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Erebus
Erebus – A science fiction, apocalyptic thrill-ride like no other.
Isolated on the frozen continent of Antarctica, Mount Erebus, an active volcano named after the Greek God of primordial darkness, acts as a doorway from the underworld of Earth to the hellish, lifeless world around it.
Despite the extreme conditions around the crater of Mount Erebus, life exists. Life does not travel to Erebus by way of birds or other plants or animals, but from deep within the Earth itself. Ascending from the dark world beneath Antarctica, microbial life arrives at the surface, only to find itself trapped within the volcano, confined by the icy, lifeless prison that surrounds it.
Today, on the steep and icy slopes of Mount Erebus, can be found a rugged team of scientists, researchers, and mountaineers carrying out their work in one of the harshest and most remote parts of the planet, at a facility known as the Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory, or simply MEVO. These professionals, tough enough to brave the extreme climate of Mount Erebus, include experts in the fields of gravity and magnetotellurics, volcanology, geophysics, and even astrobiology.
These doctorate-level professionals travel each year from several major universities such as Cambridge, Missouri State, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and the University of Washington to study Erebus, as well as the unique environment it has created for itself in one of the most remote places on Earth. They are assisted by a professional mountaineer, as well as graduate students from their respective institutions who study under them.
The researchers at MEVO, when not on the mountain at the research camp simply called the Lower Erebus Hut, are based out of McMurdo Station. Mac-Town, as McMurdo Station is fondly referred to by its residents, was founded by the U.S. Navy in 1956. What was initially called Naval Air Facility McMurdo is now simply McMurdo Station. McMurdo Station is currently run by the United States Antarctic Program and is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, signed by forty-five world governments. The Antarctic Treaty regulates daily life at McMurdo, as well as the research conducted there.
In many respects, the inhabitants of McMurdo Station are on their own on the vast and remote continent of Antarctica. This is especially true during the winter months, when most of the station’s one thousand residents return to warmer climates, leaving behind a skeleton crew of only two hundred to face the rigors and potential horrors of life at the bottom of the world—ALONE.
Isolated on the frozen continent of Antarctica, Mount Erebus, an active volcano named after the Greek God of primordial darkness, acts as a doorway from the underworld of Earth to the hellish, lifeless world around it.
Despite the extreme conditions around the crater of Mount Erebus, life exists. Life does not travel to Erebus by way of birds or other plants or animals, but from deep within the Earth itself. Ascending from the dark world beneath Antarctica, microbial life arrives at the surface, only to find itself trapped within the volcano, confined by the icy, lifeless prison that surrounds it.
Today, on the steep and icy slopes of Mount Erebus, can be found a rugged team of scientists, researchers, and mountaineers carrying out their work in one of the harshest and most remote parts of the planet, at a facility known as the Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory, or simply MEVO. These professionals, tough enough to brave the extreme climate of Mount Erebus, include experts in the fields of gravity and magnetotellurics, volcanology, geophysics, and even astrobiology.
These doctorate-level professionals travel each year from several major universities such as Cambridge, Missouri State, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and the University of Washington to study Erebus, as well as the unique environment it has created for itself in one of the most remote places on Earth. They are assisted by a professional mountaineer, as well as graduate students from their respective institutions who study under them.
The researchers at MEVO, when not on the mountain at the research camp simply called the Lower Erebus Hut, are based out of McMurdo Station. Mac-Town, as McMurdo Station is fondly referred to by its residents, was founded by the U.S. Navy in 1956. What was initially called Naval Air Facility McMurdo is now simply McMurdo Station. McMurdo Station is currently run by the United States Antarctic Program and is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, signed by forty-five world governments. The Antarctic Treaty regulates daily life at McMurdo, as well as the research conducted there.
In many respects, the inhabitants of McMurdo Station are on their own on the vast and remote continent of Antarctica. This is especially true during the winter months, when most of the station’s one thousand residents return to warmer climates, leaving behind a skeleton crew of only two hundred to face the rigors and potential horrors of life at the bottom of the world—ALONE.
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First published August 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 22, 2017
Erebus
By: Steven Bird
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
This book is very cool, not just because it is based in Antarctica! A team of scientist were trying to contact there pick up to get to the station and no one answers. They wait and wait then decide to travel by their snow vehicles to the station. The make the dangerous trek there and when they get there, the danger really begins! They find there is more life forms than expected on this frozen continent. Suspense, adventure, the elements, the life form -not telling ;) - , and so much more is in this story. Great characters, and plot.
The narrator is awesome and perfect for this book. Keeps the suspense up and is able to do a variety of voices and stayed consistent throughout the story. I think he really added to the story and made me like it more than if I read it myself. I certainly would give it at least a star or more with the audible version than just reading it. He adds so much to the story. Awesome job.
By: Steven Bird
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
This book is very cool, not just because it is based in Antarctica! A team of scientist were trying to contact there pick up to get to the station and no one answers. They wait and wait then decide to travel by their snow vehicles to the station. The make the dangerous trek there and when they get there, the danger really begins! They find there is more life forms than expected on this frozen continent. Suspense, adventure, the elements, the life form -not telling ;) - , and so much more is in this story. Great characters, and plot.
The narrator is awesome and perfect for this book. Keeps the suspense up and is able to do a variety of voices and stayed consistent throughout the story. I think he really added to the story and made me like it more than if I read it myself. I certainly would give it at least a star or more with the audible version than just reading it. He adds so much to the story. Awesome job.
April 27, 2019
A Slight Twist on Zombies
I always enjoy reading Steven's books. I have learned much from him about preparing for disasters. We may not ever face zombies, but we can and have faced hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. I enjoyed this book particularly for the setting. Not knowing a great deal about Antarctica, I learned new things and am quite aware of all the things in the earth, sea, and heavens that we know so little about. I was hoping for a sequel for this one as the ending was a little sudden.
I always enjoy reading Steven's books. I have learned much from him about preparing for disasters. We may not ever face zombies, but we can and have faced hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. I enjoyed this book particularly for the setting. Not knowing a great deal about Antarctica, I learned new things and am quite aware of all the things in the earth, sea, and heavens that we know so little about. I was hoping for a sequel for this one as the ending was a little sudden.
January 1, 2019
Mount Erebus is the most active volcano on Antarctica, and the setting of Bird's biological thriller that kept me turning pages on my kindle and huddling under my blankies. Not that I was terrified, mind you, but the descriptions of the icy, frozen conditions and the desolation of the research stations just got to me.
Plus, there was this whole John Carptenter's The Thing vibe going on, which was way cool in my book. Carpenter is the shit, and The Thing is one of my all-time, hands-down favorite movies. If it were playing right now, I'd be watching it again.
So the whole frozen-Antarctic-research-station feel is going on. As is the deadly bug that infects you and makes you aggressively homicidal. Not that I'm complaining. Nope. I enjoyed every frozen minute.
No aliens from outer space, however. Here, we have a home-grown local bug, a eukaryotic organism that has survived on the rim of Mt. Erebus for countless centuries until it is carried back to the station and infects the researchers. In its quest to reproduce, however, the bug does exhibit some Alien-like tendencies, particularly the cocooning of human bodies with grey webbing goo everywhere. So, of course, my overactive imagination immediately went to the Ridley Scott classic, Alien. Again, no complaints.
The book is replete with a dozen PhD researchers, a handful of graduate research assistants, and a barkeep or two. The interactions between the characters were fun, but all the Dr's started to blend after a while. However, my personal favorite character was the Russian mechanic, Vasily Fedorov, a man with a seemingly ordinary job who is actually hiding many secrets. He's a former Soviet special ops guy, knows about secret bunkers and hidden fuel stashes, and is an overall we-can't-survive-without-him kinda dude. Plus, the Russian accent is cool. (No nods to Putin here, just love a sexy accent.)
And of course, I'm reminded of the awesomeness that is Fet, from Guillermo del Toro's television production of The Strain.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and will look for more by the author. Nicely done!
Plus, there was this whole John Carptenter's The Thing vibe going on, which was way cool in my book. Carpenter is the shit, and The Thing is one of my all-time, hands-down favorite movies. If it were playing right now, I'd be watching it again.
So the whole frozen-Antarctic-research-station feel is going on. As is the deadly bug that infects you and makes you aggressively homicidal. Not that I'm complaining. Nope. I enjoyed every frozen minute.
No aliens from outer space, however. Here, we have a home-grown local bug, a eukaryotic organism that has survived on the rim of Mt. Erebus for countless centuries until it is carried back to the station and infects the researchers. In its quest to reproduce, however, the bug does exhibit some Alien-like tendencies, particularly the cocooning of human bodies with grey webbing goo everywhere. So, of course, my overactive imagination immediately went to the Ridley Scott classic, Alien. Again, no complaints.
The book is replete with a dozen PhD researchers, a handful of graduate research assistants, and a barkeep or two. The interactions between the characters were fun, but all the Dr's started to blend after a while. However, my personal favorite character was the Russian mechanic, Vasily Fedorov, a man with a seemingly ordinary job who is actually hiding many secrets. He's a former Soviet special ops guy, knows about secret bunkers and hidden fuel stashes, and is an overall we-can't-survive-without-him kinda dude. Plus, the Russian accent is cool. (No nods to Putin here, just love a sexy accent.)
And of course, I'm reminded of the awesomeness that is Fet, from Guillermo del Toro's television production of The Strain.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and will look for more by the author. Nicely done!
December 29, 2018
Antarctica. A desolate, frigid place at the bottom of the world. The scientists and students do their research and take their samples, unaware that something that appears so innocent will soon threaten all of humanity.
It’s almost the end of the season. Winter is coming and only the most dedicated stay at the station. The others head for warmer places. The rush is on to get their research and samples on the planes before they hightail it out of there. An accident happens. Something is unleashed, and people are turned into raging lunatics. I know this sounds like a zombie story. It’s not. Bear with me here.
Once the contagion begins a small group of people try to hide while coming up with a way out. They have no idea how many have been turned. There’s no help coming. And this is one of my favorite parts of the plot. The group dynamics. Who steps up? How many sacrifice themselves? Who is the dissenter, the one who always takes the negative view and causes conflict? And who surprises me and steps up to wear the hero’s shoes?
The fight for survival is nail biting. They have to find ways stay alive in freezing temps. And now the infected are changing. They’re not like zombies. Instead of rotting away, they’re getting stronger. From mindless rabid beings, they’re now starting to act as a team. To strategize. Could the organism actually be sentient? It takes over the host and now it appears able to control them too. The more they discovered about the infection, the more horrifying it gets. What if the organism can cross the species barrier. Could it infect animals? The cold and lack of life in Antarctica kept it contained under the frozen tundra. Once it reaches warmer climates, what’s to stop it.
You have to expect some deaths will happen to the group. At first I wasn’t too worried about it. I hadn’t really developed a strong bond with any of them. It was after the action really got going that I found a favorite. Vasily Fedorov, Russian ex-military but now a blue collar guy. He can make weapons out of anything. He’s super resourceful, haunted by horrors from his past and also a really good guy. I sure want him to survive! I love his quote – “No room for feelings in struggle to survive. Survival important, not pride.”
As the group is pursued from one station to the next., their food supply runs low and their options dwindle. It’s anyone’s guess who will survive, if any. And if they do, will there be a world to get back to? I couldn’t see how this would end. It seemed so bleak and hopeless. This excerpt explains how bad it is.
“And here we are, in our very own horror movie. Only, in the movies, I can usually guess where the ending is going. Here, though, I have no clue. I just can’t see it. It’s not like there is safety on the outskirts of town. There is nothing on the outskirts of town here but a cold, frozen death. And beyond that – more cold.” Sums it up.
I grabbed this as a free download on Amazon. I’d seen it on another blog and the cover caught my eye. I crossed my fingers and started reading it. I read it straight through and I’m so happy I can give it a high recommendation. I’ll be checking out what else the author has to offer now.
It’s almost the end of the season. Winter is coming and only the most dedicated stay at the station. The others head for warmer places. The rush is on to get their research and samples on the planes before they hightail it out of there. An accident happens. Something is unleashed, and people are turned into raging lunatics. I know this sounds like a zombie story. It’s not. Bear with me here.
Once the contagion begins a small group of people try to hide while coming up with a way out. They have no idea how many have been turned. There’s no help coming. And this is one of my favorite parts of the plot. The group dynamics. Who steps up? How many sacrifice themselves? Who is the dissenter, the one who always takes the negative view and causes conflict? And who surprises me and steps up to wear the hero’s shoes?
The fight for survival is nail biting. They have to find ways stay alive in freezing temps. And now the infected are changing. They’re not like zombies. Instead of rotting away, they’re getting stronger. From mindless rabid beings, they’re now starting to act as a team. To strategize. Could the organism actually be sentient? It takes over the host and now it appears able to control them too. The more they discovered about the infection, the more horrifying it gets. What if the organism can cross the species barrier. Could it infect animals? The cold and lack of life in Antarctica kept it contained under the frozen tundra. Once it reaches warmer climates, what’s to stop it.
You have to expect some deaths will happen to the group. At first I wasn’t too worried about it. I hadn’t really developed a strong bond with any of them. It was after the action really got going that I found a favorite. Vasily Fedorov, Russian ex-military but now a blue collar guy. He can make weapons out of anything. He’s super resourceful, haunted by horrors from his past and also a really good guy. I sure want him to survive! I love his quote – “No room for feelings in struggle to survive. Survival important, not pride.”
As the group is pursued from one station to the next., their food supply runs low and their options dwindle. It’s anyone’s guess who will survive, if any. And if they do, will there be a world to get back to? I couldn’t see how this would end. It seemed so bleak and hopeless. This excerpt explains how bad it is.
“And here we are, in our very own horror movie. Only, in the movies, I can usually guess where the ending is going. Here, though, I have no clue. I just can’t see it. It’s not like there is safety on the outskirts of town. There is nothing on the outskirts of town here but a cold, frozen death. And beyond that – more cold.” Sums it up.
I grabbed this as a free download on Amazon. I’d seen it on another blog and the cover caught my eye. I crossed my fingers and started reading it. I read it straight through and I’m so happy I can give it a high recommendation. I’ll be checking out what else the author has to offer now.
May 2, 2018
First I was thinking 4 stars, then I wondered, why exactly? Because it's "just another zombie book"? Figured, that's exactly an asshole move and shitty reasoning that makes me want to strangle (or worse) some other reviewers on GR.
The truth is, I have exactly zero complaints about this book. The writing is top notch, characters are interesting, atmosphere is of a kind... that can hardly be beat. Ever since The Thing, any sort of crisis happening on the poles is going to have my attention, deservedly. What ever is happening up (or down) there, there's also killing cold to deal with or even one of those periods of perpetual night.
Cant't get any better than that.
Yes. The Thing had me primed for the locale. I suspect I'm not the only one.
Also, the story is one-off kind, not one of those that's being milked through 17 sequels for all it's worth (or lack of it). That's rare quality and one more plus for the momma of this author to be proud of.
The truth is, I have exactly zero complaints about this book. The writing is top notch, characters are interesting, atmosphere is of a kind... that can hardly be beat. Ever since The Thing, any sort of crisis happening on the poles is going to have my attention, deservedly. What ever is happening up (or down) there, there's also killing cold to deal with or even one of those periods of perpetual night.
Cant't get any better than that.
Yes. The Thing had me primed for the locale. I suspect I'm not the only one.
Also, the story is one-off kind, not one of those that's being milked through 17 sequels for all it's worth (or lack of it). That's rare quality and one more plus for the momma of this author to be proud of.
December 26, 2018
Well written and a good story, but ultimately I just never got that spark of a connection to the characters. Other than two, maybe three, main characters, the others were just background noise for me and never really got developed.
September 3, 2017
Dr. Linda Graves, a forty-four-year-old astrobiology researcher with the University of Washington, falls down a previously undiscovered fumarole on Mt. Erebus. Mt. Erebus is an active volcano in Antarctica. Her research partner, Brett Thompson, a Homer, Alaska native and the team’s mountaineer and safety specialist, repels down to her. While at the bottom of the fumarole Dr. Graves collects eukaryote specimens to ship back to the university. At the shipping dock, there is an accident and the container with the eukaryotes is ruptured. And, that is when the horror begins.
It is the end of the season and winter is fast approaching. The researchers are packing up to go back home leaving only a skeleton crew remaining at McMurdo Station, also known as Mac-Town. When the transport never arrives to take those remaining at the Lower Erebus Hut, part of the Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory (MEVO), to Mac-Town Dr. Nathan Hunter, the Principle Investigator for the expedition and a professor of geochemistry at NMT, has Brett lead them via snow machine down the mountain. Upon arriving they come onto a scene that can only be described as straight out of a horror movie. There are dead bodies everywhere and a person running at them with a crazed look in their eyes.
Once they realize that there is no one there to help them leave they seek refuge anywhere they can. But, each noise they make brings out more crazed people intent on killing them. These people resemble zombies even though they are still alive and are easily killed. The group stumbles upon Dr. Graves who has been in hiding since the epidemic broke out. She fills them in on what has happened and they conclude that they are alone in fighting this. No one is coming to help.
Bird’s novel, Erebus, is a frightening look at being left alone with a killer at the bottom of the world. He has done quite a bit of research to make the characters and the location as realistic as possible. The suspense is palatable. The horror is unimaginable. Bird has done an excellent job of telling this story.
I am not a horror fan and I hate zombie stories. This book is so well written that I forgot all about that and thoroughly enjoyed it. Bravo, Steven Bird, bravo.
5 out of 5 stars.
It is the end of the season and winter is fast approaching. The researchers are packing up to go back home leaving only a skeleton crew remaining at McMurdo Station, also known as Mac-Town. When the transport never arrives to take those remaining at the Lower Erebus Hut, part of the Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory (MEVO), to Mac-Town Dr. Nathan Hunter, the Principle Investigator for the expedition and a professor of geochemistry at NMT, has Brett lead them via snow machine down the mountain. Upon arriving they come onto a scene that can only be described as straight out of a horror movie. There are dead bodies everywhere and a person running at them with a crazed look in their eyes.
Once they realize that there is no one there to help them leave they seek refuge anywhere they can. But, each noise they make brings out more crazed people intent on killing them. These people resemble zombies even though they are still alive and are easily killed. The group stumbles upon Dr. Graves who has been in hiding since the epidemic broke out. She fills them in on what has happened and they conclude that they are alone in fighting this. No one is coming to help.
Bird’s novel, Erebus, is a frightening look at being left alone with a killer at the bottom of the world. He has done quite a bit of research to make the characters and the location as realistic as possible. The suspense is palatable. The horror is unimaginable. Bird has done an excellent job of telling this story.
I am not a horror fan and I hate zombie stories. This book is so well written that I forgot all about that and thoroughly enjoyed it. Bravo, Steven Bird, bravo.
5 out of 5 stars.
September 28, 2018
Read by: Kevin Pierce 06:57:18Description: Isolated on the frozen continent of Antarctica, Mount Erebus, an active volcano named after the Greek God of primordial darkness, acts as a doorway from the underworld of Earth to the hellish, lifeless world around it.
Despite the extreme conditions around the crater of Mount Erebus, life exists. Life does not travel to Erebus by way of birds or other plants or animals, but from deep within the Earth itself. Ascending from the dark world beneath Antarctica, microbial life arrives at the surface, only to find itself trapped within the volcano, confined by the icy, lifeless prison that surrounds it.
Today, on the steep and icy slopes of Mount Erebus, can be found a rugged team of scientists, researchers, and mountaineers carrying out their work in one of the harshest and most remote parts of the planet, at a facility known as the Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory, or simply MEVO. These professionals, tough enough to brave the extreme climate of Mount Erebus, include experts in the fields of gravity and magnetotellurics, volcanology, geophysics, and even astrobiology.
These doctorate-level professionals travel each year from several major universities such as Cambridge, Missouri State, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and the University of Washington to study Erebus, as well as the unique environment it has created for itself in one of the most remote places on Earth. They are assisted by a professional mountaineer, as well as graduate students from their respective institutions who study under them.
May 2, 2019
Antarctica has this mythic weight. It resides in the collective unconscious of so many people, and it makes this huge impact, just like outer space. It's like going to the moon. - Jon Krakauer
A scientific research team has been working on Mount Erebus, an active volcano on Antarctica. After one of the scientists falls in an ice cave on the side of Erebus, a new life from is brought to the surface and the SHTF.
After an accident in transporting the bacterium, people find out it's deadly and infectious. And the uninfected who are left must use all their pooled resources to survive.
If you've read very many of my reviews in the past, you'll know I'm a sucker for tales about the Arctic and Antarctica. And this is a horror novel besides. Win-win.
The only reason I didn't rate the book higher was because I felt the many characters were pretty shallowly defined - and unlikable. There were only a couple I felt close to at all. And since the book was as much character driven as being a horror story, I felt it fell short.
But I'm glad I read it. It won't be one I re-read in the future but it is an action-packed, creepy read.
A scientific research team has been working on Mount Erebus, an active volcano on Antarctica. After one of the scientists falls in an ice cave on the side of Erebus, a new life from is brought to the surface and the SHTF.
After an accident in transporting the bacterium, people find out it's deadly and infectious. And the uninfected who are left must use all their pooled resources to survive.
If you've read very many of my reviews in the past, you'll know I'm a sucker for tales about the Arctic and Antarctica. And this is a horror novel besides. Win-win.
The only reason I didn't rate the book higher was because I felt the many characters were pretty shallowly defined - and unlikable. There were only a couple I felt close to at all. And since the book was as much character driven as being a horror story, I felt it fell short.
But I'm glad I read it. It won't be one I re-read in the future but it is an action-packed, creepy read.
November 22, 2017
A microbe is unknowingly unleashed from the Mount Erebus volcano in Antarctica. As the organisms seek out new hosts, they think that humans will do just fine. When the sh*t hits the fan, an unlikely hero will rise - and he doesn't even have a PhD.
