What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Autumn #3
Conquistadors
As the apocalypse chokes the final breath out of America, a lone desert rancher leads a no-holds-barred defense of freedom against a soulless cartel overlord with near-invincible weapons. Gustavo Castillo, the criminal mastermind of northern Mexico, strikes into the deserts of America with an army of commandos, but he can’t shake the suspicion that his exquisite, American-educated daughter plots against him to seize his throne. As he struggles against ferocious American patriots, his sociopathy thickens from genius to schizophrenia. Meanwhile, Noah Miller, a rancher barely surviving in the hardscrabble borderlands of Arizona, fights his own losing battle against alcoholism, depression and guilt over the murder of his wife and daughter. When a terrorist attack combines with an economic meltdown, the commercial core of America collapses, and Noah could hardly care less. But when cartel raiders prey upon his neighbors and loved ones, he turns a listening ear to something greater than his pain—a voice from beyond that spurs him toward his destiny--an iron-born role in the defense of America. Black Conquistadors fuses the gut-wrenching twists of a psychological thriller with the rip-roaring battle scenes of a military action novel. Steeped in guerrilla tactics, Conquistadors explores the American legacy of frontier combat, hearkening to a modern Sam Houston, Daniel Boone and Jim Bowie. If you loved the movie Red Dawn, you’re going to devour Black Conquistadors. In a world where so many Americans bicker endlessly on social media, would heroes still rise up to sacrifice their lives for freedom? Has the American Spirit that conquered the West gone forever to sleep? Not if Noah Miller has anything to say about it.Conquistadors is Book 3 of the Black Autumn series, which chronicles the first seventeen days of the Black Autumn crash.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2019
1484 people are currently reading
523 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 4, 2024
**2.4 Stars**
Well like for every series, a weaker entry is bound to happen. It's inevitable. I loved Black Autumn and Travellers (Books 1 & 2 per Amazon), but this third entry (per Amazon) didn't pack as big a punch for me. The writing was still top tier level. It had some fantastic thrills, surprises, and proper gruesomeness for the world. I loved the twists during the book's final moments, but ugh, none of this was enough to wow me. It was too outweighed by the rest of it, which sadly, I didn't like.
This book was quite rough to get through. Exhausting. There was no discernible rhythm. Scenes were pregnant with excess information, and the transition between them was often sloppy. It didn't help that the majority of the story is written in huge, narrative fashion without much dialogue to help carry the load. The story is primarily being carried by two main characters whose motives are simple in principle but overly busy in implementation. They have interactions with side characters, but not often. Most of their perspectives are told narratively without much pause.
Two lone wolves, Noah and Tavo, carry on with their personal missions, each to save the newly crumbling world (but one who'd kill to get it done). I was more engaged in Noah's perspective, a grief-stricken father suffering regret and anger over the murders of his wife and daughter. When the world starts falling, he sets out to make it more difficult for it to succeed. Tavo, on the other hand, is the "villain" in this story, a citizen of Mexico looking to exploit the disaster of the U.S. and exploit a power hold over it. I appreciated Noah's mission far more than Tavo's, but each perspective had its own little twist I didn't see coming.
All in all, this book was just way, WAY too much for me. I couldn't connect fully like I could with the previous two books. I had to escape into other books more than once before finishing this one, which is why it took me so long. I appreciated the lessons learned by the two main characters in this story, but they simply didn't resonate with me as profoundly. I'm hoping this will be the only fluke of the series because I'm STILL in the game and hope to keep rating the remaining entries as highly as I rated the first two books. I'm not giving up at all.
Well like for every series, a weaker entry is bound to happen. It's inevitable. I loved Black Autumn and Travellers (Books 1 & 2 per Amazon), but this third entry (per Amazon) didn't pack as big a punch for me. The writing was still top tier level. It had some fantastic thrills, surprises, and proper gruesomeness for the world. I loved the twists during the book's final moments, but ugh, none of this was enough to wow me. It was too outweighed by the rest of it, which sadly, I didn't like.
This book was quite rough to get through. Exhausting. There was no discernible rhythm. Scenes were pregnant with excess information, and the transition between them was often sloppy. It didn't help that the majority of the story is written in huge, narrative fashion without much dialogue to help carry the load. The story is primarily being carried by two main characters whose motives are simple in principle but overly busy in implementation. They have interactions with side characters, but not often. Most of their perspectives are told narratively without much pause.
Two lone wolves, Noah and Tavo, carry on with their personal missions, each to save the newly crumbling world (but one who'd kill to get it done). I was more engaged in Noah's perspective, a grief-stricken father suffering regret and anger over the murders of his wife and daughter. When the world starts falling, he sets out to make it more difficult for it to succeed. Tavo, on the other hand, is the "villain" in this story, a citizen of Mexico looking to exploit the disaster of the U.S. and exploit a power hold over it. I appreciated Noah's mission far more than Tavo's, but each perspective had its own little twist I didn't see coming.
All in all, this book was just way, WAY too much for me. I couldn't connect fully like I could with the previous two books. I had to escape into other books more than once before finishing this one, which is why it took me so long. I appreciated the lessons learned by the two main characters in this story, but they simply didn't resonate with me as profoundly. I'm hoping this will be the only fluke of the series because I'm STILL in the game and hope to keep rating the remaining entries as highly as I rated the first two books. I'm not giving up at all.
November 15, 2019
I loved Black Autumn: Conquistadors.
A genius drug lord reaches out of the chaos of economic implosion to conquer the Western United States. Can a broken down man from rural America, still grieving the loss of his family, find the strength to use his skill and faith to rally his fellow patriots against the criminal Mastermind? More of this please!
Conquistadors took off running and carried me into some of the most fascinating scenarios and exciting action scenes I’ve read. The Tavo (drug lord) character is nearly unique in his pathology – is his massive intellect the key to empire … or a trap? Five stars.
A genius drug lord reaches out of the chaos of economic implosion to conquer the Western United States. Can a broken down man from rural America, still grieving the loss of his family, find the strength to use his skill and faith to rally his fellow patriots against the criminal Mastermind? More of this please!
Conquistadors took off running and carried me into some of the most fascinating scenarios and exciting action scenes I’ve read. The Tavo (drug lord) character is nearly unique in his pathology – is his massive intellect the key to empire … or a trap? Five stars.
September 18, 2021
That second book was not as good as the first of the series, that's for sure. The story was less credible and lacked rythmn, some things didn't make sense at time and the overall plot left to be desired.
The last 20 pages had some nice plot twists, but it wasn't a very good book all considered. However, the first book of the series was good enough to try the third one, just in case. Let's see what happens!
The last 20 pages had some nice plot twists, but it wasn't a very good book all considered. However, the first book of the series was good enough to try the third one, just in case. Let's see what happens!
October 27, 2021
Great addition
Great story line Sith twists and turns that blend perfectly to this series. I excited to read more of this series
Great story line Sith twists and turns that blend perfectly to this series. I excited to read more of this series
March 23, 2024
I read “Conquistadors (A Post-Apocalyptic Saga), Book 2 (or sometimes 3) in the Black Autumn series by Jeff Kirkham and Jason Ross. The one I read was marked “Book 2”, but the only photo I could find was “Book 3”, and different lists have them both ways.
If you decide to read the series, it would be best to read the first book (Black Autumn) first, but the others can be mixed up in the order. They all are set in the same time period of societal meltdown, but from different perspectives.
Jeff Kirkham is a retired Green Beret. All the books seem to be very correct from a military perspective, but this one was WAY more military than the others have been. I am interested in the story, and this particular story needed to be told from a military perspective, but I found it a little bit of drudgery to follow through.
Here’s an example…when my sons were young, we watched the Lord of the Rings series. During the dialogue and development, I was fascinated, but my sons were bored. During the battle and fight scenes, my sons were fascinated, but I was bored. So this book being more militarily involved doesn’t make it a bad book, just not right up my alley.
After the societal collapse of the United States (simultaneous nuclear explosion off of Los Angeles, California, nuclear explosion of oil pipelines in Saudi Arabia, and a cyberattack on the nation’s power grid plunging the USA into darkness) a very intelligent and militarily astute drug cartel leader tries to take over the southwest portion of America. There is the typical “single-man” hero who attempts to stop him. It was well-written, and one became invested in ALL of the characters. There were story arcs that just disappeared, that I am hoping will be addressed in later books. I was ready to give this three stars, but the unexpected ending raised it to a solid four stars. I’m glad I read it, even though I get bored by fights.
If you decide to read the series, it would be best to read the first book (Black Autumn) first, but the others can be mixed up in the order. They all are set in the same time period of societal meltdown, but from different perspectives.
Jeff Kirkham is a retired Green Beret. All the books seem to be very correct from a military perspective, but this one was WAY more military than the others have been. I am interested in the story, and this particular story needed to be told from a military perspective, but I found it a little bit of drudgery to follow through.
Here’s an example…when my sons were young, we watched the Lord of the Rings series. During the dialogue and development, I was fascinated, but my sons were bored. During the battle and fight scenes, my sons were fascinated, but I was bored. So this book being more militarily involved doesn’t make it a bad book, just not right up my alley.
After the societal collapse of the United States (simultaneous nuclear explosion off of Los Angeles, California, nuclear explosion of oil pipelines in Saudi Arabia, and a cyberattack on the nation’s power grid plunging the USA into darkness) a very intelligent and militarily astute drug cartel leader tries to take over the southwest portion of America. There is the typical “single-man” hero who attempts to stop him. It was well-written, and one became invested in ALL of the characters. There were story arcs that just disappeared, that I am hoping will be addressed in later books. I was ready to give this three stars, but the unexpected ending raised it to a solid four stars. I’m glad I read it, even though I get bored by fights.
July 30, 2025
Everything I have loved about this series was missing in book 3.
The first two books were the interesting stories about people navigating a post-economic-collapse America, each with their own unique circumstances, challenges, and interactions.
This book switched to only two characters, and it was simply a war book - two characters in the desert, fighting a war against each other.
It also seemed like the authors tried to really lean into character development, which resulted in multiple chapters of a character "reflecting," with no real action happening. Character development is a good thing in general, but I'm definitely not interested in long-winded internal monologues if it comes at the expense of action.
It just seems like the authors got away from what made the first two books so good. I'm still invested enough in the series to keep going, so we will see if book 4 course-corrects.
The first two books were the interesting stories about people navigating a post-economic-collapse America, each with their own unique circumstances, challenges, and interactions.
This book switched to only two characters, and it was simply a war book - two characters in the desert, fighting a war against each other.
It also seemed like the authors tried to really lean into character development, which resulted in multiple chapters of a character "reflecting," with no real action happening. Character development is a good thing in general, but I'm definitely not interested in long-winded internal monologues if it comes at the expense of action.
It just seems like the authors got away from what made the first two books so good. I'm still invested enough in the series to keep going, so we will see if book 4 course-corrects.
December 23, 2019
Very good storytelling
My daughter hooked me on the apocalypse genre when she started reading zombie books in high school. She is currently married to an active duty soldier and is stationed at the same post as my oldest son, also active duty. We get together as often as we can and always end up picking apart the books we've read for questionable decisions and plot holes in the stories. I can't wait till we can talk about these books,she's reading the first one now. So far I can say that they are well written,well researched and a blast to read. Like the Arisen books ,these stories are satisfying and page turners. Well done.
My primary mos was heavy anti armor infantry. There are few things on earth more terrifying than a main battle tank pointing at you. But they can be taken down. Keep your feet and knees together snake, and keep writing these stories.
My daughter hooked me on the apocalypse genre when she started reading zombie books in high school. She is currently married to an active duty soldier and is stationed at the same post as my oldest son, also active duty. We get together as often as we can and always end up picking apart the books we've read for questionable decisions and plot holes in the stories. I can't wait till we can talk about these books,she's reading the first one now. So far I can say that they are well written,well researched and a blast to read. Like the Arisen books ,these stories are satisfying and page turners. Well done.
My primary mos was heavy anti armor infantry. There are few things on earth more terrifying than a main battle tank pointing at you. But they can be taken down. Keep your feet and knees together snake, and keep writing these stories.
