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Extinction Crisis #1
Sole Survivor
Alone in the wilderness. The last to quit wins a million dollars. Then an EMP starts World War 3.
Reality TV show contestant Emily Wilder enters the wilderness on Kodiak Island determined to win or die trying. Losing the contest means losing the only family she has left. The other contestants have their own reasons to endure and win. Finding shelter, water, and food is only the beginning because the island is crawling with Kodiak brown bears.
A top secret government project unleashes a revolutionary technology that could save the doomed human race. But when political tensions between the United States and China boil over, humanity may run out of time. Survival isn’t just a game anymore.
Sole Survivor is the first novel in the gripping Extinction Crisis series. If you like fast-paced apocalyptic action, then you’ll love this thrilling series from William Oday.
Reality TV show contestant Emily Wilder enters the wilderness on Kodiak Island determined to win or die trying. Losing the contest means losing the only family she has left. The other contestants have their own reasons to endure and win. Finding shelter, water, and food is only the beginning because the island is crawling with Kodiak brown bears.
A top secret government project unleashes a revolutionary technology that could save the doomed human race. But when political tensions between the United States and China boil over, humanity may run out of time. Survival isn’t just a game anymore.
Sole Survivor is the first novel in the gripping Extinction Crisis series. If you like fast-paced apocalyptic action, then you’ll love this thrilling series from William Oday.
- GenresThriller
422 pages, ebook
First published April 22, 2018
350 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
William Oday
34 books43 followersWant my FREE Starter Library? One novel, one novella and one short story, all for free. Get it at WWW.WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 24, 2018
Not your typical game of survivor, for sure.
I love this author and this series! There are modern-day animals and prehistoric ones hiding in the trees. Throw in some time gates and EMP hits, it's a great story! And the weasel, I love the weasel. haha
I love this author and this series! There are modern-day animals and prehistoric ones hiding in the trees. Throw in some time gates and EMP hits, it's a great story! And the weasel, I love the weasel. haha
October 14, 2019
My Book Review Number 182:
This review is on Sole Survivor (Extinction Crisis - Book 1) by William Oday. This is the first book I have read by this author. It is a Sci-Fi post-apocalyptic EMP survival thriller where the country is suddenly attacked and people must now try to live with the deadly consequences.
The story opens with a scientist named Doctor Hari Ganesh conducting particle collision tests on a collider ring facility built six hundred feet underground located on Kodiak Island off of Alaska. One of his experiments resulted in the disappearance or death of another important scientist.
The world situation had become a crisis due to global population growth, climate change, loss of resources and many other causes. It was predicted that within one hundred years the Holocene age would end and humans would become extinct unless something could be done to prevent this.
At the same time in California, a TV consultant named Bob Randy came up with an idea for a TV Reality Show filmed on Kodiak Island. He would select several desperate people to participate in the show by trying to survive on the island populated by dangerous Kodiak Bears. The final sole survivor would win a million dollars.
Several new characters are introduced in the following chapters who all have significant reasons for participating in the show. Most are in financial difficulties or have dependants who need more help than they can provide. Two main characters are Emily Wilder who lost her father on the Island many years ago and Marco Morales who needs the money to save his family ranch.
The difficulties of trying to survive on Kodiak Island become apparent to the contestants within days of arrival. The elements and lack of food and shelter are critical, but the fear and danger from attack by large Kodiak brown bears is foremost.
Things soon get much worse when the country is attacked by a foreign enemy using nuclear EMP strikes. All electrical power is lost on the Island and most of the country. Survival on Kodiak Island to win a TV Reality Show is no longer the most important goal for the characters. They now face unknown terrors from the past.
I give this book Four Stars because the story is interesting, imaginative and entertaining, but slow to build in anticipation. The main characters must fight for survival every day. The plot is suspenseful and thrilling once it fully develops towards the end. The dialogue and writing style are excellent. The science is believable and imaginative. I look forward to reading the next book in this thrilling series.
Keep reading good science fiction and let me know when you find an interesting novel or author.
This review is on Sole Survivor (Extinction Crisis - Book 1) by William Oday. This is the first book I have read by this author. It is a Sci-Fi post-apocalyptic EMP survival thriller where the country is suddenly attacked and people must now try to live with the deadly consequences.
The story opens with a scientist named Doctor Hari Ganesh conducting particle collision tests on a collider ring facility built six hundred feet underground located on Kodiak Island off of Alaska. One of his experiments resulted in the disappearance or death of another important scientist.
The world situation had become a crisis due to global population growth, climate change, loss of resources and many other causes. It was predicted that within one hundred years the Holocene age would end and humans would become extinct unless something could be done to prevent this.
At the same time in California, a TV consultant named Bob Randy came up with an idea for a TV Reality Show filmed on Kodiak Island. He would select several desperate people to participate in the show by trying to survive on the island populated by dangerous Kodiak Bears. The final sole survivor would win a million dollars.
Several new characters are introduced in the following chapters who all have significant reasons for participating in the show. Most are in financial difficulties or have dependants who need more help than they can provide. Two main characters are Emily Wilder who lost her father on the Island many years ago and Marco Morales who needs the money to save his family ranch.
The difficulties of trying to survive on Kodiak Island become apparent to the contestants within days of arrival. The elements and lack of food and shelter are critical, but the fear and danger from attack by large Kodiak brown bears is foremost.
Things soon get much worse when the country is attacked by a foreign enemy using nuclear EMP strikes. All electrical power is lost on the Island and most of the country. Survival on Kodiak Island to win a TV Reality Show is no longer the most important goal for the characters. They now face unknown terrors from the past.
I give this book Four Stars because the story is interesting, imaginative and entertaining, but slow to build in anticipation. The main characters must fight for survival every day. The plot is suspenseful and thrilling once it fully develops towards the end. The dialogue and writing style are excellent. The science is believable and imaginative. I look forward to reading the next book in this thrilling series.
Keep reading good science fiction and let me know when you find an interesting novel or author.
July 27, 2018
Take TV show producer down on his luck trying to generate a hit show, 3 people part of a group that sign up to be on the show called Survivor wherein they are set down on their own with minimum supplies, a video camera to record their doings for the show and a panic button for rescue if needed. The last one left on the Kodiak Island wilderness will be the winner of 1 million dollars. They must survive the cold, weather and the wild animals the massive Kodiak bears in particular. They must forage for their own food and create own shelters. It comes down to the 3 main contestants after the others all punch out. Things get really rough for the 2 women and one man, and then get even rougher when back in the "real world" he US and China come to blows. I won't give anything else away other to say I liked this book and am on the lookout for the next installment.
April 24, 2018
"...our last hope. Our sole refuge."
On his sixtieth birthday once successful T.V.producer Bob Randy is fired. Desperate to save his career, he floats the idea of his new reality show, Sole Survivor, in which the volunteers are left alone in the wilderness areas of Kodiak Island. The last to request rescue wins a million dollars. The show goes ahead but the participants, and Bob himself, will have far more to face than hunger and the threat of bears.
This is a most remarkable book, very different from the usual post apocalyptic story. The reader is introduced, with background history, to three of the hopefuls why they are desperate enough to take the challenge,v and their experiences on the island are followed. One of them had already experienced, second hand, the difficulties of Kodiak: her father disappeared there many years before. With a good feeling of the people involved, both in the reality show and those living in the small town there, the book is an exciting, what's-going-to-happen-next? extravaganza. But in addition to the competitor's experiences, a scientist, Dr.HariGanesh, unknown to the world in general, is also working deep underground to save mankind from a future anticipated apocalypse and, internationally, the political confrontation is looking dire.
So much in this book which is difficult to mention without creating spoilers. Enough to say that it is almost several stories effectively rolled into one. Quick and easy to read, with different thrills as the pages turn, it is both harrowing and yet still a fun read. Recommended.
On his sixtieth birthday once successful T.V.producer Bob Randy is fired. Desperate to save his career, he floats the idea of his new reality show, Sole Survivor, in which the volunteers are left alone in the wilderness areas of Kodiak Island. The last to request rescue wins a million dollars. The show goes ahead but the participants, and Bob himself, will have far more to face than hunger and the threat of bears.
This is a most remarkable book, very different from the usual post apocalyptic story. The reader is introduced, with background history, to three of the hopefuls why they are desperate enough to take the challenge,v and their experiences on the island are followed. One of them had already experienced, second hand, the difficulties of Kodiak: her father disappeared there many years before. With a good feeling of the people involved, both in the reality show and those living in the small town there, the book is an exciting, what's-going-to-happen-next? extravaganza. But in addition to the competitor's experiences, a scientist, Dr.HariGanesh, unknown to the world in general, is also working deep underground to save mankind from a future anticipated apocalypse and, internationally, the political confrontation is looking dire.
So much in this book which is difficult to mention without creating spoilers. Enough to say that it is almost several stories effectively rolled into one. Quick and easy to read, with different thrills as the pages turn, it is both harrowing and yet still a fun read. Recommended.
April 24, 2018
It's actually quite difficult to describe this book without giving out any 'spoilers', but I'll do my best. The book is described as a post-apocalyptic thriller, but really it is more of a pre-apocalyptic thriller.
I liked the way that the various 'Sole Survivor' reality show characters' back stories are told, and that each has a huge need for the money, to save relatives or family land etc.
In addition to this TV show, there is a time travel experiment to open gateways to the distant past and also a brewing war with China, who aren't afraid to use EMP weapons to disable anything which used microprocessors, so we can see where the apocalypse is coming from.
The story is 90% straight forward thriller with the show contestants battling against, cold, thirst, hunger and of course the terrifying Kodiac bears, but towards the end it morphs into the post-apocalypse phase, with animals and early man managing to break through the time gates created by the experiment adding to the contestants' problems.
The ending is a bit of a cliff-hanger (which is why I have docked it a star) which should lead us into the next book.
So a good story, great characters who are well rounded and relatable, fantastic location, fearsome beasts and some very exciting action all combine to make this a very readable, indeed difficult to put down book.
I received an advance copy of the book, but this review is honest and based on my own opinions.
I liked the way that the various 'Sole Survivor' reality show characters' back stories are told, and that each has a huge need for the money, to save relatives or family land etc.
In addition to this TV show, there is a time travel experiment to open gateways to the distant past and also a brewing war with China, who aren't afraid to use EMP weapons to disable anything which used microprocessors, so we can see where the apocalypse is coming from.
The story is 90% straight forward thriller with the show contestants battling against, cold, thirst, hunger and of course the terrifying Kodiac bears, but towards the end it morphs into the post-apocalypse phase, with animals and early man managing to break through the time gates created by the experiment adding to the contestants' problems.
The ending is a bit of a cliff-hanger (which is why I have docked it a star) which should lead us into the next book.
So a good story, great characters who are well rounded and relatable, fantastic location, fearsome beasts and some very exciting action all combine to make this a very readable, indeed difficult to put down book.
I received an advance copy of the book, but this review is honest and based on my own opinions.
April 25, 2018
After reading the Darwin series I was excited to read Sole Survivor. The premise of the story is well known, desperate contestants battle to win a reality show. But in this case each contestant has their own life changing reason to compete to win the $1 million prize.
This story has more than the usual twists. Firstly being set on Alaska’s Kodiak Island adds a desolate and beautiful wilderness feel to the story. Not forgetting the wildlife, those Kodiak bears are scary!
The characters are well rounded and on the whole likeable. You find yourself rooting for them as they struggle to survive. The exception is Bob, the detestable but compelling TV show producer, who faces his own changes and demons.
Unbeknownst to the contestants (and Bob) external factors are heading their way like a runaway steam train. A global crisis is brewing between China and the USA. A jaded scientist’s humanity saving time-travelling experiments go awry. All up it gives this book a pre-apocalyptic feel. Teeing up what will be an interesting and exciting series.
This story has more than the usual twists. Firstly being set on Alaska’s Kodiak Island adds a desolate and beautiful wilderness feel to the story. Not forgetting the wildlife, those Kodiak bears are scary!
The characters are well rounded and on the whole likeable. You find yourself rooting for them as they struggle to survive. The exception is Bob, the detestable but compelling TV show producer, who faces his own changes and demons.
Unbeknownst to the contestants (and Bob) external factors are heading their way like a runaway steam train. A global crisis is brewing between China and the USA. A jaded scientist’s humanity saving time-travelling experiments go awry. All up it gives this book a pre-apocalyptic feel. Teeing up what will be an interesting and exciting series.
April 27, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is rather surprising considering it is not one of my favorite genres. However, having read the two books leading up to it and being sufficiently hooked, I had no choice but to continue on. I'm so very glad I did. This book has everything and more. Characterization, atmosphere, action/adventure, dialogue, twists and turns; it's all here in spades. Now, I must warn you, this is not a stand-alone. You can start with Sole Survivor and not be lost, but Sole Prey will really help your understanding and appreciation of Sole Survivor. Also, while this book doesn't tie up all the answers (it is a series after all) there are enough answers provided for the reader to not feel like they were just pushed off the edge of the cliff and left hanging. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I will be getting it for sure. I also hope to see this in my local movie theater one of these days. It would make an awesome action movie.
September 12, 2019
Had a hard time reading the book at first I found the first part of the book very boring and in fact skipped most of it to the point were started telling what each character was going thru the ones who was the competitors learning to live in the wilds of Alaska in finding shelter, food and a way to keep themself alive and not eaten by the bears. Then read about Bob who instigated all this as a TV show to save his job he had it pretty nice even though all could do was complain about everything from were he slept to what he ate it was not would had in CA but compared to the characters who was living off the land he was in luxury.
The story really taking off after the EMP off and then everyone is the same boat unprepared for a world with electricity, food and safe housing.
There is an interesting twist in the story that brings the very way way past into the present but to find out you have to the book.
The story really taking off after the EMP off and then everyone is the same boat unprepared for a world with electricity, food and safe housing.
There is an interesting twist in the story that brings the very way way past into the present but to find out you have to the book.
November 30, 2019
I really enjoyed getting to know a whole new set of characters than were in the prequels. I knew from the title that something bad was going to happen, but I actually really enjoyed the drama of life "before" as well. I don't think I've ever read a post-apocalyptic where the activity before the devastation is just as interesting as after. Hope, greater hope, devastation, a shread of renewed hope. That is the pattern of life these characters encounter, and it is believable and well-written.
I also really liked the realistic slow flow of information after "the event" and the believable panic of the townsfolk. I'm not sure yet how I feel about the "bad guy". Those are the toughest characters to write believably, and we didn't get to see enough of him yet for me to decide how I feel about him. But I am excited to read the next in series.
I also really liked the realistic slow flow of information after "the event" and the believable panic of the townsfolk. I'm not sure yet how I feel about the "bad guy". Those are the toughest characters to write believably, and we didn't get to see enough of him yet for me to decide how I feel about him. But I am excited to read the next in series.
April 29, 2018
This book is too many things at once. It begins with serial introductions to various characters that eventually come together on several different levels. Deep underground a team of scientists is working on a collider device that has the potential to open time portals. On the surface, a team of contestants assembles at Kodiak Island to determine who is capable of surviving long enough to be the last, and thereby win a million dollars. Natives to the island interact with contestants and support staff right up to the point when the world goes bad, a victim of World War III. No doubt the story will continue as survivors enter a rediscovered stone age. The many gut-wrenching scenes in the book have guaranteed I will read the next.
May 22, 2019
A WOD. SYFY. Novel (ECB. - 1)The Past, Present and Future (A Timeless Observation)
WOD. has. penned a SYFY. novel. About the past, Present and future of a World descending into Chaos. The right answer has been developed, but will man take advantage to step back in time good, bad or indifferent. The breakthrough was a design for mankind to survive the present and future by going into the past. WOD. Writes. With a unique style which does not allow you to put the reading material down. He has the immagination of H. G. Wells with a modern sense of Robert Heinlein. The comparison made is his selection of material. Time travel and survival of the fittest.This is can excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
WOD. has. penned a SYFY. novel. About the past, Present and future of a World descending into Chaos. The right answer has been developed, but will man take advantage to step back in time good, bad or indifferent. The breakthrough was a design for mankind to survive the present and future by going into the past. WOD. Writes. With a unique style which does not allow you to put the reading material down. He has the immagination of H. G. Wells with a modern sense of Robert Heinlein. The comparison made is his selection of material. Time travel and survival of the fittest.This is can excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
April 24, 2018
This latest installment in the Recovering Eden series was well worth the wait, it introduces several new characters and provides very detailed backstory to all the players in the Sole Survivor game as well as several of the inhabitants of Kodiak Island. Additionally, Mr. Oday has filled with book with enough thrills, adventure and intrigue to make it nearly impossible to put the book down once you get started reading.
If you are new to the Recovering Eden series, reading Sole Prey, Sole Connection and The Tank Man will provide the context so that several parts of Sole Survivor will be understandable.
If you are new to the Recovering Eden series, reading Sole Prey, Sole Connection and The Tank Man will provide the context so that several parts of Sole Survivor will be understandable.
April 24, 2018
William Oday has written the ultimate post apocalyptic thriller in SOUL SURVIVOR, and all I can say is WOW!! You take a survival contest and interweave it with time travel/warp and then add in WWIII. For crying out loud, who knew?? I truly appreciated the set up of letting us know the stories behind the contestants in the Soul Survivor reality contest. Mix in an EMP attack from China, throw in the secret super collider where scientists are trying to develop faster than light travel but instead open a time warp, and you have the setup for one fantastic read!! I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read the next installment.
April 24, 2018
This was an outstanding read! This book grabbed me from the beginning. You are Introduced to a variety of characters, each with problems, from a producer of a reality show to people that have problems in their lives to scientists.
This story is simply amazing! I could not put it down. You are left with a lot of questions, but unbelievable questions. It’s like a world gone mad. I cannot wait for the next book. This story has it all.....mystery, action, romance and humor.
Outstanding job Mr. Oday.
This story is simply amazing! I could not put it down. You are left with a lot of questions, but unbelievable questions. It’s like a world gone mad. I cannot wait for the next book. This story has it all.....mystery, action, romance and humor.
Outstanding job Mr. Oday.
April 24, 2018
Wow!!! This book was right down my ally!
I haven't missed an episode of Survivor on TV...but the show can't hold a candle to William Oday.
Just imagine ...$1,000,000. if you are the sole survivor! But, even the producers had no idea how hard it would be.
This is a great idea for a book. And, I'm looking forward to the next.
I haven't missed an episode of Survivor on TV...but the show can't hold a candle to William Oday.
Just imagine ...$1,000,000. if you are the sole survivor! But, even the producers had no idea how hard it would be.
This is a great idea for a book. And, I'm looking forward to the next.
April 24, 2018
This is a bit different than what I usually read, but the premise sounded good, so I took a chance. Damn, this was a fun fun ride! Not sure where Mr Oday is going to take this series, but after psuedo time travel, dinosaurs and just a hint of a "hunger games" type contest you can bet book 2 will be a stunner.
December 5, 2018
Liked it
I really enjoyed this book, a hadron collider, survival, Alaska and an EMP! All in one book. I’ve read many books in the Apocalyptic genre, this was a refreshing change that kept me reading and sorry that for now it’s done. Read it if you love this genre or try out this type of story and be won over.
I really enjoyed this book, a hadron collider, survival, Alaska and an EMP! All in one book. I’ve read many books in the Apocalyptic genre, this was a refreshing change that kept me reading and sorry that for now it’s done. Read it if you love this genre or try out this type of story and be won over.
April 24, 2018
Outstanding book that kept my interest. Emily is a contestant on a reality show. I’ve never watched Survivor but this book is amazing. Such characters , each with their problems that grips you from the start.
September 20, 2018
This was a very different type of story. It had the EMP/war threat that is more typical of this genre but mixed in with a wilderness survivor TV show and a very secret time travel project in the same place. It took me a bit to figure out how it all fit together, but was a fun book.
November 16, 2019
New find. Original and cool
Just found this author, and he’s excellent. Fresh ideas. Gripping stories. Believable. Two thumbs up. Five stars. Combines post ap and time travel. Very cool. Can’t put anything he writes down
Just found this author, and he’s excellent. Fresh ideas. Gripping stories. Believable. Two thumbs up. Five stars. Combines post ap and time travel. Very cool. Can’t put anything he writes down
December 9, 2025
Good start
Nice start yo an interesting story line. Mixing posts apocalyptic thrill with time crossing sci-fi. Good characters and story in this first volume. Can't wait to see where the story is going.
Nice start yo an interesting story line. Mixing posts apocalyptic thrill with time crossing sci-fi. Good characters and story in this first volume. Can't wait to see where the story is going.
April 25, 2018
Great story that has action and twists to keep the reader entertained.
June 20, 2018
Awesome book that keeps the action coming. I love the characters and can't wait for more. Excellent read!!
September 9, 2018
Very good book
This is an excellent book. Had me on the edge. Characters are awesome, not all but most. Nice writing job Mr Oday
This is an excellent book. Had me on the edge. Characters are awesome, not all but most. Nice writing job Mr Oday
December 15, 2018
What a page turner!
The post-Apocalyptic elements show up at surprising places in the story. This is not a tale in which you can guess what happens next!
The post-Apocalyptic elements show up at surprising places in the story. This is not a tale in which you can guess what happens next!
February 10, 2019
Sole Survivor the beginning of a new world!
William Oday's Sole Survivor is a non stop adventure to a new and terror filled world. Looking forward to Oday's book 2.
William Oday's Sole Survivor is a non stop adventure to a new and terror filled world. Looking forward to Oday's book 2.
February 16, 2019
Good.
This book is a slow starter, setting up the stories of the main characters before jumping into the action. Well worth sticking with though as it turns into a real corker.
This book is a slow starter, setting up the stories of the main characters before jumping into the action. Well worth sticking with though as it turns into a real corker.
September 10, 2019
Interesting
Very interesting story with both very likeable characters & despicable ones. The situation created is very plausible & the story is a page Turner.
Very interesting story with both very likeable characters & despicable ones. The situation created is very plausible & the story is a page Turner.
April 28, 2018
I started this book thinking, is this just a book version of the TV show, Survivor? But then thought back to the first chapter, hang on, how does this link up? I wont give it away, but AWESOME!!!!!!!
I absolutely cannot wait for the next in the series!!!
I absolutely cannot wait for the next in the series!!!
June 13, 2019
I have enjoyed all of this authors books. With this one, he wraps up the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews