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Prelude to Dystopia
In a psychological, dystopian thriller with Hitchcock-like twists, a young writer with some serious issues comes face to face with an enigmatic figure who’s about to change the world forever. Set in present-day Atlanta, aspiring author Ben Swain struggles with internal demons while he tries to lead a normal life behind the wall of glass in his high-rise apartment ... until he meets the general. Not your typical dystopian tale, JEKYLL ISLAND zeros in on the days leading up to a world-changing event and the lives of the people transported from one reality to another in an instant. From Atlanta to Jekyll Island. From the coastal marshes of South Carolina to the Potomac. The action spirals to a whole new level when Ben and the new woman in his life attempt to flee from what’s coming, only to learn the truth lies in the aftermath.
- GenresDystopia
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2015
42 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
John Lyman
10 books62 followersJohn Lyman is the bestselling author of the "God's Lions" series of books. He describes his novels as "spiritural thrillers" for the times we live in. John is currently at work on the third book in the series, "God's Lions - The Dark Ruin".
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 29, 2017
Definitely a read until you're done novel!!
Truly enjoyed this! Immersive storyline, interesting characters. When I finished I was left with wanting more. This is one I will probably revisit a few times
Truly enjoyed this! Immersive storyline, interesting characters. When I finished I was left with wanting more. This is one I will probably revisit a few times
October 14, 2017
Good story very interesting and a surprises all the way to the end of the book.
Very enjoyable read great fiction. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy a great story with unpredictable twists.
Very enjoyable read great fiction. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy a great story with unpredictable twists.
February 25, 2020
Not your typical Armageddon.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I can’t wait to read the next . This one held several surprises for me . I highly recommend it and Deep Green.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I can’t wait to read the next . This one held several surprises for me . I highly recommend it and Deep Green.
February 11, 2021
Pageturner
I was hooked from the first chapter. I thought it was an original story with great twists. This was my fifth John Lyman book, can't wait for more.
I was hooked from the first chapter. I thought it was an original story with great twists. This was my fifth John Lyman book, can't wait for more.
January 4, 2016
This is the sixth book by John Lyman that I have read. His earlier books include four in the 'God's Lions' series (The Secret Chapel, The Dark Ruin, House of Acerbi and Realm of Evil), and 'The Deep Green'. I have enjoyed all these books and recommend them. 'God's Lions: The Secret Chapel' is also being made into a film in 2016.
'Prelude to Dystopia' describes how a young writer/reporter, Ben Swain, is assigned to interview a leading expert on cyber terrorism, who turns out to be far more than that. In fact he represents an organisation concerned with pollution of the planet Earth (the 2050 Group), and he is a US Army General as well. He persuades Ben to sign a non-disclosure agreement and arranges to meet him again. Ben learns more about the concerns of the group that the General belongs to, and decides to try to find out more about him and the organisation he works for. His efforts to do this lead to him going on the run, accompanied by his agent's assistant, Emily. He eventually tacks down the General and learns what the 2050 group's aims really are. He has to make an important decision: whether to join them or not? The book describes the consequences of his decision, and what happens to the planet as a result of the 2050 Group's actions.
I read this book in a few days and found it hard to put down. It is both exciting and spine chillingly predictive in its discussion of what might happen to our planet if the use of fossil fuels continues unchecked. Also, reading it shortly after the UN Conference on Climate Change had taken place meant that the ideas discussed in the book were very much in my mind. In short, I recommend it.
'Prelude to Dystopia' describes how a young writer/reporter, Ben Swain, is assigned to interview a leading expert on cyber terrorism, who turns out to be far more than that. In fact he represents an organisation concerned with pollution of the planet Earth (the 2050 Group), and he is a US Army General as well. He persuades Ben to sign a non-disclosure agreement and arranges to meet him again. Ben learns more about the concerns of the group that the General belongs to, and decides to try to find out more about him and the organisation he works for. His efforts to do this lead to him going on the run, accompanied by his agent's assistant, Emily. He eventually tacks down the General and learns what the 2050 group's aims really are. He has to make an important decision: whether to join them or not? The book describes the consequences of his decision, and what happens to the planet as a result of the 2050 Group's actions.
I read this book in a few days and found it hard to put down. It is both exciting and spine chillingly predictive in its discussion of what might happen to our planet if the use of fossil fuels continues unchecked. Also, reading it shortly after the UN Conference on Climate Change had taken place meant that the ideas discussed in the book were very much in my mind. In short, I recommend it.
December 23, 2015
Prelude to Dystopia is a thrill ride from start to finish. It has us meet the character, Ben, who is a reporter with OCD. He finds himself sucked into a world full of doomsday preppers, except these guys have a plan, and all of the power.
Ben is a well-written character; he asks questions in all of the right places, pulling the reader in right along with him. He takes charge of his own destiny when he needs to, but also knows when to play along with the game. It makes him smart and intriguing and someone people can easily root for.
Emily, his girlfriend, is another story. While she is somewhat self-sufficient, I never really felt like I got to know who she was as a person, and why she would choose to follow Ben around to the end of time - literally.
The other nitpick I have is the connection between the General (the head of the preppers) and Ben seems a bit weak; I would have liked to see a stronger reason for Ben getting sucked into everything he did.
That being said, this book had me hooked in from start to finish. I found myself up late and up early wanting to finish this story. There were lots of exciting twists and turns, and at times you didn't know who the good guys were and who the bad guys were. It brings up a lot of questions about the end of times, global warming, and possible, extreme, solutions.
This book is intense, in all of the best possible ways.
Ben is a well-written character; he asks questions in all of the right places, pulling the reader in right along with him. He takes charge of his own destiny when he needs to, but also knows when to play along with the game. It makes him smart and intriguing and someone people can easily root for.
Emily, his girlfriend, is another story. While she is somewhat self-sufficient, I never really felt like I got to know who she was as a person, and why she would choose to follow Ben around to the end of time - literally.
The other nitpick I have is the connection between the General (the head of the preppers) and Ben seems a bit weak; I would have liked to see a stronger reason for Ben getting sucked into everything he did.
That being said, this book had me hooked in from start to finish. I found myself up late and up early wanting to finish this story. There were lots of exciting twists and turns, and at times you didn't know who the good guys were and who the bad guys were. It brings up a lot of questions about the end of times, global warming, and possible, extreme, solutions.
This book is intense, in all of the best possible ways.
February 4, 2016
John Lyman has done it yet again. !
What a page turner! I didn't want to put the book down and I sure didn't want the book to end and I hope he is thinking of a sequel. Mr Lyman grabs your attention with great characters that you just want to love. It really makes you think about what you would do in this situation.
After reading "One Second After", I couldn't go to the grocery store the same way I used to....after reading this, I just want to live on the beach now....in case something happens, I would rather live at the beach then in a big city. Just an awesome book!
What a page turner! I didn't want to put the book down and I sure didn't want the book to end and I hope he is thinking of a sequel. Mr Lyman grabs your attention with great characters that you just want to love. It really makes you think about what you would do in this situation.
After reading "One Second After", I couldn't go to the grocery store the same way I used to....after reading this, I just want to live on the beach now....in case something happens, I would rather live at the beach then in a big city. Just an awesome book!
June 16, 2016
What a fun read.
I have to say this was a really strange novel format. Every time you think you can predict where Mr. Lyman is going with the story, surprise he is off on a different tack.
I have to say this was a really strange novel format. Every time you think you can predict where Mr. Lyman is going with the story, surprise he is off on a different tack.
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September 26, 2016Amazing ending amazing symbolism. No need for further books its that satisfying
Great time reading this. Great symbolism great twist I urge you to read it
If you don't think it's your cup of tea I urge you to keep trudging
on
Great time reading this. Great symbolism great twist I urge you to read it
If you don't think it's your cup of tea I urge you to keep trudging
on
March 9, 2016
Great book, John Lyman comes thru again. It's exciting from start to finish. A plausible plot that hopefully won't happen.
July 9, 2016
This is a mind blowing, interesting and full of adventure
This book really shows that if you get out of your comfort so you can achieve so much more then if you sit and watch TV
This book really shows that if you get out of your comfort so you can achieve so much more then if you sit and watch TV
October 10, 2016
Love this author!
John Lyman paints the perfect picture with words. If you like a suspenseful thrill ride this story is for you.
John Lyman paints the perfect picture with words. If you like a suspenseful thrill ride this story is for you.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews