Reaper's Run

Plague Wars #1

by David VanDyke

When US Marine Sergeant Jill Repeth's blown-off legs begin to regenerate, she thinks it's a medical miracle. But the breakthrough that heals her war injuries is exactly what the government desperately wants to hide - by any means necessary. Hunted, she must cross an America wracked by strife, to try to find a family who may already be dead.

Reaper's Run is an origins story and apocalyptic novel, the beginning of one warrior's journey from tactical cop to freedom fighter and beyond. It leads the reader into the acclaimed Plague Wars science fiction series.

This book contains a bonus post-apocalyptic novella by prolific author Ryan King.

The Plague Wars Series:
- The Eden Plague
- Reaper's Run
- The Demon Plagues
- The Reaper Plague
- The Orion Plague
- Comes the Destroyer - Plague Wars #5, forthcoming Summer 2013


Stellar Conquest Series:
- Planetary Assault - contains First Conquest: Stellar Conquest Book 1
- Desolator: Book 2
- Tactics of Conquest: Book 3 (Fall 2013)

PG-13 for language, violence and adult situations (non-explicit)

See more from this author at davidvandykeauthor.com

This book is free of Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Fantasy, Ebooks

224 pages, Nook

First published June 30, 2013

About the author

David VanDyke is a former Army Airborne soldier and later, an Air Force officer. He lives in the Tucson area with his wife and three dogs. Look him up at davidvandykeauthor.com

Reviews

[Marilyn Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reaper's Run (Plague Wars Series, Book 1) is the apocalyptic action-adventure technothriller novel that continues the story started in The Eden Plague (Plague Wars Series, Book 0).

U.S. Marine Sergeant Jill Repeth must go through an incredible learning curve in order to survive. While adjusting to the many ways in which the Eden Plague has changed her body, even regrowing the lower legs and feet she lost in war, she’s also forced to adjust to the frightening ways in which the Plague has changed her country. Those in power use any means possible to control those infected with the Eden Plague. The infection heals people in both body and mind, removes their violent tendencies, and appears to offer eternal life or at least the possibility of living to a thousand years. As wonderful as the benefits of this plague are, those in power realize that if people become healthy, fearless and nonviolent, they won’t be as easy to control. Spreading fearful rumors that aren’t true about the Edens whom they label “sickos,” the government enlists the public’s support in rounding them up and putting them into camps. This book is a chilling and moving account of how a normal society becomes capable of repeating what the Nazis did under Hitler. The author does an excellent job of crafting a realistic and frightening story.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced action read. Genetic engineering gives healing powers to the masses. The privileged few will ruthlessly destroy everything to control everyone and keep power. US Marine Sergeant Jill Repeth, a military cop fanatic-exercise double leg amputee, becomes infected with the Eden Plaque, this is her story. Free kindle book received from Amazon.

[Gillian Murrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

What could have been a good book was over shadowed by the religious fanatics who preach the word of the lord then run a grab their guns so they can shoot people. Maybe the american translation of the bible says "thou shalt kill". I have to wonder if the virus was affecting Jill's sex drive i found some of her thoughts and actions out of place considering the situation.

[Richa · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I wasn't sure about this book.
The genre isn't one of my favorites.

I was pleasantly surprised!
This is a really good book. Fast, plausible, difficult to put down, very interesting. Worth reading once at least.

Although, Reaper does seem a bit too practical and matter of fact, it could be due to her training or the times she lives in. More like her survival instinct running her rather than her usual self.

The men sadly, are dispensable in this book, even if it is written by a man. I must say, I admire this part in Mr Van Dyke. It wouldn't have hurt to grant more life and character to the men though...

All in all, deserves all the stars.

[Jamie]

Personal Note: See "Plague Wars Trilogy" on kindle

[Dchamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not what I thought it'd be... but it was a good read.

[Alain DeWitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty poor post-apocalyptic military science fiction. Will not continue this series.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of this series is action-packed and fast-paced and focuses on Jill, who had lost her legs in an explosion...then she was infected.

The overall basis of this series is about an enormous transformation for the human race and the reactions from those in power - which are not surprising.

There isn't much character development and yet Jill is likeable.

I found this to be an enjoyable and interesting read.

Recommended

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 3 out of 5]

An apocalyptic science fiction novel. Well, seems there is a huge conspiracy here, an ex agent come back to the field but now as a hunted one.

[Sean Bai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in the boxed set, with the prequel, Book 0, this book, and the next. At the moment, I only read the first book, and have not read the prequel yet. I will leave reviews of the other books as I read them.

Jill Repeth, a half-Latina former Military Police soldier, lost the lower half of her legs in war. She's on a boat, when all of a sudden, people start healing. People who were in wheelchairs can walk. This plague was originally a cure for all illnesses, but it also has the virtue effect. It makes people have a strong sense of morality. Of course, the people in power can't have that. How will they take advantage of the poor and less well off?

So begins a reverse-zombie post-apocalyptic series. This is very much a "what if zombies were innocent people and the government was evil?" story. It was a refreshing take on a familiar trope.

The action itself is also very tight and fast-paced. There are no unnecessary descriptions, and it wasn't boring at all.

The only thing slightly confusing, is that even if the people in power were greedy for power, nothing would make them so evil as to bomb a ship of 3,000 civilians, or round people up into detainment centers. I also wasn't quite sure of the difference between the SS and the Unionists. Scientists would have done proper experiments to make sure the disease was actually a disease, and as far as I know, corporations don't have this much control over the government.

But I was willing to suspend my disbelief, since this story was well-told. It's science fiction, after all.

I did read a page of the next book, and I read a review saying that each book takes place from the perspective of another person. I grew attached to the main character, and am sad that we won't be able to read more of her story in sequels. That will make it harder for me to start reading the sequels, because although I read a lot, sometimes I need to take breaks. It's quite an investment to start a book, because you need to learn new characters, backstory, and so on.

[Kayla ✧♥︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ★

What a shame. This one started off strong, but lost me about mid-way through. It was a poorly executed post apocalyptic world, IMO. Which is a shame because the beginning was pretty interesting.

I wish there was more on the actual disease and people coping with it or just anything else on it. We didn't get a whole lot about it actually, just the basic "it cures you and your hungry". Also would have been cool to understand why the govn't was locking them all up haha. I mean, maybe it's me but it from what I understand the main reason was because they were different. And compared to various past events where different people got segregated. Give me some more on it! I was so sick of hearing how this bitch needs to go to LA (which was nuked) to see her family (who are probably dead).

I couldn't relate to the FMC Jill ("Reaper") at all. She just seemed all over the place and I just didn't find her very interesting. She actually kind of bored me even though she is supposedly this bad ass ex marine or whatever. She's a bit annoying so not for me.

I will not be continuing with this series.

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Aside from some interesting parallels to our current (and possible future) political climate, this book was unfortunately all cheese and cliché. There are also a lot of amazingly abrupt plot transitions with no segue other than "Four Years Later . . .", along with an extremely truncated ending that instead of wrapping up the story merely feels as thought the author ran out of ideas and couldn't figure out how to finish.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book. It did drag a bit for me. I kept finding myself looking for other things to do. I can usually read books this size in a couple hours but this one took me 3 days. Overall, it was an ok book but I doubt I will read further.

[Ziggy Nixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of 'Plague Wars' numbers 0, 1 and 2 combined, which as a series I'd rate with a solid 3 stars (see also below). I had a free copy for ages of "Reaper's Run" and still wound up somehow with a free (I think) copy of the trilogy, so here I go:

I have very mixed feelings about these books. They read easy and fast, where I sliced through the first 2 in a day. Plot-wise they are interesting enough even if the characterizations are clichéd sometimes even to the point of racial insensitivity or just plain head-shaking silliness. The dialogue is not the strongest you'll ever read, but more importantly, sometimes the poorly disguised political and even religious proselytizing gets too old and too thick for comfort. That being said, things could be worse and considering that the box-set was on sale, I'll freely confess that it was not bad for what I paid (now, we wait...). My continuing of the series will depend on whether or not further volumes are available via Kindle Unlimited, otherwise I may stop here, especially as the format from books 1 and 2 - solo-character driven tales or perhaps better said 'asides' - are not all that interesting.

By far the WEAKEST of the series is the first book (2 stars) as even with the EXPECTED suspicion of belief, some of the things that go down in that book are just ludicrous. This was to me in large part because Daniel Markis was by far the least convincing character out of the many we're introduced to. His EXTREME changes due to the virus so outpace anyone else that it seemed to me that we were dealing with separate people and even plagues. No one else seemed to change even a fraction this much and I know, I know the worse off someone was the bigger the effects were supposed to be but come on! The rest of the 'team' introduced in this tome weren't bad - again, just too many clichés for comfort in this day and age - but the lovey dovey stuff and even how people reacted to unbelievable tragedy just happened too quickly and was totally unconvincing.

Books 2 and 3 - featuring Reaper and Skull, respectively - were more my style but the jumping around from location to location via the single-character perspective didn't always hold up. Again, the necessary suspicion of belief - methinks the Eden Plague imparts more impossibly good luck than anything else - just shot a lot of it down. The fact that the 2nd book starts with an identical chapter from Book 0 was annoying - as well as the fact that the author essentially gives away the secret of the plague's origin (cue meme with guy with wild hair) - were major irritants as well. "The Adventures of Skull" wasn't a bad book (#2) but good gods, so much luck for such a shallow and (unconvincingly) deeply flawed character. Sheesh. I found myself wondering how he had enough humanity in him to even rub two brain cells together let alone have these constant inner monologue 'struggles'!

Perhaps I was looking for something along the lines of Marcus Sakey's "Brilliance Saga" which evolved along a not-so-distantly similar theme - particularly considering the development and extreme reactions of the governments of the world's reaction to "sickos" (as well as the requisite trumpian hitler gangs that arise when all goes to sh*t) - or even ANY of the action thrillers by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, but these books fall short of that kind of lofty quality. Still, I'm not ruling out continuing these books as I said way back at the beginning - after all, there's what? 11 or 12 in all? - particularly as we may eventually get to some more sci-fi settings. But we'll see. Not today, not tomorrow, but maybe.

[Brian's Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

See the full review at Brian's Book Blog

A book that fell a bit short

3 out of 5 stars

I wasn’t even thinking of the irony of my title until I started to write up my review. Reaper’s Run follows Jill — a Marine who has had her legs blown off while fighting for her country. Jill was quarantined on a cruise ship with other “Sickos” who they think had the Eden Plague. I won’t go into too much more detail so I don’t spoil the story — but the story follows her as she tries to figure out what life will be like now that the world has turned upside down.

Sometimes a book just falls a bit short and it’s really no one’s fault. Sometimes you hear about a series or you see a synopsis or cover on Amazon or Audible that just really catches your eye and the book isn’t what you were expecting. I try to go into books with as open of a mind as someone can — and I did that with Reaper’s Run. But it just wasn’t exactly the story for me.

The funny thing is that I liked the story, but I didn’t love it. That’s why I’m giving it three stars. It was a good story with a good plot and a seemingly enjoyable main character. She seems a little green and a little bit too caring (and forgiving) to be the typical bad-a “chick” fighter. I’m not sure if that was a choice by VanDyke or if that’s just how her character played out.

I’m a little intrigued to read the first book. I would love to hear a little bit more about the virus/plague and figure out how it was released and by whom, but I don’t know when I’ll get around to reading it.

The narration for Reaper’s Run was done by Artie Sievers who does a pretty good job. I’m not sure what the wood knocking noise was for (I assume it’s when an author puts in the ellipses or stars in a book to signify a change of character or time). But, it ended up being kind of distracting. A lot of times it would have been obvious that time had passed and the story was just moving on. But a few times I did think it was helpful as it was moving the story along at a quick pace. The only other knock that I’ll give Sievers is that there were basically three voices for characters: a normal everyday speaking voice, a slightly higher pitched voice for Jill, and then a hick-ish sounding voice for pretty much everyone else. It made it hard to pick out different characters. Overall, Sievers did a good enough job that I didn’t stop listening to the story, but there is room for improvement.

Overall, Reaper’s Run was a semi-enjoyable story. There were parts that I liked and some that I didn’t like. It’s the first take it or leave it story I’ve read in a while.

[Petrina Binney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Jill “Reaper” Repeth, a double amputee and serving member of the US Marine Corps, as the world is struck by a shocking plague. But where most plagues cause pain, pustules and rancid, choking death, this airborne infection brings perfect mental, physical and emotional health, as well as surprising longevity. It doesn’t change people’s personalities, but the illness does seem to make the afflicted kinder to others. But with people being more thoughtful and generally well, naturally, the authorities want the thing stamped out as quickly as possible. There’s no profit in healthy people who can’t be manipulated or frightened.

As the government launches nuclear attack on its own citizens, and martial law makes the ordinary folk suspicious of their plague-ridden brethren (known as Sickos), Jill makes her way from one side of the tattered USA to the other, hoping against hope that her family has survived the attack on LA, all the while, eating a vast amount and regrowing her feet.

But in a nation split between us and them, with dangerous truckers and intriguing mountain-folk, can Jill make it back to Los Angeles? And will anyone be waiting for her if she makes it?

A great, action-packed, military-led story; the characterisations were fresh and powerful, and there were several moments when my mouth actually fell open in surprise. The imagery was startling and I really enjoyed the character of Python, a longterm, in-and-out prison inmate, lumped in with the afflicted to get him out of a system that’s had enough of him.

A really good story that I’m bound to think about for a long time to come. Well worth a read.

[E W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy read. Not a story for the ages, but I enjoyed my time with the protagonist Jill 'Reaper' Repeth as her world is turned upside down by the Eden Plague. As a story device, the plague is interesting because it doesn't go the zombie route, but rather has generally beneficial features for those who contact it, but also has two significant drawbacks- increased caloric needs, and everyone getting a conscience that seems to preclude a lot of self defense. The first of those drawbacks felt more organic to me than the second, which reeked of authorial contrivance so that you know infected characters are not bad people. Anyway, the story tracks Jill from her vacation on board a doomed cruise ship through her return to the US as she hopes to find out the fate of her family back in Los Angeles.

As a road trip type plot, I liked it, especially Jill's resourcefulness in situations both good and bad. She's never presented as super woman, but rather falls back on her training to carry her through. This leads to my big criticism of the plot driven book- I feel the only connections she made interpersonally were with the McConley family, but when she leaves them, it was weirdly emotionally empty despite the months she spent with them. I never really bought her relationship with Python, which is a shame because if he had appeared in her life earlier, the ending would have paid off for me.

This may sound like I'm being super critical, and frankly, the flaws are glaring in hindsight, but it was the perfect light read I wanted today. I am intrigued about this world the author is creating, and given the price point of the series will probably read at least one more entry in the future.

[Tom Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Well Written, And Memorable Characters.”

Marine Sergeant Jill “Reaper” Repeth was given a “wounded warrior’s” a ticket on a cruise ship for her injuries. A Marine Military Police trained in quick reaction SWAT tactics. She lost both legs below her knees. The cruise seemed like a good thing until the passengers came down with the new Eden Plague; a plague that healed. Unfortunately, the government doesn’t want the healing plague, and they target the ship for destruction. But Jill escapes before the ship is destroyed, with three thousand passengers killed by a missile. She plans on heading home, to California, but hears that nukes were dropped on L.A. and other areas. Now she needs to survive as her legs slowly rejuvenate, growing again.

This is her story of traveling across America, a homeland filled with S.S. (Security Services) and Unionists out to kill or imprison the Sickos, as those with the Eden Plague are called. Captures and escapes, and the people she meets along the way tell her story. It’s her knowledge of police and military tactics that keeps her motivated to continue her long journey to find others in her own predicament.

Okay, this one surprised me. I was an Army MP with the same training as the main character, so I found this novel a treat from the first page to the end. So how could I not like it? This was a well-written story, with a main character that was three-dimensional, and other characters that kept me interested and turning the pages. One of the best apocalyptic action yarns I’ve read in a long time, and one I highly recommend.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was kind of a mess. Badly written, badly transitioned, I found the characters super annoying and cliche, especially Jill. In fact it felt like all the author wanted to do with her was covertly boast a serious knowledge of military terms and procedure and give an overly badass character who just automatically knew what to do and had no real emotions over her knowledge (or even beside it). The plot/setting was all over the place, the fact that there were two different love interests was just forced (neither of them were believable at all). I didn’t like how abruptly Jill’s ultimate destination changed, and wish there had been a lot more background given into her family dynamics (and a lot of other things too). The premise was interesting but I found the “plague” boring in the end, and viruses overtaking most of humanity and apocalyptic stories are typically my jam. Maybe there is more background in some of the other books in the series, and the ending of this one was a bit intriguing. But not nearly enough to make me want to keep reading.

Alas. This one just wasn’t for me.

[Charles Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

US Marine Sergeant Jill ‘Reaper’ Repeth’s legs were blown off below the knee in combat. Recuperating aboard a luxury liner, courtesy of the ‘Wounded Warriors,’ she notices that they have begun to regenerate. Furthermore, others on the ship are experiencing miracle cures. Rather than being welcomed, however, their government has quarantined the ship off shore, under the guard of warships. Reaper knows something is amiss, so she plans her escape, leaving the ship just before it’s blown out of the water, killing all left on board.
She finds herself on the run, from a government that is determined to stop the so-called plague, and in the process is transformed from a wounded Marine to a freedom fighter.
Reaper’s Run by David VanDyke with Ryan King is an action-filled apocalyptic thriller that pits the indomitable will of an individual determined to survive against the ignorance and fear of a government dominated by those who desire to gain power over the masses. This is the first full-length offering in the Plague Wars series, and it has enough action and thrills to satisfy even the most hard-core action junkie.
The ending will leaving the reader hungry for more.

[Tim Seabrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the events from Book 0 but from the viewpoint of a different character who was infected because she was on the cruise ship that the Eden Group decided to target.

Reaper is ex USMC, discharged after losing her legs in battle and along with every other person on the ship, she is realising that something is changing for her. After making a break because the ship has been quarrantined by the Govt and military, things start changing for her rapidly and as she tries to make her way back to her family in LA, she befriends the most unlikely of people in her desperate journey and also becomes aware of just how sinister her government can be when it tries to protect a secret that only a few are meant to share in.

[Susettea · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a slippery slope it is indeed in the name of national security. David VanDyke tale is about a segment of the US population deemed "too dangerous" to remain in the public. So in the name of national security, they are slowly rounded up and put into detention centers. The author reminds how quickly history can repeat itself (from the Jewish to Japanese interment for our security). He paints a bleak picture but among the darkness comes a group of people that are willing to fight back for our nations freedom. The author has an obvious military background; being a "civilian" myself I found the military details easy to follow. I cant' wait to read the next book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. I like the premise of this story - the idea of a plague that cures instead of ails. There was quite an obvious parallel to Nazi Germany which was interesting and I think the author did a great job of showing how easily people can be swayed into taking sides and doing things that morally reprehensible.

I liked the main character though I wondered if there weren't easier ways to meet her objective. All in all, it was an interesting follow up to the Eden Plague book. I will likely read further into the series to find out what happens to this marine and to earth in general.

[astaliegurec · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I guess I can't fault the title of David VanDyke's 2013 novel "Reaper's Run: An Apocalyptic Action-Adventure Technothriller (Plague Wars Series Book 1)." Essentially, that's the gist of the plot: a person named Reaper spends a lot of time running away from stuff, fighting, recovering from things, and then repeating the whole process. The initial premise is pretty good and the writing is OK. But, overall, the story is pretty simplistic and obvious. Plus, nothing is resolved. It's basically a book about escaping. I'm rating it at a Not Very Good 2 stars out of 5.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A combat veteran who looses her legs in battle believes that a miracle happens when her legs start to regenerate. The story line finds her escaping from a ship that is blown out of the water to stem the Eden Plague which is responsible for this regeneration. The story line follows her escape across the country trying to stay ahead of the government who wants to eliminate everyone "infected" with this plague. I was an OK read, but not compelling enough for me to want to read others in this series.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a bad book by any means, but the world-building around an interesting idea is surprisingly lacking. What little info we receive is fed to us through the protagonist, and it's almost always told, not shown. The characters are formulaic: a trucker who tries to rape the hitchhiking protagonist, a backwoods family with hearts of gold who live off the land and have no love for the government, and a hardened ex-con who sacrifices himself to save the female Marine protagonist.

It's a brisk and entertaining read, but don't pick it up expecting it to be profound or imaginative.

[Vesa Ylitolva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like stories where the main character needs to really struggle to make it - or else. The book is a bit short for my taste, but it would be too much to unnecessarily keep Reaper running longer that necessary. The story has a melancholic overall tone and a little bit of über-positivity hidden between lines. After reading this book I feel I just have to take time to read the rest of the series, too.

[Sammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. The pacing was weird. It was detailed but also not. I felt like the story progressed too quickly like I was getting hurried along to move forward with the story, if that makes sense. I found myself surprised at many parts mostly with how fast things were happening. It took me out of the story. The characterizations were pretty good and I was invested enough with Reaper's journey, so there's at least that.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhilarating!

I could not put down this book! Tons of action, an awesome storyline, and the mfc was a character to be reckoned with. Normally this is not my type of story, but somehow I was drawn in and hooked right from the get go. (I usually read romance). I look forward to the next book in this series! If you like a kick tail heroine, a world gone crazy, and a plague ridden era than you'll love this!!!

[Clyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this rather oddball post-apocalyptic story. Seems to be a series; so, perhaps I will continue it.
The main conceit of this book is that there is a sort of reverse plague which, instead of killing or zombifying, heals all illnesses and also gives the infected an empathy-morality boost. The government is the evil antagonist in this story.
Free over at Smashwords.
3+ stars, but I cannot quite round it up.