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Stalker\s
Brian Jameson doesn’t even get a chance to pick a college before a worldwide pandemic breaks out—and his home is Ground Zero. After losing his parents and sister in a whirlwind of devastation, Brian’s war-veteran grandfather takes him under his wing. But when desperate looters attack Brian’s new home, he and his grandfather must flee into a wintery Midwestern wasteland now populated by intelligent infected known as “Stalkers.”
These ghoulish creatures don’t shamble in hordes—they hide in the darkness waiting to strike, teeth bared in ghastly grins. And they laugh while they’re ripping you to shreds.
But with his grandfather’s training, Brian makes it to the home of his estranged childhood friends, twins Louis and Eva. And Brian gets a chance to experience something else he nearly missed: falling in love. Drawn to the determined—and ruthless—Louis, Brian escapes with him in search of an island paradise away from the relentless snow and infected.
But even if they make it there, it may not be the haven they’re hoping for.
These ghoulish creatures don’t shamble in hordes—they hide in the darkness waiting to strike, teeth bared in ghastly grins. And they laugh while they’re ripping you to shreds.
But with his grandfather’s training, Brian makes it to the home of his estranged childhood friends, twins Louis and Eva. And Brian gets a chance to experience something else he nearly missed: falling in love. Drawn to the determined—and ruthless—Louis, Brian escapes with him in search of an island paradise away from the relentless snow and infected.
But even if they make it there, it may not be the haven they’re hoping for.
ebook
Published January 14, 2019
2 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Hasbrouck
4 books8 followersI'm an INTJ (you might not put much stock into MBTI types but INTJ describes me better than I can describe myself). Also, when I play D&D, I align Chaotic Neutral. Apart from that, I'm always interested in art, prose, all things creative, psychology and true crime, and I've been a fan of anime and video games since my single-digit years. If I had to pick aesthetics, I'd go Dark Paradise ala Silent Hill or an umbrella of Dreamwave. I'm also a huge Pokemon dweeb.
My work typically includes diverse voices and speculative qualities with a dash of romance and slow-burn sexual tension. I am the author of two published series: the high fantasy The Lineage of Tellus, first published in 2014 by Greyhart Press, and the post-apocalyptic thriller Stalker/s, first published in 2019 by NineStar Press. NineStar Press also published my sci-fi novel The Gemini Strand in 2021. In addition, my short story, “The Hole”, has been published in the horror anthology Welcome Home from Lycan Valley Press. I’ve also been a professional editor since 2021 and signed with my agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency in 2024.
My work typically includes diverse voices and speculative qualities with a dash of romance and slow-burn sexual tension. I am the author of two published series: the high fantasy The Lineage of Tellus, first published in 2014 by Greyhart Press, and the post-apocalyptic thriller Stalker/s, first published in 2019 by NineStar Press. NineStar Press also published my sci-fi novel The Gemini Strand in 2021. In addition, my short story, “The Hole”, has been published in the horror anthology Welcome Home from Lycan Valley Press. I’ve also been a professional editor since 2021 and signed with my agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency in 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 27, 2019
I am seriously torn right now. I am so pissed off at this book right now. I will explain. I really didn't know how to rate it at first, but I had to realize that I had to get over it for a moment at least, and give credit where credit is due. And that is to this author. They did their job. They pulled you in from the first page and gripped you until the end. The writing, the characters, the plot, all of it was meant to enthrall you into this story and it did. It was meant to shock and awe, leave you in doubt, but hope, and just about any other emotion you could throw in there. And that is why I rated it what I did. Anything lower would be a disservice and would be just me being over here all pissed off. My hat is off to you L.J. Hasbrouck. One hell of a book.
Now, I am. Pissed. The. Hell. Off. Oh. My. Gah. What I just said before about it drawing you in. Oh yeah. So much so. Until you get to the end. Then all bets are off. That was the most fucked up ending I think I have ever read, and I am at a loss of wanting to scream, pull my hair out or seriously punch something. What the actual f? And I have NO clue if there is going to actually be another to this book, so I have to assume this is how this book is being left. ARGHHHHH! I have no way to describe it. It's like a cliffhanger. Hell it pretty much is.
Ok I don't want to detract from the book anymore, because despite the ending, it really is a great book. Brian is up in his room playing on his tablet when he hears a noise. But when he takes of he earbuds, he hears silence, or does he? All he knows is there's gunshots now going off and everyone is piling in his room. His mom shot the intruder but not without injuries to herself. They take her to the hospital. She's there for a few days but the send her home. And she's not acting right. She's been infected. On the days they go to take her to the hospital again, she takes Brian's sister hostage and I'm assuming eats her. It never clearly says. But you can assume from the screams. Brian's dad goes to save her but it's too late. He has to kill them both. But one got him and he makes it as far as dropping Brian off to his grandparents before he has to leave, before infecting them.
Over the next few weeks, his grandfather teaches Brian how to take care of himself with weapons, first aid and killing. About storing things and survival. But bad times are now visiting them and they have to run for cover. His grandmother doesn't make it and he and his grandfather set out to see an old buddy to help each other survive. When the get there, Brian meets his childhood friends again, but Louis shoots his grandfather's dog and they find out the grandfather is gone too. Brian's grandpa's friend. They are overcome eventually in this house too and have to run. Louis wants to go to new Orleans so he can get his family's boat and go to an island. They go through hell on Earth at every turn, make some new friends, lose more family, but finally get to where they want to be. But discoveries and confessions are made, and what was now between Louis and Brian over this time, may now be permanently over.
You basically have a zombie apocalypse going on here. People are being infected quickly and other are struggling to survive. Brian doesn't know how he will make it but does ok as long as he had his grandpa first, then later Louis. And they went through some stuff. Almost dying several times, being kidnapped, zombies at every turn. Towns are raized, destroyed. Bodies piling up everywhere. It's tough. But the find some friends to help and make their destination. But that destination is what revealed too much and…….I can't finish that. Argh!!!! This is….yeah. just seriously don't know what to say after that.
It's a good book. Exceptional. I really encourage you to read it. Recommend it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
Now, I am. Pissed. The. Hell. Off. Oh. My. Gah. What I just said before about it drawing you in. Oh yeah. So much so. Until you get to the end. Then all bets are off. That was the most fucked up ending I think I have ever read, and I am at a loss of wanting to scream, pull my hair out or seriously punch something. What the actual f? And I have NO clue if there is going to actually be another to this book, so I have to assume this is how this book is being left. ARGHHHHH! I have no way to describe it. It's like a cliffhanger. Hell it pretty much is.
Ok I don't want to detract from the book anymore, because despite the ending, it really is a great book. Brian is up in his room playing on his tablet when he hears a noise. But when he takes of he earbuds, he hears silence, or does he? All he knows is there's gunshots now going off and everyone is piling in his room. His mom shot the intruder but not without injuries to herself. They take her to the hospital. She's there for a few days but the send her home. And she's not acting right. She's been infected. On the days they go to take her to the hospital again, she takes Brian's sister hostage and I'm assuming eats her. It never clearly says. But you can assume from the screams. Brian's dad goes to save her but it's too late. He has to kill them both. But one got him and he makes it as far as dropping Brian off to his grandparents before he has to leave, before infecting them.
Over the next few weeks, his grandfather teaches Brian how to take care of himself with weapons, first aid and killing. About storing things and survival. But bad times are now visiting them and they have to run for cover. His grandmother doesn't make it and he and his grandfather set out to see an old buddy to help each other survive. When the get there, Brian meets his childhood friends again, but Louis shoots his grandfather's dog and they find out the grandfather is gone too. Brian's grandpa's friend. They are overcome eventually in this house too and have to run. Louis wants to go to new Orleans so he can get his family's boat and go to an island. They go through hell on Earth at every turn, make some new friends, lose more family, but finally get to where they want to be. But discoveries and confessions are made, and what was now between Louis and Brian over this time, may now be permanently over.
You basically have a zombie apocalypse going on here. People are being infected quickly and other are struggling to survive. Brian doesn't know how he will make it but does ok as long as he had his grandpa first, then later Louis. And they went through some stuff. Almost dying several times, being kidnapped, zombies at every turn. Towns are raized, destroyed. Bodies piling up everywhere. It's tough. But the find some friends to help and make their destination. But that destination is what revealed too much and…….I can't finish that. Argh!!!! This is….yeah. just seriously don't know what to say after that.
It's a good book. Exceptional. I really encourage you to read it. Recommend it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
March 25, 2019
I’ve always enjoyed reading books about survival in the wild so I enjoyed this quite abit. It was interesting to read about the skills Max taught to Brian and it was nice to see how they made full use of those skills to survive amidst the apocalypse.
This isn’t your usual zombie flick, though it may seem like it at first glance. In this book, the infected are termed as “Stalkers”, and they display a penchant for violence and cannibalism, all the while doing so with a perpetual grin plastered over their faces. Like zombies, the Stalkers have little to no sense of humanity, but they do however possess a level of intelligence, allowing them to cooperate and hunt for prey together. They also mutilate their own kind but it was not made known under what circumstances.
Another thing that puts them apart from zombies is that the Stalkers actually are vulnerable to weather conditions like the normal human. This makes a lot of sense, as I don’t see why zombies should suddenly be immune to the cold when they have turned, contrary to popular media.
This puts a whole new light on the book, as these Stalkers can actually be annihilated either by extreme weather or killing their own kind. Though this fact was not emphasised in the book, I felt that it made the story more realistic. Only reading this did I realise that the popular media depiction of zombies is really quite absurd, how can there be so many zombies around?
The next thing I like about this book is the romance between Louis and Brian. The relationship build up was just so sweet and real. I find myself rooting for them every single time. Go away Eva, go away Cecilia! My heart sank when Brian had to leave in the end. That twist... was really unpredictable. Louis was a little warped, sure. But to go to that extend to secure Brian? He must really not just be borderline. Sounds more like a psycho to me.
Overall, the book was a great read. It was a pleasantly slight deviation from your usual zombie book and therefore I find it refreshing. There were a few things that don’t quite make sense; travelling on cows, etc. Ain’t it the worst way to travel? They are slow and hard to train, it just doesn’t make sense.
To make this book a better read, I suggest adding different species of Stalkers. Maybe there can be a special infected? I don’t know... This book was a great read though, and I definitely would pick up the second book given the chance. So four stars for this one.
This isn’t your usual zombie flick, though it may seem like it at first glance. In this book, the infected are termed as “Stalkers”, and they display a penchant for violence and cannibalism, all the while doing so with a perpetual grin plastered over their faces. Like zombies, the Stalkers have little to no sense of humanity, but they do however possess a level of intelligence, allowing them to cooperate and hunt for prey together. They also mutilate their own kind but it was not made known under what circumstances.
Another thing that puts them apart from zombies is that the Stalkers actually are vulnerable to weather conditions like the normal human. This makes a lot of sense, as I don’t see why zombies should suddenly be immune to the cold when they have turned, contrary to popular media.
This puts a whole new light on the book, as these Stalkers can actually be annihilated either by extreme weather or killing their own kind. Though this fact was not emphasised in the book, I felt that it made the story more realistic. Only reading this did I realise that the popular media depiction of zombies is really quite absurd, how can there be so many zombies around?
The next thing I like about this book is the romance between Louis and Brian. The relationship build up was just so sweet and real. I find myself rooting for them every single time. Go away Eva, go away Cecilia! My heart sank when Brian had to leave in the end. That twist... was really unpredictable. Louis was a little warped, sure. But to go to that extend to secure Brian? He must really not just be borderline. Sounds more like a psycho to me.
Overall, the book was a great read. It was a pleasantly slight deviation from your usual zombie book and therefore I find it refreshing. There were a few things that don’t quite make sense; travelling on cows, etc. Ain’t it the worst way to travel? They are slow and hard to train, it just doesn’t make sense.
To make this book a better read, I suggest adding different species of Stalkers. Maybe there can be a special infected? I don’t know... This book was a great read though, and I definitely would pick up the second book given the chance. So four stars for this one.
February 19, 2019
Stalker/s Kindle Edition
by L.J. Hasbrouck (Author)
I received a review copy via NetGalley and am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
Hasbrouck has given us the love child of King's The Stand and Brooks's World War Z.
A fast past, tension filled (in more ways than one) exploration of the end of the world and the only things that can survive it, love.
Just before Brian is set to start applying to colleges, his mother is attacked by a stranger with a creepy smile, horrible stench and a hunger for flesh. This kicks of a pandemic of a zombie-like infection, where people lose their empathy and conscience to exchange it for a homicidal tendency and a hunger for blood. Brian holes who with his grandparents to learn basic survival skills before he is forced into a journey across the Bible Belt. During the trip, he meets up with is childhood friends, the twins Eva and Louis, who join him as they try to find a safe place in a world that may not longer have one. All the while, Brian and Louis must fight the growing tension between them.
Along the way the encounter madmen with masked gangs, people who have gone insane from loneliness or fear and what appears to be a pacifist cult based on a new religion that blends a lot of voodoo with more Catholicism (yes, I know voodoo is a mix of African religions and Catholicism)
I don't want to give any spoilers, but let me say, the fade to black at the Plantation and in the boat, were frustrating. If you can describe the splattering of brains, over and over, you certainly can show a little skin on skin action.
The end was an atomic blast of a twist that while I suspected some of it was coming, I was left breathless!
4 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Stalker-s-L-J-...
by L.J. Hasbrouck (Author)
I received a review copy via NetGalley and am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
Hasbrouck has given us the love child of King's The Stand and Brooks's World War Z.
A fast past, tension filled (in more ways than one) exploration of the end of the world and the only things that can survive it, love.
Just before Brian is set to start applying to colleges, his mother is attacked by a stranger with a creepy smile, horrible stench and a hunger for flesh. This kicks of a pandemic of a zombie-like infection, where people lose their empathy and conscience to exchange it for a homicidal tendency and a hunger for blood. Brian holes who with his grandparents to learn basic survival skills before he is forced into a journey across the Bible Belt. During the trip, he meets up with is childhood friends, the twins Eva and Louis, who join him as they try to find a safe place in a world that may not longer have one. All the while, Brian and Louis must fight the growing tension between them.
Along the way the encounter madmen with masked gangs, people who have gone insane from loneliness or fear and what appears to be a pacifist cult based on a new religion that blends a lot of voodoo with more Catholicism (yes, I know voodoo is a mix of African religions and Catholicism)
I don't want to give any spoilers, but let me say, the fade to black at the Plantation and in the boat, were frustrating. If you can describe the splattering of brains, over and over, you certainly can show a little skin on skin action.
The end was an atomic blast of a twist that while I suspected some of it was coming, I was left breathless!
4 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Stalker-s-L-J-...
January 13, 2019
Brian’s only family is his grandfather. He lost the rest to the sickness that had taken over the world in the form of Stalkers. They find their way to childhood friends, Louis and Eva. They have also lost everyone. When they decide to set out for an island in hopes of finding safety it’s only the three of them. Stalkers are everywhere and relentless. Their journey is hard and not without loss. Brian and Louis begin to develop feelings for each other.
I thought this was a good but then I’m fond of apocalyptic stories. Their odyssey to the island was harrowing and I really engaged with the story. This probably would of been a five star book for me had it not ended the way it did.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
I thought this was a good but then I’m fond of apocalyptic stories. Their odyssey to the island was harrowing and I really engaged with the story. This probably would of been a five star book for me had it not ended the way it did.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
January 31, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
The story began with a bang…literally. Brian’s world is shattered when his mother shoots and kills a man in their bedroom. This is fast paced and rather exciting. Once it became clear there was some sort of disease going around, the world collapsed at a rapid pace. I’d say I was kind of shocked at some of what happened. It was quick and painful and I was impressed. I felt this was a bold choice for the author. I also liked the amount of detail given during Brian’s interaction with his grandfather. There was no amount of coddling on his grandfather’s part. This was pure survival, so they couldn’t afford it.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
The story began with a bang…literally. Brian’s world is shattered when his mother shoots and kills a man in their bedroom. This is fast paced and rather exciting. Once it became clear there was some sort of disease going around, the world collapsed at a rapid pace. I’d say I was kind of shocked at some of what happened. It was quick and painful and I was impressed. I felt this was a bold choice for the author. I also liked the amount of detail given during Brian’s interaction with his grandfather. There was no amount of coddling on his grandfather’s part. This was pure survival, so they couldn’t afford it.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
January 15, 2019
First Netgalley of the year. I usually avoid zombies and apocalypse stories. This one I liked. A road trip filled with death, betrayal, friends and enemies. What stood out for me was the twins. No smut but hints of m/m. Favourite character was D, the brightest character. Glad I read it.
April 28, 2021
Oh, Yeahhhh!
February 27, 2019
Thoughtful, insightful, intensely emotional, and terrifying at times, Stalker/s is a unique take on survivors in a post-epidemic America. Best element for me was the colourful cast of characters you will remember for a long time. Louis, in particular, is a mesmerizing character I couldn't keep my eye off.
June 30, 2019
This book told the story of 3 people and even though I sometimes find it difficult to concentrate on more than 2 character's stories with this I found I was able to read it comfortably. It is very well written and won't be the last book I read by this author.
October 2, 2025
Dark, dangerous, and sweet is the love the grows between Brian and Louis, but poor Brian has a way of losing everything in a post-pandemic, post-apocalyptic world terrorized by Stalkers, smiling zombies, whom stalk and hunt humans, posing a predatory mystery to those unfortunate enough to encounter them and strong enough to survive them. A trip across the American south is frought with peril for Brian, Louis, Evia, D; not only from the stalkers, by the savage humans who’ve torn a place of power for themselves in the ruined landscape. Louis draws Brian into his quest for an island paradise away from this nightmarish America, but will this paradise be all Louis dreams of? How can it be, with the horrors Louis and Brian carry with them?
Intense, gritty, and nailbiting; there was plenty of horror, but also hope and humanity to be discovered upon this journey. Brian, the protagonist, embodied the latter qualities, even as they were tested by the horrors he encountered; inspiring affection in those around him because of it. It was impossible not to care about Brian, seeing what he endured and stood up for, nor to want to abandon him, after he’s come so far.
Intense, gritty, and nailbiting; there was plenty of horror, but also hope and humanity to be discovered upon this journey. Brian, the protagonist, embodied the latter qualities, even as they were tested by the horrors he encountered; inspiring affection in those around him because of it. It was impossible not to care about Brian, seeing what he endured and stood up for, nor to want to abandon him, after he’s come so far.
April 18, 2021
Obviously when you take a look at my pen-name, you know I'm a fan of postapocalyptic genre. So I went into this with an open mind and really enjoyed the uniqueness of the characters, their complex relationships and fraught situations, and the spin on the not-zombies that populate their derelict world.
There's a lot of suspense and tension, and not just of the survival kind. Give it a read if you want to be on the edge of your seat right up til the end.
There's a lot of suspense and tension, and not just of the survival kind. Give it a read if you want to be on the edge of your seat right up til the end.
March 8, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book. In the beginning I thought I would never like it, the journal entries for example really didn't suit my taste at all. But once the story got started I couldn't stop reading anymore, the tension is great. Also the idea of the truned to be like creepy Stalkers was amazing.
Unfortunately, the relationship between Brian and Lou only really started to take place after 3/4 of the book had already been over - I would have liked a bit more in that area.
As for the end? I love that there was again some twist! I hoped that there was more to the "deaths" of the other two and I was happy when there actually was! But I wish they would have gone together.
Unfortunately, the relationship between Brian and Lou only really started to take place after 3/4 of the book had already been over - I would have liked a bit more in that area.
As for the end? I love that there was again some twist! I hoped that there was more to the "deaths" of the other two and I was happy when there actually was! But I wish they would have gone together.
Read
December 8, 2019I love post-apoc books, and the beginning of this really grabbed me. I was sure I was going to like this one a lot. Then I read the incident with the dog at his grandparents house and that one little paragraph left me disliking the main character. I wish I could unread it because I know it will taint my view of Brian for the rest of the book. For that reason only, I decided to dnf.
I will definitely try out future books by this author though.
I will definitely try out future books by this author though.
January 25, 2019
This review is based on an ARC.
I will start by saying I'm not a big fan of zombies, so I won't touch on that aspect of the book even though it is a big part. The writing was good and the pacing as well. However, I had an issue with the ending. If it's setting up for a sequel I suppose I can kind of see it, but I personally wouldn't read a sequel. The ending was frustrating as it made most of the story seem pointless to me. If it had happened a bit earlier and then resolved, maybe. As is it just left me exasperated.
I will start by saying I'm not a big fan of zombies, so I won't touch on that aspect of the book even though it is a big part. The writing was good and the pacing as well. However, I had an issue with the ending. If it's setting up for a sequel I suppose I can kind of see it, but I personally wouldn't read a sequel. The ending was frustrating as it made most of the story seem pointless to me. If it had happened a bit earlier and then resolved, maybe. As is it just left me exasperated.
April 4, 2019
"They’re calling it “The Stalker Disease” because of how the infected hunt: they hone in on their prey, watch and wait, then strike from a hidden location."
This was an okay zombie book for me but it just fell a bit flat. I'm not entirely sure why. It might be because I really didn't like the main characters - but I've read other books with protagonists I didn't like but still liked the overall book.
The plot was a bit scrambled, darting here and there when I think I would have enjoyed a more linear plotline.
All in all, it was just missing that makes a good or excellent book for me. Others have read it, though, and enjoyed it a lot. I guess that's why there's so many authors and so many books - catering to everyone's specific reading wants and needs.
The story takes the reader, along within main character Brian Jameson from Kansas clear across the country. He's joined by others along the way all fighting off the dreaded Stalkers.
Readable but not a book I'll ever re-read.
I received this book from Nine Star Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
This was an okay zombie book for me but it just fell a bit flat. I'm not entirely sure why. It might be because I really didn't like the main characters - but I've read other books with protagonists I didn't like but still liked the overall book.
The plot was a bit scrambled, darting here and there when I think I would have enjoyed a more linear plotline.
All in all, it was just missing that makes a good or excellent book for me. Others have read it, though, and enjoyed it a lot. I guess that's why there's so many authors and so many books - catering to everyone's specific reading wants and needs.
The story takes the reader, along within main character Brian Jameson from Kansas clear across the country. He's joined by others along the way all fighting off the dreaded Stalkers.
Readable but not a book I'll ever re-read.
I received this book from Nine Star Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews