Knights of the Apocalypse

Duck & Cover Adventures #2

by Benjamin Wallace

They’ve got bounty hunters on their trail, a kingdom against them and no one they can trust. A price on their heads has driven Jerry, the post-apocalyptic nomadic warrior, Erica and their loyal mastiff west in search of a new beginning. But when their truck breaks down in what was once southern Colorado they are swept into an epic quest at the behest of King Elias, ruler of the Kingdom of the Five Peaks. On their quest they will meet old friends and new foes, mutant cannibals, savage mountain men, fearsome knights and much, much more. Powered by gold and driven by steam, the kingdom has risen from the ashes of the apocalypse into a realm of prosperity and relative peace. The king has offered them a new start within the walls of the kingdom. But is the prize worth it? It’s the end of the world as you've never known it.

Genres: Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Humor, Audiobook, Dystopia, Fantasy

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2015

About the author

Benjamin Wallace lives in Dallas, Texas where he complains about the heat—a lot.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

KOA (Knights of the Apocalypse, not to be confused with Kampgrounds of America) was quick and fun, exactly what I was looking for to pass the time by the pool on vacation. Characters were well developed, But not completely. There were a few items from the first book that were used to give our hero motivation that were chopped from this book. It was almost like the author said ...Well this book doesn't even make sense unless I kill off this person so lets get it out of the way in the first few pages. Like one of the main motivating characters was just a throw away line. It took me about 4 pages to get over it and just enjoy the book. No deep thinking about this book, just entertainment. I enjoyed the fact that the book was at just the right point between the "I like the book" and "OMG I can't put the book down!" When not reading it I wasn't thinking about it, but when I picked it up I could easily slip back into the Apocalypse and hear the screams of the Aztecs.

I am a fan of dialogue, realistic dialogue. The snarky and the mundane, this had both and the author uses them to pull you into book with ease. It kind of reminded me of Andy Weir and "The Martian."

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

#2 of 3 in the series. I liked this one just a tad less than the first because it wasn’t as lighthearted, but it was still a good time.
LIKES:
That an entire town, ahem kingdom, is populated by pre-apocalyptic renaissance actors who have turned their fake roles into real positions, when a discussion between groups of characters digresses into silliness, and the adventure of the whole thing.
Also, I love Jerry’s optimism. Example:
Jerry smiled like a toddler as it rolled past them at the station. He turned to one of his guards and took a deep breath. “Oh, wow.”
“What?” the guard asked.
“We get to ride a train” Jerry said.
“We’re taking you to jail, dumbass.”
“Yeah. But you’re taking me to jail on a train!”
Erica turned away. “Ugh. I’ll never understand boys.”
Jerry turned to her. “Oh come on. This is cool.”

[Joseph Inzirillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Wallace's writing style. It's serious enough to make me care about the story, funny enough not to bore me and wild enough to make me read the next one. His version of the post apocalyptic wasteland is amazing. And this one leaves us on a cliff hanger. Thankfully Kindle Unlimited has the 3rd one.

[Bill Philibin · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.5 Stars)

The narration by Phil Thron is top notch! The book itself??? Well, some books try really hard to be funny, and some are funny naturally. This is definitely in the former category. Everything I liked about the first book in the series was not found in this book.

I purchased the BOOM BOX set, which is the first three books in the series, so I will read the next book and hope for the best. There are three major characters from the first book, and those are the only characters that felt like effort was put into them. This felt like a "filler" book, maybe to portend the next book? I say this because the ending was anti-climactic, but was a set up for the next volume.

[Ann Feutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was my favorite of the three. There was post apocalyptic adventure, a Ren Faire community, betrayal, and trains. Plus, Chewy continues to be the bestest dog.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first

This is the second volume in the duck and cover series and believe me it does not lack what made the first book great. It has action, humor and even a little drama thrown in for good measure. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Marty Solotki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this as good as the first in the series? Hard to say: they both cover a lot of fun ground. Well worth a read or a listen.

[Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when you save the town?

Get out, before people start looking for the trouble maker.

This is the premise of the book and if you liked the first book, you will likely enjoy this as well.

I was happy to see this book was longer than the first (audio 10 hours vs 6 of the first book), but I feel like less happens, and the pace is slower. The humor is still present, and the plot is a little more complicated than the first, but overall the book is a little less interesting than the first book. On balance as a whole, the book is about an enjoyable as the first.

My only actual complaint is about the ending. I won't go into specifics except to say it doesn't end, just sets up the next book. I am not a fan of this. I think you have a firm ending and still keep writing new stories.

Still, a very enjoyable read/listen, and I can't wait for book 3!

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second book in the Duck & Cover Adventure series. I liked it much better than the first. It was a lot easier to follow and keep up with all the characters. This book finds Jerry and Erica in a "kingdom" that has been formed by employees of a Renaissance Faire. The princess is kidnapped and the king has promised Jerry and Erica citizenship if he will rescue the princess. Also...Jerry has a bounty on his head, so is being hunted. The only thing I did not like about this book is the ending. It doesn't end. You HAVE to read the next book to see what happens. I hate when authors do that, but whatever sells books, right? Yeah, I've already started the third book...

[Cliff Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert
This book ends with a cliff hanger. The first book of the series was all wrapped up neatly in the end. Book 2 not so much. The entire book seemed a little rushed and loosely cobbled together. I like to read series books, but I like it when each book is completely self contained. No loose ends to get you to pursue the next book in the series. Each book of a series should stand alone.
Now I'm reading book 3 and I hope it doesn't have a gimmicky ending to get you to go to book 4.
Otherwise it's a pretty good exciting book.

[M.W. Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knights of the Apocalypse by Benjamin Wallace receives three stars from me. While I started to enjoy the book in the middle, I feel that the ending was unsatisfying. Additionally, I was confused with the premise that they are being hunted (did I forget that from the first novel?)

That's all I'm going to say since I'm at work and still not sure what I think of the novel.

Will I continue? Yes. I bought a box set of books 1-3, so I'll go on with three in a few weeks. The reader is very good and he makes it fun.

[Matthew Greenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious with a compelling story

I really enjoyed the first book in the series but this one was amazing. There were multiple times where I laughed out loud at the character's interactions with each other. And it's honestly funny enough that I could recommend it for that alone. But it's also a really great story that kept me riveted until the end. Which was satisfying and yet makes me makes me very glad I can already purchase the next book.

[Daniel T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Series

Jerry and Erica are just trying to escape the price on their heads. Imagine a dictator being angry that the destroyed his war wagon and stopped one of his slaving crews! The nerve! Oops sorry if you haven't read book one yet, now go do that! This book will keep you turning pages as Jerry tries to rescue a princess, while avoiding a bounty hunter,. As expected humor and Mayhem ensue. Very enjoyable and we'll written characters!

[Dave Agans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knights of the Apocalypse, book 2 of the series, brings our heroes to a town with renaissance-faire-based government. The juxtaposition of medieval ways with post-apocalyptic reality is surprisingly hilarious. As with book 1, the banter is entertaining, with wit and wry understatement. Full of adventure that only Wallace’s post-apocalyptic world could provide, including a spooky ghost town inhabited by cannibals. Of course. Story 4, Craft 5, Humor 5.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the two main characters. Author Benjamin Wallace’s writing style and his imagination have created a post-apocalyptic action adventure with non-stop amazing twists and turns. This is book 2 in the Duck & Cover series and I plan to get book 3 as soon as I finish this review. I highly recommend it!

Read via Kindle Unlimited

[Savannah Womble · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some real high points for me and the premise was just wacky and zany enough to entertaining. The multiple characters were difficult to follow at times and the story lagged in places, while being almost over exciting in others. Overall, a good book though not quite as good as the first.
**cliffhanger at end

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Benjamin Wallace's special sense of humor. He writes with just the right mix of dry humor and realism. Besides, I'm a sucker for a dystopian world with a canine hero (wink Kyla Stone). And, who's to say a segment of America wouldn't choose an actor as their King. They've done it before and would do it again. Looking forward to the next one!

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a mountain valley a Renaissance fair was a yearly event. But when the day of destruction came, it became a refuge. But two concepts of how to live created two kingdoms. They are not really at war but it is close. In one camp the prince sees a chance to take over and lays his plans. Enter the Librarian, his wife and his dog. All heck breaks out.

[Shawn Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great continuation from book 1. The story is really good and it's got a lot of humor but not so much that it takes away from the action and suspense of the apocalypse. It keeps up with the fun and originality of the first book and doesn't lose steam at any point.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read but it sort of lost the unexpected delivery that lived in the first. The mutated plants and super intelligent bears had disappeared and we were left with silly humans. I really hope the magic returns and the weirdness returns.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting next step on the Duck and Cover universe. Since it had been so long since I started it, it was sort of hard to remember what was going on. I am sure I will keep reading the rest of the books in the series.

[Trae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book was good, it is incomplete. If I had read this without the next book already being out, I’d been upset. It is half a story, make sure you read the next one immediately after to actually have a complete narrative.

[Trike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment was quite a bit darker than the first one. Lots of post-apocalyptic fighting and post-apocalyptic dying. Still good, though, despite ending on a cliffhanger.

Phil Tyron’s narration continues to be top notch.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

Enjoyed the character development from the first book into this one. Glad the main characters made it into the 2nd one. Its got more sarcasm and witty banter, which I like. The opening line of this book is comedic. Glad it's still a fun quick read. Looking forward to 3.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books would make great movies.

[Emmeline Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointing follow up from the first book. my favorite character in this episode is easily Chewy the mastiff. She's delightful, while all the people really lacked much likability. ah well

[Tom Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story continues.

I didn't like this book as much as the first.it was not bad, just not as good. I will take the next.

[Ari Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two is like Empire

You know it's just there to complete the series, but it's great on it's own. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Jan Ostler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read. Silly series.

[Timothy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun piece

What I like about Wallace is his ability to blend a well-crafted storyline with absurd silliness. I really enjoy this series.