July 17, 2023
Pretty decent action throughout, albeit wildly far fetched. I was/am a bit confused about the series order. This book is listed as #2 and #3. It has no relation (character wise) to book 1 or Travelers. The whole book is two stories...1) Mexican Drug Cartel boss Tavo miraculously invades the US and seizes 100 M1 tanks, like....no big deal. 2) Noah is raised by a retired SF guy and leads the rebellion against the cartel. Noah realizes that the Cartel needs fuel and is racing toward all the refineries, so he organizes everyone he finds (including the USAF) to fight against them. I did not care too much for this book, compared to the others. I'll just stick with the books with the initial characters.
November 19, 2019
Conquistadors. Jeff Kirkham, Jason Ross
America, as we know it, is in tatters, shambles, complete utter chaos reigns. It's great cities are in total collaspe . City dwellers have no survival skills when their needs such as food, protection are gone. One lone Texan, Noah Miller has lost his family. His salvation will be to fight his nemesis Taco Castillo, a Mexican Cartel leader whose vision of domination of his country and his military push into America resulting into total alienation of anyone who opposes him, even his daughter Sofia who is secretly plotting against him for his power. Another magnificent read. My highest recommendation.
America, as we know it, is in tatters, shambles, complete utter chaos reigns. It's great cities are in total collaspe . City dwellers have no survival skills when their needs such as food, protection are gone. One lone Texan, Noah Miller has lost his family. His salvation will be to fight his nemesis Taco Castillo, a Mexican Cartel leader whose vision of domination of his country and his military push into America resulting into total alienation of anyone who opposes him, even his daughter Sofia who is secretly plotting against him for his power. Another magnificent read. My highest recommendation.
August 9, 2025
book#3 in the Black Autumn series. I picked up the first 3 at the used book store because they were so highly rated and deal with post nuclear apocalypse- one of my favorite genres.
so far, each is told from a different viewpoint, and i think this continues until the last in the series.
this was maybe my favorite that I've read of the series. it was easy to but these since they were used and fairly cheap, and i will continue the series if I can find more of them used, but they are so niche authors, I'm not sure i will. I don't know if I'll want to pay full price for them.
I'll give this 4 🌟 and can recommend to people that really enjoy the genre.
so far, each is told from a different viewpoint, and i think this continues until the last in the series.
this was maybe my favorite that I've read of the series. it was easy to but these since they were used and fairly cheap, and i will continue the series if I can find more of them used, but they are so niche authors, I'm not sure i will. I don't know if I'll want to pay full price for them.
I'll give this 4 🌟 and can recommend to people that really enjoy the genre.
December 26, 2021
NJAF-Prepper Fantasy
Read plenty of prepper fiction books. Most are more instructional than compelling story-telling. Not this series! I found myself rushing to find out what happens next. It's also NOT predictable! This, and the highly recommended (but more cowboy apocalypse than patriotic prepper) The Survivalist series by Arthur Bradley, are by far the most creative story telling in this genre. Frosting on the cake are tidbits of knowledgeable thrown in about the soldier's mind and war history.
Read plenty of prepper fiction books. Most are more instructional than compelling story-telling. Not this series! I found myself rushing to find out what happens next. It's also NOT predictable! This, and the highly recommended (but more cowboy apocalypse than patriotic prepper) The Survivalist series by Arthur Bradley, are by far the most creative story telling in this genre. Frosting on the cake are tidbits of knowledgeable thrown in about the soldier's mind and war history.
January 16, 2022
Different from the first 2
This book went in a different direction than the first 2 books. I gave the rating oil f 4 stars because it was not what I enjoy. My grandson who is 21 would love the book especially Noah's role. Bill would have blown his mind he would have felt betrayed. And his hatred of the cartel and the leader would have kept him interested and not wanting to put the book down. This just shows what's good for one may not be the best for another. Read Conquistadors and make up your on mind.
This book went in a different direction than the first 2 books. I gave the rating oil f 4 stars because it was not what I enjoy. My grandson who is 21 would love the book especially Noah's role. Bill would have blown his mind he would have felt betrayed. And his hatred of the cartel and the leader would have kept him interested and not wanting to put the book down. This just shows what's good for one may not be the best for another. Read Conquistadors and make up your on mind.
January 24, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I have read several others in this series and found this one to be as good as the others, but a little different at the same time. There was a little dose of divine intervention at various points within the story involving our main character Noah. There was some treachery, and some surprises that will leave you scratching your head at the end. A well crafted story that was a definite page turner for me. I will definitely be reading "America Invaded" which is the White Winter series that is the follow up to the Black Autumn Series stories.
April 1, 2023
I absolutely love this series, the gold standard for post-apocalyptic fiction. The characters have incredible depth and complexity. The weapons handling is refreshingly accurate and superb. My biggest complaint about this edition was the lack of detail in the M-1 Abrahams tanks. I was waiting to hear about how hard it was for the gang-bangers to figure out how to operate and maintain these incredible weapons but it never came. They were just moved around like chess pieces, lacking any detail into their operation and quirks, other than their extremely poor MPGs. Still an excellent book.
May 31, 2023
Exciting as hell!!!
Heroes and then heroes, how can we tell who is who!!!! Each side to any war has it’s good and bad boys. Men that believe in their side and men who believe they are the enemy. America is falling apart. So many have been killed and now the Mexicans see another chance for dominion over the US. The drug business is dead and gone. Now protection is the name of the game. And how many must die to see that protection take hold. Just in 17 days a new world order is being birthed. Who will be the emperors and who will be the slaves. Next book please!
Heroes and then heroes, how can we tell who is who!!!! Each side to any war has it’s good and bad boys. Men that believe in their side and men who believe they are the enemy. America is falling apart. So many have been killed and now the Mexicans see another chance for dominion over the US. The drug business is dead and gone. Now protection is the name of the game. And how many must die to see that protection take hold. Just in 17 days a new world order is being birthed. Who will be the emperors and who will be the slaves. Next book please!
November 15, 2019
I received an advance copy of this book, and I have to say that Ross and Kirkham have done it again. This series is setting the standard for post-apocalyptic fiction. The characters are well developed, and cross the spectrum from unprepared to very prepared and from good to evil. It is obvious that The authors are well versed in survival and tactics, so well in fact, that the story could be used as a learning tool. No one wants the world to end, but there is no excuse for being unprepared.
November 16, 2019
Another gripping book in my all time favorite series! Conquistadors delivers a rich and gripping plot, which you experience through perspectives of such great characters you come to know so well.
The authors obviously know their stuff when it comes to post apocalyptic scenarios like this. From the equipment, to the dynamics, to the many things you may not think about until you are in the situation. I know I learned a lot!
Check out the rest of the series which can be read in any order!
The authors obviously know their stuff when it comes to post apocalyptic scenarios like this. From the equipment, to the dynamics, to the many things you may not think about until you are in the situation. I know I learned a lot!
Check out the rest of the series which can be read in any order!
January 2, 2020
Good
This story didn't measure up to my expectations after reading the first book in the series. To be completely honest I was a little disappointed. I did not enjoy the fact that the story was written from the point of view fo the bda guy, maybe I am old fashioned in the sense that I like my books to be written from the perspective or the hero or the good guy. But having said that I will definitely read the rest of the series.
This story didn't measure up to my expectations after reading the first book in the series. To be completely honest I was a little disappointed. I did not enjoy the fact that the story was written from the point of view fo the bda guy, maybe I am old fashioned in the sense that I like my books to be written from the perspective or the hero or the good guy. But having said that I will definitely read the rest of the series.
June 22, 2021
....the Cartel version
This book was interesting to read but the cartel characters didn't bring me into their fold like the other books did...until the end. I know we will hear more about them. Old Bill surprised me. Didn't expect that.
The author's have a interesting concept going on with this series. One story but from different perspective with each group of characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
This book was interesting to read but the cartel characters didn't bring me into their fold like the other books did...until the end. I know we will hear more about them. Old Bill surprised me. Didn't expect that.
The author's have a interesting concept going on with this series. One story but from different perspective with each group of characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
December 15, 2021
What can I Say?
WOW! This book is probably the best of the three in the series so far, and they have all been thought provoking, with characters fully developed and a continued, well thought out plot from different perspectives! The Conquistadors is exciting, full of colorful characters, good and bad. It continues the saga of the apocalypse in graphic detail. Can't wait to read the next in the series!!!!
WOW! This book is probably the best of the three in the series so far, and they have all been thought provoking, with characters fully developed and a continued, well thought out plot from different perspectives! The Conquistadors is exciting, full of colorful characters, good and bad. It continues the saga of the apocalypse in graphic detail. Can't wait to read the next in the series!!!!
December 11, 2024
Awesome book. It was very cool to hear the inner dialogue of a psychopath like the main antagonist, Tavo, and see his thought process throughout the book. The protagonist, Noah Miller, was a solid character and fun to read about his journey. Overall this book was very good and an easy read and really interesting to see how realistic it would be for a cartel leader to rise up during a collapse and what their actual goals would be.
November 15, 2019
In the wake of societal collapse, narco drug traffickers with resources and big dreams of conquest seek to fill the power vacuum left by the crumbling superpower and take what they see as theirs. Hardscrabble Arizona rancher Noah Miller takes exception and rallies his countrymen to fight for their lives, their land, and in Noah's case, his soul.
March 7, 2020
Great read. Many plot twists. One issue. I find it hard to believe that the only person with communication is the drug lord with sat phones. How is it an USAF captain in charge of guarding nukes cannot communicate with anyone to at least call in an airstrike on a column of tanks threatening the base?
December 28, 2020
Angels and Demons
Very much enjoyed Tavos demons as these escorting them to where he needs to be . Noah is also being guided to his own destiny. The cerebral massages they supply to themselves are what carry them like a robed deity upon the magic carpets of Alladin. One to hell,the other to Valhalla
Very much enjoyed Tavos demons as these escorting them to where he needs to be . Noah is also being guided to his own destiny. The cerebral massages they supply to themselves are what carry them like a robed deity upon the magic carpets of Alladin. One to hell,the other to Valhalla
September 20, 2021
I preferred the original characters more so than this set, but it was still nonetheless a good story. This one follows a cartel boss who see's the writing on the wall beyond the border. He jumps at the chance to take over the Southwestern US as the country collapses. On the other side, the guy who just happens to constantly find himself out in front of the advance was one hell of a character.
September 29, 2021
The archipelago continues
These unconnected, yet connected stories, continue to draw the reader in with page-turning incidents. The outcome of which are not always what the reader may suspect, or wish for, but continue to draw us in to see whom shall perish and what will be conscripted or lost.
These unconnected, yet connected stories, continue to draw the reader in with page-turning incidents. The outcome of which are not always what the reader may suspect, or wish for, but continue to draw us in to see whom shall perish and what will be conscripted or lost.
April 21, 2022
Preppers don't take chances, they grab them!
Okay so book 3 is done and the story is still sad and exciting, it makes you wonder how we would react to the collapse of society as we know it. The story is great! Lots of suspense and even a couple of laughs and a rainstorm of tears. Need to start number 4 so we shall see if it continues to be straight and true.
Okay so book 3 is done and the story is still sad and exciting, it makes you wonder how we would react to the collapse of society as we know it. The story is great! Lots of suspense and even a couple of laughs and a rainstorm of tears. Need to start number 4 so we shall see if it continues to be straight and true.
June 1, 2023
Great Coverage Of What-If
I had never really thought of a group trying to conquer what’s left of the US after an attack. This book gives great perspective on who and what might happen in case of an attack. It does get you to thinking about the future and the US’s role in that future should the country fall.
I had never really thought of a group trying to conquer what’s left of the US after an attack. This book gives great perspective on who and what might happen in case of an attack. It does get you to thinking about the future and the US’s role in that future should the country fall.
December 20, 2024
did not think I would like this
I wanted to know what happened to Sage and to Matt, and here we are in Mexico. With people I definitely do not like! But once again the plot pulled me in and I found myself caring for some, overwhelmed by the destruction, yet hopeful. Great series.
I wanted to know what happened to Sage and to Matt, and here we are in Mexico. With people I definitely do not like! But once again the plot pulled me in and I found myself caring for some, overwhelmed by the destruction, yet hopeful. Great series.
November 18, 2019
Exiting
This story told by different voices is part of a loose series of books that can be read on thier as stand alone or as part of a series. They are well written and contain a good story combined with great plot highly recommend this series
This story told by different voices is part of a loose series of books that can be read on thier as stand alone or as part of a series. They are well written and contain a good story combined with great plot highly recommend this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews