Revisit When They Came Series | Science Fiction Review | AstraDaemon

THE LAST MOMENT by Kody Boye is a short story set in the WHEN THEY CAME series. The prequel, THAT FIRST HOUR is told through the eyes of Jason Parks, an eleven year old running from a waking nightmare, and introduces readers to an alien species that breaks away from the traditional black-eyed, grey creatures. The first book, WHEN THEY CAME, takes place six years after the initial invasion. The main character, Ana Mia, has decided to join the Midnight Guard, to protect Fort Hope. She takes an insane amount of abuse from the other human survivors throughout the trilogy. Ana Mia has accepted her way of life will always be fighting, which is exactly what she does...right to the very end.

Which brings us to this new addition to the series...another prequel revealing how Ana Mia came to be a resident of Fort Hope. The way her parents her react to the attack in their home explains her warrior spirit. As for the rest, I think there's enough to tempt new readers into this series, while giving a nod to those who loyally followed Ana Mia through her apocalyptic journey.

I'm recommending this story and the others to readers who love a good mix of horror and science fiction. These are not your parents' aliens...

As always,

AstraDaemon

Virus Outbreak

OMEGA VIRUS by D Mendonca quickly hooks readers with a timeline of the virus outbreak (so much better than long setups in short stories). The POV is told through a survivor named David. He provides a brief run-down of his fellow survivors, as well as the type of zombies they are dealing with.

The virus is one of the most destructive forces I have read about since Dead Sea (Brian Keene). Not only is the human race teetering on the edge of extinction, but every aspect of daily life has been severely impacted, ravaging all living things, with the sole exception of plants.

While I enjoyed this story immensely, there is an insane amount of typos, which I think could be easily cleared up with a healthy dose of spellcheck. Too bad the author never developed this story into a full-length novel.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Ray Bradbury, Cormac McCarthy & George Romero walk into a bar...

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY INFECTIVE PEOPLE by William Todd Rose swings back and forth between a present-day contagion and the future atrocities which follow. Ironically, I was reluctant to read this book because I'm not a fan of time-travel fiction. However, the idea of zombies and time travel mixed together intrigued me enough to give this book a chance. I'm so glad I didn't pass up this story -- it is amazing! Although, the zombies, known as rotters, are just mere mentions, so don't expect an undead survival tale.

There are two POVs, which switch every time a new chapter starts. The first POV is Bosely, a guy who has obviously killed someone in an attempt to prevent an apocalyptic event he has seen during his time-travel experiences. Bosely claims his consciousness is able to project forward through something called the Eye of Aeons. When he does, he takes up residence in the mind of young teen girl named Ocean.

Ocean provides the second POV, describing horrific living conditions and personalizing the hopelessness of the future. While Bosely's story recaps the events leading up to the murder, Ocean's story focuses on the new group of survivors she's joined.

What really impresses me with Rose's writing style is how the author keeps raising the level of suspense from one chapter to the next by cutting back and forth between the POVs at the most climatic moments...kind of like every chapter ending on a cliffhanger with either Bosely or Ocean, and suddenly switching to the other. This thrilling blend of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic horror will leave your mind in a twist!

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Neverending Plague

The year is 2075, and the vast majority of humanity is dead.

The global outbreak of a new strain of virus wiped out over 99% of the population. The lone hope rests on the slim, unready shoulders of Dr. Justin Kaes and a small team of specialists from the Center for Disease Control. The researchers have discovered a cure for the plague in the blood of a cantankerous 102 year old. But there’s one minor problem: the old man couldn’t care less whether humanity lives or dies. And he most certainly doesn’t feel like going on a road trip to sunny California.

On the way to the coast lie murderous tribes, cults, voracious animals, and the toxic remains of civilization. They face a world gone backwards, technology and industry reduced to rusting garbage. Their mission seems doomed… But there are a few decent souls still out there, citizens of Plaguesville, USA.

PLAGUESVILLE USA by Jim Lavigne is a post-apocalyptic saga, with both inspiring and frightening plague survivors. Several times, the scientific mission is likened to the Wizard of Oz by some of the main characters. While there are some similarities, this trek is far more brutal and deadly.

The plot goes something like this: a group of scientists with the key to a vaccine are trying to get from point A to point B, when something goes wrong, people die, but they catch a lucky break, and they're on their way again...then something goes wrong, people die, they catch a break, and they continue with the mission...then something goes wrong - well, you get the idea. This formula of events continues for a good 3/4 of the story. The first time I read this story, I was a little put off by the repetitive nature, but after reading the book more than once, I now appreciate the determination of Kaes to complete his task of delivering Lambert to California.

However, I kept reading because I love the survivors. LaVigne could have expanded a bit more on the interactions with the various groups of people, but the author did a fabulous job creating some of the most polarizing characters I've read in a long time...similar to The Stand (Stephen King), with survivors intrinsically involved in the fate of the world, whether they realize it or not.

In the last 1/4 of the story, LaVigne releases a powerful storm of intrigue, tragedy, battles and horror, with a Lovecraft touch to the details, and I can't help but wonder if the author chose this change in the writing style to make readers feel like they were the ones on a hopeless mission to save humanity, rewarding those who make it to the end of the book.

While the epilogue is a nice touch, the author skips showing us the final moments of the quest to create the vaccine. After the long journey with the characters, the time jump is somewhat anticlimactic. However, I still recommend this story to fans of Mad Max (1979) or The Omega Man (1971).

As always,
AstraDaemon

Post-Apocalyptic MIL

ABED by Elizabeth Massie is a truly disturbing flash fiction piece. Megan is a young widow kept prisoner by her mother-in-law in a post-apocalypse situation. Since they live in a rural area, the walking dead numbers are easier to control than in the bigger cities. Everyone is a carrier & any death - accidental, natural or by suicide - will result in reanimation, but the walking dead appetites can be appeased temporarily with live animals, giving the illusion of zombies which can be controlled.

The undead also retain memories and remember how to perform basic tasks. However, the walking dead are not nearly as frightening as the crazy mother-in-law who still expects Megan to give her a grandchild. That MIL would give nightmares to The Devil's Rejects. I seriously thought I was going to throw up on my Kindle...Massie has real talent for delivering large amounts of terror with just a few choice descriptions.

As always,
AstraDaemon

These Monsters Can Fight

Abandoned by his family, Enoch Bryant now lives in a rundown orphanage with other teenagers just like him. He loves his friends, even if the teachers are terrified of them. They're members of the rising plague generation. Each bearing their own extreme genetic mutation.

The people in the nearby town hate Enoch, but he doesn't know why. He's never harmed anyone. Works hard and doesn't make trouble. He believes one day he'll be a respected man.

But hatred dies hard. The tension between Enoch's world and those of the "normal" townspeople is ready to burst. And when a body is found, it may be the spark that ignites a horrifying revolution.

ONE OF US by Craig DiLouie is a very emotional drama set in 1984. The horror element is the way the characters treat each other: deplorable. I've often commented in my reviews about the definition of a monster...DiLouie wrote an entire novel about the debate over what defines a monster. As someone with a sociology degree, I can appreciate the academic and theological conflicts between the various groups. As a mother, I found myself often crying throughout the novel. 

I cannot fathom shunning children based on a genetic mutation, even though people do much worse over much less in real life. (I'm crying as I type this.) Brain's POV, particularly his birth experience, just about broke me. Parents refusing their own babies, putting them into Homes, where they are mistreated and sometimes tortured, is heart-wrenching. While reading, I felt so awful for the plague children who only wanted to be loved, but the concept is not a work of fiction, and that is the soul-crushing aspect.


I felt something for all the characters. Whether it's the plague kids who just want friends and the freedom to make happy memories, the human kids who are trying to wrap their minds around the decisions of their parents' generation, or the people who continue to make everything worse on a daily basis, every single character has a depth to them.


The sheriff is a great choice to use as the center of the story. Between his professional and personal experiences with the plague kids, he ties all the levels of the conflict together, helping both characters and readers make connections they might otherwise overlook.


I'm sure this is a stand-alone novel, but I would not object to a sequel with the plague kids as adults. Not only do I recommend this book to fiction fans, but I would love to see One of Us become a part of recommended reading for libraries and schools as well.


As always,
AstraDaemon

Should Be Titled Run

I have no home. Not anymore. I live off the land. Hunt small game to survive. Set up traps for rabbits and squirrels. If I'm lucky, I'll even catch a fox. I have to move constantly because the Hunters hunt humans. I'm smarter than rabbits, squirrels, and foxes. The Hunters are smarter than me.

Hunt by R.W. Taylor is a flash fiction story which takes place hundreds of years in the future. Another species is now top of the food chain and humans are food. Some of the scenes made me think of the Predator movies, although I did wonder if Earth had become Planet of the Rats (instead of Apes).

While the urgency of the narration kept me interested, I feel too much time is spent explaining how the survivor hunts rabbits. I wish the story had begun with the culling of the 32 humans, instead of simply picking up where the lone survivor escapes.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Last Man Walking

A man travelling a broken world tries to make his way through the city, only to discover the world isn't quite as dead as he first thought.

The City by A.M. Halkyard reminded me a little of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Although a flash fiction piece, this story has a surprising amount of drama, action and suspense. The man's name is never revealed and readers never learn what events led up to this post-apocalypse, other than a mention of war. Halkyard does give a reason why the man is not likely to ever trust another person, which gives an important clue about his decision-making. Overall, this is a great social commentary on human behavior.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Lawless Taketh

Former Pima County Deputy Sheriff Jake Blakely is now an Arizona Ranger, living by his own set of rules, Jake's Laws, dispensing swift gun-barrel justice to bad guys, as well as protecting the safe havens he's helping establish from the ever-present zombies. The safe havens are the seeds for the rebirth of a Staggers Plague-stricken nation. So far, it has cost him his girlfriend, Jessica, and his survivalist home in Split Rock Canyon. Now, zombies are pouring over the former U.S.-Mexico border by the thousands, driven north by remnants of the Mexican Army. Jake has a plan. It's bold and dangerous, and could easily cost him his life. That's never stopped him before.

The Law Giveth is the second book in the Jake's Law series by JE Gurley. In the first novel, Jake's Law, readers are introduced to a diabetic survivor, Jake, who creates a new system of law in a zombie post-apocalypse. Gurley places more emphasis on the fights between the survivors than the zombies. The story ends with a shift from the civilian battle to the introduction of a military group.

In the second novel, there is no peace to be found. As the Territorial Government overlooks the reclamation of areas to establish new safe haven communities, Jake leads the newly reformed Arizona Rangers. Survivors are threatened by both the living and the dead, and Jake has made it his mission to execute anyone who refuses to follow the Law. As if the rebuilding process wasn't difficult enough, Mexico has declared war on what's left of the United States, using the hordes of zombies to overwhelm what is left of the U.S. military.

The relationships Jake established in the first book and in the time since then have not held up well in the face of constant conflicts. Jake is more withdrawn than ever, but continues to attract new acquaintances to his way of doing things, following Jake's Laws. When one of those acquaintances shows signs of possible immunity, Jake wonders if it's a sign of better things to come. Unfortunately, he forgets to follow his own laws and Jake finds himself losing everything and everyone all over again.

It's possible this will only be a two-book series, but I'm hoping Gurley will follow up with some of the loose ends still remaining. I think some of the supporting characters are capable of carrying on the Jake's Law series on their own merit. In any case, I hope fans will see more of Gurley's work soon.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Hoppers, Juggernauts, and a Demon Walk Into an Apocalypse…

The Killing Floor by Craig DiLouie has me comparing his work to HP Lovecraft’s stories, and Lovecraft is looking really tame compared to The Infection series. I had stated in a previous review that I wouldn’t want to find myself in DiLouie’s world; the second installment went one step further and gave me nightmares – specifically, the hoppers…and that’s just one of many mutated creatures resulting from the viral outbreak. DiLouie’s abominations have a bigger presence this time around, allowing more creativity with the plot.

While the original novel focused on six specific survivors trying to find a safe refuge, with a theme of people turning into monsters figuratively & literally, The Killing Floor dives further into the psyches of several returning characters, as well as a few new ones. This helped prevent any stereotypes from forming, and dug into the heart of the destruction. The devastated landscapes pale in comparison to the traumatized survivors, and only a couple of months have passed since the day of The Screaming, which has many characters doubting their ability to keep going for much longer.

DiLouie introduces a new twist, with Ray suffering a hopper sting, giving more insight into the actual mutation process; I’m not going into details about Ray’s part in the sequel, but he is THE key character, tying everyone’s fate together. The aspect of Ray’s struggle had me wondering if Todd (the kid who survived a zombie bite in book one) might play a more important role, if a third book is ever written. I enjoyed the new angles that DiLouie explored with the infected, the mutations and the theories on the source of the original virus. Travis is the scientist with a unique theory, backed up by tiny details that I almost missed, and I hope he is given more scenes in the future. Travis seemed more realistic any of the others, even throwing up in a garbage can at the suggestion of nuclear strike.

If the author continues along this avenue, I have no doubt that a third novel will be the most exciting of the three. If you haven’t already, I recommend reading Tooth and Nail as well.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Story Stephen King Didn't Write

The Infection (Book 1 of 2) by Craig DiLouie tells the story of six survivors traveling in an armored vehicle, while trying to find a safe refuge, after a mysterious virus infects millions of humans. The infected people collapse into comas; when they wake up, three days later, they attack all the non-infected. After just a couple of weeks, some of the survivors discover that the Infected are mutating into something much worse than zombies. The main theme that is woven throughout the storyline is the violent transformation of humans into monsters.

“There were things in the garage, Sarge. Fucking monsters. Dark shapes that flitted around the cars, always just out of sight. Then we saw one…”

This novel made me think, “This is what happened to the rest of the world, while everyone was reading about what happened in the grocery store in “The Mist” by Stephen King.” I know I’m not the only one who has made this comparison; some other reviewers have even mentioned The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I understand why, but I think DiLouie goes into far more detail with his characters’ suffering than King or McCarthy. The story is told with third-person narration in the present tense; flashbacks provide the personal backgrounds of each of the six survivors. Their reasoning and motivation for their current behavior becomes quite understandable, after only a few chapters.

“They have all done the things one had to do to survive. They have all killed people or they would not be here.”

I usually try to imagine myself in the world that I am reading about, but I wanted no part of this setting. Living infected hordes are one thing, but DiLouie describes abominations that would rival HP Lovecraft’s leviathans. He goes to nightmarish extremes when pairing the brutal twists of the viral outbreak with the amorality of various people that the survivors encounter. Of course, even though I felt mentality assaulted by the end, I loved reading very moment of this traumatic horror novel.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Postal Service Never Had It So Bad

The Last Mailman: Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Zombies by Kevin J. Burke is not at all what I was expecting from the title. It is not about a man delivering mail between survivor outposts or anything like that. It’s about survivors trying to tie up loose ends, so they can move on with their new lives; sometimes they find peace, and other times they lose the last of their hope. Even though this is a zombie novel, it’s so much more than just a story about surviving in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s about the frailty of people, how they adapt to extraordinary situations, and what the “mailman” truly represents.

DJ is the mailman for New York, but it’s NY in name only. There are several outposts renamed after major cities, and they have worked out a trading system, using planes to move goods between them. Some places are doing better than others, even with the spirit of cooperation. Sporting a population of around 800 people, NY is far larger than the 200 to 300 folks in Atlanta (also, not the original Atlanta). However, the CDC is still at work in some form in Atlanta, and they say they have cure that they will share in exchange for some fertile women. There is so much concern about repopulating the earth that child-bearing women are in high demand. Some of the women are happy to help out, while others see it as a form of rape. DJ is asked to escort some women from NY on a plane to Atlanta, and return with the cure. After all, he is somewhat famous for his excursions into the “wild” to retrieve mementos of past lives, and find any living relatives of the other survivors. Usually, he returns with suicide notes. DJ had been looking forward to retiring from his post, and doesn’t agree with using the women as currency.

To make matters worse, the pilot dies in mid-flight on the way to Atlanta, and reanimated pilots do not know how to land a plane. DJ is forced into a leadership role because he is the only one who is used to being on the outside among the undead. Unfortunately, the zombies aren’t the only ones on the outside. When the others in DJ’s group realize what some people have had to do in order to keep living, the cure seems more likely to be false hope for a future. The array of characters was just amazing; I absolutely enjoyed the interactions between all the players, although some of their behavior was a bit frustrating at times.

Towards the end, when DJ’s best intentions have all gone horribly wrong, and there are uber-zombies to contend with (in addition to the traditional zombies), the remaining folks all seem to have gone crazy. I’m not sure if Burke was trying to be funny, but I laughed my ass off during several chapters. I think I should have felt bad that the characters had been pushed to the madness, but they way they embrace their lunacy was hilarious and kind of uplifting. I think it showed a warped resilience of the characters, which is probably why they lived through the initial zombie apocalypse.

I love how this book doesn’t conform to the existing formula for zombies. The story takes place years after the zombie apocalypse has wiped out most of society. Mankind exists in tiny pockets of people, essentially as individual countries smaller than the size of pre-apocalypse city populations. It goes into a completely different direction and forces the reader to think about what the new societies are willing to do to exist.

For some of the characters, the past is a link that helps them weather the obstacles of the present and work toward the promise of a future cure. For the others, desperation is the real disease that infects the living and threatens the very foundation of their survival. The key strength of the storyline is Burke’s creative construction of internal and external conflicts for his characters, at once humanizing them and drawing readers into their struggles.

I hope we see more of Burke’s work in the zombie genre.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Grand Finale [When They Came Trilogy]

When They Fell by Kody Boye is the third book in his alien invasion trilogy, which includes When They Came and When They Saw. The story begins where the second one left off, with Asha asking "Are you okay?" over and over and over. I can't even get into this installment without first emphasizing how much I looked forward to watching her die or get her tongue cut out, or something...anything to get her to shut the hell up. While Asha's skill with a rifle improved over time, her social skills did not.

Aliens have been raining hell on Earth for about seven years, with all manner of death and dismemberment, while survivors find themselves fighting each other as well as the invaders. Yet, Asha feels compelled to question the well-being of Ana Mia every five damn minutes. Her brilliant contribution to the war is to ask through out ALL THREE BOOKS, "Are you okay?" because, you know, she cares so much.

Not much has changed for Ana Mia. Not only does she have Dr. Phil for a girlfriend, but she is continually abused by the human survivors. They force her to use her special gift to lure the enemy into various traps, put her into life and death situations, and then accuse her of being a traitor because she used her gift. Damned if she does, damned if she doesn't. As if that isn't bad enough, Ana Mia is like a walking kiss of death, with her loved ones dying left and right.

Her alien contact, Grayson, appears to have his own agenda in this war, passing messages to Ana Mia about the alien Queen. Since she can't even trust her human companions, Ana Mia has given up on the idea of peace for either species. She has accepted her way of life will always be fighting, which is exactly what she does...right to the very end.

Anyone who is a fan of the TV series Falling Skies will appreciate the detail Kody Boye puts into the continued suffering of his characters. I'd love to see this trilogy optioned into a movie.

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I am such a huge fan of Kody Boye's writing style, I plan on reviewing another one of his book series in April.

As always,
AstraDaemon

When They Came, Book 2

***WARNING: May contain spoilers from Book One.***

When They Saw by Kody Boye continues to follow Ana Mia through her personal experiences after years of living in a post-apocalypse. While I enjoy the story of the conflict between humans and the Grays, I didn't enjoy this installment as much as the first. I found a few characters annoying to the point of distraction, but, in fairness to the author, Boye creates very believable human reactions. He also does a good job highlighting the daily struggle to maintain any kind of relationship when everyone is suffering from some form of PTSD (and the psychological trauma is very well-written).

I'm sick to death of Asha asking Ana Mia if she is okay. I think it's safe to say that Ana Mia isn't even in the same zip code as okay. I'm starting to feel like Asha is a drain on the main character, not a source of strength. After everything Ana Mia has been through, I am struggling to understand why she takes so much crap from Dubois...I nearly lost my mind over the punch to the face. At this point, I'd welcome the POV of anyone else...it's exhausting to be in Ana Mia's head.

With all that said, I'm excited to read the third book. I'm hoping the mystery behind the Reapers will be revealed. I'd like to know more about the different alien species, period. There is a fascinating sociological aspect to Boye's alien trilogy which drives the ongoing horror deeper into the mind.

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There's a dark part of me wanting Asha to get killed off. I think Mary-Anne would make a better companion for Ana Mia. Even with her revelation about her former illness, Mary-Anne just seems stronger in spirit than Asha. I loved the character in the first book, but I'm not seeing much emotional growth in Asha and I think that's what is eating at me.

I have to give Kody Boye extra credit for writing a character in such a way, the girl annoys me, even after I put the book down.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Six Years After That First Hour

A year ago, I interviewed author Kody Boye about his prequel short story, That First Hour, which terrifies readers with a brutal alien invasion. The trilogy itself takes place six years after meeting Jason Parks. Both science fiction and horror fans are certain to enjoy this series.

When They Came is the first book. Even after reading the prequel, I was caught off guard by the devastating way of life the survivors must now endure, several years after the initial Harvesting. Although he is only a supporting character, readers do find out what happened to Jason, as well as Henshaw.

The main character, Ana Mia, has decided to join the Midnight Guard, to protect Fort Hope. Unfortunately, she is injured while on duty and soon realizes the walls will no longer keep them safe. The invasion and harvesting is only the first stage...the dead appear to be the lucky ones.

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Kody Boye has created an unusual post-apocalypse soaked in bloody suspense and twisted into a dystopian mystery. With three known alien species and no explanation for their actions, readers can only guess what new hell awaits Ana and her loved ones. The survivors are a mix of civilians and military, as well as the Midnight Guard, scavengers and bandits, with everyone fighting for the scraps of civilization.

I can't wait to continue this series...

As always,
AstraDaemon

Huggins Will Rip Out Your Guts [Interview]

Beyond Isaiah by Paul S Huggins follows several survivors throughout a zombie outbreak in the United Kingdom. The POV switches are a great way to pull readers into the chaos and emphasize how an entire country is caught off guard by such a swift and devastating event. However, as the timeline progresses, this novel feel less like one continuous story and more like a collection of stories set in the same undead apocalypse. The characters do cross paths, so their individual experiences eventually merge, but the deeper connection between the survivors is lacking.

Don't misunderstand me, I enjoyed reading Beyond Isaiah...just don't expect to find any comfort in this story. Huggins takes his readers to the ground and rips their guts out...the way a horror author should.

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I managed to grab Huggins for a few minutes in the Lair...

Q. How big is the zombie genre in the UK? Do zombiephiles over the pond think they will fare better or worse than the United States?

The UK zombie genre seems to go in fits and starts, there was a major recurrence around 2004 to 2005 that coincided with Worldwide fascination. There was a bit of a dead patch (excuse the pun) but more recently there does seem to be a resurgence, in the last year or so.

Our saving grace in the UK is that we are an island, our downfall would be that we are quite overpopulated. On the plus side we have been fighting off attacks for many centuries, as such the mechanics for defense are already in place, a great many castles. I don’t think the central areas would fare very well, the midlands, London etc. But more remote places like Scotland and parts of Wales are quite remote with rocky terrain, these places would have pockets of survival zones I am sure. If it happened, I don’t think anywhere would fare any better or worse, every part of the globe would be decimated.

Q. Where did the idea for Beyond Isaiah come from?

I was a fan of both David Moody and Iain Mckinnon. Many years ago, I built up a great online relationship with and have subsequently met them on numerous occasions. They gave me the drive to be more proactive with my writing. I had always been a fan of the zombie genre since I first saw that wonderful film ‘Dawn of the Dead’ in the early eighties. It was merely imagining what it would be like here in the UK, as most of my inspiration came from US movies and books.

Q. Why did you choose the format with multiple POVs?

I put a little of myself in every character, I imagine how I would react and what I would say. It wasn’t something that I did on purpose, but it did seem to work out well and fitted over the long timescale. I think it injects a lot more empathy for each character, whether they are good or bad.

Q. What are some of the other horror genres you write about?

The supernatural always peaks my interest and I have written quite a few ‘Ghost’ stories over the years, I also like witchcraft, not surprising as I grew up in a village renowned for a famous case of it.

Q. What can readers expect from you in 2018?

I intend to be very busy. My entire back catalogue is currently being or has been produced for Audible. I’m writing quite a few short stories, I have a half-finished novel which adds witchcraft, ghosts and revenge as the main subjects, tentatively called ‘Past Life Aggression’. I have also been asked to write a zombie related novelette, thankfully I have the time, energy and ideas to keep me very active.

Big thanks to Paul S Huggins!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Throwback Thursday: UK Zombie

The Bitten Man by Edward Chilvers takes place in the UK, and is told from the POV of a father trying to find a safe place for his son. This piece of flash fiction is similar to The Road by Cormac McCarthy, but instead of fighting cannibals, they have to fight zombies…um, wait…same thing? Hmmm…

Chilvers manages to pack of variety of action within a few pages, as well as write an unexpected ending. Not to mention, throughout the story, the father does some questionable things that will no doubt shock many readers, but I respect how unconditionally the character puts his son’s safety first, above all others.

The Bitten Man is a juicy bite perfect for zombiephiles without much free time.

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You can always count on the zombie genre to find something else that is worse than death. Never underestimate the desperation of a loving parent. While this story was originally published a few years back, Walking Dead fans might find the situation all too familiar.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Running On Empty

Release by Alexandre J Wynne is a glimpse into the daily struggle of Ellen, trying to outrun a pack of wild dogs in  a post-apocalyptic world. She is alone after her father is killed by feral dogs, but she eventually finds a new travel companion. Unfortunately, the dogs are still tracking her down.

There isn't really an explanation of what happened to the world or how long ago everything fell apart, but the vagueness allows the reader's imagination to run wild. Ellen's isolation, both physically and emotionally, is absolutely depressing, but adds to the overall setting.

I just wish there had been something more to the story. Reading this is like scraping an empty can for one more bite.

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When I see how bad the violence is in my country, with laws and punishments in place, and how little impact the deterrents seem to have, I wonder just how savage people would become if society ceased to exist. I'm not even thinking of the obvious criminals...I'm thinking of the "well-behaved" people who might have a complete personality change if they thought they could get away from anything.

The Purge premise isn't quite what I have in mind either. Those who purge don't have to face any legal consequences, but they still have to face the people they know the next day. If life as you know it is completely over and there's no one left to answer to, how much do you think you would change in attitude alone?

As always,
AstraDaemon

Wanting More From Stories

Dark City Dark Night by Abe Evergreen is a fast-paced story about a man in a dystopian society trying to save a little girl from a deadly virus. Readers are only given a glimpse of his surroundings: an automated city, divided into sectors, populated by desperate and fearful people. Society has been ravaged by one virus strain after another and scientists are struggling to create new vaccines. Most people die from the various strains, but those who don't are extremely violent. Virtually nothing personal is revealed about the main character or his family. I would've like to find out why the man never wears a mask as everyone else does.

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I don't mind having unanswered questions about a story or a character. There's no rule stating readers need to know everything about a backstory. I think leaving the history of a setting unexplained helps keep the focus on the characters, and giving the characters secrets keeps us hooked in hopes we will find the answers we are seeking. Through this process, we are more likely to feel we experienced a story versus being told what happened.

As always,
AstraDaemon

UPDATE: This is the first story in a mini trilogy. Read my review of the second story here.

Motivated by the End of the World

Reserves by Jason Torfin is a post-apocalyptic tale told from a sheltered and bed-ridden young man. While not much physical action happens, the mystery of his father's vision, and the survival prepping that follows, is quite captivating. I wish there had been more interaction between the family members, but the lack of conversation emphasizes the isolation surrounding the narrator.

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The father in this story made me think of the father in the movie Take Shelter. Both had visions of a horrifying future event, but the character in the movie had limited financial means and everyone thought he was going crazy. However, both men are equally determined to save their families. One train of thought leads to another...

If we have a vision, suggesting the future has already been decided, what's the point of trying to change it? Greek mythology is full of people who try to change events, only to become the ones who cause the very thing they're trying to avoid. Is it possible to dream of an event that will take place, but with details which are yet to be determined?

As always,
AstraDaemon