Blind Fear

Under the Breaking Sky #3

by Nick Clausen

Death and destruction are taking over the world. The impact of the crack that's transforming ordinary people into blind, rage-filled monsters, are bringing every system down and forcing the survivors to fight for every breath.

Mark and John meet up at the place they least want to be: In a government facility, about to undergo severe medical procedures.

Tommy is trapped in a dank basement by his narcissistic aunt, who insists on "straightening him out." And what's worse, he finds the ghost of his dead father as his cellmate.

Gina is on the lookout for a new, safe place to stay. But dangers lure at every turn, and she is yet to face the worst.

As past horrors begin to appear in flesh and blood, our heroes are put to the ultimate test. Will they stand up against their innermost fears? Or will it destroy them?

After all, there's no cure. No prevention. Not even an explanation.

Only blind fear.

Genres: Horror, Audiobook, Post Apocalyptic, Zombies, Thriller, Fiction, Dystopia

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2022

About the author

I write stories about the apocalypse so that I don't need to work a real job. I grew up reading Stephen King and still haven't fully recovered. I'm currently ending the world in my new series Under the Breaking Sky.

Join my reader club to be kept in the loop -> nick-clausen.com

Reviews

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blind Fear is book three in Nick Clausen’s Under the Breaking Sky. Where book one and two were packed full of thrills and drama, book three is a bit more sedate by comparison. You are continuing forward with both familiar characters and some new ones. The crack is getting bigger and it’s getting stronger. The blind are “evolving” as well. One thing’s for sure – the author fully intends to keep these characters on their toes.
Blind Fear continues where book two left off. The characters are scattered across the city fighting for survival. Some characters we find out what happened to them, while others we get left in limbo when it comes to their fates and future.
The pacing of this story is okay. It’s not as thrilling as the first two books. I wanted more. I wanted to be pulled to the edge of my seat more, and I was disappointed that I wasn’t. There is one particular aspect of the story that focuses on two characters that I really wanted more. When you take me to the place where people are being taken I want to know more. I want details as to what exactly is going on. Give me a taste of the suffering that they must endure, and that others they see endure.
I will say the author does a good job showcasing the strain and impact of everything that is going on on certain characters. You try to put yourself in their shoes and ask the question – would I react any differently? How would you have handled that particular situation?
This book is okay, and for that reason I’m choosing to rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I wanted more though. I’m ready for some answers concerning the crack in the sky. I need more. There isn’t as much drama which makes the story a bit bland in places, but the book has some good elements sprinkled throughout. I’m hopeful that the next book will be more dramatic and fast-paced.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this whole series on audio, and I'm about to just binge listen to all the rest of the 8 books, because it's so entertaining.

[Linda Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg?! most stressful book yet! I was constantly at the edge of my seat. Sooo many cliff hangers from all the different groups! Idc though because I am HOOKED so I will continue to plow through. I keep wracking my brain over what the hell may happen next.

[Penny Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series!

Can not believe I have to wait until March 2023 for the next book! Yet another take on the apocalyptic/post apocalyptic genre, very exciting - tho I do find I occasionally have to go back to refresh myself on a character we might not have heard from in a while......but that's no hardship lol!

[Corinne Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is getting more and more exciting and thrilling as it goes on . The build up of what's to come has you glued to the book and eager to read on. Love this series, it's different and looking forward to the next one.

[Anne - Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Really enjoying this series.It's fast paced and full of action. Really looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Hannah May Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Blind Fear
Author: Nick Clausen
Pages: 215
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

Death and destruction is taking over the world, and the unexplained crack in the sky continues to transform ordinary people into blind rage-filled monsters. A government facility is carrying out secure medical procedures to try and find answers as those who are immune try to find a safe haven, dangers lurk at every turn, putting them to the ultimate test. Can they stand up to their fears? Or will it destroy them, because as it stands, there is no cure, no prevention and no explanations, only blind fear.

Review:
This is book 3 in the Under the Breaking Sky series and as book two was a 5* read for me, I couldn’t wait to pick back up where I left off. There hasn’t been 1 book from Nick that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed, he really does know his stuff when it comes to writing horror books. I have become really invested in the characters he creates too, I was really looking forward to being back with them!

As usual, the story kicks off in the usual Nick manner, and that’s thrown straight into the action, picking right back up where you left off. I was pleased to find Nick continued to use his short, snappy chapters too, they really do keep the story moving at a fast pace.

I loved all the chaos in Blind Fear, there really was plenty going on to get your teeth stuck into. I was often left in suspense, Nick likes to leave you hanging, and this can have you on the edge of your seat when characters you like are involved!

I love how Nick brings the characters together too, the story is told from different perspectives, but he does a fantastic job at making their stories intertwine. I’d say be wary of getting attached to characters though because Nick can be ruthless!

I was itching to know what was causing the crack in the sky, in fact by the end of this book, I was left with many questions that I needed answers too so I’m relieved I had the next book to hand. I feel this book was building up to something, I can’t think what, but I’m excited to find out.

So if you like your horrors to be twisty and turny, full of action that keeps you on your toes and are a good escape from reality, I would definitely recommend you try this series!

[Mo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is already not that good of a series, but the ghosts have got to go. Those parts are sooooo annoying to read. I read somewhere (was it the book's opening?) that the author named the deaf character after Nick from The Stand. He was real proud of that part. In fact, he really loves The Stand. You should go back and read my review of it because I had a wildly different opinion. In any case, I can feel The Stand vibes in this series, which is just the worst. I'm knocking a star off for the ghosts.

Why am I reading this book? I need to be entertained to do household chores. The more books I listen to the cleaner my house is. Box set of 8 books - super clean house.

[Hayley Gooding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blind Fear is the third instalment in Nick Clausen’s Under the Breaking Sky series, continuing the post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious phenomenon has turned ordinary people into the blind, violent, unpredictable, and terrifying. As society continues to fracture, the survivors are scattered across dangerous environments, including guarded facilities, hostile communities, and increasingly unstable landscapes. The threat no longer comes solely from the blind themselves, but from human decisions, power struggles, and the fear-driven choices people make when pushed to their limits.

This was a solid three-star read for me, but it definitely left me feeling more meh than the first two books. One of the biggest issues I had was how much this instalment made me actively dislike certain characters. Thorn is clearly written to be disliked, but this book also made me really struggle with Gina as a character, which was disappointing. There were also several new characters introduced that I just didn’t connect with, and they didn’t add enough to the story to justify the shift in focus for me.

That said, I did enjoy learning more about the Hosts and their role in this world, that element felt genuinely interesting and added some depth to the wider mythology. I also liked seeing how the blind are continuing to evolve, which remains one of the strongest aspects of the series.

Unfortunately, the pacing felt flatter than in the previous books, with noticeably less action and tension. While I appreciate character-driven storytelling, this one felt repetitive in places and didn’t move the overall story forward enough. At times it felt very samey, to the point where I genuinely wondered if these three books could have been condensed into two.
I also found myself increasingly frustrated with character decisions. One of the things I praised in the first book was how believable and human everyone felt, but here, it started to tip into how are you still making these choices? territory. It reminded me a bit of why The Walking Dead eventually lost me: characters surviving impossible situations while repeatedly acting in ways that just don’t make sense anymore.

There were still moments I enjoyed, and it’s by no means a bad book. It’s well written, engaging enough, and ends in a way that keeps the series moving. But it didn’t grip me in the same way as books one and two. I’d planned to binge the entire series back-to-back, but after this instalment I think I need to take a break before continuing.

Overall, Blind Fear is a perfectly enjoyable, very solid three-star read, just not the strongest entry in the series for me.

[❤ArtfullySinful❤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“At some point, there’ll be three types left. The immune. The blind. And the dead. And, like I said, you’re too skillful to end up dead. Which means you’ll be blind. Your mind will break, and you’ll be nothing but an empty shell, shambling around in eternal darkness.”

The world is continuing to fall under the influence off the crack in the sky, as it's growing bigger, brighter and coming out much more frequently. Those not Immune risk glancing into the depths are returned blinded and fueled by violent rages. Mark and John find themselves kidnapped and strapped down to gurneys at a government testing sight, one where doctors are forced to proceed with procedures and tests on those immune. By the time Mark was gathered and sentenced there, John already underwent a surgery which removed his eyes, leaving his a shell of the survivor Mark knew. Gina is still consumed by guilt after swiping the respiratory from Phoebe to save Anton's life instead when he began suffering from a panic attack. As many are trying to come together to survive this pandemic, others are determined to eradicate the Immune. Fritz is being lead deeper into insanity by the voices of the Hosts, as they lead him to stab Nurse Juli instead of Camille while they were all sleeping.

I’ve got it together. I’m in control. I’ve got it toge—

Nick is struggling to cope with being unable to locate his missing sister, Nora, while helping Steffi (Bunny) as she's going through the crumpling phases of withdrawal. A druggie craving her fix, her hallucinations of deceased boyfriend Rodney are taking their toll on her. Convincing her to kill Nick, she sliced his throat open with a razor and leaves him for death, much to the chagrin of the Crack. After detonating the electronic pulse machine, Mark and Frederik and Dr. Connie make their way from the tasting sight, leaving a blind John to hold down the fort. Dying to see his child again, Mark will stop at nothing to get there.

They’ve got two immune people, one with his eyes still in his head, the other one blind.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, this one was a little better, but also, still frustrated me a lot.

* Gina - I hate this character so much. Every single decision she makes is just completely idiotic. The author writes her as if mothers literally have no sense in the decisions the make and only care about defending their kids without thinking that defense through. Like the whole fight with Patrick? Really? I understand the initial attack, but as soon as he made a comment about her biting him, she should have stopped attacking and realized he wasn't blind. The blind people don't talk. So why does she continue trying to kill him? I understand why Victor is over dealing with her, because I'M over dealing with her. I honestly hated every chapter of hers.

* Not liking where they're going with John. I really liked his character and now they're making him this defeated martyr? Like, what about Lisa and Karen? Just because they took your eyes, you're giving up on your daughter and leaving her sick in a panic room? Aren't you supposed to be this badass cop?

* If they kill off Nick, I'm going to be pissed.

* Thorne seems like a super soldier again. Like, the time it took Gina and her group to get to the safe house is about double to triple the time it's seemed to take Thorne to get to the safe house, then get to the secret lab, then get Nora, then get the crying kid and keep going. Like, this guy seems to have super sonic speed in picking up these immune people. It just does not make sense how quickly he's getting from one place to another. How is no one else picking up on this?

Also, we're now, what? Three books in? And the storyline really hasn't moved forward at all? There's not a single character that we're following that's actually studying the crack? There's no one giving us answers about what this is? It literally just keeps adding more and more characters to follow with no actual goal. And what happened to Camila, the baby, and Bent? They weren't mentioned at all. Why do we keep introducing new characters when we aren't even following the ones we've already introduced? Sigh. This series is frustrating me, but it's semi- entertaining to listen to. If it ends with no real explanation of the crack, I'm going to be annoyed.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle-up for plenty of twists and turns.

Blind Fear, the third book in the Under the Breaking Sky took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. While the first two books did an excellent job getting this reader invested in the characters and engrossed in the story, this third episode took things in a whole different direction. Sure, there was plenty of action and suspense, but Mr. Clausen included a few scenes that had me not just angry but feeling a sense of loss. What triggered these emotions will remain unsaid – it is up to you to read/listen to the book and discover them for yourself. Before I could sit down and write this review, I had already started listening to Blind Pain – book four in the series. Once again Spencer Dillehay has done an excellent job of bringing the story and each character to life with his narration skills.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I was entertained by book 3 in the "Under the Breaking Sky" series as much as the first two books. Once the audiobook started, I had to listen until the end as I was so absorbed by the story. The invasion has added a curve ball in that many of the immune people have to deal with unresolved issues with people from their pasts. I was saddened by what Mark and John had to face in this tale. The ending has whetted my interest in starting the next book in the series. Spencer Dillehay's narration was skillful, and his performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Mild Series Spoiler)
But has nothing to do with the book, really. 😅
I had a wild dream in the middle of reading this one. I had a dream where I was one of the immune and was with a group of survivors. Then one of the folks I was with looked at me funny, asking "what?" For a moment, then looked around like they felt they were being watched. I didn't feel this like i had in the previous events, so I asked if they could hear me now. They could. Apparently in my dream, I was immune, but the "immunity" changed people throughout the skies openings. I always have crazy dreams while reading Nick Clausen's books. They're so imersive ❤️

[Kerry Spyve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again I really liked this book and found it hard to put down. Some other reviews I've read days this is a bit slower than the first two but I didn't notice the pace was slow that much.
I think I read this one quicker than the others.
I thought it was heart breaking when John said he would stay behind and set off the machine because he wouldn't get out of the facility, and the way Steffie followed Nick to kill him, but battled her "demons" and in the end said she couldn't do it but she does it in anger anyway.
I like to find out who or what people's ghosts are. I can't wait to read how they or if they get out of the facility.

[Andrea Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storyline is a really neat concept.

I am enjoying this book. I found the third one to be more engaging than the first two. I still wish for more backstory and a better use of what's going on. I've requested the prequel several times but haven't received it. I like concept of the storyline. I think for for the most part, it's well written and fairly edited.

This is the third book of the series. You must start with book one. I will be continuing the series and I would recognize it.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay but the overuse of “crazy” characters like Steffie and Fritz whose behavior was irrational and exaggerated, disrupted the story’s flow. I don’t mind craziness as a rational effect of the phenomenon in the sky, but their unpredictability felt more like forced plot devices than genuine obstacles. It distracted from the more interesting aspects of survival and teamwork. I did enjoy John and Mark’s breakout scene and the concept of the NNEMP, though its actual use occurred off-page, which felt like a missed opportunity.

[AGilden · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A couple of new characters, including some likeable ones. I liked the medical experiments and other events at the military facility. I said this after reading the second book and haven't changed my mind that the plot should start moving a bit faster. There is a lot of action, but very little plot movement for so many pages' reading. Still, I'm not bored yet and will move on to book 4.

[Annalee Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

Nick Clausen is a new author to me, and although the perspective took me a little while to get used to, once I did, I fell in love with the story. The characters are well-defined, interesting and have their own stories along the way. The book is well paced and exciting.
So if you are looking for a new take on zombies, then I would recommend this series.

[Nicole Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

one long chapter

I really love the idea of this book and was excited to read them all. However, it’s book 3 and it all seems like a really long chapter. What’s next? The idea of this book seems to need more development . It’s like reading more of book one. I’ll try one more book and or half of the next book.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blind Fear

This has been a pretty good series so far. I could see this as a limited series/mini series on television. I love how different the author's take is on human life ending or a horrible disaster happening. This book is a continuation of the immune trying to stay safe and keep others they love safe as well.

[Jozef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and easy read again from Nick Clausen. These books read more like episodes of a drama series, but that doesn’t make them any less thrilling. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series takes the main characters.

Hope to find a bit more out about the origin story as well and why the crack has appeared in the first place!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

On to the next....great series!!

Love this series...am so glad I started reading when they were all available. Would have driven me crazy to have to wait to see what happens to everyone.

[Chris L Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good thing is that the author is able to keep several storylines going at once. The pacing is good.

The bad thing is that those storylines are becoming boring and repetitive. Hopefully it gets better.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit the ghost stuff is irritating as shit. I’m not a huge fan of paranormal, and whether these are hallucinations or actually some sort of spectres isn’t clear atm but they’re getting altogether too much page time..

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story continues on with the blind, the immune and the vulnerable however this book is a much more slow paced than previous which is very welcome. There is still action however blind people have taken the backseat in this one and it is mostly conflict between the immune and vulnerable.

[Rebecca Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid installment in the series!

Okay…book three. Wow. Fast paced, lots of POVs, but pretty easy to follow. I’m hooked now and will have to keep reading because I really, really have to know what happens!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

great!!

Wow? Flew through this book! Very interesting!! Fast paced! Easy to follow all of the different characters!! Looking forward to the next book!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrator for these books is spectacular.

[Jack Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently on a flight blasting through this entire series! Blind Fear is the best one yet!