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34 Degrees
They said to beware of what was to come. They were right. They came. They took. They destroyed. In an age after ours, humanity has collapsed, leaving only the residents of a survival bunker left alive. Sent out on a supply mission, they find that the world isn’t quite what they were expecting. Life is all but depleted, and the tides of war continue to rage on. Fighting against the frigid temperatures and haunting ruins of the lost world, the reign of the new era only grows ever closer. When the shadows are never what they seem, lurking with danger around every corner, and the surface world has frozen over, where can you go? What do you do? Where do you run? In this Post-Apocalyptic Horror/Thriller, It’s in an era long past ours, where all but one civilization has collapsed... or so we think. Ruled by a tyrannical leader of an underground bunker, a woman is falsely imprisoned under the leader’s word and paired with a team of other prisoners for her ‘New Experiment’. In other words, sending them to ‘The Surface’, which everyone who has ventured to has either perished of an illness that seems to spread from above, or never returned. Soon, they discover there is much more going on above ground than anyone could have guessed.
448 pages, ebook
First published November 28, 2020
About the author
Mason C. Blevins
3 books36 followersMason Blevins is a published author and professional actor. Some of his most notable works so far includes ‘34 Degrees’ and ‘Unnamed’. He works with the official Land of Oz, and holds an IMDB credit for Stephen King’s ‘Uncle Otto’s Truck’.
“Penguins are pretty sweet.”
“Penguins are pretty sweet.”
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 14, 2021
I love reading a story where the scene is described perfectly for you. April, Gordan, and Carley are pushed out into the unknown. They are forced on a mission that could endanger their lives. Being forced to leave the confines of their home, however scarce it may be. However, if they succeed, they will be heroes ❤️❤️
They go out into the Surface to begin their journey. Are they a match against the elements? Will they survive? Make sure you read to find out!!! You will not be disappointed!!!
They go out into the Surface to begin their journey. Are they a match against the elements? Will they survive? Make sure you read to find out!!! You will not be disappointed!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2020
No spoilers here! I was a beta reader of this novel and it sits on my bookshelf as we speak!
This debut novel from Mason C. Blevins takes us into a dark and harsh world, that while it may seem to familiar to readers of post apocalyptic stories, is different than any setting I have ever seen. Just as the read becomes comfortable in one setting the twists and turns that come from this author keep the read on the edge of their seats. He shows us new locations, more mysterious than the lasts. This novel is the epitome of no character is truly safe.
Mason is not afraid to take risks in the story and they pay off in ways the reader never expected. The plot moves fast and swift, making this book one that is hard to put down without finishing the entire novel.
If you're looking for a fun, addicting story different than anything else you have read, this is the book that delivers.
This debut novel from Mason C. Blevins takes us into a dark and harsh world, that while it may seem to familiar to readers of post apocalyptic stories, is different than any setting I have ever seen. Just as the read becomes comfortable in one setting the twists and turns that come from this author keep the read on the edge of their seats. He shows us new locations, more mysterious than the lasts. This novel is the epitome of no character is truly safe.
Mason is not afraid to take risks in the story and they pay off in ways the reader never expected. The plot moves fast and swift, making this book one that is hard to put down without finishing the entire novel.
If you're looking for a fun, addicting story different than anything else you have read, this is the book that delivers.
December 14, 2020
Most amazing book I’ve read in a long time! If you’re a fan of horror apocalyptic books, then this book is for you! The first time I read this book I couldn’t put it down every twist and turn gave me chills!
December 19, 2020
Wow! I love reading books from new authors! This guy has captured a new twist on the world after!! Exciting characters that keep you engaged and waiting to see what happens next! Wonderful writing from a brilliant mind! Can’t put it down!!
December 18, 2020
Loved It,
Well worth reading, you’ll enjoy the challenges the characters endure.
Well worth reading, you’ll enjoy the challenges the characters endure.
February 23, 2021
Excellent debut novel from an amazing author. Can’t wait to see more. There’s a bright future ahead for this talented writer.
October 11, 2021
Dark & beautifully written, perfect for this time of year! Even when I thought I had things figured out with this book the author proved me wrong. Keeping me on my toes surprising me with twists and turns. Feeling the highs, lows & yes some heartbreaking moments. I loved how I was able to stay in the world created and watch as everything happened. Can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!
December 14, 2020
This book had me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover! The unique ideas and visual writing made me feel as if I were watching these events unfold right before my eyes! The twist and turns kept me so engaged that I couldn’t put it down because I had to know what happened next! Definitely a must read!
December 22, 2020
Such a refreshing break from the typical post apocalyptic books. This author offers such a unique perspective that I couldn’t put it down. Brace yourself for an emotional roller coaster that keeps you wanting more!!
December 3, 2021
A thrilling, well-crafted post-apocalyptic debut novel from author Mason Blevins.
Synopsis
34 Degrees is a post-apocalyptic thriller set in a desolate world ravaged by disease and scarcity of resources.
The underground bunker of Erical is one of the last vestiges of humanity in this cruel world and home to our protagonist April, a nineteen-year-old orphan. Her parents have died from a disease on The Surface called ‘Achoysm’, a deadly respiratory disease that kills by shutting down the body. April gets caught up in some commotion and is essentially cast out of Erical along with two other survivors: Carly, a smart and nimble archer, and Gordan, an imposing brute with anger management problems. The trio are exiled from Erical on a hopeless mission to The Surface, a barren and unforgiving world, in order to secure fresh water for the community and are given little to no provisions to accomplish their task. The novel chronicles the group’s trials and tribulations they face on The Surface through the perspective of April, who quickly establishes herself as the group’s leader.
The pacing of the novel has an almost ‘Mad Max’ like quality where the majority of focus is spent ‘in-the-moment’ as we follow the small team of survivors sent to the wasteland surface. This style works very well for the story with Blevins cleverly keeping the suspense, usually in the form of end-of-chapter hooks that make you want to instantly dive into the next chapter, and ensures a good sense of narrative progression.
There is a decent variation of events covered in the novel, from the group’s initial venture onto The Surface, to their encounters with what little life remains there. The discovery of life on The Surface brings greater challenges to the group, however, as that which was once prey has evolved to predator, and the old-world predators have mutated into more efficient killers. From killer deer to murderous murders of mutant crows, 34 Degrees features a modest selection of creatures befitting its genre.
Main Criticisms
The novel has a somewhat rocky start as we’re immediately dumped with a chapter of exposition and some superfluous naming conventions for locations that I had already forgotten by the time they were reintroduced. Some effort is made to establish the location of Erical and the plights its community faces, however, this is quickly abandoned and forgotten about as we dive into the main portion of the novel.
There are a few minor spelling and grammar mishaps here and there dotted throughout the novel (at least in the Kindle version) that escaped editing. There wasn’t enough to ruin the overall enjoyment of the story but there were a handful of times where immersion was broken due to odd punctuation or an out-of-place word or phrase. These become more apparent in the later stages of the novel as wording becomes increasingly padded and repetitive.
The story is told through the perspective of our protagonist, April, and for the most part it is told very well mixing her thoughts in with the narration. However, there are a handful of times where this technique leans towards melodrama as the character’s inner soliloquies often feature a lot of repetition and rapid-fire rhetorical questions that don’t serve much of a purpose other than trying to artificially evoke an emotional response from the reader.
There is a perspective change late into the novel after an intense battle with one of the mutated creatures. This isn’t handled very well and initially comes off as very confusing, a subsequent chapter is dedicated to explaining the transition but overall it’s muddled and brings the story to a grinding halt, interrupting the decently crafted flow of the novel up to this point.
With this change of perspective comes a loss of focus, everything the novel has built upon is abandoned at this point as we shift to an almost entirely new story. The last few chapters of the novel attempt to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time and ultimately drags the narrative down.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say the novel’s ground-breaking or anything you haven’t read before, it makes for an entertaining read that I’d consider average at the very least. It’s a very ambitious novel that’s torn between telling an engaging story and building upon the lore of its world and as a debut novel it does a fantastic job at showing the potential Blevins has as a writer and I’ve no doubt he’ll create something truly special in future.
Conclusion
Despite a few minor shortcomings I can easily recommend this novel to action and post-apocalyptic survival fans out there. With its clever pacing and non-stop tension the author does a great job of portraying a world in ruins and the horrors that await within, couple that with a likable group of main characters, each with their own skills and attitudes that give the story a solid dynamic, the end result is an enjoyable experience that held my attention for the most part and I’ll be looking forward to what the author has in store next.
Synopsis
34 Degrees is a post-apocalyptic thriller set in a desolate world ravaged by disease and scarcity of resources.
The underground bunker of Erical is one of the last vestiges of humanity in this cruel world and home to our protagonist April, a nineteen-year-old orphan. Her parents have died from a disease on The Surface called ‘Achoysm’, a deadly respiratory disease that kills by shutting down the body. April gets caught up in some commotion and is essentially cast out of Erical along with two other survivors: Carly, a smart and nimble archer, and Gordan, an imposing brute with anger management problems. The trio are exiled from Erical on a hopeless mission to The Surface, a barren and unforgiving world, in order to secure fresh water for the community and are given little to no provisions to accomplish their task. The novel chronicles the group’s trials and tribulations they face on The Surface through the perspective of April, who quickly establishes herself as the group’s leader.
The pacing of the novel has an almost ‘Mad Max’ like quality where the majority of focus is spent ‘in-the-moment’ as we follow the small team of survivors sent to the wasteland surface. This style works very well for the story with Blevins cleverly keeping the suspense, usually in the form of end-of-chapter hooks that make you want to instantly dive into the next chapter, and ensures a good sense of narrative progression.
There is a decent variation of events covered in the novel, from the group’s initial venture onto The Surface, to their encounters with what little life remains there. The discovery of life on The Surface brings greater challenges to the group, however, as that which was once prey has evolved to predator, and the old-world predators have mutated into more efficient killers. From killer deer to murderous murders of mutant crows, 34 Degrees features a modest selection of creatures befitting its genre.
Main Criticisms
The novel has a somewhat rocky start as we’re immediately dumped with a chapter of exposition and some superfluous naming conventions for locations that I had already forgotten by the time they were reintroduced. Some effort is made to establish the location of Erical and the plights its community faces, however, this is quickly abandoned and forgotten about as we dive into the main portion of the novel.
There are a few minor spelling and grammar mishaps here and there dotted throughout the novel (at least in the Kindle version) that escaped editing. There wasn’t enough to ruin the overall enjoyment of the story but there were a handful of times where immersion was broken due to odd punctuation or an out-of-place word or phrase. These become more apparent in the later stages of the novel as wording becomes increasingly padded and repetitive.
The story is told through the perspective of our protagonist, April, and for the most part it is told very well mixing her thoughts in with the narration. However, there are a handful of times where this technique leans towards melodrama as the character’s inner soliloquies often feature a lot of repetition and rapid-fire rhetorical questions that don’t serve much of a purpose other than trying to artificially evoke an emotional response from the reader.
There is a perspective change late into the novel after an intense battle with one of the mutated creatures. This isn’t handled very well and initially comes off as very confusing, a subsequent chapter is dedicated to explaining the transition but overall it’s muddled and brings the story to a grinding halt, interrupting the decently crafted flow of the novel up to this point.
With this change of perspective comes a loss of focus, everything the novel has built upon is abandoned at this point as we shift to an almost entirely new story. The last few chapters of the novel attempt to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time and ultimately drags the narrative down.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say the novel’s ground-breaking or anything you haven’t read before, it makes for an entertaining read that I’d consider average at the very least. It’s a very ambitious novel that’s torn between telling an engaging story and building upon the lore of its world and as a debut novel it does a fantastic job at showing the potential Blevins has as a writer and I’ve no doubt he’ll create something truly special in future.
Conclusion
Despite a few minor shortcomings I can easily recommend this novel to action and post-apocalyptic survival fans out there. With its clever pacing and non-stop tension the author does a great job of portraying a world in ruins and the horrors that await within, couple that with a likable group of main characters, each with their own skills and attitudes that give the story a solid dynamic, the end result is an enjoyable experience that held my attention for the most part and I’ll be looking forward to what the author has in store next.
March 9, 2021
Got this book in the mail today from Amazon and picked it up and finished it in one sitting.
The action was non-stop and the world was super interesting, with enough mystery to keep you reading. The characters were well rounded and had interesting and diverse motives.
In some parts of the story you could tell the author was new, but it did not detract from the story in the slightest.
Overall, I couldn’t put this book down!
SPOILERS ***********************
I really had hoped Matt survived, the tortured hero who has done so many terrible things to make sure he can win is an interesting character, and it would be fun to see his character arc progress.
I was also super shocked at April’s exit, even though in hindsight you could see it coming after her injuries in the murder of crows attack.
I also read the two chapters for book 2 and it looked good! So I am hoping that comes out soon.
The action was non-stop and the world was super interesting, with enough mystery to keep you reading. The characters were well rounded and had interesting and diverse motives.
In some parts of the story you could tell the author was new, but it did not detract from the story in the slightest.
Overall, I couldn’t put this book down!
SPOILERS ***********************
I really had hoped Matt survived, the tortured hero who has done so many terrible things to make sure he can win is an interesting character, and it would be fun to see his character arc progress.
I was also super shocked at April’s exit, even though in hindsight you could see it coming after her injuries in the murder of crows attack.
I also read the two chapters for book 2 and it looked good! So I am hoping that comes out soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
You may be looking through reviews of this book, wondering how a book from a new and relatively unknown author could have such excellent ratings. How can people be rating this story as highly as or higher than their all-time favorites? I understand where you are coming from, and I asked myself these same questions, but as I read, I found the answers. This book is just really fun and entertaining to read, and at the end of the day, do we, not all, just want to be entertained? This story is very well-paced and exciting. It is full of action and twists. I found myself continually reading “just one more chapter” after I had planned on putting it down for the day.
I am also thrilled to know that the sequel is already in the works and plan to be one of the first to purchase it when available.
I am also thrilled to know that the sequel is already in the works and plan to be one of the first to purchase it when available.
March 17, 2021
Wow. I'm a bit speechless (in a good way). This book is a fun and thrilling read. It's unpredictable and great metaphor for the human experience. A wonderful example of morally grey writing (my favorite). The characters are neither morally bad nor good, which is what makes them interesting and realistic. I see the story itself as a character. Every page in this book is like steps that take readers on an epic adventure. This piece of literature is a great philosophical experience within the compelling story being told. It's not too heavy of a read or too light. It's just right.
To new readers of this book I say expect the unexpected and enjoy the ride.
To new readers of this book I say expect the unexpected and enjoy the ride.
December 14, 2020
So I decided to check out this book after seeing how new of an author wrote it, and I wanted to see if I thought they could go anywhere. I have to say the quality is astounding!! The complex story arcs are so incredibly detailed that it’s incredible that this book doesn’t already have more reviews!! I think this is such a unique and different experience, and I couldn’t in good conscience tell somebody to pass it up. (Also Matt and Chloe’s brother-sister relationship is really cute!)
November 27, 2021
Beautifully written.
The world-building was done perfectly in the story, where you're given the information you're needed without it feeling like an overload of info dump. I loved the back-story of the main character and felt connected to her straight away. The plot kept me wanting to keep going, even if there were a few times I got a bit teary-eyed. Overall it was a great book full of drama and action.
The world-building was done perfectly in the story, where you're given the information you're needed without it feeling like an overload of info dump. I loved the back-story of the main character and felt connected to her straight away. The plot kept me wanting to keep going, even if there were a few times I got a bit teary-eyed. Overall it was a great book full of drama and action.
May 1, 2021
A fantastic novel by a prolific author. Remarkably well-written and attention grabbing. You will not be disappointed.
July 16, 2021
34 Degrees by Mason Blevins
What a great story. Fast paced. Great characters. I couldn’t put it down.
What a great story. Fast paced. Great characters. I couldn’t put it down.
March 2, 2022
Fantastic and gripping take on a post pocolypse world
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews