Extinction Shadow

Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1

By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

They thought they survived the extinction cycle, but a powerful evil lurks in the shadows...Now old and new heroes join forces to save what’s left of the world in this thrilling sci-fi audio adventure. 

Eight years ago, an engineered virus ravaged the globe, infecting and transforming humans into apex predators called Variants. Billions died, civilization collapsed, and the human race teetered on the brink of extinction. Nations banded together and heroes rose up to fight these abominations. On the front lines, Captain Reed Beckham and Master Sergeant Joe "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of Delta Force Team Ghost fought against the Variant hordes. With the aid of CDC Doctor Kate Lovato, they helped lead humanity to victory.

Now, almost a decade after the end of the war, civilization has slowly clawed toward recovery. In the Allied States of America, survivors live in outposts where they have rebuilt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. The remaining Variants are believed to be dying off under destroyed cities and the abandoned frontier. But evil and intelligent forces dwell in the shadows with the starving beasts, scheming to restart the extinction cycle and end humanity forever. And once again, Beckham, Fitz, and Kate will rise to fight them, along with new heroes to try and save what remains of the world.

R. C. Bray brings to life the beloved characters of this series and expertly depicts their turmoil and struggle for survival.

Note: This new season is a self-contained storyline. Listeners do not have to hear the first seven books of the Extinction Cycle to jump into book one of Extinction Cycle: Dark Age. For returning listeners, this audiobook takes place after book seven, Extinction War. 

©2019 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2019 Blue Heron Audio

Highly, Highly Recommend!!

The Extinction Cycle is one of my all time favourite series, so needless to say, I was beyond excited when the author announced a new book was coming out!!

This takes place about 8 years after the ending of Extinction War, and while this can be read as a stand alone series, I'd advise everyone to read the Extinction Cycle books first in order to fully realise the depth of the story and the characters.

The Allied States (formally the United States) has been slowly rebuilding itself and safe zones have been built. Life has been mostly quite for the survivours, with only some Variant attacks. But some of the outposts have gone dark and Team Ghost have been sent to investigate. What they find will call not only Beckham and Horn back from retirement, but also Kate. The Variants have adapted and the peace they have known is about to be shattered.

The plot of this was just as fast and nerve racking as the rest in the series. It never lets up and my heart was in my mouth so many times. The Variant threat has evolved and they are just as deadly as before. Kate is sent samples of things Team Ghost find and it's up to her to see exactly what they are facing. I'm being intentionally vague because I could easily ruin the plot!! The science was well written and easy enough to understand! I'd be the muggle of a science community so I'm glad I was able to understand a lot of it. The action is brutal, fast paced and intense. I found it hard to put the book down and kept thinking of it even when I wasn't reading it.

I haven't read Anthony J. Melchiorri before (even though I have all his books!!) but the writing and characters here were seamless. It didn't feel like two different writers wrote this!! I've said it before about Nicholas Sansbury Smith though and I'll keep saying it... he writes exceptional characters. Seeing Beckham, Horn, Kate and Fitz again made my heart happy. Seeing the kids all grown up was amazing too as was seeing Dohi, Rico and the rest of Team Ghost. Of course, each character is put through the wringer, as was my heart!!

This book was amazing and I hope we get a good few more!! I urge all fans of the extinction cycle books to pick it up. But I also urge anyone who enjoys a non stop, action packed read to pick it up. This is a worthy edition to an amazing series and I'm more than ready for the next one.

Highly, highly recommend!!

R.C Bray is without a doubt, one of the best in the business. He brought this book to life and made it effortless to listen to. His performance was flawless and if you haven't listened to him yet, then you're missing out.

Holy sh**t

Extinction Cycle Season 2 is a game changer for me. I liked Season 1 well enough (it was not Hell Divers or Trackers) but season two has hit the ground running. I was instantly hooked. I had a hard time putting this one down. There is so much to say so I’ll make it simple. This book is awesome and I am eagerly awaiting fbook 2. Full credit to all three who made this amazing. Nicolas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri, and R. C. Bray you have created something so special it rivals Hell Divers.

A new adrenaline rush with old friends!

Wow! First, it was so nice to hear from old friends. Over the years I've gotten quite invested in the characters. Like all of the readers I'm sure. To find them again, in this story line, 8 years later was a gift. the heart pounding action, start early and stays strong through the end. again, I find myself gasping out loud and shouting "No!" out of concern and exhilaration. What a ride. Book two can't come out soon enough! I can't wait to see where the rider takes us.

Best Book Yet - truly incredible

After Smith's Hell Diver series, I didn't think that could be topped. (speaking from the order in which I listened) Then, to push the shelf-life of any sort of EOTW saga, I stand corrected. Smith (and Melchiorri) and RC Bray team up again to absolutely blow us away. I didn't read/listen to the first part of the Extinction series, and I was a little skeptical if this series would make sense or stand on it's own... so I can truly attest it's ability to stand all on its own merits... and the merits are plenty. I'm absolutely hooked... and now I'm looking forward to listening to the first part of the series then start this one all over again. RC Bray, as always, was also on the top of his game... bringing the story truly to life. Bray performs, not just reads, and the lengths he goes to act-out the scenes, is genuinely a joy. Great job RC. If you're a sci-fi and/or Zombie Apocalypse type... do yourself a favor and dive into this series.

Here we go again.

Best series of its kind so stoked it started up again , great book 1 this is going to be another glorious ride with no seat belt insight .

Awesome addition to the Extinction Cycle Sage

For someone who was extremely disappointed to say goodbye to some of my favorite characters in a series, I was ecstatic to find out that Nicholas Sansbury Smith had paired up with Anthony Melchiorri to take us back into the world of Variants in a new thread of the story. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read the original series, you can still start off with this one. But I recommend taking the time to read the others first. It will give you a better understanding of the story and the characters.

Well done gentlemen and thank you for bringing these characters back into our lives. And well done to RC Bray for taking the helm as the Audible narrator.

Welcome back!!

Another amazing book by NSS! I love that he teamed with AJM and brought a new depth to the Ecycle story line. You get to enjoy all you favorite characters while getting to know new ones. You will absolutely love this book. I know I did. I also very much enjoy RC Bray's take on the characters!

more of the same with better performance

these books are an excellent story. The first set were performed by Bronson Pinchot and while I have nothing against him as a person he is abysmal at portraying characters in this type of story. alternatively RC Bray could read the dictionary and I would listen to it from the first A to the last Z. I have enjoyed all of these stories but I've struggled to listen to The First the cause of Bronson Pinchot. I wish so badly that RC Bray has performed all of them as it would be a completely different memory for me.

Extinction Shadow

Several years after the humans thought they got the upper hand on the variants and are starting to rebuild; team Ghost is back on the job to flush out and kill improved variants, while Kate works her magic in the lab to try and figure out ways to keep the humans safe and help rid the world of the monsters she helped create.

If I say this book is full of action that would be a understatement. The suspense is so tense even the frostiest of warriors will find themselves holding their breath. If you are lucky enough to get the audio narrated by R.C. Bray than you are in for a treat as Mr. Bray is so awesome capturing the right tone and emotion of each character, not to mention the world around and making you feel as if you are a part of the story, part of team Ghost. This is a wonderful book and I can't wait for more from all three of these wonderful guys.

amazing

what an awesome book, the writing and reading were amazing. truly cant wait to see what happens next.

excellent listen

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who likes post apocalyptic / end of the world books.

A good yarn, very well read

I haven't listened to the first series and it looks like I'm going to have to. It was fast paced and it felt sometimes, that I wanted to come up for air. As usual, R.C.Bray was brilliant with his oration, and added so much depth to the story.

a wonderful return to the extinction cycle saga

Nicholas Sainsbury Smith knocks it out of the park with the fantastic return to the extinction cycle universe
and R C Bray again is a fantastic reader

Brilliant follow on

Team Ghost and Beckham back in a top form story!
Back with action and suspense that made the original series what it is!

great book

need the next book FAST have to find out how behind the attacks great stuff

Great story

It was great to have the characters back. The storyline was good and certainly enhanced by RC Bray's narration. I'm starting part 2 now.

New Saga New Thrill

Continuity is spot on. story moves at the right pave at the tight time. Great.

Great follow on from the last series!!!

love the story continues, great way to leave you wanting the next book cant wait !!!!

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Enjoyable once you get into it.

I found it slow at the beginning but quite enjoyable once I got into it.