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The Girl's Guide To The Apocalypse
Just A Girl and Her Demented Manual!
Michaela Jones was just an ordinary, Mid-Western teen trying to survive the insane asylum she called a high school and make it to college in one piece. That was until she was tasked with fulfilling her father's dying wish with a seemingly impossible Take your place on The Wall and make a stand against Death and his entire legion of the damned. Now, Michaela, Naz, and a demented book/bodyguard must save the world from utter chaos and drive the darkness back. Armed only with the mind of an engineer and the heart of a warrior, they must construct every conceivable trap they can think of to keep the night's monsters at bay. They will have to dig their heels in and experience their worst fears while remaining undaunted but united. Two girls (and a manual) against Death and every horrific nightmare creature of the underworld? Good odds for any woman.
Michaela Jones was just an ordinary, Mid-Western teen trying to survive the insane asylum she called a high school and make it to college in one piece. That was until she was tasked with fulfilling her father's dying wish with a seemingly impossible Take your place on The Wall and make a stand against Death and his entire legion of the damned. Now, Michaela, Naz, and a demented book/bodyguard must save the world from utter chaos and drive the darkness back. Armed only with the mind of an engineer and the heart of a warrior, they must construct every conceivable trap they can think of to keep the night's monsters at bay. They will have to dig their heels in and experience their worst fears while remaining undaunted but united. Two girls (and a manual) against Death and every horrific nightmare creature of the underworld? Good odds for any woman.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2021
15 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
John Murray McKay
5 books34 followersWell you've found my profile page, thus you've already qualified for an attaboy award (a pat on the head and a chuck on the shoulder).
Now comes the part where I tell you about myself (I'll wait for you to get some popcorn and get comfy).
I am a 20 something writer out of South Africa (Howzit my lanies, ons klap dit stukkend hier!), I am a professional cat herder, with other words a teacher. My favourite authors are Clive Cussler and Terry Pratchett and I am a Marvel comics addict! My inspiration for writing starter with the Johnny Castaway screensaver which I took as inspiration for my first novel "Man on an island.". I have moved onto the horror/ Sci fi fields now and I can proudly say I am a serial writer and I love doing it!
I love writing about people and strong female characters like Quentin does in his movies.
Something interesting about me? I am wanted for various unstated crimes by the Tunisian Sock Merchant Mafia
Now comes the part where I tell you about myself (I'll wait for you to get some popcorn and get comfy).
I am a 20 something writer out of South Africa (Howzit my lanies, ons klap dit stukkend hier!), I am a professional cat herder, with other words a teacher. My favourite authors are Clive Cussler and Terry Pratchett and I am a Marvel comics addict! My inspiration for writing starter with the Johnny Castaway screensaver which I took as inspiration for my first novel "Man on an island.". I have moved onto the horror/ Sci fi fields now and I can proudly say I am a serial writer and I love doing it!
I love writing about people and strong female characters like Quentin does in his movies.
Something interesting about me? I am wanted for various unstated crimes by the Tunisian Sock Merchant Mafia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 28, 2021
This story was well told! I enjoyed the setting the author used in the story with all the detailed used throughout the story bringing it to life. Michaela Jones reminded me of today’s teens current generation, and I grew fond of the main character’s personality. Each chapter was exciting and had suspense I look for in a good book. I highly recommend this book for Young Adults and Adults who like teen stories.
May 12, 2021
I sincerely like the truly supreme cast of this very weird and unusual novel, especially Naz and the Manuel, who at times add an almost Terry Pratchett-esque touch to the story.
Still, as pointed out before, the writing style is at times very bad. Weird changes in narrative form and perspective and erratically italicized lines, a wild selection of merely crudely sketched out monsters and longish battle scenes that don‘t manage to hold up suspense — one truly wishes a pro would have edited this novel very thoroughly.
(Still: Naz and the Manuel... 🥰)
Still, as pointed out before, the writing style is at times very bad. Weird changes in narrative form and perspective and erratically italicized lines, a wild selection of merely crudely sketched out monsters and longish battle scenes that don‘t manage to hold up suspense — one truly wishes a pro would have edited this novel very thoroughly.
(Still: Naz and the Manuel... 🥰)
July 19, 2024
I’d give zero stars if I could. I DNF’ed this at page 27. I don’t understand how other readers that have given a good review/rating were able to ignore such flawed writing. It’s honestly REALLY awful.
Right off the bat, I had a major problem with the author’s improper style. When an author chooses to write in first person narrative, they are making the choice to tell the story from the main character’s viewpoint, and therefore, things that happen out of sight of the main character must remain unknown. But apparently McKay has decided that rule doesn’t apply to him, and his storyline is extremely jarring because of it. Not only that, but he decides to jump narratives to a different character’s first person point of view mid-chapter, with absolutely no warning or break. The storyline just isn’t interesting/good enough to carry such a discombobulated/incorrect writing style. The only thing that *might* fix this is if the author went back to the basics, and researched how successful first person narratives should be written, and rewrote it accordingly, OR trashed the first person narrative entirely and rewrote it using a third person narrative. I definitely won’t be recommending this book to anyone.
Right off the bat, I had a major problem with the author’s improper style. When an author chooses to write in first person narrative, they are making the choice to tell the story from the main character’s viewpoint, and therefore, things that happen out of sight of the main character must remain unknown. But apparently McKay has decided that rule doesn’t apply to him, and his storyline is extremely jarring because of it. Not only that, but he decides to jump narratives to a different character’s first person point of view mid-chapter, with absolutely no warning or break. The storyline just isn’t interesting/good enough to carry such a discombobulated/incorrect writing style. The only thing that *might* fix this is if the author went back to the basics, and researched how successful first person narratives should be written, and rewrote it accordingly, OR trashed the first person narrative entirely and rewrote it using a third person narrative. I definitely won’t be recommending this book to anyone.
March 6, 2021
What can I say about this story, other than I loved it from
The very start and was quickly drawn Into this fantasy world of mystical creatures and the saviours of the earth. I loved The Manual and his roll in this story and all the funny scenarios with him along the way. John McKay has a way with words and story telling that will hold you captivated.
The very start and was quickly drawn Into this fantasy world of mystical creatures and the saviours of the earth. I loved The Manual and his roll in this story and all the funny scenarios with him along the way. John McKay has a way with words and story telling that will hold you captivated.
March 2, 2021
Brilliant story!
Fantasy adventure is not my usual go to genre, but having read some of John McKay's work previously, I was keen to see what his latest masterpiece was all about. I was certainly not disappointed and found myself intrigued and engrossed from the beginning.
John has a magical way with words, making imaginary scenes come alive in my head with such ease. I loved the school scenes along with the journey the fantastical battle scenes took me on.
I recommend this great YA story that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Fantasy adventure is not my usual go to genre, but having read some of John McKay's work previously, I was keen to see what his latest masterpiece was all about. I was certainly not disappointed and found myself intrigued and engrossed from the beginning.
John has a magical way with words, making imaginary scenes come alive in my head with such ease. I loved the school scenes along with the journey the fantastical battle scenes took me on.
I recommend this great YA story that can be enjoyed by all ages.
January 29, 2022
I loved this book. It gave me a completely different view of the afterlife, the battle between good and bad, life and death, dark and light.
This book even deals with coming of age - especially when the MC doesn't realise what coming of age means for her.
All in all, a rollicking great story and I want to see more like it.
This book even deals with coming of age - especially when the MC doesn't realise what coming of age means for her.
All in all, a rollicking great story and I want to see more like it.
May 18, 2021
Man, what a ride!
l loved this book from start to finish, it's one of those books you can't put down and makes you want more from the author. Highly recommended!
l loved this book from start to finish, it's one of those books you can't put down and makes you want more from the author. Highly recommended!
February 2, 2022
A review is forthcoming, I am talking about it on my podcast this coming Thursday (22nd April 2021). Not Before Coffee!.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews