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In 2017, the course of human history was forever altered. A cataclysmic event, which would come to be known simply as The Infection, swept across the globe. The world population was decimated and civilization as it was known came to an end. All Malcolm Evans wants is to find his sister and her kids and get them some place safe. As an ex-CIA agent, he finds himself in the role of leader of a ragtag group of survivors heading to a promised sanctuary in the Great Lakes. Veronica Alpert spent her childhood preparing for the end of the world, thanks to her paranoid survivalist father. Little did she know that decades later, her father's eccentricities would prepare her and her siblings to survive in this new world...especially when tragic circumstances tear the family apart. Jackson Webber had always been seen as no good white trash. Good people crossed the road when they saw him coming. So, how he ended up saddled with the care of two orphaned girls, he had no damn clue. Last things these little girls need is a screw-up like him looking out for them. Course, at the end of the world, it ain't like they got many other choices.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2015
About the author
Courtney McPhail
9 books14 followersGrowing up in a tiny Canadian town, Courtney McPhail learned from an early age that her imagination was the best, and sometimes only, source of entertainment. Eventually her active imagination led to her writing down the adventures she created in her mind, leading to a copious amount of dog-eared spiral notebooks that are still in a box in her parent's basement. She left that tiny town behind to pursue a degree in Literature and History at the University of Toronto. There she developed a love for the classics while supplementing with romance and fantasy novels between classes.
Writing had always been something she had done for her own personal enjoyment. It wasn't until she hit the big 3-0 and went through an existential crisis that she realized writing could be a career. She began a series of paranormal romance novels that follow the lives and loves of a clan of supernatural beings living in Toronto, and a series of post-apocalyptic romance novels about a group of survivors searching for sanctuary when a plague sweeps across the world.
She currently resides in Toronto, enjoying the big city life while still maintaining her small town girl charm. When she isn't working on her latest novel, she can be found enjoying a hike through the Don Valley Hills near her home. More recently, since discovering Netflix, she can usually be found on her couch, binge watching various television shows.
Writing had always been something she had done for her own personal enjoyment. It wasn't until she hit the big 3-0 and went through an existential crisis that she realized writing could be a career. She began a series of paranormal romance novels that follow the lives and loves of a clan of supernatural beings living in Toronto, and a series of post-apocalyptic romance novels about a group of survivors searching for sanctuary when a plague sweeps across the world.
She currently resides in Toronto, enjoying the big city life while still maintaining her small town girl charm. When she isn't working on her latest novel, she can be found enjoying a hike through the Don Valley Hills near her home. More recently, since discovering Netflix, she can usually be found on her couch, binge watching various television shows.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 15, 2017
Guns, Kids, Kisses and Zombies
This end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it novel started slow and was noticeable in its lack of suspenseful tension given the zombies, freaked out authorities and megalomaniacs gunning for retired CIA agent Malcolm and his family. The author was more concerned with setting up backstories for an extensive stable of characters and manipulating the group dynamics as the various survivors come together. Throughout the book the action felt more like a documentary than a scary survival story.
What sings in this novel are the interpersonal relationships, which are many and layered. I like that this group has all ages and races and people with different life experiences. Everyone is touched by every other person in the group. These survivors become different people, stronger, more singular, stripped down, and yet at the same time they realize the importance of their humanity. The novel is filled with violence and has moments of sadness and love. Hope is the leading emotion, and I really came to care about Malcolm's "family." I will be spending some time with them in the sequel.
This end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it novel started slow and was noticeable in its lack of suspenseful tension given the zombies, freaked out authorities and megalomaniacs gunning for retired CIA agent Malcolm and his family. The author was more concerned with setting up backstories for an extensive stable of characters and manipulating the group dynamics as the various survivors come together. Throughout the book the action felt more like a documentary than a scary survival story.
What sings in this novel are the interpersonal relationships, which are many and layered. I like that this group has all ages and races and people with different life experiences. Everyone is touched by every other person in the group. These survivors become different people, stronger, more singular, stripped down, and yet at the same time they realize the importance of their humanity. The novel is filled with violence and has moments of sadness and love. Hope is the leading emotion, and I really came to care about Malcolm's "family." I will be spending some time with them in the sequel.
November 25, 2015
I really loved this one. I cant wait for the second book!
May 1, 2018
Love the characters. Loved the Romance. Enjoyed this novel a lot.
The zombies were a variant of the rage zombies from 28 days, which was perfect; we don't see that enough. The human bad guys were cliche, tho, and both zombies and human adversaries were too easily overcome.
I like that this group has all ages and races and people with different life experiences. Everyone is touched by every other person in the group. These survivors become different people, stronger, more singular, stripped down, and yet at the same time they realize the importance of their humanity. The novel is filled with violence and has moments of sadness and love. Hope is the leading emotion, and I really came to care about Malcolm's "family."
The zombies were a variant of the rage zombies from 28 days, which was perfect; we don't see that enough. The human bad guys were cliche, tho, and both zombies and human adversaries were too easily overcome.
I like that this group has all ages and races and people with different life experiences. Everyone is touched by every other person in the group. These survivors become different people, stronger, more singular, stripped down, and yet at the same time they realize the importance of their humanity. The novel is filled with violence and has moments of sadness and love. Hope is the leading emotion, and I really came to care about Malcolm's "family."
August 14, 2017
Exodus
Interesting read. Just regular people caught up in a epidemic of sorts and survives through bonding. Always good to have a CIA guy, a survivalist, a trauma nurse and a doctor hanging around. Looking forward to reading Book 2.
Interesting read. Just regular people caught up in a epidemic of sorts and survives through bonding. Always good to have a CIA guy, a survivalist, a trauma nurse and a doctor hanging around. Looking forward to reading Book 2.
August 19, 2017
Logically this book falls into the same mold as many written in the genre, however toss logic out and just enjoy meeting Malcolm and the other survivors whose harrowing journey to safety is nowhere close to being over.
March 29, 2019
Outstanding!
In the last two or three ago I have read quite few apocalypse books, and I rate this one as one of the best.
In the last two or three ago I have read quite few apocalypse books, and I rate this one as one of the best.
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August 15, 2021I’m so excited to read book 2 in the series. I’m a huge fan of Courtney McPhail now!
September 26, 2015
Enjoyable read...
This was really a good book. The author has a good storyline and did a nice job pulling all her characters together. Not too many zombies, just trying to learn each other and gaining that trust that now exists between them.
A little romance doesn't hurt either. I'm curious to see where these relationships go.
I like when an author gets so invested in her characters that she can make you see and feel them. Just a totally good job...Will be waiting for the next...
This was really a good book. The author has a good storyline and did a nice job pulling all her characters together. Not too many zombies, just trying to learn each other and gaining that trust that now exists between them.
A little romance doesn't hurt either. I'm curious to see where these relationships go.
I like when an author gets so invested in her characters that she can make you see and feel them. Just a totally good job...Will be waiting for the next...
July 5, 2016
Can strangers become family
It is rare to find a good read in apocalyptic fiction. I am happy to have found another good one while binge reading in my favourite genre. The author focusses on how a group of disparate people can bond in a cohesive family group in a crisis. Sure there are violent viral infected, a few opportunistic assholes and a nice collection of firepower, but that isn't theme. It is about defining goodness and bonding. I am looking forward to the next installment.
It is rare to find a good read in apocalyptic fiction. I am happy to have found another good one while binge reading in my favourite genre. The author focusses on how a group of disparate people can bond in a cohesive family group in a crisis. Sure there are violent viral infected, a few opportunistic assholes and a nice collection of firepower, but that isn't theme. It is about defining goodness and bonding. I am looking forward to the next installment.
September 27, 2015
Fantastic!!
Just finished this amazing book and I'm dying for Book 2...that's how supremely good this book was. Lots of characters ( which I love ), lots of action - the book just flowed along keeping the reader's attention focused. I finished it in one sitting which is hard to accomplish with me these days. My hat off to the author for a very well done job on the story. Again can't wait until Book-2....
Just finished this amazing book and I'm dying for Book 2...that's how supremely good this book was. Lots of characters ( which I love ), lots of action - the book just flowed along keeping the reader's attention focused. I finished it in one sitting which is hard to accomplish with me these days. My hat off to the author for a very well done job on the story. Again can't wait until Book-2....
November 13, 2015
Total surprise!
After reading one bad book after another, it was so refreshing to finally stumble upon someone who could tell a great story and keep you engaged with the characters!
After reading one bad book after another, it was so refreshing to finally stumble upon someone who could tell a great story and keep you engaged with the characters!
November 16, 2015
Awesome
Love the storyline and characters so far. I like the relations of the characters and how the story is told from different character view points (and still flows nicely). Looking forward to the next book.
Love the storyline and characters so far. I like the relations of the characters and how the story is told from different character view points (and still flows nicely). Looking forward to the next book.
December 10, 2015
I rate 4 stars when I want to read the next book in the series. I liked that the characters are believable.
I usually go with 4 stars when I want to read the next book in the series. The characters were very believable.
I usually go with 4 stars when I want to read the next book in the series. The characters were very believable.
November 8, 2015
Exodus--- Wow
What a GREAT story so far! I have read many WTSHTF books but I have to say this book has made my it to my "favs" list.
What a GREAT story so far! I have read many WTSHTF books but I have to say this book has made my it to my "favs" list.
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December 7, 2015I couldn't get into this book so I'll wait and try again at another time.
December 29, 2015
Exodus
Pretty good. It reminded me of the Walking Dead Series a little. It was exciting and didn't have all blood and gore like some. I like a little romance in my books too. :)
Pretty good. It reminded me of the Walking Dead Series a little. It was exciting and didn't have all blood and gore like some. I like a little romance in my books too. :)
January 14, 2016
A really enjoyable read!
I liked this story of struggle and survival. The people had wants and needs that everyone would in the same situation. Look forward to book two.
I liked this story of struggle and survival. The people had wants and needs that everyone would in the same situation. Look forward to book two.
January 25, 2016
Good read.
Enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next one in this series! There wasn't anything about what started the virus, I hope it'll come out in the next book.
Enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next one in this series! There wasn't anything about what started the virus, I hope it'll come out in the next book.
June 20, 2018
I like the diversity of the characters who are trying to work together. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews