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Severed
When an unknown virus is unleashed on London, it turns everyone in its path into violent, zombie-like killing machines, leaving their souls separated and floating away to form a giant halo above the capital. Flesh and spirit, dead and alive, they are both. They are severed.
As a beleaguered government brings in scientists to work on an antidote, the problems become even more complex. The virus spreads. The mayhem grows. There's no solution in sight and time is running out.
Enter Stephen Hobbs, a hard-drinking, womanizing academic with a violent past of his own. Due to his special skill set and experience, he is enlisted to figure out what the virus is and how to stop it. Despite his own demons, Hobbs may very well be humanity's last chance to survive becoming…SEVERED.
As a beleaguered government brings in scientists to work on an antidote, the problems become even more complex. The virus spreads. The mayhem grows. There's no solution in sight and time is running out.
Enter Stephen Hobbs, a hard-drinking, womanizing academic with a violent past of his own. Due to his special skill set and experience, he is enlisted to figure out what the virus is and how to stop it. Despite his own demons, Hobbs may very well be humanity's last chance to survive becoming…SEVERED.
- GenresHorrorScience Fiction
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 20, 2014
Some nice ideas in Severed by Gary Fry, London is in the grip of a chemical weapon attack as a substance dubbed Agent Descartes is released in the capital. The effects of the weapon cause a severance in the body, separating the soul and leaving a body intent on violence, revenge, a zombie whose physical form deteriorates rapidly.
The government abscond to safety, the military cordon of the city and the race for the cure is on, the spotlight falls on Professor Stephen Hobbs, a man already spiralling downwards, out of control and he is given a proposition to save the city.
Have to say I wasn’t really invested in any of the characters, found myself skipping over some of the story that didn’t hold my attention, the ending was a surprise and maybe the story should have touched on Hobbs character more but I didn’t really care about him enough. There seemed to be similar or more character development around some of the severed victims whose story was really centred on the violence caused by the toxin.
The government abscond to safety, the military cordon of the city and the race for the cure is on, the spotlight falls on Professor Stephen Hobbs, a man already spiralling downwards, out of control and he is given a proposition to save the city.
Have to say I wasn’t really invested in any of the characters, found myself skipping over some of the story that didn’t hold my attention, the ending was a surprise and maybe the story should have touched on Hobbs character more but I didn’t really care about him enough. There seemed to be similar or more character development around some of the severed victims whose story was really centred on the violence caused by the toxin.
August 27, 2014
3.5*
A new virus is unleashed on London which causes severance of people's souls from their body. This results in the physical body becoming something akin to a zombie with an appetite for extreme violence. The government decide to bring in disgraces academic Stephen Hobbs to save the day, Stephen however has had a traumatic childhood and is about to confront certain things from his past.
This had the potential to be a much more fun and engaging read. The zombie elements are original although it was interesting to see the perspectives from both 'soul' and 'zombie', the psycho analysis played havoc with the pacing of the book and I found it hard to read some of it without skimming. There was some nice gory scenes and the zombie carnage reminded me a little of 'The Fog', I also liked the multi person pov which kept the story interesting although some characters introduced could have been cut without interfering with storyline.
The main characters were quite hard to engage with, especially Stephen Hobbs who comes across as a bit of a douche bag. His character is much better fleshed out in the last third of the book but by then it's hard to care about him. The twist with his past was nicely done and although I enjoyed the epilogue 'round up' of the characters I thought it was too abrupt which was a shame as this is a decent read.
You might find yourself skimming over the psycho babble but this was an interesting addition to the 'zombie' genre.
A new virus is unleashed on London which causes severance of people's souls from their body. This results in the physical body becoming something akin to a zombie with an appetite for extreme violence. The government decide to bring in disgraces academic Stephen Hobbs to save the day, Stephen however has had a traumatic childhood and is about to confront certain things from his past.
This had the potential to be a much more fun and engaging read. The zombie elements are original although it was interesting to see the perspectives from both 'soul' and 'zombie', the psycho analysis played havoc with the pacing of the book and I found it hard to read some of it without skimming. There was some nice gory scenes and the zombie carnage reminded me a little of 'The Fog', I also liked the multi person pov which kept the story interesting although some characters introduced could have been cut without interfering with storyline.
The main characters were quite hard to engage with, especially Stephen Hobbs who comes across as a bit of a douche bag. His character is much better fleshed out in the last third of the book but by then it's hard to care about him. The twist with his past was nicely done and although I enjoyed the epilogue 'round up' of the characters I thought it was too abrupt which was a shame as this is a decent read.
You might find yourself skimming over the psycho babble but this was an interesting addition to the 'zombie' genre.
March 19, 2014
nice idea but poorly executed! The idea behind this short novella is that the human..yes you and I have two sides to our personality, an emotional side and a moral side. What stops us being out and out bastards! is our moral conscience and if we did not have this conscience then there would be no inner body policeman and all hell would be let loose..." The fundamental division in human life was not between body and soul, but between an emotional and a moral being. And it was the way one governed the other that served as the principal determinant of behavior." Severed is the spreading of a virus amongst the populace that allows our moral side to drift skyward as what could best be described as an organic white cloud, leaving our emotional side as a zombie full of hate and loathing. Can Professor Stephen Hobbs, a man with an almost schizophrenia personality disorder, save the day. Apart from the initial idea this did not really work for me and I found both the writing style of the author and his execution of the storyline somewhat tedious and made this a difficult read to finish.
March 18, 2014
This story was about the possible outcome if we were somehow to be able to separate the "soul" or conscious mind, from the body and its baser instincts. An interesting concept, but I just didn't feel that the book really pulled together as a whole.
Well written, yes, but I could not find myself really connecting with any of the characters. For me, this is a huge factor in my overall enjoyment of a novel. There were also key parts that seemed "underdeveloped" that I would have liked a little more depth into.
Well written, yes, but I could not find myself really connecting with any of the characters. For me, this is a huge factor in my overall enjoyment of a novel. There were also key parts that seemed "underdeveloped" that I would have liked a little more depth into.
April 25, 2014
Severed had the making of a very good story. But for me it fell short. Like every book by Gary it was very well written. But needed to go little further in the detail. The story is centered around Stephen Hobbs and finding a way to stop this epidemic. I liked the idea of the virus, the soul separating from the body and the zombie like people that are left. I did enjoy reading it but it could of been so much more. I could only give Severed 3 stars.
July 2, 2014
This is the story of the City of London. It is in the grip of an infection similar to the zombie virus. The infection causes the soul to split (or sever) away from the body and what is left is a shell with no inhibitions or conscience. It is up to academic Stephen Hobbs to save the day, that is if they can keep him sober long enough!
This is a zombie story, but SO far removed from any I have read previously. It makes a change that the genre has been turned on its head and fresh ideas have been introduced. The story rocketed along and kept me in its grip until the end. I liked the fact that the hero was flawed and not a conventional superhero type. I enjoyed his epiphany at the end, it was subtly played out. With a brilliant ending, this was another belter both from Gary and from DarkFuse.
This is a zombie story, but SO far removed from any I have read previously. It makes a change that the genre has been turned on its head and fresh ideas have been introduced. The story rocketed along and kept me in its grip until the end. I liked the fact that the hero was flawed and not a conventional superhero type. I enjoyed his epiphany at the end, it was subtly played out. With a brilliant ending, this was another belter both from Gary and from DarkFuse.
June 8, 2016
Bloody marvellous, original apocalyptic tale
April 6, 2014
Apocalyptic fiction can be a pretty divisive sub-genre. There are those that just can’t get enough of this kind of fiction while there are others who loathe it with a passion. I’m pleased to say I fall squarely into the first category. I could happily read apocalyptic fiction all day every day. Every book that appears on my personal top five fits into this category in some form or another. With that in mind, I looked forward to this latest offering from Gary Fry and Dark Fuse.
The first thing that struck me about this book was how much I liked the premise. The idea that humans can be split between their animalistic base drives and their more introspective selves. The consequences of this split mange to be both brutally violent and thoughtful in a single breath.
Stephen Hobbs is an intriguing choice for a lead character, certainly not what you would expect from your usual protagonist. He’s a highly intelligent, sometimes contemplative sort with keen insight into the human condition. Sadly this doesn’t stop him from also being a spectacular train wreck of a human being in his personal life. Often driven by his own huge ego, as well as copious amounts of alcohol and cigarettes, he regularly lets the baser side to his nature run the show. If we’re being a hundred percent honest, then frankly he’s a bit of an arse. If you met him in a pub there’s a good chance he’d be the loudmouth that you’d want to slap after about five minutes. I didn’t particularly like him but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story in the slightest, quite the reverse in fact. Hobbs journey to save humanity mirrors his journey to save himself. Part of me still strongly suspects even now that not liking him, at least initially, is kind of the point.
As I mentioned earlier there are some pretty cool ideas floating around in the plot of Severed. Once the virus is unleashed on the streets of London, things start to collapse swiftly. Fry’s take on the apocalypse has a decidedly metaphysical air. Don’t get me wrong though, there’s still plenty for your average gore-hound to appreciate. The creatures that are left behind when their souls have departed are extremely dangerous. They are prisoners to their own base instincts and are driven to act upon them. All that drives them forward is the compulsion to act. Gender, race, religion, sexuality and age all become irrelevant as these sub-human creatures can only focus on violence, gluttony and carnal desire.
The response from the British government to the outbreak plays out in the harsh glare of the world’s media. You get a distinct feeling that any response they make is being made based on how they fair in the latest news reports. On top of that, the man in control of the military has what can best be described as “issues” with how to best deal with the problem of the severed. These extra little insights go some way to help making things feel more believable and realistic.
Overall I enjoyed Severed, I do think however that perhaps it would benefited from being slightly longer. The various plot strands all manage to come together, but things just feel a bit too neat for my taste. There is definitely an apocalyptic air to proceedings but making the stage just a bit bigger, a bit grander, would have pushed this from the realms of good to great. I’ll be looking out for Gary Fry’s next work with interest.
The first thing that struck me about this book was how much I liked the premise. The idea that humans can be split between their animalistic base drives and their more introspective selves. The consequences of this split mange to be both brutally violent and thoughtful in a single breath.
Stephen Hobbs is an intriguing choice for a lead character, certainly not what you would expect from your usual protagonist. He’s a highly intelligent, sometimes contemplative sort with keen insight into the human condition. Sadly this doesn’t stop him from also being a spectacular train wreck of a human being in his personal life. Often driven by his own huge ego, as well as copious amounts of alcohol and cigarettes, he regularly lets the baser side to his nature run the show. If we’re being a hundred percent honest, then frankly he’s a bit of an arse. If you met him in a pub there’s a good chance he’d be the loudmouth that you’d want to slap after about five minutes. I didn’t particularly like him but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story in the slightest, quite the reverse in fact. Hobbs journey to save humanity mirrors his journey to save himself. Part of me still strongly suspects even now that not liking him, at least initially, is kind of the point.
As I mentioned earlier there are some pretty cool ideas floating around in the plot of Severed. Once the virus is unleashed on the streets of London, things start to collapse swiftly. Fry’s take on the apocalypse has a decidedly metaphysical air. Don’t get me wrong though, there’s still plenty for your average gore-hound to appreciate. The creatures that are left behind when their souls have departed are extremely dangerous. They are prisoners to their own base instincts and are driven to act upon them. All that drives them forward is the compulsion to act. Gender, race, religion, sexuality and age all become irrelevant as these sub-human creatures can only focus on violence, gluttony and carnal desire.
The response from the British government to the outbreak plays out in the harsh glare of the world’s media. You get a distinct feeling that any response they make is being made based on how they fair in the latest news reports. On top of that, the man in control of the military has what can best be described as “issues” with how to best deal with the problem of the severed. These extra little insights go some way to help making things feel more believable and realistic.
Overall I enjoyed Severed, I do think however that perhaps it would benefited from being slightly longer. The various plot strands all manage to come together, but things just feel a bit too neat for my taste. There is definitely an apocalyptic air to proceedings but making the stage just a bit bigger, a bit grander, would have pushed this from the realms of good to great. I’ll be looking out for Gary Fry’s next work with interest.
April 10, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
I read Severed on the train back to university, and it was the only book left in my library. If there’d been others, or anything else to do on the train, I doubt I would’ve finished this one. Severed starts out with an interesting premise, but fails to execute.
An unknown virus is unleashed in central London, seperating souls and bodies. The bodies left behind are reduced into nothing more than zombies, although they don’t eat brains, but prefer to randomly attack everyone standing in their way. The government is in over their heads, and tries to fight a way to stop this epidemic from spreading. They ask the advice of Stephen Hobbs, an academic and womanizer who has a violent past of his own, and more than one present-day problem to deal with, such as him getting kicked out of university for sleeping with a student. But Hobbs is apparently the only one with a special skillset and experience necessary to stop this virus.
Now, initially, this premise sounds great. It’s based on the zombie virus trope for sure, but at least it adds in original elements, and spins an intriguing tale around it. This time there aren’t just zombies (the severed bodies are basically like zombies, even though they’re called differently) but we also have a sky filled with souls, just hanging around, waiting to…well, I’m not sure what they were planning to do, exactly.
There’s a lot of head hopping going on. We go from Helen to Ruth (Hobb’s student, who he had an affair with) to Hobbs, to some woman working for the government named Penelope, to a guy making a bomb, to a military man whose name isn’t mentioned. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to invest in any of the characters. If the entire story had been told from Hobbs’ POV, I probably would’ve felt more invested in the story. As it stands now, after the first few chapters headhopping from one POV into another, I had trouble connecting to any character mentioned in the book.
Severd has a nice concept, but the plot and characters are tedious and dissapointing.
I read Severed on the train back to university, and it was the only book left in my library. If there’d been others, or anything else to do on the train, I doubt I would’ve finished this one. Severed starts out with an interesting premise, but fails to execute.
An unknown virus is unleashed in central London, seperating souls and bodies. The bodies left behind are reduced into nothing more than zombies, although they don’t eat brains, but prefer to randomly attack everyone standing in their way. The government is in over their heads, and tries to fight a way to stop this epidemic from spreading. They ask the advice of Stephen Hobbs, an academic and womanizer who has a violent past of his own, and more than one present-day problem to deal with, such as him getting kicked out of university for sleeping with a student. But Hobbs is apparently the only one with a special skillset and experience necessary to stop this virus.
Now, initially, this premise sounds great. It’s based on the zombie virus trope for sure, but at least it adds in original elements, and spins an intriguing tale around it. This time there aren’t just zombies (the severed bodies are basically like zombies, even though they’re called differently) but we also have a sky filled with souls, just hanging around, waiting to…well, I’m not sure what they were planning to do, exactly.
There’s a lot of head hopping going on. We go from Helen to Ruth (Hobb’s student, who he had an affair with) to Hobbs, to some woman working for the government named Penelope, to a guy making a bomb, to a military man whose name isn’t mentioned. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to invest in any of the characters. If the entire story had been told from Hobbs’ POV, I probably would’ve felt more invested in the story. As it stands now, after the first few chapters headhopping from one POV into another, I had trouble connecting to any character mentioned in the book.
Severd has a nice concept, but the plot and characters are tedious and dissapointing.
March 27, 2014
Severed is a nice take on the zombie idea even if it isn't really a zombie novel. A strange virus takes hold of downtown London and literally severed the soul from the physical body. The disembodied part of the person rises to the sky and hovers with the other "ghosts" in a halo formation while the physical body is left on earth with impaired reason and randomly committing violence in zombie-like fashion. Or as Professor Stephen Hobbs, our somewhat unlikeable and relationally challenged protagonist would put it, their emotion becomes separated from their reason. While the leaders look to find the antidote to this disease, Stephen Hobbs is given the task to figure out what it is and find out how to reunite the divided part of the persons to a healthy whole while dealing with his own messed up life.
It's a brilliant idea and author Stephen Fry should be given credit for taking on what is probably a difficult plot to pull off. Asides from Professor Hobbs, we learn abut other characters in the danger zone and out. Most of them come together somewhere in that messed up relationship cycle I implied to earlier. And this becomes one of the biggest problems of what is essentially an very entertaining novel. The separate viewpoints fragment the action especially since most of them do not come together until late in the novel. It becomes a little annoying since we are really wondering what the hell those "ghosts" are doing up there. With the arguable exception of Hobbs, none of the characters really stand out. In a epic sized science fiction horror thriller like this, it is sometime best to focus on the idea rather than the characters and this may have been one of those times. But overall, the book is quite good and blends together a nice amount of psycho-philosophical meanderings with a sci-fi / horror hybrid. This is the second novel I've read by Fry and he is definitely one of the writers to watch for in this genre. Three and a half stars.
It's a brilliant idea and author Stephen Fry should be given credit for taking on what is probably a difficult plot to pull off. Asides from Professor Hobbs, we learn abut other characters in the danger zone and out. Most of them come together somewhere in that messed up relationship cycle I implied to earlier. And this becomes one of the biggest problems of what is essentially an very entertaining novel. The separate viewpoints fragment the action especially since most of them do not come together until late in the novel. It becomes a little annoying since we are really wondering what the hell those "ghosts" are doing up there. With the arguable exception of Hobbs, none of the characters really stand out. In a epic sized science fiction horror thriller like this, it is sometime best to focus on the idea rather than the characters and this may have been one of those times. But overall, the book is quite good and blends together a nice amount of psycho-philosophical meanderings with a sci-fi / horror hybrid. This is the second novel I've read by Fry and he is definitely one of the writers to watch for in this genre. Three and a half stars.
July 19, 2014
There were a lot of interesting things in this story. The basic idea was fascinating - that humans can be split into the physical part and the "conscience/soul". Gary's background in psychology shows here, as he looks at this split from many angles, sometimes to the point of feeling a little repetitive. The main character, Stephen, I feel like is being drawn as someone who is very conflicted, but in the end it felt more like his behavior simply wasn't consistent instead of it being an indication of internal conflict. It could be because I just never connected with him (which is not the same as not liking him - I don't have to like a main character, but I at least need to understand him, and I just never got there).
Overall, I really did enjoy the story, and Gary is an excellent writer - the prose is elegant without being flowery or overwritten. There were a few times when it seemed like contradictory facts were presented, but they realy weren't integral to the story. I nearly gave it 4 stars, but I just feel like it needed to be a little more cohesive for it to get there.
Overall, I really did enjoy the story, and Gary is an excellent writer - the prose is elegant without being flowery or overwritten. There were a few times when it seemed like contradictory facts were presented, but they realy weren't integral to the story. I nearly gave it 4 stars, but I just feel like it needed to be a little more cohesive for it to get there.
August 12, 2016
Are there two parts to the human soul? Are we all just a violent shell, awaiting separation from our “better halves” so that we may indulge in our most bestial desires of rage and vengeance? And if so, is there a way to become whole again?
Something is making the citizens of London go into a murderous rage. Their bodies are violent shells, while their spectral beings float high above London, happy and at peace(?) Stephen Hobbs has had both great success and great failure in his life, and now he may be the only key to saving these severed souls. But he is going to have to conquer his own demons first.
This one, from Gary Fry, had potential to be epic and then just fell a bit short for me and I got lost a few times in the plotting. While the story was written well, I think it could have used some more depth around the triggering “event” that caused the outbreak. 2.5 Stars.
Something is making the citizens of London go into a murderous rage. Their bodies are violent shells, while their spectral beings float high above London, happy and at peace(?) Stephen Hobbs has had both great success and great failure in his life, and now he may be the only key to saving these severed souls. But he is going to have to conquer his own demons first.
This one, from Gary Fry, had potential to be epic and then just fell a bit short for me and I got lost a few times in the plotting. While the story was written well, I think it could have used some more depth around the triggering “event” that caused the outbreak. 2.5 Stars.
March 18, 2014
This book is the second book I have received from Dark Fuse that I could not read. I believe I have read Gary Fry before and was not disappointed.
The story was fine, I suppose. I simply did not care about any of the characters. I didn't care what they did or where they went or how smart they were. I had no interest whether the virus was discovered or cured.
I read around 50% of this book. Even though I didn't care for it. I do this to give the author the benefit.
The story was fine, I suppose. I simply did not care about any of the characters. I didn't care what they did or where they went or how smart they were. I had no interest whether the virus was discovered or cured.
I read around 50% of this book. Even though I didn't care for it. I do this to give the author the benefit.
November 13, 2014
The relationship of the mind to the body is the very essence of mind-body problem. What makes us human – the combination of mind and body? Or are these separate entities with their own traits and guiding principles? What about the soul – is that equivalent to the mind? What happens to us if our mind-body components are severed? Would the two “parts” survive? How would we act in a solely physical versus a spiritual realm?
Most importantly, would you expect these questions to be the focal point in a zombie novel?
These and other philosophical questions are the driving forces in Severed, the latest novel by Gary Fry. A mysterious powder is unleashed in London as part of a terrorist act. Individuals who come into close contact with the substance become infected. And their minds are severed from their bodies – literally. A ghost-like essence separates from the body and floats skyward joining other “souls” in a rotating spiral over the city (check the cover for a cool depiction). The body that remains earthbound has lost all moral restraint – leaving a vicious zombie-like thing that goes on a rampage. Those they bite become severed. The zombie numbers increase exponentially as do the ghost-like souls rotating above the city. London quickly becomes a chaotic mess.
As luck would have it, a university professor whose scholarly focus includes the study of violent behavior from this mind-body perspective is available for consultation (he just lost his position after having a sexual relationship with a student). Unfortunately, Professor Stephen Hobbs is a narcissistic and hedonistic individual. He destroyed his own marriage with his infidelities and otherwise treated his wife like dirt. Also, he never visits his mother who lives nearby. He is not exactly the type of guy you want on the front lines to figure out how to handle morally unrestrained zombies. But, author Gary Fry makes him our go-to hero – and it is a great choice. Initially unlikeable, Hobbs grows on the reader as more is revealed about him. As his previously repressed memories of his childhood are exposed, you realize there is a conscience in there somewhere, and you just hope his awareness jolts this part of his personality into action in order to save humankind.
Dr. Fry, a psychologist by training, has a lot of fun with psychological symbolism. The zombies are driven to satisfy brutal and self-destructive urges of physical and sexual violence. The moral decay associated with these unconscious drives manifests itself in body parts that rot and fall off at an alarming rate. The ascetically driven spirits floating above the city are drawn to a higher sense of spiritual well-being and moral superiority (they even form the huge rotating halo over London). The strategy (what follows is a slight spoiler – but only in the most general sense) to cure the ongoing disaster involves an antidote (medication), the bolstering of our hero’s inner ego strength, and the appropriate harnessing of moral reasoning. Short-term psychodynamic therapy, anyone?
The author is at his best when his characters are reasoning about the philosophical and psychological implications of the events. The suspense is keenly felt when they struggle with inner demons. While some people might be turned off by the philosophical arguments, I loved this aspect of the story. (As an aside, this inner dialogue is true of his some of his other works including two of my favorites: Menace and Lurker). Dr. Fry is less adept at describing action sequences, however. Characters become a little too reflective of their circumstances when in reality they would be operating on pure adrenalin. When this happens, suspense is disrupted – but this doesn’t occur frequently. For the most part, momentum is maintained throughout.
Overall, I enjoyed Severed – especially the inner dimensions of the characters. I was also thrilled with Gary Fry’s attempt to juggle zombie violence, psychoanalytic metaphors, 17th century philosophy, and Descartes. Have you ever read a novel with this combination before? I haven’t. And, any story that can take a boring academic and transform him into an action hero is okay with me.
Most importantly, would you expect these questions to be the focal point in a zombie novel?
These and other philosophical questions are the driving forces in Severed, the latest novel by Gary Fry. A mysterious powder is unleashed in London as part of a terrorist act. Individuals who come into close contact with the substance become infected. And their minds are severed from their bodies – literally. A ghost-like essence separates from the body and floats skyward joining other “souls” in a rotating spiral over the city (check the cover for a cool depiction). The body that remains earthbound has lost all moral restraint – leaving a vicious zombie-like thing that goes on a rampage. Those they bite become severed. The zombie numbers increase exponentially as do the ghost-like souls rotating above the city. London quickly becomes a chaotic mess.
As luck would have it, a university professor whose scholarly focus includes the study of violent behavior from this mind-body perspective is available for consultation (he just lost his position after having a sexual relationship with a student). Unfortunately, Professor Stephen Hobbs is a narcissistic and hedonistic individual. He destroyed his own marriage with his infidelities and otherwise treated his wife like dirt. Also, he never visits his mother who lives nearby. He is not exactly the type of guy you want on the front lines to figure out how to handle morally unrestrained zombies. But, author Gary Fry makes him our go-to hero – and it is a great choice. Initially unlikeable, Hobbs grows on the reader as more is revealed about him. As his previously repressed memories of his childhood are exposed, you realize there is a conscience in there somewhere, and you just hope his awareness jolts this part of his personality into action in order to save humankind.
Dr. Fry, a psychologist by training, has a lot of fun with psychological symbolism. The zombies are driven to satisfy brutal and self-destructive urges of physical and sexual violence. The moral decay associated with these unconscious drives manifests itself in body parts that rot and fall off at an alarming rate. The ascetically driven spirits floating above the city are drawn to a higher sense of spiritual well-being and moral superiority (they even form the huge rotating halo over London). The strategy (what follows is a slight spoiler – but only in the most general sense) to cure the ongoing disaster involves an antidote (medication), the bolstering of our hero’s inner ego strength, and the appropriate harnessing of moral reasoning. Short-term psychodynamic therapy, anyone?
The author is at his best when his characters are reasoning about the philosophical and psychological implications of the events. The suspense is keenly felt when they struggle with inner demons. While some people might be turned off by the philosophical arguments, I loved this aspect of the story. (As an aside, this inner dialogue is true of his some of his other works including two of my favorites: Menace and Lurker). Dr. Fry is less adept at describing action sequences, however. Characters become a little too reflective of their circumstances when in reality they would be operating on pure adrenalin. When this happens, suspense is disrupted – but this doesn’t occur frequently. For the most part, momentum is maintained throughout.
Overall, I enjoyed Severed – especially the inner dimensions of the characters. I was also thrilled with Gary Fry’s attempt to juggle zombie violence, psychoanalytic metaphors, 17th century philosophy, and Descartes. Have you ever read a novel with this combination before? I haven’t. And, any story that can take a boring academic and transform him into an action hero is okay with me.
May 12, 2014
I see a lot of people calling this a zombie book, but I can't agree with that assessment. Fry himself said that inspiration came from "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and I can definitely see that.
The premise is imaginative. A heretofore unknown chemical weapon is somehow able to separate, or sever, an individual into two distinct forms: a spirit form that encompasses essentially everything good about a person, and a physical form that represents a person's base needs and instincts, no longer hampered by conscience. This weapon is deployed in central London, and the effects are devastating.
From here, the waters get muddied a bit in terms of quality. Fry spends a great deal of time exploring the psychological and philosophical impacts of what this weapon does to people. His background is in psychology, so what he has to say is actually pretty meaningful...I just feel it's kind of out of place here. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying psychology and philosophy have no place in horror, because they do, I just feel Fry spent too much time on those aspects. I had to force myself through most of the Hobbs chapters because his snarky pontificating became tiring.
I see what Fry was going for here, I really do: a Jekyll and Hyde story that look deeper into the situation and really explores the ramifications of what severing the two halves a person's psyche like that means for both the person and society. However, injecting that much psychology into a horror story is a delicate process, and while I won't say Fry failed, the results were not as good as they could have been.
There was also, in my opinion, a bit of an internal consistency issue. It's established early on that the physical forms of people affected by the chemical weapon are pretty much just monsters, yet the ending has a "love conquers all" vibe that doesn't mesh well with that. I have nothing against happy endings, I just don't think everything should have been wrapped up quite so neatly here.
Overall, I'd recommend this book with a few caveats. The premise is very imaginative and, I think, goes a lot deeper than just being a zombie novel (as so many are so quick to call it). However, there's a bit too much psychobabble and the ending, while not bad, doesn't quite fit right with everything that led up to it.
The premise is imaginative. A heretofore unknown chemical weapon is somehow able to separate, or sever, an individual into two distinct forms: a spirit form that encompasses essentially everything good about a person, and a physical form that represents a person's base needs and instincts, no longer hampered by conscience. This weapon is deployed in central London, and the effects are devastating.
From here, the waters get muddied a bit in terms of quality. Fry spends a great deal of time exploring the psychological and philosophical impacts of what this weapon does to people. His background is in psychology, so what he has to say is actually pretty meaningful...I just feel it's kind of out of place here. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying psychology and philosophy have no place in horror, because they do, I just feel Fry spent too much time on those aspects. I had to force myself through most of the Hobbs chapters because his snarky pontificating became tiring.
I see what Fry was going for here, I really do: a Jekyll and Hyde story that look deeper into the situation and really explores the ramifications of what severing the two halves a person's psyche like that means for both the person and society. However, injecting that much psychology into a horror story is a delicate process, and while I won't say Fry failed, the results were not as good as they could have been.
There was also, in my opinion, a bit of an internal consistency issue. It's established early on that the physical forms of people affected by the chemical weapon are pretty much just monsters, yet the ending has a "love conquers all" vibe that doesn't mesh well with that. I have nothing against happy endings, I just don't think everything should have been wrapped up quite so neatly here.
Overall, I'd recommend this book with a few caveats. The premise is very imaginative and, I think, goes a lot deeper than just being a zombie novel (as so many are so quick to call it). However, there's a bit too much psychobabble and the ending, while not bad, doesn't quite fit right with everything that led up to it.
March 26, 2014
Ever have to think twice before possibly attempting to do something you know is wrong, but you really, really want to do it, anyway? On one shoulder is an angel telling you no, on the other is a devil saying yes, do it? What if a virus was capable of severing your soul (the angel) from your body, leaving only the most base and vile of side of your being (the devil)? Severed by Gary Fry explores good vs evil in an eerie and dark way. Good people become zombie like beings, not quite alive, not quite dead while their souls float in ghost-like forms above. Chaos ensues and no one is safe. Enter a desperate government and a womanizing, self-centered scientist, Stephen Hobbs, with his own inner demons and public humiliation to contend with. Hobbs is enlisted to willingly be exposed to the virus in order to bring the souls back to their zombie bodies where a “cure” will hopefully re-unite the two halves. Will it work or is there more going on than Hobbs is told? Will he maintain enough humanity to pull this off?
Gary Fry boldly attacks this science-fiction, horror with a dark tone, never once asking the reader to actually like any of the characters, but to look at the big picture, morality, good vs evil, what makes us who we are. Mr. Fry has created a chaotic world, filled with darkness and agendas that seem shrouded and sometimes unclear, building the suspense perfectly! Who are the good guys? How could a moral degenerate like Hobbs become a savior? He allows the reader to come to their own conclusions, and I find that I enjoyed the mystery involved!
I received an ARC edition from DarkFuse in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: DarkFuse
ISBN: 9781940544052
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller/Paranormal
Number of Pages: 274
Available from: Amazon
Gary Fry boldly attacks this science-fiction, horror with a dark tone, never once asking the reader to actually like any of the characters, but to look at the big picture, morality, good vs evil, what makes us who we are. Mr. Fry has created a chaotic world, filled with darkness and agendas that seem shrouded and sometimes unclear, building the suspense perfectly! Who are the good guys? How could a moral degenerate like Hobbs become a savior? He allows the reader to come to their own conclusions, and I find that I enjoyed the mystery involved!
I received an ARC edition from DarkFuse in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: DarkFuse
ISBN: 9781940544052
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller/Paranormal
Number of Pages: 274
Available from: Amazon
April 1, 2014
This book demonstrated what could happen when a person loses the capacity to exercise moral restraint and chooses emotions versus morals - and it was not a pretty sight. Imagine if you were able to actually say what you really thought to someone and act on any emotion you felt with no regret or remorse. Mayhem doesn't come close.
There really weren't that many likeable characters in this book - in fact, most were loathsome. The MC, Stephen Hobbs, was especially hard to connect with, but on the flip side of that, his character arc was profound, making made him more intriguing than likeable.
This was a quick read and the action started from page one, so I appreciated the fact that the backstories were woven in instead of having to sift through the first several pages to get to the real plot line. Naturally, in a book of this genre you have to suspend disbelief, but if you enjoy this type of book, that's not a negative.
Something I missed with this novel was the lack of anyone to root for, a charismatic protagonist instead of Stephen Hobbs, who was more of an antihero. I also felt like his mother seemed to be two different people, at times making statements that seemed inconsistent to her character.
DarkFuse is an independent publisher of modern horror, suspense, and thrillers and after reading a few of their books, I can say I haven't been disappointed.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
There really weren't that many likeable characters in this book - in fact, most were loathsome. The MC, Stephen Hobbs, was especially hard to connect with, but on the flip side of that, his character arc was profound, making made him more intriguing than likeable.
This was a quick read and the action started from page one, so I appreciated the fact that the backstories were woven in instead of having to sift through the first several pages to get to the real plot line. Naturally, in a book of this genre you have to suspend disbelief, but if you enjoy this type of book, that's not a negative.
Something I missed with this novel was the lack of anyone to root for, a charismatic protagonist instead of Stephen Hobbs, who was more of an antihero. I also felt like his mother seemed to be two different people, at times making statements that seemed inconsistent to her character.
DarkFuse is an independent publisher of modern horror, suspense, and thrillers and after reading a few of their books, I can say I haven't been disappointed.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 7, 2014
Gary Fry wouldn't be the first author you'd think of when it came to a Zombie novel, being known for psychologically complex stories that create unsettling atmospheres rather than visceral horrors, and as you would expect this isn't your average Zombie story.
That Fry centers the tale on an academic rather than say a soldier or a cop is your first cue that things are going to be far from the run-of-the-mill, survivors trying to escape the zombie hordes that categorises much of this type of fiction. The story is infused with the complex psychological theories that we expect but Fry also handles the action scenes with aplomb and paces the story to perfection. This is probably the most entertaining book yet to come from his pen and the hint of further stories for his 'hero' Stephen Hobbs bodes well for further fun to come.
There are a couple of things that jar, the unnamed military man could have walked in from any number of apocalypse stories and the slightly unconvincing way characters independently coin the tern 'severance' to describe the process of zombification in particular, but these are no more than fleeting irritants as you are swept along by events.
The flawed nature of Hobbs, expertly teased out by the author through revelations as to his back-story, make for a superbly rounded character and means you're never quite sure how things are going to turn out.
That Fry centers the tale on an academic rather than say a soldier or a cop is your first cue that things are going to be far from the run-of-the-mill, survivors trying to escape the zombie hordes that categorises much of this type of fiction. The story is infused with the complex psychological theories that we expect but Fry also handles the action scenes with aplomb and paces the story to perfection. This is probably the most entertaining book yet to come from his pen and the hint of further stories for his 'hero' Stephen Hobbs bodes well for further fun to come.
There are a couple of things that jar, the unnamed military man could have walked in from any number of apocalypse stories and the slightly unconvincing way characters independently coin the tern 'severance' to describe the process of zombification in particular, but these are no more than fleeting irritants as you are swept along by events.
The flawed nature of Hobbs, expertly teased out by the author through revelations as to his back-story, make for a superbly rounded character and means you're never quite sure how things are going to turn out.
July 5, 2015
This is not a zombie novel.No,it's not a zombie novel.Zombies are corpses back from the dead,right? In this story are soulless persons without any moral res-
triction,they've become soulless because of a virus.They're merciless savages and soon London becomes a chaotic carnage.
In this novel we know Mr. Hobbs,the man that can fix this terrible situation, a very interesting character and, in my opinion, one of
the strong points of this story.And there are more interesting characters,Hobbs is not the only one.
I think the story flows well and there is tension until the end.There is philosophy,of course.At the core the novel is about the hu-
man nature, but this philosophy doesn't "kill" the action,the story keeps its interest.
Very recommended novel and I would like to read another book with Stephen Hobbs as a protagonist.
triction,they've become soulless because of a virus.They're merciless savages and soon London becomes a chaotic carnage.
In this novel we know Mr. Hobbs,the man that can fix this terrible situation, a very interesting character and, in my opinion, one of
the strong points of this story.And there are more interesting characters,Hobbs is not the only one.
I think the story flows well and there is tension until the end.There is philosophy,of course.At the core the novel is about the hu-
man nature, but this philosophy doesn't "kill" the action,the story keeps its interest.
Very recommended novel and I would like to read another book with Stephen Hobbs as a protagonist.
August 18, 2014
: REVIEW: SEVERED by Gary Fry
SEVERED is classic scary horror given some metaphysical depth and height. Described from an Omniscient Narrator viewpoint of a multiplicity of characters (who failed to elicit my empathy), action is interspersed with extended "talking head" verbal or mental monologues. Eventually, as the strange case of the uneven but brilliant Professor Stephen Hobbs unravels, we are left to consider that despite the very prevalent "violence on the ground," this is a story of psychology rather than "straight" horror.
SEVERED is classic scary horror given some metaphysical depth and height. Described from an Omniscient Narrator viewpoint of a multiplicity of characters (who failed to elicit my empathy), action is interspersed with extended "talking head" verbal or mental monologues. Eventually, as the strange case of the uneven but brilliant Professor Stephen Hobbs unravels, we are left to consider that despite the very prevalent "violence on the ground," this is a story of psychology rather than "straight" horror.
April 30, 2014
I am giving this four stars mainly because it is such a creative story. Set in London in current time, a virus causes the good half of a person to be severed from its other baser self. Much oh the story then focuses on how one individual is charged by the government to convince the good half to come down from the sky and reunite with its other half. At the same time this individual makes a surprise discovery about himself.
April 7, 2014
The concept of this book is that if we were to be stripped (Severed) of our conscience or moral compass, we would completely succumb to our primitive, base desires and degenerate into a savage society of killers and rapists; a society of zombie-like beings. It’s a unique and interesting spin on the zombie genre and one I enjoyed quite a bit.
May 31, 2014
I liked the premise of this novel, a different way that zombies are created. I thought the story was overall well written but again I think this could have been a much tighter story if this was a novella instead of a novel. Some of the characters actions seemed a bit opposite of what one would expect and convenient for the storyline to continue.
September 24, 2014
When an unknown virus is let loose in London peoples bodies are being separated from their souls. Stephen Hobbs, a former professor is asked to help the government be rid of the virus.
The novel was well written but I wish there had been more details about the various characters . I recommend this story for all zombie genre lovers.
***I received this book in exchange for an honest review***
The novel was well written but I wish there had been more details about the various characters . I recommend this story for all zombie genre lovers.
***I received this book in exchange for an honest review***
March 15, 2014
Another great DarkFuse book and one of the best horror novels I have read in a while
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/severe... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/severe... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
May 27, 2014
In addition to a different take on the zombie, theme, it's a philosophical commentary on good vs. evil. Recommended
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