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The Apex Breed: The Change
The Apex The ChangeThey left civilization for eight days.
It was all the time the world needed to end.
Walker Hayes and Maggie Carter Hayes came to the mountains of Montana for one reason—to hunt the biggest turkey of Maggie's life. With no cell service and no contact with the outside world, they never see the disaster unfold.
When they return to the trailhead, the parking lot is full of abandoned vehicles.
The towns are silent.
The roads are empty.
And something is watching from the trees.
As they fight their way across a country that no longer makes sense, Walker's military training and Maggie's lifetime of hunting become the only things keeping them alive. Every mile home reveals another piece of a terrifying truth—one that began with a miracle vaccine known as the Dragon Shot.
Now survival means more than finding food and shelter.
It means staying one step ahead of the predators... and discovering what humanity has become.
The Apex The Change is the gripping first novel in a fast-paced post-apocalyptic survival series filled with relentless action, unforgettable characters, and the kind of suspense that keeps the pages turning long into the night.
It was all the time the world needed to end.
Walker Hayes and Maggie Carter Hayes came to the mountains of Montana for one reason—to hunt the biggest turkey of Maggie's life. With no cell service and no contact with the outside world, they never see the disaster unfold.
When they return to the trailhead, the parking lot is full of abandoned vehicles.
The towns are silent.
The roads are empty.
And something is watching from the trees.
As they fight their way across a country that no longer makes sense, Walker's military training and Maggie's lifetime of hunting become the only things keeping them alive. Every mile home reveals another piece of a terrifying truth—one that began with a miracle vaccine known as the Dragon Shot.
Now survival means more than finding food and shelter.
It means staying one step ahead of the predators... and discovering what humanity has become.
The Apex The Change is the gripping first novel in a fast-paced post-apocalyptic survival series filled with relentless action, unforgettable characters, and the kind of suspense that keeps the pages turning long into the night.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 27, 2026
This is a fabulous book
By the end of the second page, I liked Maggie and walker a lot. After five pages, I was in love with then. In my opinion a book is this well written, you have been given the opportunity to see the world in a different way. To be part of the story. After Maggie and walker had been able to rescue fellow travelers, they would get a call on the CB asking for help, and as soon as walker said his name...the other guy would say all as one word...ohthankgod. I got so caught up, I was worrying how hard all this was, started to cry. Then remembered it's not real.
By the end of the second page, I liked Maggie and walker a lot. After five pages, I was in love with then. In my opinion a book is this well written, you have been given the opportunity to see the world in a different way. To be part of the story. After Maggie and walker had been able to rescue fellow travelers, they would get a call on the CB asking for help, and as soon as walker said his name...the other guy would say all as one word...ohthankgod. I got so caught up, I was worrying how hard all this was, started to cry. Then remembered it's not real.
September 16, 2026
Finally, a different kind of apocalypse.
Brent Johnston does an excellent service for all of us that have seen, heard, imagined and read much more than is healthy concerning everything both zombie AND EMP end-of-world related. I was really craving a different flavor of WTSHTF and by gosh HE DELIVERED. Thank you, Mr. Johnston. Your characters are believable, your story is both fast paced and interesting and you have made me a fan of your work. Please keep ‘em coming. I am still very hungry and I know others are as well. On to the next!
Brent Johnston does an excellent service for all of us that have seen, heard, imagined and read much more than is healthy concerning everything both zombie AND EMP end-of-world related. I was really craving a different flavor of WTSHTF and by gosh HE DELIVERED. Thank you, Mr. Johnston. Your characters are believable, your story is both fast paced and interesting and you have made me a fan of your work. Please keep ‘em coming. I am still very hungry and I know others are as well. On to the next!
October 8, 2026
Finally an apocalyptic book worth reading. No zombies, but a more realistic take on mutants no one person taking out a gazillion mutants. Very tactical not sure why they didn’t combine book 2 and three together unless they’re trying to score more money from readers. also a realistic take on real survivalist, putting their heads together making things work. Totally enjoyable if you’re into this kind of this stuff. Worried that I will get tired of the drool banter after another book or two. As in all other apocalyptic thrillers, always curious, especially in this one where they went to an armory that they didn’t find a Humvee with a machine gun turret. I’m only starting book 3, so maybe they have who knows
September 29, 2026
I liked it. I could have loved it with about 20% more description or feelings or a touch of dialogue that didn’t make me think of Joe Friday on Dragnet. I’m appreciative of the level of violence, and the lack of evil misogynistic bad people. It is more enjoyable to think that people are mostly decent, helpful and intelligent. Of course it helps when survivors aren’t having to fight over every mouthful of food.
I will probably read the next book, which is saying a lot for this genre.
I will probably read the next book, which is saying a lot for this genre.
July 29, 2026
Glad I Tried It
Drama, humor, action and varying emotions throughout. The monsters remind me of the ones in the Movie I am Legend. Not zombies but in the same genre. I’m hoping the next book provides more information on the cause of the change/death. Was it intentional or an accidental byproduct of the shot. Good story.
Drama, humor, action and varying emotions throughout. The monsters remind me of the ones in the Movie I am Legend. Not zombies but in the same genre. I’m hoping the next book provides more information on the cause of the change/death. Was it intentional or an accidental byproduct of the shot. Good story.
October 22, 2026
The author has a unique writing style that put me off a bit at the beginning, but boy, did I get sucked into this book fast! Not really a zombie story but I don't know what they would be called. Murder Lizards is pretty fitting, though. Excellent start to the series, looking forward to the next book. Very highly recommend.
August 27, 2026
Great reading
Nice job Johnston. Really enjoyable book. The interaction between the principles was really realistic. Think I've met them in real life. Looking forward to were the story goes
Nice job Johnston. Really enjoyable book. The interaction between the principles was really realistic. Think I've met them in real life. Looking forward to were the story goes
September 23, 2026
Disappointing!
As with most what seems to be Ai written, assisted books this was barely literate. Clipped sentences, few paragraphs with more than two sentences, stupid dialogue, poor plot, skimmed most of this poor effort! Embarrassing disappointing work!
As with most what seems to be Ai written, assisted books this was barely literate. Clipped sentences, few paragraphs with more than two sentences, stupid dialogue, poor plot, skimmed most of this poor effort! Embarrassing disappointing work!
September 26, 2026
Someone been studying at the Robert Parker School of Pithy Writing
Boring monotonous repetitive and frightening that there are four more volumes of this...words fail me...just refer to this title. Help!
Boring monotonous repetitive and frightening that there are four more volumes of this...words fail me...just refer to this title. Help!
October 5, 2026
unbelievable characters
The main characters have been married for 4 months and they’re just now getting around to asking about their chosen career paths, what their siblings and parents do and the children/no children discussion.
The main characters have been married for 4 months and they’re just now getting around to asking about their chosen career paths, what their siblings and parents do and the children/no children discussion.
August 13, 2026
Something a little different.
A read that is fresh and different to clear all the apocalyptic stories from your head . Thanks for that.
A read that is fresh and different to clear all the apocalyptic stories from your head . Thanks for that.
September 26, 2026
Got 49% in and stopped. Something about the writing just felt off. Too mechanical and lacked life. Just stopped caring about the story
October 8, 2026
A master of the human spirit. Thank you.
Great story. Characters are very believable.
Surprised they made it home without serious injury.
And now for the next book.
Great story. Characters are very believable.
Surprised they made it home without serious injury.
And now for the next book.
October 19, 2026
Never cooked the turkey.
Never cooked the turkey.
No bridge over Mississippi ?
Interesting concept.
Evolving Lizards
Taking nothing from home ?
Evolving Apex
Never cooked the turkey.
No bridge over Mississippi ?
Interesting concept.
Evolving Lizards
Taking nothing from home ?
Evolving Apex
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews