In Zombie News I was very kindly sent a copy of James Phelan’s Alone by the Author. This is the first in his new series Chasers. Nothing I am about to tell you that you can’t find on the back of the novel.
The Australian protagonist Jesse is on a UN Youth Ambassadors camp in New York when his subway
carriage is rocked by an explosion. Jesse and his three friends, Anna, Dave and Mini, crawl out from the wreckage only to discover a city in chaos. Streets are deserted. Buildings are in ruins. Worse, the only other survivors seem to be infected with a virus that turns them into horrifying predators
It was a cracker to read, I particularly liked that these teenagers are savvy 21st century types who have grown up with a culture saturated with the post apocalyptic and how to survive it. At one point a character is asked how he knows this stuff, about "..fallback plans, especially once we leave here; more weapons, just in case.." to which his response is "Playstation, XBox'. This exchange sums up why this story works and so many other stories of the surviving the zombieapocalypse just annoy me. The protagonist doesn’t make a mistake, knows what to do and thinks things through logically for the horrific but not unforeseeable situation.
It’s a pacy little thriller I finished in one sitting which I think is a testimony to the author’s readability. My one complaint is that I have to wait until 'late 2010 to read the next book. Survivor.
Mate sorry to hear you got struck down by I-didn't-see-you-itis. Some road users are just prime arsewits yeah?
ReplyDeleteWow dude, so glad you're alright. Such are the perils when you live to ride. Glad it wasn't worse. :)
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.
Sorry to hear about the accident mate. Hope you're OK.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a cool read. I picked up one of his at the Lifeline Bookfest after having seen him post a few times over at the Burger, but it's just joined the immense pile of 'to-be-read's.
Barnes,
ReplyDeleteDid you identify the "person" that hit you? Are you sure that it wasn't a Terminator sent back by Skynet to thwart your crusade against the coming machine overlords?
If you don't have one already you need to get a dog as an early warning system. They will try again.
Cheers,
Rhino
P.S. Glad to hear that you made it relatively unscathed.
Also, I can't find any Jame's books on U.S. Amazon ... are they not available here?
ReplyDeleteI should probably address this to James.
R.
Dr Yobbo
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thought, I new there were arsewits on the road, just sorry the margin of error is so much smaller on a motorcycle.
Heidi
What I realise is while as a motorcyclist I ware good protective gear and still got damaged the same thing can happen to a person on a bicycle and the only thing they wear is a half helmet and lycra usually.
Timmo
Thanks for the thoughts, no doubt the book will works its way through you to read pile.
Rhino
by pure coincidence the truck that hit me was owned by a company which I recently prosecuted as part of my work. However since about 50% of the trucks on the road are operated by them or there subsidiaries I think I can rule out conspiracy.
Erm, yeah. I feel out of place posting in English but hey? Glad you survived if not wholly intact, hope full recovery is on the cards. I've dedicated a little Zombie Preparedness blog to your good advice and wise words.
ReplyDelete