Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Soldier #1

Torment: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller

Rate this book
From the Author of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and The Invasion Trilogy. TORMENT From the War on Terror a world crippling Bio-Weapon is released. The United States scrambles teams of scientists from the Centers For Disease Control. America's top field agent are tasked with collecting samples and developing a cure. In a national laboratory scientists race against the clock searching for a cure. Borders are closed, martial law and soldiers deployed across the homeland. Thus, begins the greatest outbreak in the history of human kind. A disease so deadly it pushes humanity to the brink of extinction. Entire populations and regions of the United States quickly wiped out, millions falling victim to the Primal Virus. In the wake of the fast spreading pandemic, state and local governments, desperate for answers, rush to provide relief to the devastated and overwhelmed communities. Experts in Bio-Medical Research are desperately summoned to Atlanta and military facilities across the country. On a cold morning, the men of India Company, Second Platoon, are alerted and rapid-deployed to Virginia. Their to recover and escort experts in bio-medicine, specifically in the development and production of vaccines. With faulty intelligence and half-truths, Second Platoon moves forward. What they find is worse than anyone could have predicted. What was a rescue mission, turns into a struggle for their own survival. Author’s Torment is a story I first began writing in 2014 shortly after WTF 5 Something to Fight For was completed. I wanted to tell the story of how things unfolded back in the states, and have it be a standalone book from the rest of the series. Because of the popularity of the primary story line, I kept shelving Torment and driving on with the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot primary band of characters. But then came The Invasion Trilogy, and then Donovan’s War. Torment, fell further and further down the to do list. Eventually I adapted some of the early chapters of Torment, into a short story and released it with Amazon Publishing’s Kindle Worlds under the title Battle for Orchard Hill. A decision I immediately regretted, because I knew then that the story may never be completed. Then something happened, Kindle Worlds is gone and with that those chapters went back to the bench. That motivated me to get back into the original manuscript and finish Torment. A story that I always enjoyed and thought needed to be told. Torment is not a rewrite of the Kindle Worlds novella; Battle for Orchard hill. Torment is the original imagining and telling of that story the way I always intended it to be. If you read The Battle for Orchard Hill and gasped at the Novella's ending hungry for more, you will be happy to know that Torment is no short story, the content has tripled, the elements expanded and the heat turned up to high. Torment is now the book I always wanted it to be, and the first book of the Soldier Series if the readers will it. As always thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy. – A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller. The Soldier Book 1

300 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2018

834 people are currently reading
152 people want to read

About the author

W.J. Lundy

37 books272 followers
W. J. Lundy is a still serving Veteran of the U.S. Military with service in Afghanistan. He has over 12 years of combined service with the Army and Navy in Europe, the Balkans and Southwest Asia. W.J. is an avid athlete, writer, backpacker and shooting enthusiast. He currently resides with his wife and daughter in Central Michigan.

I developed the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series from notes and ideas I had put together while deployed to Afghanistan. I had been jokingly asked how we would defend against a zombie attack.

I wanted to tell a story that portrays the military that I know, that displays our actual capabilities. These are my thoughts, I hope you enjoy them, and thank you for reading.


facebook.com/WARONPRIMALS

wjlundy.wtf@gmail.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
440 (55%)
4 stars
247 (31%)
3 stars
92 (11%)
2 stars
8 (1%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for L J Field.
607 reviews16 followers
September 10, 2019
There are some tremendous independent authors that I’ve read in the last few years; Keith C Blackmore, Jay Allan, M R Forbes, James Mace, Jeremy Bates and the list goes on. It is very possible that W J Lundy will be added to my go-tos. I’m finding that for pure reading pleasure I am gravitating towards these works. This is my first Lundy novel and I am knocked out by how well the story was presented. There were only five individuals who starred in this thriller, with the lead character being Robert Gyles, an army sergeant. Just home from Afghanistan, he believes himself to be on a two week R and R. But he is abruptly called back for an important mission. The mission dissolves into a wild melee and is unsuccessful, leaving Gyles with the rest of his platoon in the wind with no help available. How they fight through this difficulty is the meat of the story. The great apocalypse is upon them. First rate excitement!
Profile Image for RANGER.
313 reviews30 followers
September 7, 2021
An unexpectedly enjoyable battle run through zombie hell
I love all things related to TEOTWAWKI (The end of the world as we know it) and have been partial to zombie apocalypses since I first saw Dawn of the Dead way back in 1979. But truth be told, most of the glut of self-published TEOTWAKI books suck for a variety of reasons. As a lifelong soldier, intel officer, urban survivalist, and also a pastor who really does expect the Second Coming any-day now, I've always disliked TEOTWAWKI novels that are weak on the military stuff, lack plot, are full of unnecessary expletives or sexual content, use soap opera content to create drama, and are basically "implausible" -- which is funny because all speculative novels are implausible at a certain level. Thankfully, I've discovered WJ Lundy, a combat vet who always gets things right. The battle scenes are realistic and straightforward, the soldiers have feet of clay, the expletives are at the usual soldierly level, no soap opera situations, no gratuitous porno, and the whole things is rendered just plain PLAUSIBLE... at least to this old soldier.
Torment is basically a domestic war novel set in a post-viral infected zombie apocalypse.
The government tried to cover up the extent of the disaster by calling it a "civil insurrection" and sending in troops to secure the capitol.
SFC Gyles, his best buddy and one of his squad leaders, SSG Weaver, and their platoon from the Third Division has just returned from a rotation in Iraq when they are called out and sent to rescue a team of doctors trapped on the edge of civil unrest in Washington DC. Things go south pretty quick as the platoon discovers there is a lot more going on than civil unrest. The mission goes south as their company is overwhelmed by a raging horde of zombies with a rabies type infection that kills and then controls its host. The remnants of his platoon fly west where they join forces with a national guard unit and some small town policemen to protect a group of civilians who have survived the plague.
By the end of the novel, pulled by a sense of duty to his old unit and the knowledge that friends and family may still be alive back east, Gyles and a handful of his men (accompanied by Luke, a USMC Veteran who really knows his stuff), try to make it back to Fort Belvoir, the last known location of his old unit.
Along the way they find themselves rescued by a group of Marines holding out at a sanctuary they have created at an old industrial plant. The novel ends with Gyles and his men discovering the intentions of the Marines at the sanctuary to rebuild their forces and take back the world from the zombie horde.
It an awesome, shoot-'em-up ride. It's hard to believe it's part of an original, unfinished concept that WJ Lundy turned briefly into a novella. Thankfully he went back and finished this. It's a great read.
Lundy writes war novels better than anyone I know. I read Donovan's War a while back, one of Lundy's few straight up thrillers, and I am amazed at how fresh he keeps his battle scenes and his military characters. No clichés or stereotypes here... except for the old Army jokes... but those never change.
Two things I should hate about this book but barely got bothered by...
1. The tension and cryptic mission of the CDC Doctor Howard, Gyles rescues and drags around with him, is never developed. It should have played a larger role in the plot and the tension of the story. There is a hinted at conspiracy but it's not well-played... yet...
Because 2. This is clearly meant to be a part one, origin story for the Torment series.
I don't like the title "Torment" either. I was hoping the domestic war scenes would trigger PTSD or something in one of the main characters and give the book's title a double meaning. But if this is a new series, time will tell.
So, this is a fine book. 4.5 stars. I can't give it five cause it's not enough of a stand-alone novel to warrant that. But it's one of the more outstanding zombie apocalypse books I've read.
And WJ Lundy is definitely the best in the business for military fiction in the TEOTWAWKI environment.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Profile Image for Joe Hansen.
Author 12 books52 followers
October 20, 2018
Excellent

Lunch never fails to provide a fast paced and intense read that will keep you up into the wee hours.
Profile Image for Tracey Mccall.
355 reviews8 followers
October 1, 2018
A Must Read

As with all of W.J. Lundy's books Torment is outstanding! Action packed from beginning to end. Mr. Lundy has an amazing ability to spin a tale with in depth characters you can't help but want to know more about. Always an epic read. Get yourself to Amazon and start reading.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,819 followers
January 13, 2020
‘Decompression Syndrome’

Michigan author W. J. Lundy has earned his credentials as a military specialist writer through his experiences as a Chief Petty Officer in the both the USN and Army in such locations Europe, the Balkans, Southwest Asia, and Afghanistan. To date he has published nearly twenty books, with some translated into other languages and some in bundles.

Lundy has such a keen manner of relaying his experienced contact with the military that reading his novels pulls the reader immediately into the location and events – a trait that makes his story intensely credible – even as the story steps into the science fiction realm. The Prologue is an apt portal for the story that follows: ‘He was shocked awake, the sounds of mortar fire and machine guns, screams, and the blaring of sirens still ringing in his ears. His heart pounded and sweat rolled down his back. Hands balled into fists, he searched for his rifle in the birth moonlight that cut through the thin curtains. He swung his feet over the side of the bed, looking at the open window, struggling to clear the cobwebs from his head and remember where he was…This wasn’t Iraq; he wasn’t lying on an Army cot southwest of Fallujah…It’s not a nightmare. To me, it’s real.”…

The story is complex, in a good way, and the plot summary hits at the turmoil – ‘From the War on Terror a world crippling Bio-Weapon is released. The United States scrambles teams of scientists from the Centers For Disease Control. America's top field agents are tasked with collecting samples and developing a cure. In a national laboratory scientists race against the clock searching for a cure. Borders are closed, martial law and soldiers deployed across the homeland. Thus, begins the greatest outbreak in the history of human kind. A disease so deadly it pushes humanity to the brink of extinction. Entire populations and regions of the United States quickly wiped out, millions falling victim to the Primal Virus. In the wake of the fast spreading pandemic, state and local governments, desperate for answers, rush to provide relief to the devastated and overwhelmed communities. Experts in Bio-Medical Research are desperately summoned to Atlanta and military facilities across the country. On a cold morning, the men of India Company, Second Platoon, are alerted and rapid-deployed to Virginia. Their mission: to recover and escort experts in bio-medicine, specifically in the development and production of vaccines. With faulty intelligence and half-truths, Second Platoon moves forward. What they find is worse than anyone could have predicted. What was a rescue mission, turns into a struggle for their own survival.’

Exceptionally fine writing brings this sci-fi thriller to credible life. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Amanda Felix.
99 reviews7 followers
December 28, 2018
BOOM! Lundy's done it again-

Torment; The Soldier places the action of the first few days of what is happening in the states in the WTF series... When Master Sgt Gyles returns home to find his wife gone, divorces papers waiting and drained financial resources, he decides to leave civilization behind to think, relax and try to get his head together. until he gets a phone call that brings him back to a world quickly crumbling around him. (possible spoilers) He, his platoon and a Dr. Howard are assigned to retrieve a medical team from an unknown location then ferry them to a safe location. What he doesn't know is who the team is and why they need a platoon to act a baby sitters. He learns soon enough that there is more to the 'civil disobediance' riots that are popping up all around Washington and the nearby countryside. When he and his men come under attack from an enemy they cannot possibley win against, Gyles pulls as many as he can back on the transport only to learn that he now has nowhere to go. Command is quickly falling apart and he doesn't know why. Until Dr. Howard reluctanctly explains the true situation. A deadly virus was unleashed upon United States and the world: the Primalis Rabia , a man made virus so deadly there is no cure and the speed of the infection rate is astronomical as base after base, cities big and small are soon overwhelmed, each fallen as the populace fills in the ranks of the ravening hordes. Sgt Gyles soon finds there is no safe haven anywhere, barely staying ahead of the infected but determined to find a way back to his division. He soon discovers that no matter where he goes, the infected trailing behind are also ahead leaving behind only death and destruction. From beginning to end it is a running battle as he keeps his men and the few civilians he has sworn to protect barely ahead of the hordes that know no fear, never tire and are growing by the second. Classic Lundy thriller. Can hardly wait for the next insallment.
Profile Image for Rachael Ashak-Benson.
358 reviews20 followers
January 3, 2019
Probably should be -4 stars....

Probably should be giving this series-starter 4 stars or less, but I’d hate to do that to the writer of the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF) series. The sister series to this, which is one of THE BEST series in the military zombie apocalypse genre.
Due to my being a huge fan of WTF, as well as the author, I was honestly shocked to find myself feeling so — meh — about this story.
At times I had to remind myself that no, I have not read this story before as I found myself starting to believe I had. It’s a shame as this author’s creativity, and most especially character development, is usually off the charts amazing.
But here? It all seemed so — recycled. Like I’ve read the very same situations, scenes, and have known all the characters, before. On quite a few occasions.
The snappy, edgy, humorous and highly entertaining dialogue was missing. That’s what really carried WTF - besides the sheer novelty of the story - the relationships and conversations between characters.
I suppose, perhaps, I may have gone into this with some preconceived ideas about what I was going to experience. But based on the write up about the book, I don’t think I’d be wrong in having my expectations? Basically described as “WTF but in the USA.” (My short version of the jacket. Lol)
All that said, it’s an ok read. If you’re new to the genre, you’ll probably really love it. For long time apocalypse readers like me, the material is just too rehashed, with bland cardboard cutout characters, unexciting dialogue, and infected that have unfortunately lost their sparkle (compared to WTF), to be all that interesting.
Sorry to say!! Disappointing. But.... holding out hope for book 2 and beyond......
698 reviews
September 30, 2018
Not good enough

I don't know what it is about zombie apocalypse books in general these days? There are a Fer excellent ones doing the rounds, and I'm thinking of Thomas A. Watson The Blue series where there is hope, suspense, deceit, intruige, humor, tears, sadness, humanity, planning, and maybe a lot of over the top action as well. But most of the other zombie books I've tried to read has been so depressing I just want to lie down and cry myself to sleep. Come on people, I (and maybe a few other readers as well) read books to escape from reality. We don't want our zombie apocalypse to be a dark and depressing place where the people are scurrying around dirty and afraid even breath in fear of attracting zombies...
116 reviews3 followers
October 9, 2018
New Series, Same Unputdownable Awesomeness!

Stop right now. Stops reading the reviews. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. While this is the first in this new series, I can promise you it is filled with the same great writing that makes the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (WTF) series one of the best military (zombie or non-zombie) thrillers ever written! Do yourself a favor and buy this book and the first book in the WTF series. When you have finished them, come back here and tell me “thank you”, because you will be sooo very glad you took my advice and read them! Great work Mr. Lundy, great work.

As an aside, I grew up in DeWitt, MI and have a cabin in Gladwin. That’s where I’m running too when the SHTF! I’ll see you “up North” when the time comes!
129 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2021
Love a Good Military Story

Anything with Service Members in my opinion is two thumbs up. I like how SFC Gyles have men a choice to stay or leave, many leaders would not have given a man of woman that choice. As expected, when there is a pandemic, Americans panic, subsequently they did because they don't follow instructions, think they know everything and IMHO, it's best to be prepared for a worse case scenario and prepare for the inevitable. The book also shows the vulnerabilities of Service members, they get tired too, and are human that will make mistakes. This is a good read infected book.

Profile Image for Cherye Elliott.
3,397 reviews24 followers
October 1, 2018
Torment

Not a big fan of zombie books, but I am of a good story.

I really did enjoy this book. Some see it as fighting zombies, I see it as a Sgt. and his soldiers dedicated to not only their duty to defend America but to the oath they gave.

Fav quote:
The colonel stopped and rubbed the stubble on his chin, staring at Luke’s neck. “You a Marine, son? Or do you just use that tattoo to chase tail?” Luke bit at his bottom lip and nodded. “Yes, sir. A Marine. I got out of the Corps in 2003.” “Hmm, you got out, you say. We'll see about that".
Profile Image for Johnathan Breeland.
250 reviews4 followers
October 4, 2018
Best of the Best

Five star book,I don't think I need to say much more if you read WJ Lundy's other stuff,Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series you know that he has military / zombie apocalypse action Down to the precise t, I really don't think very many authors do it better than he does and this book is just like the others Wonderful characters,Non Stop action and Gore filled zombie carnage from the first page to last,this is a great start to what seems like it's going to be a great series....READ IT NOW
Profile Image for Rob.
22 reviews
August 24, 2019
Already being a fan of W.J. Lundy's Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series, I was excited to see a story set in the same world, but told from a different perspective. And it did, indeed, fulfill that expectation while developing a new cast of characters and only touching vaguely on one or two of those referenced in the other series. In addition to enjoying the soldier perspective, I appreciate how the characters reflect the same human flaws and failings you would find in most people operating at the level of skill and experience described. All of that being said, this was exactly what was expected, and the story followed a fairly narrow time period that left a vague feeling of the author trying to make sure to leave enough material for follow-up books. Also, as a personal pet peeve, I make a habit out of never reading books that describe what genre they're in ("Post-Apocalyptic Thriller") as a way to try to draw in people scanning through a list of books online. In this case, based on an extremely enjoyable history with the authors works, I was willing to overlook that particular issue, but did have to let out at least one obligatory groan.
4 reviews
September 13, 2019
What an excellent read.
I was totally enthralled from beginning to end.
Very fast paced story, fighting against the baddies from the start until the end. Lots of action.
I finished it today, and am already halfway through the second book.
The only fault I could mention, is that you do need a proofreader to read the book prior to publication, but.....
I loved this book in its entirety.
Highly recommended.
PS; I am a proofreader to two American authors if you’re interested Mr Lundy.
Enough said.
Mick.B.
Profile Image for Curt.
279 reviews11 followers
February 9, 2021
This was actually a pretty decent read. Of course, it is about the zombie apocalypse from a soldier's (Seargent Giles) perspective. Started all over the world at the same time, people are rapidly turning to zombies and are overwhelming the zombies. Giles and what is left of his platoon struggle to stay ahead of the zombies to find a base that has not been overrun.

Fast reading with plenty of action. Character development ... not so much but you do get hooked on few characters as they try to survive.

There is a book 2. Probably worth reading.
101 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2021
Brilliantly written plot and story

WTFN series led me to this book and how it all began became clear and drew me back into a world I feel I am part of in my mind at least. It helped understanding of what you feel like loosing your soldiers in combat as a platoon sergeant myself I was responsible for 31 some and one officer and loss of any is hard on everyone this took me to a place I have been and reminded me why we do what we do for each other and you so you do not have to.
Profile Image for PJ Lea.
1,064 reviews
December 29, 2018
What the ....?!

“I think we’re smack dab in the middle of the Zombie Apocalypse, boys!”
It's supposed to be a simple babysitting job for the soldiers but we all know that it's never going to turn out that way. From one cluster to another, without backing from on high, it is a savage tale of soldiers.
Since my first taste of WTF I've been a fan of Mr Lundy and this book reinforces that choice.
16 reviews
February 28, 2019
Pretty good story

Good story about deadly virus that turns people into zombies. Main characters are American soldiers & Marines trying to get back to their base in Virginia thru the zombie hordes. I just wish this author knew that Washington DC is called the "Capitol" not "Capital" and that the White House is not spelled Whitehouse! Do some spellchecking! Kind of annoying to this English major!
819 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2023
Book 1

Book 1 was okay and had errors throughout. The plot was a bit different, the soldiers trying to get back to their commander/unit instead of finding family. The characters are interesting and fairly developed. The overall was a lot of running around and trying to decide on what to do, while trying to protect civilians. It was a fun read overall and I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Mike Lamprecht.
51 reviews
December 7, 2018
Military Zompoc

WJ Lundy has been writing good. Been reading his stuff and I haven't been disappointed yet. This is a faced paced well written story. The characters are well rounded and written well. Good editing. I'm looking forward to more. This story can go far. Humour and suspense will drive this far.
5 reviews
December 30, 2018
A page turner.

Awesome apocalyptic thriller written in military style, by an actual member of the military. Definitely a page Turner. Written very well. Keeps you entertained. Great book. Appears to be logistically accurate as it relates to weapons, tactics, etc., which makes it all the more believable.
38 reviews
February 4, 2019
Wow!

Terrific book. Great story line, fast paced, interesting characters, enough military jargon and description to make it real. Terrific insights into strategic planning and consequences to keep it fresh and interesting. Loved the story. Can't wait to read the next one. Thank you for the great read!
Profile Image for Diane Maggie.
41 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2019
I Love All Lundy's Stuff

I read this book once already a little while ago. I saw that the 2nd part is out, so to refresh my memory, I read this again. And I enjoyed it even more!

If you like this genre, follow WJ Lundy on Amazon and read everything he writes and collaborates on.

I love the Easter eggs.
Profile Image for william h bowen.
40 reviews
November 5, 2019
Torment

I enjoy post apoptoliptic books. They all have interesting ways that their people become infected. What always fascinates me is how they all continue killing long after they turn into the dead. WJ keeps your interest up through out the book and wants you coming back for more
Profile Image for Sam.
2,551 reviews41 followers
December 11, 2023
This was a good zombie story. Good levels of action & adventure, good ideas overall, it did keep my interest all of the way through. I felt it could have been much better with a little more time proofing & editing, but apart from that, a good fun zombie end of the world! I will look for more by this writer.
Profile Image for Brian Parker.
Author 6 books35 followers
September 30, 2018
Great apocalyptic read!

Wow. I haven’t read such a great post-apocalyptic novel in years, at least since The Road, maybe even One Second After. Brad and the Orchard crew continue to impress. Highly recommended!
66 reviews3 followers
October 1, 2018
One of my favorite Apocalypse Author..he does it right

I love WJ Lundy’s books. Just finished this and his WTF8. He is not an over the top prepped writer, he actually makes his people and situations believable. I hope he keeps writing them because I will keep reading!
Profile Image for Karen Simmons.
36 reviews3 followers
October 16, 2018
Fantastic read!

This book will get your adrenaline rolling. You'll set on the edge of your seat turning each page, not able to stop until the book is finished, only to find you've been sweating through the whole book.
72 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2018
Cant wait

Cant wait for the next book to come out. Really like getting another aspect of any story. U always read about them finding someone's final stand but never know what happened. I like it
90 reviews
November 6, 2018
Great book with constant action! I like that the author demonstrates extensive knowledge of the military in his writing, thus making the story more believable and intense. Please keep the sequels coming!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.