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Enduring Armageddon
Stay tuned and stay patient, Enduring Armageddon was originally self-published but will be re-released by Permuted Press summer 2015! As such, I had to pull it from the market until then.
The world as we knew it ceased to exist in twenty-four hours when a regional conflict spun out of control and pulled every nation into the war. By the end of the day more than 6 billion people were incinerated as pre-assigned nuclear targets were fired upon. When the cities were vaporized, millions of tons of dirt and ash were thrown into the air and blocked out the sun, plunging the globe into an unnatural winter.
From the ruins of the irradiated wastes emerged a new breed of creature. Some of the survivors call them zombies, others refer to them as mutants, but the fact remains that their sole desire is to murder the unchanged and eat whatever they can find. Their bite spreads the diseases that they carry and all who come in contact with them are suspected of being infected as well.
The lack of government creates a void that is filled by local warlords who struggle with each other for food and resources. These clashes threaten to destroy the last vestiges of humanity as the basic needs of food, water and shelter take precedence over everything else. Into this world of chaos and depravity Chuck and Rebecca Broussard must fight for their survival while they attempt to lead a small group of survivors further south away from the deepening cold.
The world as we knew it ceased to exist in twenty-four hours when a regional conflict spun out of control and pulled every nation into the war. By the end of the day more than 6 billion people were incinerated as pre-assigned nuclear targets were fired upon. When the cities were vaporized, millions of tons of dirt and ash were thrown into the air and blocked out the sun, plunging the globe into an unnatural winter.
From the ruins of the irradiated wastes emerged a new breed of creature. Some of the survivors call them zombies, others refer to them as mutants, but the fact remains that their sole desire is to murder the unchanged and eat whatever they can find. Their bite spreads the diseases that they carry and all who come in contact with them are suspected of being infected as well.
The lack of government creates a void that is filled by local warlords who struggle with each other for food and resources. These clashes threaten to destroy the last vestiges of humanity as the basic needs of food, water and shelter take precedence over everything else. Into this world of chaos and depravity Chuck and Rebecca Broussard must fight for their survival while they attempt to lead a small group of survivors further south away from the deepening cold.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Brian Parker
6 books36 followersA veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan war, Brian Parker was born and raised as an Army brat. He moved all over the country as a child before his father retired from the service and they settled in a small Missouri town where the family purchased a farm. It was on the farm that he learned the rewards of a hard day's work and enjoyed the escapism that books could provide.
He’s currently an Active Duty Army soldier who enjoys spending time with his family in Texas, hiking, obstacle course racing, writing and Texas Longhorns football. His wife is also an Active Duty soldier and the pairing brings its own unique set of circumstances that keep both of them on their toes. He's an unashamed Star Wars fan, but prefers to disregard the entire Episode I and II debacle.
Brian self-published four books before signing a 4-book contract with Permuted Press. His novels Enduring Armageddon and GNASH were previously self-published and will be re-released by Permuted beginning in May 2015 along with two previously unpublished works, REND and SEVER.
He is also the author of The Collective Protocol, a paranormal thriller that shows how far people will go to gain power; Zombie in the Basement is a children's picture book written to help children overcome the perceived stigma of being different than others; and his how-to guide Self-Publishing the Hard Way is for writers looking for pointers to self-publish their manuscript.
Follow Brian on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrianParkerAuthor and on his blog at www.BrianParkerAuthor.com where he posts small, unedited sections of his works in progress.
He’s currently an Active Duty Army soldier who enjoys spending time with his family in Texas, hiking, obstacle course racing, writing and Texas Longhorns football. His wife is also an Active Duty soldier and the pairing brings its own unique set of circumstances that keep both of them on their toes. He's an unashamed Star Wars fan, but prefers to disregard the entire Episode I and II debacle.
Brian self-published four books before signing a 4-book contract with Permuted Press. His novels Enduring Armageddon and GNASH were previously self-published and will be re-released by Permuted beginning in May 2015 along with two previously unpublished works, REND and SEVER.
He is also the author of The Collective Protocol, a paranormal thriller that shows how far people will go to gain power; Zombie in the Basement is a children's picture book written to help children overcome the perceived stigma of being different than others; and his how-to guide Self-Publishing the Hard Way is for writers looking for pointers to self-publish their manuscript.
Follow Brian on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrianParkerAuthor and on his blog at www.BrianParkerAuthor.com where he posts small, unedited sections of his works in progress.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 16, 2015
I was hesitant about reading this book, dreading it would be yet another carbon-copy of the oh-so-many zombie apocalypse books out there in the ever-growing dystopia market.
I needn't have worried.
Enduring Armageddon by Brian Parker is a well told, interesting addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. There were the necessary parallels one would expect within this genre, but also enough interesting differences to keep me engrossed.
Throughout the book the element of danger was ever-present, in various different guises. From background radiation and acid raid to roving bands of scavengers, not to mention the wild, mutated animals and the zombies themselves. But even with the constant threats to the characters’ lives often taking more than one form, this book wasn't just a string of action sequences tied together with a weak plot. It was much more than that.
I was pleasantly surprised to find myself investing in the futures of the characters. There were moments where, had it not been the middle of the night, I’d have shouted at them, “don’t do it!”.
There were, however, moments where I did stop to question the reality of the book. Can you really walk inside a fallout zone, so soon after a nuclear strike, with only a dust-mask covering your face? I wasn't sure, but it seemed a little off; the nuclear warheads detonated and either mutated or destroyed whatever they came into contact with, yet only a short time later and the characters are travelling nearby and not getting ill from radiation poisoning.
Even with those suspension of belief moments, I was still compelled to carry on reading through to the night, to the end of the book. After following these characters through so much I—like many others—hope that there is a sequel in the making.
I needn't have worried.
Enduring Armageddon by Brian Parker is a well told, interesting addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. There were the necessary parallels one would expect within this genre, but also enough interesting differences to keep me engrossed.
Throughout the book the element of danger was ever-present, in various different guises. From background radiation and acid raid to roving bands of scavengers, not to mention the wild, mutated animals and the zombies themselves. But even with the constant threats to the characters’ lives often taking more than one form, this book wasn't just a string of action sequences tied together with a weak plot. It was much more than that.
I was pleasantly surprised to find myself investing in the futures of the characters. There were moments where, had it not been the middle of the night, I’d have shouted at them, “don’t do it!”.
There were, however, moments where I did stop to question the reality of the book. Can you really walk inside a fallout zone, so soon after a nuclear strike, with only a dust-mask covering your face? I wasn't sure, but it seemed a little off; the nuclear warheads detonated and either mutated or destroyed whatever they came into contact with, yet only a short time later and the characters are travelling nearby and not getting ill from radiation poisoning.
Even with those suspension of belief moments, I was still compelled to carry on reading through to the night, to the end of the book. After following these characters through so much I—like many others—hope that there is a sequel in the making.
June 13, 2015
I don't know if this going to be a series but if it isn't, the author should really consider it. The premise behind it is of course the downfall of our society via a nuclear war. The protagonist, Chuck and his wife Rebecca don't know what has happened or why and really don't care. With part of the nation under a nuclear winter and food and safety fast becoming an issue. They leave the city to travel south where they believe it is warmer and safer from the mutated humans and scavengers that are a growing threat. They find safety of a sorts inside a fortified town run by a prepper and decide to stay for a short time or at least until they can gather enough supplies to continue south. But looks can be deceiving and they soon learn that to survive they must do whatever it takes. Unfortunately that is not always the right thing. While they do manage to escape the fanatical rule of the prepper the journey to safety is wrought with danger and they soon learn that the mutants and scavengers are not the worst danger they will face. Think THE BOOK OF ELI meets THE ROAD and WALKING DEAD,add mutants(not all of them human) cannibals and deadly scavengers and the most dangerous enemy of all; man. Now you get the picture. I liked the main character because for once, we were not following a military/law enforcement/prepper/survivalist. Chuck was a financial adviser of sorts, had a good life and a school teacher wife which made them the epitome of the middle American couple. It is because of this that perhaps the storyline is somewhat more interesting since Chuck finds himself doing things he would never condone seeing or doing in his former life. He does what he has to to survive, to protect is wife and those that follow. He will do the unthinkable, agonize over it then decides it is what had to be done. Maybe the violence that he learns and enacts has always been there or because as a survivor he has no choice. He might hate it, might agonize over it but then he rationalizes that he does what he has to for himself and his wife until he can find a better way. It's a conundrum but one he does not dwell on. He is a good man in a difficult position but he never loses himself, always maintaining the person that he is. There is one particular bad moment that made the book a little difficult to continue but leaves you with the knowledge that man is not so civilized after all and what is left is not pretty; it is brutal, ugly and disgusting and not unexpected in a post apocalyptic wasteland where only the most determined will survive. But at what cost?
November 2, 2015
Synopsis
We meet two characters, Rebecca and Chuck near Chicago, Illinois after a nuclear fallout. They are trying to survive in their apartment but quickly run out of supplies. They put on their gas masks and head out of town before winter comes. They stumble across a town which is a perfect town in Becka's eyes. Chuck does not want to stay but evidently decides he is going to do what it takes to survive and keep Becka happy. Becka was a school teacher before the fallout so she quickly finds a stable place for her to work. Chuck on the other was an investment banker which skills are not useful after a fallout. He decides to become part of the raid team and he begins to change. You get to read about how he becomes who he feared in the first place.
Review
This is an interesting take on the post apocalyptic genre. I enjoyed the writing and thought it was superb. The writer kept you engaged and wanting to see success and change from the main character Chuck. Chuck was my favorite character because I feel like you got to evolve with him. He goes from a normal good guy to a brutal participant in raiding missions. It was an unique point of view and you never really think about reading from the raiding parties perception. I however was not a huge fan of Becka. Chuck was complex and Becka seemed very one-dimensional. She was needy, clingy, and I feel like she would have changed some too during an apocalypse. I liked the fact that the novel took place over several years. At times I thought of how long I would last in that world before I turned into a maniac as well. Overall I really enjoyed this novel. It was the first work I have read from this author but it won't be the last
We meet two characters, Rebecca and Chuck near Chicago, Illinois after a nuclear fallout. They are trying to survive in their apartment but quickly run out of supplies. They put on their gas masks and head out of town before winter comes. They stumble across a town which is a perfect town in Becka's eyes. Chuck does not want to stay but evidently decides he is going to do what it takes to survive and keep Becka happy. Becka was a school teacher before the fallout so she quickly finds a stable place for her to work. Chuck on the other was an investment banker which skills are not useful after a fallout. He decides to become part of the raid team and he begins to change. You get to read about how he becomes who he feared in the first place.
Review
This is an interesting take on the post apocalyptic genre. I enjoyed the writing and thought it was superb. The writer kept you engaged and wanting to see success and change from the main character Chuck. Chuck was my favorite character because I feel like you got to evolve with him. He goes from a normal good guy to a brutal participant in raiding missions. It was an unique point of view and you never really think about reading from the raiding parties perception. I however was not a huge fan of Becka. Chuck was complex and Becka seemed very one-dimensional. She was needy, clingy, and I feel like she would have changed some too during an apocalypse. I liked the fact that the novel took place over several years. At times I thought of how long I would last in that world before I turned into a maniac as well. Overall I really enjoyed this novel. It was the first work I have read from this author but it won't be the last
March 7, 2016
The world has been devastated by an all-out nuclear war. Chuck Broussard and his wife, Rebecca, live in an apartment on the outskirts of Chicago. When their neighborhood encounters its first zombie-like radiation victim, Chuck decides it’s time for them to leave the area and head south. Neither Chuck, who was a financial advisor, nor his wife, who was a school teacher, know anything about survival.
Parker’s novel, Enduring Armageddon takes us through the challenges and horrors that the Broussards endure to survive and move on through this post-apocalyptic landscape. The story is told from Chuck’s point of view. We watch him struggle to come to terms with the new rules of society while learning to do whatever it takes to keep his wife and new found friends alive.
The book is well written and edited. The story requires a suspension of belief and has a lot of graphic violence. The reader rides a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s refreshing in the fact that this is a story of someone who isn’t prepared for the end of the world and yet they manage to find their way. 4 out of 5 stars.
Parker’s novel, Enduring Armageddon takes us through the challenges and horrors that the Broussards endure to survive and move on through this post-apocalyptic landscape. The story is told from Chuck’s point of view. We watch him struggle to come to terms with the new rules of society while learning to do whatever it takes to keep his wife and new found friends alive.
The book is well written and edited. The story requires a suspension of belief and has a lot of graphic violence. The reader rides a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s refreshing in the fact that this is a story of someone who isn’t prepared for the end of the world and yet they manage to find their way. 4 out of 5 stars.
July 13, 2015
Back to something I've fallen out of the habit of for a time and that's reviewing independent horror novels and, in particular, post-apocalypse as well as zombie fiction. One of the books I've been sitting on for awhile has been Brian J. Parker's Enduring Armageddon, which is a story about a man who deals with the fallout (*rimshot*) of a nuclear war.
This isn't a novel about an actual nuclear war, mind you, but more the kind you'd find in the Fallout video games. Radiation causes the rise of zombies, the creation of intelligent zombies (who, as an homage to Fallout, I shall term Ghouls), and (spoiler alert) giant scorpions. I, honestly, have no problem with this because an actual nuclear war wouldn't be any fun to read about.
The premise is Chuck and Rebecca are a pair of unprepared survivors who are wandering around the desolate remains of Illinois, trying to find a community which will take them. Rebecca has the benefit of being a gradeschool teacher to justify her existence but Chuck is an investment banker, which means just about nothing in the PA world.
I think he undersells himself, personally, as you'd think understanding who needs what and how would be valuable skills to possess. Chuck and Rebecca quickly end up in a community which is controlled by a madman and the former discovers he'll have to participate in their brutal raids on other survivor's communities in order to stay. This becomes exceptionally important when Rebecca is revealed to be pregnant.
The best part of the novel is the period of time where Chuck is serving as an unwilling bandit preying on others. Countless post-apocalypse related fiction has the premise of psychopaths preying on the weak for supplies. Taking the story from the perspective of those marauders is something I hadn't seen before and something I really enjoyed. How much would you be willing to do in order to guarantee the safety of your child?
Unfortunately, this section of the story is one which doesn't last the entirety of the book as our protagonists believe it's better to take their chances on the open road with zombies, bandits, giant monsters, and radiation. I didn't quite buy this line of reasoning even if it turns out to have been the right choice.
The biggest benefit of Enduring Armageddon is Brian J. Parker is a magnificent writer of action. The battle scenes are always extremely well-detailed and give you a strong sense of what's happening without ever losing forward momentum. I also like the character Alejandro who is a great "intelligent" zombie.
The book stumbles a bit at both the beginning and the end, explaining too much and then not ending on a particularly large climax. Instead, the denouement seems to imply this is just the part of a much larger epic without sufficient closure. Despite this, the book has much going for it and I would recommend it above much post-apocalypse fiction.
8.0/10
This isn't a novel about an actual nuclear war, mind you, but more the kind you'd find in the Fallout video games. Radiation causes the rise of zombies, the creation of intelligent zombies (who, as an homage to Fallout, I shall term Ghouls), and (spoiler alert) giant scorpions. I, honestly, have no problem with this because an actual nuclear war wouldn't be any fun to read about.
The premise is Chuck and Rebecca are a pair of unprepared survivors who are wandering around the desolate remains of Illinois, trying to find a community which will take them. Rebecca has the benefit of being a gradeschool teacher to justify her existence but Chuck is an investment banker, which means just about nothing in the PA world.
I think he undersells himself, personally, as you'd think understanding who needs what and how would be valuable skills to possess. Chuck and Rebecca quickly end up in a community which is controlled by a madman and the former discovers he'll have to participate in their brutal raids on other survivor's communities in order to stay. This becomes exceptionally important when Rebecca is revealed to be pregnant.
The best part of the novel is the period of time where Chuck is serving as an unwilling bandit preying on others. Countless post-apocalypse related fiction has the premise of psychopaths preying on the weak for supplies. Taking the story from the perspective of those marauders is something I hadn't seen before and something I really enjoyed. How much would you be willing to do in order to guarantee the safety of your child?
Unfortunately, this section of the story is one which doesn't last the entirety of the book as our protagonists believe it's better to take their chances on the open road with zombies, bandits, giant monsters, and radiation. I didn't quite buy this line of reasoning even if it turns out to have been the right choice.
The biggest benefit of Enduring Armageddon is Brian J. Parker is a magnificent writer of action. The battle scenes are always extremely well-detailed and give you a strong sense of what's happening without ever losing forward momentum. I also like the character Alejandro who is a great "intelligent" zombie.
The book stumbles a bit at both the beginning and the end, explaining too much and then not ending on a particularly large climax. Instead, the denouement seems to imply this is just the part of a much larger epic without sufficient closure. Despite this, the book has much going for it and I would recommend it above much post-apocalypse fiction.
8.0/10
October 8, 2015
***I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% my own. ***
We meet Chuck and his wife Becca as they’re fleeing the Chicago suburbs after the bombs came and destroyed everything. There’s no power, there’s no government, and there’s not much hope. He’s just trying to save his wife and himself by traveling south. Along their journey, they run into these zombie type humans. They can die like we can, so they’re not the supernatural type zombie, but they’re mindless like one though. And rabid. But they aren’t the ones to worry about. Humans are the worst danger out there, and there are so few honest to goodness good people out there.
This story takes place over several years. And Chuck goes through MANY changes. He has had to because he had to survive. He had to learn and accept to do certain things that he would find abhorrent in the days before. What I liked about his character though, is that regardless of how many changes he had to make, at his core he’s still the same guy. He is far from defeated in this world that they are forced to live in.
Mr. Parker wrote a very interesting and more realistic take on zombies and the apocalypse. I won’t tell you all what happens, but there are a few twists in this book that completely changed how I felt about certain aspects of the book. Which is a good thing. He definitely challenged my perceptions when he challenged Chucks. You can also tell his military background, though it never came across as too technical or dry as some are wont to do. It was really organic with the characters and their voices. I know that this is a step from the typical review found on here, don’t let that stop you from going out and reading this book. This IS more a human story than a horror story. This is MORE a story of not losing yourself and letting your circumstances defeat you than it is a horror/zombie read. So, yes, I would recommend this story. It’s definitely worth the read. I was kinda sad to see it end, actually. I kept tapping my screen and swiping trying to get to the next chapter.
We meet Chuck and his wife Becca as they’re fleeing the Chicago suburbs after the bombs came and destroyed everything. There’s no power, there’s no government, and there’s not much hope. He’s just trying to save his wife and himself by traveling south. Along their journey, they run into these zombie type humans. They can die like we can, so they’re not the supernatural type zombie, but they’re mindless like one though. And rabid. But they aren’t the ones to worry about. Humans are the worst danger out there, and there are so few honest to goodness good people out there.
This story takes place over several years. And Chuck goes through MANY changes. He has had to because he had to survive. He had to learn and accept to do certain things that he would find abhorrent in the days before. What I liked about his character though, is that regardless of how many changes he had to make, at his core he’s still the same guy. He is far from defeated in this world that they are forced to live in.
Mr. Parker wrote a very interesting and more realistic take on zombies and the apocalypse. I won’t tell you all what happens, but there are a few twists in this book that completely changed how I felt about certain aspects of the book. Which is a good thing. He definitely challenged my perceptions when he challenged Chucks. You can also tell his military background, though it never came across as too technical or dry as some are wont to do. It was really organic with the characters and their voices. I know that this is a step from the typical review found on here, don’t let that stop you from going out and reading this book. This IS more a human story than a horror story. This is MORE a story of not losing yourself and letting your circumstances defeat you than it is a horror/zombie read. So, yes, I would recommend this story. It’s definitely worth the read. I was kinda sad to see it end, actually. I kept tapping my screen and swiping trying to get to the next chapter.
June 17, 2015
I found this to be a good addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. The main character was believable and not the usual "super army special forces" type that so often permeate these types of novels. The only detraction was the jump near the end that fast forwards a couple of years. I understand that the author wished to not bog down the reader with mundane details, but I would have liked to know more about what happened in the intervening period. All in all, a pretty good read.
July 9, 2015
Best apocalyptic book I have read in some time!!
September 6, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Either our salvation or our deaths."
Brian Parker does write exceptionally good post apocalyptic books and Enduring Armageddon is no exception. It follows a couple, Rebecca and Chuck, in their quest for survival and safety after leaving the suburbs of Chicago, following the cataclysmic destruction of world wide nuclear explosions. With roaming Freaks, some called zombies, and murderous, pain inflicting Scavengers to contend with, life isn't going to be easy. Their best hope is to find an open community into which they can fit.
Written in the first person from Chuck's perspective, the story is, at times, grim and violent as well as being suspenseful, gritty and action pacmed. It has a feeling of reality greater than many such stories and even the 'heroes' are flawed. Narration, by James Amherst, is good: he becomes the main protagonist in his reading and delivers a clear and engrossing performance with separate character voicings and understanding of the text.
My thanks to the rights holder of Enduring Armageddon, who, at my request via Audiobook Boom, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy. It is post apocalyptic horror, with the nuclear clouds concealing the sun, fall out contamination and desperate people, often badly deformed in both body and mind, trying to survive in any way they can, with some using the situation to enhance their own positions at the expense of others. Not for the faint hearted, but an excellent audio. There is the potential for a subsequent story: should one be written, I will most certainly want to read it.
"Either our salvation or our deaths."
Brian Parker does write exceptionally good post apocalyptic books and Enduring Armageddon is no exception. It follows a couple, Rebecca and Chuck, in their quest for survival and safety after leaving the suburbs of Chicago, following the cataclysmic destruction of world wide nuclear explosions. With roaming Freaks, some called zombies, and murderous, pain inflicting Scavengers to contend with, life isn't going to be easy. Their best hope is to find an open community into which they can fit.
Written in the first person from Chuck's perspective, the story is, at times, grim and violent as well as being suspenseful, gritty and action pacmed. It has a feeling of reality greater than many such stories and even the 'heroes' are flawed. Narration, by James Amherst, is good: he becomes the main protagonist in his reading and delivers a clear and engrossing performance with separate character voicings and understanding of the text.
My thanks to the rights holder of Enduring Armageddon, who, at my request via Audiobook Boom, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy. It is post apocalyptic horror, with the nuclear clouds concealing the sun, fall out contamination and desperate people, often badly deformed in both body and mind, trying to survive in any way they can, with some using the situation to enhance their own positions at the expense of others. Not for the faint hearted, but an excellent audio. There is the potential for a subsequent story: should one be written, I will most certainly want to read it.
October 13, 2020
Enduring Armageddon is another "survivors face life after the apocalypse in North America". Its nothing new, and doesn't (on the surface) do anything to make it stand out from the crowd.
It's however written by Brian Parker, the man behind The Easytown Novels: Books 1-3 (a series that turned out to be bloody excellent).
Take the Mountain Man books by Keith C. Blackmore, strip out a lot of the misery and mash it together with the feel the Fallout series of games. There is peril and it's visceral in nature in places, but this it's somehow more uplifting in others.
It's not perfect, but it's a solid 3.5 outing. It doesn't outstay its welcome, but instead perhaps tries to cram too much into one novel (it could have easily been split over 2). Don't expect a firm ending (there never is with this sort of book), but the story concludes satisfactory. Overall, this book is very much recommended.
Audio on this one is provided by James Amherst, who only seems to have a few audible releases to his name. It's honestly a shame, as the guy does a great job here.
It's however written by Brian Parker, the man behind The Easytown Novels: Books 1-3 (a series that turned out to be bloody excellent).
Take the Mountain Man books by Keith C. Blackmore, strip out a lot of the misery and mash it together with the feel the Fallout series of games. There is peril and it's visceral in nature in places, but this it's somehow more uplifting in others.
It's not perfect, but it's a solid 3.5 outing. It doesn't outstay its welcome, but instead perhaps tries to cram too much into one novel (it could have easily been split over 2). Don't expect a firm ending (there never is with this sort of book), but the story concludes satisfactory. Overall, this book is very much recommended.
Audio on this one is provided by James Amherst, who only seems to have a few audible releases to his name. It's honestly a shame, as the guy does a great job here.
July 17, 2019
We are presented with a typical nuclear apocalypse. Our enemies executing an extremely effective first strike, eliminating most of our military bases along with major and medium-sized cities, The debris forced into the atmosphere produces a nuclear winter, but it does not appear to be as drastic or as long as one might expect. Our focal family, Chuck and Rebecca Broussard are forced to move south from Illinois in the hope of avoiding the bitter cold. Evidently, the radiation has a horrific effect on the critically injured, restoring them to a zombie-like state of existence. They roam the countryside killing all they come upon. As usual in these circumstances, warlords arise wherever there are resources, eventually warring on each other to consolidate power. This is the environment our friends find themselves in as they journey south and west looking for shelter and safety. Additional survivors are added along the way, sometimes finding small communities where they might stay or at least recuperate. The characters are well-defined and quite likable. This is a story of persistence, dedication, family, and love. This appears to be a stand-alone novel although there is more than enough material for future volumes. I hope it does become a series as I look forward to more of this family. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 10, 2018
An entertaining read!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to endure Armageddon? Buy Brian Parker’s book and you’ll find out. The gritty story revolves around the efforts of Chuck and Rebecca, caught in the horrifying aftermath of a nuclear holocaust, struggling to survive in a wasteland produced by humankind’s stupidity. Through their harrowing journey, they must battle mutants, murdering people and unimaginable horrors.
For the most part, the writing style is crisp and clear and it’s obvious the author has done his research on the after-effects of a nuclear bomb blast. It’s also clear he knows what he’s talking about with regard to military operations.
The character of Rebecca is richly drawn as is Chuck. We see Chuck slowly begin to morph into what he fears the most—a ruthless and cold-blooded killer. It isn’t long before we realize that the biggest enemy is perhaps not all the infected and crazed creatures running around. It’s our fellow man.
Enduring Armageddon is a fast-paced, gritty and raw examination of what a post-apocalyptic landscape might be like to survive in. For avid readers of speculative fiction, Parker’s novel comes highly recommended.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to endure Armageddon? Buy Brian Parker’s book and you’ll find out. The gritty story revolves around the efforts of Chuck and Rebecca, caught in the horrifying aftermath of a nuclear holocaust, struggling to survive in a wasteland produced by humankind’s stupidity. Through their harrowing journey, they must battle mutants, murdering people and unimaginable horrors.
For the most part, the writing style is crisp and clear and it’s obvious the author has done his research on the after-effects of a nuclear bomb blast. It’s also clear he knows what he’s talking about with regard to military operations.
The character of Rebecca is richly drawn as is Chuck. We see Chuck slowly begin to morph into what he fears the most—a ruthless and cold-blooded killer. It isn’t long before we realize that the biggest enemy is perhaps not all the infected and crazed creatures running around. It’s our fellow man.
Enduring Armageddon is a fast-paced, gritty and raw examination of what a post-apocalyptic landscape might be like to survive in. For avid readers of speculative fiction, Parker’s novel comes highly recommended.
July 14, 2019
I’m a big fan of Brian’s work
I liked that this was a underdog story as chuck goes from zero to hero
The mutant and the changed and their newfound ability’s was a refreshing take on the standard zombie
Well narrated and one of the best apocalypse fiction writers I’ve come across highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
I liked that this was a underdog story as chuck goes from zero to hero
The mutant and the changed and their newfound ability’s was a refreshing take on the standard zombie
Well narrated and one of the best apocalypse fiction writers I’ve come across highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
December 31, 2017
Another great story from Brian Parker
I've read 5 books from this author now and I love all of them, but I think this one has more to tell. I think it could have become a series if and there is room for more character development. But still a great read.
I've read 5 books from this author now and I love all of them, but I think this one has more to tell. I think it could have become a series if and there is room for more character development. But still a great read.
January 28, 2020
Audible:A really good read! James Amherst was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
March 8, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a unbiased review. I just bought the damn book. It was that good. Where to start? Everything, and I mean everything, was done right with this book.
I cared about the characters. That says a lot. I really cared about what happened to them. The female characters were well written. They were not victims or just observers of the action. When something bad happened to them, they fought back and took revenge just as well as the male characters did. Kudos to Mr. Parker for getting that right.
The pacing was incredible. It was not just insomnia and shoulder pain that kept me reading until early this morning. As I finished each chapter, I had to know what happened next and kept reading. When I finished the book, I felt like I did not want to leave these people. I liked them and wanted more time with them.
The situation which brought about the apocalypse/Armageddon was believable. Apocalypse fiction is my favorite, probably because I grew up during the cold war when nuclear war was a daily threat. The details Mr. Parker has with the nuclear blasts and aftermaths are great. His concept of nuclear winter is first rate (reminded me of how well Robert McCammon captured it in Swan Song). Then there are the zombies, mutants and mutated insects. I will skip the biggest monster for readers to discover themselves (Spoilers Sweetie). Holy crap, there is so much here for a horror fan to love.
The best part of the book was the characters, their relationships and their development from all the horror inflicted on them. The title is perfect. It is to be endured, not merely survived. I hope Mr. Parker is planning on making this an audiobook. I can think of a narrator (looking at you Mr. James Foster) who would be great. I recommend Enduring Armageddon to fans, not just of horror or post apocalypse, but fans of terrific writing.
I cared about the characters. That says a lot. I really cared about what happened to them. The female characters were well written. They were not victims or just observers of the action. When something bad happened to them, they fought back and took revenge just as well as the male characters did. Kudos to Mr. Parker for getting that right.
The pacing was incredible. It was not just insomnia and shoulder pain that kept me reading until early this morning. As I finished each chapter, I had to know what happened next and kept reading. When I finished the book, I felt like I did not want to leave these people. I liked them and wanted more time with them.
The situation which brought about the apocalypse/Armageddon was believable. Apocalypse fiction is my favorite, probably because I grew up during the cold war when nuclear war was a daily threat. The details Mr. Parker has with the nuclear blasts and aftermaths are great. His concept of nuclear winter is first rate (reminded me of how well Robert McCammon captured it in Swan Song). Then there are the zombies, mutants and mutated insects. I will skip the biggest monster for readers to discover themselves (Spoilers Sweetie). Holy crap, there is so much here for a horror fan to love.
The best part of the book was the characters, their relationships and their development from all the horror inflicted on them. The title is perfect. It is to be endured, not merely survived. I hope Mr. Parker is planning on making this an audiobook. I can think of a narrator (looking at you Mr. James Foster) who would be great. I recommend Enduring Armageddon to fans, not just of horror or post apocalypse, but fans of terrific writing.
August 14, 2015
Overall I gave this novel a high end four rating. This really is a fantastic post-apocalypse kinda zombie fiction. This story is the "After" everything goes down so to speak and starts from that point.
This for sure has some interesting creatures in it. No spoilers on that one but the one thing flipped me out! I would be screaming like a little girl for my mommy if one of those giant things came after me.
This story revolves around Chuck and Rebecca and I have to admit it did take some time for them to grow on me. Chuck however redeemed his qualities to me when he had to do what had to be done for his family. I know I'm so vague but I really hate spoilers lol. I wonder how many men would do the same as Chuck in real life if it came to it?
The ending didn't quite feel right to me but that's just me. It just ended. I did however love all the "meaty" parts of the book and the characters they pick up along the way were just perfect. The actions scenes flowed nicely together. Some things did seem a tad easy that Chuck and Rebecca were able to accomplish to me. Kinda expected a tad more hardship than what actually was written. Then there's Alejandro now that's a pretty awesome twist.
This is my second book I've read from Brian Parker and I've really enjoyed both so far. The cover is fantastic as well fits the book nicely. For sure highly recommend to those that love this genre. It fits in really well.
This for sure has some interesting creatures in it. No spoilers on that one but the one thing flipped me out! I would be screaming like a little girl for my mommy if one of those giant things came after me.
This story revolves around Chuck and Rebecca and I have to admit it did take some time for them to grow on me. Chuck however redeemed his qualities to me when he had to do what had to be done for his family. I know I'm so vague but I really hate spoilers lol. I wonder how many men would do the same as Chuck in real life if it came to it?
The ending didn't quite feel right to me but that's just me. It just ended. I did however love all the "meaty" parts of the book and the characters they pick up along the way were just perfect. The actions scenes flowed nicely together. Some things did seem a tad easy that Chuck and Rebecca were able to accomplish to me. Kinda expected a tad more hardship than what actually was written. Then there's Alejandro now that's a pretty awesome twist.
This is my second book I've read from Brian Parker and I've really enjoyed both so far. The cover is fantastic as well fits the book nicely. For sure highly recommend to those that love this genre. It fits in really well.
July 23, 2015
(From www.pingwings.ca)
Received from the publisher, for free, for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I love post-apocalyptic and zombie fiction, so I was definitely intrigued when this book was offered to me for review.
I liked the concept of this book (nuclear devastation, nuclear winter, everyone has to go into survival mode) and I got a Walking Dead vibe at times, particularly during the action scenes, which I enjoyed. The story took some interesting turns, and I liked that I never knew where the story was going to go next. The Changed? Giant scorpions? Really interesting!
There were times, though, where the story would jump forward in time and a few sentences would tell me what happened during that time. I found that pretty jarring, and actually would have liked to have read about the time that was skipped over.
I also lacked any sense of emotional investment or connection with the characters. I read because I was interested in where the story was going and in what would happen next, but not because I cared for any of the characters.
Overall, while I didn’t totally love the book, it was a good read with a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world that stood out from others I’ve read. Recommended for fellow post-apocalyptic, survival horror readers.
Received from the publisher, for free, for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I love post-apocalyptic and zombie fiction, so I was definitely intrigued when this book was offered to me for review.
I liked the concept of this book (nuclear devastation, nuclear winter, everyone has to go into survival mode) and I got a Walking Dead vibe at times, particularly during the action scenes, which I enjoyed. The story took some interesting turns, and I liked that I never knew where the story was going to go next. The Changed? Giant scorpions? Really interesting!
There were times, though, where the story would jump forward in time and a few sentences would tell me what happened during that time. I found that pretty jarring, and actually would have liked to have read about the time that was skipped over.
I also lacked any sense of emotional investment or connection with the characters. I read because I was interested in where the story was going and in what would happen next, but not because I cared for any of the characters.
Overall, while I didn’t totally love the book, it was a good read with a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world that stood out from others I’ve read. Recommended for fellow post-apocalyptic, survival horror readers.
December 22, 2015
Nuclear war? Zombies? Psychopaths? Cannibals? Mutants? Check, check, check, check and check. The apocalypse isn't going to all driving Hyundais, shooting crossbows and eating pudding. Brian Parker takes you on a gritty ride that is hard to put down. I was up until 1:00 AM the last night I was reading it because I had to get to the end!
September 14, 2015
If you enjoy TWD, then you will enjoy Brian's story following a family through Armageddon. He writes likes it is happening. He uses real words in sticky situations. Definitely not a book for the faint of heart.
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