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Zero Hour Part 2: Badlands
A soldier transformed begins a perilous journey with an unlikely companion to find answers in this thrilling continuation of the hit short story Zero Hour.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2015
9 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 5, 2015
Keeping with my "putting it up there with the likes of Hugh Howey" comment from Part 1, Mr. Ambrose continues the Zero Hour saga with a brilliant follow up. Can't get over how much I enjoy the 2nd person point of view. Our hero is roaming across the badlands and runs into a familiar face. But the man is not the terror to be concerned about. Being stalked by two ferocious killing machines that will stop at nothing to tear anything in their path apart should be #1 priority.
Grab Part 1 and Part 2 right now and regret nothing. After you finish, you can join me in the badlands while I wait for Part 3!!!!
Grab Part 1 and Part 2 right now and regret nothing. After you finish, you can join me in the badlands while I wait for Part 3!!!!
August 18, 2016
Adds more depth to the first book without letting up on pace. I love the little details, how the author has linked things happening today to this bleak future - I'm looking at you Boston Dynamics - plus what's probably a first ever mention of the Proclaimers in a sci-fi story gets bonus points. Looking forward to part 3.
February 26, 2017
" 'Sarah?'
You wake. Were you sleeping? Why would you need to sleep now?"
It's truly amazing to me, what a powerful punch an author can deliver in such a short story when they are really, really good at their craft. And Ambrose is good. "Zero Hour Part 2: Badlands" continues with the rebirth of Sarah, her consciousness now housed in a less-than-pristine robotic body, and her communication with the AI known as Al. Together they attempt to cross the badlands, encountering other creatures along the way - human and robotic. The violence of the encounter, and the revelations for humanity, sentience and other cool naval-gazing aspects of the meaning of life all come out in such a few pages. I am loving this story. Al is great.
You wake. Were you sleeping? Why would you need to sleep now?"
It's truly amazing to me, what a powerful punch an author can deliver in such a short story when they are really, really good at their craft. And Ambrose is good. "Zero Hour Part 2: Badlands" continues with the rebirth of Sarah, her consciousness now housed in a less-than-pristine robotic body, and her communication with the AI known as Al. Together they attempt to cross the badlands, encountering other creatures along the way - human and robotic. The violence of the encounter, and the revelations for humanity, sentience and other cool naval-gazing aspects of the meaning of life all come out in such a few pages. I am loving this story. Al is great.
March 1, 2016
Intriguing story, unusual in many ways. I am enjoying experiencing a look inside Eamon Ambrose's vivid imagination! I have thought of many things to write about, many stories to tell around camp fires or sitting out under a tree, but wouldn't have imagined this, thus it makes the reading very endearing to me... to experience something I hadn't read anything like it before, nor had I thought of anything like it, put together so well.
I recommend jumping in with both feet. It may be water-less, and the badlands, but you won't be disappointed.
I recommend jumping in with both feet. It may be water-less, and the badlands, but you won't be disappointed.
May 22, 2016
Zero Hour Part 2: Badlands by Eamon Ambrose
Zero Hour Part 2: Badlands by Eamon Ambrose is an intriguing futurisic, dystopian short story. I gave it five stars. It follows Zero Hour Part 1 where the end of the world as we knew it took place. This is part two of a four book series but can be read as a standalone. It did leave me wanting to know more about Sarah & Al's journey.
One interesting development reveals: "Quadras. Many thought they were just a rumour, a robotic bogeyman you warned children about if they didn't behave. Originally designed as a harmless robotics project, but later developed into lethal, relentless killers. They were four-legged creatures capable of blistering speeds over any terrain, & practically impossible to stop....If you saw or heard one you generally didn't live to tell the tale. They were mainly used for flushing out survivors in more remote areas & so weren't seen much in the field."
Sarah & Al who are carried in the same crippled robotic body come across a former colleague.
Sergeant Frank Davis "is a piece of work. If there was anyone you wished didn't survive the attack, it was him. People like Davis were why the human race ended up where it did, yet they still managed to survive, along with the rats & cockroaches....Faced with dying in prison or joining the effort when the attacks began, Davis joined up & quickly rose through the ranks, more because of is brutality & strength than any discernible military skills. Unfortunately, war often makes heroes of men who sometimes don't deserve it, & he was no exception."
Davis manages to kill a quadra, that's unusual in itself. "The second quadra swings around & runs back to its fallen companion, retracting its teeth & begins to nudge it with its head. It emits a strange, melancholy digital sound, growing gradually louder as it lies down beside it. It can't be. Is this machine mourning?"
There is an explosion & Al loses a leg. He replaces it with pieces of the destroyed quadra & they limp along. This is an awesome story & I'm looking forward to Parts 3 & 4.
I received a complimentary kindle copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Hour-Part...
Zero Hour Part 2: Badlands by Eamon Ambrose is an intriguing futurisic, dystopian short story. I gave it five stars. It follows Zero Hour Part 1 where the end of the world as we knew it took place. This is part two of a four book series but can be read as a standalone. It did leave me wanting to know more about Sarah & Al's journey.
One interesting development reveals: "Quadras. Many thought they were just a rumour, a robotic bogeyman you warned children about if they didn't behave. Originally designed as a harmless robotics project, but later developed into lethal, relentless killers. They were four-legged creatures capable of blistering speeds over any terrain, & practically impossible to stop....If you saw or heard one you generally didn't live to tell the tale. They were mainly used for flushing out survivors in more remote areas & so weren't seen much in the field."
Sarah & Al who are carried in the same crippled robotic body come across a former colleague.
Sergeant Frank Davis "is a piece of work. If there was anyone you wished didn't survive the attack, it was him. People like Davis were why the human race ended up where it did, yet they still managed to survive, along with the rats & cockroaches....Faced with dying in prison or joining the effort when the attacks began, Davis joined up & quickly rose through the ranks, more because of is brutality & strength than any discernible military skills. Unfortunately, war often makes heroes of men who sometimes don't deserve it, & he was no exception."
Davis manages to kill a quadra, that's unusual in itself. "The second quadra swings around & runs back to its fallen companion, retracting its teeth & begins to nudge it with its head. It emits a strange, melancholy digital sound, growing gradually louder as it lies down beside it. It can't be. Is this machine mourning?"
There is an explosion & Al loses a leg. He replaces it with pieces of the destroyed quadra & they limp along. This is an awesome story & I'm looking forward to Parts 3 & 4.
I received a complimentary kindle copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Hour-Part...
October 4, 2015
"Zero Hour 2: Badlands" is a remarkable follow-up to part 1. While "Zero Hour" focuses on our protagonist's struggle to adjust to their situation, "Zero Hour 2: Badlands" focuses more on character progression, especially between the protagonist and their companion, AI. And action. Let's not forget the action!
New characters have been thrown into the mix here, too. Some, MORE humane than others!!! But I won't go into too much detail about that. All I'll say is, "Buckle up!"
Our protagonist is not only faced with living threats, but elemental threats also, which makes for a true sense of adventure, as the land itself becomes a character in the tale. There are even brief moments of humor where I found myself chuckling which, even for me, is rare. But it really does work and the characters are even more relatable as a result.
Ambrose has added so much more to his world in part 2, and what a stunning world it is. You really get a feeling of vastness, and loneliness, and even hope, for what better days may yet come.
"Zero Hour 2: Badlands" 5/5. Go get it.
New characters have been thrown into the mix here, too. Some, MORE humane than others!!! But I won't go into too much detail about that. All I'll say is, "Buckle up!"
Our protagonist is not only faced with living threats, but elemental threats also, which makes for a true sense of adventure, as the land itself becomes a character in the tale. There are even brief moments of humor where I found myself chuckling which, even for me, is rare. But it really does work and the characters are even more relatable as a result.
Ambrose has added so much more to his world in part 2, and what a stunning world it is. You really get a feeling of vastness, and loneliness, and even hope, for what better days may yet come.
"Zero Hour 2: Badlands" 5/5. Go get it.
January 13, 2016
Wow, what can I say... This amazing follow-up story, to what was originally going to be a stand alone is simply fantastic... Ford teams up with an unlikely partner as she makes a desperate attempt to find sanctuary and possibly help or at least more supplies... And the best part is that once you finish you can go straight to part 3... Yay, no waiting... So get Zero hour either singly or as a set and get to reading...
October 5, 2015
brilliant. Can't wait for part 3.
October 25, 2017
Speechless/ Sprachlos!
November 18, 2015
The final page left me wanting the author to write another short and another. PLEASE!!!!!
February 10, 2016
Another phenomenal science fiction short. I enjoyed it as much as the first one. Excellent action and characterization. Looking forward to part three.
July 8, 2016
Nailed it, great continuation of the story!
Although there is a sadness to this story there is also action, drama, revenge, and some humour. I'm rooting for the machines!
Although there is a sadness to this story there is also action, drama, revenge, and some humour. I'm rooting for the machines!
January 5, 2017
Addicted now up and on !!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews