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Only the Few #1
Only the Few
Corporal Catherine Hyde, and the squad she is attached to, are sent on a mission to find survivors of bomb attacks that have devastated most of the British Isles. Everything starts to go wrong when the whole squad are captured or killed by cannibalistic Caver's. Hyde is the only one to escape death at their hands, and she makes it her mission to carry out the orders her unit had been given. Her task is met with danger wherever she goes, but it won't stop her from completing her objective...getting a handful of survivors back to the main bomb shelter back in London.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2017
5 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
L.N. Denison
5 books199 followersWriter of things dark and disturbing..but that will soon change...watch this space!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 23, 2017
This novel was a lot of fun. Right from the beginning I loved the idea of cavers- gruesome misshapen humans that ran from the government to hide in the caves. They live on human flesh and the main character Catherine gets captured by them. She endures some major torture at their hands, watching her colleagues eaten alive and such. She escapes but finds that her unit has been decimated and she is left to the wastelands of London to starve. She is desperate when Marcus and his crew find her and accept her into their little group. They had captured a ruthless wonderer, Judd, but he turns the tables on them and Catherine and Marcus find themselves held hostage by Judd and his scavengers. They are tortured relentlessly, nearly killed, when another military unit rescues them.
The author does a fantastic job with creating a scary and suspenseful world, and with the twist we're left with in the end, the second book is sure to be an awesome read as well.
The author does a fantastic job with creating a scary and suspenseful world, and with the twist we're left with in the end, the second book is sure to be an awesome read as well.
May 14, 2017
My rating is 3.7
Writer L.N. Denison leads us to the dystopian world of the future of English after experiencing the bombing of an unknown enemy. Most of the English is destroyed; a few human survivors hide inside the caves, surviving in the desolation. But the survivors are hiding from the worst enemy, and they have fired a failed experiment of humans Cavers. Cavers are cannibals; they feed on human flesh and are a constant threat to the survivors. Major character Corporal Catherine Hyde’s is one of the few survivors. Her family died in the attack, and she survived a mere case. After she returned to her military unit after a few weeks, a part of the military unit together with Catherine went on a search for survivors to bring them to the main military base in London. But their unit was in the ambush of Cavers and only she managed to escape from the cavern where the Cavers were held captive. Although Catherine remained alone she continued her search for survivors. But what should have been a simple task now has become a dangerous and deadly task? Cavers are not the only ones who are in danger of desolation, apart from the lack of food and water, in the devastated country; there are human scavengers who do not despise everything to survive. The writer leads us into an apocalyptic world where human life is worth nothing. Although in some of the moments book is bit naïve, in the end, it is a solid work for dystopia fans.
Writer L.N. Denison leads us to the dystopian world of the future of English after experiencing the bombing of an unknown enemy. Most of the English is destroyed; a few human survivors hide inside the caves, surviving in the desolation. But the survivors are hiding from the worst enemy, and they have fired a failed experiment of humans Cavers. Cavers are cannibals; they feed on human flesh and are a constant threat to the survivors. Major character Corporal Catherine Hyde’s is one of the few survivors. Her family died in the attack, and she survived a mere case. After she returned to her military unit after a few weeks, a part of the military unit together with Catherine went on a search for survivors to bring them to the main military base in London. But their unit was in the ambush of Cavers and only she managed to escape from the cavern where the Cavers were held captive. Although Catherine remained alone she continued her search for survivors. But what should have been a simple task now has become a dangerous and deadly task? Cavers are not the only ones who are in danger of desolation, apart from the lack of food and water, in the devastated country; there are human scavengers who do not despise everything to survive. The writer leads us into an apocalyptic world where human life is worth nothing. Although in some of the moments book is bit naïve, in the end, it is a solid work for dystopia fans.
June 15, 2017
The pros:
The main character, Catherine Hyde, is resolute, strong, and likeable. She does however show some surprising lapses into hatred, like wanting to punish or kill people who have wronged her, long after these perpetrators have been captured and immobilized. I was able to overlook this as understandable given being traumatized by the fall of the world order into savage conditions.
The author’s writing flows well, and is easy to understand. She does not go off tangent into unrelated plot lines or allow for plot holes. The story is very consistent.
The drawbacks:
Boy, is the story ever depressing. If you want escapist fiction or a relaxing read or even a read free of torment, this is not the book for you. It is brutal. It is horrific. It makes you feel revulsion nearly all of the story, yet does not devolve into mindless savagery for the sake of entertainment. It’s just numbing realism, day after day, with no escape. It’s definitely not the type of book I read. And, a million times over, a future I definitely (and anyone on Earth) would not like to be part of.
The conclusion throws back everything you’ve read in the story back into your face. It makes you question what really happened and what didn’t. I felt a little off put by the surprise ending. Prior to that, as mentioned, the book is very consistent.
I’m not sure why the malevolent character Judd was the only one of the bad guys that the heroes felt they had to detain safely and bring to “justice” in London, England, but I chalked this up to being a plot device. Why not simply give him a trial here and there, and execute judgment given the absence of government?
It was hard for me to put my personal preferences aside, but I do look at the quality of the writing, the characters, and the solidness of the plot. I must concur that the author has met all these requirements. Plus she does not write this story out of moral repugnance or have the plot delight in sadism. Unfortunately, aside from the abominable “cavers”, a sub-breed caused by genetic manipulation, and aside from their bizarre taste for flesh, this is a future that could happen if we have nuclear war.
If you love survival novels with a lot of gore, you’ll love this book. If you love survival novels, but are more academically interested in the wits of characters and how people band together and scourge for resources and inventions, you might want to read another survival novel.
The main character, Catherine Hyde, is resolute, strong, and likeable. She does however show some surprising lapses into hatred, like wanting to punish or kill people who have wronged her, long after these perpetrators have been captured and immobilized. I was able to overlook this as understandable given being traumatized by the fall of the world order into savage conditions.
The author’s writing flows well, and is easy to understand. She does not go off tangent into unrelated plot lines or allow for plot holes. The story is very consistent.
The drawbacks:
Boy, is the story ever depressing. If you want escapist fiction or a relaxing read or even a read free of torment, this is not the book for you. It is brutal. It is horrific. It makes you feel revulsion nearly all of the story, yet does not devolve into mindless savagery for the sake of entertainment. It’s just numbing realism, day after day, with no escape. It’s definitely not the type of book I read. And, a million times over, a future I definitely (and anyone on Earth) would not like to be part of.
The conclusion throws back everything you’ve read in the story back into your face. It makes you question what really happened and what didn’t. I felt a little off put by the surprise ending. Prior to that, as mentioned, the book is very consistent.
I’m not sure why the malevolent character Judd was the only one of the bad guys that the heroes felt they had to detain safely and bring to “justice” in London, England, but I chalked this up to being a plot device. Why not simply give him a trial here and there, and execute judgment given the absence of government?
It was hard for me to put my personal preferences aside, but I do look at the quality of the writing, the characters, and the solidness of the plot. I must concur that the author has met all these requirements. Plus she does not write this story out of moral repugnance or have the plot delight in sadism. Unfortunately, aside from the abominable “cavers”, a sub-breed caused by genetic manipulation, and aside from their bizarre taste for flesh, this is a future that could happen if we have nuclear war.
If you love survival novels with a lot of gore, you’ll love this book. If you love survival novels, but are more academically interested in the wits of characters and how people band together and scourge for resources and inventions, you might want to read another survival novel.
June 6, 2017
Make sure to read this one all the way through...I was not suspecting the ending. Besides the crazy surprise, this book was entertaining from page one. Between cannibalistic cave people and sadistic, power-hungry humans, the main character, Hyde, cannot catch a break.
It starts from the beginning of the apocalypse, with a mass bombing. Survivors are few and far between, and dwindling in numbers as the man-made cavers venture further away from their dwellings in search of food (human flash). There are a lot of dynamics within surviving groups, a kidnapping, and a huge secret that takes forever to find out.
Definitely, recommend for anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic or zombie books. No zombies, but these cave people are creepy AF.
It starts from the beginning of the apocalypse, with a mass bombing. Survivors are few and far between, and dwindling in numbers as the man-made cavers venture further away from their dwellings in search of food (human flash). There are a lot of dynamics within surviving groups, a kidnapping, and a huge secret that takes forever to find out.
Definitely, recommend for anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic or zombie books. No zombies, but these cave people are creepy AF.
May 1, 2017
Looking for a post-apocalyptic soldier’s story, featuring a strong female? ONLY THE FEW is the tale of one woman’s indomitable will to live, secrets (military and personal) upon secrets, a world where no one is sure who the predators are—and everyone is prey. An ending you won’t believe!
June 14, 2017
Corporal Catherine Hyde is a great character to root for, strong in her courage and moral authority despite the horror of losing everyone and everything she holds dear when bombs rain down on her country, reducing it to a wasteland. The story builds as she encounters allies and adversaries in her journey to find safety and fellow survivors.
For a long time, the reasons behind the attack are unclear, as are the motivations behind the most evil of protagonists. But Hyde’s single-minded focus on retaining her humanity is stellar, despite desperate circumstances and competing loyalties. With her outstanding leadership skills, she should take over as the savior of the survivors, and I hope she does so in the next installment of this series. If you like dark, dystopian fiction where the heroine rises from the ashes like a beacon of light, this is the story for you. 4 and 1/2 stars.
For a long time, the reasons behind the attack are unclear, as are the motivations behind the most evil of protagonists. But Hyde’s single-minded focus on retaining her humanity is stellar, despite desperate circumstances and competing loyalties. With her outstanding leadership skills, she should take over as the savior of the survivors, and I hope she does so in the next installment of this series. If you like dark, dystopian fiction where the heroine rises from the ashes like a beacon of light, this is the story for you. 4 and 1/2 stars.
May 1, 2017
Enjoyed this fast-paced and gripping dystopian thriller set in a shattered future Britain. Feisty Corporal Catherine Hyde has her family theater trip blown apart as bombs start dropping on London. She survives the strike and her survival training kicks in. She moves out over the ravaged country with her unit looking for survivors, but who can she trust from the odd characters she meets along the way? Slowly the story of what has happened unravels as she lurches from one adventure after another, dodging cannibalistic cave-dwellers along the way. Well written and an enjoyable addition to the dystopia library.
May 2, 2017
Normally I try to avoid post apocalyptic novels as I get enough of that on the evening news. So this was not my normal genre choice.
That said, I enjoyed reading it, Catherine is a believable character and you come to relate to her ordeals while experiencing them with her. The world is vivid and we see it through her eyes as we travel around London and the surrounding areas with her.
The start reminded me of Day of the Triffids as it starts with someone's normal day turning into disaster and the hunt for survivors in the English countryside.
And then Layla takes us on a completely new and different trip.
I recommend it and look forward to part 2 to see what happens with her.
Spoiler: there is no butler to have done it, so you have to play along with Catherine.
That said, I enjoyed reading it, Catherine is a believable character and you come to relate to her ordeals while experiencing them with her. The world is vivid and we see it through her eyes as we travel around London and the surrounding areas with her.
The start reminded me of Day of the Triffids as it starts with someone's normal day turning into disaster and the hunt for survivors in the English countryside.
And then Layla takes us on a completely new and different trip.
I recommend it and look forward to part 2 to see what happens with her.
Spoiler: there is no butler to have done it, so you have to play along with Catherine.
December 6, 2017
This review contains minor spoilers.
Only the few was a whirlwind of a read and I felt every one of Hyde’s emotions, right from the first chapter.
I thought Cavers was quite a bland name and didn’t really give justice to how monstrous and depraved the creatures were, who were conveyed very well by the author.
The writing was particularly great in the gory scenes and the moment a desperately thirsty Hyde finally drinks water is an especially beautifully written scene.
I thought the entirety of the novel would be Hyde stuck in the caves, so it was a surprise when she made it out fairly early. The middle of the book was the weakest part for me, but once Judd escaped and the readers learn about the Scavenger camp and their methods of torture, the book became engrossing again.
Hyde was a really strong female character and you could almost feel her desperation and determination seep through the page. Marcus was another good, three-dimensional character and Judd was a great- extremely hateable- villain. Although Judd’s dialogue was a bit unnatural at some points. Jas was also another strong female, so props to the author for knowing how to write them. I liked that she wasn’t afraid of Judd at first, but slowly became so when she learned he was a scavenger.
I actually enjoyed the caver scenes more than those later in the book and wish we got to know more about them. Not focusing solely on the cavers however did give author a chance to show off his great world building which I enjoyed.
The ending was certainly a twist I didn’t see coming. Whilst it was a good, emotional end to the story I also thought it was a bit too sudden, like cutting off halfway through a chapter.
4 stars overall.
Only the few was a whirlwind of a read and I felt every one of Hyde’s emotions, right from the first chapter.
I thought Cavers was quite a bland name and didn’t really give justice to how monstrous and depraved the creatures were, who were conveyed very well by the author.
The writing was particularly great in the gory scenes and the moment a desperately thirsty Hyde finally drinks water is an especially beautifully written scene.
I thought the entirety of the novel would be Hyde stuck in the caves, so it was a surprise when she made it out fairly early. The middle of the book was the weakest part for me, but once Judd escaped and the readers learn about the Scavenger camp and their methods of torture, the book became engrossing again.
Hyde was a really strong female character and you could almost feel her desperation and determination seep through the page. Marcus was another good, three-dimensional character and Judd was a great- extremely hateable- villain. Although Judd’s dialogue was a bit unnatural at some points. Jas was also another strong female, so props to the author for knowing how to write them. I liked that she wasn’t afraid of Judd at first, but slowly became so when she learned he was a scavenger.
I actually enjoyed the caver scenes more than those later in the book and wish we got to know more about them. Not focusing solely on the cavers however did give author a chance to show off his great world building which I enjoyed.
The ending was certainly a twist I didn’t see coming. Whilst it was a good, emotional end to the story I also thought it was a bit too sudden, like cutting off halfway through a chapter.
4 stars overall.
September 29, 2017
The wonderfully creative dystopian story takes place in post-apocalyptic England. We are introduced to the main character, Corporal Catherine Hyde. She and her teammates are soon tasked with scouring the countryside in search of survivors. Hyde takes her mission very seriously and I can immediately feel her strong sense of duty to her country. She will stop at nothing to continue her quest. Along the way, she encounters cavers, who are some sort of genetically engineered failure who subsist on human flesh. She is part of an advance group of scouts who are captured by cavers and ends up the sole survivor when she manages her escape from them. She soon meets up with another pair of survivors who she grows to trust but they steal her supplies and leave her to fend for herself. Hyde must survive by her wits through dangerous terrain and isn’t always successful in avoiding problems. But she meets both friend and foe along the way.
This entire adventure is a gritty action-packed thrill ride and Hyde seems to rise to whatever challenge confronts her. I haven’t read many dystopian novels but I have read speculative fiction in all its many forms and this new world is well developed. I feel like I wanted a little bit more of the sights, sounds, and even smells of the devastation Hyde now lives in but for the most part, Denison creates a vivid backdrop. The intrigue built throughout the story and I truly had no idea where it was all leading to. The ending was ingenious and I look forward to finding out even more about Hyde’s background and certainly her future. Highly Recommended.
This entire adventure is a gritty action-packed thrill ride and Hyde seems to rise to whatever challenge confronts her. I haven’t read many dystopian novels but I have read speculative fiction in all its many forms and this new world is well developed. I feel like I wanted a little bit more of the sights, sounds, and even smells of the devastation Hyde now lives in but for the most part, Denison creates a vivid backdrop. The intrigue built throughout the story and I truly had no idea where it was all leading to. The ending was ingenious and I look forward to finding out even more about Hyde’s background and certainly her future. Highly Recommended.
June 19, 2017
Book Review of L.N. Denison’s “Only the Few.”
By Charles McCormack.
I just finished L.N. Denison’s book “Only the Few” in kindle format. I was really looking forward to reading it in that I enjoy post-apocalyptic sagas such as The Road, The Legend, and World War Z. So, I happily hunkered down, hoping to be transported in time and situation. And, in the beginning I thought this would be quite possible. After all, “Only the Few” sets up a good story line and has plenty of action. The protagonist, Catherine Hyde, a corporal in the army, along with other members of her unit, is sent out into the devastated countryside to look for survivors following a catastrophic bombing by a foreign entity and many adventures occur along the way. In other words, the bones of the book in terms of action and adventure are good and promise much.
However, for various reasons, although the adventure and action are there, I could not get absorbed by the book. It did not provide, at least for me, that experience of being drawn into the read and transported to another time and place. As I wondered about this I repeatedly asked myself “Why?” My answer slowly emerged. I found “Only the Few” lacking sufficient character development to allow me to identify with any of its characters. Further inhibiting my ability to relate to the characters was that I found them to be inconsistent, not true to character, over the course of the book. For example, on the one hand Judd, an evil character, would be described as having care and concern for Catherine while in the act of abandoning her, almost certainly guaranteeing her death. On the other, in a later chapter he would take great sadistic pleasure in torturing her for no other reason than he could. There was no explanation of this change in attitude. Such inconsistencies within characters occurred throughout the book making it difficult for this reader to invest or believe fully in them.
Another issue I had with the book was that some of the scenes were simply unbelievable. For example, as Catherine and another character, both weapon-less, were chasing a well-armed Judd across miles of devastated landscape, with the possibility of the dreaded cannibalistic Cavers or their kindred spirits the Scavengers potentially popping out from anywhere, Catherine is seized by such powerful need to bath and change her clothes that without even bothering to reconnoiter the situation she runs without heed, fully in the open, to a devastated department store to see what she could find. I’m sorry. I know women are different than men, but the whole idea that her well-honed survival instinct would suddenly and completely evaporate while in such dire straits so she could get a change of clothes simply didn’t work for me on any level.
“Only the Few” could have been considerably enhanced by a bit of research. In another scene, Catherine is shot by a sniper who had orders to maim but not kill. Yet, though the sniper is vaunted for his skills and not far away he hits her in the stomach. There are not very many places one could be shot that are more likely to kill someone than the stomach. The hydraulic pressure of a high-power bullet wreaking havoc on the intestines and internal organs alone would almost certainly do the job.
I thought “Only the Few” would have been greatly enhanced by a good editor, who not lost in the weeds of the writing, could have made these points and more and challenged the author in the best possible way to turn an average book into a truly entertaining read.
I look forward to L.N. Denison’s next effort.
By Charles McCormack.
I just finished L.N. Denison’s book “Only the Few” in kindle format. I was really looking forward to reading it in that I enjoy post-apocalyptic sagas such as The Road, The Legend, and World War Z. So, I happily hunkered down, hoping to be transported in time and situation. And, in the beginning I thought this would be quite possible. After all, “Only the Few” sets up a good story line and has plenty of action. The protagonist, Catherine Hyde, a corporal in the army, along with other members of her unit, is sent out into the devastated countryside to look for survivors following a catastrophic bombing by a foreign entity and many adventures occur along the way. In other words, the bones of the book in terms of action and adventure are good and promise much.
However, for various reasons, although the adventure and action are there, I could not get absorbed by the book. It did not provide, at least for me, that experience of being drawn into the read and transported to another time and place. As I wondered about this I repeatedly asked myself “Why?” My answer slowly emerged. I found “Only the Few” lacking sufficient character development to allow me to identify with any of its characters. Further inhibiting my ability to relate to the characters was that I found them to be inconsistent, not true to character, over the course of the book. For example, on the one hand Judd, an evil character, would be described as having care and concern for Catherine while in the act of abandoning her, almost certainly guaranteeing her death. On the other, in a later chapter he would take great sadistic pleasure in torturing her for no other reason than he could. There was no explanation of this change in attitude. Such inconsistencies within characters occurred throughout the book making it difficult for this reader to invest or believe fully in them.
Another issue I had with the book was that some of the scenes were simply unbelievable. For example, as Catherine and another character, both weapon-less, were chasing a well-armed Judd across miles of devastated landscape, with the possibility of the dreaded cannibalistic Cavers or their kindred spirits the Scavengers potentially popping out from anywhere, Catherine is seized by such powerful need to bath and change her clothes that without even bothering to reconnoiter the situation she runs without heed, fully in the open, to a devastated department store to see what she could find. I’m sorry. I know women are different than men, but the whole idea that her well-honed survival instinct would suddenly and completely evaporate while in such dire straits so she could get a change of clothes simply didn’t work for me on any level.
“Only the Few” could have been considerably enhanced by a bit of research. In another scene, Catherine is shot by a sniper who had orders to maim but not kill. Yet, though the sniper is vaunted for his skills and not far away he hits her in the stomach. There are not very many places one could be shot that are more likely to kill someone than the stomach. The hydraulic pressure of a high-power bullet wreaking havoc on the intestines and internal organs alone would almost certainly do the job.
I thought “Only the Few” would have been greatly enhanced by a good editor, who not lost in the weeds of the writing, could have made these points and more and challenged the author in the best possible way to turn an average book into a truly entertaining read.
I look forward to L.N. Denison’s next effort.
August 2, 2017
I have to admit, I typically shy away from dystopian novels unless they're of the light hearted, satirical or parody type. I mean, really, we're sort of living with one foot in the dystopian grave and I read fiction to escape my Twitter feed.
Well, sometimes I branch out and end up going so far outside my comfort zone I come back around to something akin to enjoyment. That is, if you call staying up too late, reading with my heart racing, wincing in pain every time something horrible happens to our heroine, and biting my lip bloody to see if she makes it out alive enjoyment.
This is gritty. This is dark. This is a UK I hope to never visit one day. And yet, I have to go back. I have to know what happens. Who survives. And who doesn't.
Well, sometimes I branch out and end up going so far outside my comfort zone I come back around to something akin to enjoyment. That is, if you call staying up too late, reading with my heart racing, wincing in pain every time something horrible happens to our heroine, and biting my lip bloody to see if she makes it out alive enjoyment.
This is gritty. This is dark. This is a UK I hope to never visit one day. And yet, I have to go back. I have to know what happens. Who survives. And who doesn't.
October 22, 2017
The North of England is a devastated wasteland full of strange and deadly creatures. And I used to live there! No, seriously, the real North is not like that. It's a fabulous place, but it's quite the piece of fun watching it recast as a post-apocalyptic wasteland in L.N. Denison's slice of military sci-fi.
Corporal Catherine Hyde is the sole survivor of an explosion in London that wipes out the rest of the building she is in at the time, hiding herself away in a blast shelter as she loses family somewhere in the chaos above her. She emerges into a shattered Britain, with a series of such blasts having wiped out the bulk of the nation. After finding a few others from her military unit still alive, she is given the job of hunting for civilian survivors and is sent north.
The dangers facing her are many - from genetic anomalies called cavers who lurk in dark hideaways ready to torture and devour the unfortunates they capture to perhaps the more deadly enemies, some of the surviving humans, Hyde is left to fight her way through all manner of opposition.
She's a smashing character, complicated in her emotions and determined to never give an inch when it comes to pursuing her mission. She's fierce, bright, intelligent and makes for a great read.
The pages zip by as you're reading, with a real pace throughout the book. Sometimes, I wished it had slowed down a little as it seemed a couple of situations were resolved a little too quickly before their implications are really explored - but hey, it's the end of the world, not everything is neat.
It's not without its hiccups, but I enjoyed the read - so much so that I blasted through it in just two sittings. I'm looking forward to more!
Corporal Catherine Hyde is the sole survivor of an explosion in London that wipes out the rest of the building she is in at the time, hiding herself away in a blast shelter as she loses family somewhere in the chaos above her. She emerges into a shattered Britain, with a series of such blasts having wiped out the bulk of the nation. After finding a few others from her military unit still alive, she is given the job of hunting for civilian survivors and is sent north.
The dangers facing her are many - from genetic anomalies called cavers who lurk in dark hideaways ready to torture and devour the unfortunates they capture to perhaps the more deadly enemies, some of the surviving humans, Hyde is left to fight her way through all manner of opposition.
She's a smashing character, complicated in her emotions and determined to never give an inch when it comes to pursuing her mission. She's fierce, bright, intelligent and makes for a great read.
The pages zip by as you're reading, with a real pace throughout the book. Sometimes, I wished it had slowed down a little as it seemed a couple of situations were resolved a little too quickly before their implications are really explored - but hey, it's the end of the world, not everything is neat.
It's not without its hiccups, but I enjoyed the read - so much so that I blasted through it in just two sittings. I'm looking forward to more!
November 19, 2017
An action and horror packed story of survival set in a post-apocalyptic world. Readers travel with Hyde as she struggles to fulfil her mission in the UK, now devastated by bombs and populated with some ghastly specimens of humanity, and things that might once have been human.
The trials of Hyde, a young female soldier, left alone in a changed and dangerous world are fast paced, as she stumbles from one group of nasties to another. Her mission was to rescue any survivors, but very quickly she finds herself without backup, and any survivors seem bent on hunting her instead.
The landscape is well described, and it forms an integral part of the plot. Hyde encounters underground caves and the awful discarded genetic experiments that dwell there. The impact of the dust and the bombs is another thing she must use her skills in order to survive.
The emotional impact of surviving alone is a big part of the novel, and readers can empathise with Hyde’s bouts of despair and loneliness. Her attempts to face reality and find hidden reserves of courage in terrible situations will also resonate with readers.
The destroyed world described is not our world, but one full of military paranoia, secret experiments, and a society well fitted out with bomb shelters. Some more back story to fill readers in with details would have been useful. The cavers form a major part of the book, however I failed in trying to imagine why they were not erased from the start, well before any bombs.
The novel ends with a twist and a cliff hanger, and the reader is directed to a novella which promises to answer all questions. Readers may well find this either quite irritating, or intriguing.
Overall, some fast paced action and a strong female lead in a post-apocalyptic world.
The trials of Hyde, a young female soldier, left alone in a changed and dangerous world are fast paced, as she stumbles from one group of nasties to another. Her mission was to rescue any survivors, but very quickly she finds herself without backup, and any survivors seem bent on hunting her instead.
The landscape is well described, and it forms an integral part of the plot. Hyde encounters underground caves and the awful discarded genetic experiments that dwell there. The impact of the dust and the bombs is another thing she must use her skills in order to survive.
The emotional impact of surviving alone is a big part of the novel, and readers can empathise with Hyde’s bouts of despair and loneliness. Her attempts to face reality and find hidden reserves of courage in terrible situations will also resonate with readers.
The destroyed world described is not our world, but one full of military paranoia, secret experiments, and a society well fitted out with bomb shelters. Some more back story to fill readers in with details would have been useful. The cavers form a major part of the book, however I failed in trying to imagine why they were not erased from the start, well before any bombs.
The novel ends with a twist and a cliff hanger, and the reader is directed to a novella which promises to answer all questions. Readers may well find this either quite irritating, or intriguing.
Overall, some fast paced action and a strong female lead in a post-apocalyptic world.
February 4, 2017
Dark. Bloody. Captivating.
L.N. Denison did a good job describing post apocalyptic world, where only shreds of humanity survived. Monsters, created in a wrongly went experiment now walking over the lands once belonged to human beings. Surviving is the new rule of this world and everyone does it in his own way.
Corporal Catherine Hyde, probably one of the last people on Earth that still keeps her heart full with kindness, fearlessly leaves safe barracks in London to find and bring back last survivors of the human kind. Distorted with bombing world meets her with bad weather, lack of food and constant danger, not only from cannibalistic Cavers, that sleep and dream about how to chop off a piece of her flash, but also with cruelty of men kind.
The plot is fast and captivating and each chapter was meeting me with a new turn, which left me with one question “what will happen next?”
L.N. Denison did a good job describing post apocalyptic world, where only shreds of humanity survived. Monsters, created in a wrongly went experiment now walking over the lands once belonged to human beings. Surviving is the new rule of this world and everyone does it in his own way.
Corporal Catherine Hyde, probably one of the last people on Earth that still keeps her heart full with kindness, fearlessly leaves safe barracks in London to find and bring back last survivors of the human kind. Distorted with bombing world meets her with bad weather, lack of food and constant danger, not only from cannibalistic Cavers, that sleep and dream about how to chop off a piece of her flash, but also with cruelty of men kind.
The plot is fast and captivating and each chapter was meeting me with a new turn, which left me with one question “what will happen next?”
August 3, 2017
This suspenseful thriller had me hooked right from the start.
Immersed immediately in the world of post-apocalyptic London in 2025 and the life of the main character, Corporal Catherine Hyde, the drama unfolds steadily from the first page. From that point, the tension starts to build and the questions begin to gnaw at both the reader and Corporal Hyde.
Hyde's character is brilliantly developed. She is likeable, strong enough to be a hero and weak enough to be believeable. The reader feels as though they know and understand her, and begins to feel defensive of her when she faces challenges from the situations she faces and from other people. Her flawed humanity contrasts profoundly with her strengths, adding another layer of deep complexity and irony to the story.
There are some incredibly confronting scenes which Denison has crafted to be both compelling and extremely uncomfortable: despite the strong desire to "look away", the reader has to keep going because the story is just that good.
There is nothing predictable about 'Only The Few'. The author keeps the reader wondering and guessing right up until the last page. On going back to previous chapters and re-reading sections, it became evident that the author had achieved exceptionally clever delivery of clues that the reader will never realise are clues until they return to those scenes after finishing the book. That is a sign of a gifted writer with a talent for creating and crafting fantastic stories.
The book concludes with a teaser line about a "companion" novel which spurs the curiosity and keeps the wondering and guessing going. I know what I want that companion story to be, but I guess I'm just going to have to wait until it arrives to find out if I'm right.
Bravo, L N. Denison. 5 stars from me.
Immersed immediately in the world of post-apocalyptic London in 2025 and the life of the main character, Corporal Catherine Hyde, the drama unfolds steadily from the first page. From that point, the tension starts to build and the questions begin to gnaw at both the reader and Corporal Hyde.
Hyde's character is brilliantly developed. She is likeable, strong enough to be a hero and weak enough to be believeable. The reader feels as though they know and understand her, and begins to feel defensive of her when she faces challenges from the situations she faces and from other people. Her flawed humanity contrasts profoundly with her strengths, adding another layer of deep complexity and irony to the story.
There are some incredibly confronting scenes which Denison has crafted to be both compelling and extremely uncomfortable: despite the strong desire to "look away", the reader has to keep going because the story is just that good.
There is nothing predictable about 'Only The Few'. The author keeps the reader wondering and guessing right up until the last page. On going back to previous chapters and re-reading sections, it became evident that the author had achieved exceptionally clever delivery of clues that the reader will never realise are clues until they return to those scenes after finishing the book. That is a sign of a gifted writer with a talent for creating and crafting fantastic stories.
The book concludes with a teaser line about a "companion" novel which spurs the curiosity and keeps the wondering and guessing going. I know what I want that companion story to be, but I guess I'm just going to have to wait until it arrives to find out if I'm right.
Bravo, L N. Denison. 5 stars from me.
July 16, 2017
Check out this review, and many more, on my blog https://jessjesinghaus.wordpress.com
At its heart Only the Few is a tale of courage and fortitude in the face of seemingly insurmountable, horrifying challenges. Set in an England laid waste by bombs and peopled with scattered bands of survivors, ruthless scavengers, as well as nightmarish science-experiment rejects referred to as 'cavers,' this post-apocalyptic dystopian story follows the travails of Corporal Catherine Hyde. After losing her entire family to the bombing which felled England, she and a small military force are sent out on a recon and rescue mission, seeking to rescue surviving humans the English countryside. After losing her whole squad to an attack by the cannibalistic cavers, she must face the daunting prospect of trekking back to the relative safety of her London barracks by foot, with little more than a lone gun and her own wits to protect her. Along the way she encounters many obstacles, a few friends, and many enemies... culminating in a shocking twist at the end that will leave you staring dumbstruck at the page wondering how you could have missed the signs. Bravo!
I haven't read many books in this genre, but I found Only the Few difficult to put down. Admittedly, we know very little about Hyde's past, her character outside the military, but we are given snippets and these only serve to deepen the intrigue surrounding her. I, for one, appreciated that while Hyde is tough as nails, she is still sometimes weakened by insecurities. At one point, late in the book, as Hyde contemplates a possible romantic attachment, she inspects her naked, bruised and battered body wondering "Would (he) ever find me attractive if he saw the real me?" I found her insecurities refreshing and relatable, much more so than if Hyde were simply an unflappable, tough-as-nails heroine utterly certain of herself and her abilities.
I'll admit, while horrifying in their actions and origins, the cavers completely captured my attention. I would've enjoyed more if them in this story, truth be told. The aforementioned twist at the end practically guarantees another installment and I will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter on Corporal Hyde's journey.
At its heart Only the Few is a tale of courage and fortitude in the face of seemingly insurmountable, horrifying challenges. Set in an England laid waste by bombs and peopled with scattered bands of survivors, ruthless scavengers, as well as nightmarish science-experiment rejects referred to as 'cavers,' this post-apocalyptic dystopian story follows the travails of Corporal Catherine Hyde. After losing her entire family to the bombing which felled England, she and a small military force are sent out on a recon and rescue mission, seeking to rescue surviving humans the English countryside. After losing her whole squad to an attack by the cannibalistic cavers, she must face the daunting prospect of trekking back to the relative safety of her London barracks by foot, with little more than a lone gun and her own wits to protect her. Along the way she encounters many obstacles, a few friends, and many enemies... culminating in a shocking twist at the end that will leave you staring dumbstruck at the page wondering how you could have missed the signs. Bravo!
I haven't read many books in this genre, but I found Only the Few difficult to put down. Admittedly, we know very little about Hyde's past, her character outside the military, but we are given snippets and these only serve to deepen the intrigue surrounding her. I, for one, appreciated that while Hyde is tough as nails, she is still sometimes weakened by insecurities. At one point, late in the book, as Hyde contemplates a possible romantic attachment, she inspects her naked, bruised and battered body wondering "Would (he) ever find me attractive if he saw the real me?" I found her insecurities refreshing and relatable, much more so than if Hyde were simply an unflappable, tough-as-nails heroine utterly certain of herself and her abilities.
I'll admit, while horrifying in their actions and origins, the cavers completely captured my attention. I would've enjoyed more if them in this story, truth be told. The aforementioned twist at the end practically guarantees another installment and I will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter on Corporal Hyde's journey.
May 12, 2017
L.N. Denison creates a post-apocalyptic world in this story in which humanity as we know it is no more, and only experimental creatures rule the earth. The powers that be, seeing the end result is not what they expects, decides to destroy all, except one, Hyde. They have a plan for Hyde that even she is not aware of until the end. When she found out, it left her questioning her humanity, her memory, and her feelings for her friends and loved ones.
The story is well-paced and ends on a cliffhanger. I was a bit confused while reading, was the MC Hyde or Catherine. The name appears to change from one chapter to the next, and for me that was confusing; however, fans of post-apocalyptic novels will enjoy this read.
The story is well-paced and ends on a cliffhanger. I was a bit confused while reading, was the MC Hyde or Catherine. The name appears to change from one chapter to the next, and for me that was confusing; however, fans of post-apocalyptic novels will enjoy this read.
June 2, 2017
Dystopian horror. Fast paced, suspenseful, and full or gruesome gore!
Set in Britain in the not so distant future, a catastrophic occurrence sends Britain into a post-apocalyptical dystopian horrorland where ‘only the few’ strive to survive the charred cannibals, known as the Cavers. The main protagonist, Corporal Catherine Hyde, after the death of her parents in the initial mass destruction that sends Britain into this dystopian future, moves through the story trying to survive in a world where human life is both worth very little and very little of it left. ‘Only the Few’ is very well written. The author, L.N. Denison, makes good use of language and pace. Dialogue between characters is clear and the narrator voice is well done in the third person. However, at times I was bit confused as to who’s who regarding the characters. Also, the plot felt a little bit bit rushed, but this could have been done to aid the suspenseful fast pace of the story, which was great and made ‘Only the Few’ a fun read, with the ending left as a classic cliff hanger… book 2?
If you’re a fan of dystopian post-apocalyptic reads then this is a good one for you!
Reviewed as part of 18+ Review Group, and received a free copy from the author for an honest review :)
Set in Britain in the not so distant future, a catastrophic occurrence sends Britain into a post-apocalyptical dystopian horrorland where ‘only the few’ strive to survive the charred cannibals, known as the Cavers. The main protagonist, Corporal Catherine Hyde, after the death of her parents in the initial mass destruction that sends Britain into this dystopian future, moves through the story trying to survive in a world where human life is both worth very little and very little of it left. ‘Only the Few’ is very well written. The author, L.N. Denison, makes good use of language and pace. Dialogue between characters is clear and the narrator voice is well done in the third person. However, at times I was bit confused as to who’s who regarding the characters. Also, the plot felt a little bit bit rushed, but this could have been done to aid the suspenseful fast pace of the story, which was great and made ‘Only the Few’ a fun read, with the ending left as a classic cliff hanger… book 2?
If you’re a fan of dystopian post-apocalyptic reads then this is a good one for you!
Reviewed as part of 18+ Review Group, and received a free copy from the author for an honest review :)
May 1, 2017
London 2025. England has been savaged by a series of bomb attacks. Corporal Catherine Hyde is part of a group sent to the Yorkshire Dales on a mission to find survivors and bring them back to London.
Catherine's mission is far from easy. There are many dangers along the way. The group must watch out for the cannibalistic cavers and scavengers; who attack anyone who gets in their way. She meets up with other survivors. But who can she trust?
Catherine is brave and tough, and cares about the safety of those she has been sent to rescue. She forms a friendship with Jas, a young girl who reminds her of herself when young and has a growing attraction towards Marcus, Jas's father.
The author conveys very well the desolation and sense of loss in this post apocalyptic world. There are glimpses from the past when Catherine ventures into an empty department store and when Catherine and Marcus stay at a desolate hotel.
This is a fast moving well-written book with much suspense and action. The ending is unexpected and left me with some unanswered questions, although I do understand the author plans a sequel.
An interesting and fast-paced read.
Catherine's mission is far from easy. There are many dangers along the way. The group must watch out for the cannibalistic cavers and scavengers; who attack anyone who gets in their way. She meets up with other survivors. But who can she trust?
Catherine is brave and tough, and cares about the safety of those she has been sent to rescue. She forms a friendship with Jas, a young girl who reminds her of herself when young and has a growing attraction towards Marcus, Jas's father.
The author conveys very well the desolation and sense of loss in this post apocalyptic world. There are glimpses from the past when Catherine ventures into an empty department store and when Catherine and Marcus stay at a desolate hotel.
This is a fast moving well-written book with much suspense and action. The ending is unexpected and left me with some unanswered questions, although I do understand the author plans a sequel.
An interesting and fast-paced read.
September 18, 2017
I loved this read! It was a thrill ride, and I felt the dangers of the enemy closing around me, wanting to eat my flesh.
L.N. Denison has an interesting style of writing and a solid foundation to write upon. The story takes unexpected turns and keeps you wanting more right to the end. The plot was fresh and felt gritty with believable characters. The reactions and emotions were well drawn and a great mental picture was able to be formed as I read this tale.
I feel like I want more as I read the last page, and this reflects a good read to me … I therefore give this tale 4 out of 5 stars.
February 14, 2019
In this post apocalyptic/dystopian book, the story follows the live of Hyde, a female army officer who is sent on a mission to find and recover civilian survivors.
There is plenty of action and horror along the way to keep the plot moving along. I thought the character were ok, but could have done with a little more work to keep their traits consistent.
All in all, if you like a dystopian read, then this one might be for you.
I was given a copy of the book for an honest and unbiased review.
There is plenty of action and horror along the way to keep the plot moving along. I thought the character were ok, but could have done with a little more work to keep their traits consistent.
All in all, if you like a dystopian read, then this one might be for you.
I was given a copy of the book for an honest and unbiased review.
September 14, 2017
In this action packed story, L.N Denison sucks you in from page one. The premise of the Cavers is a cool spin, and I could see this book making a great thriller! Corporal Catherine Hyde faces unbelievable circumstances, and really comes into her own! She is really someone I was rooting for. Loved the ending! (No spoilers)
June 25, 2017
An interesting take on the zombie apocalypse story set in a grim post-destruction Britain. The country is laid to waste by hundreds of bombs that have obliterated most of the UK. The lead character is a tough female warrior and the writer does a good job of bringing the reader deep into her psyche.
You will not see the huge twist coming at the end. At least I surely didn't, and it was certainly a surprise that made me question my own powers of observation. This would translate well into a movie or even a Netflix series. Ever written a screenplay L.N. Denison?
You will not see the huge twist coming at the end. At least I surely didn't, and it was certainly a surprise that made me question my own powers of observation. This would translate well into a movie or even a Netflix series. Ever written a screenplay L.N. Denison?
July 23, 2017
OMG!!! I read the blurb for this, thinking it's not for me, but I'll give it a try. Denison's writing is amazing. It was fast-paced and I was hooked from the get go.
December 24, 2017
The stakes are high in Only the Few, a post-apocalyptic drama set in England. The story starts off with a bang when a bomb goes off in a theater, killing Catherine Hyde's parents. Corporal Hyde soon finds her military "family" and they set off to find survivors--a mission that leads into a whirlwind of near-death experiences for Hyde and complete death for several of her companions. Very quickly Hyde is without allies in a merciless world filled with enemies of every kind.
Hyde is a great character--full of grit, and I loved the pep talks she mentally gives herself. It's great to read books with intelligent protagonists, rather than having to curse one out for making dumb mistakes. The twist ending left me wanting more pages to turn.
I found the writing a little dry (though I've read worse!), which is why I'm dropping a star. But the story is gripping, and the characters engaging, and there's a whole lot of good going on in this book.
Hyde is a great character--full of grit, and I loved the pep talks she mentally gives herself. It's great to read books with intelligent protagonists, rather than having to curse one out for making dumb mistakes. The twist ending left me wanting more pages to turn.
I found the writing a little dry (though I've read worse!), which is why I'm dropping a star. But the story is gripping, and the characters engaging, and there's a whole lot of good going on in this book.
May 13, 2017
Gritty to the core!
In this post-apocalyptic dystopian adventure, we follow Catherin Hyde and what’s left of her military unit as they attempt to survive in a violent and unforgiving London. The nuclear holocaust has the world to remnants of civilizations overrun by mutants who wreak havoc and destruction without remorse. Early on in the book, Hyde gets separated from her team and must go it alone as she tries to find survivors and save what’s left of humanity.
There are no rules in this book. Anyone at any time can be faced with a kill or be killed scenario and when Denison decides to kill someone, there is no such thing as a clean kill. This book is bloody and violent. The story is solid and Hyde is tough and driven, but I was reminded of the reavers in the Firefly series and it was tough to read sometimes.
If you enjoy intensity and violence, this is your book. For me, it was a bit over the top at times and I had to read it in spurts to keep from being pulled into the darkness and death that is part of everyday survival for these characters. One thing is certain, Denison has created a story that will take you to a different world and challenge your beliefs about right and wrong.
In this post-apocalyptic dystopian adventure, we follow Catherin Hyde and what’s left of her military unit as they attempt to survive in a violent and unforgiving London. The nuclear holocaust has the world to remnants of civilizations overrun by mutants who wreak havoc and destruction without remorse. Early on in the book, Hyde gets separated from her team and must go it alone as she tries to find survivors and save what’s left of humanity.
There are no rules in this book. Anyone at any time can be faced with a kill or be killed scenario and when Denison decides to kill someone, there is no such thing as a clean kill. This book is bloody and violent. The story is solid and Hyde is tough and driven, but I was reminded of the reavers in the Firefly series and it was tough to read sometimes.
If you enjoy intensity and violence, this is your book. For me, it was a bit over the top at times and I had to read it in spurts to keep from being pulled into the darkness and death that is part of everyday survival for these characters. One thing is certain, Denison has created a story that will take you to a different world and challenge your beliefs about right and wrong.
February 6, 2018
Well, it’s a tribute to the narrative drive that I powered on to the end of this story, because as a rule it’s not the sort of thing that would appeal to me very much at all. Partly because it’s gruesome, but more because of the prose. It reminds me of what I suspect Chris Ryan’s might be like before he gets in a really hardcore professional editor: kind of basic, all tell not show, slightly repetitive and obvious, and to me clunky and not a pleasure. But obviously tons of people care far more for the story than for subtleties like style or character development – and I say that non-critically, we all like a good rip-roaring story – and the story is here in truckloads. Our heroine Catherine Hyde endures any amount of starvation, dehydration, being tied up and tortured, and watching her comrades fall like flies, inbetween falling for the elderly and somewhat maimed Marcus and palling up with his daughter Jas.
The action is fast and relentless, the enemies in this post-apocalyptic Britain are varied and many, and there is a whopping twist in the tail. For me the characterization was shallow and the prose style cumbersome, but narrative drive still made it no chore to get through – and that is no mean feat; plus obviously there are a lot of people out there who really enjoy this kind of dark post-apocalyptic action-packed vision, and the story is strong.
Originally I marked this as a three star read, mainly because I'm super-picky about prose, even though I can appreciate the other factors that make this a rip-roaring read. But because I've been surprised by some unjustifiably harsh reviews, which injustice annoys me, I'm giving it 5 stars to redress the balance.
For more of Brin's reviews go to:
http://www.brinmurray.com/review-blog...
The action is fast and relentless, the enemies in this post-apocalyptic Britain are varied and many, and there is a whopping twist in the tail. For me the characterization was shallow and the prose style cumbersome, but narrative drive still made it no chore to get through – and that is no mean feat; plus obviously there are a lot of people out there who really enjoy this kind of dark post-apocalyptic action-packed vision, and the story is strong.
Originally I marked this as a three star read, mainly because I'm super-picky about prose, even though I can appreciate the other factors that make this a rip-roaring read. But because I've been surprised by some unjustifiably harsh reviews, which injustice annoys me, I'm giving it 5 stars to redress the balance.
For more of Brin's reviews go to:
http://www.brinmurray.com/review-blog...
September 21, 2017
When I read a book of this nature or genre I enter into such for a story, nothing more nothing less. Well, hopefully a good to excellent story, sure. This was a really good story that I did enjoy, not immensely, that would have been an excellent story. Understand? The writing was good, the characters were developed to a point where I hated some of them and truly was rooting for others to succeed in their roles. I was engaged. I was surprised at the ending. Honestly, I was completely caught off guard at the ending and I will definitely read the next book, or two is there is two.
My point is- I have read other reviews of the book previously to writing this and the fact that this is a post-apocalyptic yarn, truthfully since this has never happened in our respective lifetime, how can others possibly comment negatively that this "story" is so unbelievable that these things could never happen etc, when in fact we truly have no freakin' idea and as such give it a poor review?
I'm at a loss.
Having said all of that, my rant is over. It's a story and a damn good one at that.
One that I would absolutely recommend for those wishing to immerse themselves in a perhaps not so literally correct premise that will hopefully never happen.
My point is- I have read other reviews of the book previously to writing this and the fact that this is a post-apocalyptic yarn, truthfully since this has never happened in our respective lifetime, how can others possibly comment negatively that this "story" is so unbelievable that these things could never happen etc, when in fact we truly have no freakin' idea and as such give it a poor review?
I'm at a loss.
Having said all of that, my rant is over. It's a story and a damn good one at that.
One that I would absolutely recommend for those wishing to immerse themselves in a perhaps not so literally correct premise that will hopefully never happen.
July 5, 2017
I received an review copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you L.N. Denison!
I have got to say that this book brings the dark and gory to post-apocalyptic dystopian. It was thrilling and realistic, in the sense that the way it read accurately portrayed the main character's state of mind; which is distrustful, wary, scared. etc. Denison does a great job of making us connect with Catherine Hyde throughout the book. We root for her, and most of the time, back her decisions.
Despite my fondness for the way it was written, I felt as though it could have been more concise / edited. I felt as though sometimes the story dragged when it didn't need to, and there were a few phrases that could have been omitted.
I also felt as though, because of the constant "danger" feeling throughout the novel, the exciting and eventful parts didn't read as explosively - or maybe that's just me.
Anyways, thanks again L.N., for the review copy!
I have got to say that this book brings the dark and gory to post-apocalyptic dystopian. It was thrilling and realistic, in the sense that the way it read accurately portrayed the main character's state of mind; which is distrustful, wary, scared. etc. Denison does a great job of making us connect with Catherine Hyde throughout the book. We root for her, and most of the time, back her decisions.
Despite my fondness for the way it was written, I felt as though it could have been more concise / edited. I felt as though sometimes the story dragged when it didn't need to, and there were a few phrases that could have been omitted.
I also felt as though, because of the constant "danger" feeling throughout the novel, the exciting and eventful parts didn't read as explosively - or maybe that's just me.
Anyways, thanks again L.N., for the review copy!
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