Overlord: An Event Group Thriller

Event Group Thriller #9

by David L. Golemon

In the stunning conclusion to the Matchstick Man saga that began with Event and continued with Legacy, the End of Days is upon humanity---invasion has arrived!

Some speculate that the war between the two worlds began 700 million years ago, while others say it started in 1947 over a small town in New Mexico called Roswell. Regardless of dates, the war is now upon us, and after centuries of watching, the enemy attacked. The plans of a million years are finally ready for what we have always known was coming---Armageddon.

As world allies fall to the wayside, a growing political faction from several nations sends a clear signal that cooperation between the superpowers and the lesser states cannot succeed. As nations start a mad scramble to realign their military structures, the war begins silently in the depths of the oceans, and flares to global brightness with the first military strike in history between two different worlds. Only one element in the arsenal of the world can possibly give Earth a fighting chance at survival---a small being that has already saved the world once in the Arizona desert is now called upon to outthink his former masters---the Matchstick Man.

While Matchstick Man searches for the real motivation behind the invasion, the Event Group is the one entity that refuses to accept the inevitable defeat of humankind. They've learned that the answer to this war has always been here on earth buried deeply in our ancient past, and that they may even hold the clue to salvation inside their own artifact vault. But with the devastating loss of its military arm and one of their leaders, Colonel Jack Collins, the group is being torn apart by internal conflict and devastating personal decisions. Even worse, the group's old enemies have returned to take revenge, and the worst fears of Department 5656 are realized---a breach in security allows intruders to get at the secrets inside the complex in Nevada.

Can the group come together to defeat their enemy and defend the planet? As the war wages on, countries fall, nations fight to the last man, and the fate of the planet depends on a few good men and women in this action-packed thrill ride from New York Times bestselling author David L. Golemon.

Genres: Thriller, Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Action, Mystery, Military Fiction

608 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2014

About the author

David L. Golemon (a.k.a. David Lynn Golemon ) is the author of the Event Group Thrillers, including Event, Ancients, Leviathan and Primeval. Legend, the second book in the series, was nominated for a RITA award for paranormal fiction.

Golemon learned an early love of reading from his father, who told him that the written word, unlike other forms, allows readers to use their own minds, the greatest special effects machines of all—an idea Golemon still believes. The only thing he loves more than writing is research, especially historical research, and he sees the subtext of his Event novels as being that understanding history allows us to create a better future. Golemon grew up in Chino, California, and now makes his home in New York.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what happened here. In the eight prior Event Group books, there has been the benefit of plot and character development. In his zeal to wrap up an ongoing story introduced in the very first novel, Golemon seems to have dumped all of that out the window for the sake of battle scene after battle scene. The descriptions of military hardware got so indulgent after a while that I just started skimming through the battle scenes in order to try to get to the point. As in any action adventure, the point was that the good guys were over-matched until they were not. Big surprise.

The climactic battle in space, however, lost me completely. I'm really not clear on exactly how it went down. I had a hard time following exactly what was going on, and didn't quite understand how I was intended to end up feeling afterward. One minute they're all saying goodbye, then they're together again, then it hits the fan, then it's over and we're back on Earth sitting at the table.

The most interesting piece in this novel was the Speaker of the House who is inserted into the Presidency. The man has his own agenda, one completely removed from the events going on around him and manages to add to the extraordinary body count through his own mismanagement of military assets. I'm not sure of Golemon's political leanings, he makes a point to say that certain characters are strict constitutionalists, but the picture in my mind was of the grumbling, screaming John McCain trying to be the King of the Military and cutting down anyone who got in his way.

Spoilers....the end result after everything was that several members of the Event Group died, Everett was sent into the past, as was already known, Jack finally got vengeance for his sister's murder, and our Frenchman is in the wind and available to help or hinder once again. I suspect the time travel will play a part in future novels, and we may again see some of those who were lost. All in all, I didn't feel like the book needed to be as long as it was to get to the point at which Golemon left things.

[Jonathan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book in the series by far.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book. David Golemon pulled together his characters well, developed the theme and delivered a most enjoyable, though a bit dark of a story. The one annoying problem with this book and his others is actually not his fault. It is his editors and publishers. That is key words missing from a sentence, so that you get the intended message but its short changed. Other then that a good story that I really enjoyed. Look forward to the next in the series.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally read 18 July 2014; listened to via Audible 1 May 2015.

In a series full of heroism, wild feats of daring and true friendship, Overlord covers all these and more. The sheer acts of heroism by the Event Group, the lengths they will go to get the job done, and the lengths they will go to stand by each other is truly extraordinary. While this is ninth book in the series, it is also more the last of the trilogy that started with the very first book, Event. An emotional roller-coaster, be prepared to say goodbye to some people and keep the tissues handy if you're anything like me. The sadness aside, this is a fantastic, fast-paced, action-packed War of the Worlds that you will not be able to put down!

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept going back and forth if I wanted to keep this one, and I do.

It was a perfect book of escapism for me. It reminded me so much of Independence Day. :D

I'm going to read the earlier books.

[Dave Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Golemon has no peers when it comes to blending real history, plausible (yet speculative) science, and good old-fashioned adventure.

[Judith Trail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last of a trilogy within the Event Group series concerning the invasion of Earth by aliens (the Grays) and the attempt to prepare sufficient war technology to rebuff an attack by the aliens, who seek to harvest humanity and other animal life for food. Nice. Helped in this endeavor by Magic, an alien whose own species was destroyed by the Grays millions of years before, we see the political strife, military confusion and scientific and engineering efforts to fight a vastly more technologically sophisticated race. Many favorite characters are lost in this final battle and people find heroism in themselves to face incredible odds, especially since the existence of aliens and the threat was not known outside a small group, and the vast majority of people called upon to fight have to deal with the knowledge of hostile alien life and a threat to end existence without breaking down mentally. I was pretty shell shocked, and I was just a reader. Lots of battle sequences, lots of people getting shot, lots of hail Mary situations kept the suspense on a constant state of "keen." Danger does not always bring the best out in people and there are the anticipated bad guys (guess: most are politicians!) Lots of action and people coming together to defeat a much superior enemy! Wave the flag, humanity. A fun read.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I loved this book so much. So much action pretty much from the beginning to the end. I'm a bit disappointed that Jack didn't have a bigger rol since he's my favorite, but at the same time I don't know much of military strategy, only that what he did do meant a lot more that what it seems. I mean even Henry had hotter scenes! ⁣
⁣
Some sad losses here as well, so be ready for it.
I hope it gets better on the next few books, but this one definitely delivered.

Oh and that ending? Yeah, both sexy (i love my alpha males, sue me), and explosive. Love it!!!

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining installment in the Event Group Series. However, this time the story is out of this world, literally. Colonel Collins and the Event Group are up against their greatest foe yet with the invasion of a race on human eating aliens. Their only hope is an relic of the past that may save the Earth if it survives first. It does not help that a group of killers is tasked with extracting the only extraterrestrial asset the Earth has on its side. The Group and humanity will suffer heavy losses if they don't succeed.

I look forward to the next installment.

[Michael Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, the writing was OK. I did find it hard to believe in some of the characters as they seemed to represent the extremes as needed to support more content. Hiram Vickers, Master Chief Jenks, and Speaker of the House Camden (strangely enough referred to as a Senator??) especially were very much exaggerated and not very believable caricatures.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, intense, breath-holding book to read. Aliens are attacking earth. is earth prepared to meet the threat?

There are a few scenes in this book that I would love to see on the big screen for how astonishing it would look.

All of our favorite characters are involved, along with people from other nations work together to fight the threat. Many survivors, but some are lost

[Linette Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of David Golemon's Event Group Thrillers in either paperback or kindle. Now I'm going back to enjoy the stories in this audible format. I can listen while my hands are busy doing something else and I realize I learned so much more about each story line. Having someone else read them to you is just a different experience. Anyway, the Event Group series is wonderful. Overlord is the culmination of the stories concerning Magic and the Grays. I've grown to love the Event Group characters. What happens to many of my favorite characters in this book is stunning. I cried and wanted scream at them, but alas, I'll have to move on to the next book, The Mountain. I'll let you know how it goes.....again.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was eerie to read this during the reign of Trump. Not to get too political, but this book featured a president making horrible decisions based on his own ego, hatred of his predecessor, and a misguided “America First” attitude. It was sad, many deaths, but a very good read.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit mind blowing. Lost some good people
And that made me tear up. I am of the firm belief that Jack Collins is a super soldier and is incapable of dying which is good for me, Jack is my absolute favorite character and if he ever dies I’m going to be devastated

[Wes Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not much of. Science Fiction enthusiast but Golemon weaves just enough present day events and situations with science fiction that his stories are exciting and fun to read. I like his characters.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

David L Golemon is a fantastic writer that keeps you on the "edge of seat" as you read the action packed novels about the "Event Group". His weaving of past history, historic people and places keeps you unable to put his books down.

[robert bannister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tie the past in with the present and future.

The author does a great job of bringing mysteries of the past and making them possibilities of today. A great line up of characters. I've enjoyed every book and wish Mr. Goldman good health and creativity for the future.

[Jill James · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one is safe. Everyone is in danger. Excellent format for a thriller adventure book. On to the next Event Group book.

[Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing...

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

9 books into a series and I’m crying like a baby. It’s like watching your favorite tv show when a favorite character dies. I’m hooked on this series.

[jOHN ROCKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading

Very enjoyable read and grate continuation of the series. Recommend that you read all of the series of books for a different slant on human history.

[Nathan Van Cleave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book so far.

[DonHSr · Rating 1 out of 5]

shelved after first 100 pages. Didn't care for the story or how it was being told

[Mostafa El-Hagagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one in this series so far

[Karen Paialii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

This is one of best series I’ve ever read. I hated for it to be over. I slowed down reading to make it last.

[Anna Meme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the fast pacing, rich atmosphere and adventures of this group

[Kimberly Houle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a story emotional roller-coaster ride once you have read earlier books you get close to the characters and therefore the story impacts you more. Just truly enjoy this series

[Mike Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golemon’s Event series books always offer a rattling, ‘out of this world’, read. Suspend disbelief and enjoy!

[Priscilla Del Gesso · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a good book, the third in the story line. i like u.f.o.'s plots.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had previously read Ripper, Leviathan, and Carpathian, so I’m familiar with the series, even though I’m reading it out of order. Since some of the novels—and this one in particular—mention and depend on actions that happened in the earlier books, I think it would be best to read the series in order. The idea of the Event Group, or Department 5656, is intriguing—a secret government office dedicated to studying the mysteries of history and how those mysteries affect modern life. The characters are engaging, with lively banter and a range of motivations and personalities. In this book, aliens arrive and start wreaking absolute havoc. Luckily, the Event Group has some prior knowledge of how to contend with the threat, thanks to a specific character from an earlier novel, whom they’ve kept at the Group’s location in Nevada. However, there’s a plot hatched within a different government agency to discover and kill this specific character. There’s a lot going on, most of it exciting and fast-paced. In any alien invasion book, the author must come up with a plausible reason for extraterrestrials to travel so far to attain Earth as a prize. Mr. Golemon does give his aliens a reason, but I just can’t buy it, so that detracted from my enjoyment. He gets some of the physics wrong as well, such as having shock waves in space. Still, for action-packed excitement, I give Overlord four stars.