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Ran #2
This Broken Veil
The Nero virus didn't just raise the dead--it changed the living. Ran Lawson survived the catastrophic early days of the apocalypse with the help of new friends only to discover she was one of the many altered by the strange disease. When Nero first activated, it killed anyone with an injury more serious than a bruise, only adding to its mystery.
Six months later, Ran and other people with strange variations of the disease coursing through their veins are being targeted. Some remnants of the military, tasked with supporting the scientists whose research could be humanity's last hope, have been collecting test subjects whether they like it or not.
Ran has been a prisoner before. She knows the deep dread of the caged. And they are coming. For her and everyone like her.
Not even Ran knows if her mind can take confinement again, much less whether she can survive the experience. The one thing she will not do is ever give up. If necessary, she will make bad jokes right until the bitter end.
Six months later, Ran and other people with strange variations of the disease coursing through their veins are being targeted. Some remnants of the military, tasked with supporting the scientists whose research could be humanity's last hope, have been collecting test subjects whether they like it or not.
Ran has been a prisoner before. She knows the deep dread of the caged. And they are coming. For her and everyone like her.
Not even Ran knows if her mind can take confinement again, much less whether she can survive the experience. The one thing she will not do is ever give up. If necessary, she will make bad jokes right until the bitter end.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2016
25 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Guess
50 books363 followersJoshua Guess (who goes by Josh most of the time, but Joshua professionally because his mom insists) is originally from southern Illinois, but moved to central Kentucky at an early age.
Always a storyteller, his interest in creating began with art. He loved to draw and come up with stories about his pictures.
Then he discovered comic books and novels, and things...took a turn.
Devouring everything from superboy to Stephen King, Josh started to gain a greater interest in writing, making it a hobby during high school and achieving distinguished marks in his portfolio.
Then, life got in the way. College and the struggle to start a life of his own away from home took up most of his time. His love of telling stories took a back seat to the needs of daily life for many years, with the occasional foray into working on one project or another.
In late 2009, Josh buckled down and started work on an idea for a fantasy novel that had been stuck in his head since those halcyon days back in high school. Struggling to find a voice, Josh realized months later after many false starts that he needed to stretch his brain a little, strengthen his writing muscles. So he began another project that had been simmering in the back of his mind, a continuing serialized zombie story, told in the form of a daily blog.
Living With the Dead has given him a measure of success, but more important has imparted new skills at wordsmithing and the drive to complete. 'Bound to Silence', his debut novel, has been released and is available now, as are many collections and versions of Living With the Dead.
Once that tipping point was reached, there was no choice for him but to keep on writing. Much more of Josh's work will be released in the coming months.
I hate writing in the third person about myself. I live an average life and work a full time job. I have three cats, two dogs, two ferrets, and a wife that I'm so in love with it hurts. My goal is to some day have enough success to write full time, and to manage a level of long term financial security that I don't have to worry about money. It's my dream to make a good living doing what I love--telling stories. I hope you enjoy my work. That's why I do it.
Always a storyteller, his interest in creating began with art. He loved to draw and come up with stories about his pictures.
Then he discovered comic books and novels, and things...took a turn.
Devouring everything from superboy to Stephen King, Josh started to gain a greater interest in writing, making it a hobby during high school and achieving distinguished marks in his portfolio.
Then, life got in the way. College and the struggle to start a life of his own away from home took up most of his time. His love of telling stories took a back seat to the needs of daily life for many years, with the occasional foray into working on one project or another.
In late 2009, Josh buckled down and started work on an idea for a fantasy novel that had been stuck in his head since those halcyon days back in high school. Struggling to find a voice, Josh realized months later after many false starts that he needed to stretch his brain a little, strengthen his writing muscles. So he began another project that had been simmering in the back of his mind, a continuing serialized zombie story, told in the form of a daily blog.
Living With the Dead has given him a measure of success, but more important has imparted new skills at wordsmithing and the drive to complete. 'Bound to Silence', his debut novel, has been released and is available now, as are many collections and versions of Living With the Dead.
Once that tipping point was reached, there was no choice for him but to keep on writing. Much more of Josh's work will be released in the coming months.
I hate writing in the third person about myself. I live an average life and work a full time job. I have three cats, two dogs, two ferrets, and a wife that I'm so in love with it hurts. My goal is to some day have enough success to write full time, and to manage a level of long term financial security that I don't have to worry about money. It's my dream to make a good living doing what I love--telling stories. I hope you enjoy my work. That's why I do it.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 1, 2024
Dont let my review fool you into not reading it, it was good and had a creative plot and a funny unique main character.
Both books were a bit rambly. Something's were left unexplored like the tree zombies or ones with horns. I get the explanation of the virus but doesnt explain other deformations. A doctor could have already studied it and be explained that way but kinda left open with nothing to it except zombie weirdness.
Feel like theres more to work on in another book though but otherwise its good, not the best book I've read this year but its better than others
Both books were a bit rambly. Something's were left unexplored like the tree zombies or ones with horns. I get the explanation of the virus but doesnt explain other deformations. A doctor could have already studied it and be explained that way but kinda left open with nothing to it except zombie weirdness.
Feel like theres more to work on in another book though but otherwise its good, not the best book I've read this year but its better than others
September 7, 2017
Ran Runs With It!
My favorite heroine is back, and very than ever! Complex, intriguing, unique - she is by far a kick butt, relatable character. In the land of zombie apocalypse talks, this author truly is one of the path layers. He doesn't rely on the run of the mill zom-poc outline... you know the one, where family is delegated when the crisis occurs and the struggle to reunite then find safety.
As one of the very first indie publishing authors I read in e-book format Joshua Guess is masterful at details (as in not introducing an item, plot point, etc. without providing a sensible explanation), plus creating complex works filled with very memorable characters. Oh, give his collaboration with James Cook, 'The Passenger,' a read. You will not regret it zombie fans!
Apocalyptica, the first book, or serial depending on which way you read it, was fantastic. Truly I hope we see much, much more of Ran and her group at Bastion. So dive on in, have fun, and a big thank you to Josh for bringing me such excellent storytelling. Now, more Ran, please!
My favorite heroine is back, and very than ever! Complex, intriguing, unique - she is by far a kick butt, relatable character. In the land of zombie apocalypse talks, this author truly is one of the path layers. He doesn't rely on the run of the mill zom-poc outline... you know the one, where family is delegated when the crisis occurs and the struggle to reunite then find safety.
As one of the very first indie publishing authors I read in e-book format Joshua Guess is masterful at details (as in not introducing an item, plot point, etc. without providing a sensible explanation), plus creating complex works filled with very memorable characters. Oh, give his collaboration with James Cook, 'The Passenger,' a read. You will not regret it zombie fans!
Apocalyptica, the first book, or serial depending on which way you read it, was fantastic. Truly I hope we see much, much more of Ran and her group at Bastion. So dive on in, have fun, and a big thank you to Josh for bringing me such excellent storytelling. Now, more Ran, please!
September 7, 2017
Holy Bologna! This book was so good, which was expected. I've never enjoyed a series as much as I love this one. Knowing I'd have o wait for the next I really took my time as I didn't want to end it so soon. Everything he writes is realistic and I can imagine that this is how life would be if we suffered from the same. Ran is amazing and I think I'm in love. She's smart, courageous, confident, and knows her limits. She has so many amazing layers and she is really the glue that holds the book together. There are other great characters like Jem, Baren, Philips, and Garcia, but without Ran to bring flavor into the scenes I'm not sure I'd be as invested. If you haven't read this book then you have to. The writing is flawless with just enough mixture of action and dialog. Well done, Joshua.
August 25, 2017
I am not a fan of zombie novels in general. I wouldn't strictly call this a zombie novel, but it's close. Perhaps the fact that the zombie-like characters only appear in the periphery of the story is what got me. It's difficult to say for sure.
I'm also not really a fan of graphic language and violence, which are also both found in this story, yet I really liked it. Go figure.
I think what makes this a great story for me is the protagonist. Ran is the bomb. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I read the first book, and now I've read the second and really enjoyed both. I must keep going.
I've never really believed in literary polyamory, but watch out, Lisbeth, Ran is here.
I'm also not really a fan of graphic language and violence, which are also both found in this story, yet I really liked it. Go figure.
I think what makes this a great story for me is the protagonist. Ran is the bomb. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I read the first book, and now I've read the second and really enjoyed both. I must keep going.
I've never really believed in literary polyamory, but watch out, Lisbeth, Ran is here.
May 29, 2017
This is the 2nd book in the Ran series. Just as good as the 1st. I loved the characters, action and adventures that Ran run's into. She makes a great bad ass heroine. If you love zombies and end of the world scenarios, this one is worthy of your time. I plan to read more by Joshua Guess.
December 27, 2016
Damn good
Damn good book. My only complaint is that they are to slow to come out. Write faster. Really great series. Now go write.
Damn good book. My only complaint is that they are to slow to come out. Write faster. Really great series. Now go write.
January 30, 2017
A good follow up to the first story of Ran. This one develops the world and expands on details provided in the first story. It will be interesting to see how this universe develops.
December 28, 2016
Loved these characters
The zombies, the situations, the people, all as realistic as possible. Loved Ran's heart as much as anything, here. And her friends. Want more!
The zombies, the situations, the people, all as realistic as possible. Loved Ran's heart as much as anything, here. And her friends. Want more!
January 25, 2017
Love this series!
The second book did not disappoint! The main character , Ran, is tough and relentless. Plenty of conflict both zombie and human.
The second book did not disappoint! The main character , Ran, is tough and relentless. Plenty of conflict both zombie and human.
September 17, 2017
absolutely love the first book so I had to buy the second book. great author
May 1, 2017
Good
A delightful read. I recommend this author whose style and prose is interesting and engaging. I'm looking forward to reading more.
A delightful read. I recommend this author whose style and prose is interesting and engaging. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews