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Black Rust #0.5
Black Virus
Alienated in a world where he doesn’t fit in, Christian Black survives because he’s different. Then the virus came, and made the world turn different, too.
Now people are dying by the million. Food supplies are short. Riots are blazing through the streets, and Christian’s only goal is to keep his family alive. But safety lies far from the city, and just getting out will be tougher than anyone knows.
Now people are dying by the million. Food supplies are short. Riots are blazing through the streets, and Christian’s only goal is to keep his family alive. But safety lies far from the city, and just getting out will be tougher than anyone knows.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2016
659 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Bobby Adair
71 books698 followersA bio is a weird thing to write.
Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?
When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.
It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.
Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.
And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.
On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.
I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.
Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.
I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.
I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.
I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.
Find out more:
http://www.bobbyadair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyAdairAu...
Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?
When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.
It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.
Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.
And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.
On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.
I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.
Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.
I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.
I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.
I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.
Find out more:
http://www.bobbyadair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyAdairAu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
October 21, 2024
After listening to nine out of ten books in Bobby Adair's incredible "Slow Burn" series I was more than excited to check out his "Black Rust" books.
Unfortunately, Black Virus was much too tame for me. Especially when compared to the "Slow Burn" series. That being said, this was just small taste, and a short prelude for what is to come next as the two book series concludes with Black Rust. Stay tuned, because I am not throwing in the towel.
Narrator Tristan Morris does a fantastic job with all the characters, and carries the storyline with authority.
Unfortunately, Black Virus was much too tame for me. Especially when compared to the "Slow Burn" series. That being said, this was just small taste, and a short prelude for what is to come next as the two book series concludes with Black Rust. Stay tuned, because I am not throwing in the towel.
Narrator Tristan Morris does a fantastic job with all the characters, and carries the storyline with authority.
June 3, 2024
Good.
I struggled to keep my hold on Black Virus and after reading a clip of number two I decided I won't be carrying on with the series. The characters were likeable and the different zombies were refreshing but it just isn't a story for me.
I struggled to keep my hold on Black Virus and after reading a clip of number two I decided I won't be carrying on with the series. The characters were likeable and the different zombies were refreshing but it just isn't a story for me.
December 19, 2018
Black Virus
Black Rust, Book 1
By: Bobby Adair
Narrated by: Tristan Morris
This is a short book that drags on into this horrible world and as much as I wanted to stop I just couldn't! I wanted to know what was going to happen! I don't normally like dystopian novels but this was very interesting and different. It didn't have slobbering zombies.
The narration was very complementary to the story!
Black Rust, Book 1
By: Bobby Adair
Narrated by: Tristan Morris
This is a short book that drags on into this horrible world and as much as I wanted to stop I just couldn't! I wanted to know what was going to happen! I don't normally like dystopian novels but this was very interesting and different. It didn't have slobbering zombies.
The narration was very complementary to the story!
August 18, 2016
A solid "I liked it." I was looking forward to book 2 until the end when I learned it was set 15 years later. I'm much more of a fan of the disintegration of society than I am the rebuilding, so I won't be continuing on with the series, but the book was plausible and had great descriptions of violence (especially the firearm kills.)
September 19, 2024
That was a pretty nice intro.
In "Black Virus" by Bobby Adair we are introduced to a world changed by a virus that kills some and changes others.
Set in Houston, Texas the story takes us on a fast paced horror adventure as Christian Black tries to stay alive while making quick decisions that sometimes bring him closer to death and closer to answers.
The main character is pretty great, he is either a psychopath or a sociopath, I can't tell but he's fantastic.
I am going looking for the next in the series right now.
In "Black Virus" by Bobby Adair we are introduced to a world changed by a virus that kills some and changes others.
Set in Houston, Texas the story takes us on a fast paced horror adventure as Christian Black tries to stay alive while making quick decisions that sometimes bring him closer to death and closer to answers.
The main character is pretty great, he is either a psychopath or a sociopath, I can't tell but he's fantastic.
I am going looking for the next in the series right now.
May 14, 2022
An interesting take on the "not-a-zombie-but-close" genre on apocalyptic reads.
Bobby Adair is getting to be one of my favorite writers.
Bobby Adair is getting to be one of my favorite writers.
November 6, 2017
I found Black Virus on the Kindle Store some months ago for free. It seemed like it would be a good read, so I downloaded it, but never really got around to reading it. I failed to sit and read it for a long time, until October-November. Finally, I started reading it, and gladly settled down with it.
Black Virus is the story of Christian Black, a 16 year old who didn't take anything from anyone, until the virus hit human kind. He struggled to keep his family alive in a lawless world, families living on ration cards, the world apocalyptic. Things get tougher, and Christian finds that he must be as unforgiving as the new world.
There's really a lot I like about this book. Adair has created a zombie like apocalypse, in which there are no zombies present. It feeds on the fear of a possible epidemic, of nothing paranormal - just a new strain that the world isn't used to. Ebola. Zica. These viruses are around, and I think Adair choosing to use a medical epidemic, rather than a paranormal one definitely, for one, makes this more interesting than a lot of other books out there working in the same tiers. This book stands on the shoulders of everyone else in the crowd and is yelling out to people walking by.
Gruesome, short (90-100 pages), and gripping, I would definitely recommend this. This is a brilliant start to the Black Rust series, and I am definitely excited to sit and read Black Rust . I definitely recommend this one to horror lovers. It's true genius.
Black Virus is the story of Christian Black, a 16 year old who didn't take anything from anyone, until the virus hit human kind. He struggled to keep his family alive in a lawless world, families living on ration cards, the world apocalyptic. Things get tougher, and Christian finds that he must be as unforgiving as the new world.
There's really a lot I like about this book. Adair has created a zombie like apocalypse, in which there are no zombies present. It feeds on the fear of a possible epidemic, of nothing paranormal - just a new strain that the world isn't used to. Ebola. Zica. These viruses are around, and I think Adair choosing to use a medical epidemic, rather than a paranormal one definitely, for one, makes this more interesting than a lot of other books out there working in the same tiers. This book stands on the shoulders of everyone else in the crowd and is yelling out to people walking by.
Gruesome, short (90-100 pages), and gripping, I would definitely recommend this. This is a brilliant start to the Black Rust series, and I am definitely excited to sit and read Black Rust . I definitely recommend this one to horror lovers. It's true genius.
November 20, 2016
A short and gruesome story
The narration for Black Virus was done by Tristan Morris who does a great job. He moved this already quick story along quite well, allowing the reader to just enjoy this pretty gruesome tale.
Bobby Adair knows how to write a Bio-Thriller (see any of the Ebola K series). But, this (even though the name would suggest it) is NOT like those other books. This is a different take on a zombie/unrelenting force story. While there is nothing wrong with that, I often get really disappointed when I think that a book is going to be more about the virus that takes over then how people are seen from the outside.
Regardless, Black Virus was still an incredibly interesting story. I will warn you, this book is not for the faint of heart. There are some gruesome scenes within it, and I promise it will upset and scare away some readers. But, on the flip side -- Adair wrote a very real, gritty, and just honest rendition of what would happen during an outbreak if someone was forced to survive and endure.
The main character is by the authors own writing -- different. And that makes a unique and interesting point of view for Black Virus.
I just wish the story was more about the virus: where it came from, what it was doing, and what the world was doing to try and stop it. There were glimmers of that here and there, but overall the story was much more about Christian.
The narration for Black Virus was done by Tristan Morris who does a great job. He moved this already quick story along quite well, allowing the reader to just enjoy this pretty gruesome tale.
Bobby Adair knows how to write a Bio-Thriller (see any of the Ebola K series). But, this (even though the name would suggest it) is NOT like those other books. This is a different take on a zombie/unrelenting force story. While there is nothing wrong with that, I often get really disappointed when I think that a book is going to be more about the virus that takes over then how people are seen from the outside.
Regardless, Black Virus was still an incredibly interesting story. I will warn you, this book is not for the faint of heart. There are some gruesome scenes within it, and I promise it will upset and scare away some readers. But, on the flip side -- Adair wrote a very real, gritty, and just honest rendition of what would happen during an outbreak if someone was forced to survive and endure.
The main character is by the authors own writing -- different. And that makes a unique and interesting point of view for Black Virus.
I just wish the story was more about the virus: where it came from, what it was doing, and what the world was doing to try and stop it. There were glimmers of that here and there, but overall the story was much more about Christian.
July 29, 2016
My word, this is good. A totally new perspective on the overdone ‘same-old, same-old’ predictable zombie story that seems to be all the rage at the moment.
This, however was very frighteningly plausible. I loved Christian. Loved the rest of the characters, loved the realism and the dialogue and sheer bloody awfulness of it all. It’s a little bit short but even so I was drawn into the story. If you like ‘zombie’ style stories (with more than a touch of dear lord this could really happen! then this is an absolute cracker.
This, however was very frighteningly plausible. I loved Christian. Loved the rest of the characters, loved the realism and the dialogue and sheer bloody awfulness of it all. It’s a little bit short but even so I was drawn into the story. If you like ‘zombie’ style stories (with more than a touch of dear lord this could really happen! then this is an absolute cracker.
August 2, 2017
Fantastic preamble in what looks like a brilliant new series, again, I can't recommend this author highly enough, go on and try one of his books.
September 23, 2019
Decent little novella
February 17, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was a pretty good prequel. Fast paced and kept me engaged. The ending was kinda crazy and sad though. I’ll be looking into this series
This was a pretty good prequel. Fast paced and kept me engaged. The ending was kinda crazy and sad though. I’ll be looking into this series
August 2, 2016
Christian Black is 16 years-old and doesn't take crap from anyone - no matter how big or strong. Then the virus hits and people all around him are dying. Luckily, he was kicked out of school before everyone there contacted the virus, including his brothers. He is soon taken away from his family by a bounty hunter and finds himself rescued in the midst of a riot. People with the disease are intent on killing and destroying whatever they come upon. He joins a group of survivors and plans to rescue his own family and escape the city to the countryside. Unfortunately, the rioting mob is after him and a girl he befriends during his escape. Together they make good their escape but when getting back home - he finds insurmountable odds against him to complete their escape. Fast read and hard to put down. Great job, Mr. Adair!
John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"
John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"
November 12, 2020
Even though this was a short read, it packed a lot into it. A different take on the zombie genre. The story line was interesting and kept a fast pace. When a virus hits, it sets the world into a slow chaos. There are food shortages, rations, riots and the virus itself. Some people get the virus and pull through. Some become zombie like. These zombies can be docile but some can get agitated. In this world our main character, 16 year old Christian, is struggling trying to keep his family alive. As the world falls apart around him, he has life and death decisions that he has to make.
For most part I liked the book. I did feel that the kids in the book were way more mature than I would have expected. They are more mature than a bunch of adults in the book. While this may happen with one or two, it seems like every teen that you meet has a solid head on their shoulders. A bit unbelievable. Still, I will be continuing with the story. Would like to see how it ends up.
For most part I liked the book. I did feel that the kids in the book were way more mature than I would have expected. They are more mature than a bunch of adults in the book. While this may happen with one or two, it seems like every teen that you meet has a solid head on their shoulders. A bit unbelievable. Still, I will be continuing with the story. Would like to see how it ends up.
September 21, 2016
As the virus spreads and the world collapse, Christian tries to survive...and protect his family. But he is taken from his small sanctuary to be brought to a labor camp....and escape is the only thing one his mind.
After meeting Jim and his daughter, Abby, he strives to get out of Houston where rioting and chaos gather. Can he finally be reunited with his family? Where there is no rioting or danger? The violence is spreading faster and time is running out...
This was my first book of Mr. Adair's and I fully enjoyed it. A beautiful, realistic, feeling, and heart wrenching story. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Well done!
After meeting Jim and his daughter, Abby, he strives to get out of Houston where rioting and chaos gather. Can he finally be reunited with his family? Where there is no rioting or danger? The violence is spreading faster and time is running out...
This was my first book of Mr. Adair's and I fully enjoyed it. A beautiful, realistic, feeling, and heart wrenching story. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Well done!
September 14, 2016
Excellent. A fast paced page-turner. Unlike a lot of shorter works found on kindle, this was well edited. I haven't read anything else this author has out, but I'd definitely be interested in more of his work.
August 9, 2016
I did not enjoy the story and found it difficult to finish.
September 22, 2023
Introduction:
Greetings, fellow beings of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, an alpha male Ice Wolf from our frozen world, and today I bring forth a tale from another realm, a tale of survival, chaos, and the cold touch of death. As one who has wielded ice magic for over 36 years and has faced many a gaming challenge, I find myself drawn to stories that resonate with the icy grip of our homeland. "Black Virus" by Bobby Adair is one such tale.
Basic Plot Summary:
In a world not unlike our own, a virus descends, bringing with it chaos and death. Christian Black, an outcast in his own right, finds himself in the midst of this apocalypse. With the world crumbling around him, his sole aim becomes the safety of his family. But as the city becomes a battleground, escape seems nearly impossible.
Analysis/Evaluation:
The tale is a short one, but it is packed with emotion, tension, and a sense of impending doom. Adair's portrayal of a world in chaos is eerily reminiscent of the harshest winters of HowlStrom. The virus, while not of magical origin, brings with it a coldness that any Ice Wolf would recognize.
Characters:
Christian Black stands out as a beacon of resilience and determination. His alienation pre-virus gives him a unique perspective on the post-virus world. While he may not possess the ice magic of our kind, his will to survive is as strong as any alpha's.
Structure:
The story, while brief, is well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Adair doesn't waste words, and every sentence serves to push the narrative forward.
Impact:
The chilling parallels between the world of "Black Virus" and the icy grip of HowlStrom's winters are undeniable. The tale serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
Hook and Thesis:
The story hooks the reader from the very beginning with its bleak portrayal of a world in chaos. The underlying thesis seems to be the human spirit's indomitable will to survive, no matter the odds.
Praise and Critique:
Adair's writing is crisp, and his world-building is commendable. However, I found myself yearning for a deeper dive into the origins of the virus and the world's response to it. The story's brevity, while making for a quick read, leaves some questions unanswered.
Comparison:
While unique in its own right, "Black Virus" does draw comparisons to other post-apocalyptic tales. However, its focus on a singular character's journey sets it apart from the rest.
Conclusion:
"Black Virus" is a chilling tale of survival in a world gone mad. It resonates deeply with the icy heart of HowlStrom and serves as a reminder of the strength of the spirit in the face of adversity. As Kiba Snowpaw, I recommend this tale to all who seek a story that will send shivers down their spine, much like the cold winds of our homeland.
May the icy winds of HowlStrom guide you.
Greetings, fellow beings of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, an alpha male Ice Wolf from our frozen world, and today I bring forth a tale from another realm, a tale of survival, chaos, and the cold touch of death. As one who has wielded ice magic for over 36 years and has faced many a gaming challenge, I find myself drawn to stories that resonate with the icy grip of our homeland. "Black Virus" by Bobby Adair is one such tale.
Basic Plot Summary:
In a world not unlike our own, a virus descends, bringing with it chaos and death. Christian Black, an outcast in his own right, finds himself in the midst of this apocalypse. With the world crumbling around him, his sole aim becomes the safety of his family. But as the city becomes a battleground, escape seems nearly impossible.
Analysis/Evaluation:
The tale is a short one, but it is packed with emotion, tension, and a sense of impending doom. Adair's portrayal of a world in chaos is eerily reminiscent of the harshest winters of HowlStrom. The virus, while not of magical origin, brings with it a coldness that any Ice Wolf would recognize.
Characters:
Christian Black stands out as a beacon of resilience and determination. His alienation pre-virus gives him a unique perspective on the post-virus world. While he may not possess the ice magic of our kind, his will to survive is as strong as any alpha's.
Structure:
The story, while brief, is well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Adair doesn't waste words, and every sentence serves to push the narrative forward.
Impact:
The chilling parallels between the world of "Black Virus" and the icy grip of HowlStrom's winters are undeniable. The tale serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
Hook and Thesis:
The story hooks the reader from the very beginning with its bleak portrayal of a world in chaos. The underlying thesis seems to be the human spirit's indomitable will to survive, no matter the odds.
Praise and Critique:
Adair's writing is crisp, and his world-building is commendable. However, I found myself yearning for a deeper dive into the origins of the virus and the world's response to it. The story's brevity, while making for a quick read, leaves some questions unanswered.
Comparison:
While unique in its own right, "Black Virus" does draw comparisons to other post-apocalyptic tales. However, its focus on a singular character's journey sets it apart from the rest.
Conclusion:
"Black Virus" is a chilling tale of survival in a world gone mad. It resonates deeply with the icy heart of HowlStrom and serves as a reminder of the strength of the spirit in the face of adversity. As Kiba Snowpaw, I recommend this tale to all who seek a story that will send shivers down their spine, much like the cold winds of our homeland.
May the icy winds of HowlStrom guide you.
September 12, 2021
Review of eBook
Sixteen-year-old Christian Black lives with his older brother, Levi, his younger twin brothers, Mason and Caden, and his parents. He doesn’t quite fit in . . . after due reflection, he's decided he sees punishment not as a consequence but as a price for an action.
On the first day of eighth grade, Christian has a run-in with a cruel schoolmate who attempts to assert his authority over the new kid. Christian is suspended for a week, but Ledoux needs a couple of weeks to recover from his fight with Christian. When Ledoux returns to school, he takes aim at Mason and Caden, and Christian doesn’t hesitate to protect his brothers, getting himself expelled in the process.
Christian describes himself as decisive and ruthless; his court-ordered therapist describes him as “different.” Still, it makes little difference in the wider scheme of things because the Brisbane strain of H5N1 spread itself across the planet. It spread through the school and ultimately killed the twins.
And now, as the pervasive prion virus continues to spread, it creates a prion encephalopathy that destroys the brain. With both of Christian’s parents affected, Levi and Christian do their best to care for them. But as more and more people are affected, large groups of similarly affected victims . . . designated “degenerates” . . . roam the streets.
With vaccines having little effect, people are dying by the millions and the hordes of “degenerates” are swelling. Can Christian make a difference in a world turned upside down?
Written years before Covid-19 unleashed itself on an unsuspecting world, this prequel story is, in many ways, grimly prophetic. The worldbuilding here is extremely strong; the pace of the gritty tale is fast and unrelenting. Setting the stage for the book that follows [where the action takes place some fifteen years later], the focus here is on action rather than on character development or complex plots.
Readers are sure to find themselves empathizing with Christian as the unfolding story establishes the apocalyptic development of the dystopian world. Questions remain as the prequel sets the stage for the book that follows.
Recommended.
Sixteen-year-old Christian Black lives with his older brother, Levi, his younger twin brothers, Mason and Caden, and his parents. He doesn’t quite fit in . . . after due reflection, he's decided he sees punishment not as a consequence but as a price for an action.
On the first day of eighth grade, Christian has a run-in with a cruel schoolmate who attempts to assert his authority over the new kid. Christian is suspended for a week, but Ledoux needs a couple of weeks to recover from his fight with Christian. When Ledoux returns to school, he takes aim at Mason and Caden, and Christian doesn’t hesitate to protect his brothers, getting himself expelled in the process.
Christian describes himself as decisive and ruthless; his court-ordered therapist describes him as “different.” Still, it makes little difference in the wider scheme of things because the Brisbane strain of H5N1 spread itself across the planet. It spread through the school and ultimately killed the twins.
And now, as the pervasive prion virus continues to spread, it creates a prion encephalopathy that destroys the brain. With both of Christian’s parents affected, Levi and Christian do their best to care for them. But as more and more people are affected, large groups of similarly affected victims . . . designated “degenerates” . . . roam the streets.
With vaccines having little effect, people are dying by the millions and the hordes of “degenerates” are swelling. Can Christian make a difference in a world turned upside down?
Written years before Covid-19 unleashed itself on an unsuspecting world, this prequel story is, in many ways, grimly prophetic. The worldbuilding here is extremely strong; the pace of the gritty tale is fast and unrelenting. Setting the stage for the book that follows [where the action takes place some fifteen years later], the focus here is on action rather than on character development or complex plots.
Readers are sure to find themselves empathizing with Christian as the unfolding story establishes the apocalyptic development of the dystopian world. Questions remain as the prequel sets the stage for the book that follows.
Recommended.
October 18, 2022
Disclaimer: voice to text review. Apologies for errors or dumb punctuation
Review:
It has been a really really long time since I found myself unable to finish a book. Usually what happens is I find myself reading in general less and less because I want to finish what I started but I also don't want to read that book. I'm not sure why but this held no appeal beyond the initial 20% setup. I'm kind of bummed about it because slow burn was really well done up through the first five or six books but I just didn't feel any connection to the characters whatsoever, which is kind of surprising because character development and interaction is Bobby adair's strong point: he makes characters you want to hang out with book after book even when the plot becomes dull as heck.
When I started reading this I thought it was book one because that's how it is cataloged on Audible, but on Goodreads it says book .5. so maybe the issue here is that this is a prequel that really should not be read first. Adair's marketing should probably get on that, or make the actual book one the free reader magnet instead of this short story because if anything this was a huge turn off for a Bobby Adair loving, zombie loving horror fan - which I'm pretty certain is his main reader base.
The biggest issue with it is that I felt bored. It wasn't written poorly. It wasn't laughably unscientific. It wasn't offensive. The audiobook narrator was talented and engaging so it definitely wasn't on him...
It's just a boring book and a waste of 3 hours. Which is saying something because I've read short stories of that length and nothing happened at all in them but was interested enough to finish it. Maybe with context it wouldn't be so dull, but as a pure standalone, I just couldn't force myself to finish it, and I got all the way to 45 minutes to the end and had absolutely no interest in finding out how it ends.
Review:
It has been a really really long time since I found myself unable to finish a book. Usually what happens is I find myself reading in general less and less because I want to finish what I started but I also don't want to read that book. I'm not sure why but this held no appeal beyond the initial 20% setup. I'm kind of bummed about it because slow burn was really well done up through the first five or six books but I just didn't feel any connection to the characters whatsoever, which is kind of surprising because character development and interaction is Bobby adair's strong point: he makes characters you want to hang out with book after book even when the plot becomes dull as heck.
When I started reading this I thought it was book one because that's how it is cataloged on Audible, but on Goodreads it says book .5. so maybe the issue here is that this is a prequel that really should not be read first. Adair's marketing should probably get on that, or make the actual book one the free reader magnet instead of this short story because if anything this was a huge turn off for a Bobby Adair loving, zombie loving horror fan - which I'm pretty certain is his main reader base.
The biggest issue with it is that I felt bored. It wasn't written poorly. It wasn't laughably unscientific. It wasn't offensive. The audiobook narrator was talented and engaging so it definitely wasn't on him...
It's just a boring book and a waste of 3 hours. Which is saying something because I've read short stories of that length and nothing happened at all in them but was interested enough to finish it. Maybe with context it wouldn't be so dull, but as a pure standalone, I just couldn't force myself to finish it, and I got all the way to 45 minutes to the end and had absolutely no interest in finding out how it ends.
December 15, 2019
Black Virus (Black Rust Book 1), A Novel by Bobby L. Adair is a frightening futuristic book. I gave it four stars.
It starts with Lucy, the family dog fighting to the death and being mauled. Christian Black's father grieved loudly when he found her destroyed body in the backyard.
Christian described his fighting without rules. "That was important to me. It was how I used a cruder version of the corporal methods utilized by the school official to teach the bullies to leave me and my two little brothers alone." His goal is survival for him and his family in the midst of chaos.
The H5N1 virus was a prion virus that destroyed brain cells.
Sometimes the victims of it became violent. Sometimes they just faded away before they died. Christian's family lost his twin brothers, Mason and Caden, and both his parents have it.
"I didn't say anything more as we ate. In fact, the words I'd already used were just habit. Back at the beginning, I thought continuing to talk to him might be therapeutic in some way.
Through the months, I came to realize I was talking at him rather than to him. Eventually, I stopped doing even that."
I received a complimentary Kindle copy from the author. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Virus-Ru...
It starts with Lucy, the family dog fighting to the death and being mauled. Christian Black's father grieved loudly when he found her destroyed body in the backyard.
Christian described his fighting without rules. "That was important to me. It was how I used a cruder version of the corporal methods utilized by the school official to teach the bullies to leave me and my two little brothers alone." His goal is survival for him and his family in the midst of chaos.
The H5N1 virus was a prion virus that destroyed brain cells.
Sometimes the victims of it became violent. Sometimes they just faded away before they died. Christian's family lost his twin brothers, Mason and Caden, and both his parents have it.
"I didn't say anything more as we ate. In fact, the words I'd already used were just habit. Back at the beginning, I thought continuing to talk to him might be therapeutic in some way.
Through the months, I came to realize I was talking at him rather than to him. Eventually, I stopped doing even that."
I received a complimentary Kindle copy from the author. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Virus-Ru...
August 19, 2018
I rate this book 4.5/5.
It's always great to find a new take on the zombie/infection genre. A strain of flu that some die from, some survive, or some are left with a mutation that slowly turns you into a 'degenerate', is right up my street.
This story focusses on Christian Black and his background. The foreword from the author was a little worrying for me as he states that he wrote Black Virus because when writing Black Rust he realised there wasn't room for backstory with a fast paced plot. I disagree with this and believe good writing allows for both. So, even though Black Rust was written and published first, it has become book two. I was wary of Adair's writing after reading the foreword.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the infection story, even more so because it is packed full of back story anf world building. However, that foreword has made my wary of book two. If its all action and no character development or backstory in its own right, then I doubt I will like it as much as book one. I wish that foreword had been omitted.
It's always great to find a new take on the zombie/infection genre. A strain of flu that some die from, some survive, or some are left with a mutation that slowly turns you into a 'degenerate', is right up my street.
This story focusses on Christian Black and his background. The foreword from the author was a little worrying for me as he states that he wrote Black Virus because when writing Black Rust he realised there wasn't room for backstory with a fast paced plot. I disagree with this and believe good writing allows for both. So, even though Black Rust was written and published first, it has become book two. I was wary of Adair's writing after reading the foreword.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the infection story, even more so because it is packed full of back story anf world building. However, that foreword has made my wary of book two. If its all action and no character development or backstory in its own right, then I doubt I will like it as much as book one. I wish that foreword had been omitted.
August 26, 2024
This short novella tells the story of a school-aged boy living through the early stages of a global pandemic that turns most people's brains to mush, making them unable to function in society. They are not quite zombies, and not necessarily violent, but the story is zombie-adjacent. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding - though brief it was (it's a novella, after all) the huge social change happening quickly was well described. The main character is interesting - he's not cruel, but he also doesn't shy away from extreme violence to protect himself and his family.
Overall I give this a solid 4, maybe a 4.5. The audiobook reader did a great job, definitely also a 4 or 4.5.
My personal rating scale: 5 (best of the genre, highly recommended); 4 (good book, recommend to others who like similar types of books); 3 (decent book, enjoyed reading it but not enough to recommend to others); 2 (has merit, but I didn't enjoy it much, and possibly didn't finish it); 1 (trash that shouldn't have been published).
Overall I give this a solid 4, maybe a 4.5. The audiobook reader did a great job, definitely also a 4 or 4.5.
My personal rating scale: 5 (best of the genre, highly recommended); 4 (good book, recommend to others who like similar types of books); 3 (decent book, enjoyed reading it but not enough to recommend to others); 2 (has merit, but I didn't enjoy it much, and possibly didn't finish it); 1 (trash that shouldn't have been published).
March 6, 2021
The H5N1 virus is spreading throughout the country killing millions of people. The disease had several names; the Black Virus, H5N1, or the Brisbane Strain. Everyone had the virus but not everyone had the prion encephalopathy (TSE) that caused the debilitating effects, reducing your intelligence to that of a five-year-old and worse. Symptoms may be similar to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), an extremely rare degenerative brain disorder. Christian Black was lucky, he didn’t have the prion variant. Two years had passed, the economy was dead, people were starving. The prion-infected people were called degenerates. They were rioting everywhere and destroying everything they came across. Christian was a good young man and determined to take care of his parents. Amid chaos and barbarity, things don’t always work out as we would like. In losing everything, Christian found something new.
November 20, 2018
Really enjoyed this short prequel and I thought the main character - a 15 year old ‘atypical’ teenager - was great. He was flawed but also very loyal, strong and a survivor. This book is supposed to set up the next book, Black Rust, and explain why the adult Christian Black is the way he is. I can’t wait to see who he becomes, how he has adapted and how this new dystopian world has changed him for better or worse, especially in regards to his atypical personality and how this may have helped him survive.
There were no deep or complex ideas and nothing we haven’t read before but it was fast paced and enjoyable and I liked that it didn’t shy away from violence. I would definitely recommend for a quick and fun read.
There were no deep or complex ideas and nothing we haven’t read before but it was fast paced and enjoyable and I liked that it didn’t shy away from violence. I would definitely recommend for a quick and fun read.
April 10, 2024
I'm not sure if I picked this up for free as an audible original a few years ago or if I added it to my library with audible plus but either way It's been in my library for a few years and I finally got around to listening to it. I was semi-interested because this is and isn't a zombie book but the Isn't a zombie book part is why it took so long for me to get to it. Overall despite the slow start which isn't actually that long as the book is only like 2 and a half hours, I really enjoyed the book and didn't want to stop listening until I finished it. I'm not sure I will ever get around to the second book due to a time skip and the fact that the story direction changes but I highly recommend this one, but be ready for some heart break at the end.
December 29, 2020
The Black Virus had come to the nation. People were dying and others were degenerating and not knowing what to do. A lot of people in a vegetative state of mine. But there were some people who were capable of handling this life and could still manage to live on their on and function as before. In one family a young man was so different from his family he was going to therapy. One day the world has gotten worse and this young man had to make some hard decision, because the virus had taken over.
This was a sad story, and it was necessary to read about the events in this, especially based on the pandemic we are living through today.
An awesome story. Highly recommend.
This was a sad story, and it was necessary to read about the events in this, especially based on the pandemic we are living through today.
An awesome story. Highly recommend.
March 1, 2023
Although longer than a short story by all means, this can easily and is likely meant to be read in one sitting.
I don’t like to give too much away in reviews, but this little tale is about a boy who just don‘t tick right, his family and how decides to accept the apocalypse.
All of it is written quite well juggling prose and action so cohesively that I’ll be sure to read more of Bobby Addair‘s work after this.
I’m very happy I stumbled across this on the Kindle app and, in retrospect, would have been happy to pay more than the 99¢ I was charged.
I don’t like to give too much away in reviews, but this little tale is about a boy who just don‘t tick right, his family and how decides to accept the apocalypse.
All of it is written quite well juggling prose and action so cohesively that I’ll be sure to read more of Bobby Addair‘s work after this.
I’m very happy I stumbled across this on the Kindle app and, in retrospect, would have been happy to pay more than the 99¢ I was charged.
November 15, 2024
I love a good zombie novel and have enjoyed a few by Adair so I was quite pleased when I realised I'd bought this a long while ago and never read it.
Things I enjoyed:
✅The use of the word scores (20) in a modern novel, in a modern setting, made me chuckle.
✅The bit where Dad recognised Levi's body broke my heart :( but I could really feel the anguish in the writing.
✅Christian's "hell is full and the devils are here" bit reminiscent of Shakespeare.
Not so much:
⭕The very abrupt ending.
I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Things I enjoyed:
✅The use of the word scores (20) in a modern novel, in a modern setting, made me chuckle.
✅The bit where Dad recognised Levi's body broke my heart :( but I could really feel the anguish in the writing.
✅Christian's "hell is full and the devils are here" bit reminiscent of Shakespeare.
Not so much:
⭕The very abrupt ending.
I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2017
It's a good, well-written story, albeit it reminded me a bit too much of Slow Burn, the author's other very popular series. The main difference is that the sick people are not actually zombies, they don't eat people. They either have lost their mind or are losing it, which either causes them to be catatonic or aggressive. If you have family members with dementia, this might not be the best choice of book for you.
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