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Zero Hour #2
Scorched Earth
The world teeters on the brink as the bio-weapon takes hold and the scattered remains of American civilization try to put the pieces back together. Jackson and his group head on the road to Connecticut in hopes of reuniting with his fiancee, unaware that things in his small home town are not what they seem.
Can Jackson, Clark, Broderick, Melinda, and Javier survive their long mid-winter excursion through the New England woods, and what role will the Scavengers play in America's future?
Battle lines are being drawn and if you thought the bio-weapon was the worst threat to American safety, you ain't seen nothing yet...
Zero Hour is a 6-part novel-length post-apocalyptic survival thriller series that asks one simple question: do you have what it takes to survive? The story follows the unleashing of a bio-weapon on an unsuspecting American populace, killing hundreds of millions in the blink of an eye.
This post-apocalyptic thriller is written as a collaboration between Justin Bell and #1 bestselling post-apocalyptic author Mike Kraus. Zero Hour is a gripping post-apoc thrill ride that takes a unique look at the post-apocalyptic genre and will leave you breathless with every turn of the page. Filled with intense, heart-pumping action, this series will be released at a rate of approximately one book per month.
Can Jackson, Clark, Broderick, Melinda, and Javier survive their long mid-winter excursion through the New England woods, and what role will the Scavengers play in America's future?
Battle lines are being drawn and if you thought the bio-weapon was the worst threat to American safety, you ain't seen nothing yet...
Zero Hour is a 6-part novel-length post-apocalyptic survival thriller series that asks one simple question: do you have what it takes to survive? The story follows the unleashing of a bio-weapon on an unsuspecting American populace, killing hundreds of millions in the blink of an eye.
This post-apocalyptic thriller is written as a collaboration between Justin Bell and #1 bestselling post-apocalyptic author Mike Kraus. Zero Hour is a gripping post-apoc thrill ride that takes a unique look at the post-apocalyptic genre and will leave you breathless with every turn of the page. Filled with intense, heart-pumping action, this series will be released at a rate of approximately one book per month.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2018
493 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 3, 2018
The story picks up after the last book and the main crew are on their way to Conn and trying to balance miles traveled with surviving them. It was full of action, crazy people, and a few mysteries as clues are dropped that kept me guessing exactly what is going on. Learned more about the main and secondary characters that left more questions too. Multiple people and groups are followed to lay out what is going on in different areas and drop those clues. Just a great thriller that kept me reading in one siting just to see what happened next and who would end up being the good and bad guys.
August 26, 2021
I have the box set of this series and episode two continues the journey of a large cast of characters through a devastating event.
The event appears to be centered on biological warfare, where a genetically modified virus is killing swathes of people. It's not clear about the genetic code but certain individuals are not affected. The story so far appears to have more villains survive than any others, including members of the government (of course). Humans are despicable creatures, especially those in any position of power. Though fear doesn't help decisions.
The writing is fast-paced and there is plenty of action. However, it's annoying the number of typos, errors and poor grammar. 'Off of' is wrong (just 'off' or 'from' is correct); it's 'me neither' not 'either'; it's 'couldn't care less' not 'could'…and a thorough proofread would catch missing punctuation etc.
Nevertheless, it is a good, tense and active story with a scary foundation in truth.
Worth a look.
The event appears to be centered on biological warfare, where a genetically modified virus is killing swathes of people. It's not clear about the genetic code but certain individuals are not affected. The story so far appears to have more villains survive than any others, including members of the government (of course). Humans are despicable creatures, especially those in any position of power. Though fear doesn't help decisions.
The writing is fast-paced and there is plenty of action. However, it's annoying the number of typos, errors and poor grammar. 'Off of' is wrong (just 'off' or 'from' is correct); it's 'me neither' not 'either'; it's 'couldn't care less' not 'could'…and a thorough proofread would catch missing punctuation etc.
Nevertheless, it is a good, tense and active story with a scary foundation in truth.
Worth a look.
August 22, 2018
Scorched Earth
The story is getting better and better. Makes one question if these things could happen.....why would they make such 'weapons' that could do such destruction to mankind. Book three isn't coming out until a couple of months. I definitely hate waiting.
The story is getting better and better. Makes one question if these things could happen.....why would they make such 'weapons' that could do such destruction to mankind. Book three isn't coming out until a couple of months. I definitely hate waiting.
January 1, 2019
Great book and truly scary!
The characters are well drawn and stay true to their plot line. The plot line is easy to understand. The science appears well thought out and based on reality.
The characters are well drawn and stay true to their plot line. The plot line is easy to understand. The science appears well thought out and based on reality.
July 6, 2019
I tried
Aside from there being no profanity I just couldn't finish this book. While the good guys are trying to find transportation (there should be working cars everywhere) we have the obligatory motorcycle gang reeking havoc. This story is so lame. What a waste of time.
Aside from there being no profanity I just couldn't finish this book. While the good guys are trying to find transportation (there should be working cars everywhere) we have the obligatory motorcycle gang reeking havoc. This story is so lame. What a waste of time.
October 25, 2018
I very much enjoyed the 1st book in this series, giving it 4 stars and looking forward to reading more. This 2nd book is a complete disappointment. It's not that I don't enjoy the characters or the story line, but the inaccuracy, and the situations that result from them are driving me nuts. Neither of the authors appears to have any military experience, and it shows. First, and possibly the most forgivable, because every move, show and book portrays this; Bodies to not fly backwards, are anywhere when struck by bullets. You might see something like that, (should you be in the habit of shooting people), because the victim attempted to jump back in as a survival tactic, PRIOR to being shot. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If your victim goes orbital from a gunshot wound, so will the shooter. Someone please open a physics book, or better yet, ask a veteran. Second: any former SPETZNAZ that fought in Afghanistan, would be in his late forties, at the youngest. Any that commanded a unit, would be well into his 50's, and thinking of pricing a Walker, not demolishing Boston. Thirdly: on this same individual, the burns to his face and body would have killed him. Period, just to be redundant. It doesn't matter if you are SPETZNAZ, SEAL, or John Rambo, you are dead. Unless this book is going high Science Fiction, Supernatural, or Superhero/villain, he died of shock at Logan. Fourth: a National Guard Humvee on a rescue mission, in an American city would NOT have a .50 machine gun mounted. It would be filled with medical supplies, and the third person would be a Medic. On the off chance that something was mounted, it would likely be an M240 .30 machinegun, or an M249. If, for the sake of arguement, a .50 was mounted, you do not fire it broadside on a Humvee, unless forced to. This gun CAN cause a body to fly through the wall, and the recoil would be rocking a Hummer like a rowboat in a typhoon... which doesn't help accuracy. IF a
50 was mounted and IF fired properly, both helicopters would be scrap very shortly. Fifth: In NO case, anywhere, under any circumstance, EVER, would both choppers set down at the same time. A gunship would fly around, making a nice target, trying to get bad guys to shoot. If none do, then Blackhawk would descend, drop lines, and a fireteam, squad, or even light platoon zip down to secure the area, and the cases. Then it might land to secure the team, or direct them to a better, nearby LZ. NEVER, EVERE, EVER, would both pilot and copilot leave the controls, and aircraft. Sixth: a National Guard chopper, on a rescue mission, in an American city, would not mount .50's. Jeez, get over this fixation with them. On the very off chance you had them mounted, the Humvee, the buildings behind it, and Mr. Space-alien-Supervillian-SPETZNAZ would be confetti. Motorcyclists with semiautomatics would just be more red mist, because there would be plenty of ammo. Yes, if are going to bother bringing the gun, you bring lots of ammo. Seventh: in a plague situation, the military, CIA, NSA, ABCDEFG, do NOT go around shooting people just because. Each and every survivor might be the one that is the freaking cure. Those that got sick, but the recovered are pure gold. Anyone stumbling out of a plague zone is wrapped in swaddling, pampered, and protected. Their blood and anti-bodies are precious. One team assigned to discover the cure, another to keep the survivor healthy and safe. That also means no nuking Boston, especially with the "plague," already nation wide. What am I on, Ninth, Tenth? This criticism is longer than the book. NEXT... No Army, Navy, Marine, Boy Scout unit of size enough to isolate a town, and adequately defend its borders, would do so, as a favor to my buddy, megamoniacial mayor. That your commander lead you astray would become readily apparent quickly, and there are procedures to follow, up to, and including shooting said commander and contacting his/her boss. People who join the military are, by-and large, patriotic, and love this country, who believe their oath to protect it from all enemies, foriegn AND domestic. We know an illegal order when we hear it and respond accordingly. Several years ago, Marines were pulled to see if they would fire on Americans, if ordered. Large numbers said NO, and many said, outright that they would turn their guns on those issuing any such order. I have much more to say, but when I want to write this much, I will write my own book. But GET A CLUE
50 was mounted and IF fired properly, both helicopters would be scrap very shortly. Fifth: In NO case, anywhere, under any circumstance, EVER, would both choppers set down at the same time. A gunship would fly around, making a nice target, trying to get bad guys to shoot. If none do, then Blackhawk would descend, drop lines, and a fireteam, squad, or even light platoon zip down to secure the area, and the cases. Then it might land to secure the team, or direct them to a better, nearby LZ. NEVER, EVERE, EVER, would both pilot and copilot leave the controls, and aircraft. Sixth: a National Guard chopper, on a rescue mission, in an American city, would not mount .50's. Jeez, get over this fixation with them. On the very off chance you had them mounted, the Humvee, the buildings behind it, and Mr. Space-alien-Supervillian-SPETZNAZ would be confetti. Motorcyclists with semiautomatics would just be more red mist, because there would be plenty of ammo. Yes, if are going to bother bringing the gun, you bring lots of ammo. Seventh: in a plague situation, the military, CIA, NSA, ABCDEFG, do NOT go around shooting people just because. Each and every survivor might be the one that is the freaking cure. Those that got sick, but the recovered are pure gold. Anyone stumbling out of a plague zone is wrapped in swaddling, pampered, and protected. Their blood and anti-bodies are precious. One team assigned to discover the cure, another to keep the survivor healthy and safe. That also means no nuking Boston, especially with the "plague," already nation wide. What am I on, Ninth, Tenth? This criticism is longer than the book. NEXT... No Army, Navy, Marine, Boy Scout unit of size enough to isolate a town, and adequately defend its borders, would do so, as a favor to my buddy, megamoniacial mayor. That your commander lead you astray would become readily apparent quickly, and there are procedures to follow, up to, and including shooting said commander and contacting his/her boss. People who join the military are, by-and large, patriotic, and love this country, who believe their oath to protect it from all enemies, foriegn AND domestic. We know an illegal order when we hear it and respond accordingly. Several years ago, Marines were pulled to see if they would fire on Americans, if ordered. Large numbers said NO, and many said, outright that they would turn their guns on those issuing any such order. I have much more to say, but when I want to write this much, I will write my own book. But GET A CLUE
September 20, 2018
Scorched Earth: Zero Hour 2 - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Jackson and his team are on their way to Connecticut from Boston, where a bio-terrorist weapon has decimated the population, in Justin Bell's latest episode in his thrilling post-apocalyptic survival series, Zero Hour.
Colonel Garrison Reeves and his team hope to retrieve data about the scale of the crisis and determine a course of action to stop the spread of the Armageddon weapon of mass destruction and are now forced to work with Government agents who've summarily joined them at Fort Derrick.
Meanwhile, Javier has rescued 10 year old Melinda, orphaned in the attacks and he's seen personnel in unmarked uniforms beneath biohazard protection suits murdered by unknown assailants on his way back to Jackson and the others, who need transport and supplies to get them to Fort Derrick and on to Connecticut to rescue his fiancee.
What really happened to make the Team 10 helo crash? Who murdered the survivors and why?
Who are the attackers who ambush Jackson and the others when they make camp in Massachusetts? How do they escape? Who are Ralph and Monique?
What do Jackson and the team find in Connecticut? What does Sergeant Davis give Agent Wakefield?
A sure-fire winner of a post-apocalyptic thriller, Scorched Earth: Zero Hour 2 by the inimitable Justin Bell is definitely worth buying for your action thriller bookshelves - get yours today!
Jackson and his team are on their way to Connecticut from Boston, where a bio-terrorist weapon has decimated the population, in Justin Bell's latest episode in his thrilling post-apocalyptic survival series, Zero Hour.
Colonel Garrison Reeves and his team hope to retrieve data about the scale of the crisis and determine a course of action to stop the spread of the Armageddon weapon of mass destruction and are now forced to work with Government agents who've summarily joined them at Fort Derrick.
Meanwhile, Javier has rescued 10 year old Melinda, orphaned in the attacks and he's seen personnel in unmarked uniforms beneath biohazard protection suits murdered by unknown assailants on his way back to Jackson and the others, who need transport and supplies to get them to Fort Derrick and on to Connecticut to rescue his fiancee.
What really happened to make the Team 10 helo crash? Who murdered the survivors and why?
Who are the attackers who ambush Jackson and the others when they make camp in Massachusetts? How do they escape? Who are Ralph and Monique?
What do Jackson and the team find in Connecticut? What does Sergeant Davis give Agent Wakefield?
A sure-fire winner of a post-apocalyptic thriller, Scorched Earth: Zero Hour 2 by the inimitable Justin Bell is definitely worth buying for your action thriller bookshelves - get yours today!
January 8, 2022
Wonderful book and eager to read the next book in the series, but have some issues with this one
Too many characters introduced just for a page or two or maximum a chapter and half just to die. Seems too long and difficult to keep up with the story of the main characters. When starting a new chapter have to think for sometime about where we left these characters.
For example, characters like monique, Francine and one other guy was introduced and travelled with us for a chapter or two just to get killed by Aldrich security guys. I know by doing this readers get to know the situation in Aldrich as Jackson continues his journey towards home. But the bit was too long. And also the part where Scarface gets the humvee from military.
This is my opinion.
Too many characters introduced just for a page or two or maximum a chapter and half just to die. Seems too long and difficult to keep up with the story of the main characters. When starting a new chapter have to think for sometime about where we left these characters.
For example, characters like monique, Francine and one other guy was introduced and travelled with us for a chapter or two just to get killed by Aldrich security guys. I know by doing this readers get to know the situation in Aldrich as Jackson continues his journey towards home. But the bit was too long. And also the part where Scarface gets the humvee from military.
This is my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2018
The second book in the Zero hour series, Interesting read, Jackson and his fellow travellers are still trying to get to Aldrich Connecticut, to meet with his fiancé Lisa, unbeknownst to him, she’s been taken to the town centre to help the Mayor re network his town, well forced to actually. There are a lot of ruthless,mean killers left over from the devastating events that have hit Boston, Hartford and surrounds.Doesnt seem to many decent folk have survived. Recommended reading for post apocalyptic fans.a good story,I liked.I will be reading the next book.
Read
October 6, 2019I like this author and have enjoyed some of his other books. This one I find a bit disturbing. First of all how did this crazy Russian survive the plane crash and keep reeking havoc after being so badly burned. I cannot attest to the military references having never served and knowing nothing about weapons. What I find most disturbing is the way so many people turn to violence. I would hope that would not happen. Aside from the small group trying to survive, everyone else wants to kill and destroy. I would hope we are better than that. Maybe that is wishful thinking on my part.
August 28, 2018
This improved quite a bit from book 1. In book one, it seemed that there were those that died from the illness and those that did not and that the survivors being that were decent people and so many that were bad people but not much in between, which seemed far-fetched, but now I can see that there is another vector going on here, perhaps. There is also a lot of underlying mystery about what is really happening and I look forward to continuing with book 3.
August 18, 2018
Scorched Earth is the second book in the Zero Hour series. This should not be read as a standalone. There is a lot of violence. The survivors continue to eake out an existence and continue to survive in this vastly changed world. Was it an experiment that got out of hand? Or is there something much larger going on? Still lots of questions to be answered.
August 22, 2018
Zero Hour Book 2 Does Not Disappoint
This second installment continues the non-stop action of Book1. The characters deepen and the subplots keep me turning pages far later in the night that may be good for me. Can’t wait for the next installment at the end of next month.
This second installment continues the non-stop action of Book1. The characters deepen and the subplots keep me turning pages far later in the night that may be good for me. Can’t wait for the next installment at the end of next month.
August 29, 2018
If you like post-apocalyptic thrillers, then do read this series. Characters are meshing well together, well written, twist and turns that keep you in the edge and getting more in-depth and action packed.
November 24, 2018
Good story
This has been a good story . I am looking forward to the next installment of the series to see what happens next. An enjoyable read with some mystery included to hold your interest.
This has been a good story . I am looking forward to the next installment of the series to see what happens next. An enjoyable read with some mystery included to hold your interest.
December 27, 2018
Book Two
I’m having a harder time believing in Scarface’s resilience than in the genetic virus. There are a lot of characters to keep track of although some die off. Question for Book 3 is, “Will mankind survive?”
I’m having a harder time believing in Scarface’s resilience than in the genetic virus. There are a lot of characters to keep track of although some die off. Question for Book 3 is, “Will mankind survive?”
January 7, 2019
Not too good of a read
Took everything I had to get to '' the end'' . Almost sounds like a couple of high school boys wrote it , ie ...A man who survived an inferno named Scarface, ... Another zombie book ,don,t think I can read chapter ,i mean book 3...
Took everything I had to get to '' the end'' . Almost sounds like a couple of high school boys wrote it , ie ...A man who survived an inferno named Scarface, ... Another zombie book ,don,t think I can read chapter ,i mean book 3...
April 16, 2020
There are several inconsistencies between book 1 and 2 so I couldn’t rate higher. The storyline has some very exciting scenarios but little things kept throwing me out of the story. I will probably read book 3 just to see what happens next.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Read via Kindle Unlimited
June 11, 2022
Good character development - interresting character interactions, is an interesting story that brings attention to an under-realized threat to our society and the world—excellent presentation of technical information; the second book of six in the series. Purchase set from Amazon, 0.99.
August 18, 2018
Heading home
The group of survivors continue their trip mid those that are out for revenge. The world Is in turmoil who s to blme?
The group of survivors continue their trip mid those that are out for revenge. The world Is in turmoil who s to blme?
August 20, 2018
Genetic Apocalypse
Follow the story of strangers who come together to travel after a genetic virus is released! Can’t wait for the next book!
Follow the story of strangers who come together to travel after a genetic virus is released! Can’t wait for the next book!
August 21, 2018
Okay story just nothing original. Good if your into apocalyptic stuff.
August 21, 2018
Scorched Earth review
Scorched Earth is the second exciting post apocalyptic book in this series written by authors Justin Bell and Mike Kraus.
Scorched Earth is the second exciting post apocalyptic book in this series written by authors Justin Bell and Mike Kraus.
August 24, 2018
A heart stopping, and gripping story, that makes you think. As the world teeters after a bio attack, you feel as if you’re part of it. Can’t wait for the next book.
September 1, 2018
I wish the next one was available now!!
September 11, 2018
It was good.
October 6, 2018
I want the next book now!
Great read have to hurry and get next book to find out what happened. Really good suspense in this series.
Great read have to hurry and get next book to find out what happened. Really good suspense in this series.
March 27, 2019
What the hell!!!!
I really liked the way that the story is going. I hope that you will continue to shock me. Thank you.
I really liked the way that the story is going. I hope that you will continue to shock me. Thank you.
June 28, 2019
Good read
Good read and I really enjoyed. Hope to read more.keep up the good and you will be blessed. Thank you.
Good read and I really enjoyed. Hope to read more.keep up the good and you will be blessed. Thank you.
September 13, 2022
Continuing the fun
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews