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The Human Race at the Brink of Extinction.

Owen Mercer has battled the voices in his head for far too long. Plagued by debilitating anxiety, he was doing his best just to hold it together for his wife and his children. He wasn't prepared for what was coming, no one was.

20 days ago - Multiple reports of Intermittent Explosive Disorder Syndrome (IEDS) begin to surface from an undisclosed military installment East of Las Vegas, Nevada.

17 days ago - Angered Florida man enters Miami assisted living facility and kills four elderly residents. He is said to have "Eaten the faces and necks" of his victims.

13 days ago - Twenty-eight unrelated cases of cannibalism are report from thirteen states. Medical examiners are "Attempting to find a connection."

3 days ago - Death toll attributed to the mysterious outbreak of IEDS nears five thousand. News outlets warn public "Not to panic", and that these "Random occurrences" were simply "Isolated events."

Today - The world found out just how wrong they'd been.

The Next World - EXISTENCE - Welcome to the end of everything.

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2018

942 people are currently reading
113 people want to read

About the author

Jeff Olah

37 books47 followers
Jeff Olah is the author and creator of the best-selling series The Dead Years, The Last Outbreak, and The Next World. He writes for all those readers who love good post-apocalyptic, supernatural horror, and dystopian/science fiction.

His thirst for detailed story lines and shocking plot twists has been fueled over the years by stories from Cormac McCarthy, Ray Bradbury, and Stephen King. He also has a difficult time tearing himself away from character driven dramas like The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, and LOST.

Jeff is addicted to reading, writing, and lifting weights. He lives in Southern California with his wife, daughter, and ten-year-old Chihuahua.

Connect with Jeff:
JeffOlah.com
Facebook.com/JeffOlah
JeffOlah.com/Newsletter

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5 stars
118 (38%)
4 stars
85 (27%)
3 stars
76 (24%)
2 stars
18 (5%)
1 star
11 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Tracy  P. .
1,158 reviews12 followers
December 17, 2021
Disappointed book, #2 isn't available on audible yet. Book #1 was really good and the series has already lured me right in. . Never a time I do not enjoy Jeff Olah's work - so creative and clever. He always has fantastic storylines with believable characters which always have depth and an authenticity that keeps me wanting more.
Profile Image for Ami.
2,406 reviews14 followers
August 4, 2018
Exciting and tension filled! I enjoyed it and plan to read the next in series soon as I have a few questions that this book left in my mind. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Profile Image for Nana.
30 reviews
September 28, 2018
I read this book in a month more aless. I love the plot it goes beyond the typical zombie book

I read this a d thought how could this women work for these egotistical megalomaniac how.accidentally Kill humanity and know they r covering there tracts... Hurry book two
Profile Image for BookLoversLife.
1,838 reviews9 followers
October 9, 2018
This had such potential, but it fell flat.

The plot was slow to get going and didn't add much to the genre. I felt like I was listening to a generic zombie book, that was till the little twist near the end! I did enjoy that and it did make me eager to get the next one.

I liked most of the characters and enjoyed the fact that the wife and husband were forced to split up. It did add a little extra tension to the story. However, most of the characters didn't have depth to them. They felt one dimensional and it was hard to become truly invested in their lives.

In all, while I did like this, I still felt like it was missing something. I wanted more character development and a little something extra added to the plot!! I do think that I'll continue on with the series and hope that it gets better because there is potential there!

Andrew Tell is a fantastic narrator. He was clear and easy to follow and had plenty of tones and voices for the different characters. I had no trouble following who was talking at any given time.

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
873 reviews
August 12, 2018
Not Interesting

I couldn't get into this story . Th main character Owen and Natalie Mercer came off as weird to me. They should be the perfect couple with the wife being a lawyer and the husband in Real Estate with the daughter and son and a house but no. I was trying to figure out what type of disorder Owen was suffering from because he couldn't stay focused or in the moment. Is he bipolar or is it just anxiety? Then come to find out Natalie is involved in what's going on. As the story progresses, she finds this inner strength to protect her kids. Well didn't she think this would happen? Also noticed she had personal issues too. She seemed to have communication problems. I thought the reason behind it all made no kind of sense. I needed more drama and excitement. While I didn't really care for this particular story by this author, I will try reading one of his other books.

Profile Image for Cherye Elliott.
3,397 reviews24 followers
September 23, 2018
Not my world

Liberals in Southern California should NOT write post apocalyptic fiction. Listening to the drivel excuses spewing from Owen's mouth made me pull my hair out. A zombie ready to kill his son and he has to weigh the social ramifications of killing the man? Are you serious?

Read the book for a laugh at the logic of this family.
The writing was great. It adjust the storyline and characters.
15 reviews
June 20, 2018
New twist on old zombie plot

Impressed with characters , turning into survivors splitting up the family was a good twist. Outside agents chasing them through the Apocalypse didn't see coming I was actually winded after the escape from the Hummer. You write so fast thanks for the ride. Donley. an old man from Arkansas
1,420 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2018
Zombies

I stopped reading at the 15% mark because I decided I needed a break from zombies. The writing was fine up to that point, it was too early to really see the characters and it was typically zombie outbreak confusing.

I'm sure that it will be entertaining if you're in the mood.
14 reviews
September 22, 2018
Disappointed.

This is a good storyline and I was just getting into it when the book abruptly ended. I was shocked... thought maybe I overlooked some pages but no... it just ended where a normal book would be half way through. I’m Puzzled. Not sure I want to purchase a whole new book to find out how it ends.
216 reviews3 followers
June 1, 2018
Another great book!

As always, Olah has created a very believable apocalyptic world. From the first page I was taken in. I find myself rooting for the characters and being very sad when one does not make it. Truly my only complaint is I am so ready for the next book.
83 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2018
Great book

This is a great book. I'm looking forward to reading the second in this series. A few typos but that doesn't bother me at all. Hey I'm southern so what can I say? See y'all after the second one.
Profile Image for Lisa.
66 reviews
September 7, 2018
Another hit right off the bat!

Jeff Olay ad usual grabbing your attention! Another amazing story line, characters that are relatable and interested in getting to no more!

Can't wait for the next episode!
185 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2019
Exciting new series for me!

I read ALOT of this genre and lucked upon this Author and this particular series.

These are will written and don't over exaggerate what intelligence and sometimes stupidity people have.

I already read three second one as well.

Cannot wait for the third!
Profile Image for Smiling_dragon.
92 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2019
Slows Start But Picks Up

At first, I wasn’t sure that I’d finish this one, but the story gradually picked up. After the plot and characters developed I realized that I was three quarters in of the way through the book. I guess that’s a good sign.
171 reviews
October 22, 2019
A page Turner of an apocalyptic new series! The action must keeps on coming,you'll have to force yourself to put it down!

A family trapped in a city that is self destructing all around them with a man made plague, turning the population turns into an enraged flesh-eating mob of zombies!
154 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2018
The Next World

I do not know how I will wait for the next one. Great book, great characters! Please hurry with the next one.
Profile Image for Heather.
28 reviews6 followers
June 26, 2018
Brilliant

Looking to find another exciting apocalyptic read ?This is one hell of a read.Totally captivating and thrilling.Fantastic book which I cannot wait until book 2.Brilliant.
Profile Image for Jann Weinrich.
36 reviews
July 2, 2018
Great read

Where book two, three, etc... I'm left hanging. What's going on with Owe, and the gang. Then a little tease with April.
Profile Image for Doghouse Gav.
392 reviews3 followers
July 9, 2018
Spot on

Stop on zombie book. Lots of details. Good story and back stories. Well written. Very much looking forward to the next book.
3 reviews
August 13, 2018
Good to meeeeeeeeee

It's a great book. But they could have explain things a little better. I'll be reading book number 2 soon as it comes out.
10 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2018
Entertaining book

I've read this type of book before. This was a good book. Didn't take long to finish it. If recommend it.
4 reviews
January 14, 2019
Page turner

So many books about flesh eating monsters these days. This book kept my interest throughout the story. Had to stop reading late night knew I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Profile Image for Deedra.
3,932 reviews40 followers
November 14, 2018
Audible:Maybe the most aggravating apocolypse book out there.There is so much repetition,disillusion and denial going on that the story is lost.Everyone is attached WAY too much t their devices,even texting each other when in the same car.So SOMETHING is going on elsewhere,but it can't be happening here,even though I am watching a pair of men eating another man in front of me.Owen trusts no one.Natalie is odd.Everyone is so touchy and fragile.No one in the book is likable in my opinion.Andrew Tell is the best thing about this book.His narration is great! I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ann Hewitt.
17 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2018
Well written

The story moves fast. I had a hard time putting it down.I'm looking forward to the next books.I love a good series.
93 reviews
October 11, 2018
A pretty good start to a new series. Fast paced, but for better or worse left a lot of unanswered questions about the plot after book one. I look forward to the next installment, either way.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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