The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set, Books 4–6

By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 32 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Extinction Evolution

Central Command is gone, the military is fractured, and the surviving members of Team Ghost, led by Master Sergeant Reed Beckham, have been pushed to the breaking point. While the strong return to the battlefield, the wounded are forced to stay behind on Plum Island and fight their inner demons.

Betrayed by the country they swore to defend and surrounded by enemies on all sides, Team Ghost has one mission left: protect Dr. Kate Lovato and Dr. Pat Ellis while they develop a weapon to defeat the Variants once and for all. But after a grisly discovery in Atlanta, Kate and Ellis realize their weapon might not be able to stop the evolution of the monsters.

Joined by unexpected allies and facing a new threat none of them saw coming, the survivors are running out of time to save the human race from extinction.

Extinction End

Almost seven weeks have passed since the Hemorrhage Virus ravaged the world. The remnants of the United States military have regrouped and relocated Central Command to the George Washington Carrier Strike Group. It's here, in the North Atlantic, that President Jan Ringgold and Vice President George Johnson prepare to deploy a new bioweapon and embark on the final mission to take back the country from the Variants.

With his home gone and his friends kidnapped, Master Sergeant Reed Beckham and his remaining men must take drastic measures to save what's left of the human race. But not everyone at Central Command has the same plan for victory. As the Variants continue to evolve, only a handful of heroes stand between the creatures and mankind's total extinction.

One way or another, the battle for the United States of America ends here.

Extinction Aftermath

Newly christened as the leader of Delta Force Team Ghost, Master Sergeant Joe Fitzpatrick arrives in Normandy over 70 years after Allied Forces joined the fight against the Nazis. The war to free survivors and eradicate pockets of adult Variants and their offspring is underway by the European Unified Forces. But as the troops push east, rumors of a new type of monster spread through the ranks. Fitz and his new team quickly realize that the fight for Europe might be harder than anyone ever imagined.

Back in the States, Captain Reed Beckham and Dr. Kate Lovato are settling into a new life on Plum Island. Across the United States, the adult Variants have all been wiped out, and the juveniles are on the run. But survivors soon realize there are other monsters at home, and they may be human.

As the doomsday clock ticks down and military bases fall across the country, the human race enters the age of extinction. Will science prevail - or will mankind vanish off the face of the planet?

©2015 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

this entire 6 book series is off the chain

I highly recommend reading every one of these books they have all proven to be extremely extremely entertaining. One of the things I love most about these books is that it keeps the same characters throughout the entire series with some minor changes here and there adding some characters and characters die off excetera but for the most part the story revolves around Captain Beckham and Team Ghost.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

The excitement continues!

What made the experience of listening to The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set, Books 4–6 the most enjoyable?

The story, action, research and performance all add up to a vivid, gripping experience.

What other book might you compare The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set, Books 4–6 to and why?

The Tide series, same, same great action.

What about Bronson Pinchot’s performance did you like?

Brings the characters and world alive, heightens the suspense.

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

I wish I could have.

Any additional comments?

The kick-ass narration once again elevates this dynamic combo of military action, science fiction and post-apocalyptic mayhem. Keeps deepening the characters and scope of the series. Still my fave series of this ilk. Looking forward to more!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Couldn’t even finish

I loved the series, but the narrator has become so annoying. I couldn’t even finish this book and will not be buying any more of the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This series grabbed me and has not let me go

Great twist with book six, love it can’t wait to read all your books, on to trackers

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Outstanding continuation from the first omnibus!

This review was split up for Amazon.com, so here are the reviews broken down by book (4-6):

EVOLUTION:

*** WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS *** And I am back to the fantastic Extinction Cycle series with book four. This series has truly evolved into a highly unique entry in my audiobook collection. With Kate and Ellis working on a new way to kill the variants, Team Ghost and the newly introduced Variant Hunters (VH) group discover horrifying news which, as the title implies, involves evolution of the variants.

This book had me hooked from beginning to end. Per the norm, we have the ever-present collection of “clicking joints” associated with the variants, a noise I can hear every time I hear Bronson Pinchot describe it in the book. The way Nick describes the variants in these books continues to develop a very detailed picture in my mind of just how these creatures look and behave.

As mentioned in my other reviews, the human condition, and its various forms, are very well depicted in this story. Watching as some of the survivors start to take sides (not something I would have imagined but it lent itself to a plot twist I wasn’t ready for) and introduces a new challenge to Ghost and the VH. Watching as survivors with a lower drive towards helping their fellow man are driven to support variants showcases the various levels of emotional strength present in human kind. With the human species estimated at around 1 million people, some survivors begin hedging their bets.

In this book, we are introduced to the White King and the Bone Collector, two Super-Alphas which produce a whole new dynamic in the evolution of the variants. What should humanity do when the variants begin to exhibit human-like characteristics from their previous, non-infected, selves?

Nick clearly did his research on tactics used throughout the book for the various personnel assigned to the variants fighting teams. It is great to see the drive behind the team members aboard the GW strike group and the folks at Plum Island (for as long as it lasted).

This was another gripping entry in the EC series and one I can wholeheartedly recommend. Nick does not disappoint with this entry and if I was forced to identify even a remotely possible negative, it might be the extremely rapid evolution of the creatures, but then again this is Sci-Fi so psssh to that. This book is awesome. Start with book one and you won’t be able to stop! Now on to “The end”

END

WOW! Where to start on this entry in the series. This was perhaps one of the single best stories I have listened to in a while. So many chilling and emotional moments from beginning to end that kept me hooked on the entire story. Bronson Pinchot continues to deliver a top-notch performance and has grown on me (you can listen to his narration at 1.25 speed without much, if any, degradation of his performance). Nick continues to balance out his story telling by combining military action with scientific inquiry and research and good old fashioned plot twists.

As we pick up with Operation Extinction bringing about a possible end to the war against the variants and the juveniles, we see more action for both Team Ghost and the VH group. One of the first things I must comment on in this entry in the series is that of the LTC Kramer story. Right from the start of this side story, I could relate to some of the actions undertaken by LTC Kramer. To say that I was surprised by her actions would be a lie but I was so happy to see the way Karma came back to get her. I won’t completely spoil the plot line, but I will say that LTC Kramer gets what is coming to her. I can relate to stories of an officer who feels that they know what is best for everyone in contrast to standing orders.

Nick continues his great tradition of highlighting the selfless service present in so many of our nation’s greatest heroes. Sacrificing their own wellbeing, their families, their loved ones, and their own safety in the name of the greater good is a common theme I am seeing in many of Nick’s stories.

This story was not all about action and there were a few moments which had me close to, if not in, tears. One of the sadder portions of the story involved Meg and her words to Fitz aboard the GW. Another was the care shown by LT Davis for the soldiers on the GW, namely Fitz and the way she procures new blades for him on multiple occasions. From the start of the novel, I had a series of mixed feelings for LT Davis but was glad to see she showcased the style of leadership that is a trademark to some of the greatest leaders in military history. LT Davis was perhaps one of my favorite characters in this entry and she brought about a really great addition to the team.

One of the major plot lines in this story is that of the nuclear option. From LTC Kramer constantly pushing for a nuclear strike, to the attack near the end of the story, the nukes put an interesting twist on the missions of the teams and remaining survivors. What started out as an invasion into the protected Earth Fall complex (damn collaborators) and then gave the illusion (to the team) of betrayal, yet again, by the military was another in a long line of challenges facing the teams. It was interesting to see, yet again, how the human condition continues to play a huge part in the entire series. What happens when people completely lose faith in their ability to survive and turn against those whom they would normally care about? What happens when those tables turn once again?

I would like to point out that I had one moment which immediately tied me into another one of Nick’s novels: Hell Divers. During the airborne drop into DC, I immediately imagined X from that story and his line of “We dive so that humanity survives”. As soon as Beckham and crew dropped in, this was all I could imagine. I can see a preferred style for the heroes in Nick’s books.

Now on to what is, in my opinion, some of the best written storyline I have ever encountered. As I reached the end of the book, I was thinking to myself that team ghost and Reed/Kate/Garcia/Fitz/etc. should be recognized somehow by Ringgold. It was great to see the medals awarded to the team members as I felt this was perhaps one of the single best ways to honor their actions. That leaves me with the final chapter (epilogue) which I had to listen to three times today in its entirety. This portion of the story was so powerful, moving, and helped wrap up the loose ends for what was supposed to be the end of the series. As I mentioned above, this portion had me tearing up as Reed gave his speech, as Reed has his moment with Fitz, and as Ringgold gave her speech about the future for humanity. Nick really created a gem when he wrapped up this portion of the series.

All in all, this was easily the best book in the series (so far) and it has me saddened that I am almost at the end of this journey. Keep up the great work Nick and for anyone considering this series, just do it! You will not regret it and you will see just why it is so popular.

AFTERMATH

*** SPOILERS AHEAD *** You thought that was the end? Hah, not quite. After the enthralling ending which took place during book five, I was interested to see how Nick carried on the EC series. I was not disappointed. This book carried on the fantastic writing style that Nick employs throughout the series and his other books. Beckham, Fitz, Davis, Ringgold, and others are back as they look to help stabilize the US and other areas of the world. Fitz is now in charge of team ghost and has been deployed to Europe to help in an area where the deployment of Kryptonite did not go as well as it had stateside.

From the start of this book, we note that many of the members have been promoted after their actions in the previous books. This caught me off guard, especially in the case of Beckham, and it took me a second to realize what had occurred. While I understand Fitz’ promotion to Master Sergeant, I was taken aback by Reed’s “promotion” to Captain. Understanding that this is reminiscent of a battlefield commission from wars long since passed, I would have to wonder whether someone of Beckham’s seniority would consider this a promotion. I would think that Sergeant Major would have made more sense, especially given that he would have fallen under “Save Pay” if he were still being paid. But, that aside, I can understand what was trying to be conveyed here. Reed had definitely served his country and this was a way of recognizing that service (along with his medal of honor from the last book).

The internal terrorism and military deception brought about in the book really drew me in. Watching the broadcasts from Woods and the competing information operations (IO) campaign that Ringgold’s team was attempting really hit home with me. It shows how many folks will continue to believe the first story they hear on a topic, even when competing arguments are presented that make more logical sense. As a world and country already ravaged by the war with the variants, this plot line really makes you wonder how folks would side in a real-world scenario. This same plotline seems to be a common trend in Nick’s books and one which really continues to draw me in. Is Civil War actually going to start in the middle of the efforts to recover from the variant threat and the on-going variant war overseas? Knowing the title of the next book is “War”, I can safely assume yes, especially with the ending.

And then there is LT Woods which has left me feeling really angry at the end of this story. I’ve never completed a book and felt myself being physically angry. That is the nature of Woods in this entry in the series and it really makes me want the next book to hurry up and arrive so I can see some resolution.

My other gripe with this entry is the French accent which Bronson Pinchot attempts. His accent is a good one, but it is difficult to understand at times, especially given that I always listen to these books on the road. I found myself rewinding at several points to try and understand what folks were saying. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Even though I rate this entry four stars, whereas past entries have all merited five, I still wholeheartedly recommend it and the entire series. Nick is a gifted author and his talent still shines through in this book. If you haven’t started the series, please do so. You will not regret it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great reading of a good story

I never get tired of listening to Bronson Pinchot. He's truly a great reader. The last three Extinction Cycle books were what I thought they would be, pretty much like the first three. There were a few twists and turns to the plot, which I really appreciated. Some of my favorite characters were lost, which made me actually upset a bit. I hated it when Meg was killed, for example. I thought she would survive anything. I won't spoil the other surprises for anyone who will read these books, but I suppose when the actual survival of the human race is at stake, there will be a few losses.

Over all, still, I fell as though I was listening to the same story over and over, in a way. It's not the author's fault, I don't think. How many ways can you describe combat? I'm a veteran and I can't think of more than one way. Chaos.

So, I think he's done a good job over all, considering all the fighting that was done. He also dwelt a lot on the sense of failure felt by survivors. Survivors guilt is a very real thing, and again, I think most vets can relate. We don't dwell on it, so if felt a little weird to see him do so. It was in the character's minds mostly. So that was more real than not I think, and perhaps I found that uncomfortable for my own reasons.

Overall, this was a real bargain, all three books for one credit. Couldn't beat it. Thanks to Audible for offering it.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

If I have to hear "it's sucker lips" ONE MORE TIME

This series starts out really good, but the authors lack of variation in his descriptions of the variants and a few other terms he uses OVER AND OVER again, really got on my nerves. He needs to add more terminology to his descriptions and come out with an updated version. I had to stop half way through the series.

I also found the lead hero character to be sooooooo manly and all powerful to the point where it became obnoxious. We get it, he is amazing, make him more human and less perfect.

Also, the narrator made every single female character super weak and whiney sounding where I'm not sure that was the authors intent but it also came off really annoying.

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

Kick Ass Ride

Normally I just give the numerical rating and call it a day. However in the case of this novel I make an exception. This story is truly exceptional. From the storyline, to the characters, to the realism, and to any other criteria you rate novels by, this story is outstanding. No matter when you listen to the story it will be a thrill however, I recommend listening to this without any other distractions and with a good amount of time on your hands because it is one kick ass ride of excitement.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Entire series is just awesome!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set, Books 4–6 to be better than the print version?

IDK. I didn't read the books. Audio only.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set, Books 4–6?

Riley and Meg's deaths.

What does Bronson Pinchot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Not sure.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Riley and Meg died, especially the death bed scene between Meg and Fitz. Made me cry.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely hated Dr. Kate Lavato throughout the entire series! Wish she would have died instead of Meg.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

This Action Series has it all

If you like zombies or apocalypse it has it. If you like strong story and emotions, it has it. If you like military action it has it. If you like details and a quick pace story it has it. Strong character development is included. If you like pets or indifferent to pets, this author includes them and make them integral to the story and strong. Last, and equally important, this audiobook has top tier narration. Who needs a movie when the narrator has the different intonations for each character.

It just gets boooring

How did the narrator detract from the book?

A lot. Narrator's impressions of female or people crying just grinds my gears. It may be only me, but longer you listen, more difficult it become

Was The Extinction Cycle Boxed Set, Books 4–6 worth the listening time?

Yes and no. It is nice story so I was curious to see how it develop. But I did not manage to complete last set.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

really depressing and to sad.

The first three books were great and I thought the story was going to pick, if you listen you will see what I mean, however things just go from bad to worse and it just got really depressing and then the next set or even worse.

Read with a passion

This is a great series of the best sci fi has to offer. Zombie novels are not in my interests zone , but this is a much more feasible plot. Bronson Pinchot is my new favourite narrator, reading with a contagious enthusiasm that had my heart racing at times.

obsessed with freckles and redheads

Nicolas Smith seems to have a fetish for redheads and freckles at least 5 characters are described as freckled faced with 3 of them being redheads.
The story clips along well enough and is entertaining even if Reed Beckham seems a little too soppy to be the leader of the best delta force team in the US military.
Bronson makes most of the female characters come across as overly emotional whining messes always on the verge of tears which is understandable for kids but must missrepresent how Smith wrote the adults
overall it's an entertaining enough series that I'm going to finish

Disappointing, predictable and flat.

The narration was terrible, as bad as the 1-3 box set. The story line was equally terrible, nothing really happened and the plot showed no real sign of any new ideas.
I started the 4-6 box set due to interesting cliff-hanger and a genuine interest in the characters survival, but towards the end I just hoped that all of the characters would die and it would be over. I also secretly hoped that the narration would improve, but it didn't.
It's unlikely that I will ever try another book narrated by Pinchot and I will not bother with any other books in the this series.

best ever

the best series ever can't wait for the next installment. keeps on getting better and evolving, and new baddies pop up all the time, just brilliant.

extinction cycle 4-6

fast paced, detailed a rip roaring listen!!!..loved the whole series...was quite disappointed that i have to wait on thevnext book!!!!

a bit of a struggle!!

struggled to finish this audio book. Narrator makes characters sound weak and pathetic at times.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful