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Black Tide Rising #8
At the End of the Journey
A new novel in John Ringo's best-selling Black Tide Rising series by Nebula- and Dragon Award–nominated author Charles E. Gannon
It was supposed to be fun. Six teenagers and their British captain aboard the ketch Crosscurrent Voyager, headed on a senior year summer cruise to excitement and adventure. Then the world as they knew it ended.
A plague spread throughout the globe, killing millions and turning the survivors into cannibalistic rage monsters - zombies, in so many words. Only by putting aside their differences were the young crew able to survive.
Now, they seek others like them, those fortunate souls who have made it through the zombie apocalypse. After all, maybe it's not the end of the world so long as GPS can help survivors navigate deadly terrain, to link up, and maybe - just maybe - ensure the continuation of the human race.
But the Earth's GPS systems are failing. It falls to those aboard the Crosscurrent Voyager to keep the unthinkable from happening. In order to do so, they must traverse dangerous seas to a European Space Agency complex in French Guiana.
And thousands of infected stand in the way.
If they succeed, humankind has a chance of rebuilding. If they fail, humanity may well be at the end of its journey.
About Charles E. Gannon:
“The plot is intriguing and then some. Well-developed and self-consistent; intelligent readers are going to like it.” (Jerry Pournelle)
"Chuck Gannon writes the kind of science fiction we all grew up on: rousing, mind-expanding, pulse-pounding sagas of spaceships and aliens. He's a terrific writer, and we're lucky to have him." (Robert J. Sawyer)
"[A] strong [writer of]...military SF...[much] action going on in his work, with a lot of physics behind it. There is a real sense of the urgency of war and the sacrifices it demands." (Locus)
About the Black Tide Rising series:
“Not only has Ringo found a mostly unexplored corner of the zombie landscape, he's using the zombie frame to tackle a broader theme: the collapse and rebirth of civilization. The zombie scenes are exciting, sure, but its the human story that keeps us involved. A fine series.” (Booklist)
“Ringo combines humor and horror in this strong series debut, the thinking reader's zombie novel.” (Publishers Weekly on Under a Graveyard Sky)
About the work of Charles E. Gannon:
Caine's Mutiny:
“This is military science fiction the way it's supposed to be written.... All in all, a highly satisfying tale of the Terran Republic that moves the story forward and sets us up for the next chapter, which promises to be interesting at worst and explosive at best.” (SFcrowsnest)
Raising Caine:
“This is science-fiction adventure on a grand scale.” (Kirkus)
“Gannon's harrowing...military space opera (following Trial by Fire) builds well on his established setting...Gannon's signature attention to developing realistic alien worlds makes this installment satisfying.” (Publishers Weekly)
It was supposed to be fun. Six teenagers and their British captain aboard the ketch Crosscurrent Voyager, headed on a senior year summer cruise to excitement and adventure. Then the world as they knew it ended.
A plague spread throughout the globe, killing millions and turning the survivors into cannibalistic rage monsters - zombies, in so many words. Only by putting aside their differences were the young crew able to survive.
Now, they seek others like them, those fortunate souls who have made it through the zombie apocalypse. After all, maybe it's not the end of the world so long as GPS can help survivors navigate deadly terrain, to link up, and maybe - just maybe - ensure the continuation of the human race.
But the Earth's GPS systems are failing. It falls to those aboard the Crosscurrent Voyager to keep the unthinkable from happening. In order to do so, they must traverse dangerous seas to a European Space Agency complex in French Guiana.
And thousands of infected stand in the way.
If they succeed, humankind has a chance of rebuilding. If they fail, humanity may well be at the end of its journey.
About Charles E. Gannon:
“The plot is intriguing and then some. Well-developed and self-consistent; intelligent readers are going to like it.” (Jerry Pournelle)
"Chuck Gannon writes the kind of science fiction we all grew up on: rousing, mind-expanding, pulse-pounding sagas of spaceships and aliens. He's a terrific writer, and we're lucky to have him." (Robert J. Sawyer)
"[A] strong [writer of]...military SF...[much] action going on in his work, with a lot of physics behind it. There is a real sense of the urgency of war and the sacrifices it demands." (Locus)
About the Black Tide Rising series:
“Not only has Ringo found a mostly unexplored corner of the zombie landscape, he's using the zombie frame to tackle a broader theme: the collapse and rebirth of civilization. The zombie scenes are exciting, sure, but its the human story that keeps us involved. A fine series.” (Booklist)
“Ringo combines humor and horror in this strong series debut, the thinking reader's zombie novel.” (Publishers Weekly on Under a Graveyard Sky)
About the work of Charles E. Gannon:
Caine's Mutiny:
“This is military science fiction the way it's supposed to be written.... All in all, a highly satisfying tale of the Terran Republic that moves the story forward and sets us up for the next chapter, which promises to be interesting at worst and explosive at best.” (SFcrowsnest)
Raising Caine:
“This is science-fiction adventure on a grand scale.” (Kirkus)
“Gannon's harrowing...military space opera (following Trial by Fire) builds well on his established setting...Gannon's signature attention to developing realistic alien worlds makes this installment satisfying.” (Publishers Weekly)
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First published March 2, 2021
95 people are currently reading
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About the author
Charles E. Gannon
78 books207 followersDr. Charles E. Gannon is a Distinguished Professor of English (St. Bonaventure U.) & Fulbright Senior Specialist (American Lit & Culture). He has had novellas in Analog and the War World series. His nonfiction book "Rumors of War and Infernal Machines" won the 2006 ALA Outstanding Text Award. He also worked as author and editor for GDW, and was a routine contributor to both the scientific/technical content and story-line in the award-winning games "Traveller," and "2300 AD." He has been awarded Fulbrights to England, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Netherlands, and worked 8 years as scriptwriter/producer in NYC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 12, 2021
This book is the second part of the journey started with "At the end of the world".
At the end of "At the end of the World", our heroes had decided to try for a desperate mission and a forlorn hope and to sail to Kourou to there use the satellite dishes to upload a calibration software to ensure that GPS continues to fonction correctly. It sounds silly in the middle of a zombie apocalypse but no GPS means having a harder time to navigate the seas of the globe as you then need to rely to older tools which would have had their place aboard 19th century vessels: sea charts, sextant, compass etc...
Of course, first they need to get there and to need to get there they need supplies which leads to some interesting action, clearing islands to gather supplies and planning the hit to Kourou...
As usual with Chuck Gannon, you have an attention to detail, a love to detail which gives the book some authenticity which is hard to beat.
There is lots of action in the book, suspense as well, not to mention a couple of twists which can come unexpected.
A very satisfying read from a tremendous author in the Black Tide Rising Uinverse.
At the end of "At the end of the World", our heroes had decided to try for a desperate mission and a forlorn hope and to sail to Kourou to there use the satellite dishes to upload a calibration software to ensure that GPS continues to fonction correctly. It sounds silly in the middle of a zombie apocalypse but no GPS means having a harder time to navigate the seas of the globe as you then need to rely to older tools which would have had their place aboard 19th century vessels: sea charts, sextant, compass etc...
Of course, first they need to get there and to need to get there they need supplies which leads to some interesting action, clearing islands to gather supplies and planning the hit to Kourou...
As usual with Chuck Gannon, you have an attention to detail, a love to detail which gives the book some authenticity which is hard to beat.
There is lots of action in the book, suspense as well, not to mention a couple of twists which can come unexpected.
A very satisfying read from a tremendous author in the Black Tide Rising Uinverse.
March 24, 2021
This is part eight in a eight book series so far. The series was created by John Ringo, but for book 7 and 8, he lets Charles Gannon play in his playbox. IMO, books seven and eight are the best Gannon has written. And I want to thank Ringo for letting others expand on his universe. In this novel, a group of teenagers on the worst Outward Bound sailing adventure ever have gone from San Diego to the tip to South America and island hopped their way up to Brazil. After joining with others, they embark on a voyage to French Guiana to help keep the GPS system working during a zombie pandemic. A good mix of adventure and humor and also a coming of age book. I would also recommend the other books in the series. Books seven and eight can be read by themselves but it is better to start with the first to get an idea of how bad the plague destroys the world.
August 22, 2022
Think it's safe to say after having read four books in this series that Charles E. Gannon's addition to the Black Tide Rising universe is definitely the most compelling. It's still pulpy zombie apocalypse fiction, but it's pulpy zombie apocalypse fiction that's not boring (Valley of Shadows) or forgettable (Voices of the Fall) and is consistently entertaining.
Also, this was a pet peeve of mine with the other two books and mediocre zombie lit in general, but it’s quite refreshing that Gannon actually acknowledges the zombies’ humanity a few times rather than having his characters switch instantly from utter normalcy to making quips while mowing down hordes of infected people.
Also, this was a pet peeve of mine with the other two books and mediocre zombie lit in general, but it’s quite refreshing that Gannon actually acknowledges the zombies’ humanity a few times rather than having his characters switch instantly from utter normalcy to making quips while mowing down hordes of infected people.
August 2, 2021
Following the events in At the End of the World, Alvaro and the now augmented group continue towards their mission, penetrating the Guiana Space Centre launch facility at Kourou in French Guiana in order to prevent the rapid deterioration of GPS. There’s just one catch, Kourou is overrun with infected.
Like the first book in the couplet, this provides decent action without much originality or depth. It is easy to root for the protagonists and to mourn their losses. A quick and easy read if you enjoyed the rest of the series.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/2021/08/...
Like the first book in the couplet, this provides decent action without much originality or depth. It is easy to root for the protagonists and to mourn their losses. A quick and easy read if you enjoyed the rest of the series.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/2021/08/...
March 5, 2021
A book featuring a multi-disciplinary team delivering a critical software update, needed to keep the GPS system working, supporting the world’s recovery from a global pandemic.
As a software engineer, how could I not love this book 😁!
Seriously, I was delighted to find a book showing people risking death, or a disease worse than death, in order to help keep the navigation technology vital to transportation from crashing.
As a software engineer, how could I not love this book 😁!
Seriously, I was delighted to find a book showing people risking death, or a disease worse than death, in order to help keep the navigation technology vital to transportation from crashing.
May 28, 2023
This is the sequel to "At the End of the World" and it is marginally better. I might give it 3 1/2 stars. As with the previous book, the book is written as a series of journal entries. I generally don't like this sort of structure for a novel.
The story: Several teenagers find themselves forced to find a better place to survive a zombie apocalypse than the Antarctic. They sail north hitting various islands looking for supplies and people. They also have a mission. They realize that eventually they won't be able to rely on the GPS system for navigation. While they feel confident enough in their skills using the old methods of navigation, they realize that most of the rest of the world will need GPS desperately, so they set out for a GPS satellite upload station in order to reprogram the satellites to adjust themselves... sort of. It is not a permanent fix, but it will help GPS last a lot longer.
Don't make me talk about quantum mechanics and time dilation. Take my word for it. GPS requires tweaking all the time and that is usually handled by the military unless they have all turned into zombies. Oops.
Any problems with this story? It's just not as good as the main series. I really cannot identify with the characters in this novel.
Any modesty issues? As with the previous book, unmarried teenage sex is considered normal. Homosexual relationships are considered normal. Luckily the author doesn't beat you over the head about it, so it felt reasonably comfortable.
The ending seemed contrived. It was trying to set up for yet another sequel while avoiding hooking up this story directly with the main series. As these characters make their way north they will inevitably run into Wolf Squadron from the main series, so the author must redirect the characters for some plausible reason. I won't go into it, but I didn't think it was a strong enough reason. Maybe in the next novel that reasoning will be fleshed out.
The story: Several teenagers find themselves forced to find a better place to survive a zombie apocalypse than the Antarctic. They sail north hitting various islands looking for supplies and people. They also have a mission. They realize that eventually they won't be able to rely on the GPS system for navigation. While they feel confident enough in their skills using the old methods of navigation, they realize that most of the rest of the world will need GPS desperately, so they set out for a GPS satellite upload station in order to reprogram the satellites to adjust themselves... sort of. It is not a permanent fix, but it will help GPS last a lot longer.
Don't make me talk about quantum mechanics and time dilation. Take my word for it. GPS requires tweaking all the time and that is usually handled by the military unless they have all turned into zombies. Oops.
Any problems with this story? It's just not as good as the main series. I really cannot identify with the characters in this novel.
Any modesty issues? As with the previous book, unmarried teenage sex is considered normal. Homosexual relationships are considered normal. Luckily the author doesn't beat you over the head about it, so it felt reasonably comfortable.
The ending seemed contrived. It was trying to set up for yet another sequel while avoiding hooking up this story directly with the main series. As these characters make their way north they will inevitably run into Wolf Squadron from the main series, so the author must redirect the characters for some plausible reason. I won't go into it, but I didn't think it was a strong enough reason. Maybe in the next novel that reasoning will be fleshed out.
Read
July 21, 2024At the End of the Journey is the second book in a duology ("At the End of the World" is the first, but I can't find that in the search results to add a link here.) I really enjoyed seeing the Black Tide Rising world from a slightly different perspective, with the action in this book taking place far and wide but ultimately just south of the central action from the first books in the series.
I thought Gannon did a great job of fitting right into Ringo's world, too. I'm not sure how much they coordinated or how well they know each other but--while I found Gannon's writing style distinct--the themes and characters and settings and plot points were all perfect Black Tide Rising.
This continues to be my favorite zombie apocalypse setting!
I thought Gannon did a great job of fitting right into Ringo's world, too. I'm not sure how much they coordinated or how well they know each other but--while I found Gannon's writing style distinct--the themes and characters and settings and plot points were all perfect Black Tide Rising.
This continues to be my favorite zombie apocalypse setting!
March 24, 2021
This was a perfectly fine addition to Ringo's world, but it did lack something from the original books. I think it was those missing scenes from the perspectives or at least showing new additions to their group (except Ozzie and Papillon, but those weren't the same as in the original books)...
Also, it kinda bugged me.... why didn't they just catch the virus from being around people like Ozzie or the St. Ascension or just all the places they cleared? Seems like the virus still would have been in all those places...
Also, it kinda bugged me.... why didn't they just catch the virus from being around people like Ozzie or the St. Ascension or just all the places they cleared? Seems like the virus still would have been in all those places...
May 29, 2024
A shitty end (hopefully) to any more adventures for this crew.
I know it's about teenagers, and the conceit is it's written by teenagers, but teenagers suck.
The half-assed love stories will never make anyone forget Romeo and Juliet, the third act 'twist' is bizarre and stupid, and the tacked on epilogue that reconciles the events with the main series (we acknowledge you exist but stay in your own hemisphere far the hell away from our popular story and keep this all secret) is utterly ridiculous.
I know it's about teenagers, and the conceit is it's written by teenagers, but teenagers suck.
The half-assed love stories will never make anyone forget Romeo and Juliet, the third act 'twist' is bizarre and stupid, and the tacked on epilogue that reconciles the events with the main series (we acknowledge you exist but stay in your own hemisphere far the hell away from our popular story and keep this all secret) is utterly ridiculous.
May 1, 2021
Now we know who the"less organized" were
I'm a big fan of the black tide rising series. Charles Gannon has created a novel in the universe that explains a couple of things. I always wondered why GPS was still operating. I always wondered who the "number of smaller less organized groups" were. And now I know both, in a well told story, that's entertaining and has great character development. Looking forward to reading more by Mr Gannon.
I'm a big fan of the black tide rising series. Charles Gannon has created a novel in the universe that explains a couple of things. I always wondered why GPS was still operating. I always wondered who the "number of smaller less organized groups" were. And now I know both, in a well told story, that's entertaining and has great character development. Looking forward to reading more by Mr Gannon.
April 20, 2025
Good follow up to first book in this sub series. They feel like one complete whole. I like the characters. Like all the South America and South Atlantic. These two books are almost worth it on there own to learn about some parts of the world that rarely come up in fiction.
This story doesn't have the humor that the Ringo books have but the tone is contestant through out and does fit well into the Black Tide Rising Universe.
This story doesn't have the humor that the Ringo books have but the tone is contestant through out and does fit well into the Black Tide Rising Universe.
March 6, 2021
Well worth reading
I want to say it was nice to read a book that was written with proper grammar and editing. The story development, action , and fight scenes gave the book a feeling of reality. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a well written character driven story set in an overwhelming apocalyptic environment.
I want to say it was nice to read a book that was written with proper grammar and editing. The story development, action , and fight scenes gave the book a feeling of reality. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a well written character driven story set in an overwhelming apocalyptic environment.
April 29, 2021
Another great entry into the Black Tide Rising series
A well thought out conclusion to this two book side story of the BTR series. Thoroughly enjoyed these books and learned to care about all of the characters; a sign of a good book. Truly sad to finish my time with these people, who I have come to admire.
A well thought out conclusion to this two book side story of the BTR series. Thoroughly enjoyed these books and learned to care about all of the characters; a sign of a good book. Truly sad to finish my time with these people, who I have come to admire.
August 31, 2021
While not a bad read, it seemed to try too hard at parts. I enjoyed the action scenes, Ozzie Nugget was a great character. There is an attempt to set-up a plot twist for later, that really fell flat. But the ending kind of makes up for it. Still kind of tough to think that a group of 13-14 people could secure enough of the ESA facilities in South America to get GPS working again.
January 21, 2022
Really good read!
This book is an excellent addition to the Black Tide Rising story. Character development and growth throughout the books was in keeping with all the other books in this series. The story line flow was well built with only slightly over-the-top combat situations. Very satisfying read.
This book is an excellent addition to the Black Tide Rising story. Character development and growth throughout the books was in keeping with all the other books in this series. The story line flow was well built with only slightly over-the-top combat situations. Very satisfying read.
March 17, 2021
addition to Ringo series Black Tide Rising
Second book in Ringos zombie universe by this author. Interesting to say the least. Looking forward to more. With the arrival of Covid 19, maybe not as far fetched as we wished.
Second book in Ringos zombie universe by this author. Interesting to say the least. Looking forward to more. With the arrival of Covid 19, maybe not as far fetched as we wished.
March 21, 2021
Another fantastic story in this post apocalyptic world
I’ve been reading stories in this world from the beginning. This universe is my favorite zombie world and this story is an excellent addition to it. I look forward to seeing more.
I’ve been reading stories in this world from the beginning. This universe is my favorite zombie world and this story is an excellent addition to it. I look forward to seeing more.
March 26, 2021
Slow start
At the start, I was feeling 2 stars. I didn't like the feel of the story. I was looking for a Wolf Squadron type story. To many characters, but about halfway through my star rating kept going up.
I hope there's a follow up and if so when. Can't wait.
At the start, I was feeling 2 stars. I didn't like the feel of the story. I was looking for a Wolf Squadron type story. To many characters, but about halfway through my star rating kept going up.
I hope there's a follow up and if so when. Can't wait.
April 4, 2021
A worthy extension
I'm obsessed with Ringo's writings. Dive into his worlds, headfirst, and don't regret it.
This expands upon his base in a manner consistent with his world building efforts and was worthy of the inclusion.
I'm obsessed with Ringo's writings. Dive into his worlds, headfirst, and don't regret it.
This expands upon his base in a manner consistent with his world building efforts and was worthy of the inclusion.
June 20, 2021
3.5 stars
For all that it contains the climactic moment the previous book was working up to, this book lags a bit. But it's overall a fun, action paced, zombie filled story, with plenty of human emotions and relationships interwoven into the post-apocalyptic plot.
For all that it contains the climactic moment the previous book was working up to, this book lags a bit. But it's overall a fun, action paced, zombie filled story, with plenty of human emotions and relationships interwoven into the post-apocalyptic plot.
July 8, 2021
The team is working to find a place for themselves in this new world full of violence and lose. Can they survive learning to take down zombies and take back the world. Books 7 & 8 are a separate arc that at the end connect up with the previous books. But still allows for more to the storyline.
July 16, 2021
Hope to see more about this team
This is a nice little page turner of a story. A couple of the plot moments are telegraphed, but you aren't too frustrated by it. The worst one was the low casualty rate in the first half of the book. Overall a good read.
This is a nice little page turner of a story. A couple of the plot moments are telegraphed, but you aren't too frustrated by it. The worst one was the low casualty rate in the first half of the book. Overall a good read.
July 28, 2021
Great Book
Very good. I hope there is another. Both of these books work 100% in the BTR universe. Good characters, good descriptions, and from what I can tell pretty accurate. This guy is moving to my "buy everything be writes" list
Very good. I hope there is another. Both of these books work 100% in the BTR universe. Good characters, good descriptions, and from what I can tell pretty accurate. This guy is moving to my "buy everything be writes" list
August 6, 2021
I hate starting with book 2, but here we are again. Gannon did well playing in Ringo’s zombie universe. But when did we introduce “passive” zombies?
That being asked ,Alvaro & intrepid band accomplished pretty kick ass goals with very lofty ideals
That being asked ,Alvaro & intrepid band accomplished pretty kick ass goals with very lofty ideals
July 31, 2022
First, I have to say that I love this universe and the stories in it. This was the second of a two book series. While probably not as strong as some of the other books, it was still an enjoyable read. If you like the Black Tide Rising books you will enjoy it.
October 30, 2022
The end?????
The last book of the series. At least so far. Changed authors, but they managed to keep the spirit of the rest of the series. It was a 2 book spinoff, but it leaves you with the potential for more to come. I will just have to wait and see.
The last book of the series. At least so far. Changed authors, but they managed to keep the spirit of the rest of the series. It was a 2 book spinoff, but it leaves you with the potential for more to come. I will just have to wait and see.
March 3, 2021
Too short
This book was too short. A damn good story but too short . what is going on it seem to start in the middle
This book was too short. A damn good story but too short . what is going on it seem to start in the middle
March 6, 2021
Legends of the fall
A worthy addition to the Legend of the Fall series. If you enjoyed the original series you will enjoy this
A worthy addition to the Legend of the Fall series. If you enjoyed the original series you will enjoy this
March 8, 2021
Very good
Good story, very well written with interesting characters that seemed realistic. I enjoyed reading it & would definitely read more about them.
Good story, very well written with interesting characters that seemed realistic. I enjoyed reading it & would definitely read more about them.
March 9, 2021
Fun read
I love a good zombie, post apocalyptic tale. The characters are engaging, plenty of action. The world and situations the characters find themselves in, it makes you think.
I love a good zombie, post apocalyptic tale. The characters are engaging, plenty of action. The world and situations the characters find themselves in, it makes you think.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews