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Safe Zone
Ten years after the SFV-1 rage virus devastated the world, the population of the UK is confined to one corner of the South East. The newly recognised state of the UK Safe Zone is protected by a vast wall around the entire landmass, and by patrol boats around the coast.
Within, the creation of a new, functioning society is a work in progress, hindered by the fact that not everyone has arrived of their own free will, and some have been irrevocably damaged by the trials of the past decade.
Then there's the dark cloud on the horizon - news of a greater threat in Europe, that's heading their way...
Within, the creation of a new, functioning society is a work in progress, hindered by the fact that not everyone has arrived of their own free will, and some have been irrevocably damaged by the trials of the past decade.
Then there's the dark cloud on the horizon - news of a greater threat in Europe, that's heading their way...
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2024
11 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Terry Tyler
34 books583 followersI am self-published with thirty books on Amazon. Most recently I've published the first two books in my Revenge series, Served Cold and So Shall Ye Reap. More to come!
Other recent releases include Safe Zone, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. It follows on from the SFV-1 series (Infected, Darkness and Reset), but is completely stand-alone, so can be read as a story within itself.
I love watching and reading anything to do with history, post apocalypse, dystopian scenarios, anthropology, mountaineering and polar exploration. Big Walking Dead fan.
Favourite writers: Gemma Lawrence, Kate Mary, Blake Crouch, Deborah Swift, Carol Hedges, Douglas Kennedy, John Boyne, Deborah Moggach, Judith Arnopp, Jon Krakauer, Phillipa Gregory, John Privilege, Zeb Haradon, Dylan Morgan, Kate Atkinson, Norah Lofts, Dorothy Parker, Bill Bryson, PJ O'Rourke, Ann Swinfen, Keith Blackmore, Frank Tayell.
Other recent releases include Safe Zone, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. It follows on from the SFV-1 series (Infected, Darkness and Reset), but is completely stand-alone, so can be read as a story within itself.
I love watching and reading anything to do with history, post apocalypse, dystopian scenarios, anthropology, mountaineering and polar exploration. Big Walking Dead fan.
Favourite writers: Gemma Lawrence, Kate Mary, Blake Crouch, Deborah Swift, Carol Hedges, Douglas Kennedy, John Boyne, Deborah Moggach, Judith Arnopp, Jon Krakauer, Phillipa Gregory, John Privilege, Zeb Haradon, Dylan Morgan, Kate Atkinson, Norah Lofts, Dorothy Parker, Bill Bryson, PJ O'Rourke, Ann Swinfen, Keith Blackmore, Frank Tayell.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 1, 2024
I thank the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book, which I freely chose to review.
I have read a few of Terry Tyler’s novels before, most of them in the dystopian genre (not all, and she does write in other genres as well), and I know that if you start reading one of her series, you’re likely to read it all and be left wanting more.
This particular novel is meant as a stand-alone book, but it takes place in the SFV-1 universe (a world where a virus spread from animals to humans, a pretty special virus that turned people into creatures akin to zombies, but without killing them first), and some of the characters of the original series play important roles in this one as well. As I have read the previous series before, I cannot comment on how well this one would work on its own. There is a brief introduction that sets the scenario for those who haven’t read the previous trilogy of short novels so that they won’t be totally lost, but they will indeed find themselves thrown in at the deep end, in the middle of a world whose rules are quite different to those we are accustomed to (or, perhaps not so different. It depends on one’s point of view and cynicism), and guided by a few characters they haven’t met before. I think the story would work nonetheless: there are plenty of adventures, incidents, action, discoveries, and secrets…, and it is impossible not to put yourself in the characters’ shoes and wonder if you would be able to cope and survive in such circumstances.
Personally, I was thrilled to meet again some of the characters I’ve got to know and love from the previous trilogy (and some I didn’t like that much as well) and learn what had happened to them. I was pleased the author had decided to follow them for a bit longer, as I had grown very attached to some of them, especially the trio whose stories we follow in more detail: Norah, Brian, and Xander. Norah narrates her story in the first-person, whilst Brian and Xander are told in the third-person, although from their point of view as well. Their stories alternate, and there are some jumps backward and forward in time, which means one needs to remain attentive to the narrative, but it offers readers the bonus of getting quite a detailed understanding of what has gone on and how things got to the point they are in —that is aided by some chapters told from other character’s perspectives—, something that none of the main characters have.
One of the things that impressed me the most about this novel was the depth of the psychological portrayal of the main characters, particularly Xander. We get to see (and feel) their losses, their doubts, their fears, their insecurities, and their disintegration, especially evident in the case of Xander, the youngest of the protagonists we follow who has suffered so many losses that he has become a husk of his old self, with terrible consequences for everybody. They are all transformed by their experiences, at a mental and physical level, and although the book is not too heavy on descriptions, one doesn’t need too vivid an imagination to be shocked by what these characters have undergone and how it has changed them.
The author also excels at creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia and permanent threat. The characters might be inside of a precinct (the “Safe Zone” of the title), building, or outside, but they are severely restricted and limited to what they can do, where they can go, what they can eat or drink, and they are never too far from danger, be it a zombie or government agents trying to keep tracks on them. What is the most dangerous of the two, you can decide after reading the book.
From the genre and the comments so far, it should be evident that this is a story where there is violence, destruction, gore, and everything one would expect, so readers should be warned. Do not think that the book is all doom and gloom, though. There are funny moments, the characters have a sense of humour (they wouldn’t be able to survive otherwise), and one can appreciate their wit, and the camaraderie, teamwork, friendship, and love they display.
I enjoyed the ending. It is open enough, and although we lose many characters along the way, some are left to carry on with their adventures, and one wonders if the author will go there in the future. In her note at the end of the book, she mentions some ideas for her next stories, but all readers know some characters refuse to disappear. So, we shall see.
Recommended to anybody who has read the SFV-1 series, and to those who haven’t and enjoy dystopian stories, although my recommendation would be to read the trilogy first. Well, and the rest of the author’s books. I look forward to what she’ll publish next, in whichever genre she chooses.
I have read a few of Terry Tyler’s novels before, most of them in the dystopian genre (not all, and she does write in other genres as well), and I know that if you start reading one of her series, you’re likely to read it all and be left wanting more.
This particular novel is meant as a stand-alone book, but it takes place in the SFV-1 universe (a world where a virus spread from animals to humans, a pretty special virus that turned people into creatures akin to zombies, but without killing them first), and some of the characters of the original series play important roles in this one as well. As I have read the previous series before, I cannot comment on how well this one would work on its own. There is a brief introduction that sets the scenario for those who haven’t read the previous trilogy of short novels so that they won’t be totally lost, but they will indeed find themselves thrown in at the deep end, in the middle of a world whose rules are quite different to those we are accustomed to (or, perhaps not so different. It depends on one’s point of view and cynicism), and guided by a few characters they haven’t met before. I think the story would work nonetheless: there are plenty of adventures, incidents, action, discoveries, and secrets…, and it is impossible not to put yourself in the characters’ shoes and wonder if you would be able to cope and survive in such circumstances.
Personally, I was thrilled to meet again some of the characters I’ve got to know and love from the previous trilogy (and some I didn’t like that much as well) and learn what had happened to them. I was pleased the author had decided to follow them for a bit longer, as I had grown very attached to some of them, especially the trio whose stories we follow in more detail: Norah, Brian, and Xander. Norah narrates her story in the first-person, whilst Brian and Xander are told in the third-person, although from their point of view as well. Their stories alternate, and there are some jumps backward and forward in time, which means one needs to remain attentive to the narrative, but it offers readers the bonus of getting quite a detailed understanding of what has gone on and how things got to the point they are in —that is aided by some chapters told from other character’s perspectives—, something that none of the main characters have.
One of the things that impressed me the most about this novel was the depth of the psychological portrayal of the main characters, particularly Xander. We get to see (and feel) their losses, their doubts, their fears, their insecurities, and their disintegration, especially evident in the case of Xander, the youngest of the protagonists we follow who has suffered so many losses that he has become a husk of his old self, with terrible consequences for everybody. They are all transformed by their experiences, at a mental and physical level, and although the book is not too heavy on descriptions, one doesn’t need too vivid an imagination to be shocked by what these characters have undergone and how it has changed them.
The author also excels at creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia and permanent threat. The characters might be inside of a precinct (the “Safe Zone” of the title), building, or outside, but they are severely restricted and limited to what they can do, where they can go, what they can eat or drink, and they are never too far from danger, be it a zombie or government agents trying to keep tracks on them. What is the most dangerous of the two, you can decide after reading the book.
From the genre and the comments so far, it should be evident that this is a story where there is violence, destruction, gore, and everything one would expect, so readers should be warned. Do not think that the book is all doom and gloom, though. There are funny moments, the characters have a sense of humour (they wouldn’t be able to survive otherwise), and one can appreciate their wit, and the camaraderie, teamwork, friendship, and love they display.
I enjoyed the ending. It is open enough, and although we lose many characters along the way, some are left to carry on with their adventures, and one wonders if the author will go there in the future. In her note at the end of the book, she mentions some ideas for her next stories, but all readers know some characters refuse to disappear. So, we shall see.
Recommended to anybody who has read the SFV-1 series, and to those who haven’t and enjoy dystopian stories, although my recommendation would be to read the trilogy first. Well, and the rest of the author’s books. I look forward to what she’ll publish next, in whichever genre she chooses.
September 4, 2024
Having read the dystopian novels over the last few years from Terry Tyler, I did wonder just how much more terrifying a scenario she could conjure up and still hover so close to home with both disease and human behaviour. I need not have worried, whilst as expected an excellently written piece of work, the author still managed to scare me by her ability to mutate her potentially human extinction infections into even more demonic examples of mass destruction.
Although a stand-alone novel, Tyler manages to link back to past events and characters to ensure you don't spend half the book wondering who these people are who are fighting for their lives. There are plenty of great characters, many of whom have gone through several transformations over the ten years since the first bite. Some who have gone from young teenagers to key members of the pockets of humanity who have survived, and others who have continued to be manipulative, power grabbing, self-serving individuals.
There are those who have sought independence from the more structured and governing zones, who are either dragged there or realise if they want to eat they need to put up with the rules. I personally enjoyed catching up with those I have met before and finding out more about how their lives have been impacted since the last book. I still marvel at the resilience and the determination to survive most of the characters exhibit, and whilst a dark book in so many ways, it is these individuals, old and new who bring this sense of humanity in even the harshest times.
There are losses and reunions and despite despair, precious moments when hope raises its head once again. However, holding on to that hope becomes harder and harder every day.
There is little respite from page one to the last chapter as the threat of a new wave of the infection comes closer and closer to what had been hoped as a safety zone behind seemingly impenetrable barriers. Those humans who have fought hard to reach safety must now make seemingly impossible decisions about their future and on about whose leadership skills they can depend.
This is a brilliant and fast paced thriller and whilst you might be reticent to travel down the rabbit hole towards the oblivion of the human species, it is well worth the ride and as always I can recommend this book along with the others by Terry Tyler.
Although a stand-alone novel, Tyler manages to link back to past events and characters to ensure you don't spend half the book wondering who these people are who are fighting for their lives. There are plenty of great characters, many of whom have gone through several transformations over the ten years since the first bite. Some who have gone from young teenagers to key members of the pockets of humanity who have survived, and others who have continued to be manipulative, power grabbing, self-serving individuals.
There are those who have sought independence from the more structured and governing zones, who are either dragged there or realise if they want to eat they need to put up with the rules. I personally enjoyed catching up with those I have met before and finding out more about how their lives have been impacted since the last book. I still marvel at the resilience and the determination to survive most of the characters exhibit, and whilst a dark book in so many ways, it is these individuals, old and new who bring this sense of humanity in even the harshest times.
There are losses and reunions and despite despair, precious moments when hope raises its head once again. However, holding on to that hope becomes harder and harder every day.
There is little respite from page one to the last chapter as the threat of a new wave of the infection comes closer and closer to what had been hoped as a safety zone behind seemingly impenetrable barriers. Those humans who have fought hard to reach safety must now make seemingly impossible decisions about their future and on about whose leadership skills they can depend.
This is a brilliant and fast paced thriller and whilst you might be reticent to travel down the rabbit hole towards the oblivion of the human species, it is well worth the ride and as always I can recommend this book along with the others by Terry Tyler.
November 24, 2024
Ten years after the SFV-1 virus devasted the UK, and undoubtedly, much of the world, survivors have been moved to southeast England to the Safe Zone, locked in by walls and patrol guards and boats to protect what’s left of the population from being bitten and infected by the blood zombies. One bite from another who’s been bitten, and in no time, a human becomes a blood-sucking zombie.
The original trilogy, SFV-1, left us with some of our favorite characters who’ve survived the zombie apocalypse by using their wits and forming groups of survivors, learning how to kill a zombie to save their own lives, and learning how to collect supplies and hideout from the ‘bloods’ that roam.
Norah is alive and living in the Safe Zone for ten months, abiding government rules, and praying daily that her boyfriend Brian makes his way to the safe zone from their former hideout with the Beserkers, some 400 miles away.
Brian has been leading a group of survivors for months with an old map and observations, in hopes of getting to the Safe Zone unharmed. The trek has them encountering many observations and dangers along the way. Those in the Safe Zone are hearing rumors, which can’t yet be verified until someone from the outside comes into the Safe Zone with news. The Safe Zone is heavily guarded and anyone trying to enter must be tested for bites and fevers before they are permitted in, or shot on sight.
But Brian has seen some terrifying things as he witnessed an old boat, loaded with French passengers trying to reach the UK, and noted that those bitten are ‘turning’ much quicker now than the hours it used to take to go from human to blood zombie. Brian knows, this is no rumor, for he has witnessed the horrors before him.
Brian finally reaches the Safe Zone. There he meets up once again with his love, Norah, and together they come up with a new Plan B in case what Brian witnessed is coming to the UK. Will the Safe Zone remain safe after they discover what else is coming their way?
This whole series, as well as Safe Zone have been an addictive read. This may be a dystopian story, but it’s filled with interesting characters, life and death decisions, some compassionate people, (besides the evil ones), and a gripping storyline. I like the way Tyler ended the book, but once again, I can’t help but feel that there’s another whole story awaiting us after Norah and Brian and a very few of the gang leave the Safe Zone, deciding not to wait to see what else is heading their way, but get out of the now, questionable Safe Zone with their plan to find a boat and head for North America. The possibility of that happening has me curious to learn what will happen to Brian and Norah on this most dangerous mission. I think we need another book Terry Tyler!
The original trilogy, SFV-1, left us with some of our favorite characters who’ve survived the zombie apocalypse by using their wits and forming groups of survivors, learning how to kill a zombie to save their own lives, and learning how to collect supplies and hideout from the ‘bloods’ that roam.
Norah is alive and living in the Safe Zone for ten months, abiding government rules, and praying daily that her boyfriend Brian makes his way to the safe zone from their former hideout with the Beserkers, some 400 miles away.
Brian has been leading a group of survivors for months with an old map and observations, in hopes of getting to the Safe Zone unharmed. The trek has them encountering many observations and dangers along the way. Those in the Safe Zone are hearing rumors, which can’t yet be verified until someone from the outside comes into the Safe Zone with news. The Safe Zone is heavily guarded and anyone trying to enter must be tested for bites and fevers before they are permitted in, or shot on sight.
But Brian has seen some terrifying things as he witnessed an old boat, loaded with French passengers trying to reach the UK, and noted that those bitten are ‘turning’ much quicker now than the hours it used to take to go from human to blood zombie. Brian knows, this is no rumor, for he has witnessed the horrors before him.
Brian finally reaches the Safe Zone. There he meets up once again with his love, Norah, and together they come up with a new Plan B in case what Brian witnessed is coming to the UK. Will the Safe Zone remain safe after they discover what else is coming their way?
This whole series, as well as Safe Zone have been an addictive read. This may be a dystopian story, but it’s filled with interesting characters, life and death decisions, some compassionate people, (besides the evil ones), and a gripping storyline. I like the way Tyler ended the book, but once again, I can’t help but feel that there’s another whole story awaiting us after Norah and Brian and a very few of the gang leave the Safe Zone, deciding not to wait to see what else is heading their way, but get out of the now, questionable Safe Zone with their plan to find a boat and head for North America. The possibility of that happening has me curious to learn what will happen to Brian and Norah on this most dangerous mission. I think we need another book Terry Tyler!
November 5, 2024
Although Safe Zone links back to the SFV-1 series with some of the cast, this can definitely stand as an independent story. Key points are included so the reader doesn’t feel lost as to who’s who, past events and what they’ve been through up to this point.
Ten years on and the Safe Zone, implemented by those who are only concerned with their own welfare and having enough people to keep everything running smoothly, is perhaps not quite as safe as they believe…despite their manipulations and brutal rules for those requesting entry. While the area is protected by perimeter patrols and high walls, some of the residents are unhappy with their lot and the rules they have to follow. More dangerous are those living with the unimaginable hurt and pain of the previous years, and in some cases more recent events, which is slowly festering. There are also those who have been rounded up from their independent existence and forced into the Safe Zone.
'That morning, though, Norah felt one of those chilling twinges of impending doom that had become a part of everyone’s life. In the before times, doctors would have told you it was an anxiety disorder and given you a pill for it, but Norah knew it was simply that death had come closer to them all, infiltrated every aspect of their lives. No longer was it something that would happen to an ageing parent, one day in the future. Sometimes, you could smell it on the wind, feel it in the air around you. Death, or danger. These days, you listened to your intuition. About people, about situations. About atmospheres.'
People have handled, and are still handling, the fear and sometimes horrific challenges and ordeals they have previously, and still do face, as different circumstances warrant. Feelings, actions and reactions are described believably and with insight, putting the reader right there with the characters. The atmosphere in and on the outside of the facility is quite intense as the threat is always there, and is worsening as the knowledge that the virus is mutating circulates and more danger is approaches.
The story in the main focuses on Xander, Norah and Brian and we see how their experiences, good and bad, have shaped them, the way they think and act, and under it all there is determination, but some are past acting rationally and suffer the consequences.
Safe Zone is a roller coaster of emotions and action but with lighter moments to offset some of the darkness.
Ten years on and the Safe Zone, implemented by those who are only concerned with their own welfare and having enough people to keep everything running smoothly, is perhaps not quite as safe as they believe…despite their manipulations and brutal rules for those requesting entry. While the area is protected by perimeter patrols and high walls, some of the residents are unhappy with their lot and the rules they have to follow. More dangerous are those living with the unimaginable hurt and pain of the previous years, and in some cases more recent events, which is slowly festering. There are also those who have been rounded up from their independent existence and forced into the Safe Zone.
'That morning, though, Norah felt one of those chilling twinges of impending doom that had become a part of everyone’s life. In the before times, doctors would have told you it was an anxiety disorder and given you a pill for it, but Norah knew it was simply that death had come closer to them all, infiltrated every aspect of their lives. No longer was it something that would happen to an ageing parent, one day in the future. Sometimes, you could smell it on the wind, feel it in the air around you. Death, or danger. These days, you listened to your intuition. About people, about situations. About atmospheres.'
People have handled, and are still handling, the fear and sometimes horrific challenges and ordeals they have previously, and still do face, as different circumstances warrant. Feelings, actions and reactions are described believably and with insight, putting the reader right there with the characters. The atmosphere in and on the outside of the facility is quite intense as the threat is always there, and is worsening as the knowledge that the virus is mutating circulates and more danger is approaches.
The story in the main focuses on Xander, Norah and Brian and we see how their experiences, good and bad, have shaped them, the way they think and act, and under it all there is determination, but some are past acting rationally and suffer the consequences.
Safe Zone is a roller coaster of emotions and action but with lighter moments to offset some of the darkness.
November 27, 2024
The story continues after a decade of living with the virus that makes humans into zombies. There are familiar faces from past stories trying to find each other again. Many that don’t get killed end up in the surviving safe zone in the UK. It’s not all perfect in the safe zone and a work camp for many, but they are safe for now. Norah is inside and Brian is trying to make his way to her after they were separated. I couldn’t help but root for this couple’s reunion and a bit of good luck for them. Although survival is the theme, it is about relationships, greed, control, mental health, and love. It was a hard read to put down, as I kept saying just one more chapter to see what happens next. Then the virus takes a turn and mutates, which puts everyone at a much greater risk and speeds up the urgency to find safety. I’m eager to see what happens next to the survivors in the next book! A perfect read for Walking Dead fans, or those who love a great zombie story, and I can easily recommend it.
January 12, 2025
read this to be depressed
I read another book by this author and liked it. When this book became available through Freebooksy I was happy to try it. It’s a downer cover to cover. We get POV of numerous characters, with only a couple of them likeable. Nothing good or hopeful happens. Nothing remarkable for the genre occurs, so I didn’t learn any helpful tips for future use. Spoiler alert * at the end we are teased that the handful of survivors from the UK will travel to America. Why would they? The virus started in the Americas. And there’s no reason to think that they will be welcomed as strangers who might carry more disease. I will pass on more of this series.
I read another book by this author and liked it. When this book became available through Freebooksy I was happy to try it. It’s a downer cover to cover. We get POV of numerous characters, with only a couple of them likeable. Nothing good or hopeful happens. Nothing remarkable for the genre occurs, so I didn’t learn any helpful tips for future use. Spoiler alert * at the end we are teased that the handful of survivors from the UK will travel to America. Why would they? The virus started in the Americas. And there’s no reason to think that they will be welcomed as strangers who might carry more disease. I will pass on more of this series.
October 28, 2024
I absolutely love reading Terry Tyler’s books. I know from the moment I pick one up, I will be enthralled from the beginning to the very end.
Safe Zone, is excellent. If you have read the SFV-1 series, then you have a good idea just what to expect. The virus has now mutated into an even more terrifying variant. The infected are more dangerous, rapid, faster than before!
Every chapter offers heart pounding excitement. I could not wait to grab my kindle and pick up where I left off at every spare minute I could find. The story is thrilling, exciting, enthralling and captivating.
Will there be an another book in the series from this amazingly talented author? I really hope so.
Safe Zone, is excellent. If you have read the SFV-1 series, then you have a good idea just what to expect. The virus has now mutated into an even more terrifying variant. The infected are more dangerous, rapid, faster than before!
Every chapter offers heart pounding excitement. I could not wait to grab my kindle and pick up where I left off at every spare minute I could find. The story is thrilling, exciting, enthralling and captivating.
Will there be an another book in the series from this amazingly talented author? I really hope so.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews