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Gameland #10
A Dark and Sure Descent
A Dark and Sure Descent: Being a True Account of the Long Island Outbreak
After the unexplained death of their newborn son, experimental biologists and owners of the controversial Laroda Animal Research Laboratory Lyssa and Ramon Stemple find themselves the focus of a brutal murder investigation involving one of their employees. The case takes an unexpected twist when the slaying is linked to a deadly new illness sweeping Long Island: the victims begin to come back as the living undead. As the Stemples attempt to flee the scourge, their six-year-old daughter Cassie begins to exhibit the first symptoms of disease. Desperate to save her daughter, Lyssa is forced to attempt a treatment so radical, so unspeakably horrifying, that it will make the apocalypse pale in comparison.
A Dark and Sure Descent is a standalone novel in the world of GAMELAND, the epic cyberpunk series published in episode format from May through December 2012. The events in this current book take place twelve years before the series.
The GAMELAND Collection currently consists of the following titles:
Golgotha — the short prequel to the GAMELAND series.
S.W. Tanpepper’s GAMELAND — The eight-episode series telling the story of how a group of computer gamers and hackers break into the Long Island live-action virtual reality gaming arcade in hopes of seeing some of the undead. Breaking in was easy, but getting back out is a killer.
Infected: Hacked Files from the GAMELAND Archive — Insights into the world for the avid GAMELAND fan.
Velveteen — A terrifying twist on a classic children’s tale as told by six-year-old Cassie Stemple.
Signs of Life (Jessie's Game, Book 1) — The thrilling follow up to the series.
SUBSCRIBE to receive advance notice of new releases, special (and exclusive) pricing events and giveaways, signings and appearances: Tanpepper Tidings: tinyletter.com/SWTanpepper (or visit the author's webpage at tanpepperwrites.com).
After the unexplained death of their newborn son, experimental biologists and owners of the controversial Laroda Animal Research Laboratory Lyssa and Ramon Stemple find themselves the focus of a brutal murder investigation involving one of their employees. The case takes an unexpected twist when the slaying is linked to a deadly new illness sweeping Long Island: the victims begin to come back as the living undead. As the Stemples attempt to flee the scourge, their six-year-old daughter Cassie begins to exhibit the first symptoms of disease. Desperate to save her daughter, Lyssa is forced to attempt a treatment so radical, so unspeakably horrifying, that it will make the apocalypse pale in comparison.
A Dark and Sure Descent is a standalone novel in the world of GAMELAND, the epic cyberpunk series published in episode format from May through December 2012. The events in this current book take place twelve years before the series.
The GAMELAND Collection currently consists of the following titles:
Golgotha — the short prequel to the GAMELAND series.
S.W. Tanpepper’s GAMELAND — The eight-episode series telling the story of how a group of computer gamers and hackers break into the Long Island live-action virtual reality gaming arcade in hopes of seeing some of the undead. Breaking in was easy, but getting back out is a killer.
Infected: Hacked Files from the GAMELAND Archive — Insights into the world for the avid GAMELAND fan.
Velveteen — A terrifying twist on a classic children’s tale as told by six-year-old Cassie Stemple.
Signs of Life (Jessie's Game, Book 1) — The thrilling follow up to the series.
SUBSCRIBE to receive advance notice of new releases, special (and exclusive) pricing events and giveaways, signings and appearances: Tanpepper Tidings: tinyletter.com/SWTanpepper (or visit the author's webpage at tanpepperwrites.com).
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2014
31 people are currently reading
523 people want to read
About the author
Saul W. Tanpepper
75 books209 followersFor the latest news, events and giveaways, subscribe to the Tanpepper Tidings: https://tanpepperwrites.com
Got a Kindle? Find me at http://viewauthor.at/SaulTanpepper
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Saul is the specfic pen name of author Ken J. Howe, who writes in a variety of genres. He is a retired biotech entrepreneur with a PhD in molecular genetics and is a former combat medic.
Got a Kindle? Find me at http://viewauthor.at/SaulTanpepper
Got a Nook? I'm here http://bit.ly/VpgXlh
iTunes? Click this http://bit.ly/QnMoJp
Google Play? http://bit.ly/2jVLtVL
Kobo? http://bit.ly/TNIWZX
Do you Smashwords? http://bit.ly/P4SEWi
Wattpad: http://wattpad.com/SaulTanpepper
Saul is the specfic pen name of author Ken J. Howe, who writes in a variety of genres. He is a retired biotech entrepreneur with a PhD in molecular genetics and is a former combat medic.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 12, 2018
4.25 stars
While this did not grab me right out the box the story did still finally grab me. The main problem was that the characters were not very likeable or well thought out really. Cassie is cold and unfeeling to both her husband and child, Ramon is wrapped up in his work and does not give enough to his wife and child, the kid was just there for sympathy it seemed to me. Though the main characters were not all that great, the story itself was what won me over. There was enough happening that I did not really care that much about them, even if I did pay attention to what they did.
In the summer of 2030 the government started the roll out of the Stream, a new digital network, which is pegged to replace the internet on Long Island. They are also using the Omegamen to help set up the hardware for this endeavor. With all this happening outside Lyssa and Ramon Stemple have started new research at their lab that somehow manages to land them in the middle of a murder investigation that morphs into the deaths being linked to a new virus sweeping Long Island. Their tiny lab is said to be ground zero for the infection and even though they know its not true, the government is selling it to the masses.
The biomedical disaster that changes the world does not begin with a bang but with a bite.
I do have to qualify some of my animosity to the characters by saying that of the reason I feel so strongly about them is the fact that are written very well. But it is always better if you like the characters so that you can be more vested in whether or not they survive. The fact that I did not like them just means that other things had to keep me interested in the story because they did not. I also found the book to be overly long, it could have been wrapped up in half the time if some of the extraneous stuff had been cut out. I also found the ending to be a bit abrupt, even though it was being used to tell the story of how things started after the fact.
We get an interesting story of government conspiracy, corporate intrigue, biomedical thriller, and family drama. I would recommend this even if you have not read from the beginning. This gives you an idea of where the story will take you.
While this did not grab me right out the box the story did still finally grab me. The main problem was that the characters were not very likeable or well thought out really. Cassie is cold and unfeeling to both her husband and child, Ramon is wrapped up in his work and does not give enough to his wife and child, the kid was just there for sympathy it seemed to me. Though the main characters were not all that great, the story itself was what won me over. There was enough happening that I did not really care that much about them, even if I did pay attention to what they did.
In the summer of 2030 the government started the roll out of the Stream, a new digital network, which is pegged to replace the internet on Long Island. They are also using the Omegamen to help set up the hardware for this endeavor. With all this happening outside Lyssa and Ramon Stemple have started new research at their lab that somehow manages to land them in the middle of a murder investigation that morphs into the deaths being linked to a new virus sweeping Long Island. Their tiny lab is said to be ground zero for the infection and even though they know its not true, the government is selling it to the masses.
The biomedical disaster that changes the world does not begin with a bang but with a bite.
I do have to qualify some of my animosity to the characters by saying that of the reason I feel so strongly about them is the fact that are written very well. But it is always better if you like the characters so that you can be more vested in whether or not they survive. The fact that I did not like them just means that other things had to keep me interested in the story because they did not. I also found the book to be overly long, it could have been wrapped up in half the time if some of the extraneous stuff had been cut out. I also found the ending to be a bit abrupt, even though it was being used to tell the story of how things started after the fact.
We get an interesting story of government conspiracy, corporate intrigue, biomedical thriller, and family drama. I would recommend this even if you have not read from the beginning. This gives you an idea of where the story will take you.
July 5, 2014
This prequel to the Gameland series answers some questions about that future world in a very entertaining way. If you haven't read any of the series, this book is the place to start. There are no spoilers for the Gameland episodes, though. It can also be read as a stand alone book - this is a complete story.
If you have read even part of Gameland, this book will answer what I thought was the biggest question right from the start of the series. What happened to Long Island?
It's a complicated story involving more than a few people and several government agencies. There might be actual bad guys here; if so, they are well disguised, or hidden in bureaucracy. Perhaps the problem started with a series of unrelated events,or maybe an unfortunate error or two. Maybe there was evil intent, maybe not. Once triggered, though, the disaster rapidly became a unmanageable situation, not unlike a runaway train. I really felt bad for the main characters. They have more than their fair share of misery and pain to deal with, and scant hope.
Well written and intriguing, unmistakably a fine horror story. I enjoyed every page.
If you have read even part of Gameland, this book will answer what I thought was the biggest question right from the start of the series. What happened to Long Island?
It's a complicated story involving more than a few people and several government agencies. There might be actual bad guys here; if so, they are well disguised, or hidden in bureaucracy. Perhaps the problem started with a series of unrelated events,or maybe an unfortunate error or two. Maybe there was evil intent, maybe not. Once triggered, though, the disaster rapidly became a unmanageable situation, not unlike a runaway train. I really felt bad for the main characters. They have more than their fair share of misery and pain to deal with, and scant hope.
Well written and intriguing, unmistakably a fine horror story. I enjoyed every page.
May 21, 2018
I received this as a free e-book from a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!
The beginning was a little slow for me, but the build up through the story really had you guessing on which of the characters had the right view or understanding of the crisis and if they were about to mentally break with the next issue. The characters all had their flaws and most of the time I never really had a character I was rooting for, but going back and forth with each new bit of info.
I love appocalyptic and zombie books so this was definitely down my alley, I just wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt. It seemed like there had been so many events leading up to everything (don't want to write any spoilers!) and then it was just over. But then again, I haven't read any of the other books that connect, which I am sure would help me out with that.
The beginning was a little slow for me, but the build up through the story really had you guessing on which of the characters had the right view or understanding of the crisis and if they were about to mentally break with the next issue. The characters all had their flaws and most of the time I never really had a character I was rooting for, but going back and forth with each new bit of info.
I love appocalyptic and zombie books so this was definitely down my alley, I just wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt. It seemed like there had been so many events leading up to everything (don't want to write any spoilers!) and then it was just over. But then again, I haven't read any of the other books that connect, which I am sure would help me out with that.
April 11, 2022
A slow burn but then it kicks into overdrive!
I grew up on long Island so the thought of this had me thinking, what if ?? Its such a unique zombie series with so much going on you can't help but get invested. And Home sick if your from LI. I cannot wait to read the rest of Cassie's story since she seemed like a little girl ful of so much hurt by her parents that were too busy hating themselves and grieving to pay attention to her. Lyssa and Ramon are doctors so they should have seem the symptoms of what Cassie was infected with earlier but with trying to get away from the undead and the reporters there is just no time for that. You get so many stories it leaves you wanting more and single books about each character to really dive deep into their backstory. Great beginning .
I grew up on long Island so the thought of this had me thinking, what if ?? Its such a unique zombie series with so much going on you can't help but get invested. And Home sick if your from LI. I cannot wait to read the rest of Cassie's story since she seemed like a little girl ful of so much hurt by her parents that were too busy hating themselves and grieving to pay attention to her. Lyssa and Ramon are doctors so they should have seem the symptoms of what Cassie was infected with earlier but with trying to get away from the undead and the reporters there is just no time for that. You get so many stories it leaves you wanting more and single books about each character to really dive deep into their backstory. Great beginning .
May 26, 2018
I got this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I have not read any other of Saul Tanpepper's work, so I had no preconceptions. The first part of the book was an intriguing medical thriller centered around a small lab owned by the main characters. The more the story progressed, the less I was interested in it. Although well-written, I had a hard time liking the characters and wasn't really sure I wanted them to survive the disaster. I have a feeling some of the details made more sense to those who have read the author's Gameland series, although this volume did have a definite ending.
March 3, 2019
Twisted. And sneaky.
This part of the story gives us a lot of background info. I don't know if I agree on where this falls in the suggested reading order. This piece gives us readers some answers, but goshdarnit! it leaves me with more questions!!! I feel at some point I will need to re read the series in ... story line chronological order. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the story, Dead Reckoning!
This part of the story gives us a lot of background info. I don't know if I agree on where this falls in the suggested reading order. This piece gives us readers some answers, but goshdarnit! it leaves me with more questions!!! I feel at some point I will need to re read the series in ... story line chronological order. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the story, Dead Reckoning!
April 29, 2022
This book is action packed and full of suspense. I like the unique way the author presented the story and the plot twist kept me interested all the way through the story.
There were many times I thought ok it can't get crazier then that and it did. This is a great action packed zombie story.
There were many times I thought ok it can't get crazier then that and it did. This is a great action packed zombie story.
May 17, 2018
Solid read with a bit of a twist ending.
July 26, 2022
I just love this series! Can't put the books down!
June 9, 2016
I read this book in the anthology, "A Taste of Tomorrow 2".
I have read only a few of the "Gameland" books/stories/prequels, but after reading this, I have to read the rest of them. This is an amazing book. There are red herrings after red herrings. You think the story is headed down one path, but then you find out you're completely wrong and you're happy about it because the next path is even better.
This book tells the story of Ramon, Lyssa, and Cassie. Ramon and Lyssa own and run a lab--just what are they doing there?
They lost their baby boy two months ago--have they recovered or are they suffering from PTSD?
They are leasing their lab to a secret group that won't tell them what they are doing--but they need the money.
There are strange workers--Omegamen--and strange towers being built.
There's a sick little girl.
There are missing lab employees.
There's a radio "shock jock" spreading rumors.
There are strange reports of people attacking other people--and we all know where that leads.
All the things I listed above are different avenues the books explores as it leads to its final revelations and we learn the truth. I literally couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what was really going on. Then I thought I knew, but the next page revealed a completely new aspect of the story. This is a fantastic book that you can't read fast enough. I started reading it at night and could not put it down to go to sleep. If the "Gameland" books are like this one, I can understand why the series is so popular. I'm going to find out for myself and start it as soon as I get some money to buy the books.
This is a great book, and I highly recommend it. I'm not sure where it fits in the Gameland series, but I don't think it matters. Read this book. Read this series. They are awesome.
I have read only a few of the "Gameland" books/stories/prequels, but after reading this, I have to read the rest of them. This is an amazing book. There are red herrings after red herrings. You think the story is headed down one path, but then you find out you're completely wrong and you're happy about it because the next path is even better.
This book tells the story of Ramon, Lyssa, and Cassie. Ramon and Lyssa own and run a lab--just what are they doing there?
They lost their baby boy two months ago--have they recovered or are they suffering from PTSD?
They are leasing their lab to a secret group that won't tell them what they are doing--but they need the money.
There are strange workers--Omegamen--and strange towers being built.
There's a sick little girl.
There are missing lab employees.
There's a radio "shock jock" spreading rumors.
There are strange reports of people attacking other people--and we all know where that leads.
All the things I listed above are different avenues the books explores as it leads to its final revelations and we learn the truth. I literally couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what was really going on. Then I thought I knew, but the next page revealed a completely new aspect of the story. This is a fantastic book that you can't read fast enough. I started reading it at night and could not put it down to go to sleep. If the "Gameland" books are like this one, I can understand why the series is so popular. I'm going to find out for myself and start it as soon as I get some money to buy the books.
This is a great book, and I highly recommend it. I'm not sure where it fits in the Gameland series, but I don't think it matters. Read this book. Read this series. They are awesome.
July 7, 2014
A must read for fans of apocalyptic, dystopian and zombie literature. This tells the story of the infamous long Island outbreak referred to in The Gameland books.This gives us a little clearer picture than we were able to garner from Cassie's story in Velveteen. Fans of Mr. Saul Tanpepper will want to read this right away, if you have not read him yet it is time to start and this is a perfect introduction to his work.
July 23, 2014
This was a very enjoyable read. As others have mentioned, it is a prequel to a series by Saul Tanpepper entitled Gameland. I have not yet read the series so I can honestly tell you that this book stands on its own two feet just fine. I am adding Gameland to my TBR list so that I may enjoy more of this terrifyingly plausible tale. Albeit twisted and unnerving at times, it kept my captivated throughout.
August 23, 2014
More Gameland! More Cassie!
Saul Tanpepper does it again! Here is another excellent book in the Gameland series. This book takes us back to Cassie and her family during a rough patch in their lives, back to the same time frame that Velveteen takes place. Read this one, read Velveteen too... shoot, read the whole series! You won't be disappointed. You may have a few nightmares, and the sight of road workers might give you the shivers, but you won't be disappointed. I promise.
Saul Tanpepper does it again! Here is another excellent book in the Gameland series. This book takes us back to Cassie and her family during a rough patch in their lives, back to the same time frame that Velveteen takes place. Read this one, read Velveteen too... shoot, read the whole series! You won't be disappointed. You may have a few nightmares, and the sight of road workers might give you the shivers, but you won't be disappointed. I promise.
October 1, 2015
I just can't get enough of the Gameland series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews