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A man and a young girl travel the roads of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, hunted by monsters and haunted by the past. Nothing is what it seems in this ravaged landscape where danger is all-encompassing and enemies come in every form. In this world surviving is hell. Staying dead is impossible.
262 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2013
2 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Steven Novak
89 books72 followersSteven Novak is the author of the Breadcrumbs For The Nasties series of novels, Forts, Goats Eat Cans, numerous children's books, and a number of online comics. He is an accomplished illustrator and has designed book covers for authors across the globe. He lives with his wife in southern California, has two cats, and apparently likes to stare at the sky dramatically in black and white photos. His work can be found online at www.novakillustration.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 16, 2014
Let's get one thing clear up front: this book is not for the faint of heart. Luckily, I have a strong stomach so I was able to enjoy it, and I did enjoy it very much.
The novel takes place in a "post-apocalyptic wasteland" where a 10-year-old girl and the man trying to protect her struggle to survive in a world filled with monsters. There are three basic kinds, two of which resemble zombies and vampires, all of which have an insatiable appetite for human flesh and blood.
But the worst monsters in this book are human, and they're in pursuit of our girl Megan and the intriguing man who is determined to keep her safe. The action is non-stop; this book is intense and unrelenting with its scenes of horror—but it never feels gruesome for gruesome's sake. The characters are well-rounded and I became attached to them both.
The novel is told from Megan's point of view. I liked her voice, but it's not only her voice that makes her believable—it's the mistakes she makes. We watch her learn and grow and try to peel back the layers of her stoic, mysterious companion. Novak does a remarkable job with this relationship.
In the last third of the book, I admit it began to feel as though something was missing. It was an end-goal, the hint of hope. Our characters are moving forward, always, but I didn't know toward what. Survival, of course. Theirs is a day-to-day fight to stay alive, but what are they staying alive for? There must be hope somewhere. And of course, this may be exactly Novak's point: instilling in the reader the exhaustion and hopelessness of not having the luxury of a goal beyond day-to-day survival.
That said, toward the end (and this IS a series, after all), one of our main characters says something—it's a small thing, but that's all I needed—that made me feel he does have a plan. And since this story is told from the girl's POV, it makes sense that we didn't know that. Either way the writing is great, the ending's a shocker, and I definitely plan to read the next book in this series.
The novel takes place in a "post-apocalyptic wasteland" where a 10-year-old girl and the man trying to protect her struggle to survive in a world filled with monsters. There are three basic kinds, two of which resemble zombies and vampires, all of which have an insatiable appetite for human flesh and blood.
But the worst monsters in this book are human, and they're in pursuit of our girl Megan and the intriguing man who is determined to keep her safe. The action is non-stop; this book is intense and unrelenting with its scenes of horror—but it never feels gruesome for gruesome's sake. The characters are well-rounded and I became attached to them both.
The novel is told from Megan's point of view. I liked her voice, but it's not only her voice that makes her believable—it's the mistakes she makes. We watch her learn and grow and try to peel back the layers of her stoic, mysterious companion. Novak does a remarkable job with this relationship.
In the last third of the book, I admit it began to feel as though something was missing. It was an end-goal, the hint of hope. Our characters are moving forward, always, but I didn't know toward what. Survival, of course. Theirs is a day-to-day fight to stay alive, but what are they staying alive for? There must be hope somewhere. And of course, this may be exactly Novak's point: instilling in the reader the exhaustion and hopelessness of not having the luxury of a goal beyond day-to-day survival.
That said, toward the end (and this IS a series, after all), one of our main characters says something—it's a small thing, but that's all I needed—that made me feel he does have a plan. And since this story is told from the girl's POV, it makes sense that we didn't know that. Either way the writing is great, the ending's a shocker, and I definitely plan to read the next book in this series.
August 16, 2013
Working on a formal review in the next day or two, but I want to tell anyone considering this book that it's fantastic. Dark, haunting, unrelenting.
October 12, 2013
With the first book in his new series, Steven Novak unleashes Hell on Earth. Following an unspecified apocalyptic event, a ten-year-old girl, Megan, and her saviour and protector, Blueeyes, cross the country, surrounded on all sides by evil - human and supernatural evil.
This book is a page-turner, and for my money better than Mr Novak's debut series, the Forts trilogy. With the perspective coming solely from the mind of the young protagonist, the author stretches his obvious talents and comes up with a book that features one setpiece after another, while still allowing time for Megan to come to terms with her world.
The ending in particular, after a particularly grueling sequence of events, leaves plenty of scope for the series to grow and to surprise. A tour-de-force that doesn't outstay its welcome. Justin Cronin anxiously watches over his shoulder.
This book is a page-turner, and for my money better than Mr Novak's debut series, the Forts trilogy. With the perspective coming solely from the mind of the young protagonist, the author stretches his obvious talents and comes up with a book that features one setpiece after another, while still allowing time for Megan to come to terms with her world.
The ending in particular, after a particularly grueling sequence of events, leaves plenty of scope for the series to grow and to surprise. A tour-de-force that doesn't outstay its welcome. Justin Cronin anxiously watches over his shoulder.
December 31, 2013
Wwwwwwwoooooooowwwwwwwww!!!!
I just finished the book. It's been five minutes and already I'm searching Amazon for more books by Mr. Novak. This book drew me in instantly. Mr. Novak has a talent for some serious world and character building. I could always visualize the bleak environment in which this book is set. The main character, Megan, and her compatriot, Blueeyes, were so well fleshed out (pun intended) that I always felt like I was right there with them.
I also loved the foreshadowing in the book. Novak clearly set this book up for a trilogy and I can't wait for the next books to come out. I'm dying (again, pun intended) to see what he does with these characters. How the hell is he going to salvage their fate after the way he left them at the end of this book?
Hands down, five stars.
I just finished the book. It's been five minutes and already I'm searching Amazon for more books by Mr. Novak. This book drew me in instantly. Mr. Novak has a talent for some serious world and character building. I could always visualize the bleak environment in which this book is set. The main character, Megan, and her compatriot, Blueeyes, were so well fleshed out (pun intended) that I always felt like I was right there with them.
I also loved the foreshadowing in the book. Novak clearly set this book up for a trilogy and I can't wait for the next books to come out. I'm dying (again, pun intended) to see what he does with these characters. How the hell is he going to salvage their fate after the way he left them at the end of this book?
Hands down, five stars.
September 23, 2013
This is a cracking good read. Some people say its a bit slow to start but that makes it all the better for how the story, the characters and the pace develop. The various characters were well thought out, offering a slight variation on the traditional zombie story. On several occasions the story did remind me of the 'The Road' but with more action and little twists. A good thing all round. For me just the right amount of back story was revealed, slowly and enticingly, and some not at all, leaving the reader able to let their imagination do what it should. And the ending was neatly finished with the delicious prospect of further books.
September 6, 2013
4.5 Stars.
I struggled with myself about giving this the last half star but decided against it for two reasons: the first is that it took 3 solid chapters before I was "hooked" into the storyline enough to commit to finishing it. The second was while the ending is 100% appropriate for this storyline, it left me feeling let down. I can not say why without it being a spoiler.
I will encourage all my zombie reading friends to pick this book up and give it a read. Once it gets going the story holds your attention into the late night hours.
In the beginning, I wasn't sure what to make of the main character Megan but she won me over as she develops into a solid, independent, youth. In fact, her transition from innocent to capable survivor was the part of the story that I enjoyed the most.
I also enjoyed the diversity of zombies; Howlers, Gimps, and Biters.
The pace of the book was solid, with a few slow "bonding" moments.
The settings were richly described, creating a realistic feel.
Note: This story contains some gore and violence that may not be suitable for young and sensitive readers.
Other than that, I fully recommend this story (series) to readers of the zombies apocalypse genre.
I struggled with myself about giving this the last half star but decided against it for two reasons: the first is that it took 3 solid chapters before I was "hooked" into the storyline enough to commit to finishing it. The second was while the ending is 100% appropriate for this storyline, it left me feeling let down. I can not say why without it being a spoiler.
I will encourage all my zombie reading friends to pick this book up and give it a read. Once it gets going the story holds your attention into the late night hours.
In the beginning, I wasn't sure what to make of the main character Megan but she won me over as she develops into a solid, independent, youth. In fact, her transition from innocent to capable survivor was the part of the story that I enjoyed the most.
I also enjoyed the diversity of zombies; Howlers, Gimps, and Biters.
The pace of the book was solid, with a few slow "bonding" moments.
The settings were richly described, creating a realistic feel.
Note: This story contains some gore and violence that may not be suitable for young and sensitive readers.
Other than that, I fully recommend this story (series) to readers of the zombies apocalypse genre.
March 1, 2014
Dark and Nasty and A Whole Lot of Fun
Looking forward to future books. This one is an easy read and very suspenseful. Bet you can’t stop once you read the first few chapters.
Megan’s perspective on the end of the world (the full details of which are never made clear) is fresh and memorable. What she and others are willing to do to survive makes you wonder what you might do in the same situation, which always an interesting game of “what if?” The best parts of this story reminded me of “The Road” meets “The Mist.”
This story has a lot of heart. It also has lots of action, gore, and suspense to make you read as fast you can to the next page so you can breathe again. A fantastic twist at the end should keep readers coming back for more.
Looking forward to future books. This one is an easy read and very suspenseful. Bet you can’t stop once you read the first few chapters.
Megan’s perspective on the end of the world (the full details of which are never made clear) is fresh and memorable. What she and others are willing to do to survive makes you wonder what you might do in the same situation, which always an interesting game of “what if?” The best parts of this story reminded me of “The Road” meets “The Mist.”
This story has a lot of heart. It also has lots of action, gore, and suspense to make you read as fast you can to the next page so you can breathe again. A fantastic twist at the end should keep readers coming back for more.
August 14, 2013
Megan is the story of a young girl’s survival in an apocalyptic setting, a world that she had been born into. Separated from her parents, she is befriended by a strange man, who protects her from the human savages roaming the earth. The two of them flee the city, but are pursued by the thugs in power. There are multiple close calls throughout the story in this suspenseful story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 29, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was creative the way the author changed the names of vampires, werewolves and zombies. I could not get the picture of the little girl on the front cover out of my head and pictured her through the whole book. Towards the end, it did seem to get a little deep in thought for the little girl. Overall, I great story and I can't wait for book 2.
March 2, 2017
The first few chapters made me suspect I've gotten myself into yet another generic post apocalypse flick. Then Blueeyes came, and I stayed awake for way longer than I should have.
Everything about this book is right. Raw and unfiltered. I do not need more explanation of the hows and whys. Megan didn't.
Everything about this book is right. Raw and unfiltered. I do not need more explanation of the hows and whys. Megan didn't.
October 26, 2013
I will start off my review by saying this... "Breadcrumbs For the Nasties- Megan" is NOT my usual reading genre. I am more of a girly girl when it comes to reading...Cassandra Clare, Stephenie Meyer, Suzanne Collins,etc...However, I am an AVID (BORDERLINE ADDICTIVE) reader, and Steven Novak has been a favorite blogger of mine for years and we've been online pals for just as long, so when he put a request out for some people to HONESTLY review this book for Amazon, I thought, "why not?", since it's out of my comfort zone.
This book starts off easy and the flow just continues from there and does not stop. This to me, is one of the best qualities a book can have. I can't stand when a book starts off slow. That is a sure-fire way for me to have an unfinished book on my shelf. "Breadcrumbs For the Nasties -Megan" is a combination of suspense, sci-fi, thriller, horror all rolled into one. It never slowed down, and it never stopped. I won't go into any spoilers, but JUST when I THOUGHT I had been let down, not by the author, but by the characters in the story, I received a kick in the literary pants and there were a couple twists I DID NOT SEE COMING.....
I think if someone were going to find any fault with the story (which at first, this is the fault I found) one may say, that with the story being told from the point of view of a 10 year old girl, some of the wording and thought processes seem a bit complex. THAT BEING SAID, you can arguably say, that Megan had only ever been around adults, never seen or been around other children, therefore thought and spoke like an adult.... That is honestly, the ONLY fault I can find....that is saying a lot, as there are a ton of books that I thought I "would" like and never finished, because they were crap.
I CANNOT WAIT for the next book in this series! Way to Steven, you've done real good here!
This book starts off easy and the flow just continues from there and does not stop. This to me, is one of the best qualities a book can have. I can't stand when a book starts off slow. That is a sure-fire way for me to have an unfinished book on my shelf. "Breadcrumbs For the Nasties -Megan" is a combination of suspense, sci-fi, thriller, horror all rolled into one. It never slowed down, and it never stopped. I won't go into any spoilers, but JUST when I THOUGHT I had been let down, not by the author, but by the characters in the story, I received a kick in the literary pants and there were a couple twists I DID NOT SEE COMING.....
I think if someone were going to find any fault with the story (which at first, this is the fault I found) one may say, that with the story being told from the point of view of a 10 year old girl, some of the wording and thought processes seem a bit complex. THAT BEING SAID, you can arguably say, that Megan had only ever been around adults, never seen or been around other children, therefore thought and spoke like an adult.... That is honestly, the ONLY fault I can find....that is saying a lot, as there are a ton of books that I thought I "would" like and never finished, because they were crap.
I CANNOT WAIT for the next book in this series! Way to Steven, you've done real good here!
January 26, 2014
Ten year-old Megan is growing up in a world full of monsters--both human and not-so-much. Regardless, these monsters could care less that she's a sweet little girl--there's no Department of Human Services to put the smack down on these nasties. Megan takes a hell of a beating throughout this book, but she's one tough little princess, too, thanks to a mysterious friend, a man she names blueeyes, who's hell-bent on keeping her safe.
I really enjoyed this book--ate it up, in fact. I found myself sneaking in pages as it kept infiltrating my head-space when I really should have been working.
When it comes to writing in the voice of a child, Novak nails it. My daughter, Brynn, is close to Megan's age, so I can completely relate to Megan's inner dialogue and even her actions--I'd expect the same from Brynn if she was thrown into this terrifying world.
I'm intrigued by blueeyes and really wish I knew more about him, even though you get small pieces of his past, there are still plenty of questions that remain unanswered. I look forward to the next book in the series because, truth be told, the ending kinda pissed me off. Sorry Novak. Not that it's not great, but it just leaves me hanging there.
Overall, this book was pretty great. There's plenty of action--blood, guts, and general asskickery, keeping me moving through the book at record speeds. There's also a painful innocence that makes the story more believable, and yeah, maybe I cried a little... just a little.
(originally reviewed on thisthattheotherthing.com)
I really enjoyed this book--ate it up, in fact. I found myself sneaking in pages as it kept infiltrating my head-space when I really should have been working.
When it comes to writing in the voice of a child, Novak nails it. My daughter, Brynn, is close to Megan's age, so I can completely relate to Megan's inner dialogue and even her actions--I'd expect the same from Brynn if she was thrown into this terrifying world.
I'm intrigued by blueeyes and really wish I knew more about him, even though you get small pieces of his past, there are still plenty of questions that remain unanswered. I look forward to the next book in the series because, truth be told, the ending kinda pissed me off. Sorry Novak. Not that it's not great, but it just leaves me hanging there.
Overall, this book was pretty great. There's plenty of action--blood, guts, and general asskickery, keeping me moving through the book at record speeds. There's also a painful innocence that makes the story more believable, and yeah, maybe I cried a little... just a little.
(originally reviewed on thisthattheotherthing.com)
August 8, 2016
Good story, if you like post end of days types of books then this is worth a read
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews