Extinction Edge

Extinction Cycle, Book 2

By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

A bioweapon designed to save the world...

A scientific discovery that will alter human history...

And a new threat that will bring humanity to the Edge of Exctinction.

The dust from Dr. Kate Lovato's bioweapon has settled. Projections put death counts in the billions. Her weapon was supposed to be the endgame, but it turned a small percentage of those infected with the Hemorrhage Virus into something even worse.

Survivors call them Variants. Irreversible epigenetic changes have transformed them into predators unlike any the human race has ever seen. And they are evolving.

With the doomsday clock ticking, the fractured military plans Operation Liberty - a desperate mission designed to take back the cities and destroy the Variant threat. Master Sergeant Reed Beckham agrees to lead a strike team into New York City, but first he must return to Fort Bragg to search for the only family he has left.

At Plum Island, Kate discovers Central Command may have considerably underestimated the Variant population in New York. As Operation Liberty draws closer, Kate warns Beckham that Team Ghost won't just face their deadliest adversary yet - they may be heading into a trap.

©2015 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Nicholas S Smith continues his exciting series

Nicholas Sansbury Smith continues his exciting series with this second book, Extinction Edge. At the close of Extinction Horizon, we are told there is a cure or rather that Dr. Lovato has created a “larger monster.” We expect things to go much better on Plum Island and the rebuilding of civilization can begin. Uh, no!

Lovato sets the “larger monster” loose in the U.S. killing off most of the variants – all but about 10% … of over 300 million people – that leaves close to 30 million variants NOT dead. Beckham, Horn and others are charged with going into New York and laying claim to the city by eradicating the remaining variants … 2000 or 3000 supposedly.

As is usually the case, the military has underestimated the number of variants and the bigwigs are broadcasting and strategizing with the wrong intel. Lovato knows better – she tries to correct the military’s error but is ignored. Not only are the numbers wrong but the variants are smarter! They communicate, they fight united and they strategize!

Beckham, Horn and now Lovato are fighting for their lives. The human race is quickly moving towards true extinction. It seems no one can win against the new and improved variants.

And if this is not scary enough for you – imagine the dark murky depths of the sewers and large coccoons of spider-like webbing holding what few survivors there are in New York … The description of this was horrifying!

Smith does an excellent job of continuing the story plot and keeping the actors growing. Lovato and Beckham are dancing around a romance but it is far from the true focus of this story – no, its the flesh ripping, terrifying variants!

I keep wondering what more can Smith dish out in the way of horror but it seems he knows no bounds! Read his series if you are a true lover of horror, apocalyptic worlds far scarier than zombies and gore!

Smith remains true to horror fans and delivers! Smith is definitely an author to keep an eye on … he only gets better with each book. I recommend this book as a must read.

The narrator, Bronson Pinchot, performs excellently! His voices are consistent and his pronunciation is clear. His transition from one character to another is clear and smooth.

Blackstone productions did an excellent job of producing this audiobook!

Audiobook provided for for review by the publisher.

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More please!

I have been called an aficionado in the zombie genre for the sheer number of books I've read and reviewed, and now written. The one thing many will here me say over and over again is that I prefer a traditional zombie. Mutations, aliens, and a strong sci-fi theme has never been my thing.

So I really have to hand it to Smith for taking me well out of my comfort zone and earning my five stars.

Smith's zombies are terrifying. Multifaceted genetic mutations crafted by the callus hand of man where the only thing you can count on with these abominations is that you have no idea what they'll do next. Smith continues to up the ante with his second book in his bestselling Extinction series and I'm left hungry for more.

A successful z-book for me must have ample gore, and Smith doesn't disappoint. Buy this book. Tell your friends to buy this book. For those who say zombies aren't trending anymore, i dare you to read this series and reevaluate that statement.

And now, to nag the author on social media to write faster!

Greeat Sci-Fi!!

Just a reminder to listeners: The Extinction Cycle is serialized so that the books must be read in sequence in order for the story to be understandable.

This series seems to appeal to people who like zombie books and movies, but the bad guys here are variants rather than zombies. I hate zombi books, but love this series.

It's getting exciting!

I love this author's take on the whole zombie apocalypse genre. Character development has been great despite the fact the little is provided about the characters. They are all so likable. Fitz is absolutely my favorite. The book leaves you with a BIG cliffhanger, so make sure you already have Book 3 in your queue!

I'm now on to #3, and I know that Book 4 cannot come soon enough.

Non stop.

So, after the events of the first book, Dr Kate Lovato has succeeded in creating a.... cure, of sorts. It killed billions of the infected but not all. What is left seem to be evolving rapidly and are harder to kill. Beckham and Team Ghost are tasked with going into New York and taking back the city from the remaining Variants. They are told there should only be a few thousand left but they don't realise the extent of the survivours till it's too late. They also don't know that the surviving Variants are quicker, smarter and can communicate. How do Team Ghost handle themselves when they are the hunted?

So book 2 picks up after book 1. Kate has created an antidote but is afraid that she might just have created something worse. The projected number of human survivours is going down everyday, with the human race becoming extinct in a matter of weeks, so she knows she has no choice. She also finds herself caring more and more for a certain Master Sergeant.

Beckham meanwhile, is putting his like on the line again, and with the wrong Intel this time it might just be his last. He goes into New York only to find that the Variants numbers were massively underestimated and that they are different. The cure has turned them into elite killing machines. I felt like Beckham just keeps getting better. He is so much more than a soldier. He is willing to do what is needed to save any other human. While he is terrified, he is the best at his job so can compartmentalise a lot of his feelings. I loved how he is constantly thinking of his brothers in arms first and putting them first. It's what a leader should do!

This edition was even more scary and frightening than the first!! Seeing the variants develop to be more cunning, smarter and even communicate was equal parts terrifying as it was fascinating. This author really knows how to write!!! He created scenes that were memorable and ones that will make me have nightmares for days :) He has created a dark, desolate and bleak world, but it's one I don't want to leave. The characters are amazing and have captured my heart and the plot is pulse poundingly spectacular. It is a story that is evolving into something epic!! Bring on book 3.

Again, Bronson Pinchot was astounding. He really brings the action and tension to life and made me want to keep listening, even when I was falling asleep from the tiredness. He was clear and has a crisp voice. He gave each character their own personality and captured their essence perfectly. Brilliantly written and brilliantly read!!

Good

It was good, but the use of 'pucker' and 'bulging lips' gets repetitive. But that's my only real negative about it. I liked it.

Extinction Cycle

Any additional comments?

The Extinction Cycle series is read by Bronson Pinchot, and consists of at least four novels. This review addresses only the first two. In the area of ten hours each, the stories address the the extinction of the human race. The plot, characters, and story moves seamlessly from novel one through novel two; I cannot speak to the other books in the series. The fundamental premise surrounds the accidental creation of a bio-weapon intended to produce ‘super’ soldiers. An oops that mixes the virulence of the ‘super’ soldier chemicals and the Ebola virus is the cocktail that turns humans into monsters … or zombies. Swollen eel-like-sucker-lips, clicking joints, yellow eyes with slits for pupils …. familiar description? Within a week or two billions across the world die. No secrets given, you’ll figure this out very early in book one.

Personally, I’ve a problem with a virus traveling so fast, especially one that is not air-borne. There is little, if any, mention of fundamental supplies, i.e., food, medicine, gasoline, etc., in addition to characters devoted to this issue. How exactly people can survive without basic necessities isn’t a factor, nor is it mentioned. The books are focused on military efforts, a few type A Delta Force dudes, and a young female scientist. Suspending belief, however, is a requirement in order to enjoy science fiction. So … suspend.

I don’t plan on finishing the series, in that fundamental survival issues, given the scenario, aren’t addressed. The narrator’s interpretation of the female scientist brings forth a frightened teenager instead of an educated, intelligent woman who is saving the world. She’s whiny and valley-girly. The zombie-monsters are one dimensional, the description like any made-for-TV creature-feature zombie, the soldiers stereotypical. Audible’s Daily Deal was motivation for book one, giving the author benefit of the doubt, book two. I’m not motivated enough to continue.

If you’re a die-hard SciFi and apocalypse or zombie fan, you’ll find something to enjoy. Extinction Cycle is getting good reviews, ergo I’m probably nuts to have a ‘meh’ opinion. The author is pretty conscientious with regard to blood, guts, puke, making things scary … I guess.

Junk food novel;Tasty but no depth and frustrating

This is an exciting book. I'll give him that. I call it junk food book, because its definitely not a Pulitzer or something like that, but its exciting, and I keep buying the next one even though I am trying to conserve credits. I've got some gripes about the book and since I have no one to talk about this book with, I'll throw them out here. t's like watching a Transformer's movie- or other Michael Bay movie. The acting sucks, the plot is non-existent, and there's not much depth, but its still a great time that keeps you engaged and rooting for the good guys. A lot of fun to listen to. So like I said, junk food.

