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Sparrow Rock
They were just a group of high school kids looking for a place to party. They didn’t know the end of the world was coming. Now, alone and trapped below ground in a state-of-the-art bomb shelter, they are being stalked—and the creatures that come for them through the dirt and ash are like nothing anyone has ever seen before.
There is a new ruling life-form on earth, and these six humans are the only remaining prey.
There is a new ruling life-form on earth, and these six humans are the only remaining prey.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
1810 people want to read
About the author
Nate Kenyon
32 books204 followersNate Kenyon's latest novel is the techno-thriller Day One (Thomas Dunne/St. Martins Press). Booklist gave it a starred review, calling it "exciting and inventive." Library Journal called it a "must" and Kenyon's "scariest to date."
Kenyon grew up in a small town in Maine. His first novel, Bloodstone, received raves from places as varied as Library Journal, Fangoria, Publishers Weekly, about.com, Cemetery Dance and The Romance Studio, and praise from authors such as Brian Keene, Tim Lebbon, Douglas Clegg, Mort Castle and Rick Hautala. Bloodstone was a Bram Stoker Award finalist and and P&E Novel of the Year Award winner. It was released in paperback from Leisure Books.
Nate's second novel, The Reach, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which called it "superb." The Reach is in development as a major motion picture. His third novel, The Bone Factory, and his science fiction novella, Prime, were released in 2009. The Bone Factory was called "masterful" by Booklist, and Shroud Magazine called Prime "a blistering, fast-paced tale."
Nate's fourth novel SPARROW ROCK was also optioned for film. He has written the novel StarCraft Ghost: Spectres, based on the bestselling videogame by Blizzard and published by Pocket Books, and Diablo: The Order, also based on a Blizzard game and published by Gallery Books.
Nate is one of four authors featured in the Dark Arts Books anthology When the Night Comes Down, March 2010.
Nate's dark fiction stories have appeared in various magazines such as Shroud and The Belletrist Review, and in the horror anthologies Terminal Frights, Northern Haunts, Legends of the Mountain State, and Monstrous, among others. Kenyon has worked at the Brookline Public Library in Brookline, Mass. and the Boston College Law School as their Director of Marketing & Communications. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers.
Kenyon grew up in a small town in Maine. His first novel, Bloodstone, received raves from places as varied as Library Journal, Fangoria, Publishers Weekly, about.com, Cemetery Dance and The Romance Studio, and praise from authors such as Brian Keene, Tim Lebbon, Douglas Clegg, Mort Castle and Rick Hautala. Bloodstone was a Bram Stoker Award finalist and and P&E Novel of the Year Award winner. It was released in paperback from Leisure Books.
Nate's second novel, The Reach, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which called it "superb." The Reach is in development as a major motion picture. His third novel, The Bone Factory, and his science fiction novella, Prime, were released in 2009. The Bone Factory was called "masterful" by Booklist, and Shroud Magazine called Prime "a blistering, fast-paced tale."
Nate's fourth novel SPARROW ROCK was also optioned for film. He has written the novel StarCraft Ghost: Spectres, based on the bestselling videogame by Blizzard and published by Pocket Books, and Diablo: The Order, also based on a Blizzard game and published by Gallery Books.
Nate is one of four authors featured in the Dark Arts Books anthology When the Night Comes Down, March 2010.
Nate's dark fiction stories have appeared in various magazines such as Shroud and The Belletrist Review, and in the horror anthologies Terminal Frights, Northern Haunts, Legends of the Mountain State, and Monstrous, among others. Kenyon has worked at the Brookline Public Library in Brookline, Mass. and the Boston College Law School as their Director of Marketing & Communications. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
June 9, 2021
SR is kind of a genre bender, but horror seems to be the main element. The story starts off simply enough-- several good friends in high school are out looking for a place to party when one of them suggests her grandfather's newly finished bomb shelter. Seems like a good idea at the time, but after some smoke and drink, they try out the cable TV and get nothing; two of them go to look outside and see a series of mushroom clouds, and you know what that means!
I thought this was going to be about how the group manages to deal with the end of the world as we know it, a rather tired post-apocalyptic story line, but while this is here, the story takes us someplace much darker. Our main narrator and protagonist, Pete, comes from a very troubled home as revealed in occasional flashbacks. His best friends, under the stress of living in the shelter for weeks, force several heated interactions among them, as might be expected, but the real nasty bit of the story only starts to set in about midway though the book (this is heavily hinted at/foreshadowed, so not really a spoiler). It seems that something in the nuclear wasteland is quietly stalking the survivors, something not human. The group that launched the bombs (kind of neat, but no reveals here) also launched some seriously f'ed up bugs as well, like evil, hive minded bugs, that can animate dead bodies of rats, humans, whatever, and are controlled my some sort of hive mind-like intelligence. So, not only do we have an end of the world story, we also have some really creepy killer bugs who live (at least for a while) in their hosts (us!). I did not really expect this at all. Kenyon also tosses in some surprises in at the very end I did not expect either.
Kenyon knows how to tell a story, and even with the simple first plot line, he managed to really build some tension and unease; adding in the second dimension to the story really pushed this from a rather mundane post-apocalyptic tale to a gripping horror story. 4.5 stars!!
I thought this was going to be about how the group manages to deal with the end of the world as we know it, a rather tired post-apocalyptic story line, but while this is here, the story takes us someplace much darker. Our main narrator and protagonist, Pete, comes from a very troubled home as revealed in occasional flashbacks. His best friends, under the stress of living in the shelter for weeks, force several heated interactions among them, as might be expected, but the real nasty bit of the story only starts to set in about midway though the book (this is heavily hinted at/foreshadowed, so not really a spoiler). It seems that something in the nuclear wasteland is quietly stalking the survivors, something not human. The group that launched the bombs (kind of neat, but no reveals here) also launched some seriously f'ed up bugs as well, like evil, hive minded bugs, that can animate dead bodies of rats, humans, whatever, and are controlled my some sort of hive mind-like intelligence. So, not only do we have an end of the world story, we also have some really creepy killer bugs who live (at least for a while) in their hosts (us!). I did not really expect this at all. Kenyon also tosses in some surprises in at the very end I did not expect either.
Kenyon knows how to tell a story, and even with the simple first plot line, he managed to really build some tension and unease; adding in the second dimension to the story really pushed this from a rather mundane post-apocalyptic tale to a gripping horror story. 4.5 stars!!
January 19, 2012
This was an amazing book. Post apocalyptic fiction at its finest and horror at its most terrifying. There was just an intense unstoppable dread throughout the whole story as it sped toward its inevitable resolution. Terrific character development, great pacing. Couldn't put this book down and as a result now I'm out of Kenyon books to read. This is an immensely talented writer, I highly recommend his work in general and this book in particular.
May 19, 2010
When I first started this novel, I thought it was just going to be another apocalyptic novel like Domain by James Herbert. This is absolutely not a bad thing. I love apocalyptic stuff, but Kenyon takes the apocalypse to a new level of horror. The nuclear blasts are just the beginning. For a group of friends in their late teens, luck could not have been kinder to them, for they had decided to get high in a bomb shelter when all hell breaks loose. Then, things start to get very strange and unexpected. This is a fast novel and your excuse would have to be great indeed if you let this book out of your sight without finishing it. It was something new, something daring and successful, and, quite simply, one of the best horror novels I've ever read and one of the most enjoyable books of any genre I've read. Kenyon is still offering it for free so you have no excuse to not read it.
"The best things in life are free," and all that.
"The best things in life are free," and all that.
February 16, 2025
The end of the world comes for a group of teenagers in a fallout shelter. They try to figure out what to do to survive. They also have to figure out how to live with themselves in the cramped environment.
Really good story that keeps things interesting. Some good twists and turns you don't see coming. The ending was out of right field. Never saw that coming. Worth a read.
Really good story that keeps things interesting. Some good twists and turns you don't see coming. The ending was out of right field. Never saw that coming. Worth a read.
March 17, 2015
Pete and his high school friends are looking for a place to party. One of he girls in the group, Sue, suggests that they use her grandpa's newly built bomb shelter. She knows the code to get in. Once inside, a thunderous noise from the outside shakes the shelter. As Pete looks out of the hatch to see what the commotion is, mushroom clouds fill the horizon and the nightmare begins.
Sparrow Rock is an emotionally-charged entertaining read. It's strength is its realistic and flawed characters that are developed and revealed throughout the story. As the danger ratchets up, Kenyon does a nice job taking us along for the ride. You feel like you're in the bomb shelter with the group trying to figure out what to do next. You can almost taste the metallic ash of the fallout, smell the foul odors and feel the tension in the air. The ending wasn't my favorite and it's the only thing that keeps the story from being a full five stars. But, Kenyon does such a wonderful job painting the story and characters with such vibrant colors, you realize that Sparrow Rock is more about the journey and not the destination.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
Sparrow Rock is an emotionally-charged entertaining read. It's strength is its realistic and flawed characters that are developed and revealed throughout the story. As the danger ratchets up, Kenyon does a nice job taking us along for the ride. You feel like you're in the bomb shelter with the group trying to figure out what to do next. You can almost taste the metallic ash of the fallout, smell the foul odors and feel the tension in the air. The ending wasn't my favorite and it's the only thing that keeps the story from being a full five stars. But, Kenyon does such a wonderful job painting the story and characters with such vibrant colors, you realize that Sparrow Rock is more about the journey and not the destination.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
May 4, 2010
First off let me say that I really wanted to love this book because I got it free from the author like a lot of other people.That said I have to say that I only thought it OK.I have a hard time caring for characters who I don't really like very much and I didn't like the main character much.Yes,at times,I did feel compassion for him because of what he went through with his family before the big event but that doesn't mean that I thought he was a very worthwhile individual.And the big 'Oh.So that's what's going on' I saw coming way before it happened and also I thought that it was no big deal.
There was also nothing new in this book.If you have read any end of the world stuff you have seen all of this novel before.It also seemed like he used gratuitous violence too much.Things are much more horrifying without all the blood and guts used in this book.That was disappointing.
I think that if you are a young reader just getting into horror for the first time then you might like this book more than I did.Especially if you like the kind of horror movies that show a lot of grue and violence.I don't obviously so I don't think that I can recommend this book to any of my adult friends.I thought that the author's previously released works were much better.I still don't know why he was giving it away for free.Maybe he couldn't find a publisher but I kind of doubt it because there does seem to be a market for this kind of book.
I do feel kind of bad because I didn't like it better but there you have it.I can't change the way I feel.
There was also nothing new in this book.If you have read any end of the world stuff you have seen all of this novel before.It also seemed like he used gratuitous violence too much.Things are much more horrifying without all the blood and guts used in this book.That was disappointing.
I think that if you are a young reader just getting into horror for the first time then you might like this book more than I did.Especially if you like the kind of horror movies that show a lot of grue and violence.I don't obviously so I don't think that I can recommend this book to any of my adult friends.I thought that the author's previously released works were much better.I still don't know why he was giving it away for free.Maybe he couldn't find a publisher but I kind of doubt it because there does seem to be a market for this kind of book.
I do feel kind of bad because I didn't like it better but there you have it.I can't change the way I feel.
May 1, 2010
OH MY GOD!!!!! I wouldn't lessen this book by using only the short hand version! I received my free book what else!?! "Sparrow Rock", earlier this evening and just got finished with it. It was phenomenal to say the least. Except for stopping for supper(which I ate at my computer) and a bathroom break, I couldn't stop reading it. I absolutely LOVED it! The plot line only stopped long enough for you to catch your breath before it hit you with another surprise. I kept my hand over my open mouth the majority of the time!!! The sub plot was also heart wrenching that it had me crying at the end. Without giving anything away, if you read only one book once in a blue moon, Check the color of the moon and read it!!!!! I am still on a high from it! I plan to buy a copy ASAP and add it to my book collection! This is a re-read waiting to happen and I'm sure I'll love it just as much the second and third time around. GET IT! BUY IT! READ IT!!! You'll be glad you did.
May 3, 2010
WOW, what can I say?! I enjoyed this book, it was a super read. Good characters, good plot, original, scary, shocking.
I love this genre and I love Nate Kenyon. If you crave good horror, read this book. Funny, scary, thoughtful, tight. You want to read this book!
I love this genre and I love Nate Kenyon. If you crave good horror, read this book. Funny, scary, thoughtful, tight. You want to read this book!
June 6, 2010
***SPOILERS****
Summary Review:
Sparrow Rock is a mixture of horror combined with a coming of age story. To me, the central theme is Peter’s personal growth, in the backdrop of the massive destruction of mankind by a Nazi-type group seeking human cleansing in order to rebuild the “superior race”. This involves using nanotechnology to create smart insects that takes over bodies.
I was expecting one horrifying event after another in this postapocalyptic horror. As a pleasant surprise, I find that it is mainly a story about Peter’s past and his development as he moves through this holocaust. The story is told through the eyes of Peter, as he journeys from a boy shattered by his father’s abuse to a man responsible for the remaining group’s survival. Peter’s voice is affecting and lyrical as he moves from impressions of the present and connects with past reflections. Each character in the story have their role to play. Jay and Sue have some connection and information to the plot for mankind’s cleansing. Jimmie is the weak and nervous character. Dan is the born leader whose veneer of strength became cracked, thereby transferring the mantle of leadership to Peter. And Tess is the ever-present calming force that we find is Peter’s alter ego. While the characters could be more original and complicated, they are portrayed realistically and sympathetically. These believable characters can live right next door. I would have liked for the character of Tess to have more of a presence to justify the plot twist at the end in which we find out that Tess is really from Peter’s imagination. My reaction was more of a “So?”
The idea of using nanotechnology to create smart destructive insects is interesting. However, I’m left hanging with my question of how these things were controlled. I want to have more vivid technical details. This creates an inability for me to connect securely with the idea of destructive nanotechnology. I’m also not convinced of the power of a Nazi group to create such massive destruction, or their ability to invest in a technology that created that much damage. The explanation is not vivid or clear enough to make me believe it. What I’m left with is more of a Night of the Living Dead meets The Swarm.
Despite those weaknesses, Nate Kenyon’s strong gift for moving prose makes this an engaging and poignant story. I thoroughly enjoyed the story in terms of Peter’s quick initiation into manhood as he confronts his past. This writer has a gift for touching the reader that is beyond the horror genre.
**********************************************
Past Notes As I'm Reading:
I decided to keep my notes on here before I write my review. Those yellow stickies were getting out of hand.
1. Realistic contemporary voice in a believable tone of someone in the middle of Armageddon keeping a journal. I can believe that it is happening today with the high schoolers in this book.
2. The challenge for the writer is that he's covering a topic that's been covered many, many times in books, movies, etc. It's a timeless topic, the end of the world. Since civilization began, people have been worried about the end of the world, but here we are. I'm curious to see how he would develop a voice unique from the others.
3. I like that it is realistically philosophical in nature, of what an insightful young person would think if he were to face the end of the world. I just passed a part where he was talking about humor, which is in sync with my idea of humor, its importance and the fine line it dances over.
"There's a razor-thin line between hilarious and offensive when you're talking about death..."
"...Humor is a way of facing the pain without the fear or breaking it down in ways we can handle..."
So far, this book is believable as to what could possibly happen if young adults were to be caught in a shelter at the end of the world. Its pitch is just right. It's not overly dramatic, as could happen when depicting a tragedy.
************CONTAINS SPOILERS MOVING FORWARD***********
4. On p. 93 Ewww. Squished rats. And the rats were biologically dead when they attacked the kids. What is going on? Now I see that this is not the typical Nagasaki atomic bombing, where the skin melts off the body. What could have caused a corpse to be animated? I'm wondering whether the explanation would be believable to a science layman. I like how Nate went through the visceral details of the attack of the rats, the squished rats, and the kids' reactions. I feel he spent a lot of time imagining and walking through the scenario in order to get as much visceral detail as he did. He might even have stomped on some rotten apples to get the sound of a squished rat's head. That is horror well done. The magic of horror is the visceral effect, the fear and the disgust, and perhaps the guilt that you're enjoying such fear and disgust. Another magic of horror is the set up for a horrific surprise. Nate is now setting us up for something. The fun begins.
5. On p. 194. Now I find out more of what’s going on. Nanotechnology is involved. The only thing I know of nanotechnology is that it involves being able to control matter on an atomic and molecular scale. That could apply to genetics. So, according to this book, nanotechnology modifies the structure of insects so that they act as organized destroyers, perhaps being controlled by somebody or something. My layman mind says that is plausible, since nanotechnology is not fully known, although currently such control is not possible. The horrible thing about these insects is that they can enter a body and control it. That is why those dead rats can go on the offensive. I can believe that.
I enjoy Peter’s philosophical ruminations throughout the book because I’m that kind of a person. Nate has Peter made some beautiful descriptive thoughts. At some point, though, the ruminations can get too long. I want the ruminations to be interrupted more often with a change of scene, or some sort of a distraction. My thought goes to Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, where he is reflecting on the horror of being the only normal human left, but the pace is constantly interrupted by focus, other characters, etc. I realize it’s difficult to have lots of action when the only setting is inside of a bomb shelter. Frightening things were happening. It’s not the events that I want changed. I feel that the pacing of the writing needs to be changed somehow to lessen the monotony of ruminations.
The characters were depicted realistically and sensitively. I feel that I know them, that they can live right next door. Nate has built each character for a purpose, with Peter having some sort of a connection to all of them. Because of his background, he was able to be the person they each go to as a confidant. Each character has a function necessary in an apocalyptic story, from a hysterical selfish guy to a born leader. Jay, the genius geek of the group, becomes the person that gives the reader insight to what is happening to them. The part where Jay makes the big revelation becomes too cliche for me. I think it’s because I’ve seen too many movies where one knowledgeable character blurts out the big secret that explains a lot of things. I prefer that the big secret is revealed in a less obvious way, although it’s kind of hard when you’re trying to tell people that nanotechnology is involved in this. At least in Dune, the complicated economic plan for Arrakis was explained in the form of a mirage of Kynes’ father lecturing him as he lays dying in the dessert.
