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THEM #2
Counteraction
A Scratch Sullivan Paranormal Post-Apocalyptic Action Novel
THEM Counteraction Book Three in the Scratch Sullivan Paranormal Post-Apocalyptic Action Novel Series As a hunter in post-apocalyptic central Texas, Scratch Sullivan has survived zombies, vampires, rogue militia units -- heck, he even killed a werewolf with nothing more than a spear and a bad attitude. But what's a man to do when the local werewolf pack destroys his town and abducts his best girl? If you're Scratch Sullivan, you get spittin' mad -- and then you get retribution. Even if an army of the undead and an entire pack of 'thropes sits in your way. Now he's on a mission to wipe out the Corridor werewolves and get his girlfriend Kara back, and one thing's for sure... ...when he's done, those 'thropes are going to know they should never have messed with Scratch Sullivan. Because he's going to put that wolf pack down like the rabid dogs they are -- or he'll die trying. THEM: Counteraction is a paranormal take on SHTF, the end of the world as we know it novels (with zombies, vampires, and yes, werewolves) set in post-apocalyptic central Texas. Get your copy today and discover the twisted, dystopian, Southern-fried world of Scratch Sullivan and THEM.
THEM Counteraction Book Three in the Scratch Sullivan Paranormal Post-Apocalyptic Action Novel Series As a hunter in post-apocalyptic central Texas, Scratch Sullivan has survived zombies, vampires, rogue militia units -- heck, he even killed a werewolf with nothing more than a spear and a bad attitude. But what's a man to do when the local werewolf pack destroys his town and abducts his best girl? If you're Scratch Sullivan, you get spittin' mad -- and then you get retribution. Even if an army of the undead and an entire pack of 'thropes sits in your way. Now he's on a mission to wipe out the Corridor werewolves and get his girlfriend Kara back, and one thing's for sure... ...when he's done, those 'thropes are going to know they should never have messed with Scratch Sullivan. Because he's going to put that wolf pack down like the rabid dogs they are -- or he'll die trying. THEM: Counteraction is a paranormal take on SHTF, the end of the world as we know it novels (with zombies, vampires, and yes, werewolves) set in post-apocalyptic central Texas. Get your copy today and discover the twisted, dystopian, Southern-fried world of Scratch Sullivan and THEM.
254 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2016
131 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Massey
65 books564 followersM.D. Massey describes himself as the prototypical INTJ. His eclectic background provides him with a rich tapestry of experiences to draw on when crafting fiction, as evidenced by the believable worlds and relatable characters he creates.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 13, 2019
You know when you are kind of bored and channel-flipping, and you land on SCYFI channel or whatever it is these days, and you are watching people battle zombies, and then another, weirder zombie comes out of nowhere and it’s kind of funny and you start laughing because it’s just so damn dumb?
It’s totally like that.
The lone hunter, aka ‘Scratch,’ is out killing supernaturals in the post-apocalyptic world (nuclear, zombie, supernatural) when he hears a rumor of SCARY THINGS massing to the east. He must check them out, now. In a real horror movie, you’d groan if the hero went looking in all the darkest, most unsafe places. Here, you just gotta laugh and cheer him on.
There is–I kid you not–a surfer werewolf. If that isn’t meant to be camp, I don’t know what is. But he was funny. Young Keanu Reeves can play him in the movie. Humorous cultural references are made (Blade, Romero films), with asides on no one getting the jokes anymore.
“‘And he likes to watch some stupid show called Scooby-Doo, with this dog that talks and a bunch of kids who are about as dumb as rocks. Moving drawings…creepy. All the monsters are fake on that show, too.’ She shook her head in disgust.”
Nevermind the sense of it, my own tolerance for 300 pages of camp is low, so halfway through the book I found myself checking page numbers. Acceptable stringing-of-words-together can’t save a basically ridiculous plot and cutout characters. Although Massey attempts some character depth and ethical conflict (“be better than the others,” “what’s human?”), it’s too one-note and never sells, since the hero has to reverse himself in another ten pages. The same ethical conflicts stand in for character development for the female character.
“Gabby, I’ll kill a deader, a rev, a nos’, or a ‘thrope in a heartbeat, and I expect you to do the same. But when it comes to killing our own kind, we need to balance our will to survive with remembering what it means to be human.”
Nevermind that they are running with a ‘thrope, or that the human they allow to survive becomes a repeated problem. Because what’s this genre for, subtlety?
Narrative is first person. Info-dumping is limited, which I appreciate, and largely seems to concern swords, the undead, and the conflict at hand. Complete with commentary.
Basically, it’s a poorly developed episode of Supernatural without the eye-candy or visuals. Clearly, your mileage will vary depending on what you look for in an apocalyptic, monster or zombie read. Read at your own risk.
It’s totally like that.
The lone hunter, aka ‘Scratch,’ is out killing supernaturals in the post-apocalyptic world (nuclear, zombie, supernatural) when he hears a rumor of SCARY THINGS massing to the east. He must check them out, now. In a real horror movie, you’d groan if the hero went looking in all the darkest, most unsafe places. Here, you just gotta laugh and cheer him on.
There is–I kid you not–a surfer werewolf. If that isn’t meant to be camp, I don’t know what is. But he was funny. Young Keanu Reeves can play him in the movie. Humorous cultural references are made (Blade, Romero films), with asides on no one getting the jokes anymore.
“‘And he likes to watch some stupid show called Scooby-Doo, with this dog that talks and a bunch of kids who are about as dumb as rocks. Moving drawings…creepy. All the monsters are fake on that show, too.’ She shook her head in disgust.”
Nevermind the sense of it, my own tolerance for 300 pages of camp is low, so halfway through the book I found myself checking page numbers. Acceptable stringing-of-words-together can’t save a basically ridiculous plot and cutout characters. Although Massey attempts some character depth and ethical conflict (“be better than the others,” “what’s human?”), it’s too one-note and never sells, since the hero has to reverse himself in another ten pages. The same ethical conflicts stand in for character development for the female character.
“Gabby, I’ll kill a deader, a rev, a nos’, or a ‘thrope in a heartbeat, and I expect you to do the same. But when it comes to killing our own kind, we need to balance our will to survive with remembering what it means to be human.”
Nevermind that they are running with a ‘thrope, or that the human they allow to survive becomes a repeated problem. Because what’s this genre for, subtlety?
Narrative is first person. Info-dumping is limited, which I appreciate, and largely seems to concern swords, the undead, and the conflict at hand. Complete with commentary.
Basically, it’s a poorly developed episode of Supernatural without the eye-candy or visuals. Clearly, your mileage will vary depending on what you look for in an apocalyptic, monster or zombie read. Read at your own risk.
June 3, 2019
This was fun. Preposterous but fun.
May 30, 2019
Direct continuation of Incursion, with the same qualities and the same defects:
On the side of qualities: a rich universe, a good rhythm, nice characters. It's easy and fun to read. Very classic in some respects and quite original by others (the mix of post apocalyptic / urban fantasy).
In the radius of defects, there are always some sequences that are artificial, too "built".
Overall, it's a good entertainment, in the right line of the precedent, with this time a real end.
On the side of qualities: a rich universe, a good rhythm, nice characters. It's easy and fun to read. Very classic in some respects and quite original by others (the mix of post apocalyptic / urban fantasy).
In the radius of defects, there are always some sequences that are artificial, too "built".
Overall, it's a good entertainment, in the right line of the precedent, with this time a real end.
July 9, 2021
It really feels like Mr. Massey hits his stride with the characters and story. The world seems to come more alive as we meet more than just the enemy.
February 4, 2018
Finally knocked it out of the park
Wasn't crazy about the last two stories. Liked them just enough to keep reading and I am so glad I did. I loved this one. Scratchs' pack grew by quite a bit with some interesting characters. The bonds of Scratch, Gabby and Wolf Boy grew tighter and closer. It was great to see. This one was packed with action and it didn't leave us hanging one bit. I look forward to learning the pack secrets, which I am sure there are more than suspected. In this one Scratch and pack go to take on the Corridor Wolf Pack and the Pretty Vamp. To get their people back and to stop the end of the world. Well more of the end of the world. The odds are formidable and not everyone survives, but it's one heck of a ride
Wasn't crazy about the last two stories. Liked them just enough to keep reading and I am so glad I did. I loved this one. Scratchs' pack grew by quite a bit with some interesting characters. The bonds of Scratch, Gabby and Wolf Boy grew tighter and closer. It was great to see. This one was packed with action and it didn't leave us hanging one bit. I look forward to learning the pack secrets, which I am sure there are more than suspected. In this one Scratch and pack go to take on the Corridor Wolf Pack and the Pretty Vamp. To get their people back and to stop the end of the world. Well more of the end of the world. The odds are formidable and not everyone survives, but it's one heck of a ride
July 21, 2022
Мейси продължава да пише с онази наивност така подходяща за приключенски роман. Това не придава особена дълбочина на повествованието, но заедно с щедрите дози хумор му отива много. Тази книга е пряко продължение на предишната, като на финала затваря тази арка от приключенията на Скрач Съливан и компания.
Скрач, заеднос Били и Габи, продължава да се опитва да стигне до Глутницата от прохода и водещият я вампир Пьотър. По пътя се натъкват на не едно и две препятствия под формата на нощни създания, както и на неочаквани съюзници. На финала имаме нашия екип, ирландски бард, който се е борил с ужасите още преди апокалипсиса, откачен равин с зомби-голем и полувърколак. Добрите винаги побеждават, както казах прриключенска фантастика, жертвите са малко, макар да ги има, а лошите го отнасят лошо. За разлика от примерно Мабери, героите на Мейси не страдат толкова, не израстват насилствено, но такъв тип книги са, не е голям проблем.
Доста ми харесаа, че тук се усети голямо влияние от Кийн и неговото Въздигане. Мейси продължава да взаимства от най-добрите съвремени автори и да се движи по вълната на модерните варианти на класическите тропи.
Ще видим и следващата книжка, макар да е ретроспективна и нещо не ми се чете в момента.
Скрач, заеднос Били и Габи, продължава да се опитва да стигне до Глутницата от прохода и водещият я вампир Пьотър. По пътя се натъкват на не едно и две препятствия под формата на нощни създания, както и на неочаквани съюзници. На финала имаме нашия екип, ирландски бард, който се е борил с ужасите още преди апокалипсиса, откачен равин с зомби-голем и полувърколак. Добрите винаги побеждават, както казах прриключенска фантастика, жертвите са малко, макар да ги има, а лошите го отнасят лошо. За разлика от примерно Мабери, героите на Мейси не страдат толкова, не израстват насилствено, но такъв тип книги са, не е голям проблем.
Доста ми харесаа, че тук се усети голямо влияние от Кийн и неговото Въздигане. Мейси продължава да взаимства от най-добрите съвремени автори и да се движи по вълната на модерните варианти на класическите тропи.
Ще видим и следващата книжка, макар да е ретроспективна и нещо не ми се чете в момента.
July 14, 2019
Further down the rabbit hole
So cos play ensures chivalry is not dead but lives and thrives in a castle good old Donnie still around old friends show up and the small group makes new friends that also have their start in story or fable bigger than life Monsters more kidnapping and Kara poor Kara stuck in the middle moving on to net book let me tell you how much I am enjoying this series I went through quadruple bypass surgery and am currently wearing a life vest it’s a wearable difibalator So I can’t go outside can’t sweat there’s nothing on TV so this has been a wonderful distraction and a trip into a crazy upside down zombie,werewolf vampire apocalypse so thanks so much love it
So cos play ensures chivalry is not dead but lives and thrives in a castle good old Donnie still around old friends show up and the small group makes new friends that also have their start in story or fable bigger than life Monsters more kidnapping and Kara poor Kara stuck in the middle moving on to net book let me tell you how much I am enjoying this series I went through quadruple bypass surgery and am currently wearing a life vest it’s a wearable difibalator So I can’t go outside can’t sweat there’s nothing on TV so this has been a wonderful distraction and a trip into a crazy upside down zombie,werewolf vampire apocalypse so thanks so much love it
August 22, 2024
Legends come to life **NO SPOILERS**
Scratch, Gabby and Bobby are slowly but surely moving towards their final goal in Austin. They need to stop/ kill the “pretty” vampire, Van and his pack then rescue Kara and the other settlers. Bit of a tall order but he’s determined to get to Kara.
Unsurprisingly, nothing is going to plan and it’s all so much harder than it originally sounded, and it sounded like a one in a million chance. New friends and allies are met along with some old friends and enemies.
Is it far fetched and over the top, yes it is but it still makes for a fun read.
Scratch, Gabby and Bobby are slowly but surely moving towards their final goal in Austin. They need to stop/ kill the “pretty” vampire, Van and his pack then rescue Kara and the other settlers. Bit of a tall order but he’s determined to get to Kara.
Unsurprisingly, nothing is going to plan and it’s all so much harder than it originally sounded, and it sounded like a one in a million chance. New friends and allies are met along with some old friends and enemies.
Is it far fetched and over the top, yes it is but it still makes for a fun read.
November 29, 2019
Good read
Got this because the Junkyard Druid Colin McCool is in it. Well, he's here, but not in the way I read expected. It's all good and the two series work well together. I'm ready for more. I need to read the first in the series for backstory, but will probably wait for that as I'm ready for the sequel.
Got this because the Junkyard Druid Colin McCool is in it. Well, he's here, but not in the way I read expected. It's all good and the two series work well together. I'm ready for more. I need to read the first in the series for backstory, but will probably wait for that as I'm ready for the sequel.
May 25, 2023
Massive improvement
First 2 books were hard to read due to punctuation errors on 99% of the pages, as well as silly typos that should have been picked up by a half way decent proof reader. This book is massively better, and a pleasure to read! I did buy the set as the story itself is good, and can't wait to see what lies in store for Scratch, Gabby, Bobby and the others.
First 2 books were hard to read due to punctuation errors on 99% of the pages, as well as silly typos that should have been picked up by a half way decent proof reader. This book is massively better, and a pleasure to read! I did buy the set as the story itself is good, and can't wait to see what lies in store for Scratch, Gabby, Bobby and the others.
April 19, 2024
Scratch’s adventure in the paranormal apocalypse reaches a high point in Counteraction. His ability to survive insurmountable odds is always fun to read. Massey has a way of writing fun and exciting stories, whether it’s about a Druid living in a junkyard, a shadow wizard living on a ranch, or a veteran in the middle of a paranormal apocalypse. I look forward to Gabby’s Run.
April 1, 2018
Post-apocalyptic world with a few bada$$es
What an entertaining tale. And it’s nice to see protagonists with faults and imperfections. Moreover, the story take a few twists and turns, introducing and starting to develop some new characters (likely more to follow).
What an entertaining tale. And it’s nice to see protagonists with faults and imperfections. Moreover, the story take a few twists and turns, introducing and starting to develop some new characters (likely more to follow).
July 12, 2022
Quick fun read. Zombies, Vamp, Werewolves, what else could you ask for. I am really enjoying this series from the first page to the last page it is fast paced snd really kept my interest. I sm looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 15, 2017
I LOVE this series! Can't wait to read more!!! Highly Recommended!!
March 28, 2018
Rock and Roller
Less than 24 hour page Turner. From start to finish action from the start. Worthy series to read and great story.
Less than 24 hour page Turner. From start to finish action from the start. Worthy series to read and great story.
June 29, 2018
Great read
This the third novel in the series and I can't wait for the next one. Really a different look at the monster hunting
This the third novel in the series and I can't wait for the next one. Really a different look at the monster hunting
May 30, 2019
Fun Fluff.
March 6, 2021
A heartbreaking ending
I’m glad it ended the way it did. It left options open for Scratch in the future. I’m anxious to see how he does in the next book
I’m glad it ended the way it did. It left options open for Scratch in the future. I’m anxious to see how he does in the next book
January 11, 2022
This series got me hooked!!! I read this in a day and already finished book 3. Can’t wait to start the next one!
Read
July 3, 2023Great read
Wow, how Massey keeps the plot going is amazing. Excellent read. I highly recommend this series. You will not regret it.
Wow, how Massey keeps the plot going is amazing. Excellent read. I highly recommend this series. You will not regret it.
December 30, 2024
4/5 Stars
December 23, 2017
Splendid
Great ending to the book and I didn't see it coming. Afterwards it made sense but I was so caught up in the flow of the action that I couldn't see too far ahead.
Enough gushing. The writing felt right as usual to me with well drawn characters. The unnatural ones are really interesting. I did have one continuity problem. The zombies are night time active, yet during the day they sometimes seem just as active.
Throwing around the term "Mick", is distressing and normalizes every type of racist thinking and speech. Imagine men referring to bitches and c***s regularly. It wouldn't fly with most people as harmless or friendly talk.
Other than that, I liked everything about this book. Massey is worth reading.
Great ending to the book and I didn't see it coming. Afterwards it made sense but I was so caught up in the flow of the action that I couldn't see too far ahead.
Enough gushing. The writing felt right as usual to me with well drawn characters. The unnatural ones are really interesting. I did have one continuity problem. The zombies are night time active, yet during the day they sometimes seem just as active.
Throwing around the term "Mick", is distressing and normalizes every type of racist thinking and speech. Imagine men referring to bitches and c***s regularly. It wouldn't fly with most people as harmless or friendly talk.
Other than that, I liked everything about this book. Massey is worth reading.
August 3, 2016
It was surprising to see Scratch pull a ‘stupid bad guy’ trick despite being a good guy–i.e., leaving an enemy with a gun with one shot so he can kill himself. That really didn’t seem his style; he comes off as pragmatic most of the time.
Now that Aidan has visited the facility he and Gabby got treated at, he’s changed. He didn’t gain some of the more interesting abilities, but his reaction time and endurance went through the roof. And of course Bobby, who’s a young ‘runt’ of a lycanthrope, sees Scratch as his Alpha. I love that he handles this mostly by saying, “sure, Boss!” instead of some over-the-top wolf thing. (We’ve already had the latter in series after series.)
Now the stakes go up: Giant centuries-old lycanthrope; hypnotizing, lightning-fast vampire whose plans must be stopped lest he unleash hell on earth.
I could have done without the ‘guy code’ references, but that’s just me. I wanted to see more with Gabby, but in some cases it seems like Scratch is over-sheltering her (and as it turns out, she gets her own book).
All in all I enjoyed this zombie tale.
Original review at my site with deeper detail: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/08/r...
Now that Aidan has visited the facility he and Gabby got treated at, he’s changed. He didn’t gain some of the more interesting abilities, but his reaction time and endurance went through the roof. And of course Bobby, who’s a young ‘runt’ of a lycanthrope, sees Scratch as his Alpha. I love that he handles this mostly by saying, “sure, Boss!” instead of some over-the-top wolf thing. (We’ve already had the latter in series after series.)
Now the stakes go up: Giant centuries-old lycanthrope; hypnotizing, lightning-fast vampire whose plans must be stopped lest he unleash hell on earth.
I could have done without the ‘guy code’ references, but that’s just me. I wanted to see more with Gabby, but in some cases it seems like Scratch is over-sheltering her (and as it turns out, she gets her own book).
All in all I enjoyed this zombie tale.
Original review at my site with deeper detail: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/08/r...
June 20, 2016
Really good PA story
I enjoyed this book. Well written and with a good storyline.
It's a PA book with a twist or two to make it better.
I enjoyed this book. Well written and with a good storyline.
It's a PA book with a twist or two to make it better.
August 6, 2016
Loved the book
This book just drawls you in and makes you just keep on reading. I cannot wait to read the next one
This book just drawls you in and makes you just keep on reading. I cannot wait to read the next one
January 8, 2021
Werewolf Apocalypse
Another good book in the Apocalyptic series. Kept me looking for more even as it draws to end. Love the writing, characters, originality.
Another good book in the Apocalyptic series. Kept me looking for more even as it draws to end. Love the writing, characters, originality.
Read
September 15, 2017A pretty lively read
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews