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Slavemakers
The new postapocalyptic thriller from the author of Invasive Species
IT’S THEIR TERRITORY NOW.
Twenty years ago, venomous parasitic wasps known as “thieves” staged a massive, apocalyptic attack on another species—Homo sapiens—putting them on the brink of extinction.
But some humans did survive. The colony called Refugia is home to a population of 281, including scientists, a pilot, and a tough young woman named Kait. In the African wilderness, there’s Aisha Rose, nearly feral, born at the end of the old world. And in the ruins of New York City, there’s a mysterious, powerful boy, a skilled hunter, isolated and living by his wits.
As the survivors journey through the wastelands, they will find that they are not the only humans left on earth. Not by a long shot.
But they may be the only ones left who are not under the thieves’ control...
IT’S THEIR TERRITORY NOW.
Twenty years ago, venomous parasitic wasps known as “thieves” staged a massive, apocalyptic attack on another species—Homo sapiens—putting them on the brink of extinction.
But some humans did survive. The colony called Refugia is home to a population of 281, including scientists, a pilot, and a tough young woman named Kait. In the African wilderness, there’s Aisha Rose, nearly feral, born at the end of the old world. And in the ruins of New York City, there’s a mysterious, powerful boy, a skilled hunter, isolated and living by his wits.
As the survivors journey through the wastelands, they will find that they are not the only humans left on earth. Not by a long shot.
But they may be the only ones left who are not under the thieves’ control...
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2015
10 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Wallace
58 books60 followersI am thrilled to announce that SLAVEMAKERS, the follow-up to my novel INVASIVE SPECIES, will be published by Ace Books on December 1!
Set twenty years after the apocalyptic events of
INVASIVE SPECIES ("You might want to read this one under the bed"--Jack McDevitt), SLAVEMAKERS was a blast to write. I loved being able to use some of the fascinating--not to mention creepy--facts I've learned during my previous career as a writer specializing in science, natural history, and the environment. It's a strange, spooky world out there....
Along with another novel--the historical DIAMOND RUBY--I've contributed mystery/thriller short stories to collections ranging from BRONX NOIR to ICE COLD (edited by Jeffrey Deaver); I was honored when my story "Custom Sets" was selected by Lee Child for inclusion in a BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES anthology.
I hope you'll enjoy!
Set twenty years after the apocalyptic events of
INVASIVE SPECIES ("You might want to read this one under the bed"--Jack McDevitt), SLAVEMAKERS was a blast to write. I loved being able to use some of the fascinating--not to mention creepy--facts I've learned during my previous career as a writer specializing in science, natural history, and the environment. It's a strange, spooky world out there....
Along with another novel--the historical DIAMOND RUBY--I've contributed mystery/thriller short stories to collections ranging from BRONX NOIR to ICE COLD (edited by Jeffrey Deaver); I was honored when my story "Custom Sets" was selected by Lee Child for inclusion in a BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES anthology.
I hope you'll enjoy!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 1, 2015
Thieves in the night...
Almost twenty years have passed since the huge parasitic wasps known as "thieves" started swarming the earth and caused an insect apocalypse. This was first described in author Wallace's novel INVASIVE SPECIES.
Millions of people died and most of those that are left are in either parasitic slavery to the wasps or are humans enslaved by their need to stay alive.
There are some non-affected humans left - ones that took a rare vaccine made from a plant are just some of these. 281 of them live in Refugia on the west coast of Africa. And some of these people have built a ship to explore this devastated world.
What author Wallace started in INVASIVE SPECIES and continues in this second offering is creating a VERY scary world, one where Nature has gone wild. He offers a terrifying glimpse at a huge "what if."
This is an action-driven horror novel and character development is on the lean side. The author has spent more time on world building and it makes for a creepy read with its share of gruesome moments and I was able to easily visualize the happenings.
If you like post-apocalyptic fiction, horror stories, stories of Mother Nature gone wild, or a book that reads like a Saturday afternoon Creature Feature movie, try out both of these books.
NOTE: I received this book from Berkley NAL through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
Almost twenty years have passed since the huge parasitic wasps known as "thieves" started swarming the earth and caused an insect apocalypse. This was first described in author Wallace's novel INVASIVE SPECIES.
Millions of people died and most of those that are left are in either parasitic slavery to the wasps or are humans enslaved by their need to stay alive.
There are some non-affected humans left - ones that took a rare vaccine made from a plant are just some of these. 281 of them live in Refugia on the west coast of Africa. And some of these people have built a ship to explore this devastated world.
What author Wallace started in INVASIVE SPECIES and continues in this second offering is creating a VERY scary world, one where Nature has gone wild. He offers a terrifying glimpse at a huge "what if."
This is an action-driven horror novel and character development is on the lean side. The author has spent more time on world building and it makes for a creepy read with its share of gruesome moments and I was able to easily visualize the happenings.
If you like post-apocalyptic fiction, horror stories, stories of Mother Nature gone wild, or a book that reads like a Saturday afternoon Creature Feature movie, try out both of these books.
NOTE: I received this book from Berkley NAL through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2016
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Joseph Wallace's Slavemakers is actually the sequel to 2013's Invasive Species, but some 20 years into the future. The world as we know is it, no longer exists. A venomous parasite species known as Thieves, have taken over the world, and decimated the population. The Thieves have made slaves out of the human race, and only a small number of humans remain untouched by the massive attacked that tore apart humanity thanks to a vaccine made from a rare plant.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 01/05/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: December 1st 2015 by Ace
*Genre* Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Joseph Wallace's Slavemakers is actually the sequel to 2013's Invasive Species, but some 20 years into the future. The world as we know is it, no longer exists. A venomous parasite species known as Thieves, have taken over the world, and decimated the population. The Thieves have made slaves out of the human race, and only a small number of humans remain untouched by the massive attacked that tore apart humanity thanks to a vaccine made from a rare plant.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 01/05/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: December 1st 2015 by Ace
April 18, 2017
Finding out that there was a sequel to Invasive Species was a pleasant surprise! Set twenty years after the close of the first book, this provides the aftermath of the the "thieves" - the titular slavemaking wasps that have taken over the world. Like the first, the book moves along at a quick pace and follows multiple perspectives to give a good sense of the state of the whole world in the wake of the devastation described in the first book.
Some characters are familiar from the first book, but the most interesting characters here are newly introduced and are born into this horrific new world. The book moves along at a fast pace - it's an entertaining and engaging read. And while this one ends at a more definitive place, I wonder if Wallace will one day return to this world and these characters - I will definitely be keeping my eye out for it!
Some characters are familiar from the first book, but the most interesting characters here are newly introduced and are born into this horrific new world. The book moves along at a fast pace - it's an entertaining and engaging read. And while this one ends at a more definitive place, I wonder if Wallace will one day return to this world and these characters - I will definitely be keeping my eye out for it!
June 23, 2017
Nice to see the story continue, but it didn't really answer the question about the "new humans".
November 11, 2019
A duology that is well-written in a unique kind of fashion, sort of like a fascinating fusion of apocalyptic lyricism. The first book, Invasive Species, was more concrete. This sequel, Slavemakers, is more abstract or maybe even a touch metaphysical, especially at the end, causing a few minor bouts of confusion. So, I favored the first one; however, I thoroughly enjoy this author’s style as a whole and would read another thriller by him.
December 2, 2021
*3.5 stars*. This is the sequel to “Invasive Species” set 20 years after the wasps destroyed mankind. It is a fast moving story with characters from the first book so I definitely recommend reading “Invasive Species” first. This book has more magical/supernatural aspects but it works for the story and is an interesting direction for the world to take after the invasion. Entertaining and a fun read!
December 3, 2015
Slavemakers is a sequel to Joe Wallace's Invasive Species, but there is no need to have read the first book to read and appreciate Slavemakers. I was as hooked in the first ten pages as I was by Invasive Species. The imagery was vibrant and allowed me to visualize every step, every action by the characters, to the point of hearing their voices in my head. Every page felt as if I was walking the journey alongside Malcolm, Kait, and Aisha, experiencing every momentary rise of hope and shiver of fear. The future portrayed in Invasive Species and Slavemakers is poignantly plausible, requiring only a few evolutionary or genetic tweaks and mutations in a species to bring about. This amplifies the fear the books impart, as well as the intensity of the experience. And yet, at it's core, it comes across more as an examination of human nature than anything else. The characters provide insight into their own humanity as well as both our modern world and simpler times, particularly our true place on the totem pole in nature. I would highly recommend this novel and its precursor to anyone who loves good scifi, good literature in general, or even is just looking for something to read on a long plane flight.
December 18, 2015
20 years after the thieves have taken over the world, we join a few human survivors. In one group, 281 people have survived after taking a rare vaccine in Africa. They have built a boat and plan on exploring the ravaged world. More humans than expected have survived, unfortunately they have become the hosts for the thieves or are being controlled. True humans are far and few between. Will the last few humans survive or are they going to fall to the control of the thieves.
Although this book is a follow up to Invasive Species you can read it as a stand-alone book. In this book you are following multiple humans as they are surviving the thieves. Part are a group that took a questionable vaccine others have been surviving by the skin of their teeth. I love learning about hoe each person has found their own way to keep going with the threat of the thieves.
Invasive Species was a great thriller and Slavemakers is a great follow up. I was really surprised by the ending but it was perfect for the story. If you like apocalyptic/dystopian thrillers this book and Invasive Species are some that you need to check out.
I received Slavemakers for free in exchange for an honest review.
Although this book is a follow up to Invasive Species you can read it as a stand-alone book. In this book you are following multiple humans as they are surviving the thieves. Part are a group that took a questionable vaccine others have been surviving by the skin of their teeth. I love learning about hoe each person has found their own way to keep going with the threat of the thieves.
Invasive Species was a great thriller and Slavemakers is a great follow up. I was really surprised by the ending but it was perfect for the story. If you like apocalyptic/dystopian thrillers this book and Invasive Species are some that you need to check out.
I received Slavemakers for free in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2016
This is the second book in a series by Joseph Wallace. The first, "Invasive Species" introduced us to a new species of parasitic wasps that use humans and other animals as incubators for their larvae. They communicate telepathically as one large mind, which enables them to also enslave non-hosts to do the will of the hive. The first book was so good, that I really wasn't sure if this one would live up to the story, but I had nothing to worry about. This story begins 20 years after the wasps basically end the world for humans, other than a few hundred who escaped to a refuge for survival. I've seen several posts that suggest that Slavemakers can be read as a stand alone, but I don't recommend it. You would miss out on much of the back story of the characters who carried over, and much of the science that explains the species arrival. This was a great book, filled with suspense and quite a bit of horror. Highly recommend!
December 4, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Post-apocalyptic fiction at its best! Giant parasitic wasps have overrun huge tracts of Africa, using mammals (including humans) as incubators. Their hive mind enables them to be in contact with the millions (billions?) of their kind to stay protected. Mr. Wallace has created a fascinating (and plausible) world where Mother Nature has gone insane and the human struggle is terrible. I hadn't realized this was a second volume, but believe the book can stand alone also. Recommended reading if you want to stay up all night to see what happens!
Post-apocalyptic fiction at its best! Giant parasitic wasps have overrun huge tracts of Africa, using mammals (including humans) as incubators. Their hive mind enables them to be in contact with the millions (billions?) of their kind to stay protected. Mr. Wallace has created a fascinating (and plausible) world where Mother Nature has gone insane and the human struggle is terrible. I hadn't realized this was a second volume, but believe the book can stand alone also. Recommended reading if you want to stay up all night to see what happens!
January 27, 2017
I'm really glad I stumbled across Invasive Species, and I was excited to read the sequel. Kind of a cross between Mira Grant's Parasitology series and World War Z, these books do not disappoint.
I'm not a big wasp fan, so the idea of 3 inchers implanting their larvae in people's stomachs adds a little horror aspect to me.
Without giving too much away, this book jumps ahead decades from the staggering events of the first, and introduce a new type of character into a new kind of world.
Complaints? Too much happened too fast at the end. Too much was left unanswered about our mysterious hero. And, it appears no sequel is forthcoming! Say it ain't so. Great book.
I'm not a big wasp fan, so the idea of 3 inchers implanting their larvae in people's stomachs adds a little horror aspect to me.
Without giving too much away, this book jumps ahead decades from the staggering events of the first, and introduce a new type of character into a new kind of world.
Complaints? Too much happened too fast at the end. Too much was left unanswered about our mysterious hero. And, it appears no sequel is forthcoming! Say it ain't so. Great book.
July 30, 2016
Great action, fast-moving plot, zero characterization. After reading, the story was very clear and exciting, and I had no trouble making it through to the end, enjoying it all the way. However, I never learned to tell any one character apart from any other, and the world was never fully built, leaving me sure I'd never read this book again.
This one is for a good, quick read. It's fun, it's fast, and the bits of the world we do get to see give readers an interesting dystopia to play in.
This one is for a good, quick read. It's fun, it's fast, and the bits of the world we do get to see give readers an interesting dystopia to play in.
March 14, 2016
The exception to the sequels-are-never-as-good-as-the-first-book rule; as much as I loved the 1st (Invasive Species), I loved this book even more, so beautifully written; every character so well developed; Mr. Wallace is in the minority of male writers who can write from the female, in addition to the male, view & get it right. Just a great series and a great author!
December 29, 2015
I really wanted to like this book, and the "Crichton meets Rollins-esque" plot certainly held promise, but ultimately (and through no fault of the author, who is a fine writer) I just simply could not get into this story.
December 6, 2015
Unique plot. Great characters. If you like dooms day and bugs, you will like this.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews