Emergence

An Extinction Cycle Story (The Redemption Series, Book 1)

By: AJ Sikes

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Most will run, but the brave will fight....

A deadly virus is sweeping through America's cities, pitting the worst humanity has to offer against its best warriors and scientists in a race against extinction. The virus doesn't just kill - it transforms and creates monsters of men and women called Variants.

New York firefighter Meg Pratt is among those trapped in New York City. Together with her fellow rescue workers and the scattered elements of America's frontline military fighters, Meg fights to survive and hope to save civilians from the coming apocalypse.   

Across the city, Marine Corps washout Jed Welch is on his own path to survival, and it intersects with Meg and her ragtag group of survivors. If they are lucky, they will see the help they need emerge from within, just as everything around them is coming to an end.

©2019 AJ Sikes (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Meg!!

I loved Meg Pratt when she was first introduced in Nicholas Sansbury Smiths' Extinction Cycle so was delighted to see this being republished so that everyone can read it. This focuses on Meg before she is left for dead and before she meets Team Ghost. Meg was one brave and selfless firefighter and I'm so glad that AJ Sikes was able to capture that essence as well. From the first moment we meet Meg, she is only worried about saving others, including her husband. But her husband becomes infected and she watches him kill a police officer. Her whole world is turned upside down and all Meg can think is to get to her station house and see how she can help. But the engines are all out and only 2 others are there. Their only way to survive is to fortify the station and hope for the best. But with Variants everywhere and survivours beating at the door, it will take everything Meg has to survive. This also tells the story of Jed and how he came to meet Meg. While I already loved Meg before starting this, I didn't like Jed at all. Even upon finishing this, I'm still not 100% sure if I like him. I feel like he is only out for himself. In all, this was a fast paced and exciting read. I'm so glad we got to read Meg's story and that the author was able to keep up with the excellence that is Smiths' Extinction Cycle. The battle scenes are intense, the monsters just as scary and the characters just as believable and fleshed out as they are in the original series. I'm excited to see where the author takes the story. Bronson Pinchot is truly an amazing narrator. The sheer amount of tones and voices he uses astounds me at times. He also puts emotion behind the words which brings the action to life. I love his narration and highly recommend him.

the woman protagonist should grow a pair

what the heck id swear the writer never read any other book in the series. I'm all for main female characters taking the lead but geeze let them grow a pair. I was growling about her actions thru the whole book. oh my poor husband is turning oh my friend is turning stares in shock some more oh my friend is killing people stare in shock some more.

Another side to the plotline

The story follows the very first day of the virus outbreak and the battles fought across New York city. It introduces new new and old chacthers that had an effect on the main story of the series written by Nicholas Sunsbury Smith. The story glossed over minor details like time for how long past between major events and there was the little things like how chacthers where over biased of something with no internal dialog for those chacthers thought process. Then there was chacthers who said they where from outer states but there they had a suttle lack of accents to them.

Great read

Adrian Sikes has taken a great series of books, added his own flavor. He has taken people that where in the background of Nicholas story and have them their own time to shine. I’m not usually one that likes add on or spin off books by another author, but I will say Mr. Sikes did not disappoint he has left me wanting more with each of these books. If you are a fan of “end of the world” action books I would highly recommend this series. Great work and can’t wait to experience more of your work.

A must read!

If you have not read any of the extinction cycle books you should block out your schedule and start listening to them. I could not put this book down!

Nothing scarier than smart zombies

This story moves fast. And these zombies aren’t your easily killed variety. And they take on nasty features. Didn’t like that almost nobody makes it, but an interesting read.

Great start!

Really enjoyed the first in this series set in the Extinction Cycle universe. Meg is one of my favorite characters and learning more about her challenges and fight brought one of my favorite series back to life again. Bronson does an excellent job with the narration. Loved this one!

Extinction Cycle Universe

If you've enjoyed the Extinction Cycle or Extinction Cycle Dark Ages you'll like this trilogy. In book 1 you'll learn more about Meg and her story. It really helps develop her character and introduces Jed nicely. You don't necessarily have had to listen to the other series to enjoy this one. If you like the genre you'll like this.

Too many Extinction Cycle books this one is Golden

As I said some of these ECS really suck, I give them three chapters and I know if I like the characters, plot, place and all the other stuff. I do enjoy Zombie stories as long as they are creative and fresh. Tough job to do in such a crowded genre. Really no need to detail the plot, All was good till that one day, then the search for supplies, shelter and protection. This book is written well I will consume all three.

narration

it pains me to listen to the narrated parts of the story to be in gang slang.

fairly good crossover

Good back story with Meg, she is a good character in the main series and was a good telling of how she came across team ghost in new year. not keen on the jeb character, seems very whinny and always complaining about his military experience very well narrated as ever. not sure if ill continue with it or not as jeb seem to feature heavily in the next 2 books good story but fir the EC Fans!!

A good cross over book

Nice crossover book from the extinction cycle series and an enjoyable 5 hours. If you are a fan of original then this is worth a listen.