best from both genres and gives the reader a nice escape.
Book Review by Joseph Spuckler
Link to My Author Alliance Review
February 18, 2014
Once I'd picked this book up... I couldn't put it down! The characters had me entranced, wondering all the time, what will happen next! I was gutted when the book ended... Can't wait to read the next in the series!
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