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Archive for the ‘apocalypse’ Category

Saturday Screams #59 ~ Erebus

Posted: December 22, 2018 in apocalypse, reviews, thriller
Tags: apocalyptic, review, thriller

Welcome to my Saturday Screams where I share books that thrill and chill!

Today I’m sharing Erebus by Steven C. Bird.

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Erebus

by Steven C. Bird

Genre: Apocalyptic / Thriller

My Review

Antarctica. A desolate, frigid place at the bottom of the world. The scientists and students do their research and take their samples, unaware that something that appears so innocent will soon threaten all of humanity.

It’s almost the end of the season. Winter is coming and only the most dedicated stay at the station. The others head for warmer places. The rush is on to get their research and samples on the planes before they hightail it out of there. An accident happens. Something is unleashed, and people are turned into raging lunatics. I know this sounds like a zombie story. It’s not. Bear with me here.

Once the contagion begins a small group of people try to hide while coming up with a way out. They have no idea how many have been turned. There’s no help coming. And this is one of my favorite parts of the plot. The group dynamics. Who steps up? How many sacrifice themselves? Who is the dissenter, the one who always takes the negative view and causes conflict? And who surprises me and steps up to wear the hero’s shoes?

The fight for survival is nail biting. They have to find ways stay alive in freezing temps. And now the infected are changing. They’re not like zombies. Instead of rotting away, they’re getting stronger. From mindless rabid beings, they’re now starting to act as a team. To strategize. Could the organism actually be sentient? It takes over the host and now it appears able to control them too. The more they discovered about the infection, the more horrifying it gets. What if the organism can cross the species barrier. Could it infect animals? The cold and lack of life in Antarctica kept it contained under the frozen tundra. Once it reaches warmer climates, what’s to stop it.

You have to expect some deaths will happen to the group. At first I wasn’t too worried about it. I hadn’t really developed a strong bond with any of them. It was after the action really got going that I found a favorite. Vasily Fedorov, Russian ex-military but now a blue collar guy. He can make weapons out of anything. He’s super resourceful, haunted by horrors from his past and also a really good guy. I sure want him to survive! I love his quote – “No room for feelings in struggle to survive. Survival important, not pride.”

As the group is pursued from one station to the next., their food supply runs low and their options dwindle. It’s anyone’s guess who will survive, if any. And if they do, will there be a world to get back to? I couldn’t see how this would end. It seemed so bleak and hopeless. This excerpt explains how bad it is.

“And here we are, in our very own horror movie. Only, in the movies, I can usually guess where the ending is going. Here, though, I have no clue. I just can’t see it. It’s not like there is safety on the outskirts of town. There is nothing on the outskirts of town here but a cold, frozen death. And beyond that – more cold.” Sums it up.

I grabbed this as a free download on Amazon. I’d seen it on another blog and the cover caught my eye. I crossed my fingers and started reading it. I read it straight through and I’m so happy I can give it a high recommendation. I’ll be checking out what else the author has to offer now.

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Synopsis

After lying in wait for millions of years, deep within the Earth beneath Mount Erebus on the frozen continent of Antarctica, an unforeseen threat emerges, leaving a scientific research team to face the horrors that await them at the bottom of the world, alone.

Steven Bird is also the author of The New Homefront Series, as well as the Society Lost Series. His work can also be found in several Kindle Worlds novellas, including The Edge of Civility and JET: Dangerous Prey.

Amazon / B&N

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The above cover is the one that is shown first on Goodreads.

Here is the cover I own.

Which do you like more?

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You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

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But is she…… Alive? ~ Author Interview and Giveaway

Posted: October 30, 2018 in apocalypse, Author Interview, giveaways, YA
Tags: author inerview, giveaway, post-apocalyptic, YA

Alive?
by Melissa Woods

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(The Alive? Series, #1)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: October 30th 2018
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction,Young Adult, Zombies

Synopsis

Everyone knows the first rule of the zombie apocalypse: Don’t. Get. Bitten.

Too bad Violet has never been great at following the rules. Walking home after a night of partying, she manages to let one of the Dead take a chunk out of her only hours after they’ve begun walking again. Fortunately for Violet, she doesn’t die. Unfortunately for Violet—she’s not exactly alive, either.

Violet’s body is undergoing changes, and suddenly the taste of human flesh is not as revolting as it once sounded. Controlling her new urges will be hard. Living with survivors who have no idea will be even harder. And the real zombies? They still want to eat her, too…

Surviving the zompocalypse is tricky when you play for both teams.

New from author Melissa Woods, Alive? is a heart-pounding adventure with suspenseful plot twists, complex characters, and a dash of dark humor. Gritty and raw, Alive? is sure to keep you guessing, and will delight zombie apocalypse fans everywhere.

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / iBooks / Kobo

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Check out the Author Interview

Can you describe your book in one sentence?

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It’s the story of a seventeen year old called Violet, who makes the unfortunate mistake of getting bitten by a zombie, and discovers that while she’s lucky enough not to die, she now has a couple of interesting quirks, making her an unwanted guest at most dinner parties!

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

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Averages are hard, because I wrote the first draft of Alive? when I was sixteen years old, which would suggest it takes me twelve years to go from first draft to publication! But if I look at when I went back to the book and made the major changes, and how long it’s taken me to draft the sequel, I’d say it’s about nine months to a year to go from a blank page, to something I’m ready to send to the editor for fresh eyes.

What is the first book that made you cry?

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I think it was probably Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. You probably already know the part, but spoiler alert; Cedric Diggory dies! It was the first time I’d felt actually angry and upset about the death of a character; not angry at JK for writing it, of course, but angry with Pettigrew for killing him. I was angry at one fictional character for killing another, which is ridiculous really, but just shows how touched you can be by the written word.

Have you ever gotten reader’s block?

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Absolutely. There have been times where I’ve picked up and put down six books in a row, because my mood changes. One minute I want to read a thriller, then I want sci-fi, then I get a craving for young adult diary-style humour. It drives my husband crazy, because he’s someone who picks up a book and doesn’t read anything else until it’s finished. I suppose that’s part of the reason that Alive? has a bit of horror, a bit of suspense, and a bit of humor, because I’m trying to keep myself happy as well as anything else!

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

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It crossed my mind, because I’m a teacher, and I wasn’t sure how I would feel about parents of the children I teach reading the book, hating it, and then having to make awkward eye-contact on the playground where they look at me and think “She’s in charge of educating my child, and her book is the worst thing I’ve ever read in my life!” But I realised that it’s just my own anxiety, and that even if they didn’t like the book, the parents of children I have taught would hopefully be unlikely to make judgements about my teaching based on my writing about the zombie apocalypse!

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

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Just keep writing. Try to focus on one project at a time, but it’s okay need to move onto something else, because sometimes that’s exactly what helps you realise what’s missing from your work in progress. Don’t worry about having six half-finished projects, it’s better than staring at a blank chapter for weeks on end because you don’t know where it’s going next.

Alive slow

How do you think you’d fare in a zombie apocalypse?

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It totally depends on the type of zombies. If we’re going George Romero’s slow shufflers, then I think I’d do okay! I’ve read a lot of zombie books, and watched a lot of movies, and think I’d avoid some of the typical ways to be killed off early on. But if the zombies were fast, like in Alive? or movies like 28 days later, then I’m pretty sure I’d be dead within about half an hour. I’m not someone who runs, which is something I decided to grace Violet with, just to make her life a little harder!

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Enjoy this peek inside

Violet Winter was dead.
Probably.
Possibly.
To be honest, she wasn’t quite clear about it yet. All she knew was that ever since being bitten by the zombie, things had started to get weird.
As she stood there with warm blood drying on her fingers and bits of someone’s face in her teeth, she decided that making the choice to take the shortcut through the woods might not have been the best one.

Alive teaser

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Author Melissa Woods

Alive author

Writer, primary school teacher, zompocalyptic obsessive.

Melissa Woods is the author of ‘Alive?’, a young adult zombie adventure story, set for release on October 30th 2018.

When she’s not writing or teaching, Melissa can usually be found walking her three dogs, playing video games, or, occasionally, spending time with her husband.

Author links: Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #20 ~ Deliverance: Hell Divers III

Posted: October 20, 2018 in apocalypse, reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, review, sci-fi

Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2018! I did this last year and so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

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Deliverance

Hell Divers #3

by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Post Apocalyptic

My Review

X is still wandering radiation soaked Earth after being betrayed and left stranded. He’s trying to stay alive while all kinds of carnivorous mutant creatures seek his flesh. But he’s not alone. Man’s best friend is by his side.

I adored Miles and thought it was so cool how X made him a doggie suit to protect him from deadly radiation. I did have some fun times imaging how Miles went pottie. LOL There are so many important character’s in this series. All play major roles in making this the mind blowing adventure it is. And X is still my favorite. For him to have such a brave, loyal companion at his side, keeping him from being all alone, made my heart grow.

Commander Everhart, Tin, and his team found Deliverance, a new airship, and they’re tracking X, following the cryptic messages he had managed to send to the Hive. They are closing in but fear they might not get their in time. How long can a man, alone, live on such an inhospitable planet? And if he is alive, will he be sane?

Tin and his team are a well oiled machine. They each know what they must do and get to it. But they also have their own demons that haunt them. The closer they get to X, the worst things become, and I wanted to yell at them to hurry. With the Sirens, huge monster fish, and man eating plants attacking them every step of the way, I just knew someone wouldn’t make it. Feared they wouldn’t.

So many villains. Man and monster. Some you’ll fear. Some you’ll hate. All pose huge threats to our Hell Divers.

Told from two timelines, one for X and one for Tin and his team, the author bout drove me crazy as the times grew closer together and everything started to fall apart. And sharing so many different POVs, instead of being confusing, made the suspense so taut I was gritting my teeth.

Want to read something that will make you feel? Read this series. You’ll feel dread, hopelessness and heartbreak, but you’ll also feel happiness, exhilaration and hope. The author’s choice of ending promises more feels and I say bring it on.

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Synopsis

Left for dead on the nightmarish surface of the planet, Commander Michael Everhart and his team of Hell Divers barely escape with their lives aboard a new airship called Deliverance. After learning that Xavier “X” Rodriguez may still be alive, they mount a rescue mission for the long-lost hero.

In the skies, the Hive is falling apart, but Captain Jordan is more determined than ever to keep humanity in their outdated lifeboat. He will do whatever it takes to keep the ship in the air—even murder. But when he learns the Hell Divers he exiled have found Deliverance, he changes course for a new mission—find the divers, kill them, and make their new ship his own.

In the third installment of the USA Today bestselling Hell Divers series, Michael and his fellow divers fight across the mutated landscape in search of X. But what they find will change everything.

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

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You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

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31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #8 ~ Planet Of The Dead

Posted: October 8, 2018 in apocalypse, horror, reviews
Tags: 41 Days of Thrills and Chills, apocalypse, Horror, review

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

I’m also hosting a spot on the tour today. Click the link after the comments to learn more, read the excerpt and enter the giveaway!

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Planet Of The Dead

by Thomas S. Flowers

Genre: Horror / Apocalyptic

My Review

An epidemic sweeps the planet. The dead rise, hungry for human flesh. Loved ones kill loved ones. The government denies it’s even happening.There’s no help coming and everyone must fend for themselves.

This scenario never gets old for me. I especially enjoy character dynamics. Seeing who actually comes up with a plan and implements it. Who falls victim through denial. And who turns on who. There’s that saying, I don’t have to outrun the killer bear. I just have to outrun you.

Flowers doesn’t disappoint. His characters are brought to life and thrown into the worst possible situations. The action is fast and bloody. And it’s anyone’s guess who survives and who doesn’t.

A rollicking and intense story and I now have this author on my radar for more books.

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Synopsis

From the author of FEAST and Reinheit comes a new chapter in horror…

PLANET OF THE DEAD

News reports speak of mass panic and violence spreading across the globe. Negligent leaders hide behind misinformation. But in an age of paranoia and suspicion, who can say what is true anymore? Struggling to survive against a sweeping epidemic that has engulfed the planet, survivors will have to make hard choices in a world that no longer makes sense.

Live. Die. Or become one of the undead.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #2 ~ The Melting

Posted: October 2, 2018 in apocalypse, horror, reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills, apocalypse, Horror, review, sci-fi

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

~~~~~

The Melting

They Came With The Snow #2

by Christopher Coleman

Genre: Horror / Post Apocalyptic / Sci Fi

My Review

The first book was shorter and super creepy. I had hopes this one would be creepy too. And it was. It was also filled with new characters. Some were meat for the crab thingies. And some were more central to the story. Of those, many didn’t make it. A few hung in there for a while. And some had surprises for me.

I shouldn’t have been that surprised. The weird winter weather and crab like things that used the snow to hide in while they hunted had to come from somewhere. Outerspace? Something escaped from a lab? Something unleashed to remake the world? Or, what? I can’t spoil it for you. Would I say the cause of these things surprised me? Nope. Read too many books and seen too many movies for it to do that. I did like how the author twisted it. Especially on how the creatures behaved and reacted to outside stimulus.

The author gives a good ending. Some of you might not like it as much as I did. I feel he left it open to interpretation and a possible third book, but he did give this an ending.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. I especially liked the character dynamics, and the scenes with the creatures really made my hair stand up. Would I recommend this book? Sure enough. Especially to those who enjoy an apocalyptic scenario with their horror and monsters.

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Synopsis

The snow is melting, and the crabs are growing more violent.

At the base of a blocked-off bridge spanning the South River, Dominic and his friends plan a daunting journey to flee Warren County and the monsters that came when the snow fell.

But the crabs aren’t the only danger they face.

There are other forces at work, forces with a secret as inhuman and terrifying as the crabs themselves.

And these forces are determined to never let the group leave.

The quest is no longer just to survive, it’s to escape.

Amazon

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I read the first book and it was scary good.

They Came With The Snow

They Came With The Snow #1

by Christopher Coleman

Genre: Horror / Apocalyptic / Sci Fi

My Review

This is a short one. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to like.

When an explosion cuts off the residents of a small town and plunges them into an apocalyptic winter, they have no one to call for help and must rely on their own ingenuity. Do they stay where they are? Or do they brave trying to go for help and risk coming up against the strange things that wait in the snow?

I love stories set in wintry landscapes. There’s something about having to battle the elements as well as the horrors prowling in it that makes for an edgy read.

The creepy, crab things that hide in the snow, only detectable by their cold black eyes peering out of the drifts, were this horror lovers delight. Always looking for new, creative monsters to scare the crap out of me. I think they stole the show from the characters, who didn’t really win me over. Good thing, as there’s no guarantees any will survive.

While this didn’t terrify me, it sure got the endorphins pumping. I’ll gladly read more by this author.

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Synopsis

When a mysterious blast goes off in a small college town, triggering a blizzard, the few survivors must decide whether to stay or leave and face the monsters who came with the snow.

Amazon

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You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Freezing Point by Grace Hamilton ~ Tour and Giveaway

Posted: September 15, 2018 in apocalypse, giveaways, Science Fiction
Tags: giveaway, post apocalypse, sci-fi

Freezing Point

After the Shift Series Book 1

by Grace Hamilton

Genre: SciFi, Post-Apocalypse

In the dawn of a new Ice Age, families everywhere are taking to the road to escape the
frigid landscape—but you can’t outrun the cold.

No one could have predicted the terrifying impact of human interference in the Arctic.
Shifts in the Earth’s crust have led to catastrophe and now the
North Pole is located in the mid-Atlantic, making much of the eastern
United States an unlivable polar hellscape.

Nathan Tolley is a talented mechanic who has watched his business dry up due to gas
shortages following the drastic tectonic shifts. His wife, Cyndi, has
diligently prepped food and supplies, but it’s not enough to get
them through a never-ending winter. With an asthmatic young son and a
new baby on the way, they’ll have to find a safe place they can
call home or risk freezing to death in this harsh new world.

When an old friend of Nathan’s tells him that Detroit has become a paradise, with
greenhouses full of food and plenty of solar energy for everyone, it
sounds like the perfect place to escape. But with dangerous
conditions and roving gangs, getting there seems like an impossible
dream. It also seems like their only choice.

Goodreads * Amazon

Grace Hamilton is the prepper pen-name for a bad-ass, survivalist
momma-bear of four kids, and wife to a wonderful husband. After being
stuck in a mountain cabin for six days following a flash flood, she
decided she never wanted to feel so powerless or have to send her
kids to bed hungry again. Now she lives the prepper lifestyle and
knows that if SHTF or TEOTWAWKI happens, she’ll be ready to help
protect and provide for her family.

Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a
slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction
author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible
survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing
her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out “What
SHOULD you do in this situation?”

It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what
life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and
experiences, so that you too can survive!

Website * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

The Book Of M by Peng Shepherd ~ Gotta sing my praises

Posted: August 29, 2018 in apocalypse, Dystopian, giveaways, reviews
Tags: apocalypse, dystopian, giveaway, review

Welcome to my stop on the tour for The Book Of M by Peng Shepherd.

Enjoy my review. Check out this awesome book.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

My Review

It begins slowly. A man’s shadow disappears. Everyone is excited and caught up in the wonder. It seems magical. But then he starts to lose his memories. And then more people’s shadows disappear and more memories are lost. It spreads from continent to continent. No place is spared and everything falls apart because no one remembers how to do things, what anything is and even their own names.

Sounds crazy doesn’t it. I couldn’t wait to see where this author was taking me. Told from several character’s perspectives, you’ll get caught up in their struggles to survive, their fears of looking for their shadow and finding it no longer there and their terror of the forgetting that comes after.

I was in awe of the author’s imagination. I thought this would be a fairly straight forward plot, but it was actually finely executed. Events occurred in a fashion that wouldn’t allow me to stop reading. I was so wrapped up in some of these characters, I couldn’t relax until I knew what happened to them.

And when the author showed me her magical direction, I was stunned. My imagination took off, thinking what if this happened, and how would they stop the catastrophes I could see coming. And the ones I couldn’t. Especially the ending.

Did I enjoy this book? Loved it. Addictive. Would I recommend it? Yes sirree. You don’t have to be a dystopian or apocalypse fan to get caught up in this one. The idea is brilliant and expertly penned.

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Synopsis

Set in a dangerous near future world, The Book of M tells the captivating story of a group of ordinary people caught in an extraordinary catastrophe who risk everything to save the ones they love. It is a sweeping debut that illuminates the power that memories have not only on the heart, but on the world itself.

One afternoon at an outdoor market in India, a man’s shadow disappears—an occurrence science cannot explain. He is only the first. The phenomenon spreads like a plague, and while those afflicted gain a strange new power, it comes at a horrible price: the loss of all their memories.

Ory and his wife Max have escaped the Forgetting so far by hiding in an abandoned hotel deep in the woods. Their new life feels almost normal, until one day Max’s shadow disappears too.

Knowing that the more she forgets, the more dangerous she will become to Ory, Max runs away. But Ory refuses to give up the time they have left together. Desperate to find Max before her memory disappears completely, he follows her trail across a perilous, unrecognizable world, braving the threat of roaming bandits, the call to a new war being waged on the ruins of the capital, and the rise of a sinister cult that worships the shadowless.

As they journey, each searches for answers: for Ory, about love, about survival, about hope; and for Max, about a new force growing in the south that may hold the cure.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for THE BOOK OF M

“A beautiful and haunting story about the power of memory and the necessity of human connection, this book is a post-apocalyptic masterpiece and the one dystopian novel you really need to read this year.” ―Bustle

“I was both disturbed and inspired by Max’s and Ory’s journey through apocalypses large and small. Peng Shepherd has written a prescient, dark fable for the now and for the soon-to-be. The Book of M is our beautiful nightmare shadow.” ―Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin at the End of the World

“The Book of M is exciting, imaginative, unique, and beautiful. Shepherd proves herself not just a writer to watch, but a writer to treasure.” ―Darin Strauss, bestselling author of Half a Life

“Prepare to fall in love with your own shadow. And to lose sleep. Shepherd is urgently good, and has written one of those books that makes you look up at two in the morning, to a world that’s new, newly scary, and freshly appreciated: what all the great stories do.” ―David Lipsky, New York Times bestselling author of Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself and Absolutely American

“A beautifully written existential apocalypse, following everyday people on a search for love, memory and meaning across the richly realized and frighteningly familiar ruins of America.” ―Christopher Brown, author of Tropic of Kansas

“Sheperd’s debut is graceful and riveting, slowly peeling back layers of an intricately constructed and unsettling alternate future.” ―Publishers Weekly

“First-time novelist Shepherd has crafted an engaging and twisty tale about memory’s impact on who or what we become. For aficionados of literary dystopian fiction such as Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven or those who enjoy stories of cross-country travel.” ―Library Journal

“Fans of Station Eleven, listen up!…This one is g-r-e-a-t.” ―Book Riot

“Eerie, dark, and compelling, this will not disappoint lovers of The Passage (2010) and Station Eleven (2014).” ―Booklist

“Brilliant debut… The Book of M is right up there with Station Eleven: achingly beautiful literary novels about a changed world.” ―Refinery29.com

“Outstanding and unforgettable…The Book of M is a scary, surprising, sad and sentimental story that will be deeply felt by readers while capturing their imaginations and hearts.” ―BookPage (Top Fiction Pick)

“For fans of Station Eleven, this summer release will have you engulfed from beginning to end.” ―Popsugar

“[Shepherd’s] first novel, The Book of M, tells the fantastic story of ordinary people caught up in a catastrophe in which people lose their shadows — and their memories.” ―Arizona PBS

“Beautifully written, Peng Shepherd delivers an extraordinary story about love, hope, the unquenchable search for answers that may never come, and, ultimately, survival…The characters all have such depth to them that it’s impossible to not become invested in the story, which twists and turns often.” ―TheRealBookSpy.com

“The Book of M tells the captivating story of a group of ordinary people caught in an extraordinary catastrophe who risk everything to save the ones they love. It is a sweeping debut that illuminates the power that memories have not only on the heart, but on the world itself.” ―TheNerdDaily.com

“It’s a great setting for a murder, and each of Rader-Day’s prickly millennials feels capable of murder—to say nothing of sleep-deprived, near hysterical Eden. Readers will have fun following the subtle clues.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Reminiscent of books like Stephen King’s The Stand, Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven, and Michael Tolkin’s NK3… she keeps the journey interesting, makes us care about her characters, and invites us to think about how we are all the stuff of dreams.” ―Toronto Star

“The Book of M shines consistently, first in the sense of magical wonder that permeates each of its pages, and second, in the emotional depth that Shepherd is able to draw out of her characters… brutal and brilliant in equal measure.” ―The Contemporary Clerk

“Shepherd’s tale pushes the post-apocalyptic story in a new and exciting direction, making readers ponder questions about reality, self-perception and relationships.” ―Shelf Awareness

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peng Shepherd was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she rode horses and trained in classical ballet. She earned her M.F.A. in creative writing from New York University, and has lived in Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. The Book of M is her first novel.

PHOTO CONTENT FROM PENG SHEPHERD

Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

book of m giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click on the badge below to follow the tour.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Saturday Screams #56 ~ My Halloween List Needs Some Help

Posted: August 18, 2018 in apocalypse, Dark Fantasy, horror, otherworldly
Tags: Halloween edition, Saturday Screams

Welcome to my Saturday Screams where I share books that, well, make you scream!

Today I’m doing something different. Instead of sharing a review or two, I’m sharing some books for my Spooktacular Reviews that I did last year for Halloween. I share a review for a scary story each day of the month and I’m using some books from my TBR pile this year. This is my partial list so far, not including some ARCs and review books that I’ll be sprinkling in.

I’m also looking for suggestions, so lay em on me! I’m especially looking for some good werewolf, haunted house and creatures books.

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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A simple plan …. not ~ Gas Station Of The Dead

Posted: April 26, 2018 in apocalypse, horror, reviews, Zombies
Tags: Anthony Renfro, apocalypse, Horror, review

I’m sure many of you know of my love affair with zombies. Being always on the lookout for the next brain chomping adventure, I was super excited to get my hands on Anthony’s newest one. I was lucky to get my hands on an ARC and can’t wait to share about it!

Gas Station Of The Dead

by Anthony Renfro

Genre: Horror / Apocalypse

My Review

I’ve been reading Anthony’s short stories for several years and he always has fun twists to them. You never know what the brain eaters can and will do. Ever heard a zombie sing Christmas Carols? How about seeing one surf? Some of the zombies in this story are stuck on strange.

And while many of the author’s stories connect in some way. Gas Station Of The Dead is more of a stand alone. I really liked Cal, a former fuel tanker driver. He’s on his own. He has a plan. If he fails, there’s no one to mourn him. He sets it in motion. And, lo and behold, he meets someone who wants to help. No longer alone, he begins to hope there may be a future.

I was sucked right into this book. You get inside Cal’s head. Learning what motivates him to do what he does makes him a compelling hero in my book. He could have simply continued on his way, hopefully hooking up with other survivors and having a better chance at survival. I for one, wouldn’t want to be out there all alone. Instead, he chooses to try to help others. Doing it all by himself. A very risky, lonely choice.

For you zombie fans, there’s plenty of them and lots of on the edge of your seat action. The apocalypse is in the early stages when you start the book and they are often moving in large packs. Cal has to strain the brain pan to come up with some tricky ideas on how to accomplish his goal with so many chomping at his heels.

Gas Station Of The Dead easily joined my list of favorites from Anthony. And as he often does, included are a couple of fun bonus stories to nibble on.

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Synopsis

This short story is about a former tanker truck driver who decides to use his skills to deliver gas to those in need during the Zombie Apocalypse.

Bonus Short Story: Devil at the Wheel

A Joyride in a Chevy Chevelle. The car was just sitting there for the taking. What could possibly go wrong? Vinnie and Mike are about to find out what can and will go wrong once they turn the key. Evil awaits. Ride shotgun if you dare with this short story.

Bonus Short Story: The Dragon

A simple machine. Able to answer requests. Able to play music. Able to turn on lights and answer questions. Fun and enjoyable technology. But what happens when this machine is able to manifest actual things? In this short story two guys worst fears will come to life.

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Check out the excerpt:

Donald Cal, or Cal to those who knew him, sat on top of a flat roof looking down at his two discoveries. The question running through his head was difficult to find the answer to. When so many zombies were shuffling about, how did he get from one place to the other and vice versa without getting bit or ripped apart? He knew that his plan was strong, it could work, it would work, but he wasn’t sure how he could keep himself alive long enough to see it put into action.

He sat back against the faded brick wall (which helped to give him shade), looked up at the sunny blue sky, and then out onto the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. He watched the waves for a while, trying to find some peace of mind as he ate a bit of processed snack food and sipped on a warm bottle of water. He closed his eyes when he was finished eating, and fell asleep, drifting off into the world of pleasant dreams and happier pre-zombie days. This current dream was one of his happiest, a girlfriend, a party, lots and lots of friends out on the beach drinking like idiots by a rip roaring fire.

A sound of thumping tore him out of his pleasant dreams and pushed him back into the harsh world he now called home.

He knew the zombies had found him.

Amazon: US / UK / AU / CA

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

My Monday Minis #41 ~ The Storm, Trackers #3

Posted: April 9, 2018 in apocalypse, Monday's Minis, reviews
Tags: Monday Minis, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, post-apocalyptic, review, Trackers #3

Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

Today I’m sharing the third book in the great apocalyptic series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith. Let’s get started.

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The Storm

Trackers #3

by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Genre: Apocalyptic / Post Apocalyptic

My Review

An EMP attack sent the country into turmoil and things only get worse for the survivors.

This series never lets up. The hits keep on coming for our survivors. As we flash back and forth across the country, following each groups footsteps, the danger and suspense increases.

Having read the first two books, I knew I couldn’t count on my some of my beloved characters to make it. That sure added to the intensity as I turned each page with bated breath. It’s only been a month since the attack and everything fell apart so fast.There was no let up in the action. And it all felt so real. Something like this could happen and that makes this extra scary. And it never ceased to amaze me what people would do to each other. The worst case scenario brings out the worst.

I’m thrilled to say this was every bit as intense as the previous books.

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Synopsis

A deadly storm of violence sweeps across the United States in the thrilling third installment of the bestselling Trackers saga.

One month after the North Korean attack, the United States continues to fall into anarchy. In Estes Park, Colorado, Police Chief Marcus Colton and tracker Sam ‘Raven’ Spears work tirelessly to defend their hometown. But after a brutal coordinated attack, they realize it will take much more than roadblocks and a volunteer militia to protect their borders and keep their families safe.

Defense Secretary Charlize Montgomery has been reunited with her son, but his homecoming is short-lived due to the state of the FEMA survival centers around the country. She heads to the one in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her loyal bodyguard, Albert Randall. Outside the camp’s walls, the city has descended into chaos and desperate civilians will do anything to get inside. When Albert stays behind to rescue his sister, he is caught in the middle of a turf war between rival gangs.

In this lawless new world where the most ruthless thrive while innocents suffer, Colton, Raven, and Charlize are faced with their toughest challenges yet. One thing is certain—they won’t be able to save everyone. Not with their humanity still intact.

Amazon / B&N / Audible

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Click on the covers for previous books reviewed.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Archive for the ‘apocalypse’ Category

Saturday Screams #59 ~ Erebus

But is she…… Alive? ~ Author Interview and Giveaway

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #20 ~ Deliverance: Hell Divers III

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #8 ~ Planet Of The Dead

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #2 ~ The Melting

Freezing Point by Grace Hamilton ~ Tour and Giveaway

The Book Of M by Peng Shepherd ~ Gotta sing my praises

Saturday Screams #56 ~ My Halloween List Needs Some Help

A simple plan …. not ~ Gas Station Of The Dead

My Monday Minis #41 ~ The Storm, Trackers #3