Devil Dog

Out of the Dark #1

by Boyd Craven

Dick, AKA Devil Dog's world changes drastically when the EMP takes out the power grid. The loss of electricity brings out the darker side of human nature across the city. A homeless Marine veteran living in the abandoned tunnels beneath Chicago, he's far better prepared than most people. Good folk have survived, but they are often outnumbered and outgunned. Only the tunnels provide the safety he needs. Devil Dog becomes the reluctant savior of women and children from the worst of the gangs that now rule topside. Doing the right thing makes him new enemies, driving him ever deeper into the tunnels that keep his charges safe – until he runs across a young woman who might be his daughter. Nonstop Action, Gritty, Prepper Type 'O Stuff.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Survival, Horror, Dystopia

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2016

Reviews

[Willow Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of Boyd Craven and this book was really good, however, for some reason I didn't eat it up like I did some of his other works. Still this was a good story.

[Chessy The Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Man Can Make a Difference
Dick is a Marine, aka a Devil Dog. He is suffering from PTSD and has been living in the tunnels of Chicago since before the EMP sent society into chaos. He also has a good heart and will fight for what is right and just. As a result, he has a collection of children surviving with him that he has rescued from the gangs that would sell them into slavery.

Craven’s first book in the Out Of The Dark series, Devil Dog, highlights some of the demons that a post-war veteran has to fight within themselves. It’s a gritty tale and shows some of the worst of mankind’s actions when there is no rule of law. Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” But, what happens when good men do something?

All of Craven’s books are short reads but pack a powerful punch. Looking forward to book number two in the series.

5 out of 5 stars.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

** Review of Audio Format **

The Devil Dog is Back

in action! Dick was crazy long before the EMP hit. PTSD and drug abuse had messed with his mind in a way even the end of the world can't touch. What does get his attention is all of the abuse around him after the apocalypse and how no one is willing to look out for the ones who can't help themselves. So he does something about it and makes everyone else sit up and take notice. What the bad guys don't know is that the Devil Dog will only stop trying when he's dead. Or they are. He wants to clean up Chicago in a hurry so he can be on his way to finding his daughter who he sees everywhere and in everybody.

This was not a prepper story, at least in this first installment, in the traditional sense of a prepper novel. It's a story of survival and a cautionary tale about what can happen if everybody is out for number one and willing to look the other way when bad things are going on. There are not many neat tricks to prepare for when the bad days come but there is a lot of weaponry and kicking butt to get Dick's point across. There are plenty of surveillance tricks as well. I liked it. I liked Dick. I liked him enough to put the rest of the series in my wish list for later.

Kevin Pierce is a perfect narrator for this material and I always enjoy listening to his voice tell the story. He is one of the greats and I try to listen to anything he does. He's that good.

I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've previously read some other Boyd Craven books and enjoyed them so when I saw this I thought I would check it out. Unlike the Still Surviving & Good Fences books Devil Dog begins with a world already in disarray after an EMP attack on the United States, specifically we're in Chicago were a PTSD suffering marine is surviving living in the tunnels underneath the city.

Whilst this isn't the type of post apocalypse book I'd generally go for, having read previous works by the author I was interested; having now read it I would say that it wasn't quite as good as the aforementioned works I've read in the past. It's alright however it just wasn't my cup of tea, it was more about fighting the bad dudes than the survival aspect which is what I typically enjoy.

On the plus side, it does not suffer from the Still Surviving series' frustrating cliff hanger/forward selling endings where each book ends abruptly trying to get you to buy the next to find out what happened. Rather, Devil Dog finishes with resolute ending that wraps the story up, whilst leaving the over arching plot line open to continue with the following books in the trilogy.

Overall, decent and entertaining, enough so that I'll finish out the trilogy for completeness sake.

[Mariya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Good book, part of my reading out of comfort zone personal challenge (I'm mostly mystery reader).

Words used (cause I'm a nerd and sometimes I can't help myself):
"save+protect" - 9+6
"women" - 32
"kid/kids" - 108
"children" - 9
"fear" - 18
"fire" - 71
"blood" - 23
"kill" - 56
"beard" - 13
"hair" - 57
"f**k" - 37
"sh*t" - 42
*russian mob" - 3 ... what??? russian mob??? as a russian I find it hillarious that even in a Survival/Post Apocalyptic novel... well you know...

Too much talk about feelings. Think chick lit but male version.
Too much talk about our hero hair and beard
Too much talk about how heroic our hero is. He protect and saves anyone, he's a tough guy... we got that. Showing us he's heroic on a page is enough, other characters (women/children) constantly propping up Dick is an overkill.

[Yemic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very short read. I believe this is my first survival and apocalyptic novel not sure. But it was good. Dick (Junkyard Dog, fighting to protect women and children from crazy predators ( madmen who have no issues raping and selling human beings), while struggling to keep sane at the same time after an EMP sent the USA back to the stone age.
The story and plot were believable, characters development was good and it was well paced.

[Loretta Edgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I am not usually a reader of after the world as we know it ends type stories. But Mr. Craven you have changed my view. Great action, believable characters that pull you in and hold your attention. The hero is strong, a little broken, but stands for what is right and fights for it. I am an avid reader and as the book ended I was worried that there wasn't a second book yet. Very relieved I could binge read book 2 .

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preppers enough?

The book is about Chicago after an EMP hit and the depraved things people do to each other other. There is one guy, a former military guy, who still cares about his fellow humans. The trials and tribulations of the survivors are described as the adventure lurches from underground to the above ground world. Enjoyable read.

[James J. Seals Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boyd Craven keeps knocking them out of the ballpark! Just started the Devil Dog series and WOW! His ability to create characters with tremendous depth is one of the things that make his works so darn good. That coupled with a believable plot and plenty of action keeps me coming back for more of his work. If you haven't read this series, jump on it now!

[Militant Poetry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and found myself unable to put it down. The characters are relatable and ended up growing on me, so much in fact that I ended up finishing both consecutive novels that same week. The Devil Dog is a modern-day, post-apocalyptic Robin Hood with a drug habit and a pinch of Rambo with a severe case of PTSD.

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read; new characters, different location. This one with a twist of an old, ragged vet with PTSD taking care of a group of young kids with the help of a couple of young adults to help.
The crotchety old man has a heart of gold and a mission (or three) to take care of.
A good bit of action and dealing with the aftermath of an EMP.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprised

This story was surprisingly good & well written. I do not not know any veterans but I hope they would help where they could in a similar situation. This book is full of damaged people who manage to survive as best they can in a very difficult situation.

[My · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first survival book set solely in a city situation as large as Chicago that I’ve read. There are many challenges along with the normal survival requirements in these situations. This book holds many exciting challenges and interesting characters. A fantastic read!

[Vicky Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different angle on the apocalypse

I teared up several times during this. It was also neat seeing the crossover hints between this and The World Burns. Good story, great characters. And I love that the protagonist isn’t a Superman, but a flawed hero with his own demons.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This shares the same setting as Boyd Craven's The World Burns, but this has a harder edge to it. This one is also more action-packed, and the main character has a depth to him that was lacking in the other series. I can't wait to read more of Dickhead's adventures.

[Alan Lee Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series three

Ugh Boyd you have done it again. You have stole my heart within the first book in a new series. You are amazing writer and friendly as can be!!!!

[Eric Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell Yeah!

Dystopian Apocalypse with a heart! I loved this book, deeply flawed heroish type of leader, great suspense, kept me coming back for more reading!

[Chelsie Hermsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Just too short

[John Podlaski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Devil dog: Out of the Dark." Dick is a former soldier who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the past but had trouble readjusting and turned to alcohol and drugs - living in the dark tunnels under the city of Chicago.

Once the EMP occurred, gangs took over the city, sending normal citizens to hide wherever they could. People were dying as the gangs began kidnapping children and females, abusing them and then reverting to human trafficking for food and medicine, roaming the city and killing those who apposed them. The citizens of the city organized bartering markets where trading for food, medicine and weapons took place.

Dick, Devil Dog, had been clean for some time and remained living underground. He began rescuing those who were kidnapped and abused and killing gang members in the process; freed children stayed with Dick underground, where he took care of them.

Soon, he and the eldest of kids decided to take out the gangs and make the city safe once again. There were massive food stuffs, medicine and weapons stored off shore on a container ship. There was enough to take care of the remaining citizens for a long time. The only thing standing in their way were the gangs...they would all have to be killed to make the city safe again. Will Dick and the children succeed? The odd are against them in both numbers and weapons.

Riveting and a real page turner. There are two other books to complete the trilogy. Don't miss out. I withheld a "star" because of the typos and extra or missing words within the text, however, they did not distract from the story.

John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you have a grumpy old junkyard dog Marine vet living in a collapsed city surrounded by gangs... you get a sheep dog coming up from his underground home to reap havoc on the human trafficking scumbags. Dick, or Devil Dog as he's also known, has rescued a number of children in search of his own wife and daughter. Although he has a few wires loose in his head his compassion, regardless of somewhat selfish motives, manages to set an example for the rest of the common people surviving in his part of Chicago.

This was a quick read, but it was a great story of one man fighting his own demons so that he could expel the ones living around him. It is certainly a great book centered around the concept of the sheep dog that many of our servicemen and women embody.

On a side note, it just goes to further show that the majority of patriots, servicemen, law enforcement, and gun owner/preppers are in fact of the sheep dog cut. The fact that the leftist media tries to portray them as dangerous gun toting psychopaths would be laughable if it wasn't so tragic. But, as it is known, those who are ashamed of their own faults project them onto others; and those who are so vile as enjoy their psychopathy revel in deceiving others about their enemies.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story grabs hold of you from the start and doesn't let go. This may be considered a short story but it doesn't feel like it. It is action packed from beginning to end.

It's a story about humanity in the aftermath of an EMP attack that takes down the grid. Yes, it's a story that's been told before, but this story stands out for several reasons. It's well written, has great characters, is full of action, realistic situations and a believable story.

Great lead character. Dick, aka Devil Dog a former Marine with PTSD who has a strong sense of wrong and right in a world gone crazy especially where women and children are concerned.

Kevin Pierce did a fantastic job with the narration. He has the perfect voice for this story.

I have some catching up to do. This is the first book by Boyd Craven III I have read, but not the last.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of audiobookboom.com

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclosure: We received a copy from the author/publisher in exchanged for an honest review. This does not influence my review in any shape or form.

I really loved the narrator for Devil Dog and the whole concept of the world was very interesting. I did feel like it lacked a little backstory. I wasn’t sure if this was a first book in the series or if it was a continuation of another book.

I really enjoyed Dick’s character and was rooting for him the whole time. I really thought the world building was good but could’ve used a little more history so I could really get the big picture.

I’m not really into apocalypse books but I actually enjoyed this and if there is a sequel I may just pick it up.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I liked the story. The plot is straightforward and simple. Our hero Dick, aka Devil Dog, endeavors to save women and children from the human animals that appear very quickly during any social catastrophe. Foremost in Dick's mind is the hope that he will someday find his daughter alive and be reunited. The writing is well done, the characters likeable and believable, Kevin Pierce an excellent narrator. Should a sequel materialize I'll pick that up also. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story.The main character hides in the underground tunnels of a large city to protect the children he has rescued.All the while he searches for his own lost loved one.The author tried to bring a darker tone to this series,yet I found it to be very subdued when it comes to the darker side of humanity.The narrator was ok.I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Prepper Hero story lines who doesn't want to see the raw underbelly of their fellow survivors.I received an audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An EMP attack hits the United States and causes American civilization to crumble. In Chicago an old Marine veteran lives below the streets of the defunct city rescuing women and children from human predators. He will take war to the gangs preying on the common people who have survived for several years. The story held my interest.

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

So different...

So good. Our author has done it again. Still the same genre but a whole new viewpoint. Once you start reading there is no stopping until the end.

[Karina Halt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good apocalypse book from the great author Boyd Craven. Highly recommended!

[Wancket Enterprises · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

An unusual twist on the Apocalypse but a good book. The characters are interesting and believable. Looking forward to book 3.

[Patrick O'donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Quick pacing and a great story. I will have to get the sequels.

[Gareth Otton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy these kind of stories, but usually, I am frustrated at how similar they all are to one another. It has been a long time since I have picked up a book like this and read a story that felt fresh. Devil Dog by Boyd Craven provided that much-needed breath of fresh air in this genre.

Dick was a homeless, drug-addicted veteran when the EMP sent America back to the dark ages. Now he uses the skills he mastered in the military to help as many people as he can, creating his own little family in the process. What follows is a simple, easy reading story about his efforts to make life better for the important people in his life.

The real strength of this book is the characters and the relationships between those characters. They felt real for the most part and it was easy to identify with them and really get behind what the protagonist is doing.

Another positive in this book is the main character's struggle with PTSD and addiction. He is clearly a character with a troubled mind, but rather than being a hindrance to the story, it was tastefully handled and added a sense of drama. It was a fascinating character quirk, another reason to really grow attached to Dick's journey and to give this book another star in the rating.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read what comes next.

5-stars.