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The Outback
The world has ended. Nothing remains except a wasteland of death and destruction. Those remaining wander the barren Australian Outback in search of salvation or a meaning to it all and for a rare few, food.
But for Noni Stevens the Apocalypse is just proof of the meaningless of existence. She has been chased by cannibals and the crazies looking for anything to devour and destroy. Only one thing scares her more than those, the undead monsters known as The Resurrected.
But when she befriends a dog, Noni will learn that there is more to surviving than running. But The Outback is a cruel world and nothing lasts.
But for Noni Stevens the Apocalypse is just proof of the meaningless of existence. She has been chased by cannibals and the crazies looking for anything to devour and destroy. Only one thing scares her more than those, the undead monsters known as The Resurrected.
But when she befriends a dog, Noni will learn that there is more to surviving than running. But The Outback is a cruel world and nothing lasts.
- GenresZombies
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2019
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 5, 2022
Great story!
I loved this different take on an apocalyptic world. At first I didn't think the Resurrected were zombies, but towards the end they're described better so you know what they are. I also liked the cosmic horror element you get at the end.
I loved this different take on an apocalyptic world. At first I didn't think the Resurrected were zombies, but towards the end they're described better so you know what they are. I also liked the cosmic horror element you get at the end.
September 27, 2019
R. F. Blackstone’s short story The Outback tells the tale of Noni Stevens, a survivor of some unexplained apocalypse. We follow Noni as she struggles to survive in a brutal and unforgiving Australian Outback. With monsters of both the creature and the human variety on her tail, Noni must keep moving or face a sure and violent death.
The story has three distinct sections, that are almost different enough to be separate stories within the same world. The effect is something of an emotional roller coaster ride. The lulls in the action only serve to get your blood pumping that harder once the story kicks back into gear. This isn't just an action packed survival story, however. There are some genuinely tender moments. It honestly surprised me.
One of my favorite genres is apocalypse horror, and the world building that goes along with it. I prefer a “less is more” approach, and The Outback really nailed it. Blackstone never truly explains what happened or why things went south. He doesn't even tell you outright what horrors there are to face. You have to piece it together based on the thoughts, actions and dialog of the characters. I found that approach to be realistic and well done. And once you start learning what’s out there, the apocalypse seems pretty terrifying. I’m lookin at you, dropbears!
No good horror story is complete without including the element of human emotion. If the author can’t make us feel what the characters feel, how can we be scared? The genuinely tender moments I mentioned earlier are what really sold this story to me. The surprising depth Noni shows during the last half of the story really brought it home for me. The emotions she struggled with were so relatable it was almost difficult to read. At the most emotional point of the story, Blackstone takes us in an entirely unexpected direction. The ending was absolutely unpredictable and pretty strange. The whirlwind action and crazy ending make this a fun and interesting read that will certainly keep you on your toes.
See this review and more at Home Grown Horror:
https://hghorror.wordpress.com/2019/0...
The story has three distinct sections, that are almost different enough to be separate stories within the same world. The effect is something of an emotional roller coaster ride. The lulls in the action only serve to get your blood pumping that harder once the story kicks back into gear. This isn't just an action packed survival story, however. There are some genuinely tender moments. It honestly surprised me.
One of my favorite genres is apocalypse horror, and the world building that goes along with it. I prefer a “less is more” approach, and The Outback really nailed it. Blackstone never truly explains what happened or why things went south. He doesn't even tell you outright what horrors there are to face. You have to piece it together based on the thoughts, actions and dialog of the characters. I found that approach to be realistic and well done. And once you start learning what’s out there, the apocalypse seems pretty terrifying. I’m lookin at you, dropbears!
No good horror story is complete without including the element of human emotion. If the author can’t make us feel what the characters feel, how can we be scared? The genuinely tender moments I mentioned earlier are what really sold this story to me. The surprising depth Noni shows during the last half of the story really brought it home for me. The emotions she struggled with were so relatable it was almost difficult to read. At the most emotional point of the story, Blackstone takes us in an entirely unexpected direction. The ending was absolutely unpredictable and pretty strange. The whirlwind action and crazy ending make this a fun and interesting read that will certainly keep you on your toes.
See this review and more at Home Grown Horror:
https://hghorror.wordpress.com/2019/0...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews