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After the Virus #1
After the Virus
Henry never realized he was special. Sure, he’s an engineer who served his country, but, well, when the virus hit, he soon finds himself alone in a nearly empty world.
And that’s the key. Nearly empty.
And there’s no one left with the technical know-how to make the world run again.
Well, no one but Henry.
And for humanity to survive, he will have to rebuild society out of the motliest crew of survivors the world has ever seen.
It might be impossible, but at the same time, Henry has always loved a challenge.
And that’s the key. Nearly empty.
And there’s no one left with the technical know-how to make the world run again.
Well, no one but Henry.
And for humanity to survive, he will have to rebuild society out of the motliest crew of survivors the world has ever seen.
It might be impossible, but at the same time, Henry has always loved a challenge.
472 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2020
324 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Simon Archer
123 books225 followersLibrarian Note: There are multiple authors by this name in the Goodreads database. This profile may contain works from multiple authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 24, 2020
The story was interesting but yeah no.
It was good, pretty good actually until it started with the whole sharing partners thing. I personally don't give a crap about what someone wants to do, you want a polyamorous relationship good for you just keep it away from me lm not interested and I don't want to read about.
It was good, pretty good actually until it started with the whole sharing partners thing. I personally don't give a crap about what someone wants to do, you want a polyamorous relationship good for you just keep it away from me lm not interested and I don't want to read about.
October 4, 2021
This book reads like a pubescent boy's apocalyptic sex fantasy in which the main character is a hot ex-military man that, apparently, all the women he comes in contact with want to f**k. Oh, and, they're willing to share him. So, in between the challenges of trying to survive in a post pandemic world, of course all the ladies are focused on getting laid. "... stroking my half erect manhood..." says it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
That's my kind of apocalypse. Where women are in abundance, and men less so. Real estate and vehicle market is overflowing with excellent offerings with price points all at nicely rounded value of zero. How's that for a cosy end of the world?
April 14, 2021
A note about spoilers: I tend to avoid them in my book reviews, instead opting to discuss things in more general terms. That said, in the bottom part of this review I do paraphrase some dialogue from one of the major characters. I don’t believe that this spoils anything, and I use it only to support my point (hence no spoiler tags), but I wanted to be clear and upfront about it to anyone reading.
I have read several of Simon Archers novels in the past, usually, they tend to fall under the fantasy/magical genre, have a harem (or multiple love interests exclusive to the protagonist/harem), and generally have some kind of ‘Chosen one’ element thrown. It’s a fairly successful formula for any of these ‘rapid writing authors’ and tends to work well for them. So I was very surprised when a 'post-apocalypse title from this author popped up on my kindle feed, enough that I decided to get it.
Overall, I tend to enjoy Simon's stories. As a rule, I find his writing is passable, and while his editing is typically in the 'needs work' category, his story concepts and ideas are very good. So understand that I went into 'After the Virus' expecting more or less, the same levels and standards.
The Good:
As for the story itself, it was refreshing for me to see a survival-based story where there is not some supernatural element (at least as far as the reader knows). While the early book is a little slow, it is so in a good way. Forrest (the MC) acts intelligently, behaves believably, and generally handles the situation with realistic actions/reactions based on his knowledge and backstory.
While the first 30-40% of the story is very much narrow focus on his home and planning for future survival, the latter parts see the story open up to include a wider area and larger situations that are far more complex than 'food' 'shelter' 'safety'. As a survival story, it doesn't make too many mistakes (except perhaps the predictable and over-used villain trope near the end).
The Bad:
Now we get to the main issue I have with this story and why I will not be continuing with the other 2 (at the time of review anyway) books.
It's the attitude of the main love interest. I say main because, like so many other Simon Archer books, there is more than one. Within a few days of them meeting (and burying their respective loved ones) the MC and love interest become an item. Almost immediately (and casually) they discuss how they shouldn't expect to be exclusive.
"I won't be jealous if you won't" kind of talk, and "We have to repopulate, and we will each need multiple partners but I want you to be the father of my first child"..... (I am going from memory).....
Either way, the 'Free Love' motif, and its subsequent justification by the main love interest, is not only factually wrong (biologically speaking), it also makes the far greater mistake of detracting from the likability of the characters. Never mind that they seem to reach this decision fast enough to give someone whiplash (in between declarations of love and marriage type talk)... yeah…
Conclusion:
For me, the whole “Open relationship / sharing / having babies with other people” point critically detracts from the otherwise decent story as it makes me care little about the main characters in the present or their potential future. I think this story would have been much better without this element. (So much so that I am dropping the series after book 1 and will be far more cautious with purchasing Simon Archer books in the future).
If your someone who doesn't care about this particular issue, you will find a decent enough story, with a slightly overused villain trope and human survivors who are for the most part sane, human beings. All put together in a generally believable scenario and consequently a decent enough way to spend a few hours reading.
I have read several of Simon Archers novels in the past, usually, they tend to fall under the fantasy/magical genre, have a harem (or multiple love interests exclusive to the protagonist/harem), and generally have some kind of ‘Chosen one’ element thrown. It’s a fairly successful formula for any of these ‘rapid writing authors’ and tends to work well for them. So I was very surprised when a 'post-apocalypse title from this author popped up on my kindle feed, enough that I decided to get it.
Overall, I tend to enjoy Simon's stories. As a rule, I find his writing is passable, and while his editing is typically in the 'needs work' category, his story concepts and ideas are very good. So understand that I went into 'After the Virus' expecting more or less, the same levels and standards.
The Good:
As for the story itself, it was refreshing for me to see a survival-based story where there is not some supernatural element (at least as far as the reader knows). While the early book is a little slow, it is so in a good way. Forrest (the MC) acts intelligently, behaves believably, and generally handles the situation with realistic actions/reactions based on his knowledge and backstory.
While the first 30-40% of the story is very much narrow focus on his home and planning for future survival, the latter parts see the story open up to include a wider area and larger situations that are far more complex than 'food' 'shelter' 'safety'. As a survival story, it doesn't make too many mistakes (except perhaps the predictable and over-used villain trope near the end).
The Bad:
Now we get to the main issue I have with this story and why I will not be continuing with the other 2 (at the time of review anyway) books.
It's the attitude of the main love interest. I say main because, like so many other Simon Archer books, there is more than one. Within a few days of them meeting (and burying their respective loved ones) the MC and love interest become an item. Almost immediately (and casually) they discuss how they shouldn't expect to be exclusive.
"I won't be jealous if you won't" kind of talk, and "We have to repopulate, and we will each need multiple partners but I want you to be the father of my first child"..... (I am going from memory).....
Either way, the 'Free Love' motif, and its subsequent justification by the main love interest, is not only factually wrong (biologically speaking), it also makes the far greater mistake of detracting from the likability of the characters. Never mind that they seem to reach this decision fast enough to give someone whiplash (in between declarations of love and marriage type talk)... yeah…
Conclusion:
For me, the whole “Open relationship / sharing / having babies with other people” point critically detracts from the otherwise decent story as it makes me care little about the main characters in the present or their potential future. I think this story would have been much better without this element. (So much so that I am dropping the series after book 1 and will be far more cautious with purchasing Simon Archer books in the future).
If your someone who doesn't care about this particular issue, you will find a decent enough story, with a slightly overused villain trope and human survivors who are for the most part sane, human beings. All put together in a generally believable scenario and consequently a decent enough way to spend a few hours reading.
October 27, 2022
Fairly conventional end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it story with some cheesy and convenient elements. And there wasn’t really a plot. It was more like a series of events. Nevertheless, I liked the setup, I liked the characters. It just had a simple charm to it. I liked the book = three stars.
That Jackie would be so cool with Henry sleeping with a second woman I found far-fetched, but this is basically fantasy anyway so why not go with it?
That Jackie would be so cool with Henry sleeping with a second woman I found far-fetched, but this is basically fantasy anyway so why not go with it?
March 23, 2020
A fun and somewhat sobering read in these times
Reminiscent of Eric Valls Without Law series we have an ex-military man trying to rebuild after an apocalyptic event wipes out a majority of the population. I would hope that after an event like that there were less people inclined to be problematic, but that wouldn’t make an interesting story. The MC has some mechanical and engineering skills along with his military background to help create an environment where him and his new lady friend can build a future. The story does have some initial sex scenes detailed but is mostly FtB. This book does have harem elements building. Its also an enjoyable and fairly well paced read with a bit of pop culture references thrown in. Hopefully more books I this series will follow. Timely release with the Covid-19 pandemic being a majority of the news every night.
Reminiscent of Eric Valls Without Law series we have an ex-military man trying to rebuild after an apocalyptic event wipes out a majority of the population. I would hope that after an event like that there were less people inclined to be problematic, but that wouldn’t make an interesting story. The MC has some mechanical and engineering skills along with his military background to help create an environment where him and his new lady friend can build a future. The story does have some initial sex scenes detailed but is mostly FtB. This book does have harem elements building. Its also an enjoyable and fairly well paced read with a bit of pop culture references thrown in. Hopefully more books I this series will follow. Timely release with the Covid-19 pandemic being a majority of the news every night.
April 22, 2020
Rating 3.5 stars
Not bad. Somewhat of a typical apocalypse story where a Virus takes out over 99 percent of the world's population. The story follows Henry as he wakes up after being sick for a little while. He remembers going to bed on saturday night with flu like symptoms and then waking up coughing up sputum with some blood and his eyes crusted over with yellow stuff. He felt better though. That is until he realized that it is now tuesday and he doesn't remember the last couple of days. He goes into the main house to find his grandmother has passed away. He tries to call the police but there is no answer. He drives to the local police, fire station, and hospital and everyone is dead. He ends up finding another survivor, a cheerleader from a local college. They decide to stick together and try and survive. They head back to his family's farm and begin collecting the things they will need to survive. This was a somewhat realistic story on how to survive. The main character wasn't some kind of survival nut who prepared for just such an occasion. He was a former army mechanic, has a mechanical engineering degree and grew up and currently lived on a farm. All the decisions he made were pretty logical and I could believe that a normal person would be able to accomplish what he did. The first half of the book was pretty straight forward and was actually kind of slow, though interesting. He developed a relationship with the woman and they had some sexy time. The second half of the book is when they encounter more people. Up until about 3/4 of the way through the story, it was a typical survival tale and everything, for the most part, made sense. That is when the author threw in a curve ball. I understand the story needed something else to tie everything together, I just didn't think that what he decided to do include was realistic.
Overall a pretty good story. Very appropropriate considering the COVID-19 thing going on now. Makes me think things now in the real world could be a lot worse.
Not bad. Somewhat of a typical apocalypse story where a Virus takes out over 99 percent of the world's population. The story follows Henry as he wakes up after being sick for a little while. He remembers going to bed on saturday night with flu like symptoms and then waking up coughing up sputum with some blood and his eyes crusted over with yellow stuff. He felt better though. That is until he realized that it is now tuesday and he doesn't remember the last couple of days. He goes into the main house to find his grandmother has passed away. He tries to call the police but there is no answer. He drives to the local police, fire station, and hospital and everyone is dead. He ends up finding another survivor, a cheerleader from a local college. They decide to stick together and try and survive. They head back to his family's farm and begin collecting the things they will need to survive. This was a somewhat realistic story on how to survive. The main character wasn't some kind of survival nut who prepared for just such an occasion. He was a former army mechanic, has a mechanical engineering degree and grew up and currently lived on a farm. All the decisions he made were pretty logical and I could believe that a normal person would be able to accomplish what he did. The first half of the book was pretty straight forward and was actually kind of slow, though interesting. He developed a relationship with the woman and they had some sexy time. The second half of the book is when they encounter more people. Up until about 3/4 of the way through the story, it was a typical survival tale and everything, for the most part, made sense. That is when the author threw in a curve ball. I understand the story needed something else to tie everything together, I just didn't think that what he decided to do include was realistic.
Overall a pretty good story. Very appropropriate considering the COVID-19 thing going on now. Makes me think things now in the real world could be a lot worse.
February 6, 2024
This could have been a four star. I really like the differences between this post-apocalyptic store line and most others. Unfortunately, the ending is a poor and hints that the next book will be like all the rest.
March 1, 2023
I LOVED THIS! Henry was pretty great, I think I have a new book-boo.
April 24, 2020
This one was competently written but nothing special. Not a waste of your time if you like stories of this sort, but if you do you've seen this story many times before and this doesn't offer anything novel.
Read
August 24, 20202.5 Stars at best
I'm extremely conflicted about this book. I mostly like the premise, the characters, and the setup. There are a ton of editing issues and some of the details about the sickness don't make sense (why do only a handful of the corpses described exhibit any bleeding when this is supposedly one of the key symptoms of the sickness?). The thing I find utterly ridiculous and tasteless and unbelievable though, is the cheesy porno movie crapfest you felt compelled to put in a book that would have worked so much better without it. If you want to write smut books, write them, but if you want to actually try your hand at writing in other genres, tone down the cheesy smut--it just doesn't work. It just comes across as ridiculous and rather juvenile. No one is going to being setting up a threesome within days of watching everyone they knew and loved die...pretty much kills the mood. And seriously? All the surviving females are hot and they all want a piece of this guy? Good grief. So frickin corny.
I'm extremely conflicted about this book. I mostly like the premise, the characters, and the setup. There are a ton of editing issues and some of the details about the sickness don't make sense (why do only a handful of the corpses described exhibit any bleeding when this is supposedly one of the key symptoms of the sickness?). The thing I find utterly ridiculous and tasteless and unbelievable though, is the cheesy porno movie crapfest you felt compelled to put in a book that would have worked so much better without it. If you want to write smut books, write them, but if you want to actually try your hand at writing in other genres, tone down the cheesy smut--it just doesn't work. It just comes across as ridiculous and rather juvenile. No one is going to being setting up a threesome within days of watching everyone they knew and loved die...pretty much kills the mood. And seriously? All the surviving females are hot and they all want a piece of this guy? Good grief. So frickin corny.
July 12, 2021
Not particularly groundbreaking, but a solid story nonetheless. I would also caution for those listening on audio that the NSFW label certainly applies. I don't suggest listening if you have a job where you are standing up (for the men), as the "extracurricular activities" scenes are... quite accurate. That said, I appreciate the break from the cliché 'fade to black as they kiss' thing. Otherwise, good writing, good characters, interesting topics (such as the, should you be monogamous when the world needs repopulating question.) I feel like it would have been tough to be with someone else just as you're falling in love with someone. That said, human instinct is a strong force. Just kinda hoping the three of them share at the same time in book 2... you know, just to keep that awkwardness at bay.
August 7, 2022
I could not and did not finish this. I just found it overly macho. This is a man’s dream of a zombie apocalypse where they have all the equipment and skills so it’s just a walk in the park, what’s missing, a damsel in distress, no wait, here she comes…. Into his arms, of course 🙄 .
Not enough zombies!!! Sorry.
Not enough zombies!!! Sorry.
July 25, 2022
Semi decent plot potential that starts off well and goes absolutely nowhere. The morally ambiguous polyamorous story arc just ruins it for me. It’s juvenile fantasy fodder or maybe man in a midlife crisis given the ages and descriptions. This is definitely not a SHTF story for people who are genuinely into the genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2020
Too much porn. The book moves quickly with minimal detail but goes right into a lot of unnecessary sex. Couldn't get past the third or fourth iteration of sex scenes and had to put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2020
After the Virus
Simon Archer
A new writer for me, one I hadn’t heard of before. The title is apt for 2020 I thought so why not try it, and this morning I finished it. Here’s the link for it on Fantastic Fiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/si... So what did I make of it?
Hmmm … It’s an easy read, which for me I thought it was OK. The action is set in Alabama, along the Interstate 85. It begins with our hero Henry, one of the few survivors of a respiratory virus. Henry lived with grandmother who was not so lucky. After burying her he’s not so sure what to do next. As he lives on a farm the answer is obvious, he goes off to tend the livestock.
On a ride out to the nearest town he spies another car ridding around. Deciding that he needs to get medical supplies he goes to the local hospital and loads up his truck with the supplies he needs. As he comes out for the last time, there’s another car there driven by a beautiful young woman. Over the next few days they encounter a doctor, a young boy and a baby girl. They move back to the farm and another ride to CDC in Atlanta finds even more survivors. Our merry group come to understand they are not the only ones alive, but are these other folks friendly? Well, that comes in Book 2.
Will I be looking for more of Archer’s work? Well, I’m not sure. Apart from King’s The Stand, and Stewart’s Earth Abides, I’ve read a few similar books. This one seems to me to be a bit limp. Looking at his page on Fantastic Fiction I saw he has put out as many as three books a month so far this year. Of course they may have been published over a few years, but there again, with this one being so limp, maybe I won’t bother … time will tell … … …
Simon Archer
A new writer for me, one I hadn’t heard of before. The title is apt for 2020 I thought so why not try it, and this morning I finished it. Here’s the link for it on Fantastic Fiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/si... So what did I make of it?
Hmmm … It’s an easy read, which for me I thought it was OK. The action is set in Alabama, along the Interstate 85. It begins with our hero Henry, one of the few survivors of a respiratory virus. Henry lived with grandmother who was not so lucky. After burying her he’s not so sure what to do next. As he lives on a farm the answer is obvious, he goes off to tend the livestock.
On a ride out to the nearest town he spies another car ridding around. Deciding that he needs to get medical supplies he goes to the local hospital and loads up his truck with the supplies he needs. As he comes out for the last time, there’s another car there driven by a beautiful young woman. Over the next few days they encounter a doctor, a young boy and a baby girl. They move back to the farm and another ride to CDC in Atlanta finds even more survivors. Our merry group come to understand they are not the only ones alive, but are these other folks friendly? Well, that comes in Book 2.
Will I be looking for more of Archer’s work? Well, I’m not sure. Apart from King’s The Stand, and Stewart’s Earth Abides, I’ve read a few similar books. This one seems to me to be a bit limp. Looking at his page on Fantastic Fiction I saw he has put out as many as three books a month so far this year. Of course they may have been published over a few years, but there again, with this one being so limp, maybe I won’t bother … time will tell … … …
October 4, 2022
Good points: a fairly accurate description of what a post apocalyptic world would actually be like if a virus wiped out 99% of the world’s population.
Not so good points: Basically one man survives a extremely fast spreading Ebola type virus that has a 99% kill rate and is gone from the world in about a week.
First of all it’s just him, scary. Then he finds a beautiful young woman who is rather horny and wants little more than sex with the last man around. She has all the skills needed to supplement his few short falls. Another woman is also found who is attractive for her age but is taking care of some kids, she’s a doctor who obviously likes the hero but she’s not that into him.
A third woman who is as attractive as the first also wants him and his first girlfriend is fine with him having sex with the second woman and hints that she’s into multiple partners as long as he doesn’t leave her.
The writer finally adds some conflict, too little, too late and is successful in ending the conflict with minor injury to the protagonist who is quite the hero. A final antagonist is added at the end to give the writer somewhere to go for the predictable sequel.
Not my kind of book, the only redeeming thing is the description of what would happen if the world ended that quickly. For that reason alone I have increased my rating from 2 stars to 3. A good example of what a man (the writer) is actually thinking about when he thinks about being the great survivor at the end of the world
Gotten for free from Audible, otherwise I think I’d be upset about buying this one.
Not so good points: Basically one man survives a extremely fast spreading Ebola type virus that has a 99% kill rate and is gone from the world in about a week.
First of all it’s just him, scary. Then he finds a beautiful young woman who is rather horny and wants little more than sex with the last man around. She has all the skills needed to supplement his few short falls. Another woman is also found who is attractive for her age but is taking care of some kids, she’s a doctor who obviously likes the hero but she’s not that into him.
A third woman who is as attractive as the first also wants him and his first girlfriend is fine with him having sex with the second woman and hints that she’s into multiple partners as long as he doesn’t leave her.
The writer finally adds some conflict, too little, too late and is successful in ending the conflict with minor injury to the protagonist who is quite the hero. A final antagonist is added at the end to give the writer somewhere to go for the predictable sequel.
Not my kind of book, the only redeeming thing is the description of what would happen if the world ended that quickly. For that reason alone I have increased my rating from 2 stars to 3. A good example of what a man (the writer) is actually thinking about when he thinks about being the great survivor at the end of the world
Gotten for free from Audible, otherwise I think I’d be upset about buying this one.
June 12, 2022
After the Virus by Simon Archer is an apocalypse story where most of mankind dies overnight - killed by an unsuspecting and unknown virus. The survivors are far and few between. The main character of the story immediately plans for the future and gathers food, supplies, and livestock, taking it all to his farm. While scavaging, he comes upon a young female, Jackie, who immediately joins him in helping in prepping for the future. Only a couple of days pass before they have sex - the author is quite descriptive during this activity. They soon come upon additional survivors. One is a stranded doctor from the CDC in Atlanta.
The story picks up after traveling to the CDC and discovering additional survivors. There are discussions between Jackie and the main character about "sharing himself" with other women to repopulate the planet. Both are okay with it and he acts upon this by having sex with a female survivor from the CDC. He informs Jackie of his actions and she accepts it - then suggests a threesome.
I'm glad the story ended there with no mention of a sequel. The last chapter introduces a religious fanatic who convinces his followers to find this group of survivors and kill them. So I have to assume a sequel in underway. I will pass on continuing this series.
I found several editing issues and suggest that if the author is considering a rewrite, then remove the sex scenes and innuendos from the rewrite, which seems to be a real turnoff to many readers.
The story picks up after traveling to the CDC and discovering additional survivors. There are discussions between Jackie and the main character about "sharing himself" with other women to repopulate the planet. Both are okay with it and he acts upon this by having sex with a female survivor from the CDC. He informs Jackie of his actions and she accepts it - then suggests a threesome.
I'm glad the story ended there with no mention of a sequel. The last chapter introduces a religious fanatic who convinces his followers to find this group of survivors and kill them. So I have to assume a sequel in underway. I will pass on continuing this series.
I found several editing issues and suggest that if the author is considering a rewrite, then remove the sex scenes and innuendos from the rewrite, which seems to be a real turnoff to many readers.
Read
October 25, 2023I was looking at my Audible new feature showing the series we had in our library and I saw that I've never listened to the second book 0f this "After The Virus" serie.
I've replayed the first one, with the idea of going for the whole serie but after finishing #1, I understood why I've stop after the first one and I'm still wondering if I will pay one credit on the #2.. I usually go for all books in a serie for the sake of it but this time, I just don't know.
Jackie saw Henry on the road, decide to follow him then they felt in love nearly immediately, got engaged and she even gave him the ok to go for other women if needed and the next women he met are sexy and one of them, Angie, flirts with him right away before some bad guys shows up at the end of the first book. Waooohh!!! This is the end of their world, everyone just died but he's nearly living is best life (or so)...
Since this isn't exactly what I'm looking for in post-apocalyptic books, I don't know if I want to go for book #2. I have some thinking to do...
I've replayed the first one, with the idea of going for the whole serie but after finishing #1, I understood why I've stop after the first one and I'm still wondering if I will pay one credit on the #2.. I usually go for all books in a serie for the sake of it but this time, I just don't know.
Jackie saw Henry on the road, decide to follow him then they felt in love nearly immediately, got engaged and she even gave him the ok to go for other women if needed and the next women he met are sexy and one of them, Angie, flirts with him right away before some bad guys shows up at the end of the first book. Waooohh!!! This is the end of their world, everyone just died but he's nearly living is best life (or so)...
Since this isn't exactly what I'm looking for in post-apocalyptic books, I don't know if I want to go for book #2. I have some thinking to do...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2020
This started out decently when the main character wakes up after feeling ill and finding out the world has basically ended. He finds another survivor, a young and pretty woman (but of course), who does not seem to have been able to find anything to wear for the apocalypse besides a cheerleading outfit. Despite their trauma and grief at losing everyone and Henry's repeated need to bury Grandma (which does finally happen) after two days, they have some very boring, soft porn sex. Not much else to do when the world ends I guess. They magically find a doctor and then a group at the CDC with plenty of ladies who seem to find Henry attractive and all are willing to share him. The tired cliché of a religious cult also surfaces and apparently a pandemic which has killed most everyone is not a deterrent to their recruiting. They may have some women that will like Henry as well, though I don't plan to continue the series to find out.
December 29, 2022
Henry Forest, an ex-Army engineer woke to a quiet house, his grandmother dead, knowing that something was wrong. Heading to the nearest town, he found everyone dead. Jackie, a young college girl, maybe 19 or 20 saw him on the interstate. Coming back to find him she introduced herself and they became friends. After Henry buried his grandma, he accompanied Jackie to her home and helped bury her parents. Henry and Jackie stayed together. Jackie, seeming older than her age stays at Henry’s farm, working together to make Henry’s farm sustainable in this crisis. They knew not what had happened but it appeared to be a virus of some sort. It didn’t take long for them to become a couple. They scavenged farms and stores every day gathering supplies, food, and livestock. It’s a very interesting and well-developed story. The relationship interactions are great as well. I like it and plan to invest in the series.
August 22, 2023
It's not the worst book I ever read, but it's in the running.
So many things, so many things. Here are just a couple. 99.999% of humans die in approximately two days. Protagonist, a survivor obviously, doesn't go looking for other survivors. He lives in the country, takes a cursory look for survivors in his small town and that's it. Doesn't bother checking out the nearest city, which is only 1.5 hours away. A woman, predictably young, gorgeous, and sexually active, finds him. She sees him driving, turns around and comes back. He is gone when she gets there, even though he saw her car. That's in keeping with his lack of interest in finding other survivors. She was on her way to her parents' to see if they are alive. But, okay, she can hang with him for a few days first. After about 25 chapters - who's keeping count? - of one POV, the author throws in a single chapter from a different POV. There is absolutely no resolution to anything.
I won't be reading book 2.
So many things, so many things. Here are just a couple. 99.999% of humans die in approximately two days. Protagonist, a survivor obviously, doesn't go looking for other survivors. He lives in the country, takes a cursory look for survivors in his small town and that's it. Doesn't bother checking out the nearest city, which is only 1.5 hours away. A woman, predictably young, gorgeous, and sexually active, finds him. She sees him driving, turns around and comes back. He is gone when she gets there, even though he saw her car. That's in keeping with his lack of interest in finding other survivors. She was on her way to her parents' to see if they are alive. But, okay, she can hang with him for a few days first. After about 25 chapters - who's keeping count? - of one POV, the author throws in a single chapter from a different POV. There is absolutely no resolution to anything.
I won't be reading book 2.
April 26, 2020
A Very Realistic Approach to A Viral Apocalypse
This book was probably one of the most enjoyable post apocalyptic novels I’ve read and I’ve read a few. Instead of an apocalypse caused by war this one was caused by an unknown virus with startling effect leaving all dead except animals and those immune. The story relates how those with good intentions react and cooperate as well as how those with bad intentions plan on power and subjugation. Well written and very descriptive. Puts you right in the mind’s eye. Great characters and realistic dialogue. I highly recommend this to those who have their own ideas how a post apocalypse will be and to those who just love a good book.
This book was probably one of the most enjoyable post apocalyptic novels I’ve read and I’ve read a few. Instead of an apocalypse caused by war this one was caused by an unknown virus with startling effect leaving all dead except animals and those immune. The story relates how those with good intentions react and cooperate as well as how those with bad intentions plan on power and subjugation. Well written and very descriptive. Puts you right in the mind’s eye. Great characters and realistic dialogue. I highly recommend this to those who have their own ideas how a post apocalypse will be and to those who just love a good book.
February 19, 2024
I was really enjoying the book, thought it had promise and looking forward to the other 2 in the series, UNTIL(yes the dreaded "until"), the author decided to satisfy his pubescent males with the graphic sex details. If that wasn't enough to make me quit(and I never quit a book, no matter how bad), he had to continue with the goal of repopulating the world all by himself, apparently. Every female he comes into contact with, gets him excited over the prospect of bedding yet another female in his conquest. Totally adolescent writing, geared towards pubescent males. Pity. I skipped through the foolish graphic love scenes and did finish the book. In retrospect, I changed my rating from a 3 to a 2, and saved myself $10 from avoiding purchasing the remaining 2 books in the series.
March 31, 2022
I enjoyed it. Nothing groundbreaking or original. Fast read. Competently written. I'll definitely read the second. The polyamorous subplot threw me off. Women rarely think that way so it veered off into male fantasy territory there. I was surprised the sex scenes were competently written.
I like the survival aspects of the story, and the characters were smart about it and didn't do stupid things. 1o/10 for that part.
I have to admit that being able to walk into a new car lot and pick out your next car without worrying what it would cost would be pretty awesome. Just the entire world dying so you could do that, wouldn't be.
I like the survival aspects of the story, and the characters were smart about it and didn't do stupid things. 1o/10 for that part.
I have to admit that being able to walk into a new car lot and pick out your next car without worrying what it would cost would be pretty awesome. Just the entire world dying so you could do that, wouldn't be.
February 6, 2024
Loved the concept. Hated the mantasy parts. I literally had to fast forward the audiobook through these parts. Also its Kenworth. A kenmore is a washing machine. Also Marines would never ever call themselves soldiers. They are Marines. Cool point to note though, the Kroger they go to in Atlanta is the one I shop at. One more point about end of the world stories, people always go to the regular stores but no one thinks to go to actual distribution center where all that shit is palletized and just waiting to be loaded on a truck? Maybe its because I work in logistics. I might get the 2nd one. We will see.
March 29, 2022
Does this sound familiar?
Suspenseful. Some editing errors. But really a VERY good read. My husband and I have survived the COVID pandemic. We both have compromised immune systems. We have not had the shots. We live 35 miles from the nearest large town. We only go there if needed for medical appointments and shopping. We wear masks to go into a store. We have been isolated since day one except for the month I spent at a rehab center in Sacramento. I am preparing to have a failed hip replacement fixed.
Suspenseful. Some editing errors. But really a VERY good read. My husband and I have survived the COVID pandemic. We both have compromised immune systems. We have not had the shots. We live 35 miles from the nearest large town. We only go there if needed for medical appointments and shopping. We wear masks to go into a store. We have been isolated since day one except for the month I spent at a rehab center in Sacramento. I am preparing to have a failed hip replacement fixed.
October 24, 2023
Could be worse.... should be better.
Understanding that I am not the target audience for this book, it was hard to not laugh at many of the deus ex machina plot mechanics going on. Not one of the women characters were sourced from anything closely related to a living woman. This could have been a great story, instead, its just one guys Armageddon wet dream.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator did this story no favors at all. I only finished because I was curious about how laughably bad it got... ala Twilight.
Understanding that I am not the target audience for this book, it was hard to not laugh at many of the deus ex machina plot mechanics going on. Not one of the women characters were sourced from anything closely related to a living woman. This could have been a great story, instead, its just one guys Armageddon wet dream.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator did this story no favors at all. I only finished because I was curious about how laughably bad it got... ala Twilight.
April 3, 2020
Surviving
This is an awesome foray into a Post apocalyptic version of earth, the characters and mechanism of apocalypse in the Virus are all fascinating. it allows for a escape from the turbulent times we are in, while still feeling very relevant! My only critique would be of the effect of Dilaudid described in the book, running a mission while dosed on it would be more than a struggle haha
This is an awesome foray into a Post apocalyptic version of earth, the characters and mechanism of apocalypse in the Virus are all fascinating. it allows for a escape from the turbulent times we are in, while still feeling very relevant! My only critique would be of the effect of Dilaudid described in the book, running a mission while dosed on it would be more than a struggle haha
April 26, 2020
Local conection
I want to be able to give the next book another star and if Henry starts using the available resources more readily I might be able to do that. I have kids and grandkids living in Auburn and my wife and I went to school in Montgomery. I was born in Troy and attended University there. So we really get a thrill when a book we are reading is running the roads we have used our entire lives.
We look forward to the next in this series. Good luck.
I want to be able to give the next book another star and if Henry starts using the available resources more readily I might be able to do that. I have kids and grandkids living in Auburn and my wife and I went to school in Montgomery. I was born in Troy and attended University there. So we really get a thrill when a book we are reading is running the roads we have used our entire lives.
We look forward to the next in this series. Good luck.
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