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The Barren Trilogy #1
The Pulse
The sun is dangerous. It sun can burn you, give you cancer, and eventually kill you. Laney learned that lesson the hard way when her mother died. But even in Arizona, sunscreen can keep you safe. So can keeping others at a safe distance, because Laney is too terrified to suffer the pain of losing someone so close again.
But that all changes when a mysterious pulse of light, brighter than the sun, fills the sky on the day of the big Physics field trip. It's followed by a deadly wave of radiation from space.
Laney and her friends only survive because they're visiting an underground science facility. When she and the other nine survivors emerge from the underground, Laney finds a world of corpses, red smog, and tight supplies.
And worst of all, no ozone layer.
But even as Laney learns the cause for the apocalypse that is her new reality, a new danger rises. Another survivor is taking over their group and he's willing to kill to get to the top. Staying alive and finding her father means that Laney must face her deepest fears—fears that may be too powerful to overcome.
But that all changes when a mysterious pulse of light, brighter than the sun, fills the sky on the day of the big Physics field trip. It's followed by a deadly wave of radiation from space.
Laney and her friends only survive because they're visiting an underground science facility. When she and the other nine survivors emerge from the underground, Laney finds a world of corpses, red smog, and tight supplies.
And worst of all, no ozone layer.
But even as Laney learns the cause for the apocalypse that is her new reality, a new danger rises. Another survivor is taking over their group and he's willing to kill to get to the top. Staying alive and finding her father means that Laney must face her deepest fears—fears that may be too powerful to overcome.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2017
21 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hook
156 books256 followersHolly Hook is the author of the Destroyers Series, which consists of five young adult books about teens who are walking disasters...literally. She is also the author of the Rita Morse series, a young adult fantasy series still in progress, and After These Messages, a short ya comedy. Currently she is writing Twisted, a spin-off of the Destroyers Series due out in December. When not writing, she enjoys reading books for teens, especially ya fantasy and paranormal series with a unique twist.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 15, 2017
You start your day like a normal teenager out on a field trip, by the end you are racing just to survive. This was a great story and once I started it I could not put it down. It is a great take on Apocalyptic survival. I look forward to the next installment in the series.
February 1, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
OMG. This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. It was filled with suspense and pulled at my emotions. I definitely want to read the next book in the series.
OMG. This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. It was filled with suspense and pulled at my emotions. I definitely want to read the next book in the series.
November 28, 2019
I adored this book. I couldn’t put it down! Admittedly, I’m a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre as well as disaster movies, and this satisfied both. All of the kids read authentically, though with such a small group of 10, we really didn’t get to know everyone in the group. I mean, there were kids in the group that even our heroine didn’t know the names of. I loved Laney and how she has to change and grow during the course of this book, from pushing everyone away after the death of her mother, to having to work together to survive. The struggle throughout this book was tension filled as they had to use their minds to help them escape one problem to the next. I loved the desolate desert setting with the ominous and deadly red sky. And I loved David, starting as a crush and turning to villain, forcing Laney to re-evaluate her opinion of him and her school crush. David is a very interesting study of a character. Admittedly, this book does have its flaws. There were things that crossed my mind that just didn’t make sense. As in, I can’t imagine that there wasn’t a bathroom at the bottom of the shaft where the collider was. And I’ve never heard of a work place that didn’t have a breakroom, usually with a refrigerator for employees’ lunches. And as one of the other reviewers pointed out, it’s rather implausible that the collider only had 3 employees, one of which was a receptionist. And I kept thinking that if the surface had been radiated, the food and liquids on the surface would have been radiated, too -I’m not too sure on the science of that though. I was able to overlook those quibbles since we’ve never actually lived through anything like that, which would make it hard for the author to catch all of the inconsistencies and the story itself is thrilling. I am looking forward to continuing the series.
February 2, 2018
Creepy!
This book really reminded me of Steven King’s ,The S t a n d
It is rather scary. I lost sleep that thinking about what I would do, what I would need, the best options for food, (protein bars- light weight, small enough to be able to carry lots of them, but still providing the most necessary nutrients. And several of those Safe Straws that allow you to drink water from just about any source safely. And absolutely a gun and as much ammo as possible!) It took me a couple hours to finally drop back to sleep! The characters in the story were interesting, but there were a few real holes. They really didn’t take advantage of what was around them, surviving in more of a panic mode. These were smarter than average kids who would have thought things through more carefully, done more to protect themselves than they did. The ending really made no sense. There was no logic to them being out on the street setting up a blockade once they got “home.” They’d have all been inside a house, getting much needed rest and food before figuring out what to do next. I had forgotten that this was a multi-book series and was kind of taken aback at the story not really ending, hence 4 stars not 5. I try never to buy”series” because I feel it is a scam to force you to buy more books to continue the story. I hope all ends well as I won’t be buying more books to find out, just on principle.
This book really reminded me of Steven King’s ,The S t a n d
It is rather scary. I lost sleep that thinking about what I would do, what I would need, the best options for food, (protein bars- light weight, small enough to be able to carry lots of them, but still providing the most necessary nutrients. And several of those Safe Straws that allow you to drink water from just about any source safely. And absolutely a gun and as much ammo as possible!) It took me a couple hours to finally drop back to sleep! The characters in the story were interesting, but there were a few real holes. They really didn’t take advantage of what was around them, surviving in more of a panic mode. These were smarter than average kids who would have thought things through more carefully, done more to protect themselves than they did. The ending really made no sense. There was no logic to them being out on the street setting up a blockade once they got “home.” They’d have all been inside a house, getting much needed rest and food before figuring out what to do next. I had forgotten that this was a multi-book series and was kind of taken aback at the story not really ending, hence 4 stars not 5. I try never to buy”series” because I feel it is a scam to force you to buy more books to continue the story. I hope all ends well as I won’t be buying more books to find out, just on principle.
December 5, 2017
This YA post-apocalyptic thriller boxed set started well. I was quickly caught up in a somewhat believeable scenario of a handful of teens surviving a burst of radiation because they were on an underground field trip. There was the expected amount of teenage angst, but the constant peril kept it from devolving into whininess. As the story went on, however, the editing grew worse to apparently nonexistent. And the plot points around government and military officials hoarding and doing nothing to help the populace became less believeable.
October 4, 2017
LOVED IT
This book contains a more likely scenario to our eventual demise, unless we go nuclear. At this time we just had a bus sized asteroid past the earth at 16,000 mph at a distance of 54,000 miles ( estimates are approximate ). They say we have a bigger coming soon, but are sure how fast or how close. Thank you for what we consider to be a very enjoyable book, Danny and Debbie Scott.
This book contains a more likely scenario to our eventual demise, unless we go nuclear. At this time we just had a bus sized asteroid past the earth at 16,000 mph at a distance of 54,000 miles ( estimates are approximate ). They say we have a bigger coming soon, but are sure how fast or how close. Thank you for what we consider to be a very enjoyable book, Danny and Debbie Scott.
May 5, 2017
I really like this book it is a very good read. If someone likes apocalyptic fiction this is a good book to read.
July 17, 2017
This was amazing!
I loved it, I thought everyone had realistic reactions. I liked the storyline and this version of the apocalypse, it was new for me. I can't wait for book 2!
I loved it, I thought everyone had realistic reactions. I liked the storyline and this version of the apocalypse, it was new for me. I can't wait for book 2!
May 3, 2019
Frightening scenario! Recommended!
March 20, 2017
Laney and some of her classmates are on a field trip. What could go wrong. Apparently, a lot. A tremendous bright light fills the sky and the world is completely changed. People are dead. The sun is so dangerous walking outside in daylight can kill you. For a girl who's already hypersensitive concerning the effects of the sun after losing her mother to skin cancer, this really hits home. Now no amount of sunscreen can keep you safe.
Her surviving classmates have to survive. Tensions rise. There's the smell of decomposing bodies everywhere. Cell phones don't work so Laney doesn't even know if her father is still alive. He was out of town and on the other side of the country so she has hope.
I loved this book. I've actually already finished the 2nd one, The Storm, and will be reviewing that shortly also. I love the characters. They seem just like normal kids and I really want to know where this story goes. I should add that I did receive the book free for an honest review.
Her surviving classmates have to survive. Tensions rise. There's the smell of decomposing bodies everywhere. Cell phones don't work so Laney doesn't even know if her father is still alive. He was out of town and on the other side of the country so she has hope.
I loved this book. I've actually already finished the 2nd one, The Storm, and will be reviewing that shortly also. I love the characters. They seem just like normal kids and I really want to know where this story goes. I should add that I did receive the book free for an honest review.
March 1, 2017
This is the first book that i have read by this author and after reading this book i definitely want to read more by this author, especially with how this book ended! I loved this story, the more pages that i turned the more i needed to read to find out what is going to happen next! It is definitely a book that is completely and utterly filled with non stop action with surprises around every corner so you really don't know what will happen next!
I really loved reading this storyline, due to that is happening to the world anything could happen then you add in the human element and how predictable we can be in times of crisis and you just don't know what will be around the next corner and i think that was what i enjoyed the most about this book was the element of unpredictability and surprise! It is written in such a way that this is something that you can realistically see happening and i believe this is down to how descriptive the author has made the telling of this tale.
The characters are extremely likeable, they are just average people who can be scared, and fear is a powerful motivator, making people do things that they wouldn't normally do and this is very apparent in this book. So although there is a lot of fear there is also a willingness to live and try to salvage something from this new world and there is hope and hope is also a very powerful thing. So one of my favourite characters is someone i didn't expect and that was Jerome. He is a very quiet guy and only says things that need to be said but the more you learn about him and see a window into his past it becomes apparent why he is like this. He has a quiet strength, with a low level tolerance for bullies and a protective streak a mile wide!
This is a brilliant read written by a very talented author that i seriously recommend!!! Go out and get this book to check it out for yourself!!!
I really loved reading this storyline, due to that is happening to the world anything could happen then you add in the human element and how predictable we can be in times of crisis and you just don't know what will be around the next corner and i think that was what i enjoyed the most about this book was the element of unpredictability and surprise! It is written in such a way that this is something that you can realistically see happening and i believe this is down to how descriptive the author has made the telling of this tale.
The characters are extremely likeable, they are just average people who can be scared, and fear is a powerful motivator, making people do things that they wouldn't normally do and this is very apparent in this book. So although there is a lot of fear there is also a willingness to live and try to salvage something from this new world and there is hope and hope is also a very powerful thing. So one of my favourite characters is someone i didn't expect and that was Jerome. He is a very quiet guy and only says things that need to be said but the more you learn about him and see a window into his past it becomes apparent why he is like this. He has a quiet strength, with a low level tolerance for bullies and a protective streak a mile wide!
This is a brilliant read written by a very talented author that i seriously recommend!!! Go out and get this book to check it out for yourself!!!
January 17, 2017
I grew up in a time before desensitization of the threat of Nuclear war and weapons. I remember studying radiation fall out and consequences in school. We watched movies and read books like Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank but the younger generation do not view nuclear threats the same. They play video games and spend far less time studying it. To remember when Chernobyl happened and to see the reactions of today's generation to the nuclear melt down in Japan is scary so this book to me was amazing. Holly Hook took a subject that is not dealt with and twisted it in a way to shed light on many underlying issues and made it entertaining. I can't wait for the kids to read this book so I can discuss it with them. It is not about Nuclear war or a melt down but a sunburst or pulse that causes the same situation if not worse. It creates a post apocalyptic world that many don't fathom but could happen in so many ways. What would you do in this situation and more over would your kids know what to do?
I loved this book for so many reasons but it is far more than just a survival thrill ride or a SyFy adventure. It has developed many dark themes to make it balanced, deep, and quick paced. It deals with loss, grief, cancer, childhood trauma, fight for survival, the need for companions and love, and how situation change individuals in very different ways. In a wonderful way Hook shows how social standards and structures, prejudice and fear can create villains and bullies but can also bring out ones potential and leadership. Every decision affects you but in this case it is life or death. Politics are in everything but when it comes to harsh reality who follows and who stands up to wrong still matters.. This book is an amazing start to the series with it.s plays on human tragedy, psyche, need, emotion, and fear with the ultimate goal of survival. If you like SyFy, post apocalyptic stories then follow Laney and her friends as they try to find more survivors after the supernova in Pulse. I am looking forward to the next installment in the Series.
I loved this book for so many reasons but it is far more than just a survival thrill ride or a SyFy adventure. It has developed many dark themes to make it balanced, deep, and quick paced. It deals with loss, grief, cancer, childhood trauma, fight for survival, the need for companions and love, and how situation change individuals in very different ways. In a wonderful way Hook shows how social standards and structures, prejudice and fear can create villains and bullies but can also bring out ones potential and leadership. Every decision affects you but in this case it is life or death. Politics are in everything but when it comes to harsh reality who follows and who stands up to wrong still matters.. This book is an amazing start to the series with it.s plays on human tragedy, psyche, need, emotion, and fear with the ultimate goal of survival. If you like SyFy, post apocalyptic stories then follow Laney and her friends as they try to find more survivors after the supernova in Pulse. I am looking forward to the next installment in the Series.
March 1, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. The market for the dystopian theme might be enormous but this one is one of the best in my opinion! In these series a super- supernova (a hypernova) pretty much destroyed the world as we know it. What follows then is well thought out, in my opinion. I really loved Holly's take on a dystopian world and I can't wait to see how the following chapter of the story goes!
This book kept me up at night so I just had to keep on reading instead of sleeping, although I've really tried to get some sleep... Several times! But that book was too powerful to let me sleep. So after a limited amount of minutes waiting to fall asleep, I picked it up again with such eagerness that no sleep could ever find me. After the fourth time trying to put it aside for some shut-eye, I gave up a,d kept on reading. There are books that I do enjoy but won't read a second time but I know I'll read this one again sometime.
Merged review:
I absolutely loved this book. The market for the dystopian theme might be enormous but this one is one of the best in my opinion! In these series a super- supernova (a hypernova) pretty much destroyed the world as we know it. What follows then is well thought out, in my opinion. I really loved Holly's take on a dystopian world and I can't wait to see how the following chapter of the story goes!
This book kept me up at night so I just had to keep on reading instead of sleeping, although I've really tried to get some sleep... Several times! But that book was too powerful to let me sleep. So after a limited amount of minutes waiting to fall asleep, I picked it up again with such eagerness that no sleep could ever find me. After the fourth time trying to put it aside for some shut-eye, I gave up a,d kept on reading. There are books that I do enjoy but won't read a second time but I know I'll read this one again sometime.
This book kept me up at night so I just had to keep on reading instead of sleeping, although I've really tried to get some sleep... Several times! But that book was too powerful to let me sleep. So after a limited amount of minutes waiting to fall asleep, I picked it up again with such eagerness that no sleep could ever find me. After the fourth time trying to put it aside for some shut-eye, I gave up a,d kept on reading. There are books that I do enjoy but won't read a second time but I know I'll read this one again sometime.
Merged review:
I absolutely loved this book. The market for the dystopian theme might be enormous but this one is one of the best in my opinion! In these series a super- supernova (a hypernova) pretty much destroyed the world as we know it. What follows then is well thought out, in my opinion. I really loved Holly's take on a dystopian world and I can't wait to see how the following chapter of the story goes!
This book kept me up at night so I just had to keep on reading instead of sleeping, although I've really tried to get some sleep... Several times! But that book was too powerful to let me sleep. So after a limited amount of minutes waiting to fall asleep, I picked it up again with such eagerness that no sleep could ever find me. After the fourth time trying to put it aside for some shut-eye, I gave up a,d kept on reading. There are books that I do enjoy but won't read a second time but I know I'll read this one again sometime.
January 26, 2017
Pulse is the first book in the Barren Trilogy. I received this book for an open and honest review.
Laney is on a field trip with her class. They are headed to an underground facility. The teachers and students just got off the bus to the Visitor's Center when something bright falls from the sky. The teachers rush the student into the Visitor's Center and send the first ten down the elevator. They go through their tour only to find that the second group has not come down yet. The doctor pushes for the elevator to come down and the door opens only to find one of the teachers laying in the elevator burned and dying.
These 10 kids are left to fight for their lives. The sun burns them as they go out in it to try and see if any of the vehicles will start. Turns out the ozone layer is gone. The whole western side of the US is assumed dead and no help is coming for them. They must find a way to get out of the Visitor's Center and find food. One of the boys decides that he is boss and will try to harm anyone that tries to speak up against him. David the boss, turns on Laney and her two friends, Jeremy and Alana, and locks them in a tiny bathroom with no protection from the sun. They must come up with a plan to get away from David and the rest of the group before he kills them.
The Pulse was an excellent read and I wish I had the second book already. I am left hanging and need more!! I love this genre of books and I was not disappointed with Holly Hook's book!! I definitely can't wait to read the next two books in this trilogy!!
Laney is on a field trip with her class. They are headed to an underground facility. The teachers and students just got off the bus to the Visitor's Center when something bright falls from the sky. The teachers rush the student into the Visitor's Center and send the first ten down the elevator. They go through their tour only to find that the second group has not come down yet. The doctor pushes for the elevator to come down and the door opens only to find one of the teachers laying in the elevator burned and dying.
These 10 kids are left to fight for their lives. The sun burns them as they go out in it to try and see if any of the vehicles will start. Turns out the ozone layer is gone. The whole western side of the US is assumed dead and no help is coming for them. They must find a way to get out of the Visitor's Center and find food. One of the boys decides that he is boss and will try to harm anyone that tries to speak up against him. David the boss, turns on Laney and her two friends, Jeremy and Alana, and locks them in a tiny bathroom with no protection from the sun. They must come up with a plan to get away from David and the rest of the group before he kills them.
The Pulse was an excellent read and I wish I had the second book already. I am left hanging and need more!! I love this genre of books and I was not disappointed with Holly Hook's book!! I definitely can't wait to read the next two books in this trilogy!!
January 6, 2017
The Pulse by Holly Hook is book 1 in the Barren series, a new YA post apocalyptic series for the author.
The Pulse, is told from Laneys point of view, one of 10 teens that survive a supernova disaster that destroys most of the worlds population. We journey with her and her school mates as the struggle to cope with the new world and each other.
Holly provides an interesting look at the different reactions people can have when disaster strikes as well as the lengths someone will go to, in order to get and do what they deem necessary to survive. These poor kids have to deal with so much and even though the cause depicted is not something we'll likely see, the reactions and behaviours we see as a result of the supernova are totally relatable, which makes this a very emotional and thought provoking read.
The plot is well paced and an interesting one. The characters are varied, well,balanced and served a purpose. I liked the emotional and physical journey these teens are taken on as they grow and adapt.
A good start to a unique and interesting series.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
The Pulse, is told from Laneys point of view, one of 10 teens that survive a supernova disaster that destroys most of the worlds population. We journey with her and her school mates as the struggle to cope with the new world and each other.
Holly provides an interesting look at the different reactions people can have when disaster strikes as well as the lengths someone will go to, in order to get and do what they deem necessary to survive. These poor kids have to deal with so much and even though the cause depicted is not something we'll likely see, the reactions and behaviours we see as a result of the supernova are totally relatable, which makes this a very emotional and thought provoking read.
The plot is well paced and an interesting one. The characters are varied, well,balanced and served a purpose. I liked the emotional and physical journey these teens are taken on as they grow and adapt.
A good start to a unique and interesting series.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
January 15, 2017
I'm not a big fan of apocalyptic books but this one caught me from the start. Not only was the story fast moving it was riveting. a group of high school kids find themselves caught up in a battle for their lives when they are some of the few survivors on their side of the United States when things go sideways. But with the world coming to an end will they stand together and work towards getting to safety or will friends become enemies and life become expendable. Science geeks they may be but that may also be what saves their lives.
A great tale and with twist and turns and intrigue definitely a great read. Can't wait for the next book.
A great tale and with twist and turns and intrigue definitely a great read. Can't wait for the next book.
January 4, 2017
I received an ARC from the author and have chosen to review it. I really enjoyed reading this story it was a lot darker than some of the other books that I’ve read by this author. It got really depressing at times and it just shredded your emotions. At the beginning of the book some of the science aspects of the story were boring at times because I don’t care for science so it just dragged along at that part but it got better and the story progressed to deal with the consequences of the situation they are placed in. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series to see what happens.
January 21, 2017
This is an interesting start to the new series. There's a few things that bothered me about the plot, but the characters were likable, and the story is definitely different and interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes, and how everything works out. I just hope that there's no big 'twists' of character deaths because those ruin a book and an entire series. I was gifted a copy.
January 25, 2017
A Refreshing Teen Post Apocalypse Book!
About time! I've been waiting forever for a talented author like Holly Hook to tackle writing about a group of teenagers facing a post apocalyptic world. She's done beyond what I expected. Everyone who loves teen and young adult adventures, survival stories, and of course aftermath stories should keep up with Pulse, the first book of her new trilogy. I cannot wait for book two!
About time! I've been waiting forever for a talented author like Holly Hook to tackle writing about a group of teenagers facing a post apocalyptic world. She's done beyond what I expected. Everyone who loves teen and young adult adventures, survival stories, and of course aftermath stories should keep up with Pulse, the first book of her new trilogy. I cannot wait for book two!
January 15, 2017
*I was given an ARC copy of this from the author to read and review* Another solid start to a great series by Holly Hook! I really enjoyed this one, I flew through it. I had a few minor plot issues with it in the beginning but it got better as the book went on. I'm excited to see where the next books take us!
January 15, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in the Barren series. I love the way the story unfolds you find out what has happened just like the characters in the novel. It makes you wonder what people even yourself would do to fight for survival. I am intrigued and I cannot wait for Book 2!
January 30, 2017
I received an ARC of this book.
The Pulse is the first book in the Barren Trilogy. I really love this new serie. Can't wait to read more to the serie. Love Holly Hook's book. Totally recommanded it.
The Pulse is the first book in the Barren Trilogy. I really love this new serie. Can't wait to read more to the serie. Love Holly Hook's book. Totally recommanded it.
January 20, 2017
Good start to a new series. Can hardly wait for the next book. :-D
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews