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Burn Box #1
Embers
Trust nothing. Challenge everything. Survive the Burn Box.
In the chilling dawn of a near-future world, gene hackers, armed with AI and CRISPR's deadly precision, unleash wave after wave of engineered diseases. With food dwindling and trust eroding, nations spiral into authoritarian chaos, battling an unseen enemy while rampant disinformation corrodes the fabric of society.
Millions of once productive citizens, now languish in their homes, awaiting meager government assistance checks. They peer through windows, fear in their eyes, dreading the ever-present virus police who, with a blast from their notorious Burn Boxes, cleanse the world one contaminated victim at a time.
Amid this tempest of societal decay stands Noah Blanks, an ordinary man, burdened with the responsibility of his mortgage and the health of his cherished grandpa. For him, hope is a distant memory of a saner world. But when the virus police arrive at his doorstep, forcibly hauling Grandpa out into the street and turning him to ash within the steel walls of a Burn Box, Noah's passive wait for a better world ignites into an urgent need for action.
Burn Box is more than a survival story; it's an exploration into the depths of humanity in a world teetering on the edge. Can Noah muster the courage to defy this twisted order, or will he be swallowed by the fiery abyss of the dystopian terror?
In the chilling dawn of a near-future world, gene hackers, armed with AI and CRISPR's deadly precision, unleash wave after wave of engineered diseases. With food dwindling and trust eroding, nations spiral into authoritarian chaos, battling an unseen enemy while rampant disinformation corrodes the fabric of society.
Millions of once productive citizens, now languish in their homes, awaiting meager government assistance checks. They peer through windows, fear in their eyes, dreading the ever-present virus police who, with a blast from their notorious Burn Boxes, cleanse the world one contaminated victim at a time.
Amid this tempest of societal decay stands Noah Blanks, an ordinary man, burdened with the responsibility of his mortgage and the health of his cherished grandpa. For him, hope is a distant memory of a saner world. But when the virus police arrive at his doorstep, forcibly hauling Grandpa out into the street and turning him to ash within the steel walls of a Burn Box, Noah's passive wait for a better world ignites into an urgent need for action.
Burn Box is more than a survival story; it's an exploration into the depths of humanity in a world teetering on the edge. Can Noah muster the courage to defy this twisted order, or will he be swallowed by the fiery abyss of the dystopian terror?
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
182 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Bobby Adair
60 books697 followersA bio is a weird thing to write.
Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?
When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.
It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.
Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.
And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.
On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.
I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.
Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.
I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.
I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.
I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.
Find out more:
http://www.bobbyadair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyAdairAu...
Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?
When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.
It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.
Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.
And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.
On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.
I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.
Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.
I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.
I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.
I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.
Find out more:
http://www.bobbyadair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyAdairAu...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 28, 2023
Interesting Vision of a Potential Future
The author painted a picture of the extremes a government will take to control a deadly pandemic. I don't believe it would be as easy to take people out of their homes as it is portrayed in the book. Most of our population in the US is armed, and there would be a lot of dead VC. This is a decent read with a few rough edges, but it's worth the time, in my opinion.
The author painted a picture of the extremes a government will take to control a deadly pandemic. I don't believe it would be as easy to take people out of their homes as it is portrayed in the book. Most of our population in the US is armed, and there would be a lot of dead VC. This is a decent read with a few rough edges, but it's worth the time, in my opinion.
March 29, 2024
I love Bobby Adair’s writing style, a slow, get to know your characters, start fleshing people out, motivate them and then, bam. You’re off. By the time the story really starts moving you are invested in the lives of his characters.
This one is a scary, possible not far from the truth tale about politicians who get much to much power and a virus. A warning to us all.
This one is a scary, possible not far from the truth tale about politicians who get much to much power and a virus. A warning to us all.
May 16, 2024
This was a different apocalyptic near-future and is quite horrifying. The book is a good length, but does bog down in quite a few places with so much angst from Noah and too much graphics from Grandpa’s hygiene habits. Most of the plot twists were at the end and because they were so good, I bumped from 3 to 4 stars.
October 25, 2023
I smell the successful beginning of an outstanding series!
Society had devolved into billions of individuals trapped in their mansions, their condiminiums, their homes, their apartments or their hovels. Trapped by fear! Trapped inside by the fear of contagion. The virus pandemic du jour. The 8 billion people living on our little blue marble was now just a little more than 6 billion! In only about 5 years, two billion people had caught an infection, a little cough, whatever the symptoms of the current plague, and some recovered, but most died.
About the Virus Cops - a whole bureaucracy grown up around detecting the infected in the neighborhoods, sentencing them to death and throwing them into a huge metal bucket the would shoot a blaze of fire into the air, mixed with the ashes of the infected miscreant. The VC were the Gestapo of this new age. Cameras were everywhere, catching crime, or just watching. Like Big Brother.
Excellent storyline, told by a master storyteller! Hard to imagine living in this world of plagues and burn boxes! Great characters! Great read!
Society had devolved into billions of individuals trapped in their mansions, their condiminiums, their homes, their apartments or their hovels. Trapped by fear! Trapped inside by the fear of contagion. The virus pandemic du jour. The 8 billion people living on our little blue marble was now just a little more than 6 billion! In only about 5 years, two billion people had caught an infection, a little cough, whatever the symptoms of the current plague, and some recovered, but most died.
About the Virus Cops - a whole bureaucracy grown up around detecting the infected in the neighborhoods, sentencing them to death and throwing them into a huge metal bucket the would shoot a blaze of fire into the air, mixed with the ashes of the infected miscreant. The VC were the Gestapo of this new age. Cameras were everywhere, catching crime, or just watching. Like Big Brother.
Excellent storyline, told by a master storyteller! Hard to imagine living in this world of plagues and burn boxes! Great characters! Great read!
October 20, 2024
He’s done it again. Bobby Adair has drawn me in to a dystopian world by giving a far from perfect “hero” who is just trying to get by before being pulled in to right the wrongs that are hurled at him. In order to enact revenge for the death of his grandfather he embarks upon a quest to find and kill those who have plunged the world into chaos. It’s not long before he realizes that truth is an elusive thing and that it’s much harder to determine who needs to die and why.
The characters are well developed. The plot Mickey done and moves forward at a good pace. A good mix of action and personal interactions. Ready to grab the next book!
The characters are well developed. The plot Mickey done and moves forward at a good pace. A good mix of action and personal interactions. Ready to grab the next book!
October 9, 2023
Eerily Relevant
Adair paints a bleak picture of America if we don’t wrest back control from our political overlords. Easy to forget how you felt one or two short years ago when masked Karens were doing the bidding of corrupt leaders and shaming, mostly rational, people into bizarre acts of self flagellation. Science is complex and tricky. Human behavior not so much.
Adair paints a bleak picture of America if we don’t wrest back control from our political overlords. Easy to forget how you felt one or two short years ago when masked Karens were doing the bidding of corrupt leaders and shaming, mostly rational, people into bizarre acts of self flagellation. Science is complex and tricky. Human behavior not so much.
October 29, 2023
WOW crazy ‼️‼️‼️
Are we there yet⁉️ Bobby Adair has a talent for getting gut level. He tells this story and it is uncomfortably prophetic, at least what might come to past. I’ve read almost all his books and he always seems to be ahead of the curve. I’m liking Noah better, he’s getting stronger👍
Are we there yet⁉️ Bobby Adair has a talent for getting gut level. He tells this story and it is uncomfortably prophetic, at least what might come to past. I’ve read almost all his books and he always seems to be ahead of the curve. I’m liking Noah better, he’s getting stronger👍
January 16, 2024
Ashes to ashes
Loved the story ,Had a bad guy figured out half way through, and, I was right , also had another bad guy figured out and was right again,Now to see if I am right about number 3 ,and I think this one will turn out bad to.Mastro Chazbro LOL ...what a name !!! Lol,great story with a lot of twists and turns.5 stars for sure.
Loved the story ,Had a bad guy figured out half way through, and, I was right , also had another bad guy figured out and was right again,Now to see if I am right about number 3 ,and I think this one will turn out bad to.Mastro Chazbro LOL ...what a name !!! Lol,great story with a lot of twists and turns.5 stars for sure.
January 22, 2024
Not many writer in this or any genre can delve into a character's true character like Bobby Adair. This time out he brings us milquetoast living in a frightening possible future. As his life falls apart he has to either step up or stay down, and that journey is what makes this story stand out so much.
April 27, 2024
Loved this book, was glued to it never wanted to stop reading it
Imagine if our pandemic went on for decades. This is kind of the world of this story. Action, conspiracy, apocalypse level story with likeable characters, pop culture references, and some humorous moments. I'm hooked on this story, and look forward to more books in the series.
Imagine if our pandemic went on for decades. This is kind of the world of this story. Action, conspiracy, apocalypse level story with likeable characters, pop culture references, and some humorous moments. I'm hooked on this story, and look forward to more books in the series.
June 29, 2024
spellbinding
This is yet another fascinating, entirely different, complex, scientifically plausible world Adair has created where biological catastrophe, abetted by the forces of evil, have created hell on earth. And a small, unlikely group of heros fight incredibly and heroically against terrible odds to save the world and humanity.
This is yet another fascinating, entirely different, complex, scientifically plausible world Adair has created where biological catastrophe, abetted by the forces of evil, have created hell on earth. And a small, unlikely group of heros fight incredibly and heroically against terrible odds to save the world and humanity.
October 24, 2023
Burn box
Started out slow and not interesting but enjoyed the ending. To be honest I compared this to one second after which I loved and referred to all my friends and that's why I only rated this a three star, it doesn't come close to one second after.
Started out slow and not interesting but enjoyed the ending. To be honest I compared this to one second after which I loved and referred to all my friends and that's why I only rated this a three star, it doesn't come close to one second after.
February 26, 2024
highly interesting
Well, I must say, this was a compelling story. I like that the author used the most recent scientific research and controversies to create a dystopian future that captivated me page by page. This novel is Highly recommended.
Well, I must say, this was a compelling story. I like that the author used the most recent scientific research and controversies to create a dystopian future that captivated me page by page. This novel is Highly recommended.
June 1, 2024
Nope. I'm returning this for a refund. The main character is obviously then written by someone who's a fox news additlct. It's so goofy. The things Fox makes their followers fear is just s hilarious as it is depressing.
Like. Grow a brain, people. Please.
Like. Grow a brain, people. Please.
August 20, 2024
I expected this book to be good but it far exceeded my expectations I’m surprised this book isn’t more known or talked about, very easy to follow and a great story with plenty of action, I hope the other books in the series are as good as this one
March 16, 2025
Got me hooked!
Glad to have a new series from Bobby Adair! So far this one has got its hooks in me, it's turning into a real page turner and I love how his characters seem so real and relatable.
If you like Bobby's other books, you'll love this one too!
Glad to have a new series from Bobby Adair! So far this one has got its hooks in me, it's turning into a real page turner and I love how his characters seem so real and relatable.
If you like Bobby's other books, you'll love this one too!
October 5, 2023
Loved this audiobook. The story really kept my attention. It was so interesting. I just knew that one guy was up to something. Looking forward to the next!
October 13, 2023
A very different take on the apocalypse. I love reading subjects that are a bit new and different and Bobby Adaire is great at that. I am looking forward to book 2!
October 26, 2023
excelleny
how bizarre. looks like you took the real live story of covid and enhanced it to become a real out if control situation... love it
how bizarre. looks like you took the real live story of covid and enhanced it to become a real out if control situation... love it
May 11, 2024
Okay. I have been struggling to be engaged in a great book. I was hoping this would be the one. It’s an interesting start. Let’s see how it goes.
September 6, 2024
Awesome gripping read
April 21, 2024
**Sluggish to start but MAN what a third act**
Realistically, this book is more a 3-star read than four, a rating that lasted right up to the halfway point of the story. I just couldn't get passed the slow pace or the lack of consistent character interactions. I couldn't always reconcile the process of what was going on or the significance of events even when they were spelled out for me clear as day. Things were (slowly) happening to lull me into this new world, but for some cursed reason, they didn't resonate with me fast enough. I have no complaints of writing style, but I just hated not feeling that urge to dive into this story like I prefer.
And then the halfway point came, where all bets were off.
Bobby Adair did what Bobby Adair do, and ramped things up to a standard I adore and am QUITE accustomed to (made perfect in his Slow Burn series, my first exposure to his work). Suddenly, everything started clicking for me left and right. The story picked up its pace and started laying things out for me in huge chunks of angst, drama, horror, violence, and gore. There were some bold moves made in this book to sell the seriousness of the story, some of them downright disturbing. But I for one couldn't help plopping the 4th star in utter thanks of how much things turned around.
Though I won't say I loved every minute of this story, I loved so many elements of it, from characters to the spurts of intense action to the thought-provoking themes that can mirror reality a wee bit too closely. Once this story found its momentum in bringing me further into its world, I was heavily invested. And given the way it ended, I'm now completely won over and am excited to see where it takes me.
Click here for all my random commentary.
Realistically, this book is more a 3-star read than four, a rating that lasted right up to the halfway point of the story. I just couldn't get passed the slow pace or the lack of consistent character interactions. I couldn't always reconcile the process of what was going on or the significance of events even when they were spelled out for me clear as day. Things were (slowly) happening to lull me into this new world, but for some cursed reason, they didn't resonate with me fast enough. I have no complaints of writing style, but I just hated not feeling that urge to dive into this story like I prefer.
And then the halfway point came, where all bets were off.
Bobby Adair did what Bobby Adair do, and ramped things up to a standard I adore and am QUITE accustomed to (made perfect in his Slow Burn series, my first exposure to his work). Suddenly, everything started clicking for me left and right. The story picked up its pace and started laying things out for me in huge chunks of angst, drama, horror, violence, and gore. There were some bold moves made in this book to sell the seriousness of the story, some of them downright disturbing. But I for one couldn't help plopping the 4th star in utter thanks of how much things turned around.
Though I won't say I loved every minute of this story, I loved so many elements of it, from characters to the spurts of intense action to the thought-provoking themes that can mirror reality a wee bit too closely. Once this story found its momentum in bringing me further into its world, I was heavily invested. And given the way it ended, I'm now completely won over and am excited to see where it takes me.
Click here for all my random commentary.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews