Savage

Savage #1

by Thomas E. Sniegoski

The future is looking bright for Sidney Moore as she gets ready to leave the small island of Benediction for one of Boston’s top veterinary programs. There are some bumps in the road to navigate—her father’s recovery from a debilitating stroke, her own guilt for ending her relationship with her high school boyfriend, and having to leave behind her deaf German shepherd, Snowy—but she’s always been strong willed, with a passion to achieve her life’s dreams.

Now a storm is bearing down on Benediction—a hurricane that will bring devastating winds and rain, rising tides… and something else.

Something deadly. Something that will transform all the things that creep, crawl, and flutter into instruments of terror and death.

THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT FOR SIDNEY MOORE. ALL SHE HAS TO DO IS SURVIVE THE STORM.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Mystery, Animals

409 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2016

About the author

Thomas E. Sniegoski, often credited as Tom Sniegoski is the author of more than two dozen novels for adults, teens, and children. His teen fantasy YA series Fallen was adapted into a trilogy of monstrously successful TV movies by ABC Family Channel. His other books for teens include Sleeper Code, Sleeper Agenda, and Force Majeure, as well as the upcoming series The Brimstone Network. The author's first adult novel, A Kiss Before the Apocalypse, hit the shelves in 2008, with its sequel, Dancing on the Head of a Pin to be released in 2009.

Sniegoski's work for younger readers includes Billy Hooten: Owlboy, and the fantasy quartet OutCast, which he co-authored with Christopher Golden. OutCast is in development as a film at Universal. Sniegoski and Golden have also collaborated on the adult dark fantasy series The Menagerie, and multiple creator-owned comic book series, including The Sisterhood, which is being prepped for a feature film by InterMedia, and Talent, currently in development at Universal after a major bidding war.

As a comic book writer, Sniegoski's work includes Stupid, Stupid Rat Tails, a prequel miniseries to international hit, Bone. Sniegoski collaborated with Bone creator Jeff Smith on the prequel, making him the only writer Smith has ever asked to work on those characters. Sniegoski and Golden also wrote the graphic novel BPRD: Hollow Earth, a spinoff from Hellboy.

Sniegoski was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his wife LeeAnne and their Labrador Retriever, Mulder. Tom recently completed the new young adult novel, Legacy, which is set to be released in October of 2009.

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about this book. I liked it at first but it kind of became boring after a while. It was kind of confusing with all of the perspectives of seemingly random people. I think of core concept was really cool but the whole book seemed kind of like an original movie on the Syfy channel. I got some Sharknado vibes from this book.
Overall, it was okay. I kind of regret paying $18 for this book when I should have just waited for the paperback. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book unless you aren't a critical reader at all.

[Ronie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm telling ya. I saw a movie like this book here. It didn't end the same. But mighty close. Just don't remember the title. The actor's weren't ones I usually follow.

Nice start though

[Lizardhands · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wrote a review for this book and by the time I was able to articulate how much I didn't like it, my session had timed out and my entire review was sucked into the abyss. So now I have to start over.

To start with, I haven't been this angry reading a book since Twilight, and losing my completed review didn't help. I finished reading it only so I could hate it more effectively.

It had the ingredients for a good story, but unfortunately they were all combined so haphazardly that the resulting book was little more than a compilation of adverbs and melodramatic ellipses. It was written badly. If you've done any creative writing, you know that the rarer a word, the less you should use it; and that a scene can be improved by strengthening verbs and cutting out adverbs (generally). This book never met an adverb it didn't like, so I can't count the number of times "wildly", "insanely", "crazily", or "intensely" were used throughout the book. ("Wildly" was used three times in a span of two pages, actually.) Redundancies abound. "The wasps were aggressive in their savagery..." That one sentence is a good representation of what the entire book was like.

Not to mention the setting and cast of characters were bland, and the relationships between them lacked substance. Doc Martin was entirely unnecessary.

Anyway, it was bad, don't read it.

[Terri Robinette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Raging storms sweep the islands. The aftermath reveals no survivors. Yet, what is responsible for the alarming deaths? No storm created such horror. Scientists are seeking an answer to the animal rage responsible for the loss of human lives while a group of islanders seek an answer to survival as the storm presses down upon them. The horror and brutality of the animal attacks leave you to wonder how it would be possible for anyone to survive these end of the world events. The reader must continue to the very end for conclusion. The book was ok. Good concept, however, too close to the book "Zoo". Then (for me) the ending was rather anti-climatic after the nerve rattling, edge of your seat fights between man and beast. Not saying that it wasnt worth the read... You make your own judgment. It has possibilities. Just fell a little flat for me.

[Meghan (TheBookGoblin) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up
This book actually has a line in it that best describes the plot: “it’s like a Disney movie filtered through Stephen King”. While I enjoyed that it was a very fast-paced read, I just felt the overall story was, in a word, lame 😒. Definitely skip it if you’re squeamish about animals getting killed because that’s basically the entire story.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

2019
This story begins with a storm. And not just any storm, but a hurricane proportioned mega-event storm that changes regular creatures into murderous, man-eating, crazed, zombie-like infested things. Every single bug, cat, dog, bird, rodent, even horse gets infested with the Silver Eye and operates as one big killing machine, attacking human after human after human. Pet turns on owner. Owner is forced to defend itself or die.

Perfectly creepy and well written.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sidney and her friends must race to find the origin of a storm that has hit their small island home turning every animal into savage weapons in this suspenseful thriller. The hurricane transform all the things that creep, crawl, and flutter into instruments of terror and death. This is really creepy. I found I couldn't read it before bed time or I couldn't get to sleep

[Crowinator · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank God I don't have any pets.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Savage” reminiscent of James Patterson’s Zoo begins with a violent storm that changes insects, pets and animals native to the island of Benediction into rampaging, savage weapons hunting humans.

The plot opens with Sidney Moore a young woman who’s about to enter veterinary school, leaving behind a recovering father, Snowy her deaf German shepherd and a shattered ex-boyfriend who hasn’t come to terms with their sudden breakup. Encountering a friend Rich Stanmore who needs help getting his sailboat out of the water as the storm intensifies, she reluctantly enlists Cody’s help only to begin a terrifying adventure that will have the three escaping from the creepy, crawlies invading Rich’s house where they’ve taken refuge; fighting birds while trying to rescue the Harbourmaster; and confronting hunting packs of wildlife and dogs as well as a wave of sea life in their efforts to look for the veterinarian Doc Martin who they’re certain can unravel the mystery behind the violence of the animals.

Into this chillingly horrific tale of survival, Thomas E. Sniegoski has woven subplots about a developmentally challenged boy who hears “bad radio” in his ear; Caroline Berthold’s murdered husband who becomes a zombie; veterinarian Doc Martin and scientist Dr. Gregory Sayid who are searching for answers to the weird and aggressive animal, bird and insect behaviour. Intensity, suspense and action build quickly with bloody attacks; a zombie; the sacrifices of police officers and parents; and crushing waves of animals that threaten anyone left alive.

With a flowing, descriptive writing style, mesmerizing twists and unforgettable characters, the author brings a deadly terror to life. I enjoyed “Savage” and won’t hesitate to look for other books by Thomas E. Sniegoski in future.

[Romy · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I bought this book I was very excited to read it. I feel like this book was full of potential but the writing wasn't good, I didn't feel like I cared for the characters and I was very frustrated with the continuation of so many different perspectives. I kept wanting the story to move forward and when it seemed like something exciting was going to happen, the story would change to another perspective that I honestly had no care or interest for. I think it could have been much stronger if this book was written in the first person perspective of Sidney, that way it would have gotten rid of so many unnecessary characters and their different situations that only slowed the story.
The main character, Sidney, definitely needed some work though. I found her to be kinda bossy and annoying, she didn't seem to have many good qualities and it seemed like she mostly only cared about her dog. So it was a surprise to keep seeing how much her two friends, Cody and Rich, seemed to like her so much.
I even had to stop reading the book because it just wasn't really getting anywhere and I only had a little left. Today I finished it but I have to say that I'm not very impressed.

[F. A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savage kept me up all hours of the night shaking. Granted I do not read horror but this book was creepy in all the right ways

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was creepy and awesome! Great story, so enjoyable, I just loved reading it!

[F. A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was intense.

[Natalia Ventura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright if you’re into weird natural disasters, big storms, nature vs man, disease, death, and science this book is pretty much for you. Savage is a book where the oddest things happen. There are many good, and bad components of this book. The weird twists and turns, and the strangest situations. I personally love this book. I can relate to some of the characters very well and others not so much. So that leads me into my first topic to discuss characters.

The characters in this book are all in very different situations on this strange town of Benediction. Benediction is a small island off of the main land. Which I assume is Massachusetts. So, Sidney I believe to be is the real main character out of this book is a girl who mainly grew up in the island with her father. Her mother died when she was younger I think before freshman year in high school. To me, I think it’s kind of a stereotype for one of the main characters parents to die in stories like this. But I do like how the author somewhat changed it to be the mom who dies. I feel like in most stories, the dad dies. Anyways Sidney also had a boyfriend named Cody. He’s a very important character in this story too. She broke up with him because they both wanted different things. I believe it’s very clever that the author made these characters have to work together despite the situation they are in. I also like use of people who have disabilities. I like how that the dog Snowy, and one of the side characters Isaac both have hearing disabilities. It opens up doors to show that people other than the average Joe can be affected by things like this. There are so many characters in this book, and I would like to just write a review about the characters, but I shall move on to another aspect of the story.

Location, location, location; I like how the author broke away from the stereotype for horror survival stories. It’s more interesting trying to imagine a small island filled with ravenous creatures trying to kill the human race. Then a small town with a bunch of woods in the middle of nowhere you know what I mean? I think most times the good books with an interesting setting make you think more. Like Stephen King books. One of my personal favorites the Green Mile took place in a jail. Some of the best stories are just in very interesting locations. I also think that the author could’ve taken advantage of it a little more, but either way the setting, and the story are very interesting. Plus it’s very thought provoking it makes you think “what would I do in a scenario like this?”

The overall pace of the story was kind of rushing I think. The whole team of Sidney, Rich, Cody, and Snowy never really got a break to have something really suspenseful, and heart clenching really happen to them. If feels like they were just rushed into a lot of situations at once. I didn't feel as much suspense as I would've liked. I also want to point out that at the beginning when the lady who killed her husband, and then she ended up being killed by him, and the dog could’ve been way more suspenseful. I would’ve like it if she got to the point of disposing the body. Then the weird diseases caused by the storm started to take over his body, and killed her.

Now for the plot; It was somewhat inconsistent I mean like the whole time it’s stupid decision after stupid decision. Who locks themselves in a bathroom for Christ sake? Also who thinks it’s a good idea to bring a boat up from the dock in the middle of a storm? It had the potential mostly it did, but if you’re a hard critical reader you wouldn’t like the plot. It also kind of uses a lot of repetitive words to describe certain things. Also the ending just got super crazy, I think it has a sequel I kind of want to read it. I don’t want to spoil the ending, so let's just say the word “what?” to describe what happened. I honestly think I would read the sequel to just clear everything up completely.

Now overall did I think this was a good book. Yes, I thought it was a fairly decent book. It was a bit out of control to say at the least, but I liked it. Yes, it had its flaws, and weird events, and multiple scene shifts, but honestly I like that reading style. I thought this book was really neat. I liked the plot even though it was a little inconsistent. I’m really not a huge critical reader though. So really it didn't bother me. Overall I would read this if you enjoy weird natural phenomenon, and if you’re not a critical reader.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if your small town was suddenly fighting for their lives from malicious monsters. Now, imagine those monsters as your loving pets, native animals, and insects. If one loves mystery, thriller, and the teeniest bit of romance this novel is for you. The name of this novel is Savage by Thomas E. Sniegoski. Sidney lives on a small island off of Massachusetts called Benediction. Sidney is getting ready to leave her small island and ready for a top veterinarian school in Boston. However, everything is paused when a massive hurricane comes bearing down on Benediction. During the hurricane, Sidney and her friends notice the native animals, insects and pets start to act very violent and barbarous. I guess one could say they were acting savage.

This book is gripping from beginning to end. When I read it, I did not want to put it down. This book was written in third person. The way this author wrote in third person was interesting. It was similar to when you watch a movie and get to see what every character was contemplating and realizing. The intended audience is young-adult readers. This book did affect me even though it is fiction. After reading this book, I speculated what I would have done if I was in this situation. The characters in this book showed so much bravery while fighting these creatures off. Personally, I don't think I would be able to hurt an animal regardless if I was being attacked or about to be injured. This book makes you think, ¨What would I do in that situation?¨

The author was very eloquent with the way he worded this novel. The authors descriptive language makes one feel like you are living in the moment with the characters. An example of this is on page 86 chapter 15. “Sidney had never heard a clap of thunder so loud or seen a lightning flash so bright. On instinct, she had immediately dropped to her knees in the rain, blobs of undulating color writhing before her eyes in reaction to the nearly blinding flare.¨ One can imagine being there and being affected by this radiant flare. Another example of when I was transported into this book, is in chapter 26, on page 159. ¨Isaac ran through the thick underbrush that separated his family's property from his neighbor’s , driven by the terror he had just experienced. The ground was wet and slippery and fraught with hidden dangers.” I found this example to be one of the more vulgar examples. One could visualize themselves running with Isaac through his backyard while dodging all the objects that littered his backyard. The last example is on page 105 and in chapter 18. ¨Before reaching the stairs, he glanced up to the ceiling and saw that it wasn't just the floor that was crawling with life. Spiders. There were spiders everywhere that the light of the flashlight touched, and they all seemed to be heading toward him. Rich ran for the stairs. He could feel the bodies of the harder-shelled insects crunching beneath his sneakers as he ran across them, but that was nothing compared to the absolute horror that he experienced as he saw the spiders dropping down on their silken lines, some landing upon him and crawling up toward his face at incredible speeds.” This was another example of an unpleasant experience for the reader. One could feel the prickly hairs of the spiders on one’s neck. I would recommend against reading this chapter at night. I did and it made me feel uneasy.

I really enjoyed this novel by Thomas E. Sniegoski. The author was very descriptive with his language. He uses all five of one’s senses and toys with the way you interpret his novel. He is a wonderful author. Even though this book was written for young adults, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, thriller, and a bit of romance in one’s novel.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my second hiatus from reading the Remy Chandler series, I've decided to read Savage, a YA horror thriller by Thomas Sniegoski. It started with a storm, an unexpected one, that struck the island of Benedictus. Sidney is preparing for her soon-to-be adult life, with plans to move to the mainland city for college. But in the process, she's still looking out for her father, who recently recovered from a stroke, while dealing with the aftermath of breaking up with her long-time boyfriend, Cody. But once the storm hits, Sidney realizes all her problems are nothing compared to what's going on. All the animals are going murderous and attempting to kill every human inhabitant on Benedictus. Separated from the town, Sidney is in the fight for her life against nature itself.

Unlike the Remy Chandler books, which have an urban fantasy in the supernatural, Savage is more of a sci-fi fantasy horror. Like most thrillers, the suspense and horror gradually builds up as the pages goes on. The kill count and destruction definitely accelerates once the first 50 or so pages are done! Savage is more plot-driven, as all the characters are left relatively two-dimensional with only some details to make some of them distinguishable, but not fleshed out. One major drawback is that the story starts with multiple viewpoints, only gradually focusing on Sidney by the halfway point. I get that it was to get different perspectives from the horror that endures and also to build upon the origins of said storm. There were some plot points that didn't get resolved by the end: why Sidney broke up with Cody, what the supposed affliction behind the animals' rampage, or even how one human became part of the swarm. Of course the ending is already left to hook onto the sequel, so maybe the answers are there. Although the story does feel like it drags around at times with flat characters, I found it fulfilling in its premise and will get into the sequel real soon.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of those books that seems like it was written in the hopes of being adapted into a movie, with almost nonstop action that was partially facilitated by characters making stupid decisions, and almost a complete lack of characterization whatsoever. The main character, Sydney, exemplifies the Mary Sue trope, which I hate to say because that term has been annexed by the toxic side of the Star Wars fan base, but in this context I really cannot think of a more accurate way to describe her. She is apparently beautiful, given how Rich calls her "gorgeous" and every man her age is in love with her, but we never get a description of her so who really knows. She is also smart, hardworking, loyal, and brave, AND she loves her dog! Now all these things are awesome character traits that suit the hero of a horror story, but it would be nice if she had a personality - maybe even some flaws (*gasp!*) - to go with her strengths. Cody and Rich, two supporting characters, were completely indistinguishable, and all the fathers in the book were of the same selflessly protective father figure variety. All this is to say that it made the action meaningless because I truly didn't care what happened to any of the characters. Not even the dog.




Okay, maybe the dog.

[Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Until the end of the book it was pretty okay, but once the ending hit, the whole idea of the book took a kind of turn you'd expect in a more childish series. The ending seemed to be really forced in order just to have a second book be made to continue this weird story line of animals becoming violent over some alien technology, which only affects those who can hear it, and only affecting some humans? Overall the idea was great until it became very unrealistic since their didn't seem to be any incredibly stable science or theories to show why everything was happening other than blaming it on technology from another dimension, then proceeding to show the end as a very cliche "We have to save the world because of what we know" situation.

[Jennifer Seelig · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book kind of started out okay but I could not get behind it after a few chapters. I honestly kept reading just so I could get to the end.

I disliked Sidney as a character. She treated everyone that loved her like shit and they all just took it. Cody was better off without her, in my opinion. She was constantly putting everyone's lives in danger just because she was curious about something.

The best part of the book was Snowy and she basically was just a heroic dog.

I don't recommend this, especially since there is a book that comes after it. I won't be reading that either.

[Shanna_redwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was almost turned off of it by some of the reviews here, but decided to read it anyway and I'm glad I did.

The book was not a literary masterpiece, that I admit. But it was full of nonstop action, and it felt like a grade B horror movie. I love watching a great grade B horror, and I enjoyed reading this just as much.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to James Patterson's Zoo, the animals of Benediction Island attack humans. Sidney Moore and her friends, along with her non-savage but deaf German Shepherd, try to protect the island from the animals and the intruders.

The task is made more difficult by a raging storm, cutting the island off.

[Lectus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bored me. By page 100 still nothing...
A nice movie for the SyFy channel could make out it, though. They'd spend 3/4 of the movie building up to the storm and then 1/4 with actual storm and what it brings...

[star_fire13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really quick and easy read. I found myself surprisingly engaged, despite the fact that I hated Sidney, the main character. I wished Doc Martin had been the main character! haha I'm excited to read the next one!

[C.A. Stampley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besides taking the Lord's name in vain a couple times its an awesome book. By Lord's name in vain I mean it says gd once and Jesus's name several times in curse word form. As a Christian I don't like that but other than that the book is enjoyable and well written.

[Kendall’s Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, even though it was a different type of read than what I usually read.
The author did amazing on the plot and the character development. You really do get attached to them and their different relationships!!!

[Nita Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savage is a sci-fi novel that borders on cosmic horror.  At first, it felt like a cheesy low-budget horror movie but after the 5th chapter things got really good. I truly did like the world-building and for a YA sci-fi/horror it was a great read. I gave it 3.75 stars

[Leah Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

too much build up, not enough resolution. became really farfetched in the end. the alien invasion part felt like a bit of a stretch.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy, very creepy.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Love it.

[Charles Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is good, really awesome, there is no parts of feeling bored from the start to the end. Going to catch the second book and follow on with the story.