The Day After Never - Blood Honor
I try to keep up with the most recent and best post-apocalyptic novels that come out each month. If not to read them, then to at least screen them for potential by reading the free blurb offered online. Usually I can tell whether a zombie novel is worth reading within the first few pages.
This seems to be even more important nowadays, because self-publishing has allowed every would-be author of apocalypse novels to put together a novel and have it published with little editing or oversight. So when I came across a promising zombie apocalypse series that came out back in 2016, I was a bit puzzled that I had missed it. Mainly, because it had so many reviews and had a very high review rating.
So if you are looking for a post-apocalypse zombie book series to lose yourself in for a while, then this series is for you, as it is entertaining and there are already 8 books available—and all are affordably priced by the author, and available in digital and hard formats.
The Day After Never - Blood Honor
Book Blurb:
They said it couldn't happen...
...the day would never come.
They were wrong.
The apocalypse was five years ago. Little has changed. There isn't any law, but there used to be. Back then, Lucas Shaw had been a Texas Ranger. Now he's just trying to survive.
In a kill-or-be-killed wasteland, death is always around.
Will today be his last?
When a young woman enters his life he must make an impossible decision: help her in a battle against an adversary who'll stop at nothing, or keep himself alive.
Which will he choose?
Top Reader’s Comments:
“This is the first book I have read by Russell Blake...and a week later I am already reading the third in the series! I cannot put these books down! And it's not just the fast pace, it's my yearning to to see these characters through their next experience, biting my fingernails with anticipation, hope and fear. Blake's characters are so well developed and endearing even, warts and all, that you can't help but wish you were literally on their journey, fighting alongside them.
Blake's depiction of the apocalypse is thought provoking, realistic and truly terrifying. Being a native Texan, it is painful to visualize cities and actual locations that I am familiar with when cast in this future...painful, yet frighteningly real and conceivable. The dark days he has painted depict the sad reality that we could face in this scenario as the worst of the worst seize control, however...granting the survival of his modern day cowboy with a heart of gold, a feisty old gal with more common sense and smarts than most and the naive and mysterious "damsel in distress", maybe there is hope...”
“I have read many of Russell Blake's books though not all. Therefore I cannot say with 100% certainty that this book contains the best writing he has ever done, but I'm leaning in that direction. The characters that he constructs are real and believable. Personally, I envy Blak's character development. I came away from the story feeling as though I have known the protagonist, Lucas, all of his life due to the strength of superior evolution of personalities. This is a new genera for Mr. Blake and he has handled it masterfully and with finesse.
The story takes place years after a sickness has devastated the population so severely that the entire nation has suffered a complete economic and social collapse. With no power to run manufacturing of basic products or processing of food stuffs survivors have turned to a system of trade. A trade where weapons and ammo are highly treasured and necessary to continue one's life. Texas Rangers are non-existing at this point, as is any other form of law enforcement. The cartel and criminal elements have taken control of virtually every nook and cranny of Texas and are exerting their evil power over all. All, that is, except a man named Lucas and a town named Loving.
While out looking for wild horses to round up Lucas happens upon the scene of a gun battle that has left many on both sides dead or dying. It was easy to tell the victims had been attacked by a nasty gang of miscreants known as the Raiders easily identifiable by their Mohawks. After collecting as many weapons and ammo his horse, Tango, could carry Lucas was startled to discover one of the victims unconscious but still alive. To his complete surprise the victim is a woman. So begins the story of good versus evil in a world where there is no more common decency and respect of humanity. Who is this mystery woman with the all seeing eye tattoo? Where did she come from? Why was she out in the middle of nowhere with these men wearing Army surplus? Will she live long enough for Lucas to get her to the outpost to receive medical help for her chest wound?
This is one of the best and most intriguing books of the dystopian genre that I have read. You will find Blake's Lucas character has a depth of soul the gives a haunting sadness to an epic story. This volume is only the beginning of what started out to be a trilogy but may have a fourth book added to complete the story. A little tantalizing tidbit from the author himself.”