Terrance Mathison, a veteran turned bioengineer, returns from a camping trip to find that a widespread pathogen is quickly rusting important metals once they’re touched. Amid the crumbling downfall of our technological society, he assembles a team of super-nerds and elite soldiers to find and secure a lab in hopes of developing a cure. As cities collapse and food supplies dwindle, Mathison and his team navigate an increasingly savage world. He has to decide what lengths he will go to for a cure.
Lawrence’s novel asks the question, “How do we survive without metals?”
METAL may appeal to those who enjoyed the Arisen Series and Jurassic Park.
Scientific Grounding: For this project, the author learned from experts in the rapidly growing fields of microbially induced corrosion, biohacking, bioengineering, and infectious diseases. While METAL was vetted by spec-ops veterans, some liberties were taken because of the backdrop of rusting.
I grew up as a nerd and I achieved nerdiness my whole life. From D&D to geophysics: nerd. From drawing spaceships to forming startups: nerd.
Fatherhood is the best job I ever had. I can't imagine a world without them.
I've had tons of jobs, from stacking wood to researching in Antarctica to being a professor at Stanford. Writing Sci-Fi is my passion.
Random Facts About Me: I've had so many concussions I can't remember how many I had. - I have a tattoo on my wrist that always reminds me of my family. - I broke both arms when I was seven. - I love puns. - I'm lysdexic—I mean dyslexic.
This is not my typical read, but I'm very happy I chose to read it because I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The main character, Mathison, finds himself in quite the predicament—the world has begun to collapse around him as a man-made virus that can rust metal is rampaging. He is forced to work alongside strangers to find a cure, and they end up developing strong bonds with one another.
There's a ton of action, endearing characters, and lots of humor too. Lawrence is so deft at creating realistic characters with such heart, and they're all very different. There is also a romance side story which is quite adorable.
What I found impressive as well was that, despite this being a longer read, the pacing never faltered and there was always a new discovery around the corner. Nice twist at the end, too.
I came across this author on Twitter and decided to try the first book, Metal. It’s a fast-paced technothriller with elements of both post-apocalyptic horror and military action. Think Michael Crichton meets early Daniel Suarez, with a sprinkling of The Last of Us.
Suddenly the world is gripped by a devastating plague. Starting in the States, common metals begin to rust and corrode with catastrophic speed. Within days, critical infrastructure fails, since modern society is one hundred percent reliant on the base metals. Iron, steel, titanium, aluminum, copper, zinc, metal is all around us, and without them, civilization crumbles.
Wall, our hero, must team up with a group of elite soldiers to figure out what has happened, and how to reverse the disaster. However, Wall is involved on a deeper level …
I’m not going to speculate on the possibility of a virus being spread by humans and affecting abiotic materials in this way, but I decided early on that the contagion doesn’t matter. The theory behind the rusting isn’t important. What I loved about the story is the plot. All common metals are rusting away, and what would happen? How would you deal with it?
The strength of the story is in the characters, the action, the wealth of details, the suspense, and the action. The author clearly did his homework. He knows how guns work. How soldiers fight. The story is never boring, filled with puns and funny situations, and Beef Jerky—lots of Beef Jerky.
And the real horror of the novel is that this could happen. Life imitates art. There are real James Bond villains out there. Some want all farming to stop, so that we would have to eat bugs to survive. Another wants to block out the sunshine and trigger an ice age. And just like in that Stargate SG-1 episode where an alien race gives humanity a vaccine that renders all women sterile, there are maniacs among the world’s elite that think we need a drastic reduction in population. To me, someone releasing a contagion to send us back to the stone age sounds absolutely conceivable!
I really hope there are heroes out there, like Rhino, Plink, Wall, and Aspen, that are willing to stop these people once and for all.
Metal is not only a great novel, entertaining and full of suspense, it’s also an important warning.
It’s not very often I come across a totally new idea for a book, but this is one of them.
From the moment Mathiason discovers what his research has done he is dragged, pushed and blunders through one crisis after another. I don’t want to include any spoilers, but there are moments when things look totally lost.
If you love action and adventure with plenty of drama then this is a must read.
I've read post-apocalyptic novels before. This one is more like mid-apocalyptic; J.F. Lawrence throws the reader in just at the trigger point and then gives a perfect view of the rapid collapse of a civilization that is built on metal. You don't have to imagine a world where technologies that are dependent on metal (electronics/communications, vehicles, weapons, construction, culinary, etc.) disappear. Lawrence paints it for you in disturbing detail with his vivid writing.
His band of characters is thrown together in ad hoc fashion with one simple mission: save humanity - from the diseases that they carry, but also from themselves. The characters face conflict and setbacks often, but along the way, they learn about themselves and about being there for each other. There is a strong sense of family.
I thoroughly enjoyed this wild thrill ride, especially the hero, Wall. He is often introspective, sometimes guilt-wracked, and frequently a bullet magnet. Another character describes him as the unluckiest lucky man ever.
Brian Avers brings the characters, and all their clashing emotions, to life in the audiobook version. In my opinion, he is the perfect narrator for this story. The pace is not rushed, yet the listener feels all the urgency and tension. Truly excellent narration helps to make this a five-star experience.
Lawrence is demonstrating his worth as a science fiction writer of depth and imagination. His characters are well crafted and each flawed in their own way, with the exception of Rhino, who I think gets through life with no flaws at all. The demolition of society is carried out in a novel manner that, like all good science fiction, is rooted in fact. The solution is imaginative and believable. I am happy to have found this relatively new writer and would recommend his work without hesitation. I shall be ready to buy his new work, sight unseen, just in the basis of Metal.
Where have the author J. F. Lawrence got the idea for this only the almighty knows. I get that all water on earth is connected so contamination is easy only that a rust bacteria shouldn’t affect metals which don’t rust like aluminum, titanium, gold, silver and probably more which I can’t think of right now, so HOW ?
Each character narrated perfectly by Brian Avers !
Intriguing premise in the hands of a fantastic writer
You should stop what you're doing and just buy this book. Okay, if you must read the rest of my review, here goes:
Most of the metal in the world is rusting because of some science experiment gone amok (with help from a rogue scientist). The premise alone was enough to peel my fingers off of my smartphone and wrap them around my kindle. But then the author has to go and execute this story with steady pacing and skillful, hilarious writing. The characters he's drawn up almost made me do some spit takes. I had to stop drinking while I read it.
Lines I found memorable: -"...he picked up his carbon-fiber backpack with a grunt that would have done his father proud... 'Real men grunt. Getting things done requires hard work.'" -"A question ate its way out of his brain like a rat infestation escaping a sinking ship." -"No time for nursing at the teat of pain, lieutenant." -"Remember this moment, Wall. This is the time and place where your definition of can't changed." -"'Sorry,' he said with a nickel of embarrassment, a quarter of annoyance at her, and a silver dollar of frustration with his knee." -"Her slender face, high cheekbones, thin lips, and pointy chin tickled his caveman claim a woman for himself instincts." -"Don't worry about him, though. The world will end with that guy eating the last cockroach." -"she was under combustion-engine-level pressure and couldn't be expected to maintain social niceties." -"After he recovered from the butt-puckering fall..." -"What in the bona fide nut-sack of hell are you doing?" -"He wouldn't ever admit that anything was better than sex, but if there was, it would be smoked beef." (the main character loves jerky) -"Are you single by design, or are you the toad waiting for your princess?" -"Me? Oh, I'm like a 50-cal machine gun, three thousand soldiers per second trying to get into my chamber..."
Okay, that seems like a lot of memorable lines, but truthfully, my kindle has 3 pages of bookmarked parts like this. I included only half! And the author's imagining of what a world mostly without metal gave me chills in ways zombie stories never could. If you have even the slightest interest in sci-fi, try this book. This is the second book I've read by this author, and I see more of his titles in my future (but hopefully the metal doesn't rust away in real life, because I need my kindle to keep working)
Metal by J.F. Lawrence is a thoroughly researched tale of how humanity could be brought to its knees. The width and breadth of the scientific knowledge and worldbuilding were nothing short of impressive. This attention to detail raised the stakes and maintained a sense of plausibility that created a harrowing warning in this gripping tale.
The story follows Wall, a vet who has turned his focus to scientific study. While he created a way to rust metal in the hopes of bettering the world, a comrade he trusted uses it to end the world instead. Gas lines explode. Vehicles and buildings fall apart. Even medical equipment imbedded in people is failing. And now special ops has come to get Wall's help in finding a cure. Throughout the book, Wall remains steadfast in his guilt over the part he played in unleashing this nightmare on the world, but he doesn't let it, or about a million injuries incurred, stop him from giving his all to making things right. His intelligence, determination, and compassion make him an easy character to relate to and root for.
My other favorite character is Plink, his love interest. A highly trained and skilled member of special ops, she is the brawn to Wall's brain. A woman who can kick butt and take names, she also has a wicked sense of humor and her own type of compassion, though often she suppresses it for the sake of the mission. Their flirting definitely adds a fun tone to an otherwise intense read.
While the majority of the book goes at break-neck pace, there was a chunk in the middle that meandered. There was a lot of action (almost non-stop), yet nothing was actually happening to move the plot forward of finding a cure. It remained enjoyable to read, but I was definitely getting antsy to return to the meat of the story. And when we did, the book goes out with one majorly emotional bang.
Overall, if you're a fan of science and post-apocalyptic tales featuring unique characters, this is a must read.
“Metal” is a captivating work of fiction that immerses readers in a post-pandemic world unlike any other. J.F. Lawrence weaves a thrilling tale where a man-made virus devours metal, plunging humanity into a pre-technological era. The backdrop of a world ravaged by a metal-eating virus is both eerie and fascinating. Lawrence’s vivid descriptions transport readers to a place where technology has crumbled, and survival hinges on resourcefulness. The remnants of once-great cities now lie rusted and decayed, and the struggle for survival takes center stage. It’s a setting that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. Lawrence introduces a cast of characters who leap off the page. Each one is distinct, flawed, and utterly human. The main character, a resourceful scavenger with a mysterious past, is someone you root for from the start. And the woman he encounters—a survivor with secrets of her own—adds layers of complexity to the story. The connection between the main character and the woman crackles with tension. Their banter, shared glances, and reluctant trust create a delightful dynamic. As they navigate the dangers of this new world, their relationship evolves, keeping readers invested in their journey. From marauding bands of scavengers to treacherous terrain, the characters face one obstacle after another. The stakes are high, and the tension never wanes. Lawrence masterfully keeps readers guessing, ensuring that turning each page feels like a race against time. The buildup leads to an explosive finale. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, the tension reaches a fever pitch. The book’s cover design is a work of art in itself. It captures the essence of the story—a blend of grit, mystery, and resilience. “Metal” is a rollercoaster ride through a broken world, fueled by memorable characters, heart-pounding action, and a dash of romance. J.F. Lawrence has crafted a gem, and I eagerly await more from this talented author. Highly recommended!
This is JF Lawrence’s third novel (2 for adults and 1 YA), and with this third book, some patterns are starting to develop with Lawrence’s writing. First, the author has a very distinctive snark. Second, the science that underpins the fiction is all very plausible (he was a professor of geophysics at Stanford, after all), none more topically and frighteningly, terrifyingly so as in this book (weaponized pathogens rust every metal you touch!). Third, like all great science fiction, the world the author envisions and the action that happens in the story are there to support the characters, shaping how they develop. Here, Lawrence really shines, crafting protagonists that are instantly likable but that he really runs through the wringer. The choices that the lead character Wall has to make in this book are heartbreaking, and really leave a scar on Wall’s psyche. You really empathize with Lawrence’s characters, lending a depth of feeling to his novels that pure sci-fi/action stories often lack. If I had any quibble with the book, I kind of disagree with how quickly society turns to eat itself after the apocalypse in this book. I’d like to think better of my fellow humans, but perhaps I am too optimistic. Maybe we as a collective are that bad. In any event, how Wall deals with this situation is part of his hero’s journey, and so you care. In Lawrence’s books, you get invested in them because the characters are so good.
World in meltdown, chaos explodes after a scientist's wild gamble. Ex-soldier Terrance Mathison dives into the madness, chasing answers and survival in a crumbling reality.
This pulse-pounding sci-fi grips you from page one. Realistic characters, including a steely-eyed romance, fight for a future as Terrance grapples with who he must become to face the nightmare he inherits.
Brian Avers' narration is pure magic, breathing life into every voice and keeping you glued to the edge of your seat.
Buckle up and blast off with METAL – a thrilling ride you won't forget.
I thoroughly enjoyed the rusting aspect of this book. Apocalyptic stories can easily turn rote and cliche, but the addition of the rusting kept this story fresh and provided a new dimension I haven’t seen before. The characters are easy to root for, and even though I feel the story dragged a bit in the middle the ending came strong and satisfying.
I absolutely loved Metal. A 50-cal machine gun of a book, buzzing with action and an innovative premise. The dialogue and banter between the characters are outstanding and kept me smiling the whole time. In a world where everything rusts, there are only tough choices until the end.
J. F. Lawrence has crafted a masterful tale of twisted ideologies and their massive consequences. 'Metal' will appeal to readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic novels, cautionary tales, and shows like 'The Walking Dead.' I cannot recommend 'Metal' enough.
I loved this book, it was unique and thought provoking, the characters were addictive and the plot fast paced. Fantastic and varied narration, I look forward to seeing whats next.
What happens if 7 of the most critical metals suddenly “rust” into nothing but “ash?” It was an interesting premise and the author infers that the story is based upon actual science … so let get this out of the way up front. The science doesn’t work like that; but it is the details of the science that trip up the plot, so it was relatively easy to give it a pass. What remains is a fairly decent military fantasy as the MC drives the almost non-stop action toward overcoming the contagion unleashed by a bioterrorist looking to “reset” humanity. The the primary plot is to figure out what the disease actually are (with a few head fakes thrown in) and then engineer a solution to save a world that has already burned down around them? Don't think about that too hard, you'll get a cramp. There is of course the requisite “hot” female spec ops character that drives this rather typical male fantasy, along with a few supporting characters to make this a character driven story … which also means we get a fair amount of navel gazing by the MC … but not enough to actually derail the fun. Unfortunately for me the low brow humor and 'good ole boy' euphemisms does get a bit old by the end. Still, with 14 hours of near nonstop action it’s worth a listen.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Metal was a continual build of apocalyptic downfall of humankind as society fell because metals rusted. What I really liked about this book was how fresh the take was. It wasn't zombies. It wasn't a deadly disease. It had a hint of Ice-9 from Cat's Cradle, but modern.
The characters were very believable and strong. They each went through a character arch. The "choices made" and consequences were really interesting. It had me up reading until the end.
Top 5 apocalyptic books I've ever read (a genre I love).