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Solar Plexus: A Dystopian EMP Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Novel
Imagine traveling through a world determined to stop you.A massive solar storm induced EMP of apocalyptic proportions knocks out power and fries circuits for most of the planet. Transportation, communications, and constraints on human nature are gone. Within hours, store shelves are empty; gangs and desperate people with guns rampage. Survival for those ill-equipped and unprepared will be short-lived. This will be the new normal for many months, possibly years. Tiffany Conway sets out alone from Florida to join her parents in Ohio. She's young, strong, armed, and, with a Marine Corps background, skilled. She'll walk the entire distance if necessary. Sam Pratt and Chet Evans, best friends and business partners, are luckier than most. Retired from the military, they too have skills. But they have something more--a running vehicle. With it, they set out from central Florida heading for the safety of Sam's cabin in the sparsely populated foothills of Tennessee. With society crumbling, will they make it in one piece? Will they make it at all?
- GenresPost Apocalyptic
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
243 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Victor Zugg
12 books66 followersVictor Zugg is a former US Air Force officer and OSI special agent who served and lived all over the world. Writing has always been a big part of his life, no matter what the job. While serving in the military most of his writing was job related. But he also found time to publish a number of nonfiction magazine articles, all historical in nature. He traveled great distances to research the material first hand. More recently he’s turned his writing skills to fiction, to the type he enjoys reading—largely dystopian and survival adventures. Given his extensive travels and opportunities to settle anywhere, it is ironic that he now resides in Florida, only a few miles from his hometown of Orlando. He credits the warm temperatures for that decision.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 18, 2023
Lots of repetitive action scenes and shallow cardboard cutout characters. Plotline was unoriginal in its presentation.
I believe the fmc, Tiffany, former marine corp, was thrown in there to draw female readers, not because she was in any way necessary to the story. Having read her storyline, I'm wondering if the author has ever met a grown woman, let alone one who was in the service. Her purpose in this story was to get kidnapped and draw the male characters, Sam and Chet, into the drama.
Tiffany was capable of rescuing herself and the men and did. Proving women are capable, I suppose. Her other jobs were to follow orders well, look pretty or sexy, and awkwardly flirt with another secondary male character. When she wasn't playing the role of a hardass, that is.
Sam and Chet were two of the most embarrassing retired servicemen ever. For guys who served in the Air Force and Army, they weren't very capable, were extremely poor planners, and enjoyed watching Tiffany bathe, because, hey, we're men and she's got a nice body, but we're good guys so we won't touch her. Newsflash. Watching makes you a creepy stalker regardless of whether you act on it.
Anyway, there were minimal typos or errors, so points for that. But this was beyond boring & very clichéd.
I won't be reading the second book.
I believe the fmc, Tiffany, former marine corp, was thrown in there to draw female readers, not because she was in any way necessary to the story. Having read her storyline, I'm wondering if the author has ever met a grown woman, let alone one who was in the service. Her purpose in this story was to get kidnapped and draw the male characters, Sam and Chet, into the drama.
Tiffany was capable of rescuing herself and the men and did. Proving women are capable, I suppose. Her other jobs were to follow orders well, look pretty or sexy, and awkwardly flirt with another secondary male character. When she wasn't playing the role of a hardass, that is.
Sam and Chet were two of the most embarrassing retired servicemen ever. For guys who served in the Air Force and Army, they weren't very capable, were extremely poor planners, and enjoyed watching Tiffany bathe, because, hey, we're men and she's got a nice body, but we're good guys so we won't touch her. Newsflash. Watching makes you a creepy stalker regardless of whether you act on it.
Anyway, there were minimal typos or errors, so points for that. But this was beyond boring & very clichéd.
I won't be reading the second book.
June 27, 2021
Life is not a problem to be solved...
...but a reality to be experienced.
– Soren Kierkegaard
The quote is how I felt after reading this book. The author is self-published. For me that usually means awkward dialog, plenty of glaring typo's/grammar issues, and way, way, way too much detailed descriptions about the weapons used and the carnage. Not so, for this book (series).
What I especially enjoyed: the camaraderie and easy friendship among the veterans. I felt very much at home and truly miss the special bond. It was well portrayed here. I like that Sam didn't always have answers, or easy solutions. That he took time to think it over.
I liked that there wasn't overly sexualized scenes - you know...way to much detail - like a bodice-ripping romance novel.
I really like the portrayal of how the author envisions the world after a massive solar strike. It resonated with me as ... just right.
If you enjoy dystopian fantasy - and are tired of all the YA versions - this book is the perfect solution.
...but a reality to be experienced.
– Soren Kierkegaard
The quote is how I felt after reading this book. The author is self-published. For me that usually means awkward dialog, plenty of glaring typo's/grammar issues, and way, way, way too much detailed descriptions about the weapons used and the carnage. Not so, for this book (series).
What I especially enjoyed: the camaraderie and easy friendship among the veterans. I felt very much at home and truly miss the special bond. It was well portrayed here. I like that Sam didn't always have answers, or easy solutions. That he took time to think it over.
I liked that there wasn't overly sexualized scenes - you know...way to much detail - like a bodice-ripping romance novel.
I really like the portrayal of how the author envisions the world after a massive solar strike. It resonated with me as ... just right.
If you enjoy dystopian fantasy - and are tired of all the YA versions - this book is the perfect solution.
September 25, 2022
Not a bad story, fairly common, but the whole time I get the impression that the author doesn't really know about the things he's writing about. It's not enough to kill the book, but it seems more like a writer trying to tell a collapse/prepper story rather than someone from the community who decided to write a story about it. The weapon descriptions are as odd as someone who's never been around them, the former military characters don't really act like it (particularly the Airforce Major Ret. who is a main character, but has basically no organizational or leadership skills). They prepare for fights, but don't employ any hint of unit tactics; and, he has twice now purposely left his primary weapon behind when going into a potential fight. Then, when a tragedy happens (no spoiler) they all seem incapable of deducing the most obvious culprit (seemed like forced obliviousness by the author).
Ranting aside, it's still a good enough story to read. But, don't expect anything overly groundbreaking.
Ranting aside, it's still a good enough story to read. But, don't expect anything overly groundbreaking.
January 19, 2018
Wouldn't happen...
Starts out as a typical EMP, SHTF story, but some situations were just silly, such as when 7 armed 'rednecks' attack a military convoy of 40 humvees that are armed with 50 caliber guns. I call no way. Then one single pickup truck with 4 guys also attack the convoy. Seriously? Only if they're planning suicide would such a ridiculous thing happen.
Also, apparently you can recognize gang members, because they're the only ones covered in tattoos. Huh. I guess the author hasn't watched a lot of pro sports, because the last time I watched quite a few players were covered in tattoos.
Results: after 10 chapters of silliness, I gave up. It could have been a good book, but the situations were just too farfetched.
Starts out as a typical EMP, SHTF story, but some situations were just silly, such as when 7 armed 'rednecks' attack a military convoy of 40 humvees that are armed with 50 caliber guns. I call no way. Then one single pickup truck with 4 guys also attack the convoy. Seriously? Only if they're planning suicide would such a ridiculous thing happen.
Also, apparently you can recognize gang members, because they're the only ones covered in tattoos. Huh. I guess the author hasn't watched a lot of pro sports, because the last time I watched quite a few players were covered in tattoos.
Results: after 10 chapters of silliness, I gave up. It could have been a good book, but the situations were just too farfetched.
February 25, 2018
The writing for this book was decent with not a lot of errors and generally had good flow. I like that Tiff was a strong female character. I also liked that, for once, the military was not the bad guys. There was a lot of common EMP story formula here. Far from home and have to get there, bad guys want the women, bad guys take over town. I found it very odd, though, that Sam and Chet would have trouble finding where they left the Hummer, a couple of times. Seems like a key thing to not have happen. I also found it not credible that some yahoos in an old truck would chase and attack a large military convoy with clearly superior weaponry. Surely Darwin doesn't need that much help.
February 9, 2018
A hummer does what?
First of all the author wrote that the hummer runs on gas, wrong it takes diesel fuel. Next issue is toward the ending when he tells us the hummer has standard transmission where as the military sent to autism decades ago. My next issue is how a retired CAN from the 82nd Airborne does not mark the location of said hummer and ends up unable to go locate it while fleeing from some thugs. It was just disappointing being a Army veteran and seeing so many mistakes as written by a fellow veteran.
First of all the author wrote that the hummer runs on gas, wrong it takes diesel fuel. Next issue is toward the ending when he tells us the hummer has standard transmission where as the military sent to autism decades ago. My next issue is how a retired CAN from the 82nd Airborne does not mark the location of said hummer and ends up unable to go locate it while fleeing from some thugs. It was just disappointing being a Army veteran and seeing so many mistakes as written by a fellow veteran.
April 28, 2018
This was a good action novel with some really good characters. The scenarios are pretty good, and hold the readers attention. The two male main characters do some stupid things that I really don't think they would do. It gets them into a situation where they must be saved. I think they would be more cautious than that.
All in all, it is a good book and kept my attention throughout each page. I am looking forward to reading the second in the series.
All in all, it is a good book and kept my attention throughout each page. I am looking forward to reading the second in the series.
August 4, 2018
Solid P-A Read
This is just a plain great Post-Apocalyptic story. Nothing fancy, but well-told.
Clean enough for all down to 13. An attempted rape is started, but interrupted, and doesn't get graphic.
The only implausible part of this story is the prototypical highly-trained female former Marine...who is also drop-dead gorgeous, blonde, body-to-die-for, etc. Oh, and also a better shot than any of the men in this story.
This is just a plain great Post-Apocalyptic story. Nothing fancy, but well-told.
Clean enough for all down to 13. An attempted rape is started, but interrupted, and doesn't get graphic.
The only implausible part of this story is the prototypical highly-trained female former Marine...who is also drop-dead gorgeous, blonde, body-to-die-for, etc. Oh, and also a better shot than any of the men in this story.
March 17, 2020
Too violent!
I read two of this author's books about time travel and enjoyed them. They had some violence, but it wasn't constant.
The story of surviving an EMP was interesting and made me grateful that we are only navigating through the coronavirus but I would have been happier with less shooting and mayhem.
There is a second book in this series. I am hoping for more plot and less shot.
I read two of this author's books about time travel and enjoyed them. They had some violence, but it wasn't constant.
The story of surviving an EMP was interesting and made me grateful that we are only navigating through the coronavirus but I would have been happier with less shooting and mayhem.
There is a second book in this series. I am hoping for more plot and less shot.
May 16, 2024
You and your bud face the apocalypse
This was a good fun read. I really liked that the characters were neither heroes nor villains just some regular guys doing the best they could, I enjoyed getting to tag along on their adventure as they tried to deal with lack of modern conveniences gang members out of control desperate neighbors the remnants of the military and police that were left and all the other sundry issues that come up when the modern world has gone kaput.
This was a good fun read. I really liked that the characters were neither heroes nor villains just some regular guys doing the best they could, I enjoyed getting to tag along on their adventure as they tried to deal with lack of modern conveniences gang members out of control desperate neighbors the remnants of the military and police that were left and all the other sundry issues that come up when the modern world has gone kaput.
May 11, 2018
Good Premise and editing wasn't bad but...
Does the author want to be the George R. R. Martin of survival fiction? Every time you think it can't get worse for the characters they'll get captured or almost raped or almost tortured again and again but always manage to save each other in the nick of time. Just gets silly after a while.
Does the author want to be the George R. R. Martin of survival fiction? Every time you think it can't get worse for the characters they'll get captured or almost raped or almost tortured again and again but always manage to save each other in the nick of time. Just gets silly after a while.
September 7, 2019
Just discovered Zugg. His strong suits are his pacing, characters, and the realistic behavior of his characters. Some of the slight problems he's had pale in comparison to the fun read. Five stars might be a bit generous, but hopefully it will help him keep writing and the yarns are worth it. This one, for instance, was great. He was right on with what would happen if things fell apart.
December 14, 2019
Lots of guns
This is a good read for paramilitary types. If you are of a military mind set you’ll like this read. Lots of clear cut “good guys” and “bad guys”. In an actual apocalyptic situation, things probably wouldn’t be so clear cut with the whole population being in the same boat and all. But. For feel good escapism, it’s fine.
This is a good read for paramilitary types. If you are of a military mind set you’ll like this read. Lots of clear cut “good guys” and “bad guys”. In an actual apocalyptic situation, things probably wouldn’t be so clear cut with the whole population being in the same boat and all. But. For feel good escapism, it’s fine.
September 21, 2020
Nice knife
Well written. Not a lot of super good luck type stuff with supplies just laying around, but really using a bark river mini kephart to cut cheese and salami? I think Derrick would call that a little bit of over kill! Give the man a benchie or a spider co for lunchmeat! I would love to see plans for the buggy!
Well written. Not a lot of super good luck type stuff with supplies just laying around, but really using a bark river mini kephart to cut cheese and salami? I think Derrick would call that a little bit of over kill! Give the man a benchie or a spider co for lunchmeat! I would love to see plans for the buggy!
February 1, 2018
Great Read!
Non stop action, with a good storyline. Surprised that this is his first Dystopian fiction, he writes like a seasoned pro. Watch for more good things from this author!
Non stop action, with a good storyline. Surprised that this is his first Dystopian fiction, he writes like a seasoned pro. Watch for more good things from this author!
February 8, 2018
Solar Plexus
Another 5 star, in my opinion, Book pertaining to the end of the world as we know it. Well rounded characters, good plot line.
Another 5 star, in my opinion, Book pertaining to the end of the world as we know it. Well rounded characters, good plot line.
February 20, 2018
Lots of action, good strong characters, well-paced story. truly enjoyable read.
February 24, 2018
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Characters are realistic and get better and better. Storyline continues to grow and develop.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Characters are realistic and get better and better. Storyline continues to grow and develop.
March 2, 2018
Solar Plexus review
Solar Plexus is a fast paced post apocalyptic book about the fall of civilization after a solar flair written by author Victor Zugg. I would love a sequel.
Solar Plexus is a fast paced post apocalyptic book about the fall of civilization after a solar flair written by author Victor Zugg. I would love a sequel.
March 22, 2018
Not the best I've read and not the worst.
March 26, 2018
Interesting fast paced tale
The story moved quickly and the characters were interesting. The plot was fairly standard but there were a few surprises along the way.
The story moved quickly and the characters were interesting. The plot was fairly standard but there were a few surprises along the way.
April 6, 2018
Great Dystopian novel
Excellent read! Hoping to see more from Victor Zugg. Maybe more with this interesting and well fleshed out cast of characters?
Excellent read! Hoping to see more from Victor Zugg. Maybe more with this interesting and well fleshed out cast of characters?
April 26, 2018
Pretty good story
Very good story with interesting characters who I enjoyed reading about. Tiff is a bad ass & it is not smart to get on her bad side.
Very good story with interesting characters who I enjoyed reading about. Tiff is a bad ass & it is not smart to get on her bad side.
July 16, 2018
Good book must read. Reading the 2nd book .
September 3, 2018
Excellent book. Plenty action and it didn't get bogged down with filler pages. Love the characters of Sam and Chet. They grow on you and their soft spun humor was great.
January 17, 2020
Solar Plexus - Book 1
Solar Plexus: (A Dystopian EMO Post -Apocalyptic Fiction...). Very good book to read and enjoy. Characters seemed real. Plot was good.
Solar Plexus: (A Dystopian EMO Post -Apocalyptic Fiction...). Very good book to read and enjoy. Characters seemed real. Plot was good.
May 11, 2020
Good stop
I really liked the characters that developed in this story. Plausible people and events. A lot of very narrow escapes. Definitely worth the time.!
I really liked the characters that developed in this story. Plausible people and events. A lot of very narrow escapes. Definitely worth the time.!
November 26, 2020
Good characters and engaging story
This book had good characters with an engaging story. It was fast paced with action at every turn. Worth the read.
This book had good characters with an engaging story. It was fast paced with action at every turn. Worth the read.
September 7, 2021
5 stars
I like Victor Zugg 's writing style the pace is good. The characters are engaging and there are a few suprises...
I like Victor Zugg 's writing style the pace is good. The characters are engaging and there are a few suprises...
September 22, 2021
great
The story was great a novel about getting friends together and then working together great action is there going to be another book if so when
The story was great a novel about getting friends together and then working together great action is there going to be another book if so when
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews