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Kill Zone
Frank Clayton's life has fallen apart in the wake of his son's death. His wife has left him, he has been blacklisted from employment and his citizen-consumer status had been taken away, leaving him no choice but to enlist in a murderous reality show. When an opportunity comes up to escape his predicament, he finds out that he still has something to live revenge. Armed with wealth and influence, Frank decides to bring the war to the studio, the powerful corporations and the society that has forced him to make an impossible choice. But hidden interests are manipulating him, trying to turn him into a pawn of the very forces he's fighting against. The world he moves in now is every bit as lethal as the trenches and machine guns of the kill zone.
- GenresDystopia
264 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2020
2 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 5, 2025
Brutal retro-cyberpunk with plenty of blood and guts. But Kill Zone has a more subtle message woven skillfully between the action and explosions. At heart, it's a story of unrestrained oligarchies destroying people's options, then gaslighting them into believing that being forced into an untenable choice is a matter of "personal liberty". For anyone reading it in this glorious year of the Lord 2025, Kill Zone is both prescient and eye-opening.
Resist the oligarch gaslighting. Fight it all the way to the top, like Frank.
Resist the oligarch gaslighting. Fight it all the way to the top, like Frank.
July 14, 2021
First of all thanks to Damir for providing me with the Kindle copy of kill zone. This book is about Frank Clayton who gets enlisted in PARACOMMANDER for some conglomerate. He with his some other commanders try to break free and want to destroy the conglomerate. But unfortunately Clayton being the only survivor finishes the job. It's like survival of the fittest. How Clayton completes his job is the book. Overall i would rate it 3 star. Overall i would say it's a good Goodreads ... 🙂
November 2, 2020
Frank Clayton’s (husband/father) life was on a downward spiral. His Josh (son) had died, & Linda (wife/mother) had left him.
Frank was fired from his job, & his citizenship had been taken away.
He had no choice but to star in a War type TV reality show.
The sun was just coming up.
Frank Clayton & the other infantry soldiers climbed out of the trenches.
Debris & fire were burning everywhere from the bombed-out buildings.
In the 1st TV episode of the show; 1,000’s of the enemy had died & the Tristar Paramount TV ratings had skyrocketed.
Soon, Lieutenant Hall called the platoon: Sergeant Bennings, Doug Prescott, Kintner, Avetisian, Spinelli, Salvesen, Dawes, O’Rourke, (demolition expert, former Global Technics Sr. engineer), & Frank to halt their formation march.
Bullets from the enemy machine guns were ricocheting off the walls.
Zielinsky (scout) had been hit.
O’Rourke told Alvarez & Popovich there would be no air support.
Lieutenant Hall had received the next set of orders from Captain Gallard (Bravo Co.) via Private Miller.
It appeared to be a suicide mission.
More burned outbuildings & corpses everywhere.
Clayton stuck the bayonet into the back of the enemy’s neck.
Alverez & Clayton had been hit. Doug went to help them as an aircraft flew on by them.
The episode was re-played that evening, & it was well-received by the TV producers & crew.
Lieutenant Hall had Sergeant Bennings realign the men.
The soldiers hunkered down as shells were dropping all around them.
The smoke & explosions finally cleared & the sirens sounded again. The filming Day was over once again.
Clayton & Prescott were being hit with enemy fire while hiding in a train boxcar.
It was time for Clayton to jump.
The aircraft flew on. The pilot had seen him descend toward the ground.
He hit the surface hard, the impact jarred his teeth.
The 2 men he encountered weren’t ready to offer up any food/water.
1 of them introduced their self as Cal.
The 3 arrived by boat at the former site of the Ocean Vista Hydroponic Farming reclamation Cooperative owned by the Monarch Emergency Management Group.
In Cal’s previous life the colonists had many skilled workers, engineers, & technicians at the facility. They had since vanished.
Cal warned Clayton about Deacon (outsider, con-artist). He had shown up.
The cycle of apocalypse & rebirth, meant God would send down a terrible vengeance on the people/things he had created.
Deacon’s plan was insane.
Regardless of what he said Clayton went with him.
Drones were monitoring their movement.
Deacon offered Clayton a drink.
When Clayton came to, his hands were behind his back, & his wrists/ankles were all bound with plastic TV ties.
Theirs is a contract out on Clayton & the network is offering a reward.
BOOM! Fire shot from the sky & the vehicle was brought to a halt.
When Clayton got loose the next day, he set the truck on fire.
Deacon wouldn’t be doing anymore devious business ventures.
Clayton with a sore shoulder had arrived at what used to be the East Central Station.
He went to see Joseph Hymes (lawyer).
Now a new identity: Conrad Decker (national, Antillean Union, Emergency Relief Agency employee, Hispaniola).
Conrad stepped out of the FanWing Gazelle & onto the rooftop pad of the Lafayette Regency Hotel in the Federal District.
Later he noticed 2 Guards were headed his way.
Conrad (aka Clayton) was on the run again.
Clayton stood over the female corpmerc & picked up her weapon. Green
eyes stared at him from under her cracked visor.
Tristar-Paramount. Clayton could think of nothing but those he had lost along the way.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written post-apocalyptic, dystopian society book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great post-apocalyptic, dystopian society movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free ARR; Author; Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC.; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Frank was fired from his job, & his citizenship had been taken away.
He had no choice but to star in a War type TV reality show.
The sun was just coming up.
Frank Clayton & the other infantry soldiers climbed out of the trenches.
Debris & fire were burning everywhere from the bombed-out buildings.
In the 1st TV episode of the show; 1,000’s of the enemy had died & the Tristar Paramount TV ratings had skyrocketed.
Soon, Lieutenant Hall called the platoon: Sergeant Bennings, Doug Prescott, Kintner, Avetisian, Spinelli, Salvesen, Dawes, O’Rourke, (demolition expert, former Global Technics Sr. engineer), & Frank to halt their formation march.
Bullets from the enemy machine guns were ricocheting off the walls.
Zielinsky (scout) had been hit.
O’Rourke told Alvarez & Popovich there would be no air support.
Lieutenant Hall had received the next set of orders from Captain Gallard (Bravo Co.) via Private Miller.
It appeared to be a suicide mission.
More burned outbuildings & corpses everywhere.
Clayton stuck the bayonet into the back of the enemy’s neck.
Alverez & Clayton had been hit. Doug went to help them as an aircraft flew on by them.
The episode was re-played that evening, & it was well-received by the TV producers & crew.
Lieutenant Hall had Sergeant Bennings realign the men.
The soldiers hunkered down as shells were dropping all around them.
The smoke & explosions finally cleared & the sirens sounded again. The filming Day was over once again.
Clayton & Prescott were being hit with enemy fire while hiding in a train boxcar.
It was time for Clayton to jump.
The aircraft flew on. The pilot had seen him descend toward the ground.
He hit the surface hard, the impact jarred his teeth.
The 2 men he encountered weren’t ready to offer up any food/water.
1 of them introduced their self as Cal.
The 3 arrived by boat at the former site of the Ocean Vista Hydroponic Farming reclamation Cooperative owned by the Monarch Emergency Management Group.
In Cal’s previous life the colonists had many skilled workers, engineers, & technicians at the facility. They had since vanished.
Cal warned Clayton about Deacon (outsider, con-artist). He had shown up.
The cycle of apocalypse & rebirth, meant God would send down a terrible vengeance on the people/things he had created.
Deacon’s plan was insane.
Regardless of what he said Clayton went with him.
Drones were monitoring their movement.
Deacon offered Clayton a drink.
When Clayton came to, his hands were behind his back, & his wrists/ankles were all bound with plastic TV ties.
Theirs is a contract out on Clayton & the network is offering a reward.
BOOM! Fire shot from the sky & the vehicle was brought to a halt.
When Clayton got loose the next day, he set the truck on fire.
Deacon wouldn’t be doing anymore devious business ventures.
Clayton with a sore shoulder had arrived at what used to be the East Central Station.
He went to see Joseph Hymes (lawyer).
Now a new identity: Conrad Decker (national, Antillean Union, Emergency Relief Agency employee, Hispaniola).
Conrad stepped out of the FanWing Gazelle & onto the rooftop pad of the Lafayette Regency Hotel in the Federal District.
Later he noticed 2 Guards were headed his way.
Conrad (aka Clayton) was on the run again.
Clayton stood over the female corpmerc & picked up her weapon. Green
eyes stared at him from under her cracked visor.
Tristar-Paramount. Clayton could think of nothing but those he had lost along the way.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written post-apocalyptic, dystopian society book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great post-apocalyptic, dystopian society movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free ARR; Author; Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC.; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 12, 2020
I really enjoyed Damir Salkovic's writing style in Kill Zone. It captured a kind of alone feeling that really helped to follow the main character Clayton's journey. A tale of struggle, Kill Zone takes us on a rollercoaster ride of deception that left me with a big exhale after finishing. I highly recommend this book, especially for science fiction fans of dystopian futures. I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for us down the road.
February 16, 2021
Damir Salkovic tells an awesome near future dystopian revenge tale in Kill Zone! After his life completely and utterly falls apart, Frank Clayton has no choice but to sign up for a deadly reality TV series. It’s there that he decides to take the fight to the people who destroyed his life in the first place. I love a good revenge tale, and Salkovic does a great job of blending action with moral depth and the interesting character of Frank! This book is a great action thriller, but it also asks some deeper questions. It’s sort of a more gritty version of the Hunger Games in a way, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! If you love action, dystopian lit, or even gladiators, come battle through Kill Zone!
June 13, 2020
I received this copy of Kill Zone as an advanced review copy from the author. Being unfamiliar with Damir Salkovic and not all that familiar with Dystopian fiction, I wasn’t sure what to expect as I started reading this novel. Like with most dystopian fiction, the antagonist, the villain, if you will, is society. The “villain” is personified in the form of a reality TV show where the losers are really killed off in staged warfare. There are no MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) units and any wounded that aren’t walking wounded are killed off by the “stage hands.” They take the bodies they recover to a food processing plant where they are made into food for human consumption. That reminds me of the 1973 dystopian thriller Soylen Green, where the elderly are euthanized and turned into food for the masses. The plot of this novel centers on the reality TV show, Kill Zone.
No combatant makes it off the show alive, so Clayton and a few of his companions plan to escape and take revenge on the corporations profiting from their deaths, but only Clayton makes it our alive and then not unscathed. Dystopian novels have never been one of my favorite genres, but Kill Zone may have changed all that, at least for dystopian novels written by Damir Salkovich. What got me drawn into this story was the technology, having degrees in electrical engineering and in computers I could visualize the weaponry and other systems the author created for this intriguing thriller.
The ending… well, all I will say about the ending is that it wasn’t the ending I was expecting, and I was a little disappointed. Still, this story was one rollercoaster thrill ride and I would read it again and will read it again in the future.
No combatant makes it off the show alive, so Clayton and a few of his companions plan to escape and take revenge on the corporations profiting from their deaths, but only Clayton makes it our alive and then not unscathed. Dystopian novels have never been one of my favorite genres, but Kill Zone may have changed all that, at least for dystopian novels written by Damir Salkovich. What got me drawn into this story was the technology, having degrees in electrical engineering and in computers I could visualize the weaponry and other systems the author created for this intriguing thriller.
The ending… well, all I will say about the ending is that it wasn’t the ending I was expecting, and I was a little disappointed. Still, this story was one rollercoaster thrill ride and I would read it again and will read it again in the future.
July 20, 2020
I received a copy of Kill Zone from Damir Salkovic in return for a review.
The wonderful thing about the dystopian genre is how varied it is. From YA, to post-apocalyptic, to zombies, and romance... this genre is about the essence of the story, not necessarily the setting. As an avid dystopian reader, I was excited to receive a copy of Kill Zone. The conceptual basis of it is reminiscent of other novels or shows that have been released before, but Damir Salkovic adds the kind of action and grit that really sells the brutality and stakes of the setting.
As a reader, action is not my go-to genre. However, fans of authors like Matthew Reilly and Robert Ludlum will find a lot to love in this novel. The battle picks up right away, and the way that the introductory worldbuilding is woven through the scenes is well done. The world that Clayton lives in is driven by brutality, corporate greed, shameless consumerism, and some unique, eccentric characters.
This novel not only read like an action film in my head, but it made me think about the way our world is going, and what it would take to become like the life Clayton knows. While I hold out hope that we won't end up that far along, I will always be impressed by the creation of a setting where characters are able to eat 'mystery meat' with minimal cognitive dissonance, and still fight within the system that manufactured it (even with a little pharmacological help). The story paints a grim picture, but like all good dystopians, it holds enough hope and movement to keep the reader engaged.
The wonderful thing about the dystopian genre is how varied it is. From YA, to post-apocalyptic, to zombies, and romance... this genre is about the essence of the story, not necessarily the setting. As an avid dystopian reader, I was excited to receive a copy of Kill Zone. The conceptual basis of it is reminiscent of other novels or shows that have been released before, but Damir Salkovic adds the kind of action and grit that really sells the brutality and stakes of the setting.
As a reader, action is not my go-to genre. However, fans of authors like Matthew Reilly and Robert Ludlum will find a lot to love in this novel. The battle picks up right away, and the way that the introductory worldbuilding is woven through the scenes is well done. The world that Clayton lives in is driven by brutality, corporate greed, shameless consumerism, and some unique, eccentric characters.
This novel not only read like an action film in my head, but it made me think about the way our world is going, and what it would take to become like the life Clayton knows. While I hold out hope that we won't end up that far along, I will always be impressed by the creation of a setting where characters are able to eat 'mystery meat' with minimal cognitive dissonance, and still fight within the system that manufactured it (even with a little pharmacological help). The story paints a grim picture, but like all good dystopians, it holds enough hope and movement to keep the reader engaged.
May 12, 2024
This is well-written, Salkovic definitely has talent. I was very interested in this book and it's premise. The first chapter did grab my interest, even though I am not a big fan of action-y, military style thrillers. The book certainly picks up at the end of chapter five and things continue to get more intriguing from there. I did enjoy the story, especially when Clayton meets up with an old friend and a past relationship. I think these parts are some of the shining examples of Salkovic's talent as a writer. In these moments we can really understand Clayton as a character and how he has become who he is. It also gives us a much better insight into this dystopian society.
However, I feel as if the parts I was interested in weren't covered very much in the story. I was a bit more interested in how this society came about or how it continues to run, whereas the book is definitely more focused on Clayton's journey / revenge. I think that focusing on Clayton will appeal to more readers though, so if you like action-packed thrillers and dystopian settings, I would definitely recommend this.
If Salkovic creates a continuation or series based in this world I would love to see more of the world-building. I would be interested in seeing more about how the average people struggle within this society or how the asocial groups work.
However, I feel as if the parts I was interested in weren't covered very much in the story. I was a bit more interested in how this society came about or how it continues to run, whereas the book is definitely more focused on Clayton's journey / revenge. I think that focusing on Clayton will appeal to more readers though, so if you like action-packed thrillers and dystopian settings, I would definitely recommend this.
If Salkovic creates a continuation or series based in this world I would love to see more of the world-building. I would be interested in seeing more about how the average people struggle within this society or how the asocial groups work.
July 24, 2020
To convey a story such as this, great characters who are emphatic and are capable of showing emotion are needed. I'm glad the author pulled it off to elevate what would otherwise be a simple story.
February 18, 2021
The Longest Day meets The Truman Show and Soylent Green in this epic tale of battles, shellshock, and greed--and that's just Act I.
It took me a while to read this because I was savoring the prose. The poetic style of Damir Salkovic brings the broken landscape to life with the horrific and the beautiful, while visceral action scenes are filled with immersive description that embrace the senses.
Writing fight scenes is difficult. Writing battle scenes while developing plot and character is truly challenging. Damir Salkovic accomplishes this masterfully. I truly enjoyed the development of Clayton's backstory as he moves across this broken world, leaving one nightmare for another, and then another.
This is a novel for any military or dystopian science fiction fans. I will certainly be looking for other work by Damir Salkovic.
It took me a while to read this because I was savoring the prose. The poetic style of Damir Salkovic brings the broken landscape to life with the horrific and the beautiful, while visceral action scenes are filled with immersive description that embrace the senses.
Writing fight scenes is difficult. Writing battle scenes while developing plot and character is truly challenging. Damir Salkovic accomplishes this masterfully. I truly enjoyed the development of Clayton's backstory as he moves across this broken world, leaving one nightmare for another, and then another.
This is a novel for any military or dystopian science fiction fans. I will certainly be looking for other work by Damir Salkovic.
April 23, 2021
A dystopian feast, Salkovic's world mixes the techno jargon of William Gibson's cyberpunk with the surreal blend of entertainment and violence found in books such as The Running Man and The Hunger Games.
When the system upends Frank Clayton's life, he signs up to appear in a brutal reality show where survival and ratings closely intertwine. But a series of events points Clayton down a road to revenge against the indifferent corporate forces that destroyed his family.
Salkovic excels at description. He handles action well. However at several points the pacing seemed slowed by both action and description, braking the story's forward motion. Nevertheless, for the most part, the narrative moves rapidly, immersing the reader in one man's struggle for justice in a pitiless dog-eat-dog world.
An excellent pick for lovers of the dystopian genre as well as military sci-fi.
When the system upends Frank Clayton's life, he signs up to appear in a brutal reality show where survival and ratings closely intertwine. But a series of events points Clayton down a road to revenge against the indifferent corporate forces that destroyed his family.
Salkovic excels at description. He handles action well. However at several points the pacing seemed slowed by both action and description, braking the story's forward motion. Nevertheless, for the most part, the narrative moves rapidly, immersing the reader in one man's struggle for justice in a pitiless dog-eat-dog world.
An excellent pick for lovers of the dystopian genre as well as military sci-fi.
May 24, 2023
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
I'm a bit confused where to begin with this.
The authors writing was very descriptive and you could visualise the scenes that he was describing, but that was it, each chapter felt like a scene from a screenplay.
The story didn't really flow for me, it felt like too many stories trying to weave together. The brief scene in the studio felt superfluous and wasn't really needed as it wasn't expanded on.
I would have liked a bit more background story instead of having all these different groups ,such as the tribes and asocials, thrown at you. How did these groups come into being? What happened to make them from these groups? Why did the tv execs have so much power?
I found it an easy read
I'm a bit confused where to begin with this.
The authors writing was very descriptive and you could visualise the scenes that he was describing, but that was it, each chapter felt like a scene from a screenplay.
The story didn't really flow for me, it felt like too many stories trying to weave together. The brief scene in the studio felt superfluous and wasn't really needed as it wasn't expanded on.
I would have liked a bit more background story instead of having all these different groups ,such as the tribes and asocials, thrown at you. How did these groups come into being? What happened to make them from these groups? Why did the tv execs have so much power?
I found it an easy read
February 4, 2021
Kill Zone is a totally engrossing dystopian thriller that can easily be adapted into a Hollywood film as it has all the ingredients. The storyline is laden with some good action sequences and complemented with some nice twists which keep the reader guessing until the very end. Particularly noteworthy is the writing as it is so easy to follow and read.
The author could be spot on regarding his vision of the future as even though the story is set in an imaginary society, it could well become true especially the way the world is heading right now.
Overall it is an engaging and intriguing book that needs to be read.
The author could be spot on regarding his vision of the future as even though the story is set in an imaginary society, it could well become true especially the way the world is heading right now.
Overall it is an engaging and intriguing book that needs to be read.
August 9, 2023
Earth the future. A planet devastated by climate destruction and totally controlled by multinationals, where the top reality show is the recreation of old battles for rating and to cull the surplus poor. Frank Clayton, tormented, damaged has survived the kill zone for seven months. Now he has escaped and is seeking revenge. A grim, gritty dystopian novel that I took a while to get into but boy was it worth it. The writing is intense, intelligent and in parts gruesome, the world building is frightening. There are very few heroes, lots of corruption and corporate plots. The ending is gory but stunning and totally predictable. An author to watch. Highly recommended
August 9, 2022
This is a frightening and scary story set in a dystopian world. It was well written and easy to read. It had an interesting plot and descriptive world-building, and I am so glad I don’t live there. It was the survival of the fittest story where many people didn’t survive. It had some twisty turns and was chocked full of action. An entertaining book that I recommend completely.
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book, but that does not affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book, but that does not affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.
June 27, 2023
This was a very unusual read for me (thanks Voracious Readers Only); much more violent and unpleasant than I tend to enjoy my dystopian fiction. That being said, it was a pretty decent book! There are lots of challenging and difficult situations to navigate, and they are handled in a way that feels believable for the characters. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes action/adventure novels and films - it's full of excitement.
July 7, 2020
I really enjoyed Damir's writing, his character Clayton and the harrowing situation he finds himself in in Killzone. It is an entriguing dystopian story.
I did however wish to see a little more world building and complex nature to the characters. I felt that there was a lot more telling than showing, but it was overall a well told story.
I did however wish to see a little more world building and complex nature to the characters. I felt that there was a lot more telling than showing, but it was overall a well told story.
August 3, 2022
I received this book from the author and the fine folks at Booksirens.com in return for an honest review.
The book is a dystopian look into the future where the world is in complete shambles and the class struggle is rampant. Once a person has fallen into the lower class, there are few options left available- illegal organ harvesting, and registration for a game show for a series of scripted wars.
The protagonist, Frank Clayton, is serving in the latter situation when he meets with the scion of one multi-national conglomerates, who aids him in an attempt to alter the power structure.
I found this book difficult to stay interested (mostly because I am not really a reader of dystopian, post-apocalyptic stories) and as such am not rating this book to the same standards as books that I find to be page-turners. As such I am rating this book a solid three stars out of five.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
The book is a dystopian look into the future where the world is in complete shambles and the class struggle is rampant. Once a person has fallen into the lower class, there are few options left available- illegal organ harvesting, and registration for a game show for a series of scripted wars.
The protagonist, Frank Clayton, is serving in the latter situation when he meets with the scion of one multi-national conglomerates, who aids him in an attempt to alter the power structure.
I found this book difficult to stay interested (mostly because I am not really a reader of dystopian, post-apocalyptic stories) and as such am not rating this book to the same standards as books that I find to be page-turners. As such I am rating this book a solid three stars out of five.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
September 21, 2021
For me this read exactly like a graphic novel. All through it I kept thinking: bam, boom, wham.
There are some brilliant concepts here and some oddities that jarred,
It’s sometime in the future and earth is dying from heat and rising waters. There are too many people and most are starving. So what’s the solution? How about fake wars staged by corporate studios, for entertainment, that kill off as many people as possible and then harvesting their bodies to feed the masses? That’s clever.
The jarring parts were the anachronisms. The ‘actors / soldiers / indentured slaves fight these wars with weapons from WW1 and WW2 – Tommy guns and Garand rifles and Browning Automatic rifles and satchel charges. I think this may have been for cinema effect but it wasn’t explained, although seemed to fit the graphic novel genre of exaggeration.
Another part that bothered me was everyone smoking cigarettes. I would have thought that habit would be long gone in the future. I live in California and haven’t actually seen anyone smoking in years and it’s only 2021.
The story soon twists away from these fake (but with real casualties) battles to a myriad of other plots and locations, keeping me interested, although the jarring references to things that should have been obsolete continue: coal, paper records, printed photographs, internal combustion engines. The extreme hatred of Frank by his ex-wife Linda wasn’t fully explained either.
If you can overlook these issues the book is a great read all the way to the final page.
There are some brilliant concepts here and some oddities that jarred,
It’s sometime in the future and earth is dying from heat and rising waters. There are too many people and most are starving. So what’s the solution? How about fake wars staged by corporate studios, for entertainment, that kill off as many people as possible and then harvesting their bodies to feed the masses? That’s clever.
The jarring parts were the anachronisms. The ‘actors / soldiers / indentured slaves fight these wars with weapons from WW1 and WW2 – Tommy guns and Garand rifles and Browning Automatic rifles and satchel charges. I think this may have been for cinema effect but it wasn’t explained, although seemed to fit the graphic novel genre of exaggeration.
Another part that bothered me was everyone smoking cigarettes. I would have thought that habit would be long gone in the future. I live in California and haven’t actually seen anyone smoking in years and it’s only 2021.
The story soon twists away from these fake (but with real casualties) battles to a myriad of other plots and locations, keeping me interested, although the jarring references to things that should have been obsolete continue: coal, paper records, printed photographs, internal combustion engines. The extreme hatred of Frank by his ex-wife Linda wasn’t fully explained either.
If you can overlook these issues the book is a great read all the way to the final page.
August 22, 2020
Kill Zone is extremely well crafted, leaving one wanting to know more about this dystopian setting. Hopefully, there is an epic trilogy in the making. The language is precise and vocabulary rich. There are no unnecessary trimmings which would hinder the style and flow of the book.
Although not central to the book, it does pose important social questions and gives us a glimpse of the dystopian direction the world might be heading if we continue down the current path. In other words, it is not a brainless action thriller, but it does leave a number of intellectually loose ends which might benefit from the above-mentioned trilogy.
To paraphrase the author himself, you may love the book or you may hate it (this I find highly unlikely, unless you're a genre snob), but you certainly won't find it boring. It is an action packed roller-coaster of a book cover to cover. I look forward to reading more of Damir's work.
Although not central to the book, it does pose important social questions and gives us a glimpse of the dystopian direction the world might be heading if we continue down the current path. In other words, it is not a brainless action thriller, but it does leave a number of intellectually loose ends which might benefit from the above-mentioned trilogy.
To paraphrase the author himself, you may love the book or you may hate it (this I find highly unlikely, unless you're a genre snob), but you certainly won't find it boring. It is an action packed roller-coaster of a book cover to cover. I look forward to reading more of Damir's work.
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November 22, 2022"Set in a collapsing world and society, Kill Zone by Damir Salkovic is a thrilling dystopian novel. The backdrop eerily echoes the current world before it falls into decay and collapse. The corporations are disturbingly realistic, unconcerned about the effects their industries have on the earth and its inhabitants. It is a thought-provoking story that captures and holds the reader's attention from the first page until the last." - Readers' Favorite
"Damir Salkovic creates a world where there is little hope, and one's station in life can change before you're aware of it. His vision of earth slowly sinking below the tides, and turning to desert anywhere that isn't underwater is both heartbreaking and plausible." - Grimdark Magazine
"Damir Salkovic creates a world where there is little hope, and one's station in life can change before you're aware of it. His vision of earth slowly sinking below the tides, and turning to desert anywhere that isn't underwater is both heartbreaking and plausible." - Grimdark Magazine
December 27, 2025
The Arena of Manufactured Rage
Damir Salkovic’s Kill Zone is a sharp dystopian thriller that examines the mechanics of commodified violence. The protagonist, a man broken by personal tragedy, is cast into a state-sanctioned reality show, a literal arena where his grief is weaponized for public consumption. His subsequent quest for revenge against the corporate studio is the novel’s central, propulsive drive.
The narrative's intelligence lies in its subversion of the revenge fantasy. As the protagonist amasses the resources to fight the system, he discovers he is being subtly guided and manipulated by unseen corporate interests. His righteous anger is being channeled, his rebellion scripted to serve a larger, cynical agenda. The true "kill zone" becomes the broader societal apparatus that co-opts personal suffering to perpetuate its own power.
This is a story about agency in a controlled world. It questions whether a solitary act of defiance, however violent, can remain pure within a structure designed to monetize and manage dissent. The novel presents a bleakly logical ecosystem where even the desire to destroy the machine can be turned into a profitable product for the machine itself.
Damir Salkovic’s Kill Zone is a sharp dystopian thriller that examines the mechanics of commodified violence. The protagonist, a man broken by personal tragedy, is cast into a state-sanctioned reality show, a literal arena where his grief is weaponized for public consumption. His subsequent quest for revenge against the corporate studio is the novel’s central, propulsive drive.
The narrative's intelligence lies in its subversion of the revenge fantasy. As the protagonist amasses the resources to fight the system, he discovers he is being subtly guided and manipulated by unseen corporate interests. His righteous anger is being channeled, his rebellion scripted to serve a larger, cynical agenda. The true "kill zone" becomes the broader societal apparatus that co-opts personal suffering to perpetuate its own power.
This is a story about agency in a controlled world. It questions whether a solitary act of defiance, however violent, can remain pure within a structure designed to monetize and manage dissent. The novel presents a bleakly logical ecosystem where even the desire to destroy the machine can be turned into a profitable product for the machine itself.
January 8, 2025
If you're not reading Kill Zone, what are you even doing?
Get yourself a copy and go on the wild ride through the dystopian world inhabited by Frank Clayton in the Kill Zone. This story combines the opposing elements of a familiar story but always surprising. A hero who loses everything then is cast into danger only to live for revenge is a great journey, and the impressive feat that Salkovic has done here is to take the elements of that take and make it completely new. One of his strengths as a writer is to be able to regularly surprise the reader both with large plot twits and small realizations through the characters.
Lines like "Clayton felt like he was on the bring of a great realization; a cog slipping into place, parts of his mind coming together and engaging." demonstrate the subtle ways we don't just hear about the character's experience, we are actually feeling it along with him. I relate so much to these characters, I was anxious at times reading this because I felt the terror. Definitely give it a read, whatever your preferred genre is, its appeal extends well beyond science fiction / dystopian reads.
Get yourself a copy and go on the wild ride through the dystopian world inhabited by Frank Clayton in the Kill Zone. This story combines the opposing elements of a familiar story but always surprising. A hero who loses everything then is cast into danger only to live for revenge is a great journey, and the impressive feat that Salkovic has done here is to take the elements of that take and make it completely new. One of his strengths as a writer is to be able to regularly surprise the reader both with large plot twits and small realizations through the characters.
Lines like "Clayton felt like he was on the bring of a great realization; a cog slipping into place, parts of his mind coming together and engaging." demonstrate the subtle ways we don't just hear about the character's experience, we are actually feeling it along with him. I relate so much to these characters, I was anxious at times reading this because I felt the terror. Definitely give it a read, whatever your preferred genre is, its appeal extends well beyond science fiction / dystopian reads.
December 18, 2025
Kill Zone is an intense, grim, and disturbingly plausible vision of collapse. From the opening chapters, it sketches a world where consumer society has eaten itself alive — everything has a price tag, even survival, even human bodies. The result is a dystopia where war becomes spectacle, cannibalism becomes transaction, and corporations dictate the terms of existence.
What makes the book powerful isn’t just the brutality, but the way it shows systemic conditioning. People don’t resist, even when the system reduces them to commodities, because they’ve been trained to see compliance as survival and resistance as futile. It’s a chilling audit of how spectacle, fragmentation, and corporate capture can strip away the conditions for courage.
What makes the book powerful isn’t just the brutality, but the way it shows systemic conditioning. People don’t resist, even when the system reduces them to commodities, because they’ve been trained to see compliance as survival and resistance as futile. It’s a chilling audit of how spectacle, fragmentation, and corporate capture can strip away the conditions for courage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
The novel completely pulled me in from the first chapter. The world is bleak, violent, and uncomfortably believable, a near future where corporations turn war into entertainment and human lives into disposable content. I loved how cinematic it felt, with relentless action and vivid imagery.
Frank’s journey is especially powerful: a broken man pushed into unimaginable choices, driven by grief, anger, and survival. While a few futuristic details felt a bit outdated, they didn’t ruin the experience for me. The story’s emotional weight, moral questions, and fast pacing more than make up for it.
Dark, brutal, and strangely thoughtful, this is the kind of dystopian thriller that sticks with you after the final page.
Frank’s journey is especially powerful: a broken man pushed into unimaginable choices, driven by grief, anger, and survival. While a few futuristic details felt a bit outdated, they didn’t ruin the experience for me. The story’s emotional weight, moral questions, and fast pacing more than make up for it.
Dark, brutal, and strangely thoughtful, this is the kind of dystopian thriller that sticks with you after the final page.
October 10, 2025
This book portrays a brutal world of war, where death and sacrifice have become entertainment in televised shows. The author highlights the contrast between the harsh reality of combat and how war is commercialized, turning heroic moments into tools for profit. The main character, Clayton, finds no meaning in these fabricated victories, as the war is nothing more than a game controlled by producers. The story not only criticizes war but also condemns media manipulation and the painful choices soldiers are forced to make. Through haunting imagery, the book prompts readers to reflect on the value of life, the cost of sacrifice, and whether we truly have the freedom to choose in such a world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2025
I found exactly what I was looking for in this book. In a very grounded and approachable manner, it combines spiritual insight with pragmatic reflection. I found the author's explanation of more complex ideas to be particularly insightful and approachable. A few ideas stuck with me long after I put the book down, and there were several passages that caused me to pause and consider my own life. It's one of those pieces that you don't just "finish," but go back to whenever you need direction or a flash of insight. This book is definitely worth reading if you're interested in spiritual development, personal development, or just books that make you think and feel at the same time.
September 29, 2025
Damir Salkovic’s Kill Zone tells the story of Frank Clayton’s struggle for survival, loss, and revenge in a near-future dystopian world. Blending action-packed battle scenes, critiques of powerful corporations, and science fiction elements, this cinematic work offers a gripping reading experience with intense suspense and deep psychological insight into its characters. It is an excellent choice for fans of dystopian worlds and military action.
December 21, 2025
“Kill Zone” grabbed me from page one: cinematic cuts, tight action, and a disturbingly plausible world—ratings-driven war shows, bodies as commodity. I cared about Clayton: not a superman, but a wounded, broken man. Downsides: stylized anachronisms (retro firearms, everyone smoking) and some abrupt threads; the ending is more gut punch than catharsis. Harsh, timely, and utterly propulsive—I tore through it.
December 28, 2025
Rich with description, this sci-fi thriller is reminiscent of Blade Runner. Bleak, brutal, and yet with a glimmer of hope in the fate of humanity. In the heart of humanity. While some of the action got a little bogged down with detail, I could easily visualize each scene. It was well written and would be a stunning film. I’m going to read more from this author, and I’m particularly interested in his short story collection.
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