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BARREN: Book 2 - Escape from the Ruins
With toxic water and food shortages ravaging the settlement of Erehwon in the Cleveland ruins, Hado must get to the truth of what is happening to the Venganza tribe. But betrayal and an internal threat will send the women of the clan across the post-apocalyptic lands of North America on a quest to the west where humanity’s hope may hang in the balance.Book 2 of the thrilling post-apocalyptic series BARREN, available now!
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2018
18 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
J. Thorn
170 books171 followersWant a story that’s rooted in a fundamental aspect of being human?
I believe reading dark fiction can be healing. My overriding mission is to connect with you through my art, and I hope to inspire you to do the same. I’m a word architect and driven visionary. I’m obsessed with heavy metal, horror films and technology. And I admire strong people who are not afraid to speak their mind.
I grew up in an Irish Catholic, working class family and was the first to go to college. I didn’t have expensive toys, so I used my own imagination for entertainment. And then I abused alcohol for entertainment. I spent the first thirty years of my life convincing myself I wasn’t an addict and the last ten worrying about all the potential threats the substances hid from me.
Anxiety and depression are always hiding in the corner, waiting to jump me when I start to feel happiness.
I had to break through family programming and accept the role of the black sheep. In my 30s I started writing horror and formed a heavy metal band while my family rolled their eyes, sighed and waited for the “phase” to end.
I spent years paralyzing myself with self-loathing and criticism, keeping my creativity smothered and hidden from the rest of the world. I worked a job I hated because that’s what Irish Catholic fathers do. They don’t express themselves, they pay the damn mortgage. I may have left my guilt and faith behind long ago, but the scars remain.
My creativity is my release, my therapy and my place to work through it all. I haven’t had a drink in a long time, but the anxiety and depression are always lurking. Writing novels and songs keeps it at bay. I scream over anxiety with my microphone and I turn my guitar up loud enough to drown out the whispers of self-doubt.
I hope to leave a legacy of art that will continue to entertain and enrich lives long after I’m gone. I want others to see that you don’t have to conform to the mainstream to be fulfilled.
Don’t be afraid of the dark. Embrace it.
Experience:
By the end of 2014, J. Thorn will have published over one million words and sold over 100,000 ebooks, worldwide.
J. Thorn is a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy (Amazon Author Rank). In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror with his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King at #4 and #2 respectively. He is an official, active member of the Horror Writers Association and a member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. J. is a contributor to disinformation.com and a staff writer for HeavyPlanet.net as well as a founding board member of the Author Marketing Institute.
Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He has spent the last twenty years researching mysticism and the occult in colonial American history.
I believe reading dark fiction can be healing. My overriding mission is to connect with you through my art, and I hope to inspire you to do the same. I’m a word architect and driven visionary. I’m obsessed with heavy metal, horror films and technology. And I admire strong people who are not afraid to speak their mind.
I grew up in an Irish Catholic, working class family and was the first to go to college. I didn’t have expensive toys, so I used my own imagination for entertainment. And then I abused alcohol for entertainment. I spent the first thirty years of my life convincing myself I wasn’t an addict and the last ten worrying about all the potential threats the substances hid from me.
Anxiety and depression are always hiding in the corner, waiting to jump me when I start to feel happiness.
I had to break through family programming and accept the role of the black sheep. In my 30s I started writing horror and formed a heavy metal band while my family rolled their eyes, sighed and waited for the “phase” to end.
I spent years paralyzing myself with self-loathing and criticism, keeping my creativity smothered and hidden from the rest of the world. I worked a job I hated because that’s what Irish Catholic fathers do. They don’t express themselves, they pay the damn mortgage. I may have left my guilt and faith behind long ago, but the scars remain.
My creativity is my release, my therapy and my place to work through it all. I haven’t had a drink in a long time, but the anxiety and depression are always lurking. Writing novels and songs keeps it at bay. I scream over anxiety with my microphone and I turn my guitar up loud enough to drown out the whispers of self-doubt.
I hope to leave a legacy of art that will continue to entertain and enrich lives long after I’m gone. I want others to see that you don’t have to conform to the mainstream to be fulfilled.
Don’t be afraid of the dark. Embrace it.
Experience:
By the end of 2014, J. Thorn will have published over one million words and sold over 100,000 ebooks, worldwide.
J. Thorn is a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy (Amazon Author Rank). In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror with his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King at #4 and #2 respectively. He is an official, active member of the Horror Writers Association and a member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. J. is a contributor to disinformation.com and a staff writer for HeavyPlanet.net as well as a founding board member of the Author Marketing Institute.
Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He has spent the last twenty years researching mysticism and the occult in colonial American history.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 2, 2018
Zach and J love the post-apocalypse setting so much, it almost makes you wonder if they know something we don't. Whatever the case, this is the space where they've decided to craft their excellent stories. The first novel was a somber affair, our powerful protagonist trudged their way through the end of the world with little hope and a lot of skill, but she did so mostly alone and hunted like an animal. The first book held a lot of surprises, one particular twist I never saw coming, so I was hoping there was something that would grab me as equally surprising as the first book and this doesn't disappoint. There are a lot of revelations at the end, many I didn't see coming or didn't expect to end in the way that they did.
There's a little bit more "hope" to be found with our characters in this book. This time, it's a small fellowship, particularly 2 women and their bond, one character taking a dramatic turn from their perspective in the first book, creating a powerful tale of redemption. That's not to say any punches are held, multiple moments near the end were brutal and emotionally draining to read, which is of course what you want in this type of story.
This series is more immediate than J and Zachs other stories. The cast of characters is much smaller and more focused, the action fairly unrelenting (the book begins knee deep in the action), the journey feeling more personal than it ever has before.
There's a little bit more "hope" to be found with our characters in this book. This time, it's a small fellowship, particularly 2 women and their bond, one character taking a dramatic turn from their perspective in the first book, creating a powerful tale of redemption. That's not to say any punches are held, multiple moments near the end were brutal and emotionally draining to read, which is of course what you want in this type of story.
This series is more immediate than J and Zachs other stories. The cast of characters is much smaller and more focused, the action fairly unrelenting (the book begins knee deep in the action), the journey feeling more personal than it ever has before.
April 10, 2018
Mild Spoiler Alert***
After finishing the first book in the series, I immediately jumped to the second. My biggest regret is that the third book isn't released yet.
We continue with incredible everything...almost. This book had one small glitch. The fact that I still give it five stars, in spite of the glitch, shows just how much I enjoyed it.
The glitch was a pretty serious one, but I'm not sure all readers will catch it. Let me help you out. Maybe we'll all get lucky and Thorn and Bohannon will explain how it happened in the third book. Katy, the main character in the first book, and Tara, the main character in the second book, have matching charm necklaces. At the end of the first book, Tara gives her charm necklace away. Near the end of the second book, her charm necklace is taken from her neck. Both scenes are important to the story, but as things are currently written, it doesn't make any sense. I sincerely hope you guys read this review and fix this problem! It's the only scratch marring an otherwise perfect reading experience.
After finishing the first book in the series, I immediately jumped to the second. My biggest regret is that the third book isn't released yet.
We continue with incredible everything...almost. This book had one small glitch. The fact that I still give it five stars, in spite of the glitch, shows just how much I enjoyed it.
The glitch was a pretty serious one, but I'm not sure all readers will catch it. Let me help you out. Maybe we'll all get lucky and Thorn and Bohannon will explain how it happened in the third book. Katy, the main character in the first book, and Tara, the main character in the second book, have matching charm necklaces. At the end of the first book, Tara gives her charm necklace away. Near the end of the second book, her charm necklace is taken from her neck. Both scenes are important to the story, but as things are currently written, it doesn't make any sense. I sincerely hope you guys read this review and fix this problem! It's the only scratch marring an otherwise perfect reading experience.
February 28, 2018
This post apocalyptic thriller series is shaping up to be a fantastic read. Moving on from Book 1, this story follows the lives of several previous characters plus a few new ones. There are breathtaking moments scattered throughout with action always at the most one step away. It’s a pretty dark storyline that challenges both good and bad. There are losses along the way. And some personal growth in the two main characters, Hado and Dia, as they struggle in their journey across a blighted country filled with danger. I can’t wait to read the next book.
December 11, 2018
Defiance
When confronted with deception one is given three choices a) accept it, b) become complicit in it, c) defy those perpetrating it.
When the choice is defiance how high is the price you are willing to pay? This is the choice Hado must face in the second volume of the Barren chronicles.
I couldn't put this down once I started it. It is captivating and puts you on a race to the end where you find yourself presenting and short of breath.
When confronted with deception one is given three choices a) accept it, b) become complicit in it, c) defy those perpetrating it.
When the choice is defiance how high is the price you are willing to pay? This is the choice Hado must face in the second volume of the Barren chronicles.
I couldn't put this down once I started it. It is captivating and puts you on a race to the end where you find yourself presenting and short of breath.
April 2, 2018
Second book cliffhanger
Do a and Hado. Hado and Dia, tracking west in snow and ice. Water treatment is taking place they think and water is the premium.
The author says the third and final book will come later this year. So now will read more from these authors.
Do a and Hado. Hado and Dia, tracking west in snow and ice. Water treatment is taking place they think and water is the premium.
The author says the third and final book will come later this year. So now will read more from these authors.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews