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Joe Ledger #8
Kill Switch
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2016)What do you do when the power goes off?A terrorist group has acquired one hundred E-bombs. Each bomb's electromagnetic pulse is powerful enough to blow out all power and all technology from a major city. The terrorists plan to hit one hundred American cities in a campaign of destruction. Word has gotten out about the coming blackout and gangs, criminals and terrorist strike teams are poised to attack when the lights go out.Joe Ledger knows how to stop them. He has the names, locations, abort codes.But a targeted EMP weapon kills the electronics aboard his plane. Joe crashes in the deepest and most remote part of the vast rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. Joe and his combat dog, Ghost, survive the crash -but they are lost in the wilderness with no weapons and no way to get the information to the authorities.Time is running out. And Joe is being hunted by a terrifying new kind of assassin. A team of remote viewers have the ability to take over any person and turn ordinary citizens into killers.Joe and Ghost may have to kill the innocent in order to save the entire country from falling during a night of darkness and mass murder.
Audio CD
First published April 26, 2016
143 people are currently reading
3218 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Maberry
531 books7,820 followersJONATHAN MABERRY is a NYTimes bestselling author, #1 Audible bestseller, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, comic book writer, and producer. He is the author of more than 50 novels, 190 short stories, 16 short story collections, 30 graphic novels, 14 nonfiction books, and has edited 26 anthologies. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was a Netflix original series starring Ian Somerhalder. His 2009-10 run as writer on the Black Panther comic formed a large chunk of the recent blockbuster film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His bestselling YA zombie series, Rot & Ruin is in development for film at Alcon Entertainment; and John Wick director, Chad Stahelski, is developing Jonathan’s Joe Ledger Thrillers for TV. Jonathan writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and action; and he writes for adults, teens and middle grade. His works include The Pine Deep Trilogy, The Kagen the Damned Trilogy, NecroTek, Ink, Glimpse, the Rot & Ruin series, the Dead of Night series, The Wolfman, X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate, The Sleepers War (with Weston Ochse), Mars One, and many others. He is the editor of high-profile anthologies including Weird Tales: 100 Years of Weird, The X-Files, Aliens: Bug Hunt, Out of Tune, Don’t Turn out the Lights: A Tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Baker Street Irregulars, Nights of the Living Dead, Shadows & Verse, and others. His comics include Marvel Zombies Return, The Punisher: Naked Kills, Wolverine: Ghosts, Godzilla vs Cthulhu: Death May Die, Bad Blood and many others. Jonathan has written in many popular licensed worlds, including Hellboy, True Blood, The Wolfman, John Carter of Mars, Sherlock Holmes, C.H.U.D., Diablo IV, Deadlands, World of Warcraft, Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Predator, Karl Kolchak, and many others. He the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, and the editor of Weird Tales Magazine. He lives in San Diego, California. Find him online at www.jonathanmaberry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
November 26, 2019
I know I’ve said this about previous books in this series, but this is my favorite entry as of now.
Having the advantage of starting a series once it’s already finished-I know Joe will make it through. Everyone else though? I genuinely was afraid for Top, Bunny, Church, and the gang.
I enjoyed the references to Lovecraft and other pulp fiction writers and combined with the real tension I felt for these characters-I feel like this volume surpassed the others.
Bring on the next book!
* I downloaded the audio of this book free from my local library. Libraries RULE! *
** Listening to these free library downloads has hooked me on this series. As such, I’ve rejoined Audible so I don’t have to wait for library holds to arrive. So, attention publishers! Free access to books and audiobooks at local libraries can and does lead to actual sales. **
Having the advantage of starting a series once it’s already finished-I know Joe will make it through. Everyone else though? I genuinely was afraid for Top, Bunny, Church, and the gang.
I enjoyed the references to Lovecraft and other pulp fiction writers and combined with the real tension I felt for these characters-I feel like this volume surpassed the others.
Bring on the next book!
* I downloaded the audio of this book free from my local library. Libraries RULE! *
** Listening to these free library downloads has hooked me on this series. As such, I’ve rejoined Audible so I don’t have to wait for library holds to arrive. So, attention publishers! Free access to books and audiobooks at local libraries can and does lead to actual sales. **
April 29, 2016
Review copy
Is it to early to add this to the list of my ten favorite reads of 2016? Kill Switch, by Jonathan Maberry, is that good. It's hard to imagine many books to be published the rest of this year being better than this new adventure in the Joe Ledger series.
If you've never read a Joe Ledger novel, it's not too late. Kill Switch is as good a place to start as any. You don't need to read the other books unless you really want to. Maberry covers all of the bases to bring the reader up to speed on Echo Team and the Department of Military Science. The DMS deals with the problems that Homeland Security can’t handle—and these are big problems: terrorist zombies, weaponized plagues, and so much more.
This book starts with Captain Ledger leading a team investigating the reasons behind the sudden silence from a research facility in the Antarctic. (As an aside, my current bedtime read is H.P. Lovecraft's The Mountain's of Madness from The Complete Fiction and Poetry of H.P. Lovecraft and I saw the connection right away.) Thus begins a wild mashup of Lovecraft and Ledger.
One of a number of well crafted subplots involves the childhood of the most intelligent person on the planet who also believes Lovecraft, Derleth, Howard, and other authors were writing much more than stupid horror stories. "Prospero was convinced he was not human. Not entirely. And he was equally convinced that he was not from this world."
Prospero wants to build what he calls the "God Machine" to open a door to the world he came from so he can go home.
His attempts over the years have lead to a number of side effects, projects co-opted by his demanding father. projects with names like "Dreamwalking", "Dreamsheild", "Freefall", "Unleanable Truths", and "Kill Switch," which when activated creates a localized, temporary, EMP. The technologies fall into the hands of a terrorist group and events escalate to a level of unthinkable proportions.
Things that make a Joe Ledger novel so much fun to read include his sparkly dialogue, "'Hell, Farm Boy, don't go thinking you hold the patent on being sphincter-clenching scared. I would give your left nut to be ten thousand miles away from here.'"
Maberry is also the king of the simile, "I rolled on my side as far as tubes and wires would allow. There was no muscle tone left as far as I could tell and even that simple action was like bench-pressing a Volvo."
There is a great deal of ground covered in this 544 page volume, but Maberry keeps it interesting with a number of brilliant twists. Just when you think you know where he's going, there's another twist and it all makes as much sense as it did before, or at least until the next twist.
Once you get to the last hundred pages, I dare you to put this book down. It's just loaded with non-stop action.
When I was done, I was ready for the Joe Ledger Special from Jake Witkowski's food truck. "A homemade bacon cheddar brat, sliced open and topped with a steak patty with grilled pepper and onions, piled high with homemade cheese sauce, homemade whiskey BBQ sauce, and crushed Fritos."
Published by St. Martin's Griffin, Kill Switch is available in paperback, e-book, and popular audio formats.
This one gets my highest recommendation.
Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author. Probably best known for his Joe Ledger novels and for his award-winning YA Rot & Ruin series. He currently resides in Del Mar, California and you can find him online at jonathanmaberry.com.
Is it to early to add this to the list of my ten favorite reads of 2016? Kill Switch, by Jonathan Maberry, is that good. It's hard to imagine many books to be published the rest of this year being better than this new adventure in the Joe Ledger series.
If you've never read a Joe Ledger novel, it's not too late. Kill Switch is as good a place to start as any. You don't need to read the other books unless you really want to. Maberry covers all of the bases to bring the reader up to speed on Echo Team and the Department of Military Science. The DMS deals with the problems that Homeland Security can’t handle—and these are big problems: terrorist zombies, weaponized plagues, and so much more.
This book starts with Captain Ledger leading a team investigating the reasons behind the sudden silence from a research facility in the Antarctic. (As an aside, my current bedtime read is H.P. Lovecraft's The Mountain's of Madness from The Complete Fiction and Poetry of H.P. Lovecraft and I saw the connection right away.) Thus begins a wild mashup of Lovecraft and Ledger.
One of a number of well crafted subplots involves the childhood of the most intelligent person on the planet who also believes Lovecraft, Derleth, Howard, and other authors were writing much more than stupid horror stories. "Prospero was convinced he was not human. Not entirely. And he was equally convinced that he was not from this world."
Prospero wants to build what he calls the "God Machine" to open a door to the world he came from so he can go home.
His attempts over the years have lead to a number of side effects, projects co-opted by his demanding father. projects with names like "Dreamwalking", "Dreamsheild", "Freefall", "Unleanable Truths", and "Kill Switch," which when activated creates a localized, temporary, EMP. The technologies fall into the hands of a terrorist group and events escalate to a level of unthinkable proportions.
Things that make a Joe Ledger novel so much fun to read include his sparkly dialogue, "'Hell, Farm Boy, don't go thinking you hold the patent on being sphincter-clenching scared. I would give your left nut to be ten thousand miles away from here.'"
Maberry is also the king of the simile, "I rolled on my side as far as tubes and wires would allow. There was no muscle tone left as far as I could tell and even that simple action was like bench-pressing a Volvo."
There is a great deal of ground covered in this 544 page volume, but Maberry keeps it interesting with a number of brilliant twists. Just when you think you know where he's going, there's another twist and it all makes as much sense as it did before, or at least until the next twist.
Once you get to the last hundred pages, I dare you to put this book down. It's just loaded with non-stop action.
When I was done, I was ready for the Joe Ledger Special from Jake Witkowski's food truck. "A homemade bacon cheddar brat, sliced open and topped with a steak patty with grilled pepper and onions, piled high with homemade cheese sauce, homemade whiskey BBQ sauce, and crushed Fritos."
Published by St. Martin's Griffin, Kill Switch is available in paperback, e-book, and popular audio formats.
This one gets my highest recommendation.
Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author. Probably best known for his Joe Ledger novels and for his award-winning YA Rot & Ruin series. He currently resides in Del Mar, California and you can find him online at jonathanmaberry.com.
March 20, 2026
“Interdimensional travel?” I asked. “Okay, we’re now having a conversation in which interdimensional travel is a thing. Sure. Why not? My day hasn’t been nearly weird enough.Zombies-Clones-Genetic Monsters-Plagues-Vampires-Aliens-Rise of Machines...and now Parallel Universe, Lovecraftian Monsters-Myths, Telepathy, Mind-control, Dreamwalking all in one. Mixed with the ever present very real terrorist threats. Oh. My. God.
I think this was the most complex and WIERDEST Ledger novel yet. So many groups here and each with their individual motive: The Getway, the ISIL, the CIA, the Brotherhood of the Lock, the Arklight, the mysterious 'Dreamer', the Closers, the monsters from another world, and of course the DMS with Joe Ledger & Co. Saying the whole story was bizarre would be a severe understatement, but as addictive and entertaining as always!
Anyway, after finishing it (more like devouring it) I just have to say it: this usually mindf*cking, mindblowing, mindnumbing, one of a kind Joe Ledger series - with its truly one of a kind larger than life badass 'Joe Ledger' character - has now become the greatest, bestest, epicest, awesomest etc etc Action-Thriller series I've EVER read in my life. Bar none. The all-time Numero Uno. Hands down. At the moment I literally have nothing to describe this HOLY FREKKING SHIT!-of a beautifully INSANE piece of book. Maybe sometime later, when I've finally scrambled together a semblance of coherent output from all the thousands emotions and reactions and feelings running around inside my head while reading it. Maybe. Not holding my breath for that.
July 23, 2023
You have no idea how it kills me to give an "it's okay" to a Joe Ledger novel. I love Joe! I've loved this series since Maberry started it. I've read every single book several times, even though I'm not much of a fan of "fringe" topics. Maberry's fantastic storytelling and wickedly dark sense of humor have always gotten me past the aliens and vampires and such, as has his tendency, at least in this series, to present scientific explanations for traditionally "supernatural" phenomena.
But darn it! This book throws all that out the window. Yes, there's a loosely constructed theory of a multi-dimensional universe in which proton accelerator-type machines can open portals between worlds. But it's thin. Really thin. Yes, the plot pays homage to Lovecraft, and it's always fun to see what an author will do with Cthulhu. But that homage drags the book more firmly into the horror genre whereas the other Joe Ledger novels walk a fine edge between horror and military action/adventure. There's still some action, but it takes a back seat to multiple scenes of fantasy and rumination, episodes in which Ledger becomes stuck in a kind of dream due to psychic infection by the evil emerging from an alternate reality. There's very little of the smart-alecky bravado that makes Ledger so lovable and, although it's certainly more realistic to portray a career warrior as dealing with a heavy load of trauma (especially given the horrors Ledger faces in earlier novels), the truth is that any remotely normal human would have broken long ago, so it doesn't add verisimilitude to weaken him here. Also, prior books have always carried a strong sense of hope behind the horrors they present. Without the dark humor and crypto-optimism, even the action scenes in Kill Switch are bleak and depressing. Joe and his buddies find themselves in situations that must ultimately devastate them if the author stays true to the characters he's created. It makes you wonder if this is the end of the series.
The result of all these changes is that Kill Switch reads more like a Stephen King novel than an entry in the Ledger series. This reader got fed up long ago with King's obsession with other-dimensional evils leaking into the world, and finding it reiterated in one of my favorite series was not a pleasant surprise. I'm not even sure I'll read the next Ledger novel, should there be one; I'm that disappointed.
But darn it! This book throws all that out the window. Yes, there's a loosely constructed theory of a multi-dimensional universe in which proton accelerator-type machines can open portals between worlds. But it's thin. Really thin. Yes, the plot pays homage to Lovecraft, and it's always fun to see what an author will do with Cthulhu. But that homage drags the book more firmly into the horror genre whereas the other Joe Ledger novels walk a fine edge between horror and military action/adventure. There's still some action, but it takes a back seat to multiple scenes of fantasy and rumination, episodes in which Ledger becomes stuck in a kind of dream due to psychic infection by the evil emerging from an alternate reality. There's very little of the smart-alecky bravado that makes Ledger so lovable and, although it's certainly more realistic to portray a career warrior as dealing with a heavy load of trauma (especially given the horrors Ledger faces in earlier novels), the truth is that any remotely normal human would have broken long ago, so it doesn't add verisimilitude to weaken him here. Also, prior books have always carried a strong sense of hope behind the horrors they present. Without the dark humor and crypto-optimism, even the action scenes in Kill Switch are bleak and depressing. Joe and his buddies find themselves in situations that must ultimately devastate them if the author stays true to the characters he's created. It makes you wonder if this is the end of the series.
The result of all these changes is that Kill Switch reads more like a Stephen King novel than an entry in the Ledger series. This reader got fed up long ago with King's obsession with other-dimensional evils leaking into the world, and finding it reiterated in one of my favorite series was not a pleasant surprise. I'm not even sure I'll read the next Ledger novel, should there be one; I'm that disappointed.
January 20, 2022
Kill Switch is the 8th book in Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger Series. Mr. Maberry sure knows how to take a Badseedgirl on a roller-coaster ride of emotion. There have been many cohorts of Mr. Ledger who have come and gone since this series started, but his team has been “fairly” stable for the last few books. All the members of his team have been changed greatly by the end of this story; some dying, some being injured physically, mentally or both. We lose a very important secondary character, and the DMS is hurt in a way they may never recover from.
It seems to me in reading these books that it is getting harder and harder to say Joe and the DMS won at the end of these last few stories. Don’t get me wrong, so far they have been able to stop whatever the bad guys threw at them, but the cost of these wins seem to be getting bigger and bigger.
There are 10 books in this series, this book, Kill Switch, feels like the beginning of the end of an era.
5 melancholy stars.
It seems to me in reading these books that it is getting harder and harder to say Joe and the DMS won at the end of these last few stories. Don’t get me wrong, so far they have been able to stop whatever the bad guys threw at them, but the cost of these wins seem to be getting bigger and bigger.
There are 10 books in this series, this book, Kill Switch, feels like the beginning of the end of an era.
5 melancholy stars.
May 1, 2016
Another excellent addition to the series but OH MY GOD LEAVE ECHO TEAM ALONE. JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE. THEY DO NOT DESERVE THIS. Hi. Sorry. This is a great book about truly terrible things and I both love it and hate it in equal measure.
May 4, 2016
Wow..
Wow, This was a great addition to the series.. Loved the H.P Lovecraft stuff.. Cant wait for the next book.
Wow, This was a great addition to the series.. Loved the H.P Lovecraft stuff.. Cant wait for the next book.
November 28, 2019
What a great series. I have been blowing through these like crazy and I'm diggin' it. I don't think I ever went back to back to back to back...ever.
December 5, 2016
5 Stars
Joe, DMS, Church, Cthulhu, mind-control (??) and the dark; what is not to love?? There is so much hinky-shit happening, and it is all related. The DMS just needs to figure out who the bad guys are; which is not as easy as it sounds. It is friend versus friend versus foe. To me, we don't have another case of Joe whooping ass and taking names; it seems that the DMS have met their match..... and it all starts with genius.
I think we get a little foreshadowing of things to come. So ready! Where is Det. Fox?? ;)
Joe, DMS, Church, Cthulhu, mind-control (??) and the dark; what is not to love?? There is so much hinky-shit happening, and it is all related. The DMS just needs to figure out who the bad guys are; which is not as easy as it sounds. It is friend versus friend versus foe. To me, we don't have another case of Joe whooping ass and taking names; it seems that the DMS have met their match..... and it all starts with genius.
I think we get a little foreshadowing of things to come. So ready! Where is Det. Fox?? ;)
March 28, 2016
This is the latest in the
JOE LEDGER series
Maberry continues to
write thriller's that
are the combination of
James Bond
&
Kolchak The Night Stalker
In this outing
it seems that Capt. Ledger
is'nt just facing the normal
villains of a tech cabal
but then it becomes
fighting Eldritch Horrors
straight from HP Lovecraft
Maberry continued to amaze with
brilliant story telling
and amazing action
this is the SF
action hero we have been waiting for
JOE LEDGER series
Maberry continues to
write thriller's that
are the combination of
James Bond
&
Kolchak The Night Stalker
In this outing
it seems that Capt. Ledger
is'nt just facing the normal
villains of a tech cabal
but then it becomes
fighting Eldritch Horrors
straight from HP Lovecraft
Maberry continued to amaze with
brilliant story telling
and amazing action
this is the SF
action hero we have been waiting for
May 31, 2017
Someone has taken control of deadly tech that can be used to kill power to all things powered by electricity, and in a series of terrifying events, the death toll rises. And if that's not horrible enough, a terrorist prophet claims responsibility and promises even worse attacks...to bring America to a new Dark Age.
Enter Joe Ledger and his DMS team, recently tasked to probe an installation suddenly gone dark in Antarctica. But what they encounter is beyond anything they could imagine, and very nearly destroys their bodies, minds, and souls. Suddenly, the President is no longer a supporter, wants them shut down, and an aging but legendary US superspy appears to have a hidden agenda. If that wasn't bad enough, another threat emerges, turning friends into bloodthirsty and relentless enemies, and the clock is ticking...
What may be my favorite book in the series, Maberry deftly blends Lovecraftian horror with weird science and nonstop, white-knuckle suspense and thrills. But it's the characters, both good and bad, heroes and villains, that make these books so addictive.
If you haven't read this series, you should. It's a fun, action packed and scary as hell roller coaster ride of a great read from start to finish. The Joe Ledger series never disappoints!
Highest of recommendations!
Enter Joe Ledger and his DMS team, recently tasked to probe an installation suddenly gone dark in Antarctica. But what they encounter is beyond anything they could imagine, and very nearly destroys their bodies, minds, and souls. Suddenly, the President is no longer a supporter, wants them shut down, and an aging but legendary US superspy appears to have a hidden agenda. If that wasn't bad enough, another threat emerges, turning friends into bloodthirsty and relentless enemies, and the clock is ticking...
What may be my favorite book in the series, Maberry deftly blends Lovecraftian horror with weird science and nonstop, white-knuckle suspense and thrills. But it's the characters, both good and bad, heroes and villains, that make these books so addictive.
If you haven't read this series, you should. It's a fun, action packed and scary as hell roller coaster ride of a great read from start to finish. The Joe Ledger series never disappoints!
Highest of recommendations!
January 20, 2020
This is the first Joe Ledger book I listened to as an audiobook (the first two were print copies) and as long as Ray Porter is narrating, I’m in!
I’m mostly familiar with Joe Ledger in the Benny Imura and Dead of Night series. The Joe Ledger series actually takes place BEFORE BI and DoN.
But, no matter when the book is set, Joe Ledger is... That. Guy! I want to be Joe when I grow up.
I’ve now read books 1, 6, and 8. I think I need to go grab more Joe books (and Ray Porter)!!
I’m mostly familiar with Joe Ledger in the Benny Imura and Dead of Night series. The Joe Ledger series actually takes place BEFORE BI and DoN.
But, no matter when the book is set, Joe Ledger is... That. Guy! I want to be Joe when I grow up.
I’ve now read books 1, 6, and 8. I think I need to go grab more Joe books (and Ray Porter)!!
March 26, 2023
Star bump for the Elder Gods
7/10
7/10
May 30, 2016
Brilliant as always. The Joe Ledger books are among my favourite of all time, and this one was as great as I expected. The story was interesting and pretty damned scary as well. I hope Maberry hurries up and writes another one, as I'm already hungry for more.
June 10, 2020
I like this series, and hate to disagree with Char, but this is the worst one so far. Joe is comatose much of the time and the whole outfit is falling apart so the trademark humor is misfiring. Joe comments at the beginning something to the effect that the case is a mish-mash of every sci-fi novel, and it is, so the plot is just more of a mess than usual. Also, pet peeve, an important plot point revolves around the Spanish Flu starting in Spain, but anyone who knows anything bout the 1918 flu knows it had nothing to do with Spain. Maybe this only seems relevant now in the middle of the COVID pandemic, but hey Maberry, please do a little research on the factual stuff.
June 14, 2024
I feel like every new book of this series becomes my favorite until I read the next one, but this one might be my favorite of the series. What a top notch series, each book I just think there's no way to top that last one and then, then he does. I'm just blown away each time. All almost 18 hours of it, I was holding on for dear life. Never once was I bored or losing interest. Plus Ray Porter (the narrator) is Joe Ledger in my book.
February 28, 2022
Not sure what i can say about a Joe Ledger book I haven't already ranted and raved about. If you like ACTION ACTION ACTION then grab one up and you won't be disappointed. Theses books always grab me up and sweep me through the story with their fast paced plot. Very recommended
January 2, 2025
Audiobook (18 hours) narrated by Ray Porter
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Ray Porter is one of the audiobook GOAT narrators.
The audio was just a bit off with an edit towards the end that actually made me laugh. Ray was clearer and a tad louder, closer to the mic, for a moment. It caught me off guard as edits are not obvious in this series. It happened. As far as noticeable edits go, this one was not horrible.
I have been cruising through this series. It is just awesome beyond awesome.
Jonathan Maberry is a fantastic writer. His world and character building is not only great and creative, but the character growth through several books is amazing. A lot of times urban fantasies are more of a guilty pleasure type of pop writing with little is any character growth, not the mention the character inconsistencies. Maberry is a skilled writer, who happens to write in a genre that isn't necessarily known for memorable authors, outside of a select few.
I am beyond thrilled that this series was introduced to me. I am already planning my next Maberry series. I have already penciled him into my small must read authors list. While I am late to the game, the good thing is that there is years and years of content that Maberry has been hard at work building up, so I have a lot to just dive into and devour. nomnomnomnom!
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Ray Porter is one of the audiobook GOAT narrators.
The audio was just a bit off with an edit towards the end that actually made me laugh. Ray was clearer and a tad louder, closer to the mic, for a moment. It caught me off guard as edits are not obvious in this series. It happened. As far as noticeable edits go, this one was not horrible.
I have been cruising through this series. It is just awesome beyond awesome.
Jonathan Maberry is a fantastic writer. His world and character building is not only great and creative, but the character growth through several books is amazing. A lot of times urban fantasies are more of a guilty pleasure type of pop writing with little is any character growth, not the mention the character inconsistencies. Maberry is a skilled writer, who happens to write in a genre that isn't necessarily known for memorable authors, outside of a select few.
I am beyond thrilled that this series was introduced to me. I am already planning my next Maberry series. I have already penciled him into my small must read authors list. While I am late to the game, the good thing is that there is years and years of content that Maberry has been hard at work building up, so I have a lot to just dive into and devour. nomnomnomnom!
April 26, 2016
St. Martin's Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Kill Switch, in exchange for an honest review.
Kill Switch is the 8th book in the Joe Ledger series and neither the author nor the main character show any signs of slowing down. When terrorists acquire a weapon that can plunge America into darkness, they hatch a sinister plan to leave America in chaos, in the dark, and fighting a plague without access to the very people who could help them. When the coordinated attack includes crippling the intelligence services and turning ordinary people into killers, will Joe be able to help save himself and others before it is too late?
Author Jonathan Maberry gives Joe Ledger a strong voice and it comes through clearly in Kill Switch. With a unique concept and a fast paced thriller format, this book definitely reads like it could be a blockbuster movie. Strangely enough, I did not feel lost while reading Kill Switch, even though I am new to the Joe Ledger series. This book has definitely piqued my interest and I am intrigued enough to want to go back and read the previous novels. For a relatively long book, Kill Switch certainly moves along at a breakneck pace. As this is a fusion between the thriller, science fiction, and horror genres, it will appeal to a wide audience. As I feel that some of the major parts of Joe Ledger's character have already been written, I would recommend reading this book after reading the others in the series.
Kill Switch is the 8th book in the Joe Ledger series and neither the author nor the main character show any signs of slowing down. When terrorists acquire a weapon that can plunge America into darkness, they hatch a sinister plan to leave America in chaos, in the dark, and fighting a plague without access to the very people who could help them. When the coordinated attack includes crippling the intelligence services and turning ordinary people into killers, will Joe be able to help save himself and others before it is too late?
Author Jonathan Maberry gives Joe Ledger a strong voice and it comes through clearly in Kill Switch. With a unique concept and a fast paced thriller format, this book definitely reads like it could be a blockbuster movie. Strangely enough, I did not feel lost while reading Kill Switch, even though I am new to the Joe Ledger series. This book has definitely piqued my interest and I am intrigued enough to want to go back and read the previous novels. For a relatively long book, Kill Switch certainly moves along at a breakneck pace. As this is a fusion between the thriller, science fiction, and horror genres, it will appeal to a wide audience. As I feel that some of the major parts of Joe Ledger's character have already been written, I would recommend reading this book after reading the others in the series.
February 23, 2018
When I was younger I read a lot of stuff by authors like John Sandford and James Patterson, as I got older I sort of moved away from them and the formulaic structure of their writing. Not to take anything away, those books were hugely entertaining, I just branched out. These Ledger books are not something I gravitate towards nowadays but I love Maberry's writing and trust him to deliver a solid story (the Pine Deep trilogy is spectacular). Fast forward eight books and this might be the best one yet. NO ONE does mounting tension, sense of dread, nonstop, downhill, runaway train, action-packed writing like Maberry, no one. This one is a little darker than the others and our heroes are a little damaged but that just makes everything a little more real, adds some authenticity. These books are straight up fun: cool characters, neat tech, mind blowing storylines, and enough action/humor/horror to satisfy this reading junkie book after book. Whole series is highly recommended as every book is spectacular.
July 27, 2020
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
This series is definitely addicting! This installment stepped a little further off the path of science and more firmly into the alien territory. It also has the mind-blowing images of characters we know and love doing horrible things, even to other characters we know they love. We have yet another obdurate, ignorant president and a national hero with feet of clay. We have a new character to love, said hero's pudgy, fumbling, but endearing son, who forms a surprising romantic connection. We also have MVPs and mind control--and giant penguins. Another rousing adventure in a great series!
I almost forgot! This one also links Joe to Jonathan Maberry's other series that I'm reading--the Rot & Ruin zombie apocalypse series. Joe has a brief encounter with Tom Imura in a mind-altering prophetic vision and their conversation is enough to establish that they are allies in that future world. I can't wait to meet Joe in the Rot and Ruin! :)
This series is definitely addicting! This installment stepped a little further off the path of science and more firmly into the alien territory. It also has the mind-blowing images of characters we know and love doing horrible things, even to other characters we know they love. We have yet another obdurate, ignorant president and a national hero with feet of clay. We have a new character to love, said hero's pudgy, fumbling, but endearing son, who forms a surprising romantic connection. We also have MVPs and mind control--and giant penguins. Another rousing adventure in a great series!
I almost forgot! This one also links Joe to Jonathan Maberry's other series that I'm reading--the Rot & Ruin zombie apocalypse series. Joe has a brief encounter with Tom Imura in a mind-altering prophetic vision and their conversation is enough to establish that they are allies in that future world. I can't wait to meet Joe in the Rot and Ruin! :)
May 29, 2021
10/31/2020 Notes:
- Tie ins with Rot & Ruin and Dead of Night series are in this book.
- A LOT happened and this is one of the books that I spend more time with because it's the brief events that end up having more impact within the Ledger/Church world.
- Most of the time, I don't want more details about the side characters (mostly the bad guys). I definitely want more about Prospero and not sure if that will ever happen. Probably best that it doesn't because I'll enjoy the mystery more than getting the answers. lol
- One of the toughest stories in the series to read but the various juggled balls did end up making a complex pattern that flowed in a bizarre fashion.
04/19/2018 Notes:
Ray Porter did a fantastic job narrating this story.
OMG a ton happened. It was trippy and amazing.
- Tie ins with Rot & Ruin and Dead of Night series are in this book.
- A LOT happened and this is one of the books that I spend more time with because it's the brief events that end up having more impact within the Ledger/Church world.
- Most of the time, I don't want more details about the side characters (mostly the bad guys). I definitely want more about Prospero and not sure if that will ever happen. Probably best that it doesn't because I'll enjoy the mystery more than getting the answers. lol
- One of the toughest stories in the series to read but the various juggled balls did end up making a complex pattern that flowed in a bizarre fashion.
04/19/2018 Notes:
Ray Porter did a fantastic job narrating this story.
OMG a ton happened. It was trippy and amazing.
May 4, 2016
Joe Ledger does not deserve all the grief that gets thrown at him. He and his friends at Echo Team get thrown into the deep end of the pool over and over again... there are bound to be consequences, right? Well, Kill Switch brings some of those consequences to bear. Self-doubt. Hero worship dashed on the rocks. And innocents - so many innocents - stuck in the line of fire.
Does he come through? Of course he does. Jonathan Maberry isn't retiring Ledger's number any time soon. But he does get some new scars - mental, emotional, and physical - by the end of this one.
Madness always takes its toll. Please have exact change.
Now we wait for the next one.
If you haven't read the Joe Ledger series, what are you waiting for? Get on it!
Does he come through? Of course he does. Jonathan Maberry isn't retiring Ledger's number any time soon. But he does get some new scars - mental, emotional, and physical - by the end of this one.
Madness always takes its toll. Please have exact change.
Now we wait for the next one.
If you haven't read the Joe Ledger series, what are you waiting for? Get on it!
August 22, 2020
Still as good 2nd time around
These books are getting bigger and more complex with each novel Jonathan writes.
The action is intense, the characters are big, the plot is huge.
It feels like things maybe drawing to a close with the introduction of threads leading to future events (constant readers will understand) but hopefully there is more in the locker for Joe Ledger and Echo Team.
Jonathan Mayberry writes Horror Thrillers better than anyone out there.
These books are getting bigger and more complex with each novel Jonathan writes.
The action is intense, the characters are big, the plot is huge.
It feels like things maybe drawing to a close with the introduction of threads leading to future events (constant readers will understand) but hopefully there is more in the locker for Joe Ledger and Echo Team.
Jonathan Mayberry writes Horror Thrillers better than anyone out there.
December 31, 2023
Overall Rating : B+
"I didn't hire you to be a soldier," said Church. "Or have you forgotten? When I recruited you it was because you were a detective, an investigator. You're a cop, Captain Ledger. That's what you do."
The power is going out, and with it thousands of lives. It's up to Joe Ledger and the team to solve the case and find out who is responsible. But how do you do that when strangers - even friends -minds are being hijacked by the enemy? Who do you trust, when you can't even trust yourself?
This was probably one of the most bittersweet, heart wrenching books in the series. And one of the most confusing. I swear the first 30%, I was scratching my head wondering what the hell does all of this mean?
Many people die here folks, a lot of bad guys, a lot of good guys. Really makes you want to read something lighthearted and fun to even it out. I did enjoy the shout to his YA series, and how it might all connect.
I made a commitment to see this through and I am almost done with this series! Just please, something a little more happy.
"I didn't hire you to be a soldier," said Church. "Or have you forgotten? When I recruited you it was because you were a detective, an investigator. You're a cop, Captain Ledger. That's what you do."
The power is going out, and with it thousands of lives. It's up to Joe Ledger and the team to solve the case and find out who is responsible. But how do you do that when strangers - even friends -minds are being hijacked by the enemy? Who do you trust, when you can't even trust yourself?
This was probably one of the most bittersweet, heart wrenching books in the series. And one of the most confusing. I swear the first 30%, I was scratching my head wondering what the hell does all of this mean?
Many people die here folks, a lot of bad guys, a lot of good guys. Really makes you want to read something lighthearted and fun to even it out. I did enjoy the shout to his YA series, and how it might all connect.
I made a commitment to see this through and I am almost done with this series! Just please, something a little more happy.
December 25, 2021
I think good enough. But, I could guess the main villain far ahead, although that didn't spoil the fun at all. Threat was interesting this time around. And I liked how helpless Joe had become.
But this book is a spoiler bomb, so read all the books before reaching to this one.
But this book is a spoiler bomb, so read all the books before reaching to this one.
June 5, 2016
Fast-paced action and adventure thriller with Lovecraftian horror and science fiction woven seamlessly into the story. Usually with thrillers I get a little bored around page 300 (did we really need that last action scene?) but Kill Switch kept me engaged and fascinated for all 544 pages – and left me wanting more.
July 11, 2016
This was amazing!
Jonathan Maberry, I hope you live a long and healthy life. You see, I'm going to need my Joe Ledger fix for many, many years to come.
...and while you're at it, a bit more about Pine Deep would be nice too.
Jonathan Maberry, I hope you live a long and healthy life. You see, I'm going to need my Joe Ledger fix for many, many years to come.
...and while you're at it, a bit more about Pine Deep would be nice too.
September 16, 2022
Probably my favorite Ledger novel so far. Still absolutely ridiculous bombastic action but this time with a touch of the eldritch.
February 25, 2025
3.75/5
This started off a little shaky and was much too long but this was still enormously entertaining.
This started off a little shaky and was much too long but this was still enormously entertaining.
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