Reaper's Run

Plague Wars Series, Book 1

By: David VanDyke

Narrated by: Artie Sievers

Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Book 1 of Plague Wars - listen to it or Book Zero, The Eden Plague, as your introduction to the best-selling apocalyptic military sci-fi thriller series.

When U.S. Marine Sergeant Jill Repeth's blown-off legs begin to regenerate, she thinks it's a medical miracle. But the breakthrough that's healing her war injuries is exactly what the government desperately wants to contain - by any means necessary. Hunted, she must cross an America wracked by strife, to try to find a family who may already be dead, searching for the inhuman secret of what started it all.

Reaper's Run is an origins story and apocalyptic novel, the beginning of one warrior's journey from tactical cop to freedom fighter and beyond. It leads the listener into the acclaimed Plague Wars military science fiction series.

©2013 David VanDyke (P)2014 David VanDyke

A book that fell a bit short

I wasn’t even thinking of the irony of my title until I started to write up my review. Reaper’s Run follows Jill — a Marine who has had her legs blown off while fighting for her country. Jill was quarantined on a cruise ship with other “Sickos” who they think had the Eden Plague. I won’t go into too much more detail so I don’t spoil the story — but the story follows her as she tries to figure out what life will be like now that the world has turned upside down.

Sometimes a book just falls a bit short and it’s really no one’s fault. Sometimes you hear about a series or you see a synopsis or cover on Amazon or Audible that just really catches your eye and the book isn’t what you were expecting. I try to go into books with as open of a mind as someone can — and I did that with Reaper’s Run. But it just wasn’t exactly the story for me.

The funny thing is that I liked the story, but I didn’t love it. That’s why I’m giving it three stars. It was a good story with a good plot and a seemingly enjoyable main character. She seems a little green and a little bit too caring (and forgiving) to be the typical bad-a “chick” fighter. I’m not sure if that was a choice by VanDyke or if that’s just how her character played out.

I’m a little intrigued to read the first book. I would love to hear a little bit more about the virus/plague and figure out how it was released and by whom, but I don’t know when I’ll get around to reading it.

The narration for Reaper’s Run was done by Artie Sievers who does a pretty good job. I’m not sure what the wood knocking noise was for (I assume it’s when an author puts in the ellipses or stars in a book to signify a change of character or time). But, it ended up being kind of distracting. A lot of times it would have been obvious that time had passed and the story was just moving on. But a few times I did think it was helpful as it was moving the story along at a quick pace. The only other knock that I’ll give Sievers is that there were basically three voices for characters: a normal everyday speaking voice, a slightly higher pitched voice for Jill, and then a hick-ish sounding voice for pretty much everyone else. It made it hard to pick out different characters. Overall, Sievers did a good enough job that I didn’t stop listening to the story, but there is room for improvement.

Overall, Reaper’s Run was a semi-enjoyable story. There were parts that I liked and some that I didn’t like. It’s the first take it or leave it story I’ve read in a while.

I can't finish this! Kill someone please!

I read the prequel to this book so I was very familiar with the premise. The prequel gives an excellent back ground about how the “cure” started. There is lots of action. A lot of bravery. Sometimes characters actually die *** spoiler *** People who have taken the cure cannot kill someone else. Logically at some point they will need someone willing to remove the threat to them. In both books the characters are in life and death situations and began ramblings about how to hurt not kill their attacker. The premise is good; it is just the “cured” got on my nerves.

If the person does not have any skill in combat before the cure, they will not be able to even incapacitate an attacker after they take the cure. Yes, there is that caveat that only if their life is threaten will they kill. So a threatening situation is presented. The cured will take a few seconds to determine if they can incapacitate their attacker. Should I kill you with the Humvee or just hurt you? When a cured does kill, they keep a roster of the people, figuratively. At some point they will have a personal dialogue about doing a penance; the cure plays with their morals. Next combative situation they are even more reluctant inflect violence to someone.

At a minimum a cured person must be able to disable an attacker. In the prequel and this book the main characters have military/combat/martial arts training. Their strategic ability allows them to create a campaign to successful spread the virus and protect themselves.

How many of your neighbors can defend themselves? So give them the cure and what?? They are physically health people who are unable to put some woop ass on someone who is threatening them. In any other apocalyptic situations, anyone with a gun, who feels threaten, will shoot. Even if they have to close their eyes. I am a person who ascribes to the principle, kill the opponent. That is one less person who is coming at your back to kill you.

I am going to do something totally out of character for me. I will read a book out of order. I could not finish this. Heck after the farm scene I was finished. The antihero, Skull, who was in the prequel is the central character in book 2. As of the ending in the prequel, Skull did not take the cure. From the description of book 2, it seems that Skull will be the one eradicating the threat to the cured. He will do some killing!! Following this character appeals to me.

If you can deal with that flaw for the cured, and the situations it puts them in, read this book. It would be really good. There is action, tense situations, government duplicity, and total destruction to the fabric of their society. A good apocalyptic novel

FYI. I gave the prequel a better rating. The central theme was dispensing the cure.

Looking forward to the next one!

What made the experience of listening to Reaper's Run the most enjoyable?

The writing and narration were excellent. The story was compelling and the main character believable

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't decide on a favorite scene. The book flowed well and the action was well paced. I was engrossed in the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have liked to listen to this in one sitting, but kept being interrupted.

Any additional comments?

I am looking forward to reading the next installment. I could kick myself for taking so long to listen to this one.

good

i am really enjoying the series. on to book 3 for me for now. l

Reapers Run

Very good storyline would. What would happen if one day you or I were on the rightside of tha law, then no fault of our own, the status quo abruptly changed? Now imprisoned seems to be too good for us. in short order all we grewi up believing in isn't anymore and we are societies created a fear. What would happen?

A techno thriller worthy of your time and miine... just to answer some fears ... What would happen?

Damn! What a Great Story!

The story got intense enough in a couple spots that I had to put it down to let my pounding heart stay in my chest! I can't wait to read/listen to Book 2. Too bad about Python but it was a good end.

This story better than the first one.

I'm not a fan of dystopian future books. But I like this story. The characters seem relatable

Doesn't stand alone

I'm glad she survived the cruise ship. I'm glad her legs have regenerated. I'm sad that she can't be the bad-a$$ Marine she once was since the Plague kills violent urges. Our girl teams up with a gang banger and cures him. This book ends on a cliffhanger with them separated in Mexico.

I'm not sure where this scenario can go. Uncured people kill all the cured? Cured people give the cure to the rest against their will? That cure is something else-- a kiss will deliver it, and it works immediately.

I will read Book 2 to see where this is leading, but I am holding reservations.

enjoyed

Would have preferred female reader as main character is female - volume kept fading slightly in and out and was distracting

It was all right.

It was fine, enjoyed it , but wouldn't read it again. Hate being forced to wrote a review.

Great series

100% worth it, I listened to the stellar conquest series first and it's great to go back in time and hear the back stories of the characters

Was unsure as no ratings

I'm hooked buying next one now, addicted to Audible buying 18 books a month returning a fair few but this is a keeper.

Potential

Narrator was a bit light weight and some parts were predictable but I would buy the rest of the series.