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Project Eden #3
Pale Horse
From USA Today bestselling suspense master Brett Battles comes the third book in the Project Eden thriller series.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse;and his name that sat on him was Death,and Hell followed with him.—Revelations 6:8
A simple push of a button and the world will never be the same.
Martina Gable returns home from college to spend Christmas break with her family, but the relaxing vacation she expects is not even close to what she'll get.
Sanjay, a young man in Mumbai who knows more than he should about Project Eden’s plan, will do whatever he can to keep Kusum, the girl he loves, alive and safe.
A boy named Brandon Ash runs for his life in the hills of Montana, wanting only to see his family again.
But first there is Daniel, the boy’s father, who watches Olivia Silva’s finger hover over the enter key that will decide the fate of humanity.
Do you think you’re safe?
Pale Horse is part of the Project Eden continuing sage, which is best read after completing volumes 1 and 2 (Sick and Exit 9)
Here's what others are
“Sick didn’t just hook me. It hit me with a devastating uppercut on every primal level as a parent, a father, and a human being.” — BLAKE CROUCH, author of the Wayward Pines Trilogy
“Sick is a a gem of an outbreak story that unfolds like a thriller movie and never lets up all the way to the last page. Absolutely my favorite kind of story!” — JOHN MABERRY, New York Times bestselling author
“Sick not only grabs you by the throat, but by the heart and gut as well, and by the time you finish you feel as if you've just taken a runaway train through dangerous territory. Buy this book now. You won't regret it.”—ROBERT BROWNE, author of The Paradise Prophecy.
“Like a fever, Sick makes you sweat and keeps you up all night, wondering what the hell is happening. It'll make your heart race like someone shot you with an EpiPen. You think Battles was badass before? He just cranked it up to 500 joules. CLEAR!”—popculturenerd.com
“Sick is Brett Battles at his best, a thriller that also chills, with a secret at its core that's almost too scary to be contained within the covers of a book.” — TIM HALLINAN, author of the Edgar nominated THE QUEEN OF PATPONG
And I looked, and behold a pale horse;and his name that sat on him was Death,and Hell followed with him.—Revelations 6:8
A simple push of a button and the world will never be the same.
Martina Gable returns home from college to spend Christmas break with her family, but the relaxing vacation she expects is not even close to what she'll get.
Sanjay, a young man in Mumbai who knows more than he should about Project Eden’s plan, will do whatever he can to keep Kusum, the girl he loves, alive and safe.
A boy named Brandon Ash runs for his life in the hills of Montana, wanting only to see his family again.
But first there is Daniel, the boy’s father, who watches Olivia Silva’s finger hover over the enter key that will decide the fate of humanity.
Do you think you’re safe?
Pale Horse is part of the Project Eden continuing sage, which is best read after completing volumes 1 and 2 (Sick and Exit 9)
Here's what others are
“Sick didn’t just hook me. It hit me with a devastating uppercut on every primal level as a parent, a father, and a human being.” — BLAKE CROUCH, author of the Wayward Pines Trilogy
“Sick is a a gem of an outbreak story that unfolds like a thriller movie and never lets up all the way to the last page. Absolutely my favorite kind of story!” — JOHN MABERRY, New York Times bestselling author
“Sick not only grabs you by the throat, but by the heart and gut as well, and by the time you finish you feel as if you've just taken a runaway train through dangerous territory. Buy this book now. You won't regret it.”—ROBERT BROWNE, author of The Paradise Prophecy.
“Like a fever, Sick makes you sweat and keeps you up all night, wondering what the hell is happening. It'll make your heart race like someone shot you with an EpiPen. You think Battles was badass before? He just cranked it up to 500 joules. CLEAR!”—popculturenerd.com
“Sick is Brett Battles at his best, a thriller that also chills, with a secret at its core that's almost too scary to be contained within the covers of a book.” — TIM HALLINAN, author of the Edgar nominated THE QUEEN OF PATPONG
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2012
148 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Brett Battles
90 books1,064 followersBrett Battles is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling and Barry Award-winning author of forty novels, including the Jonathan Quinn series and its Excoms spinoff, the Project Eden series, and the time bending Rewinder series. He’s also the coauthor, with Robert Gregory Browne, of the Alexandra Poe series. He is one of the founding members of Killer Year, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He lives and writes in Ventura County, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 12, 2012
Took me less than 24 hours to complete, right off the heels of Exit 9. I've seen other reviews mention that this installment has less action/excitement than the previous two. I disagree. The first two books were working up to an incredible climax, that's for sure. But Pale Horse is also filled with intense action, terror, suspense, devastation, and pure emotion. I feel like the first two books were an awesome introduction to an incredible story we might just be starting to read in book three. I'm in a love/hate relationship with the way the story is (necessarily) told - through several global locations around the same time, so that you get so involved in one storyline that you're jolted when the story moves to a different location. But, hot damn, I can't get enough of this story!
March 24, 2013
Book three was no less thrilling than books one and two. In fact, I finished book two before bed last night, and managed to eat through the third in a single day. It's a bit shorter than the first two, however the length did not take away from the quality of the story.
Several story lines interweaving with one another give the perspective of the bio-armageddon from many angles. It creates a rich and fun way to interact with the characters. If I were to pick nits, I would like to see a bit more inner conflict within the characters. While I am totally engrossed in the story, the depth of the characters has waned a bit as the story has drawn on.
I'm picking up book four tonight, and will likely have a review shortly!
Several story lines interweaving with one another give the perspective of the bio-armageddon from many angles. It creates a rich and fun way to interact with the characters. If I were to pick nits, I would like to see a bit more inner conflict within the characters. While I am totally engrossed in the story, the depth of the characters has waned a bit as the story has drawn on.
I'm picking up book four tonight, and will likely have a review shortly!
July 21, 2018
Baited Breath. This book picks up immediately where EXIT 9 left off and covers just the next two days - the first two days of the Apocalypse. Another global tale, yet Battles also manages to weave in three distinct families - the Ashes, obviously, but also one in India and one that we met during SICK - to make this tale both global and personal. The countdown isn't as effective in this book as it was in EXIT 9, but the overall tale is arguably a bit stronger even without it, due to giving an even wider global scale while also making it, as noted, so intensely personal. The very last paragraph, well... Excellent book, and looking forward to diving straight into ASHES.
February 12, 2020
Notes:
Too many POV's are thrown together for the overall story to be engaging. It would be better if Ash was the focus & the rest are treated as minor characters that add to the story. Going to try one more before I decide if I'm going to bail on the series.
Too many POV's are thrown together for the overall story to be engaging. It would be better if Ash was the focus & the rest are treated as minor characters that add to the story. Going to try one more before I decide if I'm going to bail on the series.
March 25, 2013
I love this series, exactly my kind of books. I've read others reviews and agree on several angles. With so many characters, their stories build, then all of a sudden you reading about a different character in a different part of the world. A literary roller coaster if you will.
I do agree with one reviewer that the character depth is waning a bit, but only around some of the minor characters. Others are well developed, so not sure if that is waning or planned. I've been looking to see how many more if any are in this series, but I'm sad that I'll be picking up book four as soon as I complete this.
Oh the joys of a weekend when you can brag about reading 11/2 books of your new favorite series!!!! Pick up the series, what are you waiting for?????
I do agree with one reviewer that the character depth is waning a bit, but only around some of the minor characters. Others are well developed, so not sure if that is waning or planned. I've been looking to see how many more if any are in this series, but I'm sad that I'll be picking up book four as soon as I complete this.
Oh the joys of a weekend when you can brag about reading 11/2 books of your new favorite series!!!! Pick up the series, what are you waiting for?????
July 17, 2020
What made this book five stars for me is the portrayal of the characters. There are crazy people, scared people, confuse people, infuriated people, and they all act like you would think they would in real life. The action switches from several different plot lines yet they don't become bogged down nor is it hard to keep track of what's going on. I look forward to book 4
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2024
This is a magnificent addition to the Eden series. I devoured the book in a single night. I didn’t have to do it, but I would have gladly attempted to balance on one foot for as long as it took to finish so long as I could drive away the urge to sleep. And considering the back pain I’m dealing with these days, the offer to stand on one foot while reading this is a real tribute to the author for his excellent work. Here’s what you need to know:
First, read the first two books in the series before you tackle this one. Yes, the author does a nice explanatory note at the beginning of this book which would theoretically catch you up more or less. But you’re going to miss out on a tremendous amount of suspense and excitement if you shrug off the other books.
Project Eden will reduce the population of the world down to a few million rather than the billions who now populate it. As the book opens, an evil scientist is about to push the Enter key having first typed in a code that would activate a virus known as the Sage Flu. Prior to activation, a variety of delivery systems existed. Her tap of the Enter key would trigger those viral delivery systems and start the virus spewing everywhere. The goal is to literally restart the Earth where the population is concerned.
Daniel Ash watches horrified as the woman poises over the Enter key. He shoots her; the bullet goes true, but his shot was a millisecond late. She succeeds in activating the virus, and from then forward throughout the book, you get vignettes of how it impacts the world.
You’ll meet a young man from India who figured out in a previous book that those ubiquitous Malaria prevention sprayers were actually virus delivery systems for that region of the world. He finds some stores of vaccine, and he injects the young woman with whom he’s in love.
Martina Gable caught the Sage Flu when they released it in an earlier book as a test. She recovered. Now, she’s in the high Sierras over Christmas break with her parents, and they’re watching news reports about a coming plague.
There is fascinating, well-written story after story of how this nefarious project’s bureaucrats seek to callously murder the inhabitants of the Earth. Those who lean right of center will inevitably link these fictional Project Eden bureaucrats to the very real-World Economic Forum with its minions who invisibly pull levers and push buttons that can impact everyone. Even if you reject that linkage, you’ll find here a riveting story told well and memorably. I’ve downloaded what appears to be the remaining four books in the series, but I’m going to engage in some serious discipline and not binge these books. I tend to treat series authors more fairly if I force myself to step away from their books for a month or two between reads.
I’ve been frequently accused of giving away too much plot in my reviews. You may think I’ve done that here, but yours are the thoughts of the misinformed person who hasn’t yet read this. If you choose to read it, you’ll realize quickly that I’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of the suspense and excellent writing in the book. You’ll enjoy this more if you read the first books in the series.
First, read the first two books in the series before you tackle this one. Yes, the author does a nice explanatory note at the beginning of this book which would theoretically catch you up more or less. But you’re going to miss out on a tremendous amount of suspense and excitement if you shrug off the other books.
Project Eden will reduce the population of the world down to a few million rather than the billions who now populate it. As the book opens, an evil scientist is about to push the Enter key having first typed in a code that would activate a virus known as the Sage Flu. Prior to activation, a variety of delivery systems existed. Her tap of the Enter key would trigger those viral delivery systems and start the virus spewing everywhere. The goal is to literally restart the Earth where the population is concerned.
Daniel Ash watches horrified as the woman poises over the Enter key. He shoots her; the bullet goes true, but his shot was a millisecond late. She succeeds in activating the virus, and from then forward throughout the book, you get vignettes of how it impacts the world.
You’ll meet a young man from India who figured out in a previous book that those ubiquitous Malaria prevention sprayers were actually virus delivery systems for that region of the world. He finds some stores of vaccine, and he injects the young woman with whom he’s in love.
Martina Gable caught the Sage Flu when they released it in an earlier book as a test. She recovered. Now, she’s in the high Sierras over Christmas break with her parents, and they’re watching news reports about a coming plague.
There is fascinating, well-written story after story of how this nefarious project’s bureaucrats seek to callously murder the inhabitants of the Earth. Those who lean right of center will inevitably link these fictional Project Eden bureaucrats to the very real-World Economic Forum with its minions who invisibly pull levers and push buttons that can impact everyone. Even if you reject that linkage, you’ll find here a riveting story told well and memorably. I’ve downloaded what appears to be the remaining four books in the series, but I’m going to engage in some serious discipline and not binge these books. I tend to treat series authors more fairly if I force myself to step away from their books for a month or two between reads.
I’ve been frequently accused of giving away too much plot in my reviews. You may think I’ve done that here, but yours are the thoughts of the misinformed person who hasn’t yet read this. If you choose to read it, you’ll realize quickly that I’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of the suspense and excellent writing in the book. You’ll enjoy this more if you read the first books in the series.
December 4, 2018
This book had the same issues for me as the previous in the series. Too many different stories and people which left me not really caring too much about any of them. What saves the book and the series is the overall story which is still interesting and keeps you wanting more. Another thing that keeps you reading is the great writing style of Brett Battles that makes the story come alive and makes slipping into his world so easy and effortless. After reading the previous book I wasn't sure about whether I wanted to keep reading this series but I'm in too deep now and I accept that I will just have to finish them all. So..on to the next..
March 24, 2021
3rd book in this series... I have enjoyed all three.
A simple push of a button and the world will never be the same.
Martina Gable returns home from college to spend Christmas break with her family, but the relaxing vacation she expects is not even close to what she'll get.
Sanjay, a young man in Mumbai who knows more than he should about Project Eden’s plan, will do whatever he can to keep Kusum, the girl he loves, alive and safe.
A boy named Brandon Ash runs for his life in the hills of Montana, wanting only to see his family again.
But first there is Daniel, the boy’s father, who watches Olivia Silva’s finger hover over the enter key that will decide the fate of humanity.
A simple push of a button and the world will never be the same.
Martina Gable returns home from college to spend Christmas break with her family, but the relaxing vacation she expects is not even close to what she'll get.
Sanjay, a young man in Mumbai who knows more than he should about Project Eden’s plan, will do whatever he can to keep Kusum, the girl he loves, alive and safe.
A boy named Brandon Ash runs for his life in the hills of Montana, wanting only to see his family again.
But first there is Daniel, the boy’s father, who watches Olivia Silva’s finger hover over the enter key that will decide the fate of humanity.
May 9, 2019
Silly
The "resistance" has operatives all over the world. Private jets. Elaborate communication systems. They have pistols and long guns. They have an elaborate bunker HQ that they have to burn to the ground to defend? No stingers? No anti-tank weapons? No claymores? No minefield around the base? Just silly.
I am torn by the irrational behavior of so many of the characters. Then I realized that people are actually this ignorant. Sad but true.
The "resistance" has operatives all over the world. Private jets. Elaborate communication systems. They have pistols and long guns. They have an elaborate bunker HQ that they have to burn to the ground to defend? No stingers? No anti-tank weapons? No claymores? No minefield around the base? Just silly.
I am torn by the irrational behavior of so many of the characters. Then I realized that people are actually this ignorant. Sad but true.
October 26, 2016
Again, this was solid. Not AMAZING, not BAD. But solid.
There were too many characters and not all of them were exactly compelling. I honestly couldn't care less about most of them.
Also, for people who are doing everything they can to survive, they sure as hell make some dumbass decisions.
Plot was still interesting, though. It kinda compensates the lack of good characterisation.
There were too many characters and not all of them were exactly compelling. I honestly couldn't care less about most of them.
Also, for people who are doing everything they can to survive, they sure as hell make some dumbass decisions.
Plot was still interesting, though. It kinda compensates the lack of good characterisation.
April 1, 2020
today is 15 days of lockdown. Luckily our wet market is opened and can buy some vege. Tired of eating wild plant and fish from river. Hope the pandemic end soon.
Back to fiction. This one is all about the first 2 days of activation. If you want to read this book, you must buy book 1 to 7.
Happy lockdown. Stay home and be safe
Back to fiction. This one is all about the first 2 days of activation. If you want to read this book, you must buy book 1 to 7.
Happy lockdown. Stay home and be safe
March 9, 2019
This book doesn't do anything but is needed to connect to the next one.
This book doesn't move the plot very much. The main characters are shown moving ahead. However, the connection it gives let's the reader get ready for the next book.
This book doesn't move the plot very much. The main characters are shown moving ahead. However, the connection it gives let's the reader get ready for the next book.
December 31, 2018
Read right after the first two and continued with the 4th one. Couldn't get enough of the series. Pity it's over.
September 14, 2020
Great story, and great narrator.
September 17, 2020
So exciting... Can't wait for the next!
October 1, 2022
Awesome Book
Brett Battles is a very talented writer. All his books are riveting. The course language is unnecessary. His books don't need it. Excellent Read!
Brett Battles is a very talented writer. All his books are riveting. The course language is unnecessary. His books don't need it. Excellent Read!
February 7, 2023
Much better than the first 2 books, was not too sure I would continue, but will after this stronger chapter
April 17, 2023
things are really ramping up
These books feel like seasons of a tv series that I’m binging on Netflix. Fast paced and so enrapturing. On to the next
These books feel like seasons of a tv series that I’m binging on Netflix. Fast paced and so enrapturing. On to the next
September 10, 2012
Pale Horse is the third book in the Project Eden series, an exciting, edge-of-your-seat kind of story about biological warfare and what could happen if one powerful group of people decided to annihilate 99% of humanity by releasing a deadly flu virus into the population. When I started reading this installment, I figured it was going to be the final book and would wrap everything up at the end. Pale Horse, however, is not the end, although I wish it had been. There is a lot to enjoy about the book, but as a part of the whole Project Eden experience, it fell flat in some ways. It's hard to review this book without giving the story away, so I'm afraid I will have to invoke these dreaded words: Warning: This Review Contains Spoilers!
At the end of Exit Nine, one of the characters was about to press a computer key and unleash hell on earth. Pale Horse picks up at that moment, but Battles cuts away to another storyline and makes the reader wait a while for the outcome. It worked as a device for keeping the suspense high, but it was only the first of many frustrating moments for me. Battles uses the same formatting as the previous two books by jumping from character to character in order to give an overall picture of what’s happening around the globe. I quite like this style, and I think it works really well for this type of suspenseful writing. Most of the characters carry over from Exit Nine, but there are some new ones as well.
One of my favorite story lines takes place in India, and follows Sanjay and his girlfriend Kusum as they try desperately to rescue Kusum’s family. Sanjay is an employee of Pishon Chem, a company that is part of Project Eden and is making its workers spray the city with what they think is an anti-malarial spray, but is actually the Sage Flu virus. Sanjay has figured out the truth and has obtained some vaccine to protect himself and Kusum. But now Kusum wants to vaccinate her family as well, and their tension-filled journey through the flu-infested city streets to steal more vaccine was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Likewise, I enjoyed following the characters of the Resistance at their Montana ranch through some very suspenseful moments, especially Ash’s son Brandon who becomes trapped outside the compound after the rest of the Resistance members have barricaded themselves in a secret underground bunker. Brandon is much more than a scared kid who has been separated from his family. He is resourceful, brave and determined to follow the survival teachings of his father and find a way back to his family before Project Eden can kill him. In one of the creepiest sections, he sneaks into a garage to find shelter for the night, but has a terrifying run-in with the old lady who lives there.
In large cities throughout the world, shipping containers that have been dropped off in strategic areas are mysteriously beginning to open up. It seems that Project Eden’s plan is finally coming together. Or is it? Battles stretches out the suspense in a maddening way, perhaps too well. He keeps the reader guessing for almost 300 pages, but uses foreshadowing at the ends of chapters to suggest that the bad guys might be winning this game. (Example: “With a smile, she continued down the street, unaware that later that evening she would be cooking her last meal.”) I felt it was an intrusive device that took the storytelling away from the characters and put it back in the hands of the author.
The writing throughout the book is top-notch, but one writing choice in the last chapter of the book puzzled me. Battles switches from past to present tense, and it felt completely out-of-place. I’m sure he intended it to ramp up the suspense at the end, and usually using present tense is a good way to accomplish this. But Pale Horse was already suspenseful at this point, and I didn’t care for the change in tense.
Although filled with engaging characters and pulse-pounding excitement, I ultimately felt cheated by Pale Horse’s cliffhanger ending. As part of a series, nothing much is resolved, and I didn’t have that satisfied feeling at the end that I look forward to when reading a book. But if you are a suspense junkie and enjoy being toyed with, you will love Pale Horse. And you won’t have to wait long for the next installment. Ashes, Book Four in the series, comes out this fall. Whether or not it will be the end of Project Eden, you'll just have to wait and see.
Many thanks to the author for providing a review copy.
At the end of Exit Nine, one of the characters was about to press a computer key and unleash hell on earth. Pale Horse picks up at that moment, but Battles cuts away to another storyline and makes the reader wait a while for the outcome. It worked as a device for keeping the suspense high, but it was only the first of many frustrating moments for me. Battles uses the same formatting as the previous two books by jumping from character to character in order to give an overall picture of what’s happening around the globe. I quite like this style, and I think it works really well for this type of suspenseful writing. Most of the characters carry over from Exit Nine, but there are some new ones as well.
One of my favorite story lines takes place in India, and follows Sanjay and his girlfriend Kusum as they try desperately to rescue Kusum’s family. Sanjay is an employee of Pishon Chem, a company that is part of Project Eden and is making its workers spray the city with what they think is an anti-malarial spray, but is actually the Sage Flu virus. Sanjay has figured out the truth and has obtained some vaccine to protect himself and Kusum. But now Kusum wants to vaccinate her family as well, and their tension-filled journey through the flu-infested city streets to steal more vaccine was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Likewise, I enjoyed following the characters of the Resistance at their Montana ranch through some very suspenseful moments, especially Ash’s son Brandon who becomes trapped outside the compound after the rest of the Resistance members have barricaded themselves in a secret underground bunker. Brandon is much more than a scared kid who has been separated from his family. He is resourceful, brave and determined to follow the survival teachings of his father and find a way back to his family before Project Eden can kill him. In one of the creepiest sections, he sneaks into a garage to find shelter for the night, but has a terrifying run-in with the old lady who lives there.
In large cities throughout the world, shipping containers that have been dropped off in strategic areas are mysteriously beginning to open up. It seems that Project Eden’s plan is finally coming together. Or is it? Battles stretches out the suspense in a maddening way, perhaps too well. He keeps the reader guessing for almost 300 pages, but uses foreshadowing at the ends of chapters to suggest that the bad guys might be winning this game. (Example: “With a smile, she continued down the street, unaware that later that evening she would be cooking her last meal.”) I felt it was an intrusive device that took the storytelling away from the characters and put it back in the hands of the author.
The writing throughout the book is top-notch, but one writing choice in the last chapter of the book puzzled me. Battles switches from past to present tense, and it felt completely out-of-place. I’m sure he intended it to ramp up the suspense at the end, and usually using present tense is a good way to accomplish this. But Pale Horse was already suspenseful at this point, and I didn’t care for the change in tense.
Although filled with engaging characters and pulse-pounding excitement, I ultimately felt cheated by Pale Horse’s cliffhanger ending. As part of a series, nothing much is resolved, and I didn’t have that satisfied feeling at the end that I look forward to when reading a book. But if you are a suspense junkie and enjoy being toyed with, you will love Pale Horse. And you won’t have to wait long for the next installment. Ashes, Book Four in the series, comes out this fall. Whether or not it will be the end of Project Eden, you'll just have to wait and see.
Many thanks to the author for providing a review copy.
March 13, 2017
Still loving this series. Immediately picked up #4. The books have a way of bouncing between multiple characters in different locations and keeping you wondering what's going to happen to them (but sometimes, you just know).
June 23, 2012
REVIEWER WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ABOUT THE PREVIOUS TWO BOOKS IN THE SERIES.
Implementation Day has arrived and Daniel Ash and his team are on hand to stop it but the devious Olivia has other plans. Now that the virus has been released, who will survive? Will Daniel ever see his children again and will those who seek to take over humanity succeed?
As with prior books in the series, we’re following several concurrent storylines. We have the ever capable, Daniel Ash and Chloe, the Resistance, Sanjay in India, Martina Gable in California, Lizzie Drexel the loner, Perez with Project Eden, and too many others to count. Despite the large number of characters, Battles manages to round them all out as they realize the magnitude of their situation and cope with the results. With so many different focal points, the story could have easily felt rushed as we move from person to person but Battles uses the time with each person in a way where when we move on to the next we feel that we’ve gotten the best of them.
My big complaint about the series would also be what I love most about them – the cliff-hangers. This series is like a Dick Tracy serial (which I have seen on TCM – Dick ends each episode in some dire strait). Part of me wishes that I’d waited until all the books were out to read through because waiting for the next novel to be released is torture! Battles doesn’t end on the little things, his endings are “will they survive” in the next novel. Is mankind to end? How can I convince Battles that I must read his next novel and I must do it now!
Battle’s plotlines could happen. The government could release a deadly virus on its people handpicking those who will live by giving them a vaccination. There are clearly people who will live in this novel who were not meant to do so. This is straight up thriller. It may sound like there’s a science fiction aspect but there’s not. Everything that happens in this novel may be as a result of futuristic technology but it’s completely plausible as something that could be happening outside of our realization. Where will Battles go with this story next? How will Perez deal with them? Will he send his soldier, Sims, as he did in this book? Will it matter to Perez at all that they’re still alive.
November 1, 2013
After yet another sleepless night Ive just devoured book 3 Pale Horse...wow what another incredible read; even though it seemed slightly shorter but no less exciting; but that may have been me ripping through the book as it was unputdownable.
This book starts with the most amazing cliffhanger from Exit 9.
I have to say these books get better and better; something quite unique to many book series. Most books lose that momentum; but not with Project Eden books.
Book 3 concentrates on the devastation as the world realizes the impact of what has happened. Bretts imagery and excellent descriptive writing puts you right there beside your favorite characters; you can smell the fires burning and feel the cold snow.
This series is one of my favorite book series as Pale horse is credible, convincing, thrilling and breathtaking as Brett sweeps you along not wanting to stop turning those digital pages.
The main characters are still just as engaging and Im loving the subplots and the strong supporting characters. Brett could just skim over these subplots but they are becoming as exciting as the main; with just the right amount of time spent on them.
I don't want to be a book reviewer that adds spoilers but I cant give you much more without giving this incredible plot away. The world is in shock as the realization sinks in as to what has happened and we watch as governments and the resistance try to contain the virus.
What I love about this series is the fact we are following the everyday person like you or me. Its completely believable with futuristic germ warfare it could happen anytime and that makes this thriller even more horrific and frightening on a base level.
I would like to see more of Brandon and more about the evil Perez as he is sitting in the background a bit, so I hope Brett has something awful planned for him.
I just hope you can take the leap and buy book one Sick, you wont regret it and you'll be as hooked and addicted as I am.
Ive just downloaded book 4 Ashes and its burning a hole in my kindle; so excuse me while I go and find out whats happening in the aftermath of this devastating virus. Im sure you wont have to wait long till you find out if I like it.
Watch this space.
This book starts with the most amazing cliffhanger from Exit 9.
I have to say these books get better and better; something quite unique to many book series. Most books lose that momentum; but not with Project Eden books.
Book 3 concentrates on the devastation as the world realizes the impact of what has happened. Bretts imagery and excellent descriptive writing puts you right there beside your favorite characters; you can smell the fires burning and feel the cold snow.
This series is one of my favorite book series as Pale horse is credible, convincing, thrilling and breathtaking as Brett sweeps you along not wanting to stop turning those digital pages.
The main characters are still just as engaging and Im loving the subplots and the strong supporting characters. Brett could just skim over these subplots but they are becoming as exciting as the main; with just the right amount of time spent on them.
I don't want to be a book reviewer that adds spoilers but I cant give you much more without giving this incredible plot away. The world is in shock as the realization sinks in as to what has happened and we watch as governments and the resistance try to contain the virus.
What I love about this series is the fact we are following the everyday person like you or me. Its completely believable with futuristic germ warfare it could happen anytime and that makes this thriller even more horrific and frightening on a base level.
I would like to see more of Brandon and more about the evil Perez as he is sitting in the background a bit, so I hope Brett has something awful planned for him.
I just hope you can take the leap and buy book one Sick, you wont regret it and you'll be as hooked and addicted as I am.
Ive just downloaded book 4 Ashes and its burning a hole in my kindle; so excuse me while I go and find out whats happening in the aftermath of this devastating virus. Im sure you wont have to wait long till you find out if I like it.
Watch this space.
August 13, 2016
4.5 stars
The opening of Pale Horse piggybacks on the cliffhanger ending of Exit 9. Ash, Chloe and their team are at BlueBird, Project Eden HQ, trying to stop implementation of the virus but Olivia Silva has her own agenda. All it will take to change the world irrevocably is a click of the computer key.
All over the world something strange is happening with the shipping containers. Matt gives Bobby and Tamara the go ahead to upload their 'worst case’ video in the hope of saving some lives.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, all is not going well. Their location has been discovered and they are under attack. Taking refuge in the Bunker Matt decides on drastic action to safeguard their position while Sims, and his men, part of the special operations and commanding one of the projects tactical strike teams, are searching the area.
After what has already happened to them all Ash was determined his son would have some basic knowledge of how to take care of himself and had been coaching Brandon before he was recalled to the Resistance. And when Brandon finds himself alone in the woods after the attack on the compound he remembers his father’s lessons.
Thoughts
Pale Horse continues the suspenseful story of the attempt by Project Eden to restart humanity. as before there are several story lines running simultaneously which definitely keeps the tension at a high level. There are various supporting characters, all of which are strong and add to the story albeit tragically in most cases.
My favourite, though, is Sanjay in Mumbai. He discovered what Pishon Chem are really up to after he found his cousin was so sick with the flu. He now knows the anti malaria spray is no such thing and they all have been duped. He will do whatever it takes now to save Kusum and her family.
The devastating significance of what has happened is written with vivid representation which drew me in completely...again! The suspense and tension continue.
The opening of Pale Horse piggybacks on the cliffhanger ending of Exit 9. Ash, Chloe and their team are at BlueBird, Project Eden HQ, trying to stop implementation of the virus but Olivia Silva has her own agenda. All it will take to change the world irrevocably is a click of the computer key.
All over the world something strange is happening with the shipping containers. Matt gives Bobby and Tamara the go ahead to upload their 'worst case’ video in the hope of saving some lives.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, all is not going well. Their location has been discovered and they are under attack. Taking refuge in the Bunker Matt decides on drastic action to safeguard their position while Sims, and his men, part of the special operations and commanding one of the projects tactical strike teams, are searching the area.
After what has already happened to them all Ash was determined his son would have some basic knowledge of how to take care of himself and had been coaching Brandon before he was recalled to the Resistance. And when Brandon finds himself alone in the woods after the attack on the compound he remembers his father’s lessons.
Thoughts
Pale Horse continues the suspenseful story of the attempt by Project Eden to restart humanity. as before there are several story lines running simultaneously which definitely keeps the tension at a high level. There are various supporting characters, all of which are strong and add to the story albeit tragically in most cases.
My favourite, though, is Sanjay in Mumbai. He discovered what Pishon Chem are really up to after he found his cousin was so sick with the flu. He now knows the anti malaria spray is no such thing and they all have been duped. He will do whatever it takes now to save Kusum and her family.
The devastating significance of what has happened is written with vivid representation which drew me in completely...again! The suspense and tension continue.
June 27, 2012
The first two books of the series were tremendously unpredictable, and coupled with the exciting plot, they were unputdownable. It was with this eagerness that I looked forward to the third book of the series.
The pace of this book matches that of the first two, and I was able to finish this relatively shorter book in about 3-4 hours single sitting. The imagery created is once again vivid, and the characterisation is nuanced. However, I found this installment of the series predictable and a little 'Hollywoodish', and to that extent, it lost out on the punch. Perhaps I was expecting too much out of this installment. After all, when there is a multi book series, there is bound to be some crests and troughs. I cannot get into the details and reasons for my feelings for this book, since that will necessitate getting into plot details and I don't want to do that as a spoiler.
So, overall, I still think that as a series Project Eden is fantastic, but as a book this installment was a notch below for me. I am now eagerly looking forward to the next installment!
The pace of this book matches that of the first two, and I was able to finish this relatively shorter book in about 3-4 hours single sitting. The imagery created is once again vivid, and the characterisation is nuanced. However, I found this installment of the series predictable and a little 'Hollywoodish', and to that extent, it lost out on the punch. Perhaps I was expecting too much out of this installment. After all, when there is a multi book series, there is bound to be some crests and troughs. I cannot get into the details and reasons for my feelings for this book, since that will necessitate getting into plot details and I don't want to do that as a spoiler.
So, overall, I still think that as a series Project Eden is fantastic, but as a book this installment was a notch below for me. I am now eagerly looking forward to the next installment!
August 21, 2012
The third in the Project Eden thriller series, starting where the second left off. Unfortunately, Pale Horse seems to disintegrate further – the first in the series was an amazing read, but it feels a little as though Battles was running out of steam with his story at this point. Although well written, with many plot twists, the story focuses too much on sidelines and characters non-essential to the story up until this point seems to detract a little for me – I want to know what is happening to the characters I have been getting to know for two novels! I understand these ‘surplus’ characters are used to show how the situation is developing worldwide, as opposed to just a bubble within which the protagonists exist, but I feel that they could have been involved earlier, so as to not feel so alien to the grand scheme of things!
July 2, 2012
The other 2 books in this series were just so wonderful, fast-paced, and thrilling. Unfortunately Pale Horse just doesn't measure up. It's not that Pale Horse isn't good...it is good...it's just not awesome like Sick and Exit 9. For the most part this felt very much like a transition story, something to get from Exit 9 to next the next book. Basically not a lot happened in this book that really moved the story forward. Again this book was good and I enjoyed reading it and I will get book 4 in this series because I do want to know what happens to these folks. But this one didn't feel like a complete work to me.
July 24, 2014
I started out enjoying this installment of the Project Eden series. ...the premise and plot overall is interesting. But this time there were lots of new characters and I found myself either not liking them or not caring about them...a sure sign of weak character development.
As I neared the end.....I also found myself wondering if this had the potential to be a never ending series. I've felt more than once that the premise is excellent but how many books are we going to have to buy to reach the conclusion? I'm also not thinking our hero, Ash, is anything special at this point.
I'll probably try one more and then decide if I will continue with more....
As I neared the end.....I also found myself wondering if this had the potential to be a never ending series. I've felt more than once that the premise is excellent but how many books are we going to have to buy to reach the conclusion? I'm also not thinking our hero, Ash, is anything special at this point.
I'll probably try one more and then decide if I will continue with more....
August 26, 2012
This is the 3rd book of the Project Eden series. I enjoyed this one but definitely not as much as the first and second book of this series. The 4th book is not scheduled to come out until Fall of 2012 so I would wait till this one comes out since book #3 really has no ending. The series is so far a 5 out of 5 stars for me BUT I gave this 3 stars just because there are SO many different characters in this book and a lot of jumping back and forth I caught myself looking back to figure out who was who.
November 6, 2015
The books so far have been leading up to this event, and literally the fate of the world lies in the hands of a few and the suspense its too much. The characters and story lines set up in the previous books are all coming together to further add to the suspense of what will happen. I really enjoyed the use of little snippets of random people from around the world to add to the story. Even at this stage there are new story lines and people which are excellent additions and make you want to get on to the next book immediately.
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