Takers

by Ann Swann

When the cosmic fabric separating the dimensions rips open and spits the inhabitants of Purgatory into his hometown, Jack just happens to be in his school’s basement. That’s the only thing that saves him.
The initial rip is so forceful it kills everyone and everything that isn’t indoors or underground. The tag line for this book might be I pray the Lord my soul to take, because the creatures from Purgatory only want one new, unsullied, souls.
Eventually, Jack stumbles across a few other survivors. One is a deaf pit bull named Snake. Together they make their way to a safe house in New Mexico where they are forced to make their final stand.
Not everyone will survive.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

New Release Jan. 20, 2025

REMAINDERS: Apocalypse in Eden book 3

Most of the crew survived the apocalypse, but what now? All they have left is faith, hope, and each other. Will that be enough?



A TRACE OF ROMANCE
A Two-Hour Novella

Laynie & Trace were best friends until tragedy struck, then they were split apart. His family moved away. Somehow, he forgot her, but now, after six years, he was back, leaning into her flower shop doorway, taking up all the space just the way he'd always done. Why was he here, in her new life, after all this time?

https://www.5Princebooks.com/annswann...


SEEKERS: Apocalypse in Eden trilogy - Book 2

Jack and most of his crew survived the battle with the Takers in Book One. Now, they are headed back to Eden, seeking the whereabouts of Jack’s father. Along the way they will encounter other survivors, some friendly, some decidedly unfriendly. And they will find more Takers. Lots more Takers. But nothing can prepare them for what they will discover when they follow instructions to go on to Cheyenne Mountain. This time, it will be a miracle if anyone survives.

https://www.authorAnnSwann.com

This just in ...
TAKERS: Apocalypse in Eden now on Audio!
Message me here or on FB for a FREE audible copy! Whoohoo! "Jack survived the rip in the universe, he even survived the Taker-monsters, but can he survive the other survivors?"

And ...

My new HEA novel A CROSSBOW CHRISTMAS tells the story of a woman who has survived Covid and the loss of family members and now just wants a big, old fashioned Christmas. Unfortunately, the only one who shares her attitude is her young friend, Max. Check it out and let me now what you think. You can find a snippet and all the buy links at www.5Princebooks.com/annswann.html

I also have a novella in the anthology, A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER. It's only 99¢ for seven novellas from 5Prince authors. My story is COPPER PENNY CHRISTMAS and I don't mind saying, I kinda like it. I don't write much regular romance, so I'm a little proud of this one. ❤️

Happy Reading -
And if you want to stay up to date on books in the works, sign up for my newsletter at www.authorAnnSwann.com

Did I mention there are a couple of FREE short stories on my blog/website? Yep. Enjoy!


Read on to learn more about TAKERS:

TAKERS: Apocalypse in Eden Book 1

TAKERS was just re-released in hardcover. It's the story of a boy, Jack, and a deaf pit-bull named Snake who have to battle the cannibalistic Takers after the monsters are spat out into the town of Eden, Texas from a parallel universe called Purgatory.

https://www.authorAnnSwann.com

TELEPHONE ROAD

Stalked, assaulted, and left to die, Marlena thinks her life is over. Then she meets Destiny and justice takes on a new meaning. It's called revenge.

https://www.authorannswann.com

A former emergency services dispatcher, rock-n-roll radio station secretary, hospital information operator, and grade school teacher, Ann Swann has been many things. Through it all were the words. She's been a writer since her teenage years and began winning fiction awards in college. As a child she grew up much like Stevie-girl in small town Texas. One difference? Ann never got up the nerve to enter the haunted house alone. She waited until she married her husband, Dude, then they went in together. Ann would love to hear your thoughts on her stories. Feel free to message her at any of

Reviews

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

takers by Ann Swann.
When the cosmic fabric separating the dimensions rips open and spits the inhabitants of Purgatory into his hometown, Jack just happens to be below ground, in his school's basement. It's the only thing that saves him. The initial rip is so forceful it kills everything above ground, and then the soulless creatures from Purgatory prey on the survivors as they creep out of hiding. Eventually Jack stumbles across a deaf pit bull named Snake. Together they make their way to a safe house in New Mexico. It's where they will make their final stand.
A good read with good characters. I liked the story. I liked Jack. little slow in places but I read it. 4*.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

takers by Ann Swann. When the cosmic fabric separating the dimensions rips open and spits the inhabitants of Purgatory into his hometown, Jack just happens to be below ground, in his school's basement. It's the only thing that saves him. The initial rip is so forceful it kills everything above ground, and then the soulless creatures from Purgatory prey on the survivors as they creep out of hiding. Eventually Jack stumbles across a deaf pit bull named Snake. Together they make their way to a safe house in New Mexico. It's where they will make their final stand. A good read with good characters. I liked the story. I liked Jack. little slow in places but I read it. 4*.

[Viking Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://koeur.wordpress.com/2016/03/2...

Publisher: Ann Swan

Publishing Date: March 2016

ISBN:9781523719952

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 3.4/5

Publishers Description: When the cosmic fabric separating the dimensions rips open and spits the inhabitants of Purgatory into his hometown, Jack just happens to be below ground, in his school’s basement. It’s the only thing that saves him. The initial rip is so forceful it kills everything above ground, and then the soulless creatures from Purgatory prey on the survivors as they creep out of hiding. Eventually Jack stumbles across a deaf pit bull named Snake. Together they make their way to a safe house in New Mexico. It’s where they will make their final stand.

Review: I am a bit conflicted about this novel. An interesting story line with good movement that gradually developed the characters through transforming events. Taken individually, Jack is/was annoying as hell. The reiteration of music, specifically Kansas’ ‘Carry On Wayward Son”, playing in his head that seemingly saves and guides him was repetitive to the point of disgust. Its a big story line crutch that conveniently replaces Deus Ex as a plausible event generator. Can you say “Contrived plot device?”. Still, the supporting characters were interesting and well built, mainly because they didn’t have song artifacts in quotations every time they spoke. There were some minor fails with scene descriptions like boots crunching cigarettes when they were wearing running shoes and an all wheel drive Chrysler 300 that suddenly spins its tires in critical situations.

I was still engaged throughout the novel and the finite descriptions in each scene lent a broader emotional tapestry to the story line. Usually this slows the movement but was rendered as an effect of the causal action. I am curious to see what the next novel in the series involves as there are some questions not easily answered about the End Game. I rated this a 4 star experience with a half star deduction for dumb Jack and his plot device.

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Well, I really enjoyed this one, despite not expecting to! I don't keep track of how many "first part" books I read and don't bother to look for the second, third, etc. in the series. But Ms. Swann's Takers is one series that I will be following and awaiting the next installments. Main character Jack is young and basically lost in the new world created by the Takers, inhabitants of Purgatory that come to earth in search of new souls. As his world crashes down around him, Jack and his deaf dog Snake make their uncertain way to safety. As his Dad's 80's tunes seem to urge him on, he finds ways to survive and take control of what is left of his life. Refreshing and entertaining!

[Nettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As much as I love apocalyptic books, I'm afraid this one wasnt for me. I read it all in one sitting, mainly because I knew if I put it down I wouldnt bother to pick it up again. The theme of the book was good, but the writing style put me off.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a review copy of this story and I really enjoyed it because it was well written and had an unusual and intriguing plot.

Jack is a survivor of an assault on Earth that came from...well that is the mystery.

It's cleverly done, and though I am not a believer, the spiritual element of the story, together with the supernatural, instilled a feeling of acceptance in this scenario. Messages through songs - great idea.

Good characters (Snake is my favourite), plenty of action, unusual plot and superb writing style, make for a compelling read.

Recommended

[Samantha Tully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should you be religious or know the Bible going into this book? Not really. It's definitely horror, but there's a lot of talk of God in hell and purgatory. I couldn't put this thing down and it took me two days to read it, and the first night that I was reading it I spent half the night up. And I went to bed at some weird hour and got up just a couple hours later looking like Keith Richards. It was a pretty good book. I now want to know what the rest of this serious is like.

[Scott Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the concept of the book. Wasn't a tale gripper that would keep me reading. I appreciate the opportunity to win this giveway and the book.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and it was a different take on the genre. the narration really suited the story.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prior to the apocalypse, Jack’s most pressing concerns were to get the pretty girl to dance with him at the school dance, and just maybe a first kiss. Fortunately for Jack, a trip to the school basement saves his life. Whilst looking at science websites he's warned of impending doom, the fabric between dimensions is tearing and purgatory will spill out. The website video conveniently warns that underground may be safe! Look where Jack is! Is that a basement I hear you cry? Oh no, the power goes out. Stumbling to the stairs, cue loud noises and shaking, Jack emerges and starts his long journey to find his family. Along the way he picks up a deaf dog Snake, and the two of them start their post apocalyptic journey.

Once the apocalypse has hit, the author quickly uses song lyrics as a device to drive the main character Jack. What was going through my head at this time? Supernatural – that’s what! Why – because the author references the Kansas song “Carry on my wayward” song, for what feels like every paragraph. Any Supernatural fan (and I’m talking about the TV series) knows that this song is inextricably linked to every season finale. I think the fact that the particular flavour of this apocalypse is creatures escaping from purgatory also brought the Supernatural analogy to the forefront of my mind.

So is the author a supernatural fan? Reading further along, and journeying through more song lyrics my conclusion is? Nope the author is obsessed with Kansas! Part of me was smiling whilst reading that the author had such a love for 1970’s rock.

When started out I didn't think I was going to like this book, there was something about the way it was written. However it really grew on me. Sure there are criticisms, Jack makes decisions a 14 year old boy wouldn't make. You have to suspend disbelief, but as you get into the book Jacks character strengthens and his flaws become much less obvious.

I know I’ve mentioned the lyric issue earlier, but to be honest I do like the idea of Jack getting messages in the form of song lyrics in his head, and the monsters, these are good monsters. Well thought out and I can picture them in my head, so much so that I can see the TV show that could be made based upon this book.

All in all a well thought out post apocalyptic story, with a new and interesting unique selling point. Makes a change to read a post apocalyptic novel that's not about zombies, EMP’s or virulent disease. I will be picking up the next book in the series. 3.5 stars.

***Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing the free e-ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review! This review is my honest opinion***

[Melek · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I'm not a fan, I like Kansas, and I love the song Carry On My Wayward Son. However, I would appreciate it more if it didn't appear every few pages, and I definitely wouldn't mind it if our main character wasn't guided by some song lyrics sent by no one knows who, as if he wasn't annoying enough as he was already. (Yes, I don't like supposedly 14 year old boys)

Another confession to make: I basically read half and skimmed half of this book. It got more exciting this way. The writing channelled our character's way of thinking completely, which is a compliment to our writer's skill, but this also meant being in the brain of a 14 year old boy. Pardon me for getting bored in about 50 pages and starting to read one of every two (or three) paragraphs.

On the other hand, I liked the suspense. After he went to the basement and the creatures started to come in, I felt both tension and excitement, which lasted up until he reached his house. The descriptions were great too, I'm glad I didn't see any of the creatures in my dreams or something. That wouldn't be very nice.

That said, while I've written mostly badly about it, I liked the end result. I liked Snake and... Snake. I liked Jack's determination. I liked the small details, such as Carlos and the house. There were inconsistent parts, but they didn't matter much for me. I would be a lot happier if it wasn't full of only theories and speculations, but oh well.

Overall, it wouldn't win any awards, but I enjoyed reading Takers. I wouldn't re-read it though, that was a one time thing for me. I'm not sure if I enjoyed it enough to follow the series, I would probably read the sequel if I found it on Netgalley or something, but I don't think I would actually chase and buy it. For me, it was around 2.5/5.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sci-fi/fantasy novel (and the first in a series), and due to the violence probably best suited for adults.

Jack is a young teen helping to set up the hall for a school dance. Coincidentally Jack's crush is there too. When he is sent to the basement to fetch the last of the decorations, he doesn't realise that this act will save his life. An alarming broadcast by a TV scientist on a laptop left by a friend in the basement, tells of Purgatory existing in the world next to Jack's and threatening to push through. As the broadcast is about to end a deafening crack brings the planet to its knees as rips appear in the sky and beings rush through. Jack hurries back upstairs to find that he is the only one that has survived. These beings that have words pulsating under their skins are busy feeding off any living human; as though trying to suck the souls out of them. Jack has landed up in a nightmare that is now his reality. He needs to find other survivors and somehow get rid of these "takers". And can someone please explain the musical lyrics constantly pumping through his head?

This was definitely a different take on the apocalyptic aspect. To imagine the takers fleeing from Purgatory to eat souls and finding that something else follows them from Purgatory to kill them was a very interesting idea. For a youngster Jack is very mature and able to cope with so much. The religious angle and the clever correlation with the music was interspersed in a thoughtful way. I liked the twist that wasn't a twist and the violence, though graphic, had my imagination working overtime. One or two tiny editing mistakes but nothing troubling. Great novel, well written and a good beginning to a series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review the book.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yikes! I love this cover it is perfect for this novel.

I have to say I love some good apocalyptic stories and this one is no different. It does have the same feel to a lot of them but this one does have some surprising twist and turns so just because the beginning sounds like the rest don't give up! It's so worth the read.

Our main character is Jack. Of course he has to run and do something and poof everything is changed and the world becomes very different. We have lots of fun critters with a angry side in this. We have LOTS of violence in this one and it's a bit dark which I loved. Oh I can't forget we have some awesome musical references which just happen to fit the mood with Jack ; )

We do have the religious aspect in this book. If that bugs you move on but it is directly involved. Didn't phase me a bit. It fitted well into the story line to me personally. This for sure has a different feel to it. Have to love "Takers" eating souls. It's for sure a interesting read you won't forget with all the other horror/end of the world books out there.

This has some graphic horror (yes I'm mentioning that again) that gets your imagination going in this one. Highly recommend if your brave enough and enjoy horror and similar sub-type genres. Not at all suitable for YA. Now my question is when is the next one coming out? While the ending was satisfying it does leave it open for more.

[Ann Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello - I am the author of this book. I give it five stars because when I go back to read it, I still get sucked into Jack's world. I like the characters, especially Jack and his sidekick, Snake, and it hurt me when my editor suggested I do away with some of the other characters (it was nearly 500 pages then). But at least one of those characters will make a reappearance in Book II, Seekers.

At any rate, I hope you enjoy reading the book. It's all about creatures from Purgatory who fall through holes in the sky. Since they are from Purgatory (where some spirits go to await new, unsullied, souls) they immediately begin trying to attain new souls in order to make their way on to the dimension of Heaven. It isn't pretty. But I don't think I need to tell you more. Just open the book and dive on in. Watch for those sticky puddles, though. They are writhing with infected Takers.
Happy reading,
Ann

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT’S THE APOCALYPSE, ISN’T IT?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love the books written by Ann Swann and this is no exception. This book tells in the first person what happened when the Apocalypse started and you follow a teenage boy named Jack as the world around him goes completely off the tracks. The Takers fall from the sky and they start to kill everyone around him. He soon discovers that it’s happening everywhere in his town. The world that Ann has created sucks you in and you won’t be able to put this book down. As Jack goes about his days and nights he seems to accept what is happening but then again it doesn’t seem real to him. This is really an intriguing read about the apocalypse and how it could happen. I loved this book and I highly recommend it. There is a second book coming and I can’t wait for it! Grab “THE TAKERS” today. It’s well worth it. Kudos to Ann Swann!!

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

writing style was good but the book is very confusing and you are left with a lot of questions.

characters I found good but some were lacking personality