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Toxicity
In the tradition of The Stand, The Man in the High Castle, and The Road, comes an epic story of struggle against tyranny in a future America....
The year is 2141. Islam controls most of the civilized world, including all that exists of the former United States. Climate change has made fresh drinking water a scarce, and valuable, commodity. Islamic states that once controlled the oil now control the largest fresh water deposit in the world, the American Great Lakes.Washington D.C. and New York City are mere memories of the old world, as a new regime of Caliphs has ruled the eastern half of the country for the past century. The barren ‘no man’s land’ east of the Mississippi River is but an encroaching desert, and the realm of the Great Lakes—known as Al-hayat Miyaah—dictates life for the rest of the realm.
Jihadic allegiance and the Lakes’ bounty decide a person’s worth, where clean, drinkable water is far more precious than gold… and more valuable than the lives of infidels.
In this hostile environment, Joaquin Martinez and six others risk certain death, as fugitives crossing state lines to reclaim loved ones stolen from Hernando, Mississippi, and sold into slavery in Detroit. Meanwhile, survivalist Malcolm Foster and his daughter Renee begin a journey to Kentucky with other survivalists hoping to strike a blow to the Muslim empire. Lastly, in the heart of Al-hayat Miyaah, the youngest son of the Caliph, Abdul-Bari, sets out on a quest to determine the truth about infidels… their worthiness of scorn and indiscriminate death.
Much is at stake for them all, as a crossing of paths determines who inevitably is destined to win… and who must lose everything.
The year is 2141. Islam controls most of the civilized world, including all that exists of the former United States. Climate change has made fresh drinking water a scarce, and valuable, commodity. Islamic states that once controlled the oil now control the largest fresh water deposit in the world, the American Great Lakes.Washington D.C. and New York City are mere memories of the old world, as a new regime of Caliphs has ruled the eastern half of the country for the past century. The barren ‘no man’s land’ east of the Mississippi River is but an encroaching desert, and the realm of the Great Lakes—known as Al-hayat Miyaah—dictates life for the rest of the realm.
Jihadic allegiance and the Lakes’ bounty decide a person’s worth, where clean, drinkable water is far more precious than gold… and more valuable than the lives of infidels.
In this hostile environment, Joaquin Martinez and six others risk certain death, as fugitives crossing state lines to reclaim loved ones stolen from Hernando, Mississippi, and sold into slavery in Detroit. Meanwhile, survivalist Malcolm Foster and his daughter Renee begin a journey to Kentucky with other survivalists hoping to strike a blow to the Muslim empire. Lastly, in the heart of Al-hayat Miyaah, the youngest son of the Caliph, Abdul-Bari, sets out on a quest to determine the truth about infidels… their worthiness of scorn and indiscriminate death.
Much is at stake for them all, as a crossing of paths determines who inevitably is destined to win… and who must lose everything.
- GenresParanormalDystopia
548 pages, Paperback
Published May 18, 2016
19 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Aiden James
84 books309 followersedit biographydelete
Biography
Aiden James is the bestselling author of "Cades Cove: the curse of Allie Mae", "The Judas Chronicles", and the "Nick Caine Adventures" (with J.R. Rain). The author has published over forty books and a new series is set to begin in the fall of 2022 (The BloodStar Chronicles). At present, he resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Fiona, and an ornery little dog named Pepper.
To learn more about Aiden James and his latest books, please visit AidenJamesNovelist.com, or look for him on Facebook (Aiden James, Paranormal Adventure Author) and Twitter (@AidenJames3).
You can also learn more about Aiden and Fiona, and their interests, at the links below:
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ManorHousePu...
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 17, 2016
Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety; after all, it is only in the darkest nights that the stars shine more brilliantly.”— Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib(ra) (Islamic hadith)
In this dystopian tale, Aiden James and Fiona Fraser, prey on our global warming fears and presents us with a future ruled by religious extremists. At first glance, this may appear to be an anti-Muslim story, but I assure you it is not. Remove the Muslims and insert ancient Romans, Hitler or even early American settlers. This dark story has been told throughout human history, and sadly we're doomed to repeat it.
We are given a view of the world through interesting and varying perspectives. The oppressed, the oppressors, rebels and the innocent child of the oppressor. Initially, we are given background for the new world through the eyes of one of the characters grandfathers in the form of a letter. The story jumps onto the tracks quickly after and the ride is epic. You'll find yourself flipping the pages quickly as the various characters merge.
The characters are simply amazing. My favorite character was Bari Bashir with Joaquin coming in for a photo finish, second. These characters may be young but they see the world for what it is and seek change. The wisdom that comes out of these boys mouths could put many religious extremists to shame, and will give you chills.
The prose sucks you in and you won't want to leave no matter how many tears you shed or how horrified/disgusted you are by the heinous acts committed by religious extremists. You will find yourself cheering for the bright stars in the story, and hoping their combined light can put an end to the darkness.
In this dystopian tale, Aiden James and Fiona Fraser, prey on our global warming fears and presents us with a future ruled by religious extremists. At first glance, this may appear to be an anti-Muslim story, but I assure you it is not. Remove the Muslims and insert ancient Romans, Hitler or even early American settlers. This dark story has been told throughout human history, and sadly we're doomed to repeat it.
We are given a view of the world through interesting and varying perspectives. The oppressed, the oppressors, rebels and the innocent child of the oppressor. Initially, we are given background for the new world through the eyes of one of the characters grandfathers in the form of a letter. The story jumps onto the tracks quickly after and the ride is epic. You'll find yourself flipping the pages quickly as the various characters merge.
The characters are simply amazing. My favorite character was Bari Bashir with Joaquin coming in for a photo finish, second. These characters may be young but they see the world for what it is and seek change. The wisdom that comes out of these boys mouths could put many religious extremists to shame, and will give you chills.
The prose sucks you in and you won't want to leave no matter how many tears you shed or how horrified/disgusted you are by the heinous acts committed by religious extremists. You will find yourself cheering for the bright stars in the story, and hoping their combined light can put an end to the darkness.
December 29, 2017
The summary sums up the plot perfectly.... "The year is 2141. Islam controls most of the civilized world, including all that exists of the former United States. Climate change has made fresh drinking water a scarce, and valuable, commodity. Islamic states that once controlled the oil now control the largest fresh water deposit in the world, the American Great Lakes." Life is extremely hard for everyone and only promises to get tougher because the Fourth Caliph of the Bashir dynasty, Abdul-Muttalib Bashir, plans on making life for the infidels even harder! But a band of revolutionists won't take this lying down and will do anything they can to get rid of their oppressors.
This book was truly original and very frightening, but it was also extremely long and boring at times. I know the authors had a lot of world building to do, but honestly, there were times that I wanted to give up reading, and I think a big part of the problem was the narrator, which I'll get to in a minute.
The plot of this was intriguing, interesting, but very frightening. It shows us a world where the ruling families word is law, where human life doesn't mean anything to them and what extremism looks like. We get to see the story told from the ruling family, their son, who doesn't like the way his family handles things, from a group of people who are trying to retrieve their family members who were taken, and from the people who want freedom and will do anything to get it.
It makes for difficult reading at times, especially seeing how they treat their slaves and how they treat women. The fact that you can get killed on the spot for saying something against their beliefs, is but a drop in the bucket at what they do. It really was frightening to read!!!
I think I may have enjoyed it more if I read it rather than listen to it because the narrator read the story but didn't perform it. By that I mean, he was very monotone while reading and didn't put much inflection into his narration, so it all kind of ran together and didn't come alive. His tones for the Muslim men were also all the same, so I didn't know who was talking at any given time and was confused. I found myself tuning out at times because I just wasn't drawn into the story.
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
This book was truly original and very frightening, but it was also extremely long and boring at times. I know the authors had a lot of world building to do, but honestly, there were times that I wanted to give up reading, and I think a big part of the problem was the narrator, which I'll get to in a minute.
The plot of this was intriguing, interesting, but very frightening. It shows us a world where the ruling families word is law, where human life doesn't mean anything to them and what extremism looks like. We get to see the story told from the ruling family, their son, who doesn't like the way his family handles things, from a group of people who are trying to retrieve their family members who were taken, and from the people who want freedom and will do anything to get it.
It makes for difficult reading at times, especially seeing how they treat their slaves and how they treat women. The fact that you can get killed on the spot for saying something against their beliefs, is but a drop in the bucket at what they do. It really was frightening to read!!!
I think I may have enjoyed it more if I read it rather than listen to it because the narrator read the story but didn't perform it. By that I mean, he was very monotone while reading and didn't put much inflection into his narration, so it all kind of ran together and didn't come alive. His tones for the Muslim men were also all the same, so I didn't know who was talking at any given time and was confused. I found myself tuning out at times because I just wasn't drawn into the story.
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
December 26, 2017
I loved the way this story began to relay a frightening future for the world. I got angry at the right places and I was very interested to see how it would play out. I had some ideas, but not one of them was correct. That was nice. I kind of felt for the protagonists as they came and went. I wanted justice as they did. I wanted vindication as they did. And then I got to a point where it became moot for me. I could have gone either way. That was bad.
It is hard for me to explain, but when listening to the audio book it felt lackluster and contrived. The characters were not great, the dialog predictable. The result of the various ill-advised confrontations and voyages was ridiculous most of the time. I don't know, overall it was just not my cup of tea. I may go back and read it again myself sometime to see if my impression is different instead of listening to the audio book version.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
It is hard for me to explain, but when listening to the audio book it felt lackluster and contrived. The characters were not great, the dialog predictable. The result of the various ill-advised confrontations and voyages was ridiculous most of the time. I don't know, overall it was just not my cup of tea. I may go back and read it again myself sometime to see if my impression is different instead of listening to the audio book version.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
November 25, 2017
This book sets out a genuinely scary apocalyptic scenario. Climate change ravages the world, a weakened US succumbs to invasion and what remains of the country falls under a brutal Islamic regime. No need for zombies or super plagues just an intriguingly possible scenario. I was concerned that the authors would fall into the trap of making it a typical good Christians vs Bad Muslims slugfest but they avoided that in some style with lots of shades of grey and internal conflict within the main character groups. The story is fast-moving and there is considerable tension and excitement as two groups set themselves against the dominant Islamic powers.
It's not a bad read at all but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. The narration by Timothy McKean is clear and concise but it's much more of a reading than a performance. He's really not helped by some rather stilted dialogue which sees most of the characters speaking as if making a political speech or giving a lecture of some kind rather than interacting naturally. I'd also say that the whole thing is very logistically naive with armies of 20,000 troops mobilising in scant hours and I don't think the authors seem to have a great understanding of weapons or tactics.
So, it's one that's worth a try. It sets a great scenario and a good set of characters take part in a fast-moving adventure but it didn't light any fireworks for me.
It's not a bad read at all but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. The narration by Timothy McKean is clear and concise but it's much more of a reading than a performance. He's really not helped by some rather stilted dialogue which sees most of the characters speaking as if making a political speech or giving a lecture of some kind rather than interacting naturally. I'd also say that the whole thing is very logistically naive with armies of 20,000 troops mobilising in scant hours and I don't think the authors seem to have a great understanding of weapons or tactics.
So, it's one that's worth a try. It sets a great scenario and a good set of characters take part in a fast-moving adventure but it didn't light any fireworks for me.
October 29, 2017
This is a stoy that tells what could happen in the future of America. It is scary because it is something that could really happen. What if the United States were taken over by Muslims and the Caliph's youngest son goes missing in the heart of the south. This son has a food heart anbd sees what the people are suffering under his father's rule. He knows if his older brothertakes over the rulership things will only get worse. What should he do....help thoes who helped him or not?
You will not be disappointed in Toxicity as it is a fast paced book full of adventure that kept me turning pages late into the night. Aiden James and his wife Fiona did an excellent job with making this book very believable. I hightly recommend Toxicity as i know you will enjoy it.
You will not be disappointed in Toxicity as it is a fast paced book full of adventure that kept me turning pages late into the night. Aiden James and his wife Fiona did an excellent job with making this book very believable. I hightly recommend Toxicity as i know you will enjoy it.
January 12, 2018
This is my second round with this book, and my first time listening to the audiobook.
This story is so amazing, yet terrifying at the same time. It isn't much of a stretch at all to think about this coming true. The premise of oil no longer mattering, and water being the new top commodity is a scary thought. The descriptions of the country at that point are intriguing, and I sure hope I am not around if it comes to pass. I thought the different journeys taken by the different groups were so interesting, especially how people had to learn to get along in spite of their different ideologies if they wanted to survive. Maybe we should take a lesson from that while we still can.
This story is so amazing, yet terrifying at the same time. It isn't much of a stretch at all to think about this coming true. The premise of oil no longer mattering, and water being the new top commodity is a scary thought. The descriptions of the country at that point are intriguing, and I sure hope I am not around if it comes to pass. I thought the different journeys taken by the different groups were so interesting, especially how people had to learn to get along in spite of their different ideologies if they wanted to survive. Maybe we should take a lesson from that while we still can.
December 16, 2017
"It's Got Everything"
A little slow to start but it take a while to give you the info and build up, to get the story really going.
This is an epic tale of resistance to oppression. It has a strong innovative story line, colourful characters some heroes, some villian and many shades between.
Narration is excellent.
I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book I will return to and listen to again.
A little slow to start but it take a while to give you the info and build up, to get the story really going.
This is an epic tale of resistance to oppression. It has a strong innovative story line, colourful characters some heroes, some villian and many shades between.
Narration is excellent.
I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book I will return to and listen to again.
February 22, 2018
Originally selected this book due to Narration by Timothy McKean (love his work!) and glad I did! Great story and more than just a little scary. Well written and action packed from start to finish. Definite page turner. Makes me wonder if this could someday be in our future. Those that control the water control the people. Gone are regular politics. I highly recommend!
September 29, 2018
I started this book several times. The context that the Middle East ruled the U.S. killed it for me. I couldn't get past it and into the story. My apologies to Aiden James.
April 23, 2016
If you are looking for a nice meaty read to sink your teeth into this is it! Once you get into this book you won't want to put it down!!!
This story takes place in the not to distant future. The U.S. has lost to the Islamic forces in the war of wars. It's citizens have been forced to convert to Islam or be murdered in the most heinous ways possible. If you do convert, then you are made a slave and forced to work on farms. You can't escape as they have chips implanted in people to keep them from leaving the area which they live. Crossing the state line is a death penalty. Our country has almost become of desert as our oppressors are taking our country's most valuable resource, WATER!!!! The invaders have built a huge dam which stops most of the water from going dow to the southern states. Water is the most valuable commodity in the world!!!!
This story follows 7 young men whose wives, sister,or mothers were kidnapped and sold off in an auction in Detroit to become slaves. The young men are on a mission to try against almost impossible odds rescue their women. We also follow another group of people on a mission to take some bombs and blow up the damn that is blocking the mighty Mississippi and to fight back against their oppressors. Their is also Bar the Caliph's son who goes on a journey to discovery the truth of what is really going on in this country that his father and others rules. It is a story of how all these people eventually meet up and for better or worse their lives will forever be altered. I really loved this book! It is one one those books where you can see how easily this could very well happen if we do't take care of our resources and if we allow the government to screw things up. This is what makes this story so scary as this could happen if we don't make changes. A.J. Fraser (Aiden James and Fiona) did an awesome job with this story. I highly recommend this book! Once you pick this up and get into it you won't want to put it down!
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This story takes place in the not to distant future. The U.S. has lost to the Islamic forces in the war of wars. It's citizens have been forced to convert to Islam or be murdered in the most heinous ways possible. If you do convert, then you are made a slave and forced to work on farms. You can't escape as they have chips implanted in people to keep them from leaving the area which they live. Crossing the state line is a death penalty. Our country has almost become of desert as our oppressors are taking our country's most valuable resource, WATER!!!! The invaders have built a huge dam which stops most of the water from going dow to the southern states. Water is the most valuable commodity in the world!!!!
This story follows 7 young men whose wives, sister,or mothers were kidnapped and sold off in an auction in Detroit to become slaves. The young men are on a mission to try against almost impossible odds rescue their women. We also follow another group of people on a mission to take some bombs and blow up the damn that is blocking the mighty Mississippi and to fight back against their oppressors. Their is also Bar the Caliph's son who goes on a journey to discovery the truth of what is really going on in this country that his father and others rules. It is a story of how all these people eventually meet up and for better or worse their lives will forever be altered. I really loved this book! It is one one those books where you can see how easily this could very well happen if we do't take care of our resources and if we allow the government to screw things up. This is what makes this story so scary as this could happen if we don't make changes. A.J. Fraser (Aiden James and Fiona) did an awesome job with this story. I highly recommend this book! Once you pick this up and get into it you won't want to put it down!
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July 10, 2016
AN INTERESTING LOOK INTO THE POSSIBLE FUTURE
This is another type of book I wouldn't normally read but really liked it. Some of the stuff was really scary, like something you could almost see happening based on things that are happening now, but as you read, you're definitely thankful that if it ever does happen, we'll be long gone by then.
This book follows different groups who all seem to be aiming for similar results against the Muslim rulers of what used to be the eastern US. The area around the Great Lakes is the most prosperous, while the southern lowlands are the poorest and barely surviving. The western part of the country has been all but forgotten.
The youngest group comes from Mississippi. All of the females in their lives--mother, sister and fiancé--were sold to Muslim leaders in Detroit and the surrounding areas. Detroit is the Muslim capital of the US. The young boys set out to rescue their females, even though it seemed like an impossible task.
The larger group consisted of mostly adults. Some came from Alabama, Tenessee, Missouri and other areas, but as they progressed towards their goal, not all of them would make it. They knew they were making sacrifices. They knew not everyone would make it, but is the cost too high? Is it really worth it and can they see it through to completion?
This was fascinating. The goal of the larger group to track something that would send the Muslim rulers reeling and the young men trying to reach their loved ones kept me reading to find out if they got what they set out for, and if they did, how did it happen?I'm finding myself reading. More and more things I wouldn't normally read and just might be increasing my genre interests a bit.
This is another type of book I wouldn't normally read but really liked it. Some of the stuff was really scary, like something you could almost see happening based on things that are happening now, but as you read, you're definitely thankful that if it ever does happen, we'll be long gone by then.
This book follows different groups who all seem to be aiming for similar results against the Muslim rulers of what used to be the eastern US. The area around the Great Lakes is the most prosperous, while the southern lowlands are the poorest and barely surviving. The western part of the country has been all but forgotten.
The youngest group comes from Mississippi. All of the females in their lives--mother, sister and fiancé--were sold to Muslim leaders in Detroit and the surrounding areas. Detroit is the Muslim capital of the US. The young boys set out to rescue their females, even though it seemed like an impossible task.
The larger group consisted of mostly adults. Some came from Alabama, Tenessee, Missouri and other areas, but as they progressed towards their goal, not all of them would make it. They knew they were making sacrifices. They knew not everyone would make it, but is the cost too high? Is it really worth it and can they see it through to completion?
This was fascinating. The goal of the larger group to track something that would send the Muslim rulers reeling and the young men trying to reach their loved ones kept me reading to find out if they got what they set out for, and if they did, how did it happen?I'm finding myself reading. More and more things I wouldn't normally read and just might be increasing my genre interests a bit.
April 13, 2016
I had the pleasure of reading the book Toxicity by A.J. Fraser and I was truly blown away. In the style of Stephen King's The Stand, this book begins with different groups of characters who intertwine along their journeys.
Honestly, trying to think what to say about this book, the first thing that comes to mind is, "I don't know what to say, it's just so freaking good!" which is how I described it to a friend on the phone this morning. The characters are so richly developed you find yourself cheering them on, crying with them, picturing them as people you know and care about in real life. I really identified with several of them, and there were certain scenes where my heart literally ached for them.
This is a tale of love, of survival, of determination, of an uprising. This is a tale of people who may have little in common, but are united in their goal. Working for their families, working to save each other, working to save the former United States.
And while religion plays a big part of this book, as it must to do the story justice, it is not at all a religious novel.
If you like a good, long novel you can sink your teeth into, a highly recommend you download a copy of Toxicity. You won't regret it.
Honestly, trying to think what to say about this book, the first thing that comes to mind is, "I don't know what to say, it's just so freaking good!" which is how I described it to a friend on the phone this morning. The characters are so richly developed you find yourself cheering them on, crying with them, picturing them as people you know and care about in real life. I really identified with several of them, and there were certain scenes where my heart literally ached for them.
This is a tale of love, of survival, of determination, of an uprising. This is a tale of people who may have little in common, but are united in their goal. Working for their families, working to save each other, working to save the former United States.
And while religion plays a big part of this book, as it must to do the story justice, it is not at all a religious novel.
If you like a good, long novel you can sink your teeth into, a highly recommend you download a copy of Toxicity. You won't regret it.
April 9, 2016
Get ready for a fast-paced adventure that will keep you turning pages. This epic story has so many things going for it that you will have trouble putting it down.
The story follows several groups of people as they make their way across an America that is unrecognizable. No longer is oil king, now clean drinking water rules. Those who control the water control the people.
The characters in this story were intriguing, as there were some that I despised and some that I loved. I liked meeting so many different characters in the beginning, then watching their stories evolve. I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading about America, and I truly hope that it is not an America that I will ever see.
The story follows several groups of people as they make their way across an America that is unrecognizable. No longer is oil king, now clean drinking water rules. Those who control the water control the people.
The characters in this story were intriguing, as there were some that I despised and some that I loved. I liked meeting so many different characters in the beginning, then watching their stories evolve. I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading about America, and I truly hope that it is not an America that I will ever see.
April 28, 2016
Wow! What an incredible, and frightening, read. It is a dystopian tale of America in the not so distant future. What makes this most frightening is that I can actually see it happening. The subject matter is very much based in reality. I enjoyed the characters and found myself rooting for some to win and others to perish. I love it when a book can make me care about the characters like that. It is a page turner full of excitement and you can't wait to see where the author will take you next. HIGHLY recommend!
July 24, 2016
What if?
This is a What If stiry: what if ISIS actually conquered the USA. At first, I was irritated, thinking this was just another version if hating all Islam for the actions of a small radical fundamentalist group, something like the yellow peril stories of the 30s. But it is about good people and bad people of all sorts and the drive to be free, an old fashioned adventure told in today's terms.
This is a What If stiry: what if ISIS actually conquered the USA. At first, I was irritated, thinking this was just another version if hating all Islam for the actions of a small radical fundamentalist group, something like the yellow peril stories of the 30s. But it is about good people and bad people of all sorts and the drive to be free, an old fashioned adventure told in today's terms.
April 20, 2016
Very possible outcome
This novel seems to be prescient in its showing a very possible future for the United Stategees with everything going on in today's world. It is very scary to contemplate how we, as infidels, would be treated by our Muslim overlords so it behooves us to do everything in our power to negate this outcome.
This novel seems to be prescient in its showing a very possible future for the United Stategees with everything going on in today's world. It is very scary to contemplate how we, as infidels, would be treated by our Muslim overlords so it behooves us to do everything in our power to negate this outcome.
April 22, 2016
A very thought provoking story. It is also a very real probability of the future of North America especially the United States. It is scary realistic. Good plotline and intriguing premises. I highly recommend this book but be warned it not for the faint of heart or those looking for a soft comfortable read.
May 8, 2016
One of the best books I've ever read! An "on the edge of your seat" page turner. Not my normal genre of book, but Aiden James and Fiona Fraser did an amazing job. Some have compared it to Stephen King's "The Stand"... I think it's much better!
April 16, 2016
Outstanding.
May 3, 2016
Very good book. Very well written. The characters were fleshed out very nicely. The plot was solid and moved along at a nice pace that kept you intrigued. Waiting anxiously for book two.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews