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What Happened Next #1
What Happened Next
When adults start dropping like flies, a small group of youngsters must make a dangerous journey.
Expect thrills, suspense, adventure - and even some laughs - in this dystopian debut from Jon Colt.
Expect thrills, suspense, adventure - and even some laughs - in this dystopian debut from Jon Colt.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2024
73 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Jon Colt
8 books14 followersJon Colt is a novelist based in Edinburgh, known for his debut book, What Happened Next.
Writing has always been his passion, and he draws inspiration from the likes of Stephen King, James Herbert and Dan Brown.
When he's not writing, he can be found walking his charcoal labrador, Ringo, re-watching TV shows such as Breaking Bad, Mr Robot or What We Do in the Shadows, reading, or playing the guitar.
Writing has always been his passion, and he draws inspiration from the likes of Stephen King, James Herbert and Dan Brown.
When he's not writing, he can be found walking his charcoal labrador, Ringo, re-watching TV shows such as Breaking Bad, Mr Robot or What We Do in the Shadows, reading, or playing the guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 13, 2025
The book , the story plot , the characters everything in this book was so good! The author reached out to me and asked would I be interested in reading this book and that was the best decision I ever made.
This book is about a virus that sweeps the nations and many adults have died from it very violently I might add. As the adults are quickly decreasing in numbers this leaves a lot of children out to fend for themselves.
The characters in the book are so believable! I did enjoy how the book chapters are not too long which allowed me to read this book quickly. Once the action started it started. This book can best be described as all gas and no brakes. I did love the added element with the story I won’t give it away! Let’s just say it adds to the story tremendously. It’s been a while since I read a book that made me cry! That scene was a tear jerker.
I would definitely compare this book to Stephen King’s book “The Stand” there are some elements in this book that seeps into this one. Overall this book is an amazing read. I enjoyed this book so much I already bought book 2 and pre ordered book 3. Everyone should read this book, there is no higher praise than that.
Thank you again Jon Colt for providing me a copy of this ebook. I am truly grateful.
This book is about a virus that sweeps the nations and many adults have died from it very violently I might add. As the adults are quickly decreasing in numbers this leaves a lot of children out to fend for themselves.
The characters in the book are so believable! I did enjoy how the book chapters are not too long which allowed me to read this book quickly. Once the action started it started. This book can best be described as all gas and no brakes. I did love the added element with the story I won’t give it away! Let’s just say it adds to the story tremendously. It’s been a while since I read a book that made me cry! That scene was a tear jerker.
I would definitely compare this book to Stephen King’s book “The Stand” there are some elements in this book that seeps into this one. Overall this book is an amazing read. I enjoyed this book so much I already bought book 2 and pre ordered book 3. Everyone should read this book, there is no higher praise than that.
Thank you again Jon Colt for providing me a copy of this ebook. I am truly grateful.
July 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! It was fast paced and the story is fascinating! I really grew to like a lot of the characters which was great but then some chapters had my eyes welling up! It was an emotional rollercoaster ride! Really looking forward to getting into the next book! Thank you Jon Colton for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a review!
May 23, 2025
I really just don’t know what to say about this one, and I’m sad. I was incredibly hopeful because the author sent me a free copy and the plot seemed so interesting.
The author made two claims on Instagram: (1) the book is not anti-vax, and (2) the book is not pro-racism in anyway. I thought it was odd that an author would have to clarify this, but now I understand why.
As far as the anti-vax claim, the deaths were literally caused by a vaccine and the only people who survive are children who were too young to receive the vaccine and anti-vaxers who live in “distance living centers,” and who are largely also white supremacists? This book somehow paints vaccines out to be dangerous but also makes anti-vaxers white supremacist conspiracy theorists. Not sure what to make of that.
For the racism claim, I have several things to say. The most glaringly obvious is that the story ends *spoiler* with the shit head, violent, psychopathic kid being welcomed into the DLC because “God brought him home.” Turns out he’s a great descendant of the former high eagle - the leader of this white supremacy group, which basically makes him Jesus. I do understand that there’s a second book, and the author could plan on highlighting how evil these racists are later; however, the book did kind of end on a pro-racism note? Also, I couldn’t help but notice how odd the descriptions of any non-white person were. Literally an older black woman was dying, and I feel like I heard more about her being a black woman with a black face than her actual death. Then, “the Mexican fell to his knees” when another character died, and the race part just felt so irrelevant. Not to mention the Mexican character was immediately described as really into soccer. One black character was a single mother. One black character was a fatherless child because his father left for cigarettes and never came back. One black character was aptly and oddly only described as having an Afro. The white characters? Couldn’t tell you tbh because their skin color was never mentioned in this way. Just feels really weird to me generally. I don’t even like to go woke like this, but I genuinely just felt like it was wildly distracting and pulled me out of the story.
As for the plot itself, it was fine, but it honestly felt too short for the number of plots and the ending was rushed and somehow also took forever to get through.
The author made two claims on Instagram: (1) the book is not anti-vax, and (2) the book is not pro-racism in anyway. I thought it was odd that an author would have to clarify this, but now I understand why.
As far as the anti-vax claim, the deaths were literally caused by a vaccine and the only people who survive are children who were too young to receive the vaccine and anti-vaxers who live in “distance living centers,” and who are largely also white supremacists? This book somehow paints vaccines out to be dangerous but also makes anti-vaxers white supremacist conspiracy theorists. Not sure what to make of that.
For the racism claim, I have several things to say. The most glaringly obvious is that the story ends *spoiler* with the shit head, violent, psychopathic kid being welcomed into the DLC because “God brought him home.” Turns out he’s a great descendant of the former high eagle - the leader of this white supremacy group, which basically makes him Jesus. I do understand that there’s a second book, and the author could plan on highlighting how evil these racists are later; however, the book did kind of end on a pro-racism note? Also, I couldn’t help but notice how odd the descriptions of any non-white person were. Literally an older black woman was dying, and I feel like I heard more about her being a black woman with a black face than her actual death. Then, “the Mexican fell to his knees” when another character died, and the race part just felt so irrelevant. Not to mention the Mexican character was immediately described as really into soccer. One black character was a single mother. One black character was a fatherless child because his father left for cigarettes and never came back. One black character was aptly and oddly only described as having an Afro. The white characters? Couldn’t tell you tbh because their skin color was never mentioned in this way. Just feels really weird to me generally. I don’t even like to go woke like this, but I genuinely just felt like it was wildly distracting and pulled me out of the story.
As for the plot itself, it was fine, but it honestly felt too short for the number of plots and the ending was rushed and somehow also took forever to get through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2024
The author reached out to me about this book & I’m glad they did, it’s unique to my other reads and I had a good time reading this.
This book follows a few core characters as society comes to grips with a virus that is unknown and killing people swiftly. As things start to deteriorate we get to see some characters shine and take on leader like roles and some characters become their baser selves.
Shout out to Milo and Becca, they were great and so wholesome in this book with a few mistakes on the way out of fear. Brody is underestimated a lot, but he is a literal saviour. Rex is lowkey terrifying, and would absolutely thrive in lord of the flies if Becca was at his side.
I really want to know what happens next because of that ending!!!!
This book follows a few core characters as society comes to grips with a virus that is unknown and killing people swiftly. As things start to deteriorate we get to see some characters shine and take on leader like roles and some characters become their baser selves.
Shout out to Milo and Becca, they were great and so wholesome in this book with a few mistakes on the way out of fear. Brody is underestimated a lot, but he is a literal saviour. Rex is lowkey terrifying, and would absolutely thrive in lord of the flies if Becca was at his side.
I really want to know what happens next because of that ending!!!!
March 20, 2025
We mainly follow the 13-year-old Milo Winters, who lives happily with his parents and little sister Sally in a town in New Hampshire.
Then there’s also Becca and Brody, the two teenagers who live down the road.
Rex, a brutal teenage boy who’s obsessed with Becca.
The good-hearted Lieutenant Peters.
And the cadets Denzel, Diaz, and Chambers.
It’s a hot Sunday morning when the world everyone knows drastically changes.
Milo is helping his dad wash the car; he’s talking to the kids who live next door, and the Winters family is about to eat breakfast. But suddenly Milo’s dad pukes up blood and falls unconscious.
What happens next is a series of horrible events: Over 70 percent of the adult population (it gets even worse) are becoming sick and are experiencing the same fate as the head of the Winters family. Hospitals are filled to the top with deadly sick adults who are falling dead one by one. But what causes these sudden deaths and why are only adults affected and not the people who live in the so-called DLCs (Distanced Living Centers)? Then there are also the Eighty-Eight, a group of white supremacists no one knows much about.
Soon Milo, Sally, Becca, and Brody are on their own, just like all the other kids and teenagers all over the country whose lives are full of grief and hopelessness. But Milo recovers hope when he realizes that there’s one last person left in his family who shouldn’t be affected by the disease. He wants to find this person, even though he promised his mother to stay away from him at all costs.
I was delighted when the author asked me if I wanted to read this book!
I love dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels and What Happened Next fits perfectly into both of these genres.
The beginning of the novel got me hooked! The threat of this upcoming sickness that causes a horrible death felt intense. Especially the vivid descriptions of how people are falling sick, added to the intensity. The characters were depicted vividly as well and as a reader, I could build an almost instant connection to them.
Colt’s writing style reminded me of Stephen King’s, which I personally really like! I’ve read “The Stand” by King and especially the beginning of What Happened Next felt like I was reading a popular dystopian novel like The Stand.
Nevertheless, the last quarter of this book wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. I’d have liked it if the scenes toward the end of the book were described in more detail and didn’t end so abruptly.
Overall I highly recommend What Happened Next and I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series!
Thank you for reaching out to me, I had so much fun reading!
Then there’s also Becca and Brody, the two teenagers who live down the road.
Rex, a brutal teenage boy who’s obsessed with Becca.
The good-hearted Lieutenant Peters.
And the cadets Denzel, Diaz, and Chambers.
It’s a hot Sunday morning when the world everyone knows drastically changes.
Milo is helping his dad wash the car; he’s talking to the kids who live next door, and the Winters family is about to eat breakfast. But suddenly Milo’s dad pukes up blood and falls unconscious.
What happens next is a series of horrible events: Over 70 percent of the adult population (it gets even worse) are becoming sick and are experiencing the same fate as the head of the Winters family. Hospitals are filled to the top with deadly sick adults who are falling dead one by one. But what causes these sudden deaths and why are only adults affected and not the people who live in the so-called DLCs (Distanced Living Centers)? Then there are also the Eighty-Eight, a group of white supremacists no one knows much about.
Soon Milo, Sally, Becca, and Brody are on their own, just like all the other kids and teenagers all over the country whose lives are full of grief and hopelessness. But Milo recovers hope when he realizes that there’s one last person left in his family who shouldn’t be affected by the disease. He wants to find this person, even though he promised his mother to stay away from him at all costs.
I was delighted when the author asked me if I wanted to read this book!
I love dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels and What Happened Next fits perfectly into both of these genres.
The beginning of the novel got me hooked! The threat of this upcoming sickness that causes a horrible death felt intense. Especially the vivid descriptions of how people are falling sick, added to the intensity. The characters were depicted vividly as well and as a reader, I could build an almost instant connection to them.
Colt’s writing style reminded me of Stephen King’s, which I personally really like! I’ve read “The Stand” by King and especially the beginning of What Happened Next felt like I was reading a popular dystopian novel like The Stand.
Nevertheless, the last quarter of this book wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. I’d have liked it if the scenes toward the end of the book were described in more detail and didn’t end so abruptly.
Overall I highly recommend What Happened Next and I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series!
Thank you for reaching out to me, I had so much fun reading!
February 16, 2025
Thank you Jon Colt for reaching out to me about your book! I was sent a copy of the ebook for my own review!
I’ll start right off saying to check your trigger warnings! I’ll list the ones I noticed at the end of this summary.
This book was hard for me to read. I feel because the talk of a virus and vaccine is so realistic. There was a lot of dystopian in this book but not enough for me to disconnect from real life.
Colt does an amazing job at introducing you to a variety of characters and making you care about them. I felt every happiness and sadness from characters even if I only knew them a chapter! Some of the decisions characters had to make were so hard to read.
This is a dystopian type novel about a virus wiping out the adult population but there’s also a little thriller aspect hiding in the background. There’s a horrible white supremacy group called Eighty Eight working behind the scenes. This novel just sets up the background about this group and I feel it will be explored heavily in Book 2. Yet again group Eighty Eight is too close to reality to me.
The one big issue I had with this book was how adults acted toward the end of the book. We got to meet these characters and be with them multiple chapters. I feel how some acted were not genuine to the character.
If you’re into a dystopian world, virus killing everyone novel, I recommend this book to you! Just beware of triggers when you go in!
Triggers I noticed:
Pet death, parent death, child death, violence, kid violence against other kids, bullying, racism, gun violence, detailed graphic violence scenes, blood, death by suicide
I’ll start right off saying to check your trigger warnings! I’ll list the ones I noticed at the end of this summary.
This book was hard for me to read. I feel because the talk of a virus and vaccine is so realistic. There was a lot of dystopian in this book but not enough for me to disconnect from real life.
Colt does an amazing job at introducing you to a variety of characters and making you care about them. I felt every happiness and sadness from characters even if I only knew them a chapter! Some of the decisions characters had to make were so hard to read.
This is a dystopian type novel about a virus wiping out the adult population but there’s also a little thriller aspect hiding in the background. There’s a horrible white supremacy group called Eighty Eight working behind the scenes. This novel just sets up the background about this group and I feel it will be explored heavily in Book 2. Yet again group Eighty Eight is too close to reality to me.
The one big issue I had with this book was how adults acted toward the end of the book. We got to meet these characters and be with them multiple chapters. I feel how some acted were not genuine to the character.
If you’re into a dystopian world, virus killing everyone novel, I recommend this book to you! Just beware of triggers when you go in!
Triggers I noticed:
Pet death, parent death, child death, violence, kid violence against other kids, bullying, racism, gun violence, detailed graphic violence scenes, blood, death by suicide
January 3, 2025
*Rating* 3.5 stars rounded up.
I recently had the pleasure of reading What Happened Next, which was kindly sent to me by the author Jon Colt. Thank you for this opportunity to read and review your work.
One of the standout aspects of this book was the intriguing subject matter. I found the plot really interesting. The unique themes and ideas presented really piqued my interest and made for exciting reading.
However, I did feel that the story moved a bit too quickly. There were moments where I thought additional details or development could have enhanced the overall narrative. Expanding on these areas could have added more depth and allowed the reader to connect even more with the characters and their journeys.
Overall, What Happened Next was an enjoyable read with a fascinating premise. I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates dystopian novels and fast-paced plots. I'm looking forward to seeing how Colt continues to develop his unique voice in future works.
Thank you again for the chance to read this book!
I recently had the pleasure of reading What Happened Next, which was kindly sent to me by the author Jon Colt. Thank you for this opportunity to read and review your work.
One of the standout aspects of this book was the intriguing subject matter. I found the plot really interesting. The unique themes and ideas presented really piqued my interest and made for exciting reading.
However, I did feel that the story moved a bit too quickly. There were moments where I thought additional details or development could have enhanced the overall narrative. Expanding on these areas could have added more depth and allowed the reader to connect even more with the characters and their journeys.
Overall, What Happened Next was an enjoyable read with a fascinating premise. I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates dystopian novels and fast-paced plots. I'm looking forward to seeing how Colt continues to develop his unique voice in future works.
Thank you again for the chance to read this book!
May 21, 2025
Such a good book! I will definitely be purchasing the second & third book because I need MORE!
This book has such a nice easy pace that it was really enjoyable to read and get through quickly. The genre was posty dystopian/thriller and it gave just that. You had full on end of the world vibes almost from the beginning. Things felt Eire and weird. Along with full on thriller vibes.
This book had my heart racing in certain parts. The writer did such a great job of making you feel like you are in the book and you’re right alongside these characters experiencing the same thing.
You get so attached to these characters to the point of heartbreak. I’m pretty sure I cried at least twice if not three times.
Highly recommend if this sounds right up your alley!
This book has such a nice easy pace that it was really enjoyable to read and get through quickly. The genre was posty dystopian/thriller and it gave just that. You had full on end of the world vibes almost from the beginning. Things felt Eire and weird. Along with full on thriller vibes.
This book had my heart racing in certain parts. The writer did such a great job of making you feel like you are in the book and you’re right alongside these characters experiencing the same thing.
You get so attached to these characters to the point of heartbreak. I’m pretty sure I cried at least twice if not three times.
Highly recommend if this sounds right up your alley!
January 16, 2025
What a fabulous book! So interesting and kept me hooked - even at the end I want to read more, more more! I shall definitely be reading more by this author. I have never read dystopian before but this was such a good read, so descriptive I could picture everything. I definitely recommend this!
May 7, 2025
This is all about the characters. I found it a little bit slow, but I got so invested in the characters that I just had to keep on reading. Please don’t kill Teddy!
August 25, 2025
What Happened Next by Jon Colt absolutely hooked me from the start! This dystopian thriller throws readers into a sadly now realistic scenario. A virus wipes out most adults, leaving kids like Milo, Sally, Becca, and Brody to survive in a collapsing world. The tension builds fast, and the presence of a shadowy extremist group adds a sinister edge that kept me flipping pages late into the night. Colt’s world feels raw and real, and the emotional stakes are high from the very first chapter.
The character development is one of the book’s biggest strengths. I genuinely cared about Milo and his crew, and found myself feeling their fear, hope, and heartbreak right alongside them. The pacing ramps up in the second half with heart-pounding action and suspense, and while I wanted more from some side plots (Rex, I’m looking at you), the story still delivered a thrilling ride. Lieutenant Peters and the cadets added depth, and I can’t wait to see how their roles evolve in the sequel.
And yes, the ending left me hanging... in the best and worst way. I’m not usually a fan of cliffhangers, but this one has me counting down the days until the next book (you hear that, Jon????). If you love dystopian fiction with strong characters, high stakes, and a touch of emotional chaos, this one’s for you. Just be warned... You might yell at your Kindle when you hit that final page. I had to instead complain to my dogs since I really don't want to break my poor Kobo...
Four out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The character development is one of the book’s biggest strengths. I genuinely cared about Milo and his crew, and found myself feeling their fear, hope, and heartbreak right alongside them. The pacing ramps up in the second half with heart-pounding action and suspense, and while I wanted more from some side plots (Rex, I’m looking at you), the story still delivered a thrilling ride. Lieutenant Peters and the cadets added depth, and I can’t wait to see how their roles evolve in the sequel.
And yes, the ending left me hanging... in the best and worst way. I’m not usually a fan of cliffhangers, but this one has me counting down the days until the next book (you hear that, Jon????). If you love dystopian fiction with strong characters, high stakes, and a touch of emotional chaos, this one’s for you. Just be warned... You might yell at your Kindle when you hit that final page. I had to instead complain to my dogs since I really don't want to break my poor Kobo...
Four out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2025
I was kindly asked by the author if I would read this book and I'm so glad he did!
I will try not to post any spoilers.
I had previously seen this book advertised on social media and thought it sounded really interesting and therefore had it in my kindle wish list.
The story is a dystopian thriller, where adults start to mysteriously die in a gruesome way leaving anyone under 15 to remain. It follows a small group of neighbours/school friends as the story unfolds - and sets up the beginning of the end for these youngsters.
I found the main characters very likeable and I started to get emotionally attached (which I love in when I'm reading a book). These characters go through heart wrenching experiences in such a short space of time which had me rooting for them all the way through.
There was some strong villains in this book too, and I must admit I found some of it a bit disturbing to read. Especially the character Rex.
The story is quite fast paced, and I do feel like some of plot could have been extended to elaborate more or stretch the story out, but as a lover of short chapters and book series this didn't put me off.
This book is also apart of a series so I imagine there will be a lot more to come. And I must admit I'm already wanting the next book because I NEED to know what happens next!
Jon Colt, thank you for the opportunity to read this book, I flew through this in a couple of days (and for a slow reader like me thats pretty good)
I found myself picking this up at any opportunity I had to carry on reading and reading and desperately wanting to know where the story was going. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
I will try not to post any spoilers.
I had previously seen this book advertised on social media and thought it sounded really interesting and therefore had it in my kindle wish list.
The story is a dystopian thriller, where adults start to mysteriously die in a gruesome way leaving anyone under 15 to remain. It follows a small group of neighbours/school friends as the story unfolds - and sets up the beginning of the end for these youngsters.
I found the main characters very likeable and I started to get emotionally attached (which I love in when I'm reading a book). These characters go through heart wrenching experiences in such a short space of time which had me rooting for them all the way through.
There was some strong villains in this book too, and I must admit I found some of it a bit disturbing to read. Especially the character Rex.
The story is quite fast paced, and I do feel like some of plot could have been extended to elaborate more or stretch the story out, but as a lover of short chapters and book series this didn't put me off.
This book is also apart of a series so I imagine there will be a lot more to come. And I must admit I'm already wanting the next book because I NEED to know what happens next!
Jon Colt, thank you for the opportunity to read this book, I flew through this in a couple of days (and for a slow reader like me thats pretty good)
I found myself picking this up at any opportunity I had to carry on reading and reading and desperately wanting to know where the story was going. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
January 21, 2025
This story is set in a dystopian America that have recently tackled a pandemic, where adults who take the vaccination live freely, and those who do not are moved to a “Distance Living Centre” which assissted with the end of the virus. With society going back to normal and the days of lockdowns are a distant memory, the adults who had the vaccination are starting to become deathly sick with over 75% of the adult population dying.
This read follows a young boy, his sibling and friends as theymake their journey to a distance living centre and the adventures they face along the way.
Review: What Happened Next
Rating: ★★★★
What Happened Next had me going through all of the emotions - sadness for Jill and Bessie, anger for Rex and pride for the children. Colt has created some fantastic characters and the plot is tense and really pulls at the heart strings considering the previous pandemic. As well as the plot is though, I didn’t particularly enjoy the turn of events with Diaz and Denzel towards the end but it was still exciting nonetheless. The book was so easy to read, with the writing in-depth enough to create a clear image but straight to the point that helped with the pacing. The main reason I found this so easy to read though was how fast the reader is thrown into the story, with the first few chapters starting off action packed and strong. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!
This read follows a young boy, his sibling and friends as theymake their journey to a distance living centre and the adventures they face along the way.
Review: What Happened Next
Rating: ★★★★
What Happened Next had me going through all of the emotions - sadness for Jill and Bessie, anger for Rex and pride for the children. Colt has created some fantastic characters and the plot is tense and really pulls at the heart strings considering the previous pandemic. As well as the plot is though, I didn’t particularly enjoy the turn of events with Diaz and Denzel towards the end but it was still exciting nonetheless. The book was so easy to read, with the writing in-depth enough to create a clear image but straight to the point that helped with the pacing. The main reason I found this so easy to read though was how fast the reader is thrown into the story, with the first few chapters starting off action packed and strong. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!
March 19, 2025
"The day the world started to end, it was hot outside. When the sun came up over Masterson that fateful Sunday, nobody could have forseen the carnage that was about to unfold."
Jon Colt's novel is set in a dystopian town which has been plagued by a pandemic. Those adults who chose to take the vaccination are able to live freely and those who didn't are sent to a distanced living facility until they reached the end of the virus. As time goes on, those adults who took the vaccinations are suddenly violently sick before they die. The children that are left behind are left to survive, they are desperate to find out the truth behind what is happening.
The story reminded me of the likes of Stephen King's "The Stand" and Chuck Wendig's "The Wanderers" where what is happening is all too familiar and how the will of these characters is being tested to get to the truth.
It was easy from the start to become gripped by the back stories of these characters within this community, they are many likeable and some dreadful ones making it a great mix and adding to the tension and atmosphere that is palpable the further you read on.
At times the story does address some series themes surrounding death, grief and violence which may trigger some. All in all these elements and more made this an addictive and entertaining novel.
Many thanks to @joncoltauthor for sending me a copy of the book.
Jon Colt's novel is set in a dystopian town which has been plagued by a pandemic. Those adults who chose to take the vaccination are able to live freely and those who didn't are sent to a distanced living facility until they reached the end of the virus. As time goes on, those adults who took the vaccinations are suddenly violently sick before they die. The children that are left behind are left to survive, they are desperate to find out the truth behind what is happening.
The story reminded me of the likes of Stephen King's "The Stand" and Chuck Wendig's "The Wanderers" where what is happening is all too familiar and how the will of these characters is being tested to get to the truth.
It was easy from the start to become gripped by the back stories of these characters within this community, they are many likeable and some dreadful ones making it a great mix and adding to the tension and atmosphere that is palpable the further you read on.
At times the story does address some series themes surrounding death, grief and violence which may trigger some. All in all these elements and more made this an addictive and entertaining novel.
Many thanks to @joncoltauthor for sending me a copy of the book.
June 3, 2025
Hi readers! Today I will post about my latest collab, a pleasant surprise that author Jon Colt sent to me.
A fast paced, entertaining debut that kept me glued to the pages, What happened next follows the unpredictable events that are taking place in the town of Masterson, and all USA.
Milo is a thirteen year old boy who lives happily with his father, mother and little sister Sally. His routine: going to school, playing video games, washing his dad's car on Sunday mornings.
Exactly during one of those regular Sundays, Milo's father starts feeling ill, and in the blink of an eye drops d3ad. His mother and him are completely shocked, and also confused as soon as they realize most of the men of the city shared the same fate. It Is said to be a vaccination that adults have been forced to undergo because of a lethal virus that happened a few years back.
As the adults, including the President of the United States, policemen, doctors, are quickly decreasing in numbers this leaves a lot of children out to fend for themselves. The Government step up via TV, organising "youth centers" for kids all over the nation, places where they should be safe, living on their own until 18.
What happens next? There are so many other stories colliding with the main one that makes you feel like everything is connected, and turns out it is. In fact, amidst the upheaval the citizens face, other stories continue to unfold and develop. For instance, one of the new cadets who arrived in Masterson to support the understaffed police force is investigating a white supremacist cult. Over the years, and with the backing of corrupt politicians and tycoons, this cult allegedly kidnapped and killed many Black women and men.
Jon Colt has crafted a work that not only intrigues with its mystery but also shakes our perceptions. His plot, in which cult members become entangled in a pharmaceutical conspiracy, pushes us to reflect: how much do the dystopias we read about increasingly resemble the reality we live in? Colton presents us with an America consumed by a thirst for power, one that crushes the weak for the benefit of the elite—a reality that, unfortunately, doesn't seem so far from our own. This book isn't just a story; it's a mirror reflecting the unsettling trends of our society.
A fast paced, entertaining debut that kept me glued to the pages, What happened next follows the unpredictable events that are taking place in the town of Masterson, and all USA.
Milo is a thirteen year old boy who lives happily with his father, mother and little sister Sally. His routine: going to school, playing video games, washing his dad's car on Sunday mornings.
Exactly during one of those regular Sundays, Milo's father starts feeling ill, and in the blink of an eye drops d3ad. His mother and him are completely shocked, and also confused as soon as they realize most of the men of the city shared the same fate. It Is said to be a vaccination that adults have been forced to undergo because of a lethal virus that happened a few years back.
As the adults, including the President of the United States, policemen, doctors, are quickly decreasing in numbers this leaves a lot of children out to fend for themselves. The Government step up via TV, organising "youth centers" for kids all over the nation, places where they should be safe, living on their own until 18.
What happens next? There are so many other stories colliding with the main one that makes you feel like everything is connected, and turns out it is. In fact, amidst the upheaval the citizens face, other stories continue to unfold and develop. For instance, one of the new cadets who arrived in Masterson to support the understaffed police force is investigating a white supremacist cult. Over the years, and with the backing of corrupt politicians and tycoons, this cult allegedly kidnapped and killed many Black women and men.
Jon Colt has crafted a work that not only intrigues with its mystery but also shakes our perceptions. His plot, in which cult members become entangled in a pharmaceutical conspiracy, pushes us to reflect: how much do the dystopias we read about increasingly resemble the reality we live in? Colton presents us with an America consumed by a thirst for power, one that crushes the weak for the benefit of the elite—a reality that, unfortunately, doesn't seem so far from our own. This book isn't just a story; it's a mirror reflecting the unsettling trends of our society.
July 8, 2025
Reading this book was an emotional rollercoaster, so I’ve taken some time to write this review.
First and foremost, the writing is incredibly well-crafted. The characters are captivating and intriguing, and their narratives within the story are developed to reveal fascinating character arcs that leave me eager to continue reading the series and discover their fates.
I’m a fan of dystopian stories, both TV shows and films but this story, in particular, resonates with one of my greatest fears as a mother. On nights when I struggle to sleep, my mind wanders, and one of those fears is a world where all the adults disappear, leaving my girls to fend for themselves. It genuinely terrifies me.
Despite this fear, I must admit that I enjoyed reading the book and would give it a solid 4 stars. I’m already looking forward to reading the next books in the series and can’t wait to find out what happens next.
However, the theme of the book presents a challenge for me as I’m not an anti-vaxxer. The idea of a world where the vaccine is the cause of the problem is, quite frankly, scary. I would definitely recommend this book.
First and foremost, the writing is incredibly well-crafted. The characters are captivating and intriguing, and their narratives within the story are developed to reveal fascinating character arcs that leave me eager to continue reading the series and discover their fates.
I’m a fan of dystopian stories, both TV shows and films but this story, in particular, resonates with one of my greatest fears as a mother. On nights when I struggle to sleep, my mind wanders, and one of those fears is a world where all the adults disappear, leaving my girls to fend for themselves. It genuinely terrifies me.
Despite this fear, I must admit that I enjoyed reading the book and would give it a solid 4 stars. I’m already looking forward to reading the next books in the series and can’t wait to find out what happens next.
However, the theme of the book presents a challenge for me as I’m not an anti-vaxxer. The idea of a world where the vaccine is the cause of the problem is, quite frankly, scary. I would definitely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
Oh, my heart! I sobbed alot, smiled, laughed, made some eww and wtf faces at the gore moments and a few- ffs will you just fucking d*e! I really fell in love with some of the characters. They have been so well written and detailed. Some I liked a lot less, hence the shouting at the book in anger 😂
It's such a thought-provoking and heartbreaking read. At times, I found it a little slow in places, and maybe 5 or 6 chapters weren't needed, but that really doesn't take away from the story. I loved the ending and how it's led on ready for the next part of Milo and the gangs story (Bad Things Happen Here)
If you're struggling with loss and grief, maybe hold off until you feel in a steadier place. Otherwise, you need to get into this. It's a fantastic Dystopian novel, and I can not wait to read the next book!
4 stars for Jon Colt's 'What Happened Next' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What happened next is out now in paperback and available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
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This was a gifted e-book. Thank you so much for messaging Jon, I'm still chuffed you asked me.
It's such a thought-provoking and heartbreaking read. At times, I found it a little slow in places, and maybe 5 or 6 chapters weren't needed, but that really doesn't take away from the story. I loved the ending and how it's led on ready for the next part of Milo and the gangs story (Bad Things Happen Here)
If you're struggling with loss and grief, maybe hold off until you feel in a steadier place. Otherwise, you need to get into this. It's a fantastic Dystopian novel, and I can not wait to read the next book!
4 stars for Jon Colt's 'What Happened Next' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What happened next is out now in paperback and available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
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This was a gifted e-book. Thank you so much for messaging Jon, I'm still chuffed you asked me.
April 29, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I've read a few dystopian style books recently and this without a doubt is my favourite so far.
From the prologue i just knew this was going to be a 5⭐️ read.
This story follows Milo, a young boy and his friends who live a normal life surrounded by their families and other adults who took the Lavitika Vaccine. Those who refused the vaccine were shipped off and locked away at the Distanced Living Centres (DLC) to live until the end. As time goes on we witness the end - all adults who recieved a vaccine are suddenly dropping dead, eventually wiping out the whole adult population. The children are the only ones left outwith the adults locked away in the DLC's and will have to fend for themselves. This is a story of finding the out truth and a story of survival.
My heart raced, I cried and i kept turning those pages to find out what happened. I felt so much sadness for Milo's family, and so much pride toward the group of kids. This really was an emotional rollercoaster. Colt has done a fantastic job of not only world building but character building also. The plot is really tense in parts and really pulls on the heartstrings.
From the prologue i just knew this was going to be a 5⭐️ read.
This story follows Milo, a young boy and his friends who live a normal life surrounded by their families and other adults who took the Lavitika Vaccine. Those who refused the vaccine were shipped off and locked away at the Distanced Living Centres (DLC) to live until the end. As time goes on we witness the end - all adults who recieved a vaccine are suddenly dropping dead, eventually wiping out the whole adult population. The children are the only ones left outwith the adults locked away in the DLC's and will have to fend for themselves. This is a story of finding the out truth and a story of survival.
My heart raced, I cried and i kept turning those pages to find out what happened. I felt so much sadness for Milo's family, and so much pride toward the group of kids. This really was an emotional rollercoaster. Colt has done a fantastic job of not only world building but character building also. The plot is really tense in parts and really pulls on the heartstrings.
June 1, 2025
Jon Colt had reached out to share this book with me and I’m glad he did!
It’s a fast paced book with short chapters making it a great train ride read or lazy morning read. The main characters are likeable and you can almost relate to them in terms of people in every day life.
The story follows Milo Winters, a teenager in Masterson, who faces extreme changes to his regular life when society begins to break down. Paired with his neighbour, Becca, they need to overcome their fears and be strong for their younger siblings.
The novel introduces a cast of compelling characters alongside Milo and Becca, including a relentless stalker named Rex, who seizes the opportunity to pursue his prey amid the disorder. Simultaneously, Denzel, a rogue cop with a vendetta against the klan responsible for his mother’s death, seeks justice in the lawless landscape. These intertwining narratives add depth and suspense to the storyline, keeping readers engaged with unexpected twists and emotional stakes.
It’s a fast paced book with short chapters making it a great train ride read or lazy morning read. The main characters are likeable and you can almost relate to them in terms of people in every day life.
The story follows Milo Winters, a teenager in Masterson, who faces extreme changes to his regular life when society begins to break down. Paired with his neighbour, Becca, they need to overcome their fears and be strong for their younger siblings.
The novel introduces a cast of compelling characters alongside Milo and Becca, including a relentless stalker named Rex, who seizes the opportunity to pursue his prey amid the disorder. Simultaneously, Denzel, a rogue cop with a vendetta against the klan responsible for his mother’s death, seeks justice in the lawless landscape. These intertwining narratives add depth and suspense to the storyline, keeping readers engaged with unexpected twists and emotional stakes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
I would like to start this review by saying thank you to Jon for sending me a copy of his book for me to review.
Ireally enjoyed this book more than I expected, it is quite different to what I typical read - but always good to try things out of your comfort zone! I liked how it was written and all of the short snappy chapters which make this a faced paced book to read! I read this on my iPad (which I don’t typically do - love holding a book), but found this of be fine and being able to see how much pages a chapter was allowed me also read this quicker! There was a wide array of different characters and I liked how it go interlinked and how the connections between the characters were portrayed in the story. I thought the actual idea of the plot to be interesting and unexpected. My only critique was that I found myself getting a bit lost and confused about certain elements of the book as there is so much going on. Overall a great read, and I will look out for more written by this author.
Ireally enjoyed this book more than I expected, it is quite different to what I typical read - but always good to try things out of your comfort zone! I liked how it was written and all of the short snappy chapters which make this a faced paced book to read! I read this on my iPad (which I don’t typically do - love holding a book), but found this of be fine and being able to see how much pages a chapter was allowed me also read this quicker! There was a wide array of different characters and I liked how it go interlinked and how the connections between the characters were portrayed in the story. I thought the actual idea of the plot to be interesting and unexpected. My only critique was that I found myself getting a bit lost and confused about certain elements of the book as there is so much going on. Overall a great read, and I will look out for more written by this author.
January 14, 2025
Milo’s dad wakes up one day with a mysterious illness that soon takes his life. He and his mom and younger sister soon learn that the mysterious illness has caused the deaths of much of the adult population and that authorities are now linking it to the vaccine that was forced onto them not long before to protect them from another illness. When Milo’s mom starts getting sick, Milo must decide how to carry on to care for his younger sister and friends as an uncertain future looms ahead. This was a different kind of scary in the sense that it touches very closely to recent events we have all dealt with. Unique story yet with a very close to home topic, it kept me reading from the start and just had me thinking the whole time “what if”! Only critique I would give is that the POV jumps around a lot between different characters within the same chapters and sections, which I’m not a huge fan of. Definitely worth the read, and amazing for a debut novel!!
March 21, 2025
This book follows a group of kids living in a world where a massive portion of the adult population are dying.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a fast paced read which had me hooked, and I finished it in 2 sittings. Despite needing some editing, it was engaging and pulled me in. I really felt the emotions of the characters and the whole book made me think about things as even though it's a dystopian story, it was pretty close to reality.
That said, I'm conflicted about the anti vaccination and white supremacist narrative within the story and unsure if it's just good world building or reflecting personal views. I'm not sure how to interpret it but I know that I definitely need to pick up the next book to see how it all plays out.
I really enjoyed the suspense and pacing of the book and I will absolutely be picking up the next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a fast paced read which had me hooked, and I finished it in 2 sittings. Despite needing some editing, it was engaging and pulled me in. I really felt the emotions of the characters and the whole book made me think about things as even though it's a dystopian story, it was pretty close to reality.
That said, I'm conflicted about the anti vaccination and white supremacist narrative within the story and unsure if it's just good world building or reflecting personal views. I'm not sure how to interpret it but I know that I definitely need to pick up the next book to see how it all plays out.
I really enjoyed the suspense and pacing of the book and I will absolutely be picking up the next one.
March 1, 2025
What Happened Next stood out to me in a way that other dystopian books haven't done. It starts with the first adults showing signs of illness, and things move quickly as the death toll climbs. I was really taken aback by how some chapters hit me emotionally – there were definitely moments that left me with a tear in my eye and a tugging in my heart. The author doesn’t shy away from tackling some heavy topics, which made the story feel that much more real.
The chapters are short, the writing flows effortlessly, and the dialogue feels natural. It’s the kind of book you can easily pick up and put down, though once you start, you’ll probably find it hard to stop. The characters are well-written, each with solid development arcs, making it easy to get attached to them... Well, most of them!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed What Happened Next and can’t wait to dive into book two!
The chapters are short, the writing flows effortlessly, and the dialogue feels natural. It’s the kind of book you can easily pick up and put down, though once you start, you’ll probably find it hard to stop. The characters are well-written, each with solid development arcs, making it easy to get attached to them... Well, most of them!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed What Happened Next and can’t wait to dive into book two!
July 16, 2025
"People are scared. People are dangerous when they are scared."
What Happened Next is the first in a Dystopian series which follows 13 year old Milo and friends as they navigate a world in which a gnarly virus is wiping out the adult population.
This book has themes reminiscent of COVID 19 so it might not be everybody's vibe but I really enjoyed the unravelling of humanity when they are faced with the unknown.
I really enjoyed that the book gave back stories for the characters whilst setting the tone for the devastating events.
There aren't any trigger warnings given but it does feature death, gore and controversial topics such as racism and vaxxing vs anti-vaxxing.
There are some grammatical errors dotted throughout but for a debut novel it packs a punch!
Thank you to Jon Colt for gifting me an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
What Happened Next is the first in a Dystopian series which follows 13 year old Milo and friends as they navigate a world in which a gnarly virus is wiping out the adult population.
This book has themes reminiscent of COVID 19 so it might not be everybody's vibe but I really enjoyed the unravelling of humanity when they are faced with the unknown.
I really enjoyed that the book gave back stories for the characters whilst setting the tone for the devastating events.
There aren't any trigger warnings given but it does feature death, gore and controversial topics such as racism and vaxxing vs anti-vaxxing.
There are some grammatical errors dotted throughout but for a debut novel it packs a punch!
Thank you to Jon Colt for gifting me an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2025
This books was amazing! When it says addictive, it really is addictive. I could not put my kindle down as I kept wanting to know what happens next. This is my first time reading this genre (dystopian thriller) and I was honestly blown. I lowkey enjoyed the fast paced storyline because as someone who hates waiting to see what happens next, the author really did it well. Props to the author for also making me emotional in some parts of the book. The author's way of portraying the characters emotions with just one sentence really touched my heart.
Overall, personally it was an easy 5 stars for me. It really enticed me to read my TBR thriller books.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Overall, personally it was an easy 5 stars for me. It really enticed me to read my TBR thriller books.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
January 31, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! Will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible! Why I Couldn't Put It Down: A fascinating look at the post-pandemic world. It was a super engaging plot with side stories that kept me hooked (I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS) It moves FAST. Like, keep-turning-the-pages fast. A few moments felt a little too convenient, but hey, fiction's gotta fiction, right? This is book 1 of a 3 book series, and I will definitely be reading the other 2 because I need answers to all my questions! All of this authors work can be found on his website: https://theworldofjoncolt.com/ Overall, I definitely recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 11, 2025
I really had no clue how I was going to end up rating this one because my opinion constantly changed throughout the story. I will say that it was a rollercoaster and a lot of wild things happened! The author did a good job of packing an action-packed plot into a smaller book.
I will say that if you’re not ready to read a book about a widespread virus and the aftermath, this book is not for you. It’s a very dark, dystopian world where the virus has passed and life has moved on, but now all of a sudden, people start dropping like flies.
The book felt a tad political to me which I didn’t love, and I definitely had to take breaks because of the dark subject matter. But overall, I thought it was well-written and kept me invested while reading.
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy!
I will say that if you’re not ready to read a book about a widespread virus and the aftermath, this book is not for you. It’s a very dark, dystopian world where the virus has passed and life has moved on, but now all of a sudden, people start dropping like flies.
The book felt a tad political to me which I didn’t love, and I definitely had to take breaks because of the dark subject matter. But overall, I thought it was well-written and kept me invested while reading.
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy!
May 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW ✨
What happened next by Jon Colt
What a fantastic read this was!! I was hooked from the very first chapter. When I say this was fast paced, it really really was, who doesn’t love a fast paced thriller!! I was gripped from the get go and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I finished the book last night and instantly downloaded Jon’s next book as it was left on a cliff hanger, I just had to know what was going to pan out in the next book for Milo and the gang. The descriptions and detail were absolutely on point, I definitely shuddered a few times 🥴. I know a brilliant author when I see one! Well done Jon, I can’t wait to read on!! 🙏🏼
Definitely a recommended read!
5 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What happened next by Jon Colt
What a fantastic read this was!! I was hooked from the very first chapter. When I say this was fast paced, it really really was, who doesn’t love a fast paced thriller!! I was gripped from the get go and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I finished the book last night and instantly downloaded Jon’s next book as it was left on a cliff hanger, I just had to know what was going to pan out in the next book for Milo and the gang. The descriptions and detail were absolutely on point, I definitely shuddered a few times 🥴. I know a brilliant author when I see one! Well done Jon, I can’t wait to read on!! 🙏🏼
Definitely a recommended read!
5 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 23, 2025
It's been a long time since I read a Dystopian book and I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy them! There's just something about the way that humans adapt to an entirely new way of life that I find fascinating, so I was more than happy to accept the Authors offer of a free copy to read and review.
First off, the virus in this book is absolutely terrifying as there's no chance of recovery and death comes very swiftly. Only adults seem to be affected by it, so the children and teenagers have to adapt and grow up very quickly. Milo and Becca are incredibly mature and although they're obviously scared they have to stay strong for the sake of their younger siblings, which they do very well.
As well as the main storyline of the virus there was also a lot going on with some of the other side characters, in particular Denzel the Police Cadet which I really enjoyed. He's got some unfinished business that he's determined to deal with; and knowing that his life could be cut short, he has no time to lose.
All in all I really enjoyed this book; the plot was fast paced and action packed and the characters were memorable. I'd definitely liked to carry on with the series as the ending was a surprise and I'd like to see what happens to Milo and Becca next.
First off, the virus in this book is absolutely terrifying as there's no chance of recovery and death comes very swiftly. Only adults seem to be affected by it, so the children and teenagers have to adapt and grow up very quickly. Milo and Becca are incredibly mature and although they're obviously scared they have to stay strong for the sake of their younger siblings, which they do very well.
As well as the main storyline of the virus there was also a lot going on with some of the other side characters, in particular Denzel the Police Cadet which I really enjoyed. He's got some unfinished business that he's determined to deal with; and knowing that his life could be cut short, he has no time to lose.
All in all I really enjoyed this book; the plot was fast paced and action packed and the characters were memorable. I'd definitely liked to carry on with the series as the ending was a surprise and I'd like to see what happens to Milo and Becca next.
June 30, 2025
Milo is living the average life for a thirteen year old in the town of Master on until one day all of the adults all over the country start dropping dead. While the government is in town trying to get control of this situation, Milo and his neighbor team up to keep their younger siblings safe.
As if this situation couldn't be worse, Becca has a stalker that is convinced she belongs with him and will stop at nothing to get her.
To add on top of that, one of the cadets who is originally from the town sent back to police it starts looking into his mother's murder when he was a kid and finds clues that a klan residing in the town is responsible. now he is set out in revenge for any remaining members.
As if this situation couldn't be worse, Becca has a stalker that is convinced she belongs with him and will stop at nothing to get her.
To add on top of that, one of the cadets who is originally from the town sent back to police it starts looking into his mother's murder when he was a kid and finds clues that a klan residing in the town is responsible. now he is set out in revenge for any remaining members.
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