It is very formulaic. Some area needs to be entered. It all goes well for a while. Then they are attacked by hordes and hordes of variants. And some minor character will die. The word "gore" will be used 30 times; Usually 5-15 guys will go in. They will fail at their mission. between 20-90% of the people will die. They will save 1-6 civilians. They will consider that a great victory with a heroic rescue. Cheers all around. Stupid. You lost 60% of the (fighting!) men to save 3 people.

I have some other gripes to. Doctor Ellis' accent suddenly changed this book from the previous two. He sounds like a dimwit, its annoying. I guess it fits better though. The change was weird though. I imagine Kate as the sexy doctor, but the narrators voice for her is very, very wimpy and too masculine (though the latter can't be helped). It takes away the sex appeal.

These guys are stupid. You just want to shout at them, "Be clever, just this once" When attacked by mobs of bad guys and they have a tank or bunker, they never seem to realize they can just hide inside. And don't walk into a building that's "too quiet", if you have ever seen a horror movie, its so predictable what happens next. And they just don't seem to learn. Hmmmm...I wonder what will happen if I just walk into this bunker full of supplies where everyone disappeared. I wonder whats on this boat that no one seems to respond. Some books make you like the main character because he is clever and comes up with a great way to achieve something that even the reader didn't think about and it gets you going. These characters can't see the obvious 90% of the time. It never occurred to the highest military leader- effectively a 5 star general- that the variants might be underground? How the hell?

Next, the variants are too strong. The rest makes sense at least remotely (more on that in a second). But a shot through the chest would still kill them. They would bleed out and have no heart. They feel no pain. They smash their heads against thick glass and it doesn't knock them out, let alone phase them, however we are constantly reminded that only head shots kill them, so they are using their brains. They are burning calories at incredible rates, but don't starve to death when they have nothing to eat for a month. There are finally hints of starvation in this book. And many more things. I could go on and on on this topic. I'm waiting for the next book when they evolve lasers out of their eyes, and farts that propel them like rockets.

With all the weapons the military can bring to bear, where are they? They use a grenade once or twice. Maybe I'm basing my view on video games, but where the hell are the explosives. Mobs of bad guys= grenades, or grenade launcher attached to the rifle, or whatever. Where are the drones. They walk right by a tank and don't use it. I would be in that tank all day. Flamethrowers? Don't those still exist?

And then there's the military brass. We all hate them, but some of them are just a little too evil to be realistic. Corporal what's-his-name is facing near extinction of the human race, and still sees this as an opportunity to let everyone die but the Americans (our enemies); so he finally achieves his objective, even though a full 95% percent of all the people and probably animals on the planet are dead. How the hell would letting Europe die benefit us- there's nothing left. No one will be a threat to anyone for generations. And hes just so evil. Ugh, I want to punch him.

Now lets talk about the science. I have to as I am an MD and biochemist by trade- The author did a good job of making things semi-plausible. But obviously, some of it is pretty far out there. I could go on and on about how nearly every concept he has is actually impossible or doesn't make sense if you even know a little of the science, but there has to be a certain degree of "suspending our disbelief" as my old drama professor used to say. I started to list all the factual impossibilities, but then reminded myself of the above. He did a pretty good job of keeping things semi-legit and seems to know at least more than most people about Biotech. Well researched. Frustrates the hell out of me given my profession and the fact that its so far fetched.

So lots of gripes, which keeps this a 3 or 4 star book. It is still worth the listen however. I

Solid Follow up

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and this one didn't disappoint. The story moves forward and their is a lot of action. The author does a good job of providing good visualization of the battles. If you like military based Zombie books you will enjoy this series.

Great, exciting read

This book was amazing. The storyline is intense. I feel like I am at the movies, thanks to the narrator who does a brilliant read. I can't wait for book number 3.

Great

This marks the 9th book I've read from the author and I've. Loved them all my only concern was the reader of these books but he seems to have improved greatly

Gripping.

building momentum now... hooked. great listen. ❤ Moving swiftly on and excited about whats to come.

Cracking sequel

The first several chapters of book one I was a little put off by the narrator but after that he got alot better. In this book I thought the narration was top notch. I actually quite liked how the narrator at times drew me in as he went quieter in the moments leading up to the tense moments.

I thought the story was pretty good and a great follow up to the the first book in the series. If you like the Arisen series I would recommend you give this one a try.

I have the third book ready to go and I'm eager to see where the plot goes next :-)

not too bad..

In book 1 I found the narrator to be a bit of a weak link. In book 2 he has improved but still lacks that range of expression required for such a story. The story itself is fast paced if a tad predictable, but still worth the listen. Im looking forward to book 3 as this one finishes on a bit of a cliff hanger.