First Activation

Activation #1

by D.A. Wearmouth, Darren Wearmouth (writing as), M.P. Wearmouth

Harry and his brother Jack are on an airline flight, headed for a wild weekend–a ritual they have enjoyed every May since leaving the army. The trip takes a terrifying turn when they land in New York—this year’s destination—to find that JFK airport is almost deserted and that the few ground crew they can spot have all been brutally slaughtered. Is it a terrorist attack? Or something even more menacing? When a security guard appears and offers to help the passengers, but promptly shoots the first person off the plane and then kills himself, Harry realises that there is something very, very wrong in New York City.

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

263 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2013

Reviews

[Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow..... wow.... wow...

This book needs to be made into a movie.... and I really really hope they are writing a second book!

Two men are coming to New York on vacation, when their airplane lands they realize that something horrible has happened... I don't want to say anything else, because I don't want to spoil the story for you...

Think: The Stand by stephen king ... only better... and not as long. Yes, I did say better.

You have a blender ... . put in some The Stand by Stephen King, and add a little bit of walking dead the t.v. series. ..... Then add a splash of magic .... that is this book :)

I am so lucky to have won this book on Goodreads... I only got it in the mail yesterday at three pm... and here it is almost noon the next day and I'm finished... I just wish I would have stretched it out more... I miss Harry and Jack!

[Andy Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really good premise, and the story really rattles along for the first half. The first half is proper survivalist horror against a disease where mankind has been turned on itself - kill one person then kill yourself - and the authors have clearly had a good time coming up with a range of violent deaths for the corpses the main characters come across.

Then half way through - literally (51% according to my Kindle) - the survival horror which had given the story real momentum gives way to a rather weak plot as the orchestrators of the infection/disease are revealed, and the main characters spend the rest of the book going after them to kick ass.

Unfortunately the book suffers throughout from poor character development, a plot that becomes less and less interesting, and the ending is so abrupt and confused that I can only assume - as other reviewers have - that the author(s) were right up to the publisher's deadline, or they just got bored with writing it.

My search for the ultimate post-apocalyptic novel continues...

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique end-of-the-world book. I really enjoyed this. No zombies. No vampires. No plagues.

It actually starts like your standard zombie thriller. But it moves on from there. The characters are believable. The tension builds and the plot is very intelligent and interesting. I really enjoyed the conceit of the nature of the disaster.

Definitely will move on to the sequel.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story opens with a terrifying premise, that (almost) everyone is suddenly motivated by a chilling urge to kill one person and then kill themselves. The narrator and his companions are trying to stay alive, and trying to figure out what could be happening. It's a brilliant premise for a scifi or supernatural thriller.

Unfortunately, the novel falls very short. The characters were underdeveloped and lacking, to the point that I didn't much care when characters died. Long descriptions of who took first watch at night or how a room was barricade resembled a role-playing campaign. (Actually, a post Activation game would probably a better use of this clever premise than a third-rate novella.)

Probably the last quarter of the book reads like it was rushed for a deadline, with half-baked dramatic revelations coming fast and thick.

A chilling and intriguing premise, but a really disappointing book.

[Viking Jam · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://koeur.wordpress.com/2015/02/0...

Publisher: 47 North

Publishing Date: March 2015

ISBN: 9781477824849

Genre: SciFi

Rating: 4.0/5

Publisher Description:

Brothers Harry and Jack leave Manchester for New York City for their annual weekend getaway. But upon arrival, they find a silent, deserted JFK, where the few ground crew they can spot have all been slaughtered. Harry and Jack are military veterans, but they’ve never encountered anything like this. As they witness the carnage and stumble across murderous madmen in a post-apocalyptic New York City, it becomes clear that escape is the only option.

Review: One of the best post-apoc novels I have read in awhile. Good pace, character development and creative plot. The idea that millions if not billions of people around the world have been programed to first kill one person then themselves by an electronic array is brilliant.

Harry and Jack are minding their own business until their plane touches down in New York and view a panorama of senseless slaughter. They set off to find help and soon discover that people are killing others, and once the job is done, stop at nothing to kill themselves. They eventually make their way to the country side and discover a plot to rid the world of excessive over population.

Harry and Jack make a great dysfunctional duo. Where Harry is level headed, Jack is hot-headed and given to fits of rage. I found this to be a good balance as the story developed. Lea is the good lookin’ lesbian that so many authors are inserting into their novels these days. Pretty standard character that fell a little flat. Jerry is funnier than shjt even though he is the enemy and a scumbag to boot.

There were some minor fall downs with regard to firearms use and logic. In one scene a killer shows up in response to loud music. Lea’s partner is killed (Chris) and Harry picks up the revolver and checks that it is empty and throws it back in the car. Another killer shows up (a girl) and retrieves Chris’s revolver and lies in wait. When another killer shows up she shoots the man in the shoulder, he kills her and after fiddling with the gun, kills himself. So we have one empty revolver able to fire rounds that “probably had a stoppage in the chamber”. Besides the mystery rounds how does a revolver get a stoppage in the chamber when each bullet has its own chamber? I can see a semi-auto getting a stovepipe or a hung round on the feed ramp, or even not seating properly due to an error in sizing the brass but not in a revolver.

I imagine there will be a “Second Activation” novel as the ending lacked resolution.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.]

First Activation has really strong premise that gets saddled with some middling characterization and improbable behaviors by its leads. Now, that said, I mostly enjoyed the book and found it to be a pretty effective page-turner that could have benefited from a deeper content edit, despite shaking my head a few times and second-guessing certain actions throughout the story.

The Wearmouths craft a fun little survival story about two Brits heading to New York for vacation, but suddenly find themselves thrust into an apocalyptic scenario upon landing. JFK Airport and the surrounding area are lifeless and the dead bodies are piling up. A sort-of plague compels people to kill one person and then commit suicide, in a twisted bit of ‘get one, give one’ horror show. I found it to be a really inventive hook, and it’s a refreshing change of pace from the usual zombie fare that most apocalypses seem to involve nowadays. It’s the kind of premise that instills an automatic distrust of other survivors and keep the tension high.

The two Brits, Jack and Harry, find others survivors to aid them, but they never truly feel like the fish out of water that they are. Imagine being stuck in a foreign land, surrounded by suddenly crazed, homicidal, suicidal maniacs, and being completely lost. Honestly, that would frighten the hell out of me, but Jack and Harry never seem to be put out by the situation. The narration is told through first-person, so we also never get into any of the other character’s heads and can only guess at their emotional states and motivations, which makes things a bit more frustrating. There are casualties that hit pretty close to home, too, but nobody seems bothered by that either, as character behaviors spin on a dime to suit the plot, rather than being an organic change or deeply explored and rooted within the story.

Despite this, I still wanted to know what the heck was happening. I had questions and I wanted answers. How did this apocalypse begin, who was behind it, and why? The high concept of the story was enough to keep me reading, even while some other aspects of the story and its cast felt a bit ham-fisted and poorly thought out. I wanted to know what was coming next, and for that I have to give the authors their due.

Overall, this is a pretty solid two-star read (meaning “it was OK” on the Goodreads scale), hampered by the questionable motives and actions of its cast, which can sometimes be ridiculously inexplicable.

[Linda B.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced, high action thriller. Warning: It has very vivid details of death and destruction, which would of course, go along with some of these types of books. It is expected in some novels. It is a mystery and a mind provoking story. There is no romance or anything like that in this book. It strictly deals with the end of the world with a few single people. The author did a great job of mingling many aspects of everyday life into this story- from the daily housewife to an airplane pilot. He used people of all walks of life in this novel. I applaud and give a huge thank you to the author for not making this into some long series. I don't know about what others may think, but I am really tired of buying and reading one book only to learn it has no end- you must buy the next book for an ending. This can be read as a stand-alone. Don't get me wrong, it could easily have a sequel to let readers know what happened afterward. It is not a necessity. This book does have an appropriate ending. The author, Wearmouth, did a splendid job of keeping my attention with this fast page-turner.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brothers Harry and Jack are aboard a plane heading for JFK Airport when some serious turbulence cuts off all communication with the world. What they find when they get there is wholesale carnage. How did it happen? Why? Those left alive have a compulsion to kill one other person, then commit suicide. The brothers are trying to survive in a world with no power, decomposing bodies and the need to find out what and who is behind it all.

This is a really gripping post-apocalyptic thriller which I enjoyed a great deal. The characters were believable and although I didn't always like their actions, I have never been in that position. I wonder how I'd behave. I think I'd be the first to be killed off! The authors are brothers and I do hope they will be collaborating again soon. There’s room for a sequel but it stands very well by itself. Highly recommended.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top 5 best books I've ever read! This book had me freaking the F out. I need a sequel & I need it NOW!!!!

[Mike Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've read this year. The main characters fly from Manchester to New York and when they get there they are met with the harrowing scene on bodies all over airport terminal. Some have apparently committed suicide, some have apparently been murdered. Nobody knows what is going on and nobody knows what to do next.

As they leave the airport, we find that the bodies are spread all over New York, with few apparent survivors. Those who are alive, seem hell bent on killing one person before killing themselves.

What follows is an exciting, harrowing and action filled journey into the apocalyptic world that they find themselves in. There is rarely a let up in the pace and the world that the author has created is vivid without having to go into unnecessary detail. The main characters, Harry and Jack are genuinely likeable but believably tough at the same time. The book is unpredictable and fascinating and, although I hate to use this phrase, you won't be able to put it down. A must read.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique take on a apocalyptic event was what really caught my attention. The threat feels real while reading and the tension is built up nicely up till the end. I just didn't like the explanation of why and how the event happened. Seemed just a bit silly to me on the how part but otherwise good. I liked how the characters were flawed and made a few mistakes but also made some good choices also., balanced the story pretty well. I look forward to the next book.

[David Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, could not put down. Great idea and story line.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

I'm afraid of flying, so whatever drove me to read a horror book with a plane on the cover right before boarding a flight beats me. Luckily for people like me, the flying is certainly the safest mode of transport in First Activation. It's when they reach their destination that things become, slightly weird, as everyone feels the need to murder-suicide themselves. It's here that veteran brothers Jack and Harry are trying to survive.

I liked the first half of the book best, because it was reading really fast and felt like I was watching a movie. It was the right amount of confusing, gross and enthralling, just what I needed at that moment. About half-way, the pace slows down quite drastically and it is much less about survival and much more about the why and who behind the sudden urge to kill. I was still interested in the story, but things started to get really convenient and unlikely, which was a slight let down.

Since I already had a copy of the sequel, I've started it already. Curious where the Second Activation will bring everyone.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[John Podlaski · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Activation is the first e-book that I've paid for in quit some time - free books are in abundance on Amazon and many are very good. The book description: "A plane, filled with passengers, arrives in New York City from England to find the city deserted; streets littered with empty vehicles, dead bodies everywhere, not a living person in sight," was enough to pull me right in and download the book. Once I began reading, it is difficult to put down. The authors have successfully created a story that holds readers in awe, fear and hopelessness while they quietly cheer the characters onward to solve this mystery.

Two brothers come forward, announcing to the airline captain that they are former soldiers and best qualified to reconnoiter the immediate area and help to guide those remaining passengers to safety. Two other passengers, a local couple, also come forward and demand to go with the soldiers, using the excuse that they are familiar with the area and can guide the patrol through the airport. However, the small recon unit soon winds up trapped and in serious trouble themselves. When they finally do return to the plane hours later, all the passengers are gone. The small group sets out together to the local couple's home and use it as a base while seeking other survivors who might know what's happening, but soon discovering that every survivor doesn't want to be saved.

I do agree with many of the other reviewers that the story begins to bog down after about 70% and not too much is taking place. When the group locates someone connected to the "event", the story picks up again, but seems rushed and different from my earlier reading experience. Some questions are answered in the final chapter then the story abruptly ends. Surely a sequel is forthcoming.

First Activation is a unique apocalyptic thriller and worth reading.

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel

[E.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"First Activation" caught my attention at the start and held it for the first third of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the Brit brothers and their give-and-take. I thought the authors should have made more use of the brothers' uniquely British backgrounds and foibles but after a few chapters they just pretty much became like everyone else in the book. I enjoyed their believable decision making through the first third of the book as well, but it quickly became dodgy and then downright nonsensical in the later chapters. They seemed incapable of learning from experience. Needless and reckless action often happened that felt forced and then just silly after awhile. I found the revelation of what was really happening to the world technically unfathomable without more explanation. The brothers seemed to just take it in stride with little question, as if the clods they had so far come across could actually have pulled this off. The book gives no indication of higher intelligence needed or higher level technology required or even anything like a more complex organization's involvement. Please! We know too much about how things work to just nod along with such a silly plan for the world. The reckless brothers just keep plodding along driving from here to there and back again while falling asleep at the wheel.

Don't get me wrong, the starting premise was terrific but I feared the plot's explanation would kill it - and I was right. Too bad. The book's payoff was ultimately undeserving of the premise. The authors needed to work harder in order to make that premise credible or they don't get to use it. And yes, as most people have said, the ending was discordant and pathetic. Everything just ran out of gas and the authors quit. Still, the writing wasn't bad, most things were spelled right,and the first third of the book was almost worth the price of admission.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

So excited to be a first read for this book!
*received free through Goodreads First reads*

Story told from Harry's perspective which worked. He is with his brother Jack flying into New York from Manchester for a weekend getaway. The plane lands at JFK with no one in sight and the brothers take off to investigate. They soon learn everyone has gone crazy and see the pattern of people first killing someone, making sure the individual is dead, then taking their own life. Appears to be a terrorist attack, maybe a biological weapon that can control thoughts. While both Jack and Harry are military veterans, I don't see much of this experience built upon in the book. Maybe it's subtle as they do decide to branch out and not remain on the plane.

Their journey into the city is exciting and engaging. It's not until they meet up with Lea and decide to venture to the country that they story begins to lose my interest. They arrive upstate with some interesting mishaps but from the point where Jack & Harry leave their watch to investigate the nearby farm the story becomes choppy and rushed (a little more than halfway into the story). They meet Jerry and learn of Genesis Alliance, a group dedicated to ensuring the survival of the human race. This first wave is only the 'First Activation' with more to come. Jack & Harry set off to stop Genesis Alliance. Travels ensue and the ending is abrupt, definitely leaving room for a second book.

I always enjoy the survival aspect of a post-apocalyptic story and their decision to try to stop the Genesis Alliance comes too quickly. It isn't well-planned or well-thought out. The story becomes rushed and unrealistic compared to how well the storyline was set-up initially.

[M.L. Banner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly unique post-apocalyptic thrill-ride that will keep you guessing the cause for the mayhem until nearly the end of the book. I loved the surprises, along with the affable main characters: I imagined they share many of the authors' personalities.

Some may berate a few of the characters' actions, as if any of us have been tested anywhere as severely; of course in the dark recesses of our minds we are all Jack Bower (or James Bond for those in the UK), able to save the day with one perfectly placed bullet or knife throw. These guys are not him, but then again who is?

****Spoiler Alert (Somewhat)****
And yes, a few have also berated the ending as being too abrupt. Well, I hate to break it to you folks, IT'S A SERIES! That means, unless you don't want the audience to return, you have to end with a cliffhanger. Funny, I don't remember critics of The Hardy Boys saying, "the ending was too abrupt," or "I was hoping for more resolution to the story." I for one was surprised by the ending: one of many happy surprises that sprung from this book.
****End of Somewhat Spoiler Alert ****

Was it perfection in prose, in the ways of a Hemingway or Shakespeare? No! Then again, is The Stand or Lucifer's Hammer – two great EOTW books? It was however, an enormously fun summer read for anyone who loves post-apocalyptic fiction. A great debut for D.A. Wearmouth & and his brother. Even though I finished this a couple of months ago, I can still vividly remember many of the scenes. This is good, because it will carry me until the long awaited release of Second Activation, which I understand is only held up because of their publisher, 47North. Good Show guys!

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice to see an apocalypse book that isn't zombies; that was a refreshing change of pace. However, the authors should have gone with zombies.

I was working with some fifth-graders while I was reading this book. One day, one of them started to tell a story and I suddenly knew why this book seemed to drag. and then . . . and then . . . and then . . . and then . . . For ever and ever. It seemed like they had an interesting idea, but then were so busy trying to not be like any other apocalypse book that they simply didn't know where they were headed. Things happened for no reason, fights occurred that were unnecessary, plot twists that didn't fit or make any sense, and the characters doing the same three things over, and over, and over.

With such poor writing style all the plot holes and head-scratchers are on complete display. Why turn against someone in your group because a known villain says to? Why does Morgan go from zero to pissed in half-a-second? How far do they travel in the airport to not be able to go back to the plane? I could honestly ask these silly questions all night.

I guess the book was okay, but I've really enjoyed the Dead series a lot more.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book had me hooked from the first few pages. It had a very unique and fresh take on the apocalyptic world. The characters were exactly as they should have been, there was just enough distrust and adventure and gore. The ending sort of pissed me off because I would have liked to know a little more post-trigger pull (you'll know what I mean once you read the book). That said, I do have a few criticisms, but they no way detract from the good story: 1) I've lived in England. The author had this book take place IN the USA, but the two main characters were British. Unfortunately, a lot of the terminology they used for the American characters were British terms, and we Americans would never use them in conversation. 2) Sometimes I got confused because the author would withhold information. 3) Some of the conversation felt forced or unnatural - but if you overlooked it and sort of put it into your own words, it flowed a little better.

Still think this was a great book. Should be a movie!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad as a debut. Short and punchy, with a fair few instances of slightly clumsy sentences and dialogue, but the plot is interesting enough. The neat idea of the killers is interesting, and the mystery drives the first half of the book nicely through your standard survival horror which pays homage to the first book of The Strain Trilogy, and David Moody's Autumn series without being too derivative.

That said, having settled the reader comfortably into this post-apocalyptic world, the characters' moral compasses suddenly swing a neat 180° half-way through the book, which means the second part of the book is jarringly different; gone are the feelings of paranoia and mistrust - we're into straightforward sneaking-about-with-guns territory. It also ends a little abruptly and not particularly clearly. Maybe it's supposed to be ambiguous, but it comes across more as unclear. Still, it'd be nice to see some more writing in a similar vein.

[Phil Reese · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got a new Kindle and grabbed a few books from the Amazon Lending Library. This book had an interesting premise, so I "borrowed" it.

I don't want to get too negative, but this book is just bad. Riddled with typos and curious comma usage. Bad dialogue. Thin characters who make strange decisions.

What irritated me the most, though, is that the British authors couldn't even be bothered to make the American characters sound American. Lifelong New Yorkers are heard referring to cell phones as "mobiles," parking lots as "car parks," vacations as "holidays," and on and on and on. NYPD/airport police officers are identified by their shoulder epaulettes, commonly worn by police in the UK but not in the US.

Anyway, it is what it is. I continued to read this book long after it began to irritate me because I'm a sucker for PA settings, but ultimately this was a disappointment.

[Curt Huffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a nice basic zombie book, with a bit of a twist. It was fun while it lasted, but it just leaves too much unanswered for a proper ending. The twists are a good ride, but at times the authors leave you scratching your head thinking, is THAT what you want me to believe? Maybe he's setting it up for a franchise series.
Maybe I expect too much from a zombie thriller. But the ploy motive sort of falls flat after building up a nice head of curiosity in the reader.
I got the feeling that his publisher told him to finish the story NOW! Or ELSE!
The authors have likeable and relate-able characters, but he doesn't do a lot with them. A couple of Brits in the US for the first time? So much potential goes by the wayside.
A bit gory for the kids, but it is a zombie story!
It read as more of a short story. Not bad for a poolside book to leave at the hotel.

[Liquid Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the market is flooded with post-apocalyptic / dystopian reads...which is good since that is sorta one of favorite genres. The book can completely stand as/is, which is nice change. However, "Second Activation", it appears, is in the works. I will definitely continue the story. The writing was good and the pace was solid to keep me interested. There was some good character development, glorious corruption, douche bags, and a pair of brothers trying to figure out why us crazy Americans are joining murder-suicide packs with strangers. There is much more to the book than that little tidbit, so enjoy.

[Christine (Cagnes)]

A shout out to these authors! They are generously donating all royalties of this book until Friday evening (12/6) to GB Banks, a disabled author with Type III Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. Together we can give him the support he needs to start his own zombie revolution. :) Please check out GB Banks' indiegogo campaign!

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

First Activation by Darren Wearmouth is a by-the-numbers post-apocalyptic story that covers neither new nor interesting ground. Although not a zombie novel, the narrator has all the personality of a walking corpse. I highly suspect he would be unable to pass the Turing test. The story is not told; it is explained, with all the descriptive flair of a TI-86. It is fitting, then, that the title of Mr. Wearmouth's novel belongs on a DOS prompt, not a bookshelf.

[Debby Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very long way to go for nothing much at all. No questions are answered, anything revealed was already obvious. I skimmed most of this book and still it was too long.

Of course, it starts kinda interesting, what's going on and why and oh my did that just happen? But then it's just meet these people and kill or be kilked, then that bunch, then those.

And there are dead bodies everywhere. The smell is mentioned, but wouldn't there be flies? Vermin? Scavengers?

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fast-paced action! When two British servicemen (also brothers) land in New York City, the airport is deserted except for human assassins attacking from all quarters. Their journey towards finding out what has happened makes for a gripping, hair-raising read! Recommended.

[G.B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, there were problems with the dialogue, and only one mention of the main characters worrying about loved ones (which always bothers me in these kinds of books), but I really liked the first half. It did rush off to a quick conclusion and felt a bit self-indulgent at the end.

[Boymc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a page turner. Raced through this. Great to read a non-pretentious action novel that is exactly what the cover and title promises. Action, suspense, thrills, and a plot that isn't predictable.
Great to hear that there are sequels on the way!

Read it!

[Stephen Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book. Read back in August in one day. So looking forward to the sequel.

Not often i would describe a book as "could not put down" but this is one of them.

All i can hope is the authors don't waste time reading my review and concentrate on the sequel and publish ASAP