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Extinction Cycle #6.5
Extinction Lost
Extinction Lost is a short story that should be read after book 6, Extinction Aftermath.
NOTE: This story was originally published in SNAFU: Black Ops.
The war continues...
Two days after the events of Extinction Aftermath, European Unified Command calls on Team Ghost for a top secret mission. The residents of a small Inuit fishing village in Greenland have gone missing and reports of Variants unaffected by Kryptonite have surfaced.
Fatigued, injured, and unaware of the events back in the United States, Master Sergeant Joe Fitzpatrick leads Team Ghost into the remote and alien winter landscape to determine the fate of the missing villagers. But as the operation unfolds they discover a harrowing revelation that could impact the world war against the Variants, and the future of the human race.
NOTE: This story was originally published in SNAFU: Black Ops.
The war continues...
Two days after the events of Extinction Aftermath, European Unified Command calls on Team Ghost for a top secret mission. The residents of a small Inuit fishing village in Greenland have gone missing and reports of Variants unaffected by Kryptonite have surfaced.
Fatigued, injured, and unaware of the events back in the United States, Master Sergeant Joe Fitzpatrick leads Team Ghost into the remote and alien winter landscape to determine the fate of the missing villagers. But as the operation unfolds they discover a harrowing revelation that could impact the world war against the Variants, and the future of the human race.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2017
148 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Sansbury Smith
124 books2,400 followersNicholas Sansbury Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels with two million copies sold. Before his writing career, he served at Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a background that inspired many of his story concepts. A two time Ironman triathlete, he enjoys running, biking, and hiking. Nicholas also loves traveling, especially to his cabin in Northern Minnesota where he weaves his tales. He lives in Iowa with his wonderful wife and their son and daughter.
Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.
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Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/
Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.
Facebook Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSSFa...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicholassans...
Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 8, 2021
DNF
Another comic book disguised as a short story. Some kind of mutant monsters, an unknown weapon in an old hidden Nazi base in Greenland, apparently inhabited by more monsters. Thirty soldiers have already disappeared, presumed to have been killed, trying to uncover the secret.
Now intrepid and legendary Ghost Team and two teams of Marines are going to give it a try. Armed with M4's and some 7.62 X 51 caliber weapons, they push into the unknown. Jeff Cooper called the 5.56mm M16 and variants "poodle shooters." The 7.62mm makes a nice deer rifle but would not be any reasonable person's choice of caliber for monster hunting. There is a story, possibly apocryphal, that a British big game hunter was asked why he used a Holland and Holland Paradox gun to hunt elephants. He replied, "Because they don't make anything bigger." Count me in if it comes to hunting huge, heavily armored monsters. Maybe I would add a pair of howdah pistols if I could carry all that.
Bloody and violent. If that is to your taste, enjoy. I bailed out at about 30%.
Another comic book disguised as a short story. Some kind of mutant monsters, an unknown weapon in an old hidden Nazi base in Greenland, apparently inhabited by more monsters. Thirty soldiers have already disappeared, presumed to have been killed, trying to uncover the secret.
Now intrepid and legendary Ghost Team and two teams of Marines are going to give it a try. Armed with M4's and some 7.62 X 51 caliber weapons, they push into the unknown. Jeff Cooper called the 5.56mm M16 and variants "poodle shooters." The 7.62mm makes a nice deer rifle but would not be any reasonable person's choice of caliber for monster hunting. There is a story, possibly apocryphal, that a British big game hunter was asked why he used a Holland and Holland Paradox gun to hunt elephants. He replied, "Because they don't make anything bigger." Count me in if it comes to hunting huge, heavily armored monsters. Maybe I would add a pair of howdah pistols if I could carry all that.
Bloody and violent. If that is to your taste, enjoy. I bailed out at about 30%.
March 9, 2022
Suspenseful!
I think this book is heavy on suspense and very scary, too.
Team Ghost are sent to Greenland to destroy an evil facility that is turning local people into monster hybrids.
They come across a town that has no survivors and also, no bodies. The monsters are hating on both humans and variants.
Will they complete their mission? Will they lose team members? Will there be any survivors?
I think this book is heavy on suspense and very scary, too.
Team Ghost are sent to Greenland to destroy an evil facility that is turning local people into monster hybrids.
They come across a town that has no survivors and also, no bodies. The monsters are hating on both humans and variants.
Will they complete their mission? Will they lose team members? Will there be any survivors?
March 9, 2017
Team Ghost hits the ice in Greenland to stop a new threat during their European campaign against the monstrous Variants. Set between Books 6 and 7 (Extinction War, forthcoming), this short story finds Fritz and his Delta Team operators, joined by the Marines of Fox company, freezing their butts off as the snow howls around them, hunting down a bioweapon hidden in a once-secret Nazi compound.
Nicholas Sansbury Smith's Extinction series is known for its high-octane thrills and cinematic action set pieces, and this short story is no different. At less than a hundred pages, and five chapters, this one's basically pure action from beginning to end. Extinction Lost doesn't expand much on the characters or their relationships (it was originally published in SNAFU: Black Ops and serves as a good intro to the author's work), but for newcomers there's a nice opening segment that lays out some of the Extinction history and provides a fun view of how Ghost is viewed by other members of the Armed Services.
Smith was smart to recently shift gears a bit within the on-going series by making the European front a more central setting, and it provides plenty of historical military theater to prop up the story. Extinction Lost is a great example of this, with its focus on a lost Nazi base and some intriguing variations on the Variants thanks to its icy Greenland setting.
Extinction fans diving into this quick read know what to expect and won't be disappointed, but for those readers just finding this series, Extinction Lost is a good appetizer to get you prepared for War later this year.
Nicholas Sansbury Smith's Extinction series is known for its high-octane thrills and cinematic action set pieces, and this short story is no different. At less than a hundred pages, and five chapters, this one's basically pure action from beginning to end. Extinction Lost doesn't expand much on the characters or their relationships (it was originally published in SNAFU: Black Ops and serves as a good intro to the author's work), but for newcomers there's a nice opening segment that lays out some of the Extinction history and provides a fun view of how Ghost is viewed by other members of the Armed Services.
Smith was smart to recently shift gears a bit within the on-going series by making the European front a more central setting, and it provides plenty of historical military theater to prop up the story. Extinction Lost is a great example of this, with its focus on a lost Nazi base and some intriguing variations on the Variants thanks to its icy Greenland setting.
Extinction fans diving into this quick read know what to expect and won't be disappointed, but for those readers just finding this series, Extinction Lost is a good appetizer to get you prepared for War later this year.
May 16, 2017
This is my first time listening to any of the books in this series and I was very happy I did. Though it may not be the voices I have heard in my head (not killer voices), Bronson Pinchot does a fabulous job of bringing them to life. This is a nice short story that gives us a chance to see a little more of the new Team Ghost as they learn how to work together. As usual there is a surprise waiting for our newly minted Master Sargent and his team.
Fitz and Team Ghost just barely made it out with their lives from their recon mission in Italy when they are sent out again. This time they are being sent to Greenland to handle what appears to be a routine demolition, and we know how those turn out these days. Team Ghost has backup from Team Fox and another team but what they fin is like nothing they have faced before.
This is going to take us right into what may be the last book in the series Extinction War. I say if you have not started this series now is the time. I recommend this and the rest of the series.
Fitz and Team Ghost just barely made it out with their lives from their recon mission in Italy when they are sent out again. This time they are being sent to Greenland to handle what appears to be a routine demolition, and we know how those turn out these days. Team Ghost has backup from Team Fox and another team but what they fin is like nothing they have faced before.
This is going to take us right into what may be the last book in the series Extinction War. I say if you have not started this series now is the time. I recommend this and the rest of the series.
February 2, 2018
Oops! I got this through my library thinking it was next but turns out this is 6.5 and I haven't read 6 yet so it gave me a couple spoilers. None the less, I still am stoked to check out book 6 and find out what how things go down.
November 10, 2017
This was a side adventure to Greenland with the new Team Ghost----it's a short book (novella) but packed with all the action and suspense and horror we are used to getting from the full length books. If you love this series,you will definitely want to read this one too-don't miss out on any of the adventures!
May 18, 2017
Review to come.
October 5, 2017
This was a short book about a side mission by some of the characters from the Extinction series. Really creative and interesting addition!
March 20, 2017
Amazing!!
Just when i thought the story couldn't get any better. This short story packs a major punch. I cant wait to see what happens next!!
Just when i thought the story couldn't get any better. This short story packs a major punch. I cant wait to see what happens next!!
August 9, 2017
At last! A book featuring the furry variants in Greenland! I just have an image in my head of sort of zombie mutated Yetis!
A lost Nazi base on Greenland was a target for a team of soldiers to explore but when they go missing, Fitz and his team are sent to find out what happened to the men and why the biological weapons in this area didn't work. However, as the two teams are dropped off near an Inuit village, things start to go wrong very quickly when the variants start hunting them all.
I can't go into much detail because it is a short story but it is another adventure featuring Fitz and faithful hound Apollo, and the new Team Ghost. I liked the new setting in the snow of Greenland and finally we get to see the furry variants that were previously mentioned in the series. I am definitely thinking about variant Yeti type things which is kind of exciting though they probably don't even look like that in the author's mind!
I very much liked the scenes in the woods where you know they are being watched and it is very creepy. Much harder to see the white furry creatures than the soldiers sneaking through the snow. It was also tension filled when the soldiers entered the Nazi bunker to uncover what had happened there. There were a few surprising things inside the bunker which made the story very enjoyable.
I love the character of Fitz featuring him triumphing over the adversary of losing both legs in the war on terror, and finding purpose again in the war against the variants. I also love his furry companion Apollo, who is at his side on another scary mission. I so much want them both to survive the upcoming final book!
Great short story and it will keep me going until the last book comes out in November.
A lost Nazi base on Greenland was a target for a team of soldiers to explore but when they go missing, Fitz and his team are sent to find out what happened to the men and why the biological weapons in this area didn't work. However, as the two teams are dropped off near an Inuit village, things start to go wrong very quickly when the variants start hunting them all.
I can't go into much detail because it is a short story but it is another adventure featuring Fitz and faithful hound Apollo, and the new Team Ghost. I liked the new setting in the snow of Greenland and finally we get to see the furry variants that were previously mentioned in the series. I am definitely thinking about variant Yeti type things which is kind of exciting though they probably don't even look like that in the author's mind!
I very much liked the scenes in the woods where you know they are being watched and it is very creepy. Much harder to see the white furry creatures than the soldiers sneaking through the snow. It was also tension filled when the soldiers entered the Nazi bunker to uncover what had happened there. There were a few surprising things inside the bunker which made the story very enjoyable.
I love the character of Fitz featuring him triumphing over the adversary of losing both legs in the war on terror, and finding purpose again in the war against the variants. I also love his furry companion Apollo, who is at his side on another scary mission. I so much want them both to survive the upcoming final book!
Great short story and it will keep me going until the last book comes out in November.
August 14, 2018
I finally ended up reading this because I’ve read all of the other books in the Extinction Cycle books, and just never made it around to this one. I actually kept going back and forth on whether I was going to read it since I already read the book that comes after it, and figured I would already know what was happening.
I was wrong.
I am so glad I picked this up to finish off the story. The situations that Team Ghost finds themselves in is truly creepy, and could be in any really good, keep the lights on, horror movie. There was blood, gore, death and violence. All of which I expect when reading any good post-apocalyptic story. I blew through this short story in a matter of about 20 minutes and found my heart beating out of chest the same way I’ve experienced through any and all NSS books. Lesson most definitely learned. I will never second guess a decision to read one of his books, short stories or not, again.
I was wrong.
I am so glad I picked this up to finish off the story. The situations that Team Ghost finds themselves in is truly creepy, and could be in any really good, keep the lights on, horror movie. There was blood, gore, death and violence. All of which I expect when reading any good post-apocalyptic story. I blew through this short story in a matter of about 20 minutes and found my heart beating out of chest the same way I’ve experienced through any and all NSS books. Lesson most definitely learned. I will never second guess a decision to read one of his books, short stories or not, again.
January 19, 2026
No spoilers as usual.
Extinction Lost felt like a sharp, icy breath taken in the middle of an already relentless war. Even as a shorter entry in the Extinction Cycle, it carries the same brutal urgency that defines Nicholas Sansbury Smith’s work. I was immediately pulled into the hostile environment and the constant sense that something was deeply wrong long before it was fully understood. The cold setting amplifies the isolation and tension, making every movement feel risky and every decision heavy with consequence. It reads fast, but never careless—like a mission briefing that turns into chaos the moment boots hit the ground.
What stood out to me most was how effectively this story reinforces the idea that the fight for humanity is fracturing on multiple fronts at once. There’s a quiet dread threaded through the action, a sense that even victories come with unseen costs. While it doesn’t aim for deep character reinvention, it doesn’t need to—this story exists to remind you how unforgiving this world is and how thin the line between control and extinction has become. As a reader already invested in the series, I found it tense, atmospheric, and unsettling in the best way, a grim reminder that survival in this universe is never guaranteed, only delayed.
Extinction Lost felt like a sharp, icy breath taken in the middle of an already relentless war. Even as a shorter entry in the Extinction Cycle, it carries the same brutal urgency that defines Nicholas Sansbury Smith’s work. I was immediately pulled into the hostile environment and the constant sense that something was deeply wrong long before it was fully understood. The cold setting amplifies the isolation and tension, making every movement feel risky and every decision heavy with consequence. It reads fast, but never careless—like a mission briefing that turns into chaos the moment boots hit the ground.
What stood out to me most was how effectively this story reinforces the idea that the fight for humanity is fracturing on multiple fronts at once. There’s a quiet dread threaded through the action, a sense that even victories come with unseen costs. While it doesn’t aim for deep character reinvention, it doesn’t need to—this story exists to remind you how unforgiving this world is and how thin the line between control and extinction has become. As a reader already invested in the series, I found it tense, atmospheric, and unsettling in the best way, a grim reminder that survival in this universe is never guaranteed, only delayed.
May 11, 2017
This is an excellent, exciting series, well written with memorable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and anticipate the next book in the series. I believe Nicholas Smith started this series in 2014. Since that time another series was written, called: The Tide (2015) by Anthony Melchiorri. Although it too was a great series, I was disappointed in that the story line was very similar and therefore predictable in many places. Don't make the mistake of reading both series back-to-back as I did. Even worse, which ever series you read first will taint the second one. If forced to choose between the two authors, I would go with Nicholas Smith and the Extinction Series. That's just my opinion. I gave both series a five star rating. The only thing I would recommend is putting some time between the reads, like a year, to try and avoid the predictability factor.
One thing very annoying is the way goodreads has a minimum limit for your review. I feel that I've given an honest assessment and shouldn't have to manufacture additional text just to fill a minimum requirement of characters. So take it or leave it
One thing very annoying is the way goodreads has a minimum limit for your review. I feel that I've given an honest assessment and shouldn't have to manufacture additional text just to fill a minimum requirement of characters. So take it or leave it
August 6, 2025
Extinction Lost is book 6.5 in the Extinction Series. Team Ghost, now led by Master Sargent Fitzgerald, must liberate a small fishing town from a type of variant that has taken out the entire previous team.
These variants are a mutation. New challenges face the exhausted and injured team that barely made it out of Europe in the previous book. Constant suspense and action make it impossible to put this down, just like the last six books.
The characters and variants are well defined. The variants are constantly changing. These battles are full of surprises because of the unknown abilities of the variants that Team Ghost will be facing. Not everyone lives through any of these books. The Extinction Cycle is a continually evolving series that has kept me obsessed.
I don't want this to end. I'm reading the prequel now before I read the final book in this series.
These variants are a mutation. New challenges face the exhausted and injured team that barely made it out of Europe in the previous book. Constant suspense and action make it impossible to put this down, just like the last six books.
The characters and variants are well defined. The variants are constantly changing. These battles are full of surprises because of the unknown abilities of the variants that Team Ghost will be facing. Not everyone lives through any of these books. The Extinction Cycle is a continually evolving series that has kept me obsessed.
I don't want this to end. I'm reading the prequel now before I read the final book in this series.
May 8, 2019
Just when you think you've seen it all, something comes along and surprises you.
This novella was originally part of an anthology entitled, "SNAFU: Black Ops". When read as part of the Extinction Cycle series, it falls between "Extinction Aftermath" and "Extinction War". As with the rest of the series, there is violence and adult language.
Team Ghost is sent on a mission to discover what happened in Greenland when a whole village went missing. The blinding snow and biting cold slow their progress but as they push on, they discover something they didn't expect.
I really enjoyed how the author related how these battle-hardened military members responded individually and as a group to the new threat to their world.
This novella was originally part of an anthology entitled, "SNAFU: Black Ops". When read as part of the Extinction Cycle series, it falls between "Extinction Aftermath" and "Extinction War". As with the rest of the series, there is violence and adult language.
Team Ghost is sent on a mission to discover what happened in Greenland when a whole village went missing. The blinding snow and biting cold slow their progress but as they push on, they discover something they didn't expect.
I really enjoyed how the author related how these battle-hardened military members responded individually and as a group to the new threat to their world.
September 7, 2018
Extinction Lost is a short story set after book six in The Extinction Cycle series. This should not be read as a standalone. There is violence. Ghost Team sets out on a mission in Greenland to find out what happened in a lab there. They encounter some creepy settings and things on their mission. Worth reading if you have read the other books in the series.
January 23, 2019
A great short story in line with the whole extinction series. I have not read this series. I just happened to receive this short story through a friend. I’m not really an apocalypse reader. However, the story is interesting and totally incredible. It’s scary to think our world might be in this position some day. Scary and intriguing at the same time.
March 6, 2019
Great post-apocalypse short!
Well written and the Team Ghost characters are well developed. Master Sergeant Joe Fitzpatrick is a strong leader, devoted to bringing his team home at the end of their mission against the Variants. It was way too short and left me wanting to read the other books in the series. I loved the action and suspense!
Well written and the Team Ghost characters are well developed. Master Sergeant Joe Fitzpatrick is a strong leader, devoted to bringing his team home at the end of their mission against the Variants. It was way too short and left me wanting to read the other books in the series. I loved the action and suspense!
March 8, 2017
No rest for Team Ghost!
Fitz and his warrior team are back in this fast-action addition to the Extinction Cycle. This gripping short story was full of surprises and the outcome of the final battle caught me unawares. For the hordes of readers who love this series, you're going to love this story!
Fitz and his warrior team are back in this fast-action addition to the Extinction Cycle. This gripping short story was full of surprises and the outcome of the final battle caught me unawares. For the hordes of readers who love this series, you're going to love this story!
July 28, 2017
Great read. The twist on the variants was one that opens the door for future stories on evolved variants that hope Mr. Sansbury Smith explores in the future. This was a fairly short read but enjoyable never the less. My only complaint would be that it was to short. It left me wanting more!
December 14, 2017
Solid short story
This short story is nice, and add more depth to the overall story arc. No5ing fantastic about it, but enjoyable all the same. For a fan of the series, I would definitely recommend.
This short story is nice, and add more depth to the overall story arc. No5ing fantastic about it, but enjoyable all the same. For a fan of the series, I would definitely recommend.
November 2, 2018
Team Ghost novella
Fitz and his team, together with Apollo the dog, are sent on a mission to Greenland to destroy a secret lab. They encounter more hazards and must fight for their lives.
Fitz and his team, together with Apollo the dog, are sent on a mission to Greenland to destroy a secret lab. They encounter more hazards and must fight for their lives.
February 5, 2019
for military fans a good read. Ghost Team sent to Greenland to tackle a lost Nazi lab. What they encounter is past expectations. As usual they have to pool together to fight a new enemy but at what expense:
April 7, 2020
It's okay. Includes female characters in her soldier group, which is nice, but then makes her reckless and stupid, requiring the protagonist to protect her from herself. I hate that dynamic. I mean, the book was a free download, so I get it. You get what you pay for.
April 19, 2020
A very good side story
I wasn't sure what to expect out of this side story but I absolutely loved it. The setting is great and it added some fresh elements to the series to get you juiced up for the final book. Can't wait to get it started.
I wasn't sure what to expect out of this side story but I absolutely loved it. The setting is great and it added some fresh elements to the series to get you juiced up for the final book. Can't wait to get it started.
November 14, 2020
I don't know how to rate this short book. Post apocalypse settings just aren't for me. I thought I'd give this a try - great reviews and I like military sci-fi but I just couldn't. Those of you who aren't turned off by the ideas, go for it and ignore my lack of stars.
January 22, 2021
Lost story
This was a fun read and a nice in between story for the team to tackle. It is a book to read after the first series. The plot and characters are okay and are stil developed well.
This was a fun read and a nice in between story for the team to tackle. It is a book to read after the first series. The plot and characters are okay and are stil developed well.
September 8, 2021
Entinction cycle zeries
I loved this series and the Team Ghost characters. Did anyone notice the authors use of several other authors as characters????? Nicholas Sainsbury Smith does it again!!!!
I loved this series and the Team Ghost characters. Did anyone notice the authors use of several other authors as characters????? Nicholas Sainsbury Smith does it again!!!!
Read
June 16, 2022An interlude novella in a larger series (6.5, I think) and to better appreciate the story's universe the reader should probably start with book 1, which I did not as this was a freebie. Seemed like an interesting premise for military sci-fi fans.
May 17, 2024
This was a short novella meant to be read immediately after book 6 of this seasons Team Ghost makes a side detour to Greenland on a mission to investigate the disappearance of another team. It was a good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews