Venom Spear: Blades of Grass Book 1

by Austin Chambers

A drunk, washed-up pilot. America in turmoil in the wake of unprecedented disasters. How long until both are pushed beyond the breaking point?

Lou Caldwell has lost his reason to live. After a tumultuous career in the Air Force, he drowns the guilt of his son’s suicide one bottle of whiskey at a time. But the depressed, grounded pilot considers taking one last assignment when a General from his past desperately needs his help.

Hoping time away from home will help both he and his wife find some peace, Lou sets out to quietly assess military readiness as Operation Venom Spear targets emboldened cartels. But as each day brings new heights of violence to a decaying society, Lou knows deep inside that both he and all Americans will have to face their demons to come out alive on the other side.

With the likelihood of war growing more each day, will he deal with his darkest demons in time to be ready?



Venom Spear is the terrifyingly realistic first book in the Blades of Grass post-apocalyptic series. If you like thrilling action, gripping quests, and stories of growth through tragedy, then you’ll love Austin Chambers’ tense thrill-ride.



Buy Venom Spear to fight for survival right now!

Genres: Fantasy

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2022

About the author

Be sure to find and follow me on Bookbub, too! I appreciate the help! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/austi...

Navy veteran Austin Chambers took an early retirement from a naval shipyard to grow veggies in his new raised garden beds. He hosts a video channel for emergency preparedness called crossed Cannons Readiness. He and his lovely bride of almost 29 years live in Washington State with an awesome mouser named Combat Kitty.

Reviews

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an interesting story line that keeps you turning the pages. This novel is on so close to the current pandemic that it will have you gripping onto the edge of your seat! I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a twisty turning thrill ride.

This is a spin-off from the author’s Cascadia Fallen series and now I must go back and read them all. This was a well written fast paced edge of your seat page turner. The characters were strong and relatable. The plot was interesting and a little scary like if this could really happen that way. The world building was descriptive and so creative that I felt like I was right there. I can’t wait for book 2 to be released.

[Bill Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of Venom Spear by Austin Chambers in a Goodreads giveaway. I read the Cascadia Fallen trilogy first and it helps but you don't have to do so. The story is about what happens to the United States after an earthquake and a volcano occur in the Pacific northwest and how the aftermath effects the U.S. with a domino effect. Inflation, power outages, looting, Cartels and China and Russia trying to take advantage of a wounded America. It is the first book in a series and is a Goodread.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting & very detailed apocalyptic military style story! Quite a long read so something to get your teeth into, with a good selection of characters & ideas. All that love this genre will love this book!

[Christian Cuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly timed

So as I read this book the world around me has changed. The Russians have invaded Ukraine and I have to ask myself, how long will it be before China invaded Taiwan?.
If that’s the case, books of this nature will shown as being prophetic.

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-stop action

This is a thriller with non-stop action and I didn't want to put it down. This is a very well- crafted book, with complex characters and an engaging story. I loved the ways the various stories come together.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a thrill ride. I absolutely loved it. I was in the edge of my sit from the start. I definitely recommend this gem

[Andrea Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncomfortably Believable

WOW! I really enjoyed this book! It was most definitely written by someone who has stood on the line. Research just doesn't provide what this author has given us. Thank you!

I love books which focus on the amazing, unwavering and unending spirit of America and our service members. This book?? WOW! It shines a beautiful light on what that means to me! Especially Lou's letter to the general.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is an adult. This book is mostly clean. There are no curse words. There is no intimacy but there are some intimate references. There are references to issues like alcoholism, drugs, multiple forms of trafficking, suicide. There is violence of war as and good people fighting bad people for really bad things.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Not for me. I just finished a wonderful post CME series, with interesting characters and events. This book just falls flat. Maybe if I'd read it at a different time, but I didn't truly care about any of the main characters. I kept waiting for everything to come together, but gave up 47% in. A waste of time.

[David Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the “Cascadia Fallen” universe, this is a good thriller read that, frankly, I enjoyed more than the Cascadia Fallen series. It met my expectation for a thriller, with believable (mostly) characters, fast-paced action, and plausible geopolitical machinations. If you like thrillers, chances are you’ll like this.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving and exciting book! Certainly makes me think that something like this could actually happen and how fast things could deteriorate. Scary thoughts.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Charles Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Disaster Batman!

Austin Chambers' characters are realistic and gritty. The plot moves swiftly and has many twists and turns that keep you wanting to read more. Looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Jason S. Grabill · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of THE best!

Reads like real world No kidding action. I’ve read hundreds of these books and without a doubt, one of the BEST I’ve EVER read. Well paced, good character development, realistic scenario.

[Bill Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading

Liked it, but almost gave up a couple of times. Good writing, interesting characters, but wow was it a long, slow progression. A bit more omph earlier in the book would be nice. Having said that, the writing and characters keep me going.

[alberta · Rating 1 out of 5]

wrote by a Navy puke who has it in for the Air Force

He main character is a alcoholic, Air Force, Colonel. If this is how they train the Navy to read & write no wonder they have rust bucket ships!!!
I would not waste $$$$$ on the trash novels writing.

[Lana patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I'm. Not a reader. This is my wife's account, but I couldn't put this book down. On3 two three four

[Kevin Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful

The action took awhile to kickoff but was well worth the wait. The main characters felt real, making me a bit sad when the story ended.

[Elias Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same

Characters are two dimensional and action limited to the end if the book. Really more of a pre-apocalyptical book. Hopefully the second book is better.

[Brad Theado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one

[Edwrd Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy story line but enjoyed the interaction between characters and looking forward to the next chapter in this series!@!

[Eric Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

This one took awhile to get rocking and rolling, but when it did it revved up and got going! Headed out for number 2!

[Daniel Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book in the series but it won't be my last

I really enjoyed the book, a great rich storyline with great characters. I look toward to reading the next book in the series.

[Sean Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

This first book was captivating. I enjoyed the character development, the breadth of the coverage as well. It wasn't just military, it wasn't just preppers; fascinating!

[Michael Young]

Interesting theme, but it takes too long for the book to get going. I had to use a ton of fortitude to get through it and I doubt I'll go any further with this series.

[David L Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will have to see what is going to happen

Good read a little slow at first but it kept me going to see what is going to happen. I am on to book #2

[James N Fulton, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real thriller

What happens when the world goes mad? This might be the start of one scenario. I will definitely read more from this author.

[david kroner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Both operationally & emotionally involving, the descriptions of characters get the reader to believe in the events that are described. Very enjoyable read!

[Ron Couey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than most!

I am really encouraged in reading this book. The charactors are much more human and realistically displayed. An enjoyable read?

[Francis X DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Happening concurrently with the author’s “Cascadia Fallen” trilogy, this book covers what is going on in the rest of the world outside the Rainer disaster zone. Fast paced and cliff hanging, the author shows his superb familiarity with weapons and tactics in the near future timeline of the story. The only teeny problem was my difficulty remembering who was who as the story changed locations, but that’s probably just me.