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H7N9 #1
Penitence
This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN:
B07FDLYG51
A deadly influenza pandemic.
An escaped convict.
A single mother desperate to protect her only child.
As the insidious virus cripples society, providence brings two survivors together in an unlikely partnership to survive in a world fraught with chaos.
In a small poultry farm located in Delaney, Georgia an antigenic shift causes the H7N9 bird flu virus to jump species. The contagion burns through everything in its path despite the federal government’s ham-handed efforts to mask the mutated virus’ true nature. Its unprecedented mortality rate paralyzes the nation and paves the way for FEMA’s martial law to be established across the country.
At a maximum security federal penitentiary south of Tucson, Arizona, Inmate Teddy Sanders’ world of structure and routine crumbles to dust, as the virus starts spreading within the confines of the prison. As the virus callously strikes down guards and inmates alike, the administration loses control and Teddy finds himself fighting enemies both old and new. Circumstances force him to form precarious new alliances in order to escape what has effectively become a concrete tomb.
Meanwhile, fifty miles away from the penitentiary, a young woman named Jane risks it all to keep her young son Danny safe in a residential tower in the heart of downtown Tucson. Surrounded by armed looters and desperate survivors, Jane ventures out on her own to forage for supplies. Not only does she have to contend with those left behind, but she also faces an increasingly hostile military presence.
As their paths cross and inalterable choices are made, will the unwitting pair find salvation?
388 pages, ebook
First published July 10, 2018
33 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Mark D. Campbell
13 books26 followersMark Campbell, author of the best-selling H7N9 Chronicles series, specializes in post-apocalyptic and sci-fi thrillers. Drawing on his background in law enforcement and cybersecurity, Mark brings a unique perspective to his stories, blending technology, suspense, and thought-provoking themes.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 20, 2018
A deadly influenza pandemic. An escaped convict.
A single mother desperate to protect her only child. Dystopic fiction at its best!
I really love a good dystopic/ post apocalyptic tale when they are well written: The Road, The Stand, Brave New World, The Genius Plague and more recently VOX. Mark Campbell has given us such a tale in Penitence.
Set in the near future, Penitence opens with a scene from anyone’s worst nightmare: a poultry farm worker is exposed to a new strain of avian flu, one that can jump species. It is fast moving, fast acting and deadly! Within a week the nation is in crisis, although the government does a fine job of lying to the people about the severity of the outbreak. Marshall Law is declared and the nation goes into panic mode. Well, almost the entire nation. A population that is forgotten resides within the prison walls. It is here that we meet Teddy Sanders, a lifer who stays alive by sticking to his routines and keeping his head down low. For Teddy, whatever is happening on the other side of the prison walls couldn’t be nearly as bad as what is happening on the inside. As chaos erupts in the prison. with an unprecedented mortality rate wiping out both prisoners and guards, Teddy realizes he has to make an escape or die of thirst and starvation. In an epic “battle” scene, Teddy fights his way to freedom only to discover a world that has collapsed. For Teddy, survival is second nature but is he willing to do anything to survive in this new world order?
From the moment I began reading until the very last page, the action never stopped. With the exception of the beginning scenario, Penitence is told exclusively through the eyes of Teddy Sanders: a killer, bank robber and convict. We learn of his fears, regrets, hatreds, disgust, and, ultimately his love. Sanders is one of the best drawn anti-heroes that I have come across since The Man in McCarthy’s, The Road. His story is heartbreaking and compelling, violent and good-hearted and, ultimately hopeful.
Campbell has worked inside of the US prison system and his experience shows throughout the book. The prison scenes are graphically drawn, horrendous, horrifying and action-packed. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a prison scenario this well told. However, what I loved best about the book happens after Teddy leaves the prison. In a world that is dying, this section of the book could quite dark and depressing – and it is – but Teddy manages to find a woman and her son and the interaction between these characters is golden. Their relationship will rip your heart out and leaving it on the ground. It is stunningly beautiful.
I also appreciated Campbell’s knowledge of FEMA and Homeland Security. He not only gets their “official” line correct, he creates a world that is very much as most political analysts have described the future – FEMA and DHS are the new world order and Marshall Law strips away every last one of your perceived rights. Campbell could have taken this into a realm similar to King’s The Stand, where virtually no one is left alive and those who are alive are divided into Good vs Evil. Instead, this world is full of gray areas – good people doing bad things; bad people doing good things and a whole lot of government enforcers keeping “the peace” at any cost. Campbell, however, keeps an underlying feeling, just a tremor at times, of hope. In a world that is dead and dying, rather than being left depressed at the end of this book, I felt hopeful. The ending is absolutely amazing and it is worth reading the entire book just to get to the final scene. I shouted, “I want MORE,” and I was thrilled to discover that there is at least one more book to come – HURRAY!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book regardless of the genres in which you normally hang. It is a book for the masses but especially for those who love speculative fiction, dystopic fiction and post-apocalyptic tales. If I could give this book 10 stars I would! Now go… find your copy at Amazon and read it.
A single mother desperate to protect her only child. Dystopic fiction at its best!
I really love a good dystopic/ post apocalyptic tale when they are well written: The Road, The Stand, Brave New World, The Genius Plague and more recently VOX. Mark Campbell has given us such a tale in Penitence.
Set in the near future, Penitence opens with a scene from anyone’s worst nightmare: a poultry farm worker is exposed to a new strain of avian flu, one that can jump species. It is fast moving, fast acting and deadly! Within a week the nation is in crisis, although the government does a fine job of lying to the people about the severity of the outbreak. Marshall Law is declared and the nation goes into panic mode. Well, almost the entire nation. A population that is forgotten resides within the prison walls. It is here that we meet Teddy Sanders, a lifer who stays alive by sticking to his routines and keeping his head down low. For Teddy, whatever is happening on the other side of the prison walls couldn’t be nearly as bad as what is happening on the inside. As chaos erupts in the prison. with an unprecedented mortality rate wiping out both prisoners and guards, Teddy realizes he has to make an escape or die of thirst and starvation. In an epic “battle” scene, Teddy fights his way to freedom only to discover a world that has collapsed. For Teddy, survival is second nature but is he willing to do anything to survive in this new world order?
From the moment I began reading until the very last page, the action never stopped. With the exception of the beginning scenario, Penitence is told exclusively through the eyes of Teddy Sanders: a killer, bank robber and convict. We learn of his fears, regrets, hatreds, disgust, and, ultimately his love. Sanders is one of the best drawn anti-heroes that I have come across since The Man in McCarthy’s, The Road. His story is heartbreaking and compelling, violent and good-hearted and, ultimately hopeful.
Campbell has worked inside of the US prison system and his experience shows throughout the book. The prison scenes are graphically drawn, horrendous, horrifying and action-packed. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a prison scenario this well told. However, what I loved best about the book happens after Teddy leaves the prison. In a world that is dying, this section of the book could quite dark and depressing – and it is – but Teddy manages to find a woman and her son and the interaction between these characters is golden. Their relationship will rip your heart out and leaving it on the ground. It is stunningly beautiful.
I also appreciated Campbell’s knowledge of FEMA and Homeland Security. He not only gets their “official” line correct, he creates a world that is very much as most political analysts have described the future – FEMA and DHS are the new world order and Marshall Law strips away every last one of your perceived rights. Campbell could have taken this into a realm similar to King’s The Stand, where virtually no one is left alive and those who are alive are divided into Good vs Evil. Instead, this world is full of gray areas – good people doing bad things; bad people doing good things and a whole lot of government enforcers keeping “the peace” at any cost. Campbell, however, keeps an underlying feeling, just a tremor at times, of hope. In a world that is dead and dying, rather than being left depressed at the end of this book, I felt hopeful. The ending is absolutely amazing and it is worth reading the entire book just to get to the final scene. I shouted, “I want MORE,” and I was thrilled to discover that there is at least one more book to come – HURRAY!