We’re being set up for something to come up. There’s something about Sue’s grandfather being involved in all of this. And there’s talk of them leaving the hole since they found what looks like a hidden military base in Alaska. Will they leave the hole? Is there going to be another big revelation and surprise? I’m wondering why the U.S. is involved in this. If it hadn’t been for them not being able to pick up any radio signal with the exception of the military frequency, I would have thought that their small town was part of an experiment, and that the rest of the world is actually okay. But nope, it looks like the rest of the world is in trouble. But why would the U.S. government destroy its own people?
Summary Review:
Sparrow Rock is a mixture of horror combined with a coming of age story. To me, the central theme is Peter’s personal growth, in the backdrop of the massive destruction of mankind by a Nazi-type group seeking human cleansing in order to rebuild the “superior race”. This involves using nanotechnology to create smart insects that takes over bodies.
I was expecting one horrifying event after another in this postapocalyptic horror. As a pleasant surprise, I find that it is mainly a story about Peter’s past and his development as he moves through this holocaust. The story is told through the eyes of Peter, as he journeys from a boy shattered by his father’s abuse to a man responsible for the remaining group’s survival. Peter’s voice is affecting and lyrical as he moves from impressions of the present and connects with past reflections. Each character in the story have their role to play. Jay and Sue have some connection and information to the plot for mankind’s cleansing. Jimmie is the weak and nervous character. Dan is the born leader whose veneer of strength became cracked, thereby transferring the mantle of leadership to Peter. And Tess is the ever-present calming force that we find is Peter’s alter ego. While the characters could be more original and complicated, they are portrayed realistically and sympathetically. These believable characters can live right next door. I would have liked for the character of Tess to have more of a presence to justify the plot twist at the end in which we find out that Tess is really from Peter’s imagination. My reaction was more of a “So?”
The idea of using nanotechnology to create smart destructive insects is interesting. However, I’m left hanging with my question of how these things were controlled. I want to have more vivid technical details. This creates an inability for me to connect securely with the idea of destructive nanotechnology. I’m also not convinced of the power of a Nazi group to create such massive destruction, or their ability to invest in a technology that created that much damage. The explanation is not vivid or clear enough to make me believe it. What I’m left with is more of a Night of the Living Dead meets The Swarm.
Despite those weaknesses, Nate Kenyon’s strong gift for moving prose makes this an engaging and poignant story. I thoroughly enjoyed the story in terms of Peter’s quick initiation into manhood as he confronts his past. This writer has a gift for touching the reader that is beyond the horror genre.
**********************************************
Past Notes As I'm Reading:
I decided to keep my notes on here before I write my review. Those yellow stickies were getting out of hand.
1. Realistic contemporary voice in a believable tone of someone in the middle of Armageddon keeping a journal. I can believe that it is happening today with the high schoolers in this book.
2. The challenge for the writer is that he's covering a topic that's been covered many, many times in books, movies, etc. It's a timeless topic, the end of the world. Since civilization began, people have been worried about the end of the world, but here we are. I'm curious to see how he would develop a voice unique from the others.
3. I like that it is realistically philosophical in nature, of what an insightful young person would think if he were to face the end of the world. I just passed a part where he was talking about humor, which is in sync with my idea of humor, its importance and the fine line it dances over.
"There's a razor-thin line between hilarious and offensive when you're talking about death..."
"...Humor is a way of facing the pain without the fear or breaking it down in ways we can handle..."
So far, this book is believable as to what could possibly happen if young adults were to be caught in a shelter at the end of the world. Its pitch is just right. It's not overly dramatic, as could happen when depicting a tragedy.
************CONTAINS SPOILERS MOVING FORWARD***********
4. On p. 93 Ewww. Squished rats. And the rats were biologically dead when they attacked the kids. What is going on? Now I see that this is not the typical Nagasaki atomic bombing, where the skin melts off the body. What could have caused a corpse to be animated? I'm wondering whether the explanation would be believable to a science layman. I like how Nate went through the visceral details of the attack of the rats, the squished rats, and the kids' reactions. I feel he spent a lot of time imagining and walking through the scenario in order to get as much visceral detail as he did. He might even have stomped on some rotten apples to get the sound of a squished rat's head. That is horror well done. The magic of horror is the visceral effect, the fear and the disgust, and perhaps the guilt that you're enjoying such fear and disgust. Another magic of horror is the set up for a horrific surprise. Nate is now setting us up for something. The fun begins.
5. On p. 194. Now I find out more of what’s going on. Nanotechnology is involved. The only thing I know of nanotechnology is that it involves being able to control matter on an atomic and molecular scale. That could apply to genetics. So, according to this book, nanotechnology modifies the structure of insects so that they act as organized destroyers, perhaps being controlled by somebody or something. My layman mind says that is plausible, since nanotechnology is not fully known, although currently such control is not possible. The horrible thing about these insects is that they can enter a body and control it. That is why those dead rats can go on the offensive. I can believe that.
I enjoy Peter’s philosophical ruminations throughout the book because I’m that kind of a person. Nate has Peter made some beautiful descriptive thoughts. At some point, though, the ruminations can get too long. I want the ruminations to be interrupted more often with a change of scene, or some sort of a distraction. My thought goes to Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, where he is reflecting on the horror of being the only normal human left, but the pace is constantly interrupted by focus, other characters, etc. I realize it’s difficult to have lots of action when the only setting is inside of a bomb shelter. Frightening things were happening. It’s not the events that I want changed. I feel that the pacing of the writing needs to be changed somehow to lessen the monotony of ruminations.
The characters were depicted realistically and sensitively. I feel that I know them, that they can live right next door. Nate has built each character for a purpose, with Peter having some sort of a connection to all of them. Because of his background, he was able to be the person they each go to as a confidant. Each character has a function necessary in an apocalyptic story, from a hysterical selfish guy to a born leader. Jay, the genius geek of the group, becomes the person that gives the reader insight to what is happening to them. The part where Jay makes the big revelation becomes too cliche for me. I think it’s because I’ve seen too many movies where one knowledgeable character blurts out the big secret that explains a lot of things. I prefer that the big secret is revealed in a less obvious way, although it’s kind of hard when you’re trying to tell people that nanotechnology is involved in this. At least in Dune, the complicated economic plan for Arrakis was explained in the form of a mirage of Kynes’ father lecturing him as he lays dying in the dessert.
We’re being set up for something to come up. There’s something about Sue’s grandfather being involved in all of this. And there’s talk of them leaving the hole since they found what looks like a hidden military base in Alaska. Will they leave the hole? Is there going to be another big revelation and surprise? I’m wondering why the U.S. is involved in this. If it hadn’t been for them not being able to pick up any radio signal with the exception of the military frequency, I would have thought that their small town was part of an experiment, and that the rest of the world is actually okay. But nope, it looks like the rest of the world is in trouble. But why would the U.S. government destroy its own people?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2011
4 AND 1/2 STARS.
Sparrow Rock is one of top releases in horror for 2010. It has crawled its way into my top 5 books for the year and is, so far, the crowning achievement of author Nate Kenyon. While Kenyon's past work was always technically well written, I always thought his weakness was the story, which for me, is the most important. I was thrilled to discover that the story of Sparrow Rock succeeded on almost every level.
With tremendous conviction, originality, and chock full of scares, author Kenyon throws the reader right into a literal apocalypse, where six youth are trapped in a bomb shelter after barely escaping the effects of a nuclear holocaust. Claustrophobia, paranoia, and some hideous discoveries inform the small group something more sinister is at work than just the bombs going off. Kenyon packs each short chapter with enough violence, gore, scares, and cool concepts to thrill even the most jaded horror aficionado.
For some, the story might contain a couple too many coincidences, but everything eventually makes sense, even if you have to suspend a little disbelief at times. While the characters might not make the same decisions as the reader would if in their shoes, I was pleased that their actions were at least consistent throughout the story. You could also argue that the story, at times, could have been longer and that some events happened too quickly, but I didn't have a problem with that. For me, the faster pace keeps you on your toes with an unsettling feeling. New readers interested in Kenyon's books should definitely pick this title up as their starting point, since it is without question his best work to date. I am very much looking forward to what he does next. This one will be tough to beat.
Sparrow Rock is one of top releases in horror for 2010. It has crawled its way into my top 5 books for the year and is, so far, the crowning achievement of author Nate Kenyon. While Kenyon's past work was always technically well written, I always thought his weakness was the story, which for me, is the most important. I was thrilled to discover that the story of Sparrow Rock succeeded on almost every level.
With tremendous conviction, originality, and chock full of scares, author Kenyon throws the reader right into a literal apocalypse, where six youth are trapped in a bomb shelter after barely escaping the effects of a nuclear holocaust. Claustrophobia, paranoia, and some hideous discoveries inform the small group something more sinister is at work than just the bombs going off. Kenyon packs each short chapter with enough violence, gore, scares, and cool concepts to thrill even the most jaded horror aficionado.
For some, the story might contain a couple too many coincidences, but everything eventually makes sense, even if you have to suspend a little disbelief at times. While the characters might not make the same decisions as the reader would if in their shoes, I was pleased that their actions were at least consistent throughout the story. You could also argue that the story, at times, could have been longer and that some events happened too quickly, but I didn't have a problem with that. For me, the faster pace keeps you on your toes with an unsettling feeling. New readers interested in Kenyon's books should definitely pick this title up as their starting point, since it is without question his best work to date. I am very much looking forward to what he does next. This one will be tough to beat.
May 13, 2010
I was lucky enough to be offered a free copy of this author's book and I'm pleased to say I've enjoyed it.
Sparrow Rock is the story of a group of teens suddenly facing first a nuclear blast and then a terrible second wave while living in a bomb shelter. Suddenly faced with a post apocalyptic world literal minutes or hours after settling into one of the girls' grandfathers' shelter the group goes through a great deal of stress and anxiety as they attempt to understand what's going on.
Unaware of the second wave these teens struggle with the concept of never seeing their families or the civilization they knew before and the cabin fever of living in a bomb shelter soon takes its hold. When the second wave hits it hits with a startling bang and soon what was outside and thus out of their view becomes a terrible reality.
Pete our narrator has already endured many trials in his young life and in many ways these experiences are what keeps him stable while the others are panicking and unable to cope. Their reality is now a series of surreal and incomprehensible nightmares that over and over again take away something they'd come to depend on in their nightmarish world.
Sparrow Rock is an enjoyable read and well worth your time!
Sparrow Rock is the story of a group of teens suddenly facing first a nuclear blast and then a terrible second wave while living in a bomb shelter. Suddenly faced with a post apocalyptic world literal minutes or hours after settling into one of the girls' grandfathers' shelter the group goes through a great deal of stress and anxiety as they attempt to understand what's going on.
Unaware of the second wave these teens struggle with the concept of never seeing their families or the civilization they knew before and the cabin fever of living in a bomb shelter soon takes its hold. When the second wave hits it hits with a startling bang and soon what was outside and thus out of their view becomes a terrible reality.
Pete our narrator has already endured many trials in his young life and in many ways these experiences are what keeps him stable while the others are panicking and unable to cope. Their reality is now a series of surreal and incomprehensible nightmares that over and over again take away something they'd come to depend on in their nightmarish world.
Sparrow Rock is an enjoyable read and well worth your time!
May 22, 2010
Pete, Jimmie, Dan. Tessa, Big Sue and Jay are good friends. They all take off in Jimmie’s car for Sparrow Island. They arrive at Big Sue’s Grandpa’s cabin. Suddenly out of no where the building shakes. In the sky are bright lights. The gang thinks it is a nuclear blast. They seal themselves down in the basement.
Days go by. Then when the gang thinks it might be safe, they hear a starching noise. There is a tunnel and inside the tunnel are rats. One of the rats attacks Jimmie.
Jay was scratched during his and Pete’s fight in the tunnel. He is showing the same symptoms as Jimmie.
Sparrow Rock by Nate Kenyon is a must read! Just when you thought you had it all figured out, Mr. Kenyon throws you a curve ball. The characters really worked well together. I like that both the males and females played equal parts in this book.
There were flash backs to Pete’s life. The first time this happened it through a bit and took me a moment to realize what happened. Though after that it was a smooth progression.
This book should be made into a movie. Sparrow Rock will give you chills …long after you have finished it!
Days go by. Then when the gang thinks it might be safe, they hear a starching noise. There is a tunnel and inside the tunnel are rats. One of the rats attacks Jimmie.
Jay was scratched during his and Pete’s fight in the tunnel. He is showing the same symptoms as Jimmie.
Sparrow Rock by Nate Kenyon is a must read! Just when you thought you had it all figured out, Mr. Kenyon throws you a curve ball. The characters really worked well together. I like that both the males and females played equal parts in this book.
There were flash backs to Pete’s life. The first time this happened it through a bit and took me a moment to realize what happened. Though after that it was a smooth progression.
This book should be made into a movie. Sparrow Rock will give you chills …long after you have finished it!
November 27, 2021
VERDICT: Passing grade. Great premise/setup. Gets more fantastical as it goes, but horror/SciFi readers will probably like it. For me, maybe 2+ stars as SciFi, or 3.0 as horror. But note the aggregate GR rating is over 3.8 stars.
IN SHORT: Starts off good (Apocalypse!), but devolved into a case of guessing which idiot was going to die next, and how. It was entertaining enough, with a twist or two along the way.
MORE DETAILS (may contain mild to moderate spoilers):
IN SHORT: Starts off good (Apocalypse!), but devolved into a case of guessing which idiot was going to die next, and how. It was entertaining enough, with a twist or two along the way.
MORE DETAILS (may contain mild to moderate spoilers):
May 9, 2010
Sparrow Rock is a post apocalyptic tale that incorporates a nuclear attack and a biologically enhanced second wave. I’ve read a few post apocalyptic books and this one seems to capture the essence of what it would be like given the circumstances.
The characters are teens who go off to get stoned in the newly finished bomb shelter. The parents of one of the teens had it built. If fate was a lottery, these kids hit big—at least to begin with. They close the hatch and wait it out for a month. In that time Pete has a lot of reflecting and soul searching to do and it almost seems tedious. But it does set the mood, being tucked away in tight quarters.
When the survivors finally leave the shelter with Pete calling the shots, it is an edge of the seat affair. They have a sort-of-zombie hive-mind to deal with.
Out in the world again—blasted as it is, Pete has some demons of his own to vanquish, with a return home on the itinerary. And all of his friends have been infected, save one.
The last friend Pete has in the world is his sister as he makes his way to a refuge up north in Alaska. And she’s not talking. There are a few plot twists I didn’t see coming at the end which made the whole thing an enjoyable read. Thanks, Nate. I’ll be watching for more from you.
The rest of this has to do with the Kindle.
I have an .rtf edition that I can read on my Kindle. That was a journey in itself. It seems that Amazon purposely puts up stumbling blocks so that you just give up and pay the dollar or two to have them do it. Buggers...
I wanted to know how anyway.
For anyone wanting to know how to do this conversion thing for free: send (or forward) the file to your kindle address with the word 'free' in the address line (ie. @free.kindle.com). For some reason, if you mess up typing, it cannot be edited (choose 'select all' and delete to start over). Put the word 'convert' in the subject line.
You'll get a return email with a link to your free conversion. It will not be labeled anything that you might recognize so pay attention to the file name. You'll have to specify where it goes as well. My Kindle has three file folders to choose from; audible, documents, and music. My free conversion landed outside these folders so that it didn't show up in my Kindle. I had to manually move it to 'documents' for it to be recognized on my Kindle.
Having now read Nate's story and returned to review it, I find that the bit about how to get it converted for your Kindle might be helpful. If it helps even one person, it will have been worth leaving up as part of this review.
The characters are teens who go off to get stoned in the newly finished bomb shelter. The parents of one of the teens had it built. If fate was a lottery, these kids hit big—at least to begin with. They close the hatch and wait it out for a month. In that time Pete has a lot of reflecting and soul searching to do and it almost seems tedious. But it does set the mood, being tucked away in tight quarters.
When the survivors finally leave the shelter with Pete calling the shots, it is an edge of the seat affair. They have a sort-of-zombie hive-mind to deal with.
Out in the world again—blasted as it is, Pete has some demons of his own to vanquish, with a return home on the itinerary. And all of his friends have been infected, save one.
The last friend Pete has in the world is his sister as he makes his way to a refuge up north in Alaska. And she’s not talking. There are a few plot twists I didn’t see coming at the end which made the whole thing an enjoyable read. Thanks, Nate. I’ll be watching for more from you.
The rest of this has to do with the Kindle.
I have an .rtf edition that I can read on my Kindle. That was a journey in itself. It seems that Amazon purposely puts up stumbling blocks so that you just give up and pay the dollar or two to have them do it. Buggers...
I wanted to know how anyway.
For anyone wanting to know how to do this conversion thing for free: send (or forward) the file to your kindle address with the word 'free' in the address line (ie. @free.kindle.com). For some reason, if you mess up typing, it cannot be edited (choose 'select all' and delete to start over). Put the word 'convert' in the subject line.
You'll get a return email with a link to your free conversion. It will not be labeled anything that you might recognize so pay attention to the file name. You'll have to specify where it goes as well. My Kindle has three file folders to choose from; audible, documents, and music. My free conversion landed outside these folders so that it didn't show up in my Kindle. I had to manually move it to 'documents' for it to be recognized on my Kindle.
Having now read Nate's story and returned to review it, I find that the bit about how to get it converted for your Kindle might be helpful. If it helps even one person, it will have been worth leaving up as part of this review.
May 22, 2010
I read and enjoyed Nate Kenyon's Sparrow Rock. Maybe after reading John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let the Right One In, and Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves, I have come to expect much more from the horror genre than another horror pulp. I do find them addictive like Brian Greene and could see the appeal of being told what to feel and think in books like his and Nate's. Right now, it seems that he relies on the side twist plot of the narrator's mental illness and hallucinations, and the fear of the return of the loved one from the dead for horror material.
While his work is very easily written and does show hard writin' makes for easy readin', it would have been better if he had put the art in rewriting. Especially when he fails to omit subjective thoughts and opinions in the narrative part of the story. As a reader, I feel uneasy when a writer tries to sell the emotion rather than just write the atomosphere of the setting as a mood which he does very well. The idea of him at every page practically waving a sign saying, 'You understand what going on, right?' or 'Are you gettin' what's going on in this story?' spoils what could have been fine descriptions and actions of the characters themselves. Also he seems to copy the writing style of a medicore novelist, relying on italics to show inner thoughts and signifying beginning and ending of the story. I wish he would just tell the damn story.
I feel with more confidence and practice, Mr. Nate Kenyon would make a fine story teller and I look forward to checking out his future works if he would be willing to push himself into raising the bar of writing. Well done but it could have been better.
While his work is very easily written and does show hard writin' makes for easy readin', it would have been better if he had put the art in rewriting. Especially when he fails to omit subjective thoughts and opinions in the narrative part of the story. As a reader, I feel uneasy when a writer tries to sell the emotion rather than just write the atomosphere of the setting as a mood which he does very well. The idea of him at every page practically waving a sign saying, 'You understand what going on, right?' or 'Are you gettin' what's going on in this story?' spoils what could have been fine descriptions and actions of the characters themselves. Also he seems to copy the writing style of a medicore novelist, relying on italics to show inner thoughts and signifying beginning and ending of the story. I wish he would just tell the damn story.
I feel with more confidence and practice, Mr. Nate Kenyon would make a fine story teller and I look forward to checking out his future works if he would be willing to push himself into raising the bar of writing. Well done but it could have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2010
A very original, highly fascinating and suspenseful take on the apocalypse. This is the first book I've read by Nate Kenyon, and I am very impressed. His characterization and writing style are great. This book could have been longer, for sure, I felt that the ending was a little abrupt. Leisure Books has a length limit, which I feel is kind of petty and cheap of them to enforce on their authors. While keeping the books at around 320 pages works for some stories and helps some authors cut away the excess fat on their work, I feel like sometimes, especially with a book like 'Sparrow Rock', the author should be allowed to go further. I felt like the book was just getting going when it ended! As it is, though, its a page turner that'll keep you reading long after you should have put it down and gone to sleep. Kenyon manages to blend claustrophobic scares, end of the world meta-horror with internal psychological horror. Again, this was a great book, and I would have given it 4 stars instead of 3, but I felt that the ending and the 'big twist' towards the conclusion were a bit of a letdown. Still, I am very impressed with Kenyon's writing and I look forward to reading his other work.
December 10, 2012
After reading the first view pages I was not very enthusiastic to continue reading. The plot sounded too familiar and used to me. But, as a rule, I read every book to its end, and Sparrow Rock is one of those books that reward the effort and get better with every turned page. Step by step, the story reveals more depth and complexity and proves that it is far more than your average 'day after' monster-horror scenario. As we get more familiar and sympathetic with the narrator, his background, his thoughts and feelings, we slowly come to understand why he often acts so peculiar and funny. The end came not totally unexpected but was surprising nonetheless.
The only thing that bugged me was the relatively lame and definitely worn out 'Nazi conspiracy' explanation for the fallout, but that was only a minor detail.
(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)
The only thing that bugged me was the relatively lame and definitely worn out 'Nazi conspiracy' explanation for the fallout, but that was only a minor detail.
(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)
May 5, 2010
Very quick, enjoyable read... left me wanting more. Is there going to be a sequel? I certainly hope so. My only gripe is that the cast of characters are teenagers, but that's a personal bias of mine and has nothing to do with the author. Very well written, I never suspected the twist at the end, which was quite refreshing. With a little more meat I would have rated this higher. I give it a 3.5 stars. I highly recommend this author and look forward to reading his other books.
April 30, 2010
Spooky, Creepy and Surprising end of the world horror read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story from an author I have never read. It had everything you can think of in a horror book and then some. It was an actual story with a past, present and future mixed in with it. I had to put it down at 2 in the morning only because the benadryl I took earlier wiped me out. Horror fans will love this book.. A++++
January 2, 2011
Sparrow Rock is a tale of survival with some creepy twists and turns. A group of high school friends have survived nuclear war in a high-tech bomb shelter and encounter many surprises along the way. I thought I had this book "figured out" but then the story took a twist that was unexpected. This is a really good, highly suspenseful horror novel.
May 1, 2010
I really, really enjoyed this book. I love the apocalyptic genre and Sparrow Rock exceeded my expectations. It has everything - deep characters, believable dialogue, a great story-line, a nice surprise, a sprinkling of horror elements, and the perfect ending.
Want to read
July 22, 2014Eclipse Limited Hardcover #7 from Bad Moon Books.
100 numbered hardcover copies
26 Lettered copies
All Signed by the author.
Cover and Illustrations by Zach McCain.
This is copy number 2.
100 numbered hardcover copies
26 Lettered copies
All Signed by the author.
Cover and Illustrations by Zach McCain.
This is copy number 2.
March 4, 2012
Omg!!!! I loved this book. Finally one that creeped me out and was good all the way to the end. Thank you thank you.
May 23, 2010
Post apocalyptic novels have come a long ways since the 50s and 60s. The writer can no longer get away with just one of two nuclear bombs. In the early 60s we were naive. The schools were still teaching "duck and cover" when On The Beach, Fail-Safe and Alas Babylon were published. Nowadays those novels seems as naive as "duck and cover". Little did we know that we really should be worrying about zombie epidemics, bio-chemical holocausts, and mind-controlling insects.
Nat Kenyon's Sparrow Rock starts out like a typical after-the-bomb book. A group of teenagers are hanging out in a fall-out shelter when nuclear mayhem breaks out. They have no choice but to wait it out while pondering what actual damage has been done to the world. More than half of this nail biter of a horror-thriller occurs in the shelter yet the survivors slowly gets a glimpse of something that is much more terrible than just a nuclear attack. When you concentrate on a small group of individuals in a relatively small area, the author better focus on character development and Kenyon does just that. The character who narrates the story has a few problems of his own that are weaved expertly into the plot. Kenyon's teenagers talk, act and think like teenagers which causes us to care about them. Sparrow Rock rarely lets up on the suspense and there are images that are so disturbing you will probably be having nightmares. Yet the novel is also about more mundane horrors. Sometimes the terrors we grow up with are equal to the nightmares of the future.
Thanks to the author for providing this free book to me and other Goodread readers.
Nat Kenyon's Sparrow Rock starts out like a typical after-the-bomb book. A group of teenagers are hanging out in a fall-out shelter when nuclear mayhem breaks out. They have no choice but to wait it out while pondering what actual damage has been done to the world. More than half of this nail biter of a horror-thriller occurs in the shelter yet the survivors slowly gets a glimpse of something that is much more terrible than just a nuclear attack. When you concentrate on a small group of individuals in a relatively small area, the author better focus on character development and Kenyon does just that. The character who narrates the story has a few problems of his own that are weaved expertly into the plot. Kenyon's teenagers talk, act and think like teenagers which causes us to care about them. Sparrow Rock rarely lets up on the suspense and there are images that are so disturbing you will probably be having nightmares. Yet the novel is also about more mundane horrors. Sometimes the terrors we grow up with are equal to the nightmares of the future.
Thanks to the author for providing this free book to me and other Goodread readers.
May 12, 2010
"Sparrow Rock" was a fascinating read. Much of the brilliance of it comes undeniably from the gung-ho writing style. Without hesitation, Nate Kenyon manages to pull readers into the story from the first sentence, creating a sense of intrigue and mystery right from the start.
As the story unfolds, Kenyon keeps throwing new little tidbits in the mix the become increasingly creepier, creating a brooding atmosphere of doom and inevitability that will give you chills.
With characters that are tangible and dimensional, the readers is always directly involved on the front lines, feeling what is going on, how the friction and tension increases, as well as the characters' fears, and with every new revelation of another horror, the novel becomes a more and more engrossing read.
"Sparrow Rock" is a true gem, one that I simply could not put down and one that fascinated me on every page. Kudos to Nate Kenyon for delivering one of the most memorable post-apocalyptic books in a long time.
As the story unfolds, Kenyon keeps throwing new little tidbits in the mix the become increasingly creepier, creating a brooding atmosphere of doom and inevitability that will give you chills.
With characters that are tangible and dimensional, the readers is always directly involved on the front lines, feeling what is going on, how the friction and tension increases, as well as the characters' fears, and with every new revelation of another horror, the novel becomes a more and more engrossing read.
"Sparrow Rock" is a true gem, one that I simply could not put down and one that fascinated me on every page. Kudos to Nate Kenyon for delivering one of the most memorable post-apocalyptic books in a long time.
September 6, 2010
This was a very good and fast read. As you have seen from other reviews and the cover synopsis, this is about a group of teens looking for a place to party and end up in one of their grandfather's bomb shelter.
As luck would have it, nuclear war wipes out North America and it seems these kids are the lone survivors. There are other dangers besides fallout, though, as we soon discover.
Kenyon shows he's got it. There's tension and the storyline is strung along through chapters that end with forecasts of doom that make it impossible to put down.
This guy is still a relatively new on the scene and his latest is darned entertaining. He's showed some promising King-like talents as far as getting into the heads of his characters, and for that reason I'll definitely read more of him.
As luck would have it, nuclear war wipes out North America and it seems these kids are the lone survivors. There are other dangers besides fallout, though, as we soon discover.
Kenyon shows he's got it. There's tension and the storyline is strung along through chapters that end with forecasts of doom that make it impossible to put down.
This guy is still a relatively new on the scene and his latest is darned entertaining. He's showed some promising King-like talents as far as getting into the heads of his characters, and for that reason I'll definitely read more of him.
May 14, 2010
This is an excellent story of the dystopian future from the point of view of a young survivor.
The tale of survival and goal setting is fantastic. The characters are well drawn, especially the central character. This character has more than their share of flaws, and dramatic events to bring out a true nature.
The mechanism of the apocalyptic events is very interesting. I liked the problems that it posed for survival.
you will enjoy this story if you like stories about: zombies, dystopian future, survival, horror, apocalyptic scenarios.
The tale of survival and goal setting is fantastic. The characters are well drawn, especially the central character. This character has more than their share of flaws, and dramatic events to bring out a true nature.
The mechanism of the apocalyptic events is very interesting. I liked the problems that it posed for survival.
you will enjoy this story if you like stories about: zombies, dystopian future, survival, horror, apocalyptic scenarios.
May 4, 2010
Sparrow Rock is one part Stephen King’s Stand By Me, one part Nevil Shute’s On the Beach, and definitely a haunted house story for the Apocalypse. This is a must read that surely will be added to the lists of the best Post-Apocalypse novels.Whether download or print, this is a book for that great summer read at the beach.
May 24, 2010
WOW!
Thank you for bringing the thriller genre back!
I greately enjoyed this book, Fantstic! Awesome characters and plot, well developed. Thank you Nate for resorting my faith in thrillers, can't wait to read other books by you!
Thank you for bringing the thriller genre back!
I greately enjoyed this book, Fantstic! Awesome characters and plot, well developed. Thank you Nate for resorting my faith in thrillers, can't wait to read other books by you!
December 19, 2015
This was a really good story. Was not what I was expecting which was a nice surprise. I loved the suspense and gore. The twist at the end.......I did not see coming. I really liked Tessa too. All the bugs were a little over the top. Hence a 4 star rating versus a 5 star rating.
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