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Rasper #1

The Colony

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Trust no one
Never go out in the dark
Always have a weapon

Sixteen-year-old Val lives by these three rules etched on her arm. Her rules and her gun are the only things standing between her and assimilation by hordes of human-looking aliens she calls Raspers.

By day, Val gathers supplies. By night, she hides and wishes she could go back in time…before her family died…before the annihilation…before the Raspers began stalking her and demanding she join their collective.

But when the Raspers attack in broad daylight, the truth becomes startlingly clear.

They’re evolving.

A fellow survivor crashes into Val’s life. Adam’s full of charm and promises—like rumors of a safe haven—but there’s something wrong. He’s survived with no supplies, no weapons…no plans. Time is running out. With the formula for survival shifting around her, Val must decide how many rules she’s willing to break to escape the Colony.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2016

199 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read

About the author

Kathleen Groger

5 books101 followers

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5 stars
133 (44%)
4 stars
103 (34%)
3 stars
46 (15%)
2 stars
13 (4%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Jasmine.
999 reviews84 followers
May 12, 2016
The Colony is a young adult sci-fi story that has a Walking Dead meets V (or a similar type show) feel to it, and I have to say, it's one of my favorite reads of 2016. I couldn't put it down!


We have Val, the main character. She's 16, all alone, and trying to survive in a world that's gone to hell in a handbasket. She has rules she lives by, like don't go out at night and don't trust anyone. It isn't until she's out scavenging that she realizes those rules are no longer going to save her.


Saved by Adam, Val knows she shouldn't trust him. But what choice does she have? She lets her guard down enough to stick with him, but tells herself she can take him out if need be.


It isn't until Val and Adam meet up with a couple of other survivors that things start to go downhill very quickly. Hiding and trying to survive isn't enough anymore. The Raspers, as Val calls them, are not only hunting them, but evolving enough to seem almost human. Almost...


When the truth about the Raspers, and everything else that seems to be going on around Val and Adam, is revealed, things really get out of control. You'll just have to read the book to see what I mean.


Overall, I really, really enjoyed The Colony. It has action, suspense, a really horrific scene involving one of the characters, and lots of sci-fi/dystopian-esque stuff going on. The plot moves at a relentless pace, pushing you towards the ending, which will leave you eager and anxious for more. It's one of those edge-of-your-seat reads that you won't be able to put down or stop thinking about once you finish.


The characters, Val and Adam, are likable enough. Val gets a bit frustrating at times, but it's understandable why she acts the way she does. And Adam, with all his secrets, is still a good person who only wants to help. The government, of course, is the "bad guy" in the story. The Raspers, however, are a different story. They're pretty unique. I can definitely say I like how they're not really human, not really zombies, and not really alien. They're just sort of a mish-mash of all three of those things.


I'd rate The Colony 5 stars. It's well deserved, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult sci-fi with a slight twist.
Profile Image for Michelle (Bookaholic Banter).
776 reviews161 followers
May 9, 2016
This book was full of non-stop action once you get past the first 20% of the book. When I first started reading this I didn't feel any connection to the characters and the writing just wasn't pulling me in. GIVE THIS BOOK A CHANCE! All of a sudden this book gets so much better and you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough! This book is proof of why I never give up reading a book if the beginning doesn't grab me. If I had done that I would have missed out on a highly imaginative book. EVERYTHING gets better if you can just hang in there. The characters start to develop more, the book starts to envelop you, and it's a ride you won't want to get off of. The writing got so much better as well. Maybe it was just me, I don't know....I just could NOT get into the beginning of this. It wouldn't hold my attention. Then BAM! It was like everything came alive.
The Colony reminded me of a teen-aged alien version of The Walking Dead. If you enjoy that show, the graphic novels, or the books then I highly recommend that you read this book! As certain events occurred in this book I could imagine them happening in The Walking Dead. This is a perfect book to pick up when you are looking for something a little creepy. It even has some gore. For all you die-hard romantics, there is even a bit of romace in this book. This book was adventurous and fun. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I never knew what was going to happen next. Things just got crazier and crazier for the characters in this book. For the first book in a series that was chock-full of excitement. This is going to be a very promising series that I am really going to enjoy reading the rest of. It will be one of those books that you will want to stay up reading all night until you get to the last page.

*I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review and as part of a blog tour. Be sure to visit my website to enter a giveaway and have a chance to win 5 copies of The Colony, a kindle, and some book swag! :-)

http://www.bookaholicbanter.com


Profile Image for Laura Thomas.
1,552 reviews109 followers
May 16, 2016
So, the skinny is, scientists and Big Brother drill for what they think is the biggest oil deposit ever. What they raise is a plague on humanity. Many people die, and others are infected. Survivors are hunted by the Raspers, and the world crumbles.

You meet Val after the apocalypse started. She’s lost her parents and is surviving by three simple rules she keeps written on her arm.

Trust no one.

Never go out in the dark.

Always carry a weapon.

This serves her well. But she soon has to bend those rules when she meets Adam. Forced out of hiding, they travel together, trying to stay one step ahead of the Raspers. It gets riskier when the Raspers start coming out in the daylight. And it seems no matter how far or fast they run, the Rasper’s keep finding them. They want Val, and their pursuit is relentless.

This is a real page turner. You’re sucked in from the beginning and the action and suspense are relentless. In those few moments when the action slows, you are swept along with the characters as they evolve and grow during desperate times.

Always on the lookout for something new, the author gave me a good one with her Raspers. Just what do we know about them? They’re called Raspers because of their noisy breathing. They are the infected humans that survived, kind of. But what are they really? What came up when the drilling began? Not what I was expecting and that’s a nice surprise.

A solid science fiction story for all fans, with a dash of something scary to keep you hooked.

I received this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Kerry.
48 reviews3 followers
February 16, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. Action packed and fast read. Will definitely recommend & can't wait to see what happens next!
Profile Image for Sheila.
1 review
June 24, 2017
The Colony is a great book to read. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and don't want to put it down till the end.
614 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2017
Run for Your Life

Teens trying to survive as something chases them. You are safe if you Keep to yourself but how long will you Last alone, you have to sleep sometime
Very Good Si-Fi thriller!
Profile Image for Felicia.
336 reviews27 followers
January 14, 2018
Definitely a face paced, action filled read.
It's a story about an Alien invasion and how Val, a 16 year old girl survives it.

If you like Alien stories and YA because for me this could be considered a YA read then pick up this book. It's really fast paced and hard to put down, yet easy to follow kind of read.
614 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2017
Very Good Si-Fi with teens trying to survive in a world full of turmoil and strange things chasing after them
Profile Image for Tiffany.
606 reviews
July 31, 2017
I absolutely loved The Colony!!! I can't wait to read more from this series
Profile Image for Megan Murphy.
121 reviews
August 1, 2017
Omg

Loved this book I just stumbled apon this book and decided I'd give it a chance and I'm so glad I did !!!
256 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2017
GREAT SCI-FI

We loved it! The nonstop action keep us on the edge the whole time we were reading. The characters and storyline are very good. Thank you, Danny and Debbie Scott.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
452 reviews10 followers
March 17, 2017
Fantastic story! This book kept me intrigued and entertained for the entire read (only one night). Great characters, suspense, and doubt throughout and a storyline that twists and turns around the reader's ideas and assumptions. Very entertaining and very well done!
Profile Image for Tammie.
229 reviews
March 6, 2017
Pretty good

I first started reading and was reminded of the 5th wave series but this as different twists n turns to it. Good for both adults and young adults alike.
Profile Image for Kristin .
1,188 reviews166 followers
May 10, 2016
Val's been on her own for four months. Pretty much, from the moment the Raspers started to take over the world, she's been fighting to survive. She's been doing a decent job of it but recently it seems that the Raspers have evolved. They no longer wait until nightfall to come out. They no longer mimic the basic of human movements. No, now they are attacking in the daylight, wielding guns, and driving vehicles. Val finds herself throwing all of her old rules out the window when she teams up with Adam, another teen who has miraculously survived this alien invasion, as they set off to look for a safe haven.

The Colony is a very interesting story. Raspers are apparently these little bug like creatures that poke you with their venom, which injects you with its reproduction serum, where a baby bug will grown onto your brain, and take over your body. Really freaky stuff. How they came to be is slowly discovered throughout the novel, so I won't give that part away. Seriously though, I kind want to know how the author came up with their idea. It's a little twisted and weird to think that something pokes you with reproduction serum and infests you with it baby. Eeeck!

All the characters in this were great. Val is kind of a bad-ass. I mean, she runs around with a gun, shooting Raspers. Actually, the first time she and Adam meet, she shoots him in the arm. I mean, it was his fault after all for literally breaking into a house she was using as a hiding spot for the night. I honestly don't blame her for shooting first and asking questions later. Adam was also a great character. He's one of those guys who wants to look out for everyone. At first it's just him and Val, but then they come across a group of people and you see him start to focus his concerns to them. He was just a really great guy.

If I'm being honest here, there were times where I felt like I was reading an alien version of The Walking Dead. You know, where you have this one person who teams up with people as they go along, and no matter where they go and how safe they are, something always happens. Yeah, this could easily be a teen version of that show. However, the author made it their own with the whole aliens and colony thing. Apparently the Raspers all follow a queen. Take out the queen. Take out the hive. Or at least, that is what we are lead to believe.

The Colony is a great sci-fi book. There are some dark scenes. So, don't go into this expecting it to be complete YA fluff. There's a lot of suspense as the teens try to survive and find a safe place. There's a tiny smidgen of romance as Val deals with her feeling for Adam. Then there's the whole sci-fi aspect with the alien things. This book has a lot going on and it was pretty awesome. I look forward to what happens next for Val.


Favorite quote...
"I screamed and crab scooted down the slide. I pushed myself faster. I refused to fie on a famn water slide in the middle of an earthquake.
Profile Image for Kimberly Vanderbloom.
518 reviews37 followers
April 4, 2016
I was given a book in exchange for an honest review free of persuasion from the authors or anyone else affiliated with this book.

The government and scientist found the Great Discovery. It was supposed to be the biggest oil deposit ever known. The United States would no longer have to rely on foreign oil. Little did they know at the time that it wasn't oil that they were drilling in to. What they did release was a new life form that plowed through the United States. It would infect some and kill others hunting the living.

It is told through the point of view of Val. She is a sixteen year old lady whose family was killed before we meet her. She has been surviving alone for several months doing what she is necessary to survive. She has three rules written on her arm.
Trust no one.
Never go out in the dark.
Always carry a weapon.
Those three rules are what has kept her alive for so long. In her scavenging efforts she meets a young man named Adam and all the rules go out the window. It sends her on a whirlwind of an adventure and there is no turning back.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it read pretty fast. I looked down and realized I was nearly done. I loved Val. She is a great point of view. I like her survival instincts and how much she evolved as a character. She was almost animal like in the beginning and turned into a caring, thoughtful, self sacrificing sort of girl. It was fun to watch. I did like Adam as well. He was everything Val wasn't. He was soft, sensitivity and kind from the beginning. They rounded each other out perfectly. My favorite part was at the water park. I could picture it perfectly. It was intense, scary and exhilarating at the same time. I wish I knew more about Megan's background. She became such a main character but I feel like I hardly know her. I'm hoping to hear more about it in the next book of the series. I look forward to reading anything this author writes because I was impressed.
Profile Image for Jessica Hansen.
147 reviews7 followers
May 12, 2016

Mesmerizing!




The Colony proved to be just as fast-paced & exciting as the synopsis promised!


With a world being taken by these things that are getting smarter, they're learning. Val knows what she has to do to survive....she's done it before. Being scared her whole life has kept her alive, but after realizing quickly that her own personal world is evolving as well, Val realizes that trusting Adam is the only way she might survive after all.


Along with their personal relationship being complicated, Val & Adam struck me as sort of a Carl & Daryl type of duo. Adam has mystery, takes risks and knows how to survive. Val is cautious, stuck in a "survival box" and doesn't take a step without thinking about 3 times.
I feel that this is why they worked so well. They balanced each other out & had a dynamic that caused the storyline to explode.


Each chapter proved to out do the last one, with delicate details and wild imagination I was absolutely sucked in until the end. Though I wish there were something's done differently at the end, I kept reminding myself, "This is the start of a series", so all those quirks have time to play out in the long run. It's going to be exciting to see where the next book leads, and how Val is able to cope with everything going on.....the hard part is always waiting!
122 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2017
Wow, just Wow! What a ride! If your are looking for a fast-paced, edge of your seat, heart racing wild ride...This one is for you! The excellent imagination , story telling and general putting together and release of information of this Author's writing is amazing! I got this book because of all the great reviews on Amazon. ( and from my experience, usually they are so exaggerated, but not this time). They were dead on. This book is a non-stop adrenalin ride. So much so I am, for the 1st time in my life, glad I have to wait for book 2. LOL... don't think I could handle going straight into the next one. BUT do hope the wait is not too long.
A Must Read, Go get it NOW!
Profile Image for Karen Jenkins.
76 reviews
February 15, 2017
Rasper Book 1 - The Colony

Really good book. It ended too soon and left me hanging. When is the next book coming out? Can't wait to find out what will happen.
13 reviews
August 27, 2017
Excellent!

I am an avid reader and have been for many years. I say this to emphasize that I have a very low tolerance for poor writing and character development. This book is well-written and the characters are likeable. This author took an over-used, worn out theme and revamped it. The protagonist is both tough and likeable. She grows, changes, and adapts over time. The author's excellent use of descriptive language pulled me into the story. Very intense at times!!! Can't wait for the next installment! Not a cliff-hanger ending, just the continuation of a great read!
Profile Image for Diana Long.
Author 3 books18 followers
May 12, 2017
If you like The Walking Dead, you'll love this book!

**slight spoilers**
The Colony reminded me of The Walking Dead. If they took a character from the show and made this their backstory (*up until they meet up with the adults), it would fit in perfectly. The raspers are different enough from the tv show that they give this book its unique flavor. The twist on how they came to be was unique. Val was a great character and you were with her to the end.
45 reviews
November 12, 2019
ALL I CAN SAY IS, "WOW"

I can't wait for the next book. Action on every page. Grover has a follower in me. A must read! Ending will take your breath away. My daughter in law is in the medical field, now I will listen to her when she refuses to take my Grandchildren for all those shots. Hurry and write book 2.
1 review
February 5, 2018
???

Non-stop action, not much rest periods to take in what's going on, and the character development was minimal and fast paced. It was ok. Original idea, not completely thought out. Great quick read though!
Profile Image for J.M..
975 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2019
The Colony Was Fantastic!

This is my very first time reading anything by this author and I must say she’s very good at weaving her stories.
Because this book was awesome so awesome that I’m looking forward to reading more of this series!
Profile Image for Teru Che.
33 reviews
August 5, 2024
Like for the storytelling

All the cliché things aside, I really loved this book. It reminded me "The 5th wave" in a way, but has its own little character. I sure ass hell didn't trust no one of the characters for a while.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
723 reviews49 followers
June 19, 2017
I thought this was a stand alone so I was a little disappointed to find the story just ended.
Profile Image for kerri.
7 reviews
August 18, 2017
So so

Too far fetched. Won't read book 2. Not enough interest to continue. But enjoy if you go for it! Good luck and good read!!!!
1 review
September 20, 2018
Very action-packed post-apocalyptic dystopian book. It's been a new take on the cause of an apocalypse, and I look forward to book #2.
Profile Image for Sandra Quinn.
7 reviews
October 13, 2018
Couldn't put it down.

Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Exciting right out of the gate. You feel like you know the characters.
Profile Image for Steven Mason.
1 review
April 15, 2019
Great read

This book kept my wanting to read any free moment I had to the end. This book is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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