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Versus
It was only a matter of time before the craze hit UK.
Disaffected teenager Daryl is going to shoot up his high school.
Fariq, his classmate, is going to blow himself up in a suicide attack at the school on the same day.
One is doing it for the notoriety.
The other, in the name of God.
Neither know of each other's plan.
Both know the media will make them superstars.
Pick up this relentless and unflinching cautionary crime thriller today... and hug your loved ones a little closer tomorrow.
Disaffected teenager Daryl is going to shoot up his high school.
Fariq, his classmate, is going to blow himself up in a suicide attack at the school on the same day.
One is doing it for the notoriety.
The other, in the name of God.
Neither know of each other's plan.
Both know the media will make them superstars.
Pick up this relentless and unflinching cautionary crime thriller today... and hug your loved ones a little closer tomorrow.
- GenresThriller
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2017
3 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Mackay
102 books158 followersA novelist, screenwriter and former teacher, Andrew Mackay is the creator of groundbreaking sci-fi series STAR CAT.
His influences include John Cleese, Tom Sharpe, Kurt Vonnegut, James Patterson, Hunter S Thompson, Douglas Adams, Imogen Edwards-Jones, Michael Frayn, Chris Morris, Christopher Hitchins, Bill Maher, George Carlin, and Larry Cohen.
Get in touch! Andrew@chromevalleybooks.com
His influences include John Cleese, Tom Sharpe, Kurt Vonnegut, James Patterson, Hunter S Thompson, Douglas Adams, Imogen Edwards-Jones, Michael Frayn, Chris Morris, Christopher Hitchins, Bill Maher, George Carlin, and Larry Cohen.
Get in touch! Andrew@chromevalleybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 27, 2017
A bit different then we are used to by Andrew but still liked it very much.
This made me think and hope big time something like this wont happen!
Still the book and story is great!
Some of the scenes are very descriptive and not for the faint of heart
This made me think and hope big time something like this wont happen!
Still the book and story is great!
Some of the scenes are very descriptive and not for the faint of heart
July 28, 2017
Right from the first page of this book it draws you in. There is so much going on. If you don't already have feelings of hate at the media you will.
This book is about two boys. Both of them grew up in different environment and under different circumstances.
We will start with Daryl. He was raised by his mother and his abusive "step-dad". He was the student that everyone loved to pick on. The butt of many jokes including one about him sleeping with his hot mother.
Then there is Fariq aka Freddy, a Pakistani Muslim, he was raised by his older brother and grandmother. They waiting until he was almost 18 to tell him what really happened to his parents. That along with religious extremist have brain washed him into believing everyone white is to blame for his life being what it is. The only way to fix it is go to "paradise"
It just so happens they decide to both act on the same day. Daryl looking to be the first in UK history. Freddy looking to avenge his parents fate was sure unkind to everyone in Chrome Junction Academy
This book is not for the faint of heart. But it will really make you think. Especially those who get off on being a bully. Or those who are prejudice to others. And will make you think if the media wasn't there broadcasting to make people like this immortal would it continue to happen?
This book is about two boys. Both of them grew up in different environment and under different circumstances.
We will start with Daryl. He was raised by his mother and his abusive "step-dad". He was the student that everyone loved to pick on. The butt of many jokes including one about him sleeping with his hot mother.
Then there is Fariq aka Freddy, a Pakistani Muslim, he was raised by his older brother and grandmother. They waiting until he was almost 18 to tell him what really happened to his parents. That along with religious extremist have brain washed him into believing everyone white is to blame for his life being what it is. The only way to fix it is go to "paradise"
It just so happens they decide to both act on the same day. Daryl looking to be the first in UK history. Freddy looking to avenge his parents fate was sure unkind to everyone in Chrome Junction Academy
This book is not for the faint of heart. But it will really make you think. Especially those who get off on being a bully. Or those who are prejudice to others. And will make you think if the media wasn't there broadcasting to make people like this immortal would it continue to happen?
July 27, 2017
I was given a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. I was not sure what to expect with this book because the In Their Shoes series was so hilarious. This on the other hand, is really dark thriller and makes you think. The story is really compelling and makes you really think about what could happen in the future and what is actual good vs. evil. I would not recommend this just because you liked In Their Shoes series, as this is quite different. Keep in mind that this is much different and doesn't have any of the comic relief that the series does.
July 28, 2017
I got this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
WARNINGS!!!!!!
This is NOT a Happy book.
There are Any number of trigger points waved about. Often!
There is unpleasant language throughout. Violent acts are done with vivid, gory details lovingly splashed about like buckets of blood!
This starts out as every parent's worst nightmare - Terror at a Public School!
A small girl asking what does it mean, as Mom is trying to hide her tears as she hears the story from the TV.
It's a great emotional moment. One that sucked me right in.
Then it turns into a game of One Upsmanship between two Female TV Reporters.
Real-time terror on one hand, with (to me) the other being a silly game of "That B**ch isn't beating me for this story!
"You Dozy Cow!"
With much of the in-fighting of TV news looking like this in real life.
Then there's the sudden shift. One that takes us looking back, showing us the making of a maniac, Daryl.
No slapstick humor here. This is peeling back the layers of insanity imprinted in his brain.
"Why was I born?" he asks. Seems to be the rather cosmic joke.
This also casts an eye on a system that is broken.
Looking at schools whose job it is to move kids along, forgetting any problems they may possess. Young Daryl, our soon to be nut case, beats a classmate, breaking his nose as well as giving a nice concussion. And as punishment...? He gets a stern talking to. Wow! Don't be too rough, eh?
Our other "Star" Fariq - Freddie is a nice young Muslim. Unfortunately, his brother isn't anywhere nearly as mentally competent. Soon the brothers find themselves taking part in a "Friendly March" that goes totally bad.
Soon a bomber is born.
Natural Versus Created
This is a book of insanity. We have one young man who simply has a headfull of bad wiring, the other is built into a killer piece by piece.
And when they meet up by accident... the body count clicks away.
WARNINGS!!!!!!
This is NOT a Happy book.
There are Any number of trigger points waved about. Often!
There is unpleasant language throughout. Violent acts are done with vivid, gory details lovingly splashed about like buckets of blood!
This starts out as every parent's worst nightmare - Terror at a Public School!
A small girl asking what does it mean, as Mom is trying to hide her tears as she hears the story from the TV.
It's a great emotional moment. One that sucked me right in.
Then it turns into a game of One Upsmanship between two Female TV Reporters.
Real-time terror on one hand, with (to me) the other being a silly game of "That B**ch isn't beating me for this story!
"You Dozy Cow!"
With much of the in-fighting of TV news looking like this in real life.
Then there's the sudden shift. One that takes us looking back, showing us the making of a maniac, Daryl.
No slapstick humor here. This is peeling back the layers of insanity imprinted in his brain.
"Why was I born?" he asks. Seems to be the rather cosmic joke.
This also casts an eye on a system that is broken.
Looking at schools whose job it is to move kids along, forgetting any problems they may possess. Young Daryl, our soon to be nut case, beats a classmate, breaking his nose as well as giving a nice concussion. And as punishment...? He gets a stern talking to. Wow! Don't be too rough, eh?
Our other "Star" Fariq - Freddie is a nice young Muslim. Unfortunately, his brother isn't anywhere nearly as mentally competent. Soon the brothers find themselves taking part in a "Friendly March" that goes totally bad.
Soon a bomber is born.
Natural Versus Created
This is a book of insanity. We have one young man who simply has a headfull of bad wiring, the other is built into a killer piece by piece.
And when they meet up by accident... the body count clicks away.
February 19, 2018
Reviewed by Demetrius Svette
*This book was provided for an honest review
During my lifetime, there have been many acts of violence in the United States that I will truly never forget; but they have only occurred through the media’s point of view as I have not witnessed most of them in person. Shootings happen everywhere- be it at a school, a movie theatre or even at a hotel. Many acts of violence are a trigger for most people so they will not appreciate the magnitude of the imagination from an author or movie director. I very rarely look to the news or media to learn from the heinous acts of violence to teach myself (and in the future, my kids) the different kinds of violence that exist in a society that has been corrupted. The media has proven that they can manipulate situations, so you can’t trust in first glance at what you’re being told. Allow me to tell you what I think about this book where an incredible and truthful imagination that is raw from beginning to end lies. I do have to tell you that this will disturb you- so if you are weak minded, please just turn away now. Alternatively, you can fully open your mind to the potential wrapped in the pages of these four chapters of terror that is Versus by Andrew MacKay.
Versus is exactly what it sounds like. From the title, you expect the inside to be a world of unfortunate events that will transpire. It will involve the innocent and the not so innocent in the society of Chrome Junction. Through the eyes of the media, the battle between a news reporter and an anchor will occur when the news reporter will stop at nothing to be front and center to rise to fame. Versus will cover different types of turmoil in the U.K., and for the first time, it seems that all hell has just broke loose. This book gives you two unique points of view- those of Freddie and Daryl. Freddie is a student from Chrome Junction Academy who has his faith in Allah challenged. Daryl is a student that never wants people to forget who he is. The two main characters will transpire their ways through a God like atmosphere in this disturbing and chilling story of how the media will do anything to corrupt your mind through their actions in this epic thriller. From the mind of the brave and bold Andrew MacKay, you will be challenged throughout Versus about the real world we live in today. This story is not set in a humorous mind frame- it is a chilling start with a disturbing ending. Step into the world of media as you step in the minds of a psychopath who wants to become a God and one who aims to be the soldier of his own God to diminish the non-believers.
This story steps into boundaries that most will never touch or write about. During my research of works of school shooting fictions, I have found that there are very few in the world. Some think it is a subject better left alone. MacKay, I praise you for taking on these taboos and stepping into the spotlight with touchy subjects; many will hate you for it and many will love you for it. I love that Mackay brought his mind outside of the box. Many would take thriller or horror stories and develop happiness somewhere into the disturbed world they create, whereas MacKay started with disturbing and ended in terror- something that you do not find very much. In the first chapter of this story, I yelled aloud as hard as I could. How many terror events can you fit in a story? Apparently, a lot can happen in works of fiction. Andrew makes me scream and squirm while I read his books because he takes real life events that release monsters into the streets and tears the floor up while the walls tremble down, all without a break for you to catch your breath from all the terror that unfolds within his imagination.
Andrew MacKay is unique in every way I can imagine- he constantly pushes the walls of his thinking box, tearing them down as he watches them explode to give him his creative style of writing. He develops the details and the minds of these characters to make you feel like you have known them for years. You feel their pain and misery. The events that occur in this story will make you so angry in parts that your veins in the top of your head are bulging out; but you end up respecting him as you close his story of madness. You learn things from his writing that will make you think about the world we live in and the events that surround us. MacKay will continue to stretch the bounds of imagination through his fiction as he bends the tape that says, “DO NOT CROSS” and shreds it out of his way. Andrew MacKay has no rules and will not stop because it isn’t something that people talk about, and this is why I will continue to read his works. I urge everyone to read this book as this is one of his best to show the style of MacKay.
*This book was provided for an honest review
During my lifetime, there have been many acts of violence in the United States that I will truly never forget; but they have only occurred through the media’s point of view as I have not witnessed most of them in person. Shootings happen everywhere- be it at a school, a movie theatre or even at a hotel. Many acts of violence are a trigger for most people so they will not appreciate the magnitude of the imagination from an author or movie director. I very rarely look to the news or media to learn from the heinous acts of violence to teach myself (and in the future, my kids) the different kinds of violence that exist in a society that has been corrupted. The media has proven that they can manipulate situations, so you can’t trust in first glance at what you’re being told. Allow me to tell you what I think about this book where an incredible and truthful imagination that is raw from beginning to end lies. I do have to tell you that this will disturb you- so if you are weak minded, please just turn away now. Alternatively, you can fully open your mind to the potential wrapped in the pages of these four chapters of terror that is Versus by Andrew MacKay.
Versus is exactly what it sounds like. From the title, you expect the inside to be a world of unfortunate events that will transpire. It will involve the innocent and the not so innocent in the society of Chrome Junction. Through the eyes of the media, the battle between a news reporter and an anchor will occur when the news reporter will stop at nothing to be front and center to rise to fame. Versus will cover different types of turmoil in the U.K., and for the first time, it seems that all hell has just broke loose. This book gives you two unique points of view- those of Freddie and Daryl. Freddie is a student from Chrome Junction Academy who has his faith in Allah challenged. Daryl is a student that never wants people to forget who he is. The two main characters will transpire their ways through a God like atmosphere in this disturbing and chilling story of how the media will do anything to corrupt your mind through their actions in this epic thriller. From the mind of the brave and bold Andrew MacKay, you will be challenged throughout Versus about the real world we live in today. This story is not set in a humorous mind frame- it is a chilling start with a disturbing ending. Step into the world of media as you step in the minds of a psychopath who wants to become a God and one who aims to be the soldier of his own God to diminish the non-believers.
This story steps into boundaries that most will never touch or write about. During my research of works of school shooting fictions, I have found that there are very few in the world. Some think it is a subject better left alone. MacKay, I praise you for taking on these taboos and stepping into the spotlight with touchy subjects; many will hate you for it and many will love you for it. I love that Mackay brought his mind outside of the box. Many would take thriller or horror stories and develop happiness somewhere into the disturbed world they create, whereas MacKay started with disturbing and ended in terror- something that you do not find very much. In the first chapter of this story, I yelled aloud as hard as I could. How many terror events can you fit in a story? Apparently, a lot can happen in works of fiction. Andrew makes me scream and squirm while I read his books because he takes real life events that release monsters into the streets and tears the floor up while the walls tremble down, all without a break for you to catch your breath from all the terror that unfolds within his imagination.
Andrew MacKay is unique in every way I can imagine- he constantly pushes the walls of his thinking box, tearing them down as he watches them explode to give him his creative style of writing. He develops the details and the minds of these characters to make you feel like you have known them for years. You feel their pain and misery. The events that occur in this story will make you so angry in parts that your veins in the top of your head are bulging out; but you end up respecting him as you close his story of madness. You learn things from his writing that will make you think about the world we live in and the events that surround us. MacKay will continue to stretch the bounds of imagination through his fiction as he bends the tape that says, “DO NOT CROSS” and shreds it out of his way. Andrew MacKay has no rules and will not stop because it isn’t something that people talk about, and this is why I will continue to read his works. I urge everyone to read this book as this is one of his best to show the style of MacKay.
March 2, 2018
What can you even say about this?
Let's be honest Andrew Mackey always has his....'colourful ' stories and interesting characters and this is no different. The school shooter vs suicide bomber wanting to put a giant fist into the school system and it's people is not for the faint of heart and a giant eye opener. It makes you think twice bullying that kid in school or not noticing the signs that someone is seriously being dangerously mulipulated.
The reporter was absolutely sickening.. Doing .anything for a story and it was madness..Daryl was pure evil. But Andrew made me feel sympathy for Freddie which going in? I never would of guessed. At the end of the day he was brought into that radicalized way of thinking ...this poor smart and kind boy because of some fuvked up morals made by his brother and cousin. If I could feel sorry for someone it was him and the victims involved .
But a part from in their shoes this is my fav book of him yet....and it's funny cause i was so afraid to read this book cause of its context.I'm glad I did .
Let's be honest Andrew Mackey always has his....'colourful ' stories and interesting characters and this is no different. The school shooter vs suicide bomber wanting to put a giant fist into the school system and it's people is not for the faint of heart and a giant eye opener. It makes you think twice bullying that kid in school or not noticing the signs that someone is seriously being dangerously mulipulated.
The reporter was absolutely sickening.. Doing .anything for a story and it was madness..Daryl was pure evil. But Andrew made me feel sympathy for Freddie which going in? I never would of guessed. At the end of the day he was brought into that radicalized way of thinking ...this poor smart and kind boy because of some fuvked up morals made by his brother and cousin. If I could feel sorry for someone it was him and the victims involved .
But a part from in their shoes this is my fav book of him yet....and it's funny cause i was so afraid to read this book cause of its context.I'm glad I did .
July 25, 2017
{Will be} Kindle Unlimited, one of my here's free book, early, hope you like it and at least review it.
It was only a matter of time before the craze hit UK.Disaffected teenager Daryl is going to shoot up his high school.Fariq, his classmate, is going to blow himself up in a suicide attack at the school on the same day.One is doing it for the notoriety. The other, in the name of God.Neither know of each other's plan.Both know the media will make them superstars.
Read Versus for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription and look for it under Crime and Thriller at Amazon. This is NOT in any way comedic etc as In Their Shoes were.
In Their Shoes series -- The Teacher (Book I) - The Actor (Book II) - The Model (Book III) {3 Book set of these} - The Artist (Book IV) - The Nurse (Book V) - The Dealer: The Deranged, Ultra-Violent Crime Epic! VI {Also in 5 book set} {{One Size Fits All - the hilarious prequel to In Their Shoes! available from writer/email}
It was only a matter of time before the craze hit UK.Disaffected teenager Daryl is going to shoot up his high school.Fariq, his classmate, is going to blow himself up in a suicide attack at the school on the same day.One is doing it for the notoriety. The other, in the name of God.Neither know of each other's plan.Both know the media will make them superstars.
Read Versus for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription and look for it under Crime and Thriller at Amazon. This is NOT in any way comedic etc as In Their Shoes were.
In Their Shoes series -- The Teacher (Book I) - The Actor (Book II) - The Model (Book III) {3 Book set of these} - The Artist (Book IV) - The Nurse (Book V) - The Dealer: The Deranged, Ultra-Violent Crime Epic! VI {Also in 5 book set} {{One Size Fits All - the hilarious prequel to In Their Shoes! available from writer/email}
July 27, 2017
Shockingly dark novel!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a little shocking to me at first, to be honest. The cover makes this story seem like this story could potentially end up a bit on the adventurous/light-hearted side of life. I would not necessarily start reading this novel with that in mind.
Daryl and 'Freddie' each have their own issues that build up to this point...this one day. I don't want to reveal too many spoilers, but if you think you might be interested in reading a book that focuses on the tragedy of and individual that suffers from a long life of going unnoticed, or being overshadowed...this book might be for you.
I can definitely say that this ends up being one day I would have wished I'd skipped school completely. I did receive an ecopy of this book from the author, but wanted to share my honest opinion of it here.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a little shocking to me at first, to be honest. The cover makes this story seem like this story could potentially end up a bit on the adventurous/light-hearted side of life. I would not necessarily start reading this novel with that in mind.
Daryl and 'Freddie' each have their own issues that build up to this point...this one day. I don't want to reveal too many spoilers, but if you think you might be interested in reading a book that focuses on the tragedy of and individual that suffers from a long life of going unnoticed, or being overshadowed...this book might be for you.
I can definitely say that this ends up being one day I would have wished I'd skipped school completely. I did receive an ecopy of this book from the author, but wanted to share my honest opinion of it here.
July 25, 2017
This isn't one of those books you read to relax with after a stressful day and it's not a cute juvenile story as the cover may suggest. This is a book that stretches your mind and takes you very dark and disturbing places. It's a warning of what will come if we continue on the political and social paths we're currently heading down. Mackay isn't afraid to tackle the deep issues head on without any censoring or mincing words, so prepare yourself mentally before you tackle it, but do tackle it because it will make you think. Hopefully think is a book that will provoke some life altering conversations.
August 14, 2017
This is a very intense book and not one you will want to read when you are relaxing. Thought provoking story about two boys and school shootings. One is doing for for fame and the other in the name of God. Well written but not a happy book. I received an advance copy and voluntarily chose to review it.
August 5, 2017
serious business but with Andrew's awesome style. Extremely annoying media though a bit of an exaggeration of the real media - the real media is no less annoying, I recommend this book because while the topic is difficult, it is a very well-written book.
July 30, 2017
Very, very dark book. Much blood and killing of innocents in England by radicalized Muslim young man and mentally disturbed young man. Perhaps a look into the minds of killers before and during their kills. Not a book to re-read.
September 13, 2017
This story really gets into the minds and lives of two very different teenage boys who carry out mass murders in their school. One for religion and the other for the fame. The story is very graphic but still a good read. I very much enjoyed it.
January 6, 2018
gripping and edge of your seat, phenomenal writing and exceptional delivery.
July 15, 2019
Wow! It's only a story, but also could be part real/true. Excellent characters and world.
December 20, 2017
I found this very far fetched, predicable and just unbelievable. Granted it could happen, I just found it ridiculous, at half way through the book I had to check and see if it was the same book. Went way off course.
no thanks
Cherie'
no thanks
Cherie'
September 16, 2017
This book was scary good! Every parents worst nightmare! The reality of our world today brought to the forefront. There were so many aspects to this story that had a profound impact on me. The callousness of the media and what one would do to reach the top. A look inside a brilliant teen's mind that is twisted and demented. The radical and skewed beliefs of terrorists. All of this, so in your face and how much worse it's become due to today's media, sensationalizing it all! Andrew Mackay has outdone himself with this piece!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews