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From Near Extinction: A Dystopian Novel of Survival and Adventure
Could you live in a world in which ninety percent of the population, including everyone you know, is gone?It’s been two years since a global pandemic reduced the planet’s population to a mere shell of its former self. Without enough manpower and expertise, the infrastructure and power grids are still down. Farms, processing plants, factories, and refineries remain dormant. Modern conveniences are largely still a thing of the past and, with few exceptions, walking is the only mode of travel.Leroy Tubbs, an active duty sergeant without an army, has been traveling solo from the west toward a new government rumored to be forming in the east. He’s tried to avoid trouble along the way, but a chance encounter with a young woman needing his help changes all of that. Soon, he finds himself part of a motley band of survivors, endeavoring to keep moving.In this post-apocalyptic world, can this small group navigate the many hardships awaiting them and make it to their destination? Welcome to the aftermath.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2018
194 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Victor Zugg
12 books66 followersVictor Zugg is a former US Air Force officer and OSI special agent who served and lived all over the world. Writing has always been a big part of his life, no matter what the job. While serving in the military most of his writing was job related. But he also found time to publish a number of nonfiction magazine articles, all historical in nature. He traveled great distances to research the material first hand. More recently he’s turned his writing skills to fiction, to the type he enjoys reading—largely dystopian and survival adventures. Given his extensive travels and opportunities to settle anywhere, it is ironic that he now resides in Florida, only a few miles from his hometown of Orlando. He credits the warm temperatures for that decision.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 26, 2024
This is an interesting dystopian story with some good characters, and it does not get too extreme.
The story starts with a man from Kenya who makes a trip to New York to attend a farmers’ convention. He does not feel very good on the plane itself and gets worse as he gets off. He dies in the convention coughing blood. Within days many contract this condition where the symptoms profuse sweating, weakness, followed by coughing & fever. There are also some carriers with no symptoms. This is declared to be a pneumonic plague which spreads through droplets in the breath. Modern humans now have less immunity than in the past due to the use of pesticides, herbicides, hormones & antibiotics. In 9 months, there is large scale death & depopulation across the US. Governance has collapsed.
Leroy Tubbs, who was in the armed forces, leaves California after the plague kills his wife and kid. He decides to head East as he hears there are people trying to establish a government there. He sees some terrible incidents enroute and is powerless to intervene. South of Sayre, Oklahoma, 42-year Laura Wilson and her 20-year daughter Cindy are struggling to survive. Laura lost her husband to the plague. They loot food from uninhabited houses. There are also gangs with weapons on the prowl. Laura & Cindy get into trouble, and this is the time Leroy arrives in the area. It is a battle for survival in extreme conditions – gangs, violence, limited law enforcement, dwindling food supplies & no transportation.
Leroy, Laura & Cindy are loveable characters. There are also a few other supporting characters who make an appearance later and feed well to the story. I liked the fact that the story is simple and honest. I would have liked some more imagination in the plot though. Despite the extreme circumstances as the backdrop, the story is mostly safe and easy reading (except maybe for a couple of incidents).
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
The story starts with a man from Kenya who makes a trip to New York to attend a farmers’ convention. He does not feel very good on the plane itself and gets worse as he gets off. He dies in the convention coughing blood. Within days many contract this condition where the symptoms profuse sweating, weakness, followed by coughing & fever. There are also some carriers with no symptoms. This is declared to be a pneumonic plague which spreads through droplets in the breath. Modern humans now have less immunity than in the past due to the use of pesticides, herbicides, hormones & antibiotics. In 9 months, there is large scale death & depopulation across the US. Governance has collapsed.
Leroy Tubbs, who was in the armed forces, leaves California after the plague kills his wife and kid. He decides to head East as he hears there are people trying to establish a government there. He sees some terrible incidents enroute and is powerless to intervene. South of Sayre, Oklahoma, 42-year Laura Wilson and her 20-year daughter Cindy are struggling to survive. Laura lost her husband to the plague. They loot food from uninhabited houses. There are also gangs with weapons on the prowl. Laura & Cindy get into trouble, and this is the time Leroy arrives in the area. It is a battle for survival in extreme conditions – gangs, violence, limited law enforcement, dwindling food supplies & no transportation.
Leroy, Laura & Cindy are loveable characters. There are also a few other supporting characters who make an appearance later and feed well to the story. I liked the fact that the story is simple and honest. I would have liked some more imagination in the plot though. Despite the extreme circumstances as the backdrop, the story is mostly safe and easy reading (except maybe for a couple of incidents).
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
June 25, 2021
Yet another dystopia but handles well!
So here we have another handling of a pandemic - but yet a different style of handling the plot. The biggest pluses of this book: You grow to genuinely like the characters, they have flaws but they are really what we all are - human. The author provides some excitment but none of that ridiculous car chasing and shoot out elements that Hollywood likes to portray. The primary hero is very pragmatic - for that matter so is the heroine. It's what I really liked about this book - it made it seem all the more real because both might want revenge or justice but both recognize in plenty of time that life is more important. The two of them wind up finding each other attractive, not just physically but their life stories and gut reactions are compatible. This was another aspect I like about the author - he manages to slip in a great romance in his book without drama or too much focus. In fact, the "sex" scenes, such as there are are merely a suggestion - no creepy descriptions of what they do when they finally do recognize in each other a soulmate. I am no prude but if I wanted descriptions I'd read 50 Shades of Gray or whatever. I don't read books to get descriptive sex scenes, I read them to so I can go on adventures, meet new people, new ideas, and confirmation of life, in general. I don't share my private life in public and I don't expect for authors to share the characters private life either. I really appreciate that aspect of the authors writing style. The romance is there, you can almost feel the attraction building, but it doesn't become the story.
[CAUTION: The next part contains some "vague" SPOILERS - I don't use detail but I feel it's important for some people to be warned - this novel contains a sexual assault scene that may trigger]
This book has one violent scene in the beginning that I wished I had known was coming. What made it worse for me - was that the main character was unable to react to prevent or stop it. I don't know what bothered me more the one or two small descriptive sentences describing what was happening or the outcome, or the characters seeming lack of compassion afterwards. But I think it also set the realistic stage of self-preservation over justice. In the defense of authors writing style, he at least put the violence at complete rest with no opportunity for the victims to continue to suffer.
So here we have another handling of a pandemic - but yet a different style of handling the plot. The biggest pluses of this book: You grow to genuinely like the characters, they have flaws but they are really what we all are - human. The author provides some excitment but none of that ridiculous car chasing and shoot out elements that Hollywood likes to portray. The primary hero is very pragmatic - for that matter so is the heroine. It's what I really liked about this book - it made it seem all the more real because both might want revenge or justice but both recognize in plenty of time that life is more important. The two of them wind up finding each other attractive, not just physically but their life stories and gut reactions are compatible. This was another aspect I like about the author - he manages to slip in a great romance in his book without drama or too much focus. In fact, the "sex" scenes, such as there are are merely a suggestion - no creepy descriptions of what they do when they finally do recognize in each other a soulmate. I am no prude but if I wanted descriptions I'd read 50 Shades of Gray or whatever. I don't read books to get descriptive sex scenes, I read them to so I can go on adventures, meet new people, new ideas, and confirmation of life, in general. I don't share my private life in public and I don't expect for authors to share the characters private life either. I really appreciate that aspect of the authors writing style. The romance is there, you can almost feel the attraction building, but it doesn't become the story.
[CAUTION: The next part contains some "vague" SPOILERS - I don't use detail but I feel it's important for some people to be warned - this novel contains a sexual assault scene that may trigger]
This book has one violent scene in the beginning that I wished I had known was coming. What made it worse for me - was that the main character was unable to react to prevent or stop it. I don't know what bothered me more the one or two small descriptive sentences describing what was happening or the outcome, or the characters seeming lack of compassion afterwards. But I think it also set the realistic stage of self-preservation over justice. In the defense of authors writing style, he at least put the violence at complete rest with no opportunity for the victims to continue to suffer.
June 29, 2024
O K Novel .... B U T
At my age, and considering the way I was brought up, educationally speaking, I was taught that the use of DOUBLE NEGATIVES, for example, "couldn't help but admire", was very improper English. Instead, it Should be "couldn't help admiring". This book, along with SO many other authors in this day and age FILL the pages of their books with DOUBLE NEGATIVES . FOR ME ... IT GRATES ME TO NO END when a 'well-established ' author uses the English language improperly. Maybe I am just old fashioned!! If DOUBLE NEGATIVES are Now accepted , well , Nobody ever told Me ! EVER !!
_____________________________________________________________
The premise (AFTERMATH OF A PANDEMIC) and the story revolving around this premise is very creative, and the characters are all well developed as well as very smartly conceived. It is just the "use", or should I say 'misuse' of the English language that gets my hackles up.
Book is Recommended if these types of things don't bother you !
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Instead of rewriting my review, I merely wish to add that the usage of the double negatives were strong only in certain portions of the novel. This implies TO ME that Perhaps more than one Mind took part in writing this book. It appears like there are at least two different writing STYLES used in this book. The first about half of the novel is written in a completely different writing style as the last half. The first is more constricted, also with those DOUBLE NEGATIVES, whereas, the later is more laid back into a more of a narrative style of writing.
ODD DUCK !
At my age, and considering the way I was brought up, educationally speaking, I was taught that the use of DOUBLE NEGATIVES, for example, "couldn't help but admire", was very improper English. Instead, it Should be "couldn't help admiring". This book, along with SO many other authors in this day and age FILL the pages of their books with DOUBLE NEGATIVES . FOR ME ... IT GRATES ME TO NO END when a 'well-established ' author uses the English language improperly. Maybe I am just old fashioned!! If DOUBLE NEGATIVES are Now accepted , well , Nobody ever told Me ! EVER !!
_____________________________________________________________
The premise (AFTERMATH OF A PANDEMIC) and the story revolving around this premise is very creative, and the characters are all well developed as well as very smartly conceived. It is just the "use", or should I say 'misuse' of the English language that gets my hackles up.
Book is Recommended if these types of things don't bother you !
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Instead of rewriting my review, I merely wish to add that the usage of the double negatives were strong only in certain portions of the novel. This implies TO ME that Perhaps more than one Mind took part in writing this book. It appears like there are at least two different writing STYLES used in this book. The first about half of the novel is written in a completely different writing style as the last half. The first is more constricted, also with those DOUBLE NEGATIVES, whereas, the later is more laid back into a more of a narrative style of writing.
ODD DUCK !
December 6, 2019
A great read!
Another Interesting Book by Mr Victor Zugg! This is my second book by Mr Zugg & will look for another after I finish my review . A test for humanity after a plague hits the world is a favorite topic of mine. Its always interesting to see what hardships do to the human race. Who is going to handle the new world with good intentions and smarts and who will choose violence and let the dark side take over?
Great character development, too. Author Zugg seems to get a kick out of scaring the heck out of me tho in the last 10 pages or so there is a bit of a sudden twist in the story in this book and another one of his books as well. Very Funny Mr Victor Zugg!!
Yes! A great read!
Another Interesting Book by Mr Victor Zugg! This is my second book by Mr Zugg & will look for another after I finish my review . A test for humanity after a plague hits the world is a favorite topic of mine. Its always interesting to see what hardships do to the human race. Who is going to handle the new world with good intentions and smarts and who will choose violence and let the dark side take over?
Great character development, too. Author Zugg seems to get a kick out of scaring the heck out of me tho in the last 10 pages or so there is a bit of a sudden twist in the story in this book and another one of his books as well. Very Funny Mr Victor Zugg!!
Yes! A great read!
March 11, 2020
This had a lot of potential. I kind of like Leroy. He was willing and able to defend himself and others, but he was not willing to kill extravagantly as is often the case in this genre. He seems to be able to talk potential bad guys out of being bad to him which doesn't seem very realistic. This is a standalone book (which is nice), but the ending felt like the air being let out of a balloon. We start to like the group and cheer them on and then suddenly the plague is back. We jump past that point to find out who didn't make it ( I felt like I must have missed the pages where that drama was detailed). Then they ride off into the sunset. Leroy and his friends deserved a better ending to the story.
August 11, 2025
Page turner
I like dystopian stories, from EMPs to time warps. This novel was refreshingly different. Instead of a world filled with roving gangs laying waste to everyone and everything in their paths, the reader gets to meet a group of strangers that form a bond as they try to exist without always having constant confrontations resulting in bloodshed. They are on a journey across America, hoping to find a newly formed government. There are some bad guys, there will always be bad guys, but more often than not the people they come across are just trying to get by in a new world with a highly diminished human population and the constant scavenging for food. I could see a second part to this tale, but I kind if like it's simple and oddly satisfying ending.
I like dystopian stories, from EMPs to time warps. This novel was refreshingly different. Instead of a world filled with roving gangs laying waste to everyone and everything in their paths, the reader gets to meet a group of strangers that form a bond as they try to exist without always having constant confrontations resulting in bloodshed. They are on a journey across America, hoping to find a newly formed government. There are some bad guys, there will always be bad guys, but more often than not the people they come across are just trying to get by in a new world with a highly diminished human population and the constant scavenging for food. I could see a second part to this tale, but I kind if like it's simple and oddly satisfying ending.
February 18, 2023
Strong dystopian fiction
This post pandemic novel works well, despite a weaker contextualising introduction that may have been unnecessary. The hero is credible, likeable and ties the narrative together. There's a dash of romance that makes sense and but no false hopes for an improved mankind is offered; there's no 'we've messed up but will come out of it stronger' motif, thank goodness.
Worth a read.
This post pandemic novel works well, despite a weaker contextualising introduction that may have been unnecessary. The hero is credible, likeable and ties the narrative together. There's a dash of romance that makes sense and but no false hopes for an improved mankind is offered; there's no 'we've messed up but will come out of it stronger' motif, thank goodness.
Worth a read.
December 3, 2019
This was a very good story and was mostly in dialogue between the parties. I hate it when a writer spends untold pages ruminating in the minds of the characters with very little dialogue. I believe you will definitely enjoy reading this tale. Like all good stories though it had to end. Would enjoy reading a sequel if the writer ever decides to continue the story where it left off.
December 8, 2019
Post apocalyptic reading for the average citizen.
Pretty good post apocalyptic fiction. I am not normally a fan of that sort of writing but this is just fine. The characters are believable, real folks in a calamitous situation. They solve their problems in a manner the average reader can see themselves doing the same. Sometimes failing, usually succeeding.
Pretty good post apocalyptic fiction. I am not normally a fan of that sort of writing but this is just fine. The characters are believable, real folks in a calamitous situation. They solve their problems in a manner the average reader can see themselves doing the same. Sometimes failing, usually succeeding.
January 17, 2019
Excellent story and well written
Lately, I seem to have had a bad run of writers in survival books, but this author has totally renewed my interest. Zugg is a terrific story teller and knows how to write. Can't wait for his next book.
Lately, I seem to have had a bad run of writers in survival books, but this author has totally renewed my interest. Zugg is a terrific story teller and knows how to write. Can't wait for his next book.
March 30, 2020
Great story!
With the pandemic we are facing these days I was a bit hesitant to read this book. But as I got into it I found it difficult to put down. It is a fast read and I enjoyed it immensely. I look forward to other novels by Mr Zugg.
With the pandemic we are facing these days I was a bit hesitant to read this book. But as I got into it I found it difficult to put down. It is a fast read and I enjoyed it immensely. I look forward to other novels by Mr Zugg.
October 3, 2020
Johnboy
It is a pretty good story, and some pretty good characters. I recommend it. It may not be for every one, because at the end the characters begin to do things that they use to be to smart for. Also a little over moralistic for post apostalistic.
It is a pretty good story, and some pretty good characters. I recommend it. It may not be for every one, because at the end the characters begin to do things that they use to be to smart for. Also a little over moralistic for post apostalistic.
July 3, 2021
Nice clean apocalyptic yard
I've read a lot of this genre and I enjoyed this one . 😃 It's very typical of this type of adventure. This could end up in a movie someday. Thank you Victor Surf for a clean tale.
I've read a lot of this genre and I enjoyed this one . 😃 It's very typical of this type of adventure. This could end up in a movie someday. Thank you Victor Surf for a clean tale.
August 29, 2021
Action and adventure every step of the way!
I couldn't put this book down, from the very beginning! The action was nonstop, and I was cheering the hero on every step of the way. Five stars for sure!
I couldn't put this book down, from the very beginning! The action was nonstop, and I was cheering the hero on every step of the way. Five stars for sure!
February 25, 2023
I enjoyed it
The story line was a little convenient in places... Well all of it actually!.. but it flowed well , I liked the characters .. little twist when one character didn't make it, but I get why!....
Easy reading
The story line was a little convenient in places... Well all of it actually!.. but it flowed well , I liked the characters .. little twist when one character didn't make it, but I get why!....
Easy reading
February 17, 2019
Great read all till the end. Seem to say have to end story now. Funny ending.
October 28, 2019
Absolutely Awesome
Full of Basic Truths and Good Values. Great character development and "can't put it down" momentum. Recommended for anyone ages 14 or older.
Full of Basic Truths and Good Values. Great character development and "can't put it down" momentum. Recommended for anyone ages 14 or older.
December 31, 2019
I didn't want it to end
Fun book that sweeps you away. I hope that there is a sequel. Either way, I will read more from this author.
Fun book that sweeps you away. I hope that there is a sequel. Either way, I will read more from this author.
May 18, 2020
After the end of civilization
Good book about what could happen after a pandemic. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. Don’t miss this ride.
Good book about what could happen after a pandemic. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. Don’t miss this ride.
August 17, 2020
Good read
Good story with realistic characters and just enough action. Hope there's a sequel. I'd order it as soon as it was available.
Good story with realistic characters and just enough action. Hope there's a sequel. I'd order it as soon as it was available.
August 28, 2020
A little bit hollywood
Some of the action felt staged, implausible for just regular folk to pull off. But the characters were thought out, and the story was engaging.
Some of the action felt staged, implausible for just regular folk to pull off. But the characters were thought out, and the story was engaging.
September 15, 2020
Outstanding Work.
Best book in a long time for me. Victor Zugg has a style that reminds me of the late great Elmer Kelton. Hard book to put down.
Best book in a long time for me. Victor Zugg has a style that reminds me of the late great Elmer Kelton. Hard book to put down.
November 23, 2020
Engaging Story
A good, engaging story with several sub plots. Characters are the good guys and the story makes you feel good.
A good, engaging story with several sub plots. Characters are the good guys and the story makes you feel good.
November 4, 2021
Enjoyed the book would recommend it.
Good insight on what it would be like to live in this time. I liked the absence of filthy language and vivid sex scenes.
Good insight on what it would be like to live in this time. I liked the absence of filthy language and vivid sex scenes.
February 4, 2022
A good tale
I enjoyed reading this. It was well plotted and I enjoyed the characters. The book didn't contain ant
Anything unbelievable or outrageous.
I enjoyed reading this. It was well plotted and I enjoyed the characters. The book didn't contain ant
Anything unbelievable or outrageous.
February 22, 2022
3-. People travelling in a pretty normal dystopian world. It was ok, but the end could have been less abrupt and more upbeat.
September 11, 2022
Covid?
Sounds almost like real life these days.. a plague and consequent problems. I had a good time reading this tale.
Sounds almost like real life these days.. a plague and consequent problems. I had a good time reading this tale.
June 26, 2023
Great page turner!
This was an exciting story without useless profanity and killing usually associated with end times fiction. The author did a great job of keeping it interesting.
This was an exciting story without useless profanity and killing usually associated with end times fiction. The author did a great job of keeping it interesting.
July 19, 2020
Well, let's see. Currently homebound due to Covid-19 and wanting to escape current reality. What better than to read about a pandemic that wiped out most of the world.
Story starts out with the start of a fast killing disease. But doesn't dwell more than a chapter on the pandemic.
Fast forward two years. There are survivors. Smart ones and unfortunate ones. And a few that band together, fight for what they need and take care of each other. The ending isn't what I expected but not a cliff hanger.
I thought I'd read for half an hour and go to bed. This book kept me up until 4am. Just had to keep reading. If you want a good escape from your house, give this book a try.
Story starts out with the start of a fast killing disease. But doesn't dwell more than a chapter on the pandemic.
Fast forward two years. There are survivors. Smart ones and unfortunate ones. And a few that band together, fight for what they need and take care of each other. The ending isn't what I expected but not a cliff hanger.
I thought I'd read for half an hour and go to bed. This book kept me up until 4am. Just had to keep reading. If you want a good escape from your house, give this book a try.
April 29, 2022
Fascinating story of survival.
Zugg devlopes characters you care about . He follows their exploits in a country where organized society has ceased to exist. It's hard to put down because you want to know what happens to them.
Zugg devlopes characters you care about . He follows their exploits in a country where organized society has ceased to exist. It's hard to put down because you want to know what happens to them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews