New World

Nick Smith #1

by Stephen Birch

A global flu pandemic has wiped out ninety nine percent of the worlds population. The UK is now lawless and the power is off. The survivors are left to fight over the remaining supplies of food and water. Nick Smith is a man with a tough past. He was a fugitive when the virus hit. He survived by living off the land and by staying constantly on the move. Up until then he had avoided all contact with other people. Following the pandemic he reluctantly saves a young boy from a vicious gang and his life is turned upside down. Nick and the young boy then cross paths with Beth and her two daughters at an abandoned motorway service station. Nick is then drawn further into a situation that he has been avoiding for years.
Beth and her daughters have been forced to leave the safety of their house. They are on their way to the coast and they are looking for something that no longer exists. A safe home in this harsh New World.

Genres: Dystopia, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 2013

Reviews

[chucklesthescot · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of those books where I pretty much hated every character within seconds of seeing them on the page which dooms any book for me. Beth is ok but her daughters are 14 and 16 and all they do is whine, complain and fight with each other. They are more like childish six year olds and drove me nuts. Nick is the loner who is determined to be alone and avoid people, giving him no personality at all. Dan is a moronic boy with no common sense. The two thug brothers were like pantomime bad guys that you cannot take seriously and toddlers could outwit them.

Nick has a policy of avoiding trouble. So he for some insane reason intervenes when Dan is being attacked then has no interest in helping him further, and just heads back to his camp in the woods. For a survivor, he is dumb and does not check to see Dan following him and is unhappy about Dan wanting to stay with him. Well if you don't want company, you should have walked on by instead of half helping him and leading him to your camp! Dan has the common sense of a wet sponge and on seeing Beth, jumps up yelling 'GIRLS!' and alerts the whole world to their location. Idiot.

I wanted a book about the aftermath of the flu pandemic in the UK but instead with these character's got Idiot Hour which I wasn't impressed with. It was definitely not for me.

[Coco.V]

🎁 The complete Nick Smith Series (6 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (2/15/2020)! 🎁

[Bradleyjeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!

Great story. I thought the pacing was good, the characters well developed and the storyline well balanced. The theme is tragic, but not written too dark (which I liked). Made me root for the hero.

[Donna Ann Sutcliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in England for a change I liked the book. Good pace and characters. Unfortunately as in all end of the world as we know it..people are horrible, and this book has a lot of horrible. The main man is cool and tough. Would definitely look out for the next book.

[Senlin]

The characters are not very attractive other than Beth. Everyone else seems to lack common sense. Nick and Dan seem ready to get a room. Really too many rolling man hugs! Nick is just a machine as are almost all the males. Too many details about exactly which punch was thrown exactly where. And every person gets whacked in the head and falls over dead or half dead. I can't say this was the best after-the-pandemic book as it takes too much time with brawling men and too little time with the reality of their changed lives. For some unfathomable reason, though, I still finished it. I won't go for sequels because I can't take another blow to anyone's head. Pow! Another guy down! With bloody teeth, too!

[Wanda Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of post apocalyptic stories, then you will enjoy this one. Although there are a lot of editing errors, the story itself is really good. I thought that the characters were interesting although the switching from one character to another was a bit abrupt, but you get used to it. If the author gets a proof reader or editor to help him smooth out his transitions between characters and his punctuation/grammar, then I think that he will be a very popular writer. I enjoyed the book very much and give him 5 stars for the story. I would be happy to proofread and give him suggestions anytime. :)

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read filled with situations that are both terrifying and brutal.

The new world so to speak is a place filled with dangers and people who find ways to prey on those weaker than themselves.

Nick Smith is a man apart who finds himself making decisions for others that he would have not done previously but things changed as did his outlook on being a loner forever.

The premise was more interesting than the story execution but it did have highs and lows that kepr me reading till the end.

Thankfully the author had the entire 6 book series on sale so will be able to see if they get better from here when take the time to read them.

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually read the prequel (Book 6) first. It was action-packed and filled with interesting characters and situations. This one though was just boring and flat. Nick comes across as a cardboard cut-out. The two girls are maddening. Dan is an idiot. I suspect it will be very formulaic - Nick has to do hand-to-hand combat with a continuing series of bad guys just like in the prequel. I can only take so much of that. I abandoned it.

[Gail A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Survival

This was a well-written book that left this reader and I'm sure others incomplete off of the survival needs of people after a pandemic that killed 90% of the world's population the main characters were united in a strength that gave me such hope about Humanity and people's will to survive. Friendships were formed and bonds were cemented intimately and powerfully as each of the survivors fought for their freedom, for their lives.

[Velinda haywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a fantastic read

Nick has become a relative recluse not trusting any human interaction. Suddenly the mistreatment of Dan prompted him to have change of heart. With Nicks military background he becomes a semi protector and father figure for a small group of people. Quick enjoyable read.

[Jerry Maciejewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

I can,t wait for book 2. Keep up the great writing. I would like to have you include a training program for the others so nick isn,t the only one saving everyone. My opinion.

[Bobbie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainy day read

A simple story with likable characters. Also some bad guys that were taken care of by the good. I liked the story, good for a rainy day.

[Meili Mattern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read

Decent pace. Will be fun to watch this author develop as a writer. Story line is interesting. Need to invest in longer term thinking for plausible storylines.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining start

Story flows and compels the reader to go further and keep reading til the end. The characters are Nicole done. Recommended

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent "collapse of civilisation" novel. Some of the characters seem a bit stereotypical but it's a fun read that moves along at a good pace.

[Philip Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decent story

Not my usual genre however I enjoyed both the story and the characters. Set in a morbidly morose Britain after a deadly pandemic outbreak.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A fun book to read with interesting characters. Mostly plausible but a couple points you have to give poetic licence, ex. why were there cars blocking the road?

[Phil Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am torn between giving this book 4 or 5 stars. This book follows as Nick with his immense survival skills adopts teenage Dan, Beth and her two daughters and later takes on Bill as they all are trying to deal with the post flu pandemic that has wiped out 99% of the population.

I did enjoy reading this book although I did notice some typos which is unlike me as I usually can ignore that. I find with these type of books it would to provide a greater back story for the main characters prior to the pandemic to help understand the characters better. I would've like the book to be longer too, but then again it's part of a series.

[John Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading

Lots of action, good characters, fairly believable, would read a follow up or another book by this author. A series maybe?

[Earl Holding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey new hero on the scene

I am joyed this book so much. It certainly isn't your run-of-the-mill apocalyptic fiction book. Well written with well-defined characters and lots of action. Kudos to the author

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started with 2 stars and then relented and gave this book three. I liked the story and the plot held me, but there were far too many typos (countless 'to's where it should have read 'too' and many others. Also there was a lot of 'telling' the reader long parts of story. The dialogue was stilted and not all that realistic in places.

[Linda Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ecellent read.

This author in the same category as Lee Child. The main character reminds me of Jack Reacher. I will recommend to all my family and friends.

[Alice B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one following a group of survivors after a flu pandemic.
This book is set in th UK which makes a nice change. Thoroughly recommend.

[Sharon Lukkasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyment

I really liked the way you brought your characters to life. Beth about drove me crazy though with her"let the man take charge and do everything "!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of story

I always enjoy the end of the world type books that have heroes you can count on. This did not disappoint. I hope there is another book to follow!