The Rule of Three

Extinction Cycle Universe

by Adrian J. Smith, Nicholas Sansbury Smith (Foreword)

What would you do to survive the apocalypse?   Jack Gee, hiking the New Zealand mountains, is blissfully unaware of the Hemorrhage virus sweeping the world. A desperate message from his wife Dee alerts him, and he must return to Hamilton. On the way, he is captured by flesh-eating Variants and taken to their meat locker. To escape, he will need to draw on all his experience as an outdoorsman, but first he must find the will to survive.

Surrounded by Variants, Dee is trapped in her Hamilton basement with a group of survivors. With Jack missing, and dwindling food supplies, she must leave the basement, her only defense a Katana.

The nightmare has just begun. Will they find each other in the chaos?  Note: Extinction New Zealand is the action-packed trilogy set in the Extinction Cycle world of New York Times Bestselling Author Nicholas Sansbury Smith. Previously published via Amazon Kindle Worlds, The Rule of Three is now being offered in print, and audio for the first time ever. Readers outside of the USA will also get to experience these stories for the first time as well. Thank you for reading!

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Horror, Zombies, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Survival

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2017

Reviews

[Claude's Bookzone]

I did it!
Book 20 in my Zombie-a-thon for Zomvember!

CW: Gore, death of children, attempted rape

Well it's amazing how my reading experience was affected by the fact that this book was set in a place I know well. Obviously I have read books set in New Zealand before, but absolutely not from this genre. It made the experience so enjoyable! However, I do wish they used a narrator who could pronounce the Māori place names correctly.

This book is set in the Extinction Cycle world by Nicholas Sansbury Smith so the zombies are the same as in this series. The writing was okay and the author certainly does action sequences incredibly well. You know how sometimes it's all go and you are just left with the impression of chaos? Well this author's action scenes are exciting and clear if that makes sense. I loved the final chapter which was from the point of view of the alpha Variant (zombie). I will actually finish this series because as it so happens I have a NZ author challenge going on right now and am woefully behind on my books!

[Tracy P.]

Author Adrian J. Smith has done a fabulous job entering Nicholas Sansbury Smith's Extinction series universe with this first book of his Extinction New Zealand series. 'The Rule of Three' introduces us to Dee and Jack Gee - a married couple who are separated when the blood thirsty Variants first make themselves known down-under. Their main goal is getting back to each other at all costs. Along the way they each hook up with various survivors - both young and old - who all prove to be steadfast in their determination to fight together and protect each other. Adrian Smith describes the Variants in perfect detail and exactly as I know them from Nicholas Sansbury Smith's Extinction series - their clicking claws, high intelligence, and right on down to their horrifying sucker lips - he has hooked me right in. Great job.
Narrator Raphael Corkhill is delivers a grand performance - the perfect choice as the voice for this series.
Up Next: 'The Fourth Phase' (Extinction New Zealand, #2).

[Rhett Bruno]

What a spin off!

It’s incredible to see the tense, thrilling world created by Nick Sansbury Smith carried over to New Zealand. This novel really fits the series and feels like it was written by him. Great voice, pacing and an action packed story. Definitely worry the trip down under!

[Kay]

This book was fun if you're in this sort of thing- unknown virus and monsters. Just like its main series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith (Extinction Cycle) stinking Variants somehow arrived in New Zealand and wreak havoc to this picturesque country. Men, women and children fought to survive this nightmare, no Marines here. I'm very curious to know what happens next!

[Brittany]

4 Stars!!

What would you do to survive the apocalypse?

Jack is hiking in the woods totally oblivious to the world crashing down around him. He finally gets within cell phone range and makes a call to his wife Dee. Dee alerts him to the outbreak that is taking place and all the strange things happening in the city.




On the way to reunite with Dee, he starts to understand what she was going on about. He faces danger at every turn and meets many characters along his race to get back to his wife.

Meanwhile waiting for Jack- Dee is trapped in her basement with a group of survivors. All she cares about is finding Jack and getting to their cabin in the woods. Dee faces her own challenges and struggles in her race to find him.

This was such an exciting and action packed read. It takes off from the first page and doesn't stop. I read it in one sitting and cant wait to read the next books in the series to see where things will go next for this group of survivors.

[Christina's Library]

It's a good story, just to gory for my taste

[Alexia Purdy]

I've never read any books of the world this story is set in but, wow, what an amazing novella that really pulls you into the characters' struggles to survive an ELE. Dee and Jack Gee journey and fight against the Variants who have resulted from a deadly hemorrhagic virus turning people into monstrous mutations that feed on humans. It's a horrific event and the entire story centers around this couple's determination to get back to each other after being in two separate places when the event happens.

Don't read this before bedtime, it will scare the beegeezus out of you and keep you wide awake. A thorough heart pumping adventure that makes you hold your breath in so many spots, you just pray these things won't jump off the page and come haunt you. Excellent storytelling. I will totally check out this world further.

[TP]

I liked it.

I had only two minor critics.
First I noticed that the action scenes weren’t smoothly at times. Small details in the sequence of the action scenes were missed. Like the author skipped one sentence now and then and that reduced the fluency of the read. I pictured the scenes in my mind and suddenly the characters were one step ahead then described.

And secondly, the reasoning for Ben to go to the dam on a suicidal mission and abandoning his current, in my opinion important, well organised and working mission, was too superficially handled. The author should have given it more thought and a deeper reasoning for the decision.
As well as some more meaningful words or memories, just a little more depth, for Dee and Jack thinking about each other. The repetitive reasoning of both for loving books, movies and gaming got trivial fast and was not necessary.

Otherwise it was a great read. I enjoyed the plot, the characters and book in general. Ok writing.


This was a worthy side story to the extinction cycle series compared to another one I have read which couldn’t match up in the slightest.

Happily on to book two in the series.

[Sabrina]

A truly worthy addition to the 'Extinction Cycle' series!

Adrian Smith has taken the original, vivid series and expounded the experience into New Zealand. With beautiful writing, descriptive characters, and a suspenseful story line, this novella immerses the reader in the terrifying world of the apocalypse. Read in a single evening, I was very impressed with Mr. Smith's debut tale!

The story starts the reader on a frantic journey to reunite a husband and wife, separated when the world descended into chaos. A sprinkling of survival tips and ingenuity makes this a wonderful Kindle World addition to the original series.....and there's the promise of more! I honestly can't wait for more from this author and these characters. Very well done!

[Cynthia Terrones]

AN AWESOME NEW BOOK FROM AN AWESOME NEW AUTHOR

This book is a definitely must read. As a new author Adrian Smith has done an awesome job bringing to life his character Jack Gee and everything Jack had to endure to reach any kind of safety. The "Alpha" in this book is something all in NZ left alive seriously should fear. I can't wait to read about both in the continuation of the Kindle Worlds Novella, Extinction Cycle: The Rule of Three, Book 2. Anything having to do with the "Extinction Cycle Series" is #1 on my list. So here's hoping everyone out there reads this book. It seriously is awesome.

[Lisa Omstead]

Phenomenal new addition to the Extinction Cycle Series!

Taking its title from the wilderness survival rules of three, this action-packed thriller is set in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. Like the area itself, this story is rich in detail and suspense. The main characters’ horrific journey to reunite in the midst of the apocalypse is peppered with just enough hope to find that strength deep down inside. Looking forward to more adventures with Jack, Dee and their mates in NZ.

[BookLoversLife]

Jack Gee is hiking in the wilderness when he decides it's time to head back home. When he finally gets some cell reception he finds frantic messages from his wife stating some truly terrifying things. He manages to reach her and tells her he will be home soon. What should only take an hour or so turns into a trip to hell. Meanwhile, Dee agrees to drive her friend to her house and then return home till Jack gets back, but it's not as easy as that and Dee is in a fight for her life too.

I adore The Extinction Cycle by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and always wanted to read the novellas set in his world that other authors wrote, but the Kindle World books were taken down and I didn't get a chance. I was thrilled when the author said he was publishing them through his own press and they would be available world wide!! It was also a bonus that this author was expanding his books and adding more content.

When I started this, I wasn't sure what to expect to be honest, because this is a debut author. I thought it would take a while for him to find his flow, but colour me impressed because this was seriously good!! We are brought into the action right from the start and it doesn't let up. The action sequences are well written and were easy to become lost in.... I had a real hard time putting the book down!! The plot was fast paced and well developed, and his characters were really easy to connect to and like, so yes, I was seriously impressed with the authors writing skill!!

The authors ability to grab me and make me see the landscape with his descriptive writing was brilliant too. New Zealand is a bucket list item and I could picture the scenes perfectly. Also the geeky references were awesome ;) Loved it!! I also loved the fact that apart from Ben, none of the rest are military. This is told from the point of view of ordinary people, in a country where they don't have access to guns easily either. It was relatable and scary because where I live, we don't have access to weapons easily either, and it makes you think.

In all, I loved this book and can't wait to dive into the next one. Jack and Dee, Boss, George and Ben have all captured my heart.

[Mark]

I picked this up as part of the full trilogy and listened as well as read. The author does a great job describing the areas of New Zealand and the monsters were interesting. I’ll be curious to see how the virus actually changes people or if there’s something else afoot. I really started to like the cast of characters with Boss, Dee, Jack, Ben, and the young one. I look forward to seeing where the story goes and how they are able to escape the extinction area of NZ!

[Rachael Ashak-Benson]

Ok..... So the romance......

Ok, so I’m granting this book 5 stars because it is part of the Extinction Cycle storyline. It does stand on it’s own in many, many ways — except one.
It turns a corner, way too far often, into romance fiction. At one point, after really “getting it” (over and over) I actually felt myself gag a bit. Just a little too over the top with the very same love exclamations and stary-eyed romance. Perhaps if the author even switched up the language a bit? It may have helped with the snappiness.
Other than that oddness within the middle of an Extinction Cycle story - it was a fun ride! Cannot wait to move on to the next book ........

[Tai Sanders]

Interesting.

Curious to see how the story unfolds in the coming books. Where do the creatures come from and how did they get here in the first place.

[Pixie 🍜]

I had to dnf (we both did) as we didn’t find any connection to the characters.
The main characters Jack and Dee are a married couple trying to find each other in the apolocypse. The thing is I found it hard to care or root for them when they kept just leaving other people to die. Jack literally let’s a whole family get killed. Okay he attempts to save one kid and then as soon as it looks difficult he just floats away on the river like oh no what a shame.
Dee does the same when her best friend is injured and instead of helping her she just leaves her to die after her friend is like no you go. Like she only tries once to argue and it’s like the weird no I’ll pay except you listen the first time and your date then dies.

The survival stuff was cool but I never felt like they were in real danger as they both seem to kill the zombie things with little effort. I think this just wasn’t for us.

[Marina]

This is an excellent read if you're looking for fast-paced, tension packed, monster filled run for survival! Unputdownable 🆘☢ ON KINDLE NOW $1.24

[Stephanie]

I loved this version of zombie apocalypse! Suspenseful all the way to the last page. The audiobook was perfectly narrated.

[Jody]

Wow, what a ride. I am glad I found this series!

[Karen]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Kindle World books as they offer a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the narrative from the perspectives of various authors. Specifically, the setting of the Extinction Cycle series takes a dramatic turn in New Zealand, providing a stark contrast to the familiar landscapes of America. This geographical shift introduces readers to a distinct terrain that significantly influences the story, and the author does a commendable job of vividly describing the environment, allowing us to visualize the challenges the characters face in this rugged landscape.

The characters, however, felt somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the depth often found in more intricate stories. While we gain a clearer understanding of the couple at the center of the narrative, their personalities and backgrounds could benefit from greater elaboration to enhance emotional investment in their journey.

Jack Gee, the protagonist, finds himself hiking through the breathtaking New Zealand mountains, blissfully unaware of the catastrophic events unfolding globally as the deadly virus approaches his remote location. His peaceful trek is abruptly interrupted when he receives a frantic call from his wife, Dee, pleading for him to return home immediately. This moment serves as a powerful catalyst, forcing Jack to abandon his adventure and rush back, only to face unforeseen detours along the way. His capture adds an intense layer of suspense, leaving him to devise a precarious escape plan that could jeopardize his very life.

Meanwhile, Dee Gee is not having an easy time either. She has barricaded herself within the confines of their home in Hamilton, retreating to the safety of the basement. Resourceful and determined, she has managed to mask her presence from the terrifying Variants that roam outside. When she witnesses a terrified group fleeing from the creatures, her instinct to help overrides her caution, leading her to invite them into her already precarious refuge. However, as the days pass and her supplies begin to dwindle, she faces a chilling reality: Jack has yet to return. Faced with the grim prospects of starvation, she realizes the necessity of leaving the basement behind, armed only with her Katana for protection. Her hope is twofold: to survive the treacherous outside world and, against the odds, find her husband amidst the chaos.

The series unfolds across three parts, allowing readers ample time to connect with a broader array of surviving characters. Throughout the narrative, there are numerous pop culture and movie references that enrich the storytelling experience. Additionally, I noticed a range of parallels to familiar zombie-themed media, encompassing various shows, films, and literature. While these similarities are apparent, they do not detract from the intrigue of the storyline but rather add layers of enjoyment for fans of the genre. Overall, this is a captivating read, and I find myself eagerly anticipating how the complete story will unfold in subsequent installments.

[Kristina]

I was excited to continue on with another version of NSS original, but this book seemed choppy and I was actually getting confused at how much it seemed to jump around, it needed more flow.

I don't understand how in Sansburys and Brownings storyline when you got body fluids from the variants on you then you would turn but in this storyline they don't, it is very confusing.

I listened to the audiobook version and I will have to say that when you have multiple characters in a book then there should be a heading on each chapter to tell you which character the chapter is about, again just for better flow...just a fyi.

I plan on finishing the series regardless because I have to find out how it ends.

[Nathan]

OK disclaimer, I have read and enjoyed World War Z, but this is not really my preferred genre, so I haven't read any of the Extinction series of books before this one, and only picked this up because it is set in NZ...

That being said, I largely enjoyed this volume, and will read the next two in the series. I only gave it 3 stars as the narration a little clunky at times, and I felt the author over-egged the NZ explanations/Kiwiana. This is possibly warranted for foreign readers, but as a NZ'er I found it a little cringey, and not always accurate. As other reviewers have noted, it also veers into sappy romance novel type writing at times...

It is a good story however, and the action scenes are written well enough to make you want to keep reading. it is interesting to see how non-military/unarmed characters respond to the Variant threat, and the characters are engaging enough.

I will also read the original Extinction after these 3 volumes to see how things compare.

[Kathi Kelley]

A fast paced, scary as hell story! This man has a way with words, seriously! The characters are three dimensional, primary and secondary, and the story is rich in detail that brings it "alive". Mr. Smith intimately describes his country in a rich and knowing manner. Overall I rated the book at 4.40. Yes, I am a tough reviewer and rarely have I rated a book at a 5.

As a Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Extinction Cycle fan, I can say that this is rich addition to the Extinction Cycle World. You need not have read the Extinction Series to understand and "get" this story. However, if you haven't you should!

Amazingly, this is the authors first book and I look forward to reading much more from this very talented author, Adrian J. Smith!

[Nath]

I don't normally really get much into the zombie apocalypse genre. I can't quite reconcile the image of zombies (even millions of them) standing up to a modern military with tanks and especially air strikes from several thousand feet in the air.

But this one is set in New Zealand. New Zealand doesn't have any tanks, nor any fighter jets. Zombies in New Zealand might just have a solid shot at taking over!

Being half Kiwi, and a total Kiwiphile, I loved the setting and characters of the story. I was engrossed from page one! Which is a good thing, because it's a short novella, it'd already be over if it took 100 pages to get going!

[Kathy Ann'tie]

This is an excellent first book by Adrian Smith. I was invested in this story from the moment I started reading it and I found it so very hard to put down. His characters were rich with character and full of life, making me care for what happened to each and everyone, I wanted to be a part of the story and it felt through his writing that I was there right along with them through it all. I can't wait to see where he takes his characters and how the story line progresses through the Extinction Cycle world. You can be sure that I will happily read any books that Adrian writes in the future.

[Michael Keller]

New Zealand fights the Variant infestation, struggling to find a solution.

Excellently depicted from a New Zealand point of view, Adrian has brought the action to this small island nation. The fight goes on and people will find ways to survive.

This novella is well-written with great action scenes and endearing characters struggling to understand and survive in a post-apocalyptic world populated by infected monsters and worse - human collaborators assisting the Variants against their own kind.

Can't wait to read more from the struggle down under! Great read!

[Yalonda Butler]

I'll take a Rule of Three for $400, Alex!
What is an awesome short story? First time author? No way! Mr. Smith has definitely got the storytelling gene. Constant action and it flowed in right with the Extinction series but set in New Zealand. Looking forward to Book 2 and what sort of adventures they get into next. Pick up a copy today, you won't be disappointed. Mr. Smith is definitely an author to add to your TBR list. :)

[Jon Theisen]

Awesome addition to the Extinction Cycle World

This is the first book I have read from this author and I have to say I'm excited to see what he has in stored for his readers next. This book was a polished addition to a great series by Author Nicholas Sandsbury Smith and it blended in seamlessly. I highly recommend this book and author and cannot wait to see where his imagination leads us next.

[Amanda Briggs]

My 16 year old son and I listened to this book on a recent road trip. I was wanting an action story that would interest him, and we both typically enjoy dystopian/apocalyptic genre stories. The writing in this book was terribly repetitive and weak. We were barely intrigued enough to continue to the end, but certainly not enough to read another in the series. I rarely leave low reviews, and enjoy most books, but this was not a hit for either one of us.

[PHYL]

Most excellent story, characters you can relate to. Readers of horror, zombie-type monsters, dystopian books. l love this book. This might be a book readers who are tentative about reading this genre of books, should try it out