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Infinite #9
Torment
Small town reporter, Mia Durante, finds herself having brunch with the President of the United States on the day civilization comes to an end. An electromagnetic pulse blinds the U.S. Cars crash. Planes fall. Chaos reigns. Power is restored within minutes, but it’s already too late. Russian nukes are falling. U.S. allies around the world are all ready wiped out. The United States will cease to exist inside of five minutes.
After giving the order to launch a full-scale retaliation, dooming the planet, the president, White House staff, Secret Service and those lucky enough to be visiting the white house, are whisked below ground where they board several Earth Escape Pods. As the EEPs launch into Earth orbit, missiles descend.
Less than forty survive the end of the world. When they return, they’re greeted by survivors of a different sort. The bloodbath that follows leaves Durante and nine other survivors on the run. They find themselves fighting for survival in a world in which only torment remains and where death is the only escape.
PRAISE FOR TORMENT
“Jeremy Bishop explodes onto the zombie scene with TORMENT, a thought-provoking gorefest that turns the genre on its head. Both shocking and riveting, this is a debut novel that leaves the reader hungry for more.” -- Steven Savile, #1 International bestselling author of PRIMEVAL and SILVER
"With originality not seen since Fleischer's Zombieland, Bishop's debut novel will drag you kicking and screaming to the very bloody end. Look out Maberry ... there's a new sheriff in town."
-- Thenovelblog.com
“TORMENT is a fast paced horror story filled with monsters and zombies (but not the kind you might expect in a novel like this). [It’s] gory and intense, all things a book like this should be.”
-- TheManEatingBookworm
After giving the order to launch a full-scale retaliation, dooming the planet, the president, White House staff, Secret Service and those lucky enough to be visiting the white house, are whisked below ground where they board several Earth Escape Pods. As the EEPs launch into Earth orbit, missiles descend.
Less than forty survive the end of the world. When they return, they’re greeted by survivors of a different sort. The bloodbath that follows leaves Durante and nine other survivors on the run. They find themselves fighting for survival in a world in which only torment remains and where death is the only escape.
PRAISE FOR TORMENT
“Jeremy Bishop explodes onto the zombie scene with TORMENT, a thought-provoking gorefest that turns the genre on its head. Both shocking and riveting, this is a debut novel that leaves the reader hungry for more.” -- Steven Savile, #1 International bestselling author of PRIMEVAL and SILVER
"With originality not seen since Fleischer's Zombieland, Bishop's debut novel will drag you kicking and screaming to the very bloody end. Look out Maberry ... there's a new sheriff in town."
-- Thenovelblog.com
“TORMENT is a fast paced horror story filled with monsters and zombies (but not the kind you might expect in a novel like this). [It’s] gory and intense, all things a book like this should be.”
-- TheManEatingBookworm
713 pages, Nook
First published November 4, 2010
212 people are currently reading
856 people want to read
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November 10, 2023
A visit to the White House turns into a crash course in surviving the apocalypse
Book Information
Torment was written by . The book was published on November 4 2010 and is 334 pages. It is not a series but one of a group of 13 STAND ALONE novels in one universe all leading to a massive crossover. Jeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas.
Summary
Russia attacks the U.S. and its allies with a massive nuclear strike. The U.S. initiates a full-scale retaliation. The president, White House staff, Secret Service and a handful of folks who happened to be visiting the white house at that moment are whisked below ground where they board several Earth Escape Pods. These are the lone survivors of the end of the world. When the pods indicate it is safe to return to the planet, they discover a different kind of survivor…...
My Thoughts
This was Robinsons' first book, written under a different pen name at the time, but them later re-released into the universe he is actively creating. I have read and enjoyed several books in the universe and while not my favorite so far, this one is no exception.
The book is basically nonstop, on-the-run, horror-filled action. It does have quite a bit of religious-themed discussion so if that turns you off, think twice. Also---if you need a book that fully explains itself, that you can tie everything up in a neat bow by the end, this one is also not for you. If, however, you can suspend belief a bit and accept that not every question you have will be answered, the payoff is a mad dash for survival in an environment that most couldn’t even conceive. It is a truly horrifying store and though I didn’t really like the ending---I did like the book.
Recommendation
If you like action, survival stories, and are ok stretching the bounds of reality a bit—then you will likely enjoy this book. Recommended.
Rating
3.5 Nuclear Stars
Book Information
Torment was written by . The book was published on November 4 2010 and is 334 pages. It is not a series but one of a group of 13 STAND ALONE novels in one universe all leading to a massive crossover. Jeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas.
Summary
Russia attacks the U.S. and its allies with a massive nuclear strike. The U.S. initiates a full-scale retaliation. The president, White House staff, Secret Service and a handful of folks who happened to be visiting the white house at that moment are whisked below ground where they board several Earth Escape Pods. These are the lone survivors of the end of the world. When the pods indicate it is safe to return to the planet, they discover a different kind of survivor…...
My Thoughts
This was Robinsons' first book, written under a different pen name at the time, but them later re-released into the universe he is actively creating. I have read and enjoyed several books in the universe and while not my favorite so far, this one is no exception.
The book is basically nonstop, on-the-run, horror-filled action. It does have quite a bit of religious-themed discussion so if that turns you off, think twice. Also---if you need a book that fully explains itself, that you can tie everything up in a neat bow by the end, this one is also not for you. If, however, you can suspend belief a bit and accept that not every question you have will be answered, the payoff is a mad dash for survival in an environment that most couldn’t even conceive. It is a truly horrifying store and though I didn’t really like the ending---I did like the book.
Recommendation
If you like action, survival stories, and are ok stretching the bounds of reality a bit—then you will likely enjoy this book. Recommended.
Rating
3.5 Nuclear Stars
May 27, 2011
I recently finished this book, TORMENT - A Novel of Dark Horror by Jeremy Bishop, and it certainly needs a good review. I was honestly shocked by some of the one and two star reviews on Amazon that this book received (I don’t think I read those reviews before purchasing this $2.99 ebook from a new author) but now I am surprised that some people thought this book was bad, because I’m a pretty picky reader when it comes to zombies or anything post-apocalyptic, and to me, TORMENT was a wild, scary ride.
I bought this book nearly the second I read “Earth Escape Pods.” I guess it’s some thing I have with loving to speculate about government secrets and conspiracy theories. Does President Obama have an Earth Escape Pod? He probably should... So I was thinking that this book was going to be at least partly about random civilians getting launched unexpectedly into space and having to deal with it...and it was, for a bit, about just that... but there was a lot more running from monsters than anything else, and I wonder whether that should be more of the focus of the book summary on pages like Goodreads and Amazon.
At any rate, the story focuses on Mia and her young niece, who was with her when the world went to crap and they were able to escape earth with the president and some of his Secret Service agents and other staff. Mia’s particular story line intrigued me, as a mother myself I could put myself into Mia’s shoes, having to take care of a child in a ruined world is my ultimate nightmare of all nightmares, and I particularly enjoy and admire horror stories that include children as main characters because I think it is a very bold and gutsy thing to do. As a writer myself, I know it’s hard to kill your darlings, and for me, it’s especially harder to write about the horrors that afflict a child.
Upon returning to an earth ruined by nuclear bombs, the survivors find that the humans who (sort of) survived the destruction have turned into zombies. They aren’t your mean, scary faster and stronger than normal zombies, nor are they the slow shamblers of old horror flicks.. in a way they are worse than either of the old favorites, because Jeremy Bishop’s zombies can remember their lives and they always take the time to apologize before going in for the kill...
Mia, her niece, and her companions are forced to run and keep running, always trying to find safety away from these horrible creatures, while facing thirst and starvation to boot. They go from one place to another, and along their journey we get to know them better - that one of them is a priest who is having a hard time giving up the preaching to the few survivors who don’t want to listen, one is a president who is blamed for the destruction of the entire world, and of course there are your usual tough guys in charge, and Mia, our heroine, who is always trying to find away to go on and be strong for her orphaned niece. As the book goes on, some of Mia’s companions don’t make it, and be warned - no one in this book is spared from torment or death. The farther the book progresses, the worse the zombies get, until you are introduced to a monster of our human creation that will scare the wits out of you.
At one point during reading this I sent a Tweet to Jeremy Bishop (@Bishophorror), and said something along the lines of: “I’m now officially too scared to read your book outside, alone, in the dark,” and it was true. Spring has sprung and I like sitting outside at night and reading, but TORMENT simply spooked me out too much. Reading it, I was always too attuned to the sounds of critters in the woods around me. I was always expecting to see something coming at me from the treeline, and I was always ready to run. When a book affects you physically - that is when you know you have one hell of a scary book on your hands.
Now another fair warning - there are a lot of religious elements to this book, and I know that turns a lot of people off. Frankly, it turns me off, and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at some of the passages with the priest and toward the end of the book when Mia was speculating on her existence and certain death. But the story is about something deeper than the weight of religion.
TORMENT touches on something that lurks in the hearts of us all - that ever-present fear of the end, that moment we all have to face. We are never ready for it.
To me, TORMENT is a solid, five star read - I really enjoyed the ride.
I bought this book nearly the second I read “Earth Escape Pods.” I guess it’s some thing I have with loving to speculate about government secrets and conspiracy theories. Does President Obama have an Earth Escape Pod? He probably should... So I was thinking that this book was going to be at least partly about random civilians getting launched unexpectedly into space and having to deal with it...and it was, for a bit, about just that... but there was a lot more running from monsters than anything else, and I wonder whether that should be more of the focus of the book summary on pages like Goodreads and Amazon.
At any rate, the story focuses on Mia and her young niece, who was with her when the world went to crap and they were able to escape earth with the president and some of his Secret Service agents and other staff. Mia’s particular story line intrigued me, as a mother myself I could put myself into Mia’s shoes, having to take care of a child in a ruined world is my ultimate nightmare of all nightmares, and I particularly enjoy and admire horror stories that include children as main characters because I think it is a very bold and gutsy thing to do. As a writer myself, I know it’s hard to kill your darlings, and for me, it’s especially harder to write about the horrors that afflict a child.
Upon returning to an earth ruined by nuclear bombs, the survivors find that the humans who (sort of) survived the destruction have turned into zombies. They aren’t your mean, scary faster and stronger than normal zombies, nor are they the slow shamblers of old horror flicks.. in a way they are worse than either of the old favorites, because Jeremy Bishop’s zombies can remember their lives and they always take the time to apologize before going in for the kill...
Mia, her niece, and her companions are forced to run and keep running, always trying to find safety away from these horrible creatures, while facing thirst and starvation to boot. They go from one place to another, and along their journey we get to know them better - that one of them is a priest who is having a hard time giving up the preaching to the few survivors who don’t want to listen, one is a president who is blamed for the destruction of the entire world, and of course there are your usual tough guys in charge, and Mia, our heroine, who is always trying to find away to go on and be strong for her orphaned niece. As the book goes on, some of Mia’s companions don’t make it, and be warned - no one in this book is spared from torment or death. The farther the book progresses, the worse the zombies get, until you are introduced to a monster of our human creation that will scare the wits out of you.
At one point during reading this I sent a Tweet to Jeremy Bishop (@Bishophorror), and said something along the lines of: “I’m now officially too scared to read your book outside, alone, in the dark,” and it was true. Spring has sprung and I like sitting outside at night and reading, but TORMENT simply spooked me out too much. Reading it, I was always too attuned to the sounds of critters in the woods around me. I was always expecting to see something coming at me from the treeline, and I was always ready to run. When a book affects you physically - that is when you know you have one hell of a scary book on your hands.
Now another fair warning - there are a lot of religious elements to this book, and I know that turns a lot of people off. Frankly, it turns me off, and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at some of the passages with the priest and toward the end of the book when Mia was speculating on her existence and certain death. But the story is about something deeper than the weight of religion.
TORMENT touches on something that lurks in the hearts of us all - that ever-present fear of the end, that moment we all have to face. We are never ready for it.
To me, TORMENT is a solid, five star read - I really enjoyed the ride.
December 16, 2010
What a disappointment. The first half, it was headed for 5 stars. Then it got weird. And not in a good way. The final third, I got through out of sheer stubbornness. It got too "theological," when it wasn't just run-run-run. And the ending? Really? Shame, because it had so much going for it.
January 3, 2023
A visit to the White House turns into a crash course in surviving the apocalypse
Book Information
Torment was written by Jeremy Robinson. The book was published on November 4 2010 and is 334 pages. It is not a series but one of a group of 13 STAND ALONE novels in one universe all leading to a massive crossover. Jeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas.
Summary
Russia attacks the U.S. and its allies with a massive nuclear strike. The U.S. initiates a full-scale retaliation.
The president, White House staff, Secret Service, and a handful of folks who happened to be visiting the white house at that moment are whisked below ground where they board several Earth Escape Pods. These are the lone survivors of the end of the world.
When the pods indicate it is safe to return to the planet, they discover a different kind of survivor…...
My Thoughts
This was Robinson's first book, written under a different pen name at the time, but then later re-released into the universe he is actively creating. I have read and enjoyed several books in the universe and while not my favorite so far, this one is no exception.
The book is basically nonstop, on-the-run, horror-filled action. It does have quite a bit of religious-themed discussion so if that turns you off, think twice. Also---if you need a book that fully explains itself, that you can tie everything up in a neat bow by the end, this one is also not for you. If, however, you can suspend belief a bit and accept that not every question you have will be answered, the payoff is a mad dash for survival in an environment that most couldn’t even conceive. It is a truly horrifying story and though I didn’t really like the ending---I did like the book.
Recommendation
If you like action & survival stories and are ok stretching the bounds of reality a bit (quite a bit)—then you will likely enjoy this book. Recommended.
Rating
3.5 Nuclear Stars
Book Information
Torment was written by Jeremy Robinson. The book was published on November 4 2010 and is 334 pages. It is not a series but one of a group of 13 STAND ALONE novels in one universe all leading to a massive crossover. Jeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas.
Summary
Russia attacks the U.S. and its allies with a massive nuclear strike. The U.S. initiates a full-scale retaliation.
The president, White House staff, Secret Service, and a handful of folks who happened to be visiting the white house at that moment are whisked below ground where they board several Earth Escape Pods. These are the lone survivors of the end of the world.
When the pods indicate it is safe to return to the planet, they discover a different kind of survivor…...
My Thoughts
This was Robinson's first book, written under a different pen name at the time, but then later re-released into the universe he is actively creating. I have read and enjoyed several books in the universe and while not my favorite so far, this one is no exception.
The book is basically nonstop, on-the-run, horror-filled action. It does have quite a bit of religious-themed discussion so if that turns you off, think twice. Also---if you need a book that fully explains itself, that you can tie everything up in a neat bow by the end, this one is also not for you. If, however, you can suspend belief a bit and accept that not every question you have will be answered, the payoff is a mad dash for survival in an environment that most couldn’t even conceive. It is a truly horrifying story and though I didn’t really like the ending---I did like the book.
Recommendation
If you like action & survival stories and are ok stretching the bounds of reality a bit (quite a bit)—then you will likely enjoy this book. Recommended.
Rating
3.5 Nuclear Stars
August 12, 2012
This was extremely entertaining. Unfortunately, as far as the story line goes, it was crap. There is no real story. It never explains what exactly happened. It was Hell on Earth. No, it was a nuclear fallout. No, we don't know what's going on.
The author tries to tie in religion and modern warfare, but fails to really make any clear connection between either concept with what's going on. I realize there are things that can or should be left to the imagination, but the book left me with a general feeling of confusion.
I liked reading it, but I just had no idea what to the hell was going on. I think the author just couldn't decide on a theme or concept for this book so he threw in a bit of everything. This was a fun fast read, but by no means was it something to write home about.
Oh, and the whole "are you ready?" theme was pretty much idiotic. It's not even one of those things that could be subject to the reader's interpretation. Again, I think the author just wanted a philosophical or theological spin, and failed at it.
The author tries to tie in religion and modern warfare, but fails to really make any clear connection between either concept with what's going on. I realize there are things that can or should be left to the imagination, but the book left me with a general feeling of confusion.
I liked reading it, but I just had no idea what to the hell was going on. I think the author just couldn't decide on a theme or concept for this book so he threw in a bit of everything. This was a fun fast read, but by no means was it something to write home about.
Oh, and the whole "are you ready?" theme was pretty much idiotic. It's not even one of those things that could be subject to the reader's interpretation. Again, I think the author just wanted a philosophical or theological spin, and failed at it.
August 15, 2022
This was a badass story. I loved the action, the twists, and ESPECIALLY THAT ENDING. If you've never read anything by Jeremy, you're legit missing out.
January 5, 2011
I can't remember exactly how I stumbled across Jeremy Bishop's debut novel, Torment. I think I followed a link to another book that was in the bargain bin for Kindle books and this was one of the "similar books." I downloaded the sample and was so hooked that I didn't hesitate coughing up $2.99 for the whole thing. Not since the last Brian Keene book have I been so enthralled by a piece of horror fiction.
I'm finding that it's really hard to write about Torment without spoiling it, but I'll do my best. Nuclear war between Russia and the US breaks out and a handful of people including the President, Secret Service people, White House staff and some visitors to the White House for a Medal of Honor ceremony manage to escape the carnage by being launched into space in nuclear powered space ships in the vein of Project Orion. From there, they watch the destruction of Earth. The onboard computers monitor the conditions on Earth and are programmed to bring them back down when radiation has reached a safe level and the atmosphere is breathable. Imagine their surprise when a few hours after the whole thing starts, the escape ships start their descent back to Earth.
What they return to is a scorched Earth filled with the living dead. These are not Romero zombies (or even Boyle zombies.) In fact, I hesitate to call them zombies at all - too many of the canonical zombie rules are broken. But like the zombies of Keene's The Rising and City of the Dead, they really do work despite all the rule breaking even though they couldn't be more different.
Saying any more about the plot really would spoil it, so I'll stop there. The subtitle for Torment is "a novel of dark horror" and they are NOT kidding. The body count is high and the gore factor, while not off the charts, is quite elevated as well. Reading this book was like peeling back layers on an onion. Just when you thought you had it all figured out, the book would take a hard right turn and confound your expectations yet again. This is a good thing. While many zombie story cliches are present, the most prominent being the constant running from danger, the people, places and things encountered during the running more than make up for it.
While being sold as a zombie novel, I think it's more accurately qualifies as post-apocalyptic fiction that happens to feature undead people of sorts. While I am as serious as a heart attack about zombie rules for the most part, I am not so anal that I can't appreciate different takes on my most beloved of all monsters. What Torment delivers on is scares and that's good enough for me.
One thing I found kind of funny in reading reviews of Torment on both Amazon and Goodreads was that many people declared the book "fundamentalist" and "too Christian." I didn't get this vibe at all. While there is definitely a spiritual component of the novel (to say one little bit more will completely spoil it), I didn't find it to be heavy-handed at all.
Bishop is a writer to watch. I've said before that novels involving any form of the undead are a tough nut to crack because the visuals are so important. Bishop, like Keene before him, makes up for the lack of visuals in a crisp writing style and compelling narrative. In a world in which horror novels are 90% less-than-satisfying, I am happy to report that Torment is more than worth any horror (or zombie) fan's time.
I'm finding that it's really hard to write about Torment without spoiling it, but I'll do my best. Nuclear war between Russia and the US breaks out and a handful of people including the President, Secret Service people, White House staff and some visitors to the White House for a Medal of Honor ceremony manage to escape the carnage by being launched into space in nuclear powered space ships in the vein of Project Orion. From there, they watch the destruction of Earth. The onboard computers monitor the conditions on Earth and are programmed to bring them back down when radiation has reached a safe level and the atmosphere is breathable. Imagine their surprise when a few hours after the whole thing starts, the escape ships start their descent back to Earth.
What they return to is a scorched Earth filled with the living dead. These are not Romero zombies (or even Boyle zombies.) In fact, I hesitate to call them zombies at all - too many of the canonical zombie rules are broken. But like the zombies of Keene's The Rising and City of the Dead, they really do work despite all the rule breaking even though they couldn't be more different.
Saying any more about the plot really would spoil it, so I'll stop there. The subtitle for Torment is "a novel of dark horror" and they are NOT kidding. The body count is high and the gore factor, while not off the charts, is quite elevated as well. Reading this book was like peeling back layers on an onion. Just when you thought you had it all figured out, the book would take a hard right turn and confound your expectations yet again. This is a good thing. While many zombie story cliches are present, the most prominent being the constant running from danger, the people, places and things encountered during the running more than make up for it.
While being sold as a zombie novel, I think it's more accurately qualifies as post-apocalyptic fiction that happens to feature undead people of sorts. While I am as serious as a heart attack about zombie rules for the most part, I am not so anal that I can't appreciate different takes on my most beloved of all monsters. What Torment delivers on is scares and that's good enough for me.
One thing I found kind of funny in reading reviews of Torment on both Amazon and Goodreads was that many people declared the book "fundamentalist" and "too Christian." I didn't get this vibe at all. While there is definitely a spiritual component of the novel (to say one little bit more will completely spoil it), I didn't find it to be heavy-handed at all.
Bishop is a writer to watch. I've said before that novels involving any form of the undead are a tough nut to crack because the visuals are so important. Bishop, like Keene before him, makes up for the lack of visuals in a crisp writing style and compelling narrative. In a world in which horror novels are 90% less-than-satisfying, I am happy to report that Torment is more than worth any horror (or zombie) fan's time.
April 15, 2021
When People Ask Me For Most Horrific Book I've Ever Read, This Is The Book I Name. I'm writing this review literally over a decade after actually reading this book - apparently I either never wrote a review or the places I posted it have lost it over the years. And yet I can still do an accurate review, perhaps even better since I can now speak to the lasting impact of this book. This is one that to this day is truly the singular most personally horrific book I have *ever* read. It produced nightmares for *years* any time I thought of it. And that is exactly what makes it so great. It is truly one of those books that will haunt you in unexpected ways and places, and this was one of Robinson's (then going by Bishop to try to protect his Robinson scifi brand) *early* works. His newer stuff is *even better* - and yet this one was so phenomenal I can remember details of it a decade later. Though to be clear, this is one that if you're not as steeped in conservative evangelical American Christian thought as I am (and was *just* leaving when I read it originally), perhaps all you really get from this is a kickass balls to the wall scifi horror thriller. Which is still awesome in its own way. But if you're familiar with that thinking, if you're familiar with Dante's Inferno or the 18th century retelling known as Jonathan Edwards' sermon Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God... be prepared for another now-modern retelling of a lot of the same ideas. Truly phenomenal work. Very much recommended - with the lights on. ;)
August 23, 2021
Torment by Jeremy Robinson is a highly creepy post-apocalyptic story where the fallout of a nuclear war is worse than ever imagined. Humans become their worst selves and being alive may not necessarily be the best option.
As we follow a group of survivors, they come across a nightmare of foes, each a step worse than the last, and eventually their path leads to a choice, are you ready?
As we follow a group of survivors, they come across a nightmare of foes, each a step worse than the last, and eventually their path leads to a choice, are you ready?
July 8, 2022
TW: Anyone with religious trauma may be triggered by this book.
This is the first Jeremy Robinson book I hated. It’s not the first I’ve read that alludes to Christianity, but it is the first that really promotes the toxic parts. Evangelical Christianity promotes the idea of grace—so someone can be responsible for the death of millions/billions, but if they repent on their deathbed they will go to heaven. In the US that allows for people to live selfish and immoral lives while still considering themselves holy and heaven bound. Personally I do not think this is the kind of life Jesus modeled. This thinking also seems to open to the door to mistreating other people without fear of consequence. This novel directly supports this concept of heaven and hell. It also reminded me of being traumatized as a child with warnings of hell. Meanwhile they systematically mistreated people, especially women and LGTBQI people. If those people are in heaven I do not want to go there, and I don’t want to read a novel that supports this idea.
This is the first Jeremy Robinson book I hated. It’s not the first I’ve read that alludes to Christianity, but it is the first that really promotes the toxic parts. Evangelical Christianity promotes the idea of grace—so someone can be responsible for the death of millions/billions, but if they repent on their deathbed they will go to heaven. In the US that allows for people to live selfish and immoral lives while still considering themselves holy and heaven bound. Personally I do not think this is the kind of life Jesus modeled. This thinking also seems to open to the door to mistreating other people without fear of consequence. This novel directly supports this concept of heaven and hell. It also reminded me of being traumatized as a child with warnings of hell. Meanwhile they systematically mistreated people, especially women and LGTBQI people. If those people are in heaven I do not want to go there, and I don’t want to read a novel that supports this idea.
December 6, 2010
A good fast read if you like zombie stories... which I do. This is an intersting spin on your standard zombie story, the causative agent here being an all out nuclear exchange between the United States and Russia. Additionally, here the zombies are not your standard mindless flesh eating beings as in most zombie tales. Here the "zombies" are still mindless, but they are simply kiling machines who roam the earth looking for the few remaining survivors to kill.
As one other reviewer mentioned, it is reminiscent of Dante's Inferno/Niven & Pornelle's Inferno as a journey through hell getting to see the various punishments that people have to suffer in the post-nuclearal armageddon. I initially gave it 3 stars, but dongraded it to 2 after finishing it because of the ending. Other issues I had with the story are that it didin't really go into how the nuclear exchange caused the changes that occured. But for $2.99 on on Amazon for the Kindle edition it wasn't a bad deal.
As one other reviewer mentioned, it is reminiscent of Dante's Inferno/Niven & Pornelle's Inferno as a journey through hell getting to see the various punishments that people have to suffer in the post-nuclearal armageddon. I initially gave it 3 stars, but dongraded it to 2 after finishing it because of the ending. Other issues I had with the story are that it didin't really go into how the nuclear exchange caused the changes that occured. But for $2.99 on on Amazon for the Kindle edition it wasn't a bad deal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2022
As exciting as a Ferrari with no wheels.
March 8, 2011
Technically I'd give Torment 3.5 stars, but Goodreads does not allow 1/2 stars.
The President of the United States, members of the Secret Service, and a few civilian visitors to the White House are able to escape the devastation being sent to destroy Earth in specially designed capsules that are thrust into space just as the warheads (both American and Russian) begin their descent. Amazingly, the fallout clears very quickly and the group is able to return to Earth. When they arrive back to Earth, they find a very different world full of peril, danger, and relentless pursuit by the new frightening new citizens of the planet.
Torment by Jeremy Bishop is a post-apocalyptic thriller set after a nuclear holocaust. It kept me engaged throughout the first 50-75%, started to lose me in the latter part, but then the end picked up and I was enthralled again. I would have liked the characters to have some more development. Mia, one of the main characters, was very interesting, but there were certain scenes when I wanted to be inside her head to see what she was thinking. I will add that while I love a female heroine in this genre, I found it a bit difficult to believe that the President of what was the United States of America and a couple of secret serviceman would follow a reporter rather than one of them take charge. However with there being virtually non-stop action throughout, a huge plus in Bishop's favor, I can understand slightly how characterization can fall through the cracks. I found myself on the edge of my seat a couple of times waiting to see what would happen and was hardly if ever disappointed in how things turned out at the end of these sort of scenes.
The plot could use some fleshing out however, I believe that, this is the authors first attempts in the horror genre, so, again, I can be forgiving. The zombies of this world are interesting. They have a conscious about what they are doing, even going so far as to yell to their prey to "Run, I don't want to hurt you". Some zombie enthusiasts may question whether these were true zombies, for this reader they were zombie enough. There is, definitely a religious tone to Torment, but I did not find it to be overly religious. At no point did I feel that I was being preached at by the characters/author. One of my bigger irritations was some of the truly unbelievable things that happened. I've said before that in many works of fiction you have to suspend disbelief, and I can do that, but there is a line that can be crossed that makes it a bit more difficult for me.
Overall, while I had a few issues with Torment, I enjoyed it, especially the action scenes. I look forward to seeing what Jeremy Bishop brings to the horror table next.
The President of the United States, members of the Secret Service, and a few civilian visitors to the White House are able to escape the devastation being sent to destroy Earth in specially designed capsules that are thrust into space just as the warheads (both American and Russian) begin their descent. Amazingly, the fallout clears very quickly and the group is able to return to Earth. When they arrive back to Earth, they find a very different world full of peril, danger, and relentless pursuit by the new frightening new citizens of the planet.
Torment by Jeremy Bishop is a post-apocalyptic thriller set after a nuclear holocaust. It kept me engaged throughout the first 50-75%, started to lose me in the latter part, but then the end picked up and I was enthralled again. I would have liked the characters to have some more development. Mia, one of the main characters, was very interesting, but there were certain scenes when I wanted to be inside her head to see what she was thinking. I will add that while I love a female heroine in this genre, I found it a bit difficult to believe that the President of what was the United States of America and a couple of secret serviceman would follow a reporter rather than one of them take charge. However with there being virtually non-stop action throughout, a huge plus in Bishop's favor, I can understand slightly how characterization can fall through the cracks. I found myself on the edge of my seat a couple of times waiting to see what would happen and was hardly if ever disappointed in how things turned out at the end of these sort of scenes.
The plot could use some fleshing out however, I believe that, this is the authors first attempts in the horror genre, so, again, I can be forgiving. The zombies of this world are interesting. They have a conscious about what they are doing, even going so far as to yell to their prey to "Run, I don't want to hurt you". Some zombie enthusiasts may question whether these were true zombies, for this reader they were zombie enough. There is, definitely a religious tone to Torment, but I did not find it to be overly religious. At no point did I feel that I was being preached at by the characters/author. One of my bigger irritations was some of the truly unbelievable things that happened. I've said before that in many works of fiction you have to suspend disbelief, and I can do that, but there is a line that can be crossed that makes it a bit more difficult for me.
Overall, while I had a few issues with Torment, I enjoyed it, especially the action scenes. I look forward to seeing what Jeremy Bishop brings to the horror table next.
December 20, 2010
I came to this book blind, no inkling about what the book was about at all. Receiving it as an ARC meant that there was no advance buzz about it either.
The Story
An American sniper is captured and a plot to assassinate the Russian President exposed. World War 3 ensues and the world descends quite literally into hell.
The narrative focuses on a mixed group of survivors, including the President, his security detail, the fiancée of the American sniper and her niece as they attempt to survive a strangely intact post nuclear strike America.
They must battle hordes of regenerating zombies and determine how to escape becoming one them. If I were to describe it in one line it would be Twenty Eight Days Later meets Dante's Inferno, if that's not giving too much away.
The Good
The writing in the book is top notch thriller writing. Until I was about three quarters of the way through the book I was eagerly wrapped up in the story, keen to find out what was happening. The book is well paced and the characterization ample for the techno-thriller genre, the gore and theological horror enough for the horror fan.
If I can compare it to another book with similar themes - Origin by JA Konrath, where Konrath leans to the Techno-thriller side Bishop is more religiously or theologically themed horror.
The Not So Good
As I mentioned above, it was full steam ahead for me until about 75 % through the book when I started to get a bit paranoid about what the book was saying and where it might be heading. I had a fear that I might actually be reading some very well written and engaging "End-times" porn - evangelical Christian disaster fiction where the only way out is accepting Jesus. Thankfully the ending of the book makes up for this, but only just.
My second gripe is with the treatment of women in the book. Three out of four of the adult female characters are presented as adulterers and for that sin, the women are condemned to an eternity of rape, unless of course they figure out what it is that allows them to pass on to the next life.
Final thoughts
I'd read Jeremy Bishop again in a flash. His writing is engaging and well paced. If theological horror is not your thing ( being an atheist I find it terribly hard to suspend my disbelief) I would possibly skip it - the ending not being ambiguous enough.
Disclaimer: This review is based upon ebook provided by the Author at no cost to myself.
The Story
An American sniper is captured and a plot to assassinate the Russian President exposed. World War 3 ensues and the world descends quite literally into hell.
The narrative focuses on a mixed group of survivors, including the President, his security detail, the fiancée of the American sniper and her niece as they attempt to survive a strangely intact post nuclear strike America.
They must battle hordes of regenerating zombies and determine how to escape becoming one them. If I were to describe it in one line it would be Twenty Eight Days Later meets Dante's Inferno, if that's not giving too much away.
The Good
The writing in the book is top notch thriller writing. Until I was about three quarters of the way through the book I was eagerly wrapped up in the story, keen to find out what was happening. The book is well paced and the characterization ample for the techno-thriller genre, the gore and theological horror enough for the horror fan.
If I can compare it to another book with similar themes - Origin by JA Konrath, where Konrath leans to the Techno-thriller side Bishop is more religiously or theologically themed horror.
The Not So Good
As I mentioned above, it was full steam ahead for me until about 75 % through the book when I started to get a bit paranoid about what the book was saying and where it might be heading. I had a fear that I might actually be reading some very well written and engaging "End-times" porn - evangelical Christian disaster fiction where the only way out is accepting Jesus. Thankfully the ending of the book makes up for this, but only just.
My second gripe is with the treatment of women in the book. Three out of four of the adult female characters are presented as adulterers and for that sin, the women are condemned to an eternity of rape, unless of course they figure out what it is that allows them to pass on to the next life.
Final thoughts
I'd read Jeremy Bishop again in a flash. His writing is engaging and well paced. If theological horror is not your thing ( being an atheist I find it terribly hard to suspend my disbelief) I would possibly skip it - the ending not being ambiguous enough.
Disclaimer: This review is based upon ebook provided by the Author at no cost to myself.
March 21, 2011
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did. I was intrigued by the idea: an electromagnetic pulse, triggered by mutual Russian/American nuclear strikes, destroys almost everyone on the planet, except the few people lucky enough to briefly leave Earth just before it happens, via the pre-planned “Presidential escape strategy” (my description, not the author’s). When they return to Earth a short time later they, of course, find nothing as they remembered it. Just the kind of end-of-days, post-apocalyptic stuff I love!
But ... I didn’t love this novel. After the opening pages, there isn’t much attention to plot development. I was disappointed by the fact that what could have been a truly intriguing story quickly turned into standard zombies-chasing-humans fare. Plus, I couldn’t get past the idea that, although I’m no physicist, I’m pretty sure that a nuclear holocaust would not turn the surviving humans into zombies, or at least not in a matter of a day or so; it just seemed like a cop-out to me, when it could have been a fascinating tale if handled more realistically.
I will say that, unlike many other reviewers, I liked the themes of redemption, heaven vs. hell, God, forgiveness, etc., that appear sporadically throughout the novel; I just wish they had either been more developed or left out completely; in some ways it seemed like the author couldn’t decide whether he wanted to write a straightforward horror novel or something deeper. Also unlike some other reviewers, I did like the ending; frankly, I couldn’t really see it ending any other way.
I really think the basic idea of this book has a lot of potential; I just didn’t care much for the execution. Also, there were quite a few instances of sloppy or inconsistent editing (in the Kindle version), which were distracting. The book was good enough to keep me reading, hoping something interesting was going to happen; too bad it never quite did.
But ... I didn’t love this novel. After the opening pages, there isn’t much attention to plot development. I was disappointed by the fact that what could have been a truly intriguing story quickly turned into standard zombies-chasing-humans fare. Plus, I couldn’t get past the idea that, although I’m no physicist, I’m pretty sure that a nuclear holocaust would not turn the surviving humans into zombies, or at least not in a matter of a day or so; it just seemed like a cop-out to me, when it could have been a fascinating tale if handled more realistically.
I will say that, unlike many other reviewers, I liked the themes of redemption, heaven vs. hell, God, forgiveness, etc., that appear sporadically throughout the novel; I just wish they had either been more developed or left out completely; in some ways it seemed like the author couldn’t decide whether he wanted to write a straightforward horror novel or something deeper. Also unlike some other reviewers, I did like the ending; frankly, I couldn’t really see it ending any other way.
I really think the basic idea of this book has a lot of potential; I just didn’t care much for the execution. Also, there were quite a few instances of sloppy or inconsistent editing (in the Kindle version), which were distracting. The book was good enough to keep me reading, hoping something interesting was going to happen; too bad it never quite did.
November 23, 2010
Jeremy Bishop's TORMENT launches the reader into the story and sends them on a free-fall until the end. When the president orders the destruction of Earth, only a few survive, only to land upon what might literally be hell. Apologetic killer zombies roamed the Earth, and the survivors have to run for their lives because death might not really be the end of their torment. Part zombie apocalypse, part Dante's' Inferno, and part Hades' underworld, TORMENT explores faith, hope, and redemption through horrific acts. One by one, the survivors either escape in death or become killers. Bishop brilliantly makes the reader want to flip through the story as quickly as possible. The philosophical and religious beliefs between good and evil and life and death in the novel are thought-provoking, although personally I would have liked them to be a little less heavy-handed. Overall, I recommend TORMENT for the fast action, horrific scenes, and lesson of forgiveness and redemption.
December 29, 2010
I found out about this book when the author followed me on Twitter. I didn't recognize him so I went to his page and found out he was an author. This lead me to amazon where I saw his book "Torment" and read the little blurb. The book was only 2.99 for the kindle so I figured what the heck I'll give it a shot. I don't like to give a lot of spoilers when I give reviews so you'll just have to trust me when I say this book is really good. Torment is a very fast paced book that you won't be able to put down. There's something for horror fans, zombie fans, and people who like post apocalypse with some nuclear fallout added to the mix. So if any of these things sounds like it might be your cup of tea give this book a shot you won't regret it.
February 5, 2014
I LOVED this book. I don't feel it is a zombie book at all, these people were the living dead but not like the typical zombie living dead. They know what they are doing, are horrified by it, but cannot control themselves. It was a fun, fast read and I loved every minute of it, including the ending, I thought it ended perfect. Those who did not enjoy it must have expected a certain type of book or just didn't understand the book at all. This book makes you think, makes you wonder and for me had be going crazy when I was done waiting for a friend to finish it so we could talk about it. Isn't that what makes an awesome book?
December 30, 2013
Waste of time.
this is one horrible book. So much of the plot doesn't make any sense. I read some of the reviews by others, then downloaded a sample. That was OK, so I went ahead & bought the book. Wish I had paid more attention to the 1star reviews. This book can't decide if it wants to be horror or religious. NOTHING is ever explained, there is no reason for much of what happens, & I never got interested in any of the characters enough to care what happens to them. I will never waste my money on another book by thi s author.
this is one horrible book. So much of the plot doesn't make any sense. I read some of the reviews by others, then downloaded a sample. That was OK, so I went ahead & bought the book. Wish I had paid more attention to the 1star reviews. This book can't decide if it wants to be horror or religious. NOTHING is ever explained, there is no reason for much of what happens, & I never got interested in any of the characters enough to care what happens to them. I will never waste my money on another book by thi s author.
June 13, 2011
This was my second page turn in less than a week and it's a fun ride. Starts out like a thriller, when Russia and the U.S. drop nuclear bombs on one another, but then turns into an on-the-run zombie story in the second half, with a hell-on-earth twist. An interesting concept with some stock characters, but a nice little horror novel.
September 11, 2025
I'm a bit torn on this one. On the one hand, Robinson's first straight horror novel is a good idea and fast-paced throughout. The characters are constantly on the run from one threat or another, and they're gradually whittled away, sometimes in fairly brutal fashion, making it a "fun", fast read.
On the other, the whole set up is messy. Robinson stops short of ever spelling out what is going on, which is only an issue because he seems to play fast and loose with the rules of his world, so it never comes together as a coherent whole. I'm sure it all made sense in his head, but from my point of view, the fates of some characters were not consistent with what befell and that type of things really annoys me.
As does head-hopping. It's not within paragraphs, but Robinson has a bad habit of jumping between points of view within a scene, which is jarring and a real immersion-killer.
So, yes, a mixed bag and one that therefore lends itself to the stock-standard...
3 Depressed Big Red Buttons for Torment.
On the other, the whole set up is messy. Robinson stops short of ever spelling out what is going on, which is only an issue because he seems to play fast and loose with the rules of his world, so it never comes together as a coherent whole. I'm sure it all made sense in his head, but from my point of view, the fates of some characters were not consistent with what befell and that type of things really annoys me.
As does head-hopping. It's not within paragraphs, but Robinson has a bad habit of jumping between points of view within a scene, which is jarring and a real immersion-killer.
So, yes, a mixed bag and one that therefore lends itself to the stock-standard...
3 Depressed Big Red Buttons for Torment.
March 4, 2024
I’m super depressed after this one 😆 compelling story just not as amaze balls as many of the other infinite worlds.
August 5, 2022
This is one of the best apocalyptic horror novels I've read in very long time. Jeremy Robinson took the zombie concept and made something unique and freaky. Also the took the christian religion and U.S. politics and kicked them square in the nuts for which I applaud him.
5 Stars *****
5 Stars *****
March 12, 2022
Different in a good way
Is it a post apocalyptic story - sure.
Is it a zombie story - kind of ...
What about a morality tale where Hell is real- is it that? Maybe?
Is a lot of things & you won't really care because it's horror adventure at such a break neck pace you'll keep going until you're finished with the title. Flaws be damned.
Is it a post apocalyptic story - sure.
Is it a zombie story - kind of ...
What about a morality tale where Hell is real- is it that? Maybe?
Is a lot of things & you won't really care because it's horror adventure at such a break neck pace you'll keep going until you're finished with the title. Flaws be damned.
January 2, 2016
Torment is a real roller coaster of a book, but not necessarily in a good way. Firstly, the plot is pretty nuts: a nuclear war breaks out, the president and a few people get into some spaceships and make it into space until the planet it's habitable again. Strangeness quickly ensures and the survivors are beset by crazed survivors. Mix a zombie novel's style of run-fight-hide-repeat with Mark Rogers The Dead and you've got a good idea of what to expect.
This is the author's first novel, and sadly it feels like it. The characters are pretty flat, the writing is okay, and the plot is over the top. None of the characters are very well drawn out and we only get to know one or two of them beyond a very basic level. The writing is so-so, but nothing above and beyond the norm. Not too bad, but nothing special either.
I think the big problem is the plot. Even a brief plot summary shows that there is a lot going on in this book, which I think is part of the problem. It starts out "normal" enough then in a short period of time there's a huge war (on very shaky pretenses) and a bunch of people go into space. There's some side plots (one of the character's past affair, who started the war, etc.) too, but none of them really pan out. I think the biggest issue though is the moral behind the story. It doesn't make sense, it feels very inconsistent, and a bit preachy overall.
There's some good things about it. It's a brisk read with a lot of action, there's some interesting set pieces and ideas sprinkled through the story, and you can finish it pretty quickly. That having been said though, it was worth the .99 cents for me, but not a heck of a lot more. I'll check out his other work, but this one did not click for me.
This is the author's first novel, and sadly it feels like it. The characters are pretty flat, the writing is okay, and the plot is over the top. None of the characters are very well drawn out and we only get to know one or two of them beyond a very basic level. The writing is so-so, but nothing above and beyond the norm. Not too bad, but nothing special either.
I think the big problem is the plot. Even a brief plot summary shows that there is a lot going on in this book, which I think is part of the problem. It starts out "normal" enough then in a short period of time there's a huge war (on very shaky pretenses) and a bunch of people go into space. There's some side plots (one of the character's past affair, who started the war, etc.) too, but none of them really pan out. I think the biggest issue though is the moral behind the story. It doesn't make sense, it feels very inconsistent, and a bit preachy overall.
There's some good things about it. It's a brisk read with a lot of action, there's some interesting set pieces and ideas sprinkled through the story, and you can finish it pretty quickly. That having been said though, it was worth the .99 cents for me, but not a heck of a lot more. I'll check out his other work, but this one did not click for me.
August 15, 2022
Jeremy Bishop (aka Jeremy Robinson) delivers. A women and her niece are attending a medal ceremony when the Russians launch a nuclear attack on the US. Being with the US president, they are taken aboard an escape pod that takes her to orbit just after the US president launches a full-scale nuclear response. Once in orbit, they watch the end of the world.
A couple of hours later, they see the clouds clear and while the cities are destroyed there is no evidence of radiation and the automated systems return them to earth. What they discover is terrifying new reality in which people have apparently survived but are now obsessed with trying to kill those from the escape pod - all the while crying "I am Sorry, I don't want to do this". Worse, these people don't stay dead.
There is a lot of action making you want to keep turning the pages. We get into the main character's background and her torment as she struggles to understand how her past and the things she has done might be influencing her ability to survive.
A couple of hours later, they see the clouds clear and while the cities are destroyed there is no evidence of radiation and the automated systems return them to earth. What they discover is terrifying new reality in which people have apparently survived but are now obsessed with trying to kill those from the escape pod - all the while crying "I am Sorry, I don't want to do this". Worse, these people don't stay dead.
There is a lot of action making you want to keep turning the pages. We get into the main character's background and her torment as she struggles to understand how her past and the things she has done might be influencing her ability to survive.
July 31, 2022
I am agreement with several others regarding this book. I thought it was great, high-paced, thrilling until about 75% of the way through. Then just like a zombie......it turned........into a bible thumping story. Other than the over the top religous aspect I was also dissappointed that there was never any explanation for what caused the horrors on earth after the nuclear war. I mean I don't know much about nuclear war but I don't think it would result in what happened here. Also....the ending....very ambiguous and abrupt. Very dissapointing ending.
July 29, 2022
This was quite a book! I am a fan of the zombie genre, and this one was quite a bit different. There was such a sense of helplessness transmitted by our survivors, as these zombies they faced never stopped coming for them. The government's role in everything that was happening was intriguing and frustrating. I enjoyed the audiobook immensely and thought the story kept my attention to the end. I'm not going to lie - I did not care for the ending. It didn't ruin the book for me, but it didn't work for me either.
September 11, 2023
Sloppy, action drivel that tries to hide bad storytelling and a nonsensical plot behind an obvious twist. Torment is unapologetically transparent in its heavy Christian apologia, but the moral-underpinning of the book's universe is so bizarrely perverse that you'd be forgiven for thinking this was atheist satire.
The novel has been retroacrovely been folded into Robinson's larger "MCU-like" crossover universe, presumably so that people who've read the equally inept but far more entertaining Infinite might be tricked into reading this one. Don't fall for it.
The novel has been retroacrovely been folded into Robinson's larger "MCU-like" crossover universe, presumably so that people who've read the equally inept but far more entertaining Infinite might be tricked into reading this one. Don't fall for it.
November 13, 2021
Wtf did I just read? There is no plot after the first few chapters. There is no character development.
The characters have almost no depth or personality. At the end of the book I was like, “wait did I miss a chapter?”. There is no resolution or message… literally the entire book is “run from scary monsters for some reason and then die”. Boring and random.
The characters have almost no depth or personality. At the end of the book I was like, “wait did I miss a chapter?”. There is no resolution or message… literally the entire book is “run from scary monsters for some reason and then die”. Boring and random.
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