I wholeheartedly recommend this book regardless of the genres in which you normally hang. It is a book for the masses but especially for those who love speculative fiction, dystopic fiction and post-apocalyptic tales. If I could give this book 10 stars I would! Now go… find your copy at Amazon and read it.
December 3, 2019
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. Thank you NetGalley and Darkest Hour Publishing!***
I am a sucker for an apocalypse novel, especially if there are killer viruses afoot. One of my favorite mobile games is about trying to develop a disease that wipes out the population of the planet, so this is something I have a dark fascination about. I am always willing to pick up a novel with that theme. Often times they disappoint, this did not.
We start the book with Teddy. He is our main character and I expected him to be more of an anti-hero. You don’t want to be rooting for him because he was in federal prison for doing bad things to people, but the world is ending and he’s one of few who survived so go Teddy! He was a bit of what I expected, but also came across as a really big boy scout. I mean, come on, we all know the things you did. We all know because you told us fairly quickly and bluntly. So can we please stop acting like he’s a good ole boy who just got caught in an unfortunate circumstance? I really didn’t like that about him. You don’t end up with a life sentence in federal prison because you had a bad day. But, regardless, the plot was enough to move me along despite my irritations with Teddy. In the end I just had to disregard what I thought his character should be and accept what he was and then we got along just fine.
Jane and Danny were fantastic. Jane is a woman after my own heart and I would like to think that in similar circumstances I could show the same resilience. I enjoyed them both immensely and I sincerely wanted to see the three of them ride off into the sunset together. They made me laugh, they made me cry, and I love it when that happens.
The plot was not quite what I expected but I liked how it worked out, which is always a nice surprise. I didn’t expect so much of the story to take place in the prison. But despite not expecting it, I loved it. A completely contained environment that gets infiltrated by a virus that kills nearly everyone it infects. How do you keep order and at the same time try to keep people healthy too? You’re still dealing with bad people who are violent and unpredictable in nature, add in the threat of death and things can spiral out of control very quickly. And spiral out of control they did. It was deliciously devilish.
I liked how the book ended. I understand that the book is expected to be a series, so it makes sense in that aspect. But if I never read the second book I would also be satisfied with how it ended. Teddy is still looking for redemption, trying to be the man that he might have become if not for the prison stint, and being put into a situation that is at once completely alien but oddly familiar. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Read this and other reviews at Written Among The Stars
I am a sucker for an apocalypse novel, especially if there are killer viruses afoot. One of my favorite mobile games is about trying to develop a disease that wipes out the population of the planet, so this is something I have a dark fascination about. I am always willing to pick up a novel with that theme. Often times they disappoint, this did not.
We start the book with Teddy. He is our main character and I expected him to be more of an anti-hero. You don’t want to be rooting for him because he was in federal prison for doing bad things to people, but the world is ending and he’s one of few who survived so go Teddy! He was a bit of what I expected, but also came across as a really big boy scout. I mean, come on, we all know the things you did. We all know because you told us fairly quickly and bluntly. So can we please stop acting like he’s a good ole boy who just got caught in an unfortunate circumstance? I really didn’t like that about him. You don’t end up with a life sentence in federal prison because you had a bad day. But, regardless, the plot was enough to move me along despite my irritations with Teddy. In the end I just had to disregard what I thought his character should be and accept what he was and then we got along just fine.
Jane and Danny were fantastic. Jane is a woman after my own heart and I would like to think that in similar circumstances I could show the same resilience. I enjoyed them both immensely and I sincerely wanted to see the three of them ride off into the sunset together. They made me laugh, they made me cry, and I love it when that happens.
The plot was not quite what I expected but I liked how it worked out, which is always a nice surprise. I didn’t expect so much of the story to take place in the prison. But despite not expecting it, I loved it. A completely contained environment that gets infiltrated by a virus that kills nearly everyone it infects. How do you keep order and at the same time try to keep people healthy too? You’re still dealing with bad people who are violent and unpredictable in nature, add in the threat of death and things can spiral out of control very quickly. And spiral out of control they did. It was deliciously devilish.
I liked how the book ended. I understand that the book is expected to be a series, so it makes sense in that aspect. But if I never read the second book I would also be satisfied with how it ended. Teddy is still looking for redemption, trying to be the man that he might have become if not for the prison stint, and being put into a situation that is at once completely alien but oddly familiar. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Read this and other reviews at Written Among The Stars
October 2, 2018
H7N9 Penitence is pure space opera and is a great read. Mark D. Campbell studies what happens when the world is devastated by a pandemic flue. The story focuses on an escaped prison convict during the outbreak and we see the entire book through his eyes. He is the classic anti-hero trying to make it in an upside down world. This is a black and white world. The good guys are good guys and the bad guys are very bad and it is fun. Mark D. Campbell has made his protagonist human and complicated, yet the rest of the cast of characters represent archetypes and it works beautifully. Quite a feat to pull off. H7N9 Penitence also pulls off another great feat, the government is desperate and the response to the pandemic is brutal.
H7N9 Penitence is both a pandemic apocalyptic event and a thriller. The action is non-stop. Bullets are flying and you cannot catch your breath. Then you do, and the action is stopped, which lends itself to the horror of the situation. People are dying and there is nothing that can be done, but they try. Mark D. Campbell gives you enough of the bigger picture to paint a picture, but the focus is right in front of you. Yet, pay attention to the little birdie or you will miss what he is really saying. Even in a world of chaos, there are good people.
H7N9 Penitence is both absorbing and fun. A great genre novel and well worth the time.
H7N9 Penitence is both a pandemic apocalyptic event and a thriller. The action is non-stop. Bullets are flying and you cannot catch your breath. Then you do, and the action is stopped, which lends itself to the horror of the situation. People are dying and there is nothing that can be done, but they try. Mark D. Campbell gives you enough of the bigger picture to paint a picture, but the focus is right in front of you. Yet, pay attention to the little birdie or you will miss what he is really saying. Even in a world of chaos, there are good people.
H7N9 Penitence is both absorbing and fun. A great genre novel and well worth the time.
March 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! I would give it 4.5 stars if I could (I'll give it 4.5 stars on (librarything.com)...
A viral pandemic is striking down much of the population. Main character Teddy Sanders is a prisoner in Arizona at the time. He seems to be a good guy who made one horrible mistake that landed him behind bars. As the death toll rises, Teddy must find his way to safety.
H7N9 Penitence is another story of a solitary individual making his way to safety in the midst of a widespread catastrophe. However, the story is told in a manner that kept me engaged and interested throughout. The pace is steady and consistent. The book pulls no punches. The imagery is fairly graphic in the way it describes various characters physical condition as they suffer through illness. It is also graphic in its depiction of dead bodies.
I also liked the transition of Teddy throughout the story from hardened prisoner to compassionate do-gooder.
The book culminates in Teddy reaching his stated goal, but there is a clear lead-in to a second book, which I eagerly await.
A viral pandemic is striking down much of the population. Main character Teddy Sanders is a prisoner in Arizona at the time. He seems to be a good guy who made one horrible mistake that landed him behind bars. As the death toll rises, Teddy must find his way to safety.
H7N9 Penitence is another story of a solitary individual making his way to safety in the midst of a widespread catastrophe. However, the story is told in a manner that kept me engaged and interested throughout. The pace is steady and consistent. The book pulls no punches. The imagery is fairly graphic in the way it describes various characters physical condition as they suffer through illness. It is also graphic in its depiction of dead bodies.
I also liked the transition of Teddy throughout the story from hardened prisoner to compassionate do-gooder.
The book culminates in Teddy reaching his stated goal, but there is a clear lead-in to a second book, which I eagerly await.
August 31, 2018
You have Teddy Sanders as your engaging main character in this book. Is he a bad guy or a good guy that makes bad decisions. You have a disease that quickly spreads around the world and a government that handles it in a very bad way. I really liked this book. Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down. I don't love the cover, even thou I love this kind of book, I wouldn't have picked it up in a bookstore to read the back to find out if it was something I wanted to read. I definitely recommend this book and would love if the author would continue it in a series so we can find out what else happens to Teddy and the world.
October 3, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The H7N9 bird flu strain proves fatal to most who contract it. This is the story of Teddy Saunders, a prisoner of a maximum security penitentiary in Arizona and his journey through the beginnings of the end of life as we know it.
I enjoyed this very much. I like a dystopian novel but sometimes they can get bogged down in politics or science, switching POV's so much you end up dizzy. This story is told from Teddy's point of view. It revolves around his thoughts, feelings and experiences and that, for me, makes for an easy read. The descriptions have enough punch behind them for the reader to feel the horror of the situation he finds himself in and the interactions between characters are smooth.
All in all one of the better end of the world scenario books I have read to date.
Book 2 is now published and I'm just about to buy it to continue to read Teddy's story.
The H7N9 bird flu strain proves fatal to most who contract it. This is the story of Teddy Saunders, a prisoner of a maximum security penitentiary in Arizona and his journey through the beginnings of the end of life as we know it.
I enjoyed this very much. I like a dystopian novel but sometimes they can get bogged down in politics or science, switching POV's so much you end up dizzy. This story is told from Teddy's point of view. It revolves around his thoughts, feelings and experiences and that, for me, makes for an easy read. The descriptions have enough punch behind them for the reader to feel the horror of the situation he finds himself in and the interactions between characters are smooth.
All in all one of the better end of the world scenario books I have read to date.
Book 2 is now published and I'm just about to buy it to continue to read Teddy's story.
February 5, 2020
Penitence : H7N9 Book 1
Mark Campbell
Book one in the H7N9 series. The country is devastated by a rampant variant of H7N9 virus. People are dying, bodies are stacked up and everyone is scared. This follows a few of the victims or survivors as they try to find safety. The journey is hampered by groups that believe they are in charge.
This is one to make the listener think.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. I found James Romick voice pleasant.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Mark Campbell
Book one in the H7N9 series. The country is devastated by a rampant variant of H7N9 virus. People are dying, bodies are stacked up and everyone is scared. This follows a few of the victims or survivors as they try to find safety. The journey is hampered by groups that believe they are in charge.
This is one to make the listener think.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. I found James Romick voice pleasant.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 5, 2018
H7N9 Penitence
I really enjoyed the book and especially how he kept it continuously flowing, instead of bouncing back and forth between different characters. The author unfolded the main character and his philosophy, and did a wonderful job of making all of them intriguing.
I really enjoyed the book and especially how he kept it continuously flowing, instead of bouncing back and forth between different characters. The author unfolded the main character and his philosophy, and did a wonderful job of making all of them intriguing.
September 23, 2018
I was a little disappointed at the lack of storyline and ending. I thought there would be a little more to it instead of half the book taking place in a jail. Though I don't see how the story would go without those details included. So yeah...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2018
The exiting story of Teddy Sanders... a inmate during the world dying around him….
September 13, 2018
I liked this book.
I liked this book. I think Teddy is a great character and I like the storyline. I’ll definitely buy the next one when it comes out.
I liked this book. I think Teddy is a great character and I like the storyline. I’ll definitely buy the next one when it comes out.
July 25, 2019
This is a great post-apocalyptic tale deserving of 4.5 stars. I can't quite make myself go to 5 because of some spellings and proof-reading errors (eg. it's a rifle, not a riffle, and slaked lime, not slacked lime..)
The story is mostly written from the point of view of Teddy Sanders, a lifer in Tucson prison who is trapped when the outbreak occurs. The first third of the book centres on prison life, the slow breakdown and harrowing escape. These scenes are incredibly detailed and realistic. Apparently the author worked in the prison service and this really does show through in the writing.
Teddy eventually teams up with a woman and her 5 year old son as they try to make their way to a supposed safe zone, and learn to survive in a much changed world, encountering many good and bad characters along the way. As is often the case in US-based post-apocalyptic books, what's left of the government is evil, militaristic, trigger-happy and controlling, and this book is no exception. Action and guns aplenty.
However, we also see Teddy developing as a person and his long-repressed goodness shines through in his deeds. The ending is tinged with sadness but I'd like to find out what happens next so will buy book 2 when it comes out.
The story is mostly written from the point of view of Teddy Sanders, a lifer in Tucson prison who is trapped when the outbreak occurs. The first third of the book centres on prison life, the slow breakdown and harrowing escape. These scenes are incredibly detailed and realistic. Apparently the author worked in the prison service and this really does show through in the writing.
Teddy eventually teams up with a woman and her 5 year old son as they try to make their way to a supposed safe zone, and learn to survive in a much changed world, encountering many good and bad characters along the way. As is often the case in US-based post-apocalyptic books, what's left of the government is evil, militaristic, trigger-happy and controlling, and this book is no exception. Action and guns aplenty.
However, we also see Teddy developing as a person and his long-repressed goodness shines through in his deeds. The ending is tinged with sadness but I'd like to find out what happens next so will buy book 2 when it comes out.
January 17, 2019
Wow!
I read a lot of books about the end of the world. This wasn't particularly the end of the world. It was more the end of civilization. The end of community.
The main character is a prisoner who escaped when everyone else in the prison is sick or dying. His name is Teddy. He's not a very nice man either. But he runs into Jane and her little boy Danny. Suddenly, it looks like maybe there is a nice man under that bad attitude. But not a really good guy, just a slightly nice guy. And the three go out into what's left of the world together.
I liked this book because it wasn't a romance. Who has time for romance when the world is ending. I looked at their relationship more father and daughter. We got a really good look at what Teddy was about. I could picture him in my mind. And Jane also. And Danny was every four year old boy. The author did a really good job of making these people come to life. And he brought the pandemic to life also. I could almost feel the illness, smell the decay, see the corpses building up. I'm looking forward to the next book.
I read a lot of books about the end of the world. This wasn't particularly the end of the world. It was more the end of civilization. The end of community.
The main character is a prisoner who escaped when everyone else in the prison is sick or dying. His name is Teddy. He's not a very nice man either. But he runs into Jane and her little boy Danny. Suddenly, it looks like maybe there is a nice man under that bad attitude. But not a really good guy, just a slightly nice guy. And the three go out into what's left of the world together.
I liked this book because it wasn't a romance. Who has time for romance when the world is ending. I looked at their relationship more father and daughter. We got a really good look at what Teddy was about. I could picture him in my mind. And Jane also. And Danny was every four year old boy. The author did a really good job of making these people come to life. And he brought the pandemic to life also. I could almost feel the illness, smell the decay, see the corpses building up. I'm looking forward to the next book.
November 7, 2019
Here is a hard-hitting new apocalyptic tale of a fate humans perhaps deserve! The action begins on a squalid battery farm. The chickens in their overcrowded pens suddenly and catastrophically die en masse One morning, to the horror of those working there. It does not take long for this new and lethal bird flu to jump species.
This is not a new trope by any means, the end of civilisation as we know it by some new kind of plague. Flu does the job well enough, though the graphic depictions of gangrenous pustules around the throat alongside the choking and puking to death create enough lurid schlock to satisfy those SF/apocalyptic afficionadoes who may be partial to a little plague.
But the moment maketh the man and this author introduces the reader to Teddy, a hardened lifer incarcerated in a top-security penitentiary. To begin with, all Teddy notices is that all of a sudden he is getting a new cell mate, the screws seem to have it in for him even more and he has to fight his position among other prisoners yet again, before the new source of the soon starts to make itself felt: both screws and inmates start to get sick.
When the troops are called in to unilaterally kill everyone in the compound, Teddy plans his escape. There then follow a series of adventures on the road and Teddy is to find that the disease did not necessarily spare the best. Eventually he falls into the hands of a female survivor and his son and when each discover the sanctuary of a survivor community, things almost start to look rosy....
However, gritty and painful realism is the new world this writer has created, and not necessarily one where cosy endings will have their place. Also, this novel is only the first of what looks to be a trilogy. Whether or not Teddy will find redemption, or for that matter, freedom in an emerging and hideous new world order, remain to be seen in the sequels.
Either way, a sympathetic though damaged hero, or rather a ti-hero has been created and will no doubt continue to entertain with his misadventures in stories to come.
This is not a new trope by any means, the end of civilisation as we know it by some new kind of plague. Flu does the job well enough, though the graphic depictions of gangrenous pustules around the throat alongside the choking and puking to death create enough lurid schlock to satisfy those SF/apocalyptic afficionadoes who may be partial to a little plague.
But the moment maketh the man and this author introduces the reader to Teddy, a hardened lifer incarcerated in a top-security penitentiary. To begin with, all Teddy notices is that all of a sudden he is getting a new cell mate, the screws seem to have it in for him even more and he has to fight his position among other prisoners yet again, before the new source of the soon starts to make itself felt: both screws and inmates start to get sick.
When the troops are called in to unilaterally kill everyone in the compound, Teddy plans his escape. There then follow a series of adventures on the road and Teddy is to find that the disease did not necessarily spare the best. Eventually he falls into the hands of a female survivor and his son and when each discover the sanctuary of a survivor community, things almost start to look rosy....
However, gritty and painful realism is the new world this writer has created, and not necessarily one where cosy endings will have their place. Also, this novel is only the first of what looks to be a trilogy. Whether or not Teddy will find redemption, or for that matter, freedom in an emerging and hideous new world order, remain to be seen in the sequels.
Either way, a sympathetic though damaged hero, or rather a ti-hero has been created and will no doubt continue to entertain with his misadventures in stories to come.
November 2, 2019
In Georgia a small poultry farm has most of its chickens die. Thinking it’s aa fluke, the supervisor doesn’t report it. However the illness is bird flu that has an antigenic shift that makes it skip species. It is now a flu that people catch. A flu that kills almost every person. Some people don’t die from it. A convict, Teddy, in a maximum security federal prison in Arizona has the experience of seeing his fellow convicts and guards get sick with the flu and dies. Teddy gets the flu but manages to survive it. Then to his horror, th government has sent soldiers in to kill any survivors in the prison. He manages to escape and wants to go to Tucson as there is a sanctuary for the people. The government tells the people falsely that they have a cure. There is no cure. Even though he makes it, he can’t believe what has happened to the U.S.A. What has happened to Tucson? Still he hopes that the sanctuary will have food and water for him. He meets a woman named Jane and her little boy. Jane thinks the sanctuary is a death trap. Jane relents and takes her little boy and goes with Teddy to the sanctuary. What will happen at the sanctuary? Will they survive and find a better life?
The story held my attention as I was amazed at Teddy’s experience in the prison. His journey to the city was an unbelievable yet amazing that he made it to Tucson. It is a compelling story. I couldn’t help wondering if I would have been able to do what Teddy did.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The story held my attention as I was amazed at Teddy’s experience in the prison. His journey to the city was an unbelievable yet amazing that he made it to Tucson. It is a compelling story. I couldn’t help wondering if I would have been able to do what Teddy did.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
December 12, 2019
This is a gritty is hard-hitting apocalyptic horror is a tale of humanity at it's best and worst!
The story begins on a farm. All the chickens in overcrowded pens suddenly die to the horror of those working there. Very soon after this new and lethal bird flu jumps species.
This is not a new scenario by any means, the end of civilisation by some new kind of plague has been seen before. This bird flu deffinatly does the job and the book has very graphic depictions of the disease and the brutal and grisly deaths it causes.
What I like is the anti hero this author introduces. Teddy is a hardened lifer incarcerated in a top-security penitentiary.
Teddy begins to notice that all of the other inmates start to get sick most die. Teddy gets Ill but survives at this point troops are called in to unilaterally kill everyone in the compound to try to contain the disease.
Teddy escapes and soon realizes the disease did not necessarily spare the best and niw the world devolves into a game of survival of the fittest.
Eventually Teddy finds a female survivor and his son and discover the sanctuary of a survivor community... But it may not prove to be what they hoped for.
The new world this writer has created is gritty, realistic and bleak. This novel is the first of a trilogy.
It is unclear if Teddy will find redemption, freedom, or death in a harsh new world order.
However, a sympathetically relatable anti-hero has been created and will hopefully overcome some of these struggles in the series going forward. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
The story begins on a farm. All the chickens in overcrowded pens suddenly die to the horror of those working there. Very soon after this new and lethal bird flu jumps species.
This is not a new scenario by any means, the end of civilisation by some new kind of plague has been seen before. This bird flu deffinatly does the job and the book has very graphic depictions of the disease and the brutal and grisly deaths it causes.
What I like is the anti hero this author introduces. Teddy is a hardened lifer incarcerated in a top-security penitentiary.
Teddy begins to notice that all of the other inmates start to get sick most die. Teddy gets Ill but survives at this point troops are called in to unilaterally kill everyone in the compound to try to contain the disease.
Teddy escapes and soon realizes the disease did not necessarily spare the best and niw the world devolves into a game of survival of the fittest.
Eventually Teddy finds a female survivor and his son and discover the sanctuary of a survivor community... But it may not prove to be what they hoped for.
The new world this writer has created is gritty, realistic and bleak. This novel is the first of a trilogy.
It is unclear if Teddy will find redemption, freedom, or death in a harsh new world order.
However, a sympathetically relatable anti-hero has been created and will hopefully overcome some of these struggles in the series going forward. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
May 3, 2020
I am lucky to have all three books of this trilogy so that I may enjoy the entire series without pause. When I chose these books I hoped I would like such a long series about a viral apocalypse. What I got is much more. What I got is a heartfelt, solid treatise on humanity; how we relate to and treat one another. This is what I took away from this first volume. We meet our protagonist Teddy Sanders in prison, witness his viral encounter, then suffer with him after prison, into the chaos and brutality of the new world. Jane and Danny are a reassuring light in this dark fable. I pray that this is not a glimpse of our future should we, unfortunately, encounter such a disaster. In retrospection; Jane’s aphorism: It’s worthwhile to fight for the good that’s left in the world, while Teddy’s motto: I can’t change the person I was, but I can change the person I am. This is an excellent story and I look forward to the next volume. James Romick’s performance as the narrator was flawless.
November 4, 2019
Penitence by Mark Campbell. Did not expect to like this book or Teddy as much as I did. Very well written post apocalyptic tale . Will be buying the next book in the series.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
May 5, 2020
There is something ironic about reading a book about a pandemic in the middle of a pandemic. Anyway, this book has interesting characters and a fairly good story, but it could use a good dose of editing. And why is everything an "assault rifle"? I will give book two a shot...
September 28, 2022
A high tension, "exciting", well developed story; lots of violence. There was good character portrayal and even some spots of humor, but the horrendous amount of typos and word misuse was annoying and I'm not interested in a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2018
Had to DNF. The main character continually gets in worse and worse and nothing redeeming happens to him. I couldn't see much point in the whole exercise.
March 12, 2019
Pointless
Why bother making 89% of this book fantastic then have such a pointless unsatisfactory ending. I won't be following this author.
Why bother making 89% of this book fantastic then have such a pointless unsatisfactory ending. I won't be following this author.
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