Oh my, this story was a lot of fun to listen to! The suspense and nonstop action overcame the fact that there really wasn't much intrigue to speak of. I had kind of hoped that someone would turn out to be a bad guy and throw a monkey wrench in their plans for escape but that didn't materialize. The story was exciting and had lots of tense moments to hold my interest throughout. I just love a story with a body count! Kevin Pierce gave a very good performance as narrator, both with the characters and the pacing of the book. Erebus was a great listen and I would recommend it.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
Oh my, this story was a lot of fun to listen to! The suspense and nonstop action overcame the fact that there really wasn't much intrigue to speak of. I had kind of hoped that someone would turn out to be a bad guy and throw a monkey wrench in their plans for escape but that didn't materialize. The story was exciting and had lots of tense moments to hold my interest throughout. I just love a story with a body count! Kevin Pierce gave a very good performance as narrator, both with the characters and the pacing of the book. Erebus was a great listen and I would recommend it.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
September 23, 2019
Instant Snow Day Classic.
Almost real not quite zombies in the very real frozen continent of Antarctica.
I never plan to place myself in either environment but it felt like I could have been when I was listening to it from audible while driving through a snow storm.
A white knuckle experience for several reasons nailed this book squarely in my memory as one of the best.
The heavy research the author did is evident in the descriptions of the science and of the environments.
Almost real not quite zombies in the very real frozen continent of Antarctica.
I never plan to place myself in either environment but it felt like I could have been when I was listening to it from audible while driving through a snow storm.
A white knuckle experience for several reasons nailed this book squarely in my memory as one of the best.
The heavy research the author did is evident in the descriptions of the science and of the environments.
May 19, 2019
Loved every second!
Mr. Bird claims that this book was just rattling around in his head for a while, but it had to have taken a ton of research for the details included. Highly recommended, and a real cool twist on the “zombie” horror novel!
Mr. Bird claims that this book was just rattling around in his head for a while, but it had to have taken a ton of research for the details included. Highly recommended, and a real cool twist on the “zombie” horror novel!
November 23, 2017
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
I've read/listened to a few books in which our frozen continent was hiding dangers, unexposed for centuries until humans went poking around on it, although this is not a true comparison.
For educated professionals as main characters, it read/sounded like Joe Schmoe who dropped out of high school. The dialogues were diluted and elementary. I wasn't seeking scientific jargon, but elementary vocabulary and conversation were below standard for the titles and degrees the writer was so anxious to catapult them onto.
I agree with another reviewer on Audible it was overall inaccurate for how academia interacts. So the build up was below mediocre and never quite met the standard expected.
The ending was a sloppy tie up, similar to a three year old learning how to tie his shoes ....
I would not recommend this book and wouldn't seek other works by this author.
I've read/listened to a few books in which our frozen continent was hiding dangers, unexposed for centuries until humans went poking around on it, although this is not a true comparison.
For educated professionals as main characters, it read/sounded like Joe Schmoe who dropped out of high school. The dialogues were diluted and elementary. I wasn't seeking scientific jargon, but elementary vocabulary and conversation were below standard for the titles and degrees the writer was so anxious to catapult them onto.
I agree with another reviewer on Audible it was overall inaccurate for how academia interacts. So the build up was below mediocre and never quite met the standard expected.
The ending was a sloppy tie up, similar to a three year old learning how to tie his shoes ....
I would not recommend this book and wouldn't seek other works by this author.
January 19, 2018
Reminded me a tiny bit of 30 days of night & a few others all rolled in to one.
I loved the characters & the science & the science fiction. Besides it’s only an impossibility until it happens right?
I will definitely be looking for more by Steven Bird.
As usual Kevin Pierce did an outstanding job narrating!
Clean book not scary unless you are squeamish. Would be ok for preteens & up. Can’t even remember any bad language although there may be some I’ve forgotten.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher/author but voluntarily give my honest review.
I loved the characters & the science & the science fiction. Besides it’s only an impossibility until it happens right?
I will definitely be looking for more by Steven Bird.
As usual Kevin Pierce did an outstanding job narrating!
Clean book not scary unless you are squeamish. Would be ok for preteens & up. Can’t even remember any bad language although there may be some I’ve forgotten.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher/author but voluntarily give my honest review.
February 18, 2018
Great Story, Missing Character Building
3.75 out of 5 stars
Imagine being at the edge of the world when the apocalypse breaks out. That’s what happened to the researchers and doctors on Antartica when they happen to accidentally bring to life an age-old organism that is bound to taking over.
I think my favorite thing about this book was the setting. I love when a book is set somewhere that feels out of the ordinary. An outbreak among researchers in Antartica is something that no one would know about unless they either brought it home with them or they all died and never made it back. That fascinates me and I thought that the setting of the book really played a character, too.
The characters weren’t explained too well and that made loving or losing them a little easier. I was a little worried since Bird didn’t go into a ton of detail about anyone that we were going to have a horror-like story where no one makes it out alive.
If I could change anything about the book I would just spend a little more time introducing some of the characters and giving the reader a reason to like them (and in turn, root for them to make it.) The only character that I found myself rooting for was the Russian and it was because he gave a lot more of his backstory than any other character.
The organism/infection/disease was pretty good and reminded me a bit of The Genius Plague that I just finished. I can’t really get into much detail about it without ruining the story but it felt unique compared to most “zombie-like” stories.
Overall, I thought that Erebus had a nice plot but was missing some character development. A solid 3.5 to 4 book that I did enjoy reading.
3.75 out of 5 stars
Imagine being at the edge of the world when the apocalypse breaks out. That’s what happened to the researchers and doctors on Antartica when they happen to accidentally bring to life an age-old organism that is bound to taking over.
I think my favorite thing about this book was the setting. I love when a book is set somewhere that feels out of the ordinary. An outbreak among researchers in Antartica is something that no one would know about unless they either brought it home with them or they all died and never made it back. That fascinates me and I thought that the setting of the book really played a character, too.
The characters weren’t explained too well and that made loving or losing them a little easier. I was a little worried since Bird didn’t go into a ton of detail about anyone that we were going to have a horror-like story where no one makes it out alive.
If I could change anything about the book I would just spend a little more time introducing some of the characters and giving the reader a reason to like them (and in turn, root for them to make it.) The only character that I found myself rooting for was the Russian and it was because he gave a lot more of his backstory than any other character.
The organism/infection/disease was pretty good and reminded me a bit of The Genius Plague that I just finished. I can’t really get into much detail about it without ruining the story but it felt unique compared to most “zombie-like” stories.
Overall, I thought that Erebus had a nice plot but was missing some character development. A solid 3.5 to 4 book that I did enjoy reading.
May 28, 2020
*Received for Free*
This is my first time with anything by Steven C. Bird, and genuinely I've been impressed by it. Take a team of scientists, stick them in a remote cut off location, and unleash horror upon them (in this case, a deadly rage virus). Take elements from 28 Days later, The Thing and 30 Days of Night, and stick them in a blender.
Main reasons to read this book:
Good, Descriptive world building - Antarctica is vividly described, and you can feel the isolation
Likeable characters - some don't stick around long enough to get to know
Well paced, and well written story - Slick, and never feels like it has been padded out
The Virus doesn't just "exist" - There are justifiable reasons for it existing (even if its unlikely). I've read this during quarantine, so Virus' obviously seems very plausible at the moment.
Erebus sometimes feels like a Dennis E Taylor book (Boboverse, Outland) and that's never a bad thing.
The ending does feel a little rushed, and its disappointing you are not able to get more of a connection to the characters (there's a cast of 20? So understandable).
Kevin Pierce does a fine job at narrating, and also has a similar cadence and speaking style as Ray Porter (thus increasing the Dennis E Taylor comparisons)
Overall, an excellent read. Will be trying other Steven C. Bird works in future
Would suggest this to fans of/suggest checking out:
Outland
This is my first time with anything by Steven C. Bird, and genuinely I've been impressed by it. Take a team of scientists, stick them in a remote cut off location, and unleash horror upon them (in this case, a deadly rage virus). Take elements from 28 Days later, The Thing and 30 Days of Night, and stick them in a blender.
Main reasons to read this book:
Good, Descriptive world building - Antarctica is vividly described, and you can feel the isolation
Likeable characters - some don't stick around long enough to get to know
Well paced, and well written story - Slick, and never feels like it has been padded out
The Virus doesn't just "exist" - There are justifiable reasons for it existing (even if its unlikely). I've read this during quarantine, so Virus' obviously seems very plausible at the moment.
Erebus sometimes feels like a Dennis E Taylor book (Boboverse, Outland) and that's never a bad thing.
The ending does feel a little rushed, and its disappointing you are not able to get more of a connection to the characters (there's a cast of 20? So understandable).
Kevin Pierce does a fine job at narrating, and also has a similar cadence and speaking style as Ray Porter (thus increasing the Dennis E Taylor comparisons)
Overall, an excellent read. Will be trying other Steven C. Bird works in future
Would suggest this to fans of/suggest checking out:
Outland
December 24, 2018
An entertaining read about a group of scientists based near the titular Erebus, a (real) active Antarctic volcano, who are nearing the end of the summer, such as it is. While packing up and preparing samples ready to be transported back home an accident causes a worker to become exposed to a ice sample containing unknown microbes, and that's where the fun and games begin.
I would describe this as a 'zombie' novel, because although the victims are not dead they are transformed and have the zombie-like indiscriminate urge to kill and eat.
Although the book is well written in terms of plot, location and action, I found the characters a bit difficult to tell apart, especially as Dr, first name and last name were used interchangeably. Consistency would have been better. As for dialogue, everyone spoke the same (except for the Russian character) and the English characters said 'gotten' which would never happen. The author may have researched living in Antarctica very well but he's clearly no scientist and this is the book's downfall for me. I think he misunderstood the meaning of eukaryote (prokaryote would have made more sense) and what little scientific explanation was given was glossed over, dumbed down or simply wrong.
3.5 stars but I'll be generous because it was certainly entertaining.
I would describe this as a 'zombie' novel, because although the victims are not dead they are transformed and have the zombie-like indiscriminate urge to kill and eat.
Although the book is well written in terms of plot, location and action, I found the characters a bit difficult to tell apart, especially as Dr, first name and last name were used interchangeably. Consistency would have been better. As for dialogue, everyone spoke the same (except for the Russian character) and the English characters said 'gotten' which would never happen. The author may have researched living in Antarctica very well but he's clearly no scientist and this is the book's downfall for me. I think he misunderstood the meaning of eukaryote (prokaryote would have made more sense) and what little scientific explanation was given was glossed over, dumbed down or simply wrong.
3.5 stars but I'll be generous because it was certainly entertaining.
November 17, 2017
(This review is for Audible's audiobook format.)
I have a casual fascination with Antarctica and its research stations. I love creepy fictional TV shows like 'Fortitude' and 'Trapped', and documentaries featuring people in any Arctic-like atmosphere. So of course Erebus was right up my alley.
Science researchers working in and around McMurdo Station discover an organism that has lain dormant deep within an Antarctic volcano. Samples of the microbe are brought to the surface for later study, but an accident leads to a leak, swiftly transforming into an outbreak among the inhabitants of McMurdo, its surrounding bases, and beyond. The scientists must take drastic action to survive and prevent further spread of the organism, which seems to become more intelligent by the hour. Will they succeed or fall victim to the seemingly alien microbe?
Author Steven Bird has crafted an intense apocalyptic sci-fi feast for the imagination. Kevin Pierce's narration is fantastic as always with chill-inducing drama and suspense. Marvelous job all around! I recommend it for all who crave an exciting listen.
I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review. Many thanks for this opportunity!
I have a casual fascination with Antarctica and its research stations. I love creepy fictional TV shows like 'Fortitude' and 'Trapped', and documentaries featuring people in any Arctic-like atmosphere. So of course Erebus was right up my alley.
Science researchers working in and around McMurdo Station discover an organism that has lain dormant deep within an Antarctic volcano. Samples of the microbe are brought to the surface for later study, but an accident leads to a leak, swiftly transforming into an outbreak among the inhabitants of McMurdo, its surrounding bases, and beyond. The scientists must take drastic action to survive and prevent further spread of the organism, which seems to become more intelligent by the hour. Will they succeed or fall victim to the seemingly alien microbe?
Author Steven Bird has crafted an intense apocalyptic sci-fi feast for the imagination. Kevin Pierce's narration is fantastic as always with chill-inducing drama and suspense. Marvelous job all around! I recommend it for all who crave an exciting listen.
I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review. Many thanks for this opportunity!
October 27, 2017
I really enjoyed most of this book. I got the audio version and really the only part I didn't fully enjoy was the portrayal of Federov by Kevin Pierce. I enjoyed the interesting take on the apocalypse and really enjoyed the way it ended. Nobody is safe and there is some real emotion in the losses.
I have read a lot of "end of world" fiction. Mostly zombies and the like. I loved the rationalization for how the infected came to be that way, how it spread, and how the spread had multiple stages in the big picture. If you over-think a book like this you will never enjoy it. It was well-written and that enabled me to fall into the story and put aside the logistical issues. I appreciated the end of the book mostly for the fact that it is not a series and can be enjoyed for what it is. So many stories are serialized these days, drawing out a tale that could be great until it is so thin that it just snaps apart.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
I have read a lot of "end of world" fiction. Mostly zombies and the like. I loved the rationalization for how the infected came to be that way, how it spread, and how the spread had multiple stages in the big picture. If you over-think a book like this you will never enjoy it. It was well-written and that enabled me to fall into the story and put aside the logistical issues. I appreciated the end of the book mostly for the fact that it is not a series and can be enjoyed for what it is. So many stories are serialized these days, drawing out a tale that could be great until it is so thin that it just snaps apart.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
December 9, 2017
Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...
A team of scientists are working at Mount Erebus, in Antarctica, and are ready to leave for the season, but strange events will make this difficult.
Erebus is a zombie novel with a different setting than the typical zombie stories. Probably this is why I had troubles enjoying it, since I expected something a little bit different.
There are many characters in this story but none of them are fully developed, which cause me not to really care for them. The dialogs sounded forced and I was not convinced by the characters’ interactions. There is plenty of action though, and many stressful and gore moments for these characters, so it is still quite entertaining.
What I enjoyed most was the narration. Kevin Pierce delivered excellent characters’ interpretations and kept me interested in the story, even though it was not my cup of tea.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
A team of scientists are working at Mount Erebus, in Antarctica, and are ready to leave for the season, but strange events will make this difficult.
Erebus is a zombie novel with a different setting than the typical zombie stories. Probably this is why I had troubles enjoying it, since I expected something a little bit different.
There are many characters in this story but none of them are fully developed, which cause me not to really care for them. The dialogs sounded forced and I was not convinced by the characters’ interactions. There is plenty of action though, and many stressful and gore moments for these characters, so it is still quite entertaining.
What I enjoyed most was the narration. Kevin Pierce delivered excellent characters’ interpretations and kept me interested in the story, even though it was not my cup of tea.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2017
Erebus is a zombie/not a zombie novel. It also plays a little homage to The Thing (above and beyond the Antarctic setting). So not quite zombies and not quite The Thing, so how about Thimbies?
Okay, enough of that. I had an audiobook version of this and I enjoyed the narrator's reading of it, although I can't attest to any grammatical booboos.
The story is good, but not particularly original. The characters are standard, and they can be a little preachy at times, and waffle a little too much at others. While there are some moments when characters act appropriately (i.e. poo their pants), at least in my opinion, they're too calm and collected at others. There are too many McGuffins too. I liked the characters, but every time Vasily mentioned Soviet Russia, I wanted to punch him. Too Family Guy for my liking.
Still, worth a read/listen. Nothing out of this world, but decent entertainment all the same.
Okay, enough of that. I had an audiobook version of this and I enjoyed the narrator's reading of it, although I can't attest to any grammatical booboos.
The story is good, but not particularly original. The characters are standard, and they can be a little preachy at times, and waffle a little too much at others. While there are some moments when characters act appropriately (i.e. poo their pants), at least in my opinion, they're too calm and collected at others. There are too many McGuffins too. I liked the characters, but every time Vasily mentioned Soviet Russia, I wanted to punch him. Too Family Guy for my liking.
Still, worth a read/listen. Nothing out of this world, but decent entertainment all the same.
April 30, 2018
Excellent book!
As always, Mr. Bird has written a well thought out and researched book. This one is full of action, real science and the setting in Antarctica is brilliant. His descriptions of life there make me shiver as I read it! He gives just enough "science talk" to keep the reader interested and able to understand what's involved in the story, but not so much that some would find it tedious to get through. The premise of the story is so plausible, and even more so if you take The time to Google one of the nasty little fungi he mentions! The characters are likable and have just enough written about them to make you care what happened to them. Well done, Mr. Bird! I highly recommend this book!
As always, Mr. Bird has written a well thought out and researched book. This one is full of action, real science and the setting in Antarctica is brilliant. His descriptions of life there make me shiver as I read it! He gives just enough "science talk" to keep the reader interested and able to understand what's involved in the story, but not so much that some would find it tedious to get through. The premise of the story is so plausible, and even more so if you take The time to Google one of the nasty little fungi he mentions! The characters are likable and have just enough written about them to make you care what happened to them. Well done, Mr. Bird! I highly recommend this book!
November 24, 2017
Mr. Bird has done it again with a fantastic, thrilling story to keep you up and reading through the night!
The story takes place in Antarctica at scientific station that most of the world probably doesn't even know about....yet. The detail, emotions, and reactions of the characters in this book as absolutely perfect. Their experiences and challenges in this cold and brutal environment creates a riveting story of survival...or not. There is definitely no survival guaranteed when the simplest act of being outside without proper clothing could kill you!
I fully recommend this tantalizing thriller for anyone looking for a little excitement. Incredibly well done!
The story takes place in Antarctica at scientific station that most of the world probably doesn't even know about....yet. The detail, emotions, and reactions of the characters in this book as absolutely perfect. Their experiences and challenges in this cold and brutal environment creates a riveting story of survival...or not. There is definitely no survival guaranteed when the simplest act of being outside without proper clothing could kill you!
I fully recommend this tantalizing thriller for anyone looking for a little excitement. Incredibly well done!
October 2, 2017
Hang on for one heck of a ride!
Once again, Steven Bird has written a book full of realism and characters that have depth and believability. The depth of his research shows in the pictures he paints of an Antarctic research station and its operations. An accident involving microbial organisms from an Antarctic volcano creates havoc for Antarctica and the world. His tale of survivors trying to stay alive in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet while fighting the infected will keep you reading until the end. Kudos, Mr. Bird!
Once again, Steven Bird has written a book full of realism and characters that have depth and believability. The depth of his research shows in the pictures he paints of an Antarctic research station and its operations. An accident involving microbial organisms from an Antarctic volcano creates havoc for Antarctica and the world. His tale of survivors trying to stay alive in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet while fighting the infected will keep you reading until the end. Kudos, Mr. Bird!
February 17, 2018
Stephen Bird has proven himself to be a skilled, well researched writer. If anything, he has out done himself with Erebus. The characters are real to life with the foibles and strengths that ensures the reader becomes immersed in their world. Taking place in Antarctica, the danger becomes twofold; to survive the danger unleashed upon the world and to survive the dangerous climate. The reader becomes invested in the characters, who become real to them. An extremely well written, cohesive tale of strife in a hostile universe. I whole heartedly recommend this book.
March 27, 2019
An apocalyptic tale that is full of action but short on character development. I enjoyed the story and the concept but I never got close to any of the characters. The author uses dialogue as his main vehicle to convey the story. Given that this was Antarctica; I would have liked to see more descriptive prose as they changed locations. I also would have liked to see further resolution of the story. I’m not sure if the author has a sequel in mind, but I felt short-changed by the ending. Overall, though, a fast read – with some thrilling moments.
July 29, 2024
For the audiobook:
Did not finish, made it to 2:24, so I gave this a good chance to turn itself around after a solid first hour, but there was just ZERO character building. Why were we supposed to care about any of the scientists or facility workers? Just random people die or turn into zombie people and it doesn't matter.
The kill scenes are really, really mild and boring too. I just couldn't see the story getting any better since there was no reason to care about any of the characters. A shame.
Did not finish, made it to 2:24, so I gave this a good chance to turn itself around after a solid first hour, but there was just ZERO character building. Why were we supposed to care about any of the scientists or facility workers? Just random people die or turn into zombie people and it doesn't matter.
The kill scenes are really, really mild and boring too. I just couldn't see the story getting any better since there was no reason to care about any of the characters. A shame.
November 14, 2017
Enjoyable, fun read, set in a location where just waiting it out is impossible. Vasily was, at times, too good to be true except cold war spies probably did exactly what he did. Loved the contrast between Mason who had no degree but had lived life and the researchers who had umpteen degrees but no idea how to survive. Not quite so fond of the ending though, as it felt rushed. All in all, a good read.
March 21, 2019
Horrific. Fantastic.
Everything I have read by Steven Bird has been excellent and Erebus is no exception. The first novel I read was the Last Layover. The whole New Home Front series rocks, as does Society Lost (my personal favorite. I look forward eagerly to the next book in that series). I have just finished Them as well. They are all so good, you better get started. You've got a lot of reading to do!
Everything I have read by Steven Bird has been excellent and Erebus is no exception. The first novel I read was the Last Layover. The whole New Home Front series rocks, as does Society Lost (my personal favorite. I look forward eagerly to the next book in that series). I have just finished Them as well. They are all so good, you better get started. You've got a lot of reading to do!
April 12, 2018
Erebus
I reread this book. The only way I know if I have read a book is if there is a review. Thus I reread the book. Now you know it was that good that I reread it. I knew by the first chapter... but went on. One great thing about reading a book over is you pick up on things you missed the first time.
Enjoy the read. I did! Definitely 5 Stars!
I reread this book. The only way I know if I have read a book is if there is a review. Thus I reread the book. Now you know it was that good that I reread it. I knew by the first chapter... but went on. One great thing about reading a book over is you pick up on things you missed the first time.
Enjoy the read. I did! Definitely 5 Stars!
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