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Humanity's Edge Trilogy #1
Turn: Humanity's Edge Trilogy, Book 1
Clay Dobbs has an ideal life coupled with a remarkable Long-time sheriff of Carterville, and loyal husband of 19 years. Everything changes though when an egomaniacal military man storms in, barking orders for immediate evacuation.
Sheriff Clay is tasked with maintaining order in his utopian town, rounding up reluctant evacuees . . . and for killing the Crazed. His very moral fiber is challenged with every step of the way until they are all gone. In the end, will he make it out the same man he was before, or will he be Turned?
Sheriff Clay is tasked with maintaining order in his utopian town, rounding up reluctant evacuees . . . and for killing the Crazed. His very moral fiber is challenged with every step of the way until they are all gone. In the end, will he make it out the same man he was before, or will he be Turned?
Audible Audio
First published May 30, 2017
222 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Paul B. Kohler
39 books203 followersPaul B Kohler is the International Bestselling author of the highly acclaimed novel Linear Shift. His recent work includes Turn, Detour, and Reversion, from The Humanity's Edge Trilogy, along with several short stories. His short story, Rememorations, was included in The Immortality Chronicles - The Best Anthology of the Year as voted in the 2016 Preditors and Editors Readers Poll. Rememorations was also nominated for Best American Science Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
dnfed
August 4, 2025The dialogues are too cringe, I can't do this to myself again.
DNF at 40%.
DNF at 40%.
May 14, 2018
Clay Dobbs is longtime sheriff of Carterville. He loves his town and his job. But his job is about to get so much worse when people start attacking others. He realises that he can't contain what is happening and decides to ring the bigger town over for help, but he is informed that help was already dispatched. How did they know? As soon as the military arrive they evacuate the town. The sheriff, along with some helpers, stay behind to round up more stragglers. They have 2 days to get everyone out before the military bomb the place. But things are never easy and the sheriff will have his work cut out for him!
The blurb doesn't give too much away about this so I wasn't too sure what to expect when I started it. But I'm glad to say that I actually thoroughly enjoyed it!! The plot isn't really focused on the Crazed, but more on the town and the people left behind. We do see some zombie action, but it's not a lot, and usually I want zombie action if it's a zombie book, but I enjoyed this because of the mystery surrounding the virus and how it came to be!!
The characters were all well written and I sorta liked them all, though I did find it hard to connect with some of them and that's why it's a 4 star read. I liked Clay enough but didn't connect with him fully, and I can't pinpoint why! Still though, I can't wait to see what happens next!!
In all, a thoroughly enjoyable outbreak book! I enjoyed the twists the author threw in and how the town was contained. I'm hoping book 2 comes to audio soon because I need it!!
Wayne Mitchell read it well and was clear and easy to listen to. I did find some of his voices were too similar to fully follow who was talking at times, but other than that, a solid performance.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
The blurb doesn't give too much away about this so I wasn't too sure what to expect when I started it. But I'm glad to say that I actually thoroughly enjoyed it!! The plot isn't really focused on the Crazed, but more on the town and the people left behind. We do see some zombie action, but it's not a lot, and usually I want zombie action if it's a zombie book, but I enjoyed this because of the mystery surrounding the virus and how it came to be!!
The characters were all well written and I sorta liked them all, though I did find it hard to connect with some of them and that's why it's a 4 star read. I liked Clay enough but didn't connect with him fully, and I can't pinpoint why! Still though, I can't wait to see what happens next!!
In all, a thoroughly enjoyable outbreak book! I enjoyed the twists the author threw in and how the town was contained. I'm hoping book 2 comes to audio soon because I need it!!
Wayne Mitchell read it well and was clear and easy to listen to. I did find some of his voices were too similar to fully follow who was talking at times, but other than that, a solid performance.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
November 25, 2018
Humanity's Edge: The Complete Trilogy - This is my first read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. The longer I read, the more disappointed I became with the storylines, the characters and happenings. Yes, we're dealing with zombies, but there should still be realism.
While Turn, book #1, started well, was fast paced and action packed, there were some things difficult to swallow. For example (spoiler): there's no way a military leader in charge of a takeover/evacuation would allow two civilians to take charge. OK, let that slide, but the comment that the Colonel "retreated to his corps" had me laughing since that's not in this character's vocabulary. Also, the officer left in charge by the Colonel is not portrayed properly. (Maybe the author is a civilian and doesn't understand the Military?) The sheriff suffers too jumping from a leader to an idiot to an out-of-control savage; he's negligent in the wrong places. Research would have made this correct and realistic.
These types of inconsistencies are prevalent and distracting. But the twists and turns, along with the stress and events keeps the reader interested in the story. Among other editing errors, this author follows the trend of using god when it is God; prejudice and intolerance, or not standing up to his publisher?
With Detour, book #2, the inconsistencies are coming out of the walls since the author appears not to have planned a better path through this book. The storylines are weak, the thoughts and actions of the sheriff are ridiculous. He's close to his daughter's whereabouts but a weak link keeps him from finding out where she went. Anger and stupidity are now the norm for him. Another spoiler: he's accomplished his mission at the hospital (which the hours spent there are unrealistic - plot planning) and is saved by an armed gang. Does he stay hidden, with his weapons and supplies; nope, he's here I am, take my weapons and goodies, and let me tell you about my secret weapon and where the rest of my people and supplies are hidden. All without a punch to his gut or a drop of water forced down his throat.
I made it almost to the end of Detour, but the poorly thought out storylines, which were mostly good in Turn, and the exponential increase in the stupidity of the sheriff's actions and the farfetched "realism" (yes, zombie story but plot better, then ambiguities aren't glaring at the reader) had me so annoyed I lost total interest in the rest of the story, after 60 percent read. Mr. Kohler started so well and floundered when he could have really had a different zombie story. These books have been out and still have not been corrected? 2*
While Turn, book #1, started well, was fast paced and action packed, there were some things difficult to swallow. For example (spoiler): there's no way a military leader in charge of a takeover/evacuation would allow two civilians to take charge. OK, let that slide, but the comment that the Colonel "retreated to his corps" had me laughing since that's not in this character's vocabulary. Also, the officer left in charge by the Colonel is not portrayed properly. (Maybe the author is a civilian and doesn't understand the Military?) The sheriff suffers too jumping from a leader to an idiot to an out-of-control savage; he's negligent in the wrong places. Research would have made this correct and realistic.
These types of inconsistencies are prevalent and distracting. But the twists and turns, along with the stress and events keeps the reader interested in the story. Among other editing errors, this author follows the trend of using god when it is God; prejudice and intolerance, or not standing up to his publisher?
With Detour, book #2, the inconsistencies are coming out of the walls since the author appears not to have planned a better path through this book. The storylines are weak, the thoughts and actions of the sheriff are ridiculous. He's close to his daughter's whereabouts but a weak link keeps him from finding out where she went. Anger and stupidity are now the norm for him. Another spoiler: he's accomplished his mission at the hospital (which the hours spent there are unrealistic - plot planning) and is saved by an armed gang. Does he stay hidden, with his weapons and supplies; nope, he's here I am, take my weapons and goodies, and let me tell you about my secret weapon and where the rest of my people and supplies are hidden. All without a punch to his gut or a drop of water forced down his throat.
I made it almost to the end of Detour, but the poorly thought out storylines, which were mostly good in Turn, and the exponential increase in the stupidity of the sheriff's actions and the farfetched "realism" (yes, zombie story but plot better, then ambiguities aren't glaring at the reader) had me so annoyed I lost total interest in the rest of the story, after 60 percent read. Mr. Kohler started so well and floundered when he could have really had a different zombie story. These books have been out and still have not been corrected? 2*
June 11, 2017
Something Wicked This Way TURNs
Turn offers a fresh perspective on the zombie thriller. There are unexpected twists and turns with a small-town sheriff investigates a burned barn.
I thought I had the story all figured out. Nope. You’ll be shocked, too.
The book wraps up this phase of the series very nicely. At the same time, it’s left open for more of the story.
If you’re looking for more Paul Kohler, his shorter works are also incredibly thrilling. Linear Shift is a series of four short stories. Single father Peter tries to raise two teens, loses his job, and is on the edge of losing his home. When a face from his military past surfaces with the answer to all of his problems, Peter embarks on an exciting secret mission.
Turn offers a fresh perspective on the zombie thriller. There are unexpected twists and turns with a small-town sheriff investigates a burned barn.
I thought I had the story all figured out. Nope. You’ll be shocked, too.
The book wraps up this phase of the series very nicely. At the same time, it’s left open for more of the story.
If you’re looking for more Paul Kohler, his shorter works are also incredibly thrilling. Linear Shift is a series of four short stories. Single father Peter tries to raise two teens, loses his job, and is on the edge of losing his home. When a face from his military past surfaces with the answer to all of his problems, Peter embarks on an exciting secret mission.
June 7, 2017
This is a great start to a series and really delivers thoughtful action all the way through. I loved the way the characters are devloped and flreshed out more as the story proceeds, and drag you into caring more about them. This is a great take on the zombie/afflicted genre, and well worth reading if you enjoy this style of story, and want one with more teeth than most.
January 25, 2025
Just terrible editing
And, give me a break, nooooobody talks like that
They're in a zombie outbreak, checking for survivors, and this bohunk is calling a woman he just met babe and telling her of his prowess at sex.
Ummm, sure
A trilogy I don't need to finish
It was free on KU, and still overpriced
And, give me a break, nooooobody talks like that
They're in a zombie outbreak, checking for survivors, and this bohunk is calling a woman he just met babe and telling her of his prowess at sex.
Ummm, sure
A trilogy I don't need to finish
It was free on KU, and still overpriced
January 24, 2023
Nenormāli klišejisks zombijstorijs, bet ar nenormāli dumjiem un ļoti plakaniem personāžiem. Lēmumi tiek pieņemti nenormāli stulbi un stulbā veidā. Lasi un domā: nu kāpēc?
Uz beigām palika interesantāk, bet nejūtu vēlmi šo triloģiju turpināt.
Uz beigām palika interesantāk, bet nejūtu vēlmi šo triloģiju turpināt.
February 9, 2019
Reading and reviewing books
A slighlt different viewpoint of the end times happening. I did enjoy reading this book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
A slighlt different viewpoint of the end times happening. I did enjoy reading this book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 22, 2019
The first book in the series started it out properly. I liked the take on the apocalypse. I liked the action and the characters. It was a good start to the series overall. I had a hard time with the way some of the characters were narrated, but that was my opinion.
This story was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
This story was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
December 5, 2018
Great start to what I hope is a series that continues to be as good as book one!
The residence of a small town are all getting the flu, an asteroid hits the farm that employees much of the town. All is lost on the farm. The local sheriff thinks he has the flu too.... or does he. Everyone is told to evacuate and that the government will put a barrier around the town to ‘fumigate’ it so that all can return in 30 days.
Town flirt may be patient zero....
How will the sheriff and his rag tag group of hold out survivors make it once they escape the ‘dome’ that has kept them from leaving? Is the sheriffs wife and daughter alive? How far have the zombies spread? Is the world already lost? Book two will have some answers! (I hope)
Narration was excellent.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
The residence of a small town are all getting the flu, an asteroid hits the farm that employees much of the town. All is lost on the farm. The local sheriff thinks he has the flu too.... or does he. Everyone is told to evacuate and that the government will put a barrier around the town to ‘fumigate’ it so that all can return in 30 days.
Town flirt may be patient zero....
How will the sheriff and his rag tag group of hold out survivors make it once they escape the ‘dome’ that has kept them from leaving? Is the sheriffs wife and daughter alive? How far have the zombies spread? Is the world already lost? Book two will have some answers! (I hope)
Narration was excellent.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
January 21, 2024
I saw an Instagram ad that said this was a great zombie series. I love apocalyptic books; especially if it contains zombie so I accepted the challenge to see if this advertisement was true.
The chapters are short which makes for quick reading. The story grabs your interest immediately with an unusual event. That events seems to trigger a “flu” and then all hell breaks loose.
We all know that if the military shows up in your town; there is a high probability that 95% of the citizens will perish. As Spock told Captain Kirk in The Wrath of Kahn “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” but that only seems to apply in movies. The military and the WEF adhere to “the needs of the few elites outweigh the needs of everyone us i.e. the useless eaters”. ::steps off soapbox::
Of course we discover that maybe the military is lying and the flu victims become pretty terrifying. As with most zombie tales the City is quarantined, the infected are moved to a special location, panic and chaos ensues, unusual sex hookups occur (you know it is the end of the World).
There is a worthy cliffhanger that leads us to Book 2. I will continue to the next book. For me this was a solid 3⭐️.
The chapters are short which makes for quick reading. The story grabs your interest immediately with an unusual event. That events seems to trigger a “flu” and then all hell breaks loose.
We all know that if the military shows up in your town; there is a high probability that 95% of the citizens will perish. As Spock told Captain Kirk in The Wrath of Kahn “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” but that only seems to apply in movies. The military and the WEF adhere to “the needs of the few elites outweigh the needs of everyone us i.e. the useless eaters”. ::steps off soapbox::
Of course we discover that maybe the military is lying and the flu victims become pretty terrifying. As with most zombie tales the City is quarantined, the infected are moved to a special location, panic and chaos ensues, unusual sex hookups occur (you know it is the end of the World).
There is a worthy cliffhanger that leads us to Book 2. I will continue to the next book. For me this was a solid 3⭐️.
May 15, 2025
I like a good story and this one started off reminding me of a John Saul type book. Only thing is in a real situation such as this that involved military interference because of the possibility of alien infection, there is NO way the public would be allowed to leave freely. There is too much risk of infection spreading. Therein lies my first problem with this story.
And, the fact that a sheriff who loves his town and wants to protect the people in it would keep his own illness quiet and to himself is also something I’m struggling with.
Quite a few instances and situations just did not ring true for me. The character behaviors and emotions simply aren’t, in my opinion, realistic . Some things just don’t make sense-for example, Clay and Alayna’s sex scene. You mean to tell me she didn’t even question him about the puss-filled sores all over his body?
Although this book is well-written, and there are no spelling or grammatical errors that I can see, I’m not sure I’ll be moving onto the next book in the series.
And, the fact that a sheriff who loves his town and wants to protect the people in it would keep his own illness quiet and to himself is also something I’m struggling with.
Quite a few instances and situations just did not ring true for me. The character behaviors and emotions simply aren’t, in my opinion, realistic . Some things just don’t make sense-for example, Clay and Alayna’s sex scene. You mean to tell me she didn’t even question him about the puss-filled sores all over his body?
Although this book is well-written, and there are no spelling or grammatical errors that I can see, I’m not sure I’ll be moving onto the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2018
The Turn; what to say about this work. The summary states a fresh perspective on the zombie thriller, but I’m leaning more towards a diluted perspective. The Crazed as they’re called do make several appearances, but they are brief and rather abrupt versus exciting or thrilling. The story instead is loosely centered on the mental stability of the sheriff, Clay Dobbs. There is much conversation and fretting among characters on how they will get themselves out of the mess they find themselves in. There are a couple other sub-plots, but to be honest the story is fairly simple. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
April 11, 2024
Potential
Turn is Book One of the Humanity's Edge Trilogy. It's a Zombie Apocalypse Survival Thriller.
I did finish this book but I skimmed the majority of it. The storyline has potential and was interesting but there's a lot of disconnect and unnecessary noise.
The book is okay, and I'm going to check out Book Two because I want to know what happened to some of the characters.
Turn is Book One of the Humanity's Edge Trilogy. It's a Zombie Apocalypse Survival Thriller.
I did finish this book but I skimmed the majority of it. The storyline has potential and was interesting but there's a lot of disconnect and unnecessary noise.
The book is okay, and I'm going to check out Book Two because I want to know what happened to some of the characters.
May 7, 2018
Just Excellent!
Wow, wonderful first book of a new series! I really enjoyed this one. Great cast of characters, and plenty of action. The premise of a zombie apocalypse caused by nanites makes for a great story in my opinion, much better than the idea of one caused by terrorists made in a cave somewhere in the 'stan. I will definitely be reading book 2!
Wow, wonderful first book of a new series! I really enjoyed this one. Great cast of characters, and plenty of action. The premise of a zombie apocalypse caused by nanites makes for a great story in my opinion, much better than the idea of one caused by terrorists made in a cave somewhere in the 'stan. I will definitely be reading book 2!
May 8, 2018
Turn, the first book in the humanity's edge trilogy, is a pretty decent viral story - it starts off with a couple of mysterious events and as circumstances unfold all is not what it would initially seem.
Whilst it's not an action book with more of a focus being on the character interactions and circumstances, I still found it to be an interesting tale interspersed with dollops of violence.
It seems like a pretty good building block for the trilogy to expand from.
Whilst it's not an action book with more of a focus being on the character interactions and circumstances, I still found it to be an interesting tale interspersed with dollops of violence.
It seems like a pretty good building block for the trilogy to expand from.
May 14, 2024
DNF because it was so bad. The characters weren’t consistent or believable. Why would a low IQ, sexist buffoon use the phrase “supple lips” when talking about a woman? How is that word even in his vocabulary? The dialogue was horrible. The lesbian relationship was such an embarrassing stereotype. In fact, everyone was a stereotype
September 22, 2024
Different take
A little different take and a few lemmings to throw you off. Decent characters and decent storyline. This book is all just a lead up in my opinion, so prepare to read all 3 books. Only gave 4 versus 5 as none of the characters or events really have grabbed me yet. Visualizing is a little tough, never really feel the landscape.
A little different take and a few lemmings to throw you off. Decent characters and decent storyline. This book is all just a lead up in my opinion, so prepare to read all 3 books. Only gave 4 versus 5 as none of the characters or events really have grabbed me yet. Visualizing is a little tough, never really feel the landscape.
May 6, 2018
This story didn't grab me. Don't really know exactly why, it just didn't 'feel right' for me. I might or might not read the next in the series... I won't go looking for the book. It had a different storyline and had you wondering at first. Give it a read, you might enjoy it.
June 6, 2019
Small town sheriff and his town are suddenly find themselves in a life & death struggle. What started as a freak meteor strike & mild cases of flu, turns into a full on zombie apocalypse, which is no accident but an experiment gone wrong!! Good start to the series, with a nice mix of characters.
December 21, 2019
Average post apocalypse story
There are a couple of little twists in this post apocalyptic zombie story but it appears to be written very bluntly like it is describing TV scenes. The authors favourite word is obviously "blaring"
There are a couple of little twists in this post apocalyptic zombie story but it appears to be written very bluntly like it is describing TV scenes. The authors favourite word is obviously "blaring"
March 29, 2024
The book had a few grammatical errors and the characters lacked continuity throughout often feeling like entirely different people between different chapters. The book seemed to bring up topics just to completely abandon them later.
June 10, 2018
Although the read went fast this initial foray into the trilogy is enough for me.
March 28, 2024
Possibly the worst zombie book I've ever read.
April 13, 2024
Cannot get into this one. The characters are one-dimensional. A lieutenant is introduced who is a cartoon-like villain, as is the commanding officer. It’s just not good.
August 24, 2024
Terrible writing. Characters not believable. Stilted writing. Hated this book. Waste of time reading it.
March 26, 2025
First time reading this author and he was pretty good. Clay Dobbs reminds me a lot of Rick Grimes. Both are former sheriffs in a zombie apocalypse. Both are in charge of a team of survivor's.
October 11, 2025
I thought this was a good read. It had a slow build up and was at a slower pace than I would have preferred, but it did seem like it was mostly setting up for book 2, now on my TBR.
July 28, 2021
I quite liked the beginning of the story but felt it was starting to become rather cliched halfway through. The story kept me entertained non the less and will read the remaining two in the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews