Zero Hour - A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller: Omnibus Edition

By: Eamon Ambrose

Narrated by: James Highfield

Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

A sole survivor. A quest for answers. A deadly race against time. Nothing is as it seems, in this breakthrough robo-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller. Expanded from an original short story to a best-selling serial, Zero Hour is now collected in a single volume.

©2016 Eamon Ambrose (P)2017 Eamon Ambrose

Fast & Furious

Zero Hour definitely delivered, it's refreshing, and unique for the genre. Despite being an Omnibus edition and multi-parts, it was a quick listen and super engaging. The storyline is a gripping, fast-paced, unpredictable, action-packed, thrilling, downright intense ride; the entire time, I was on the very edge of my seat.

Wow to James Highfield's narration, his performance is flawless. He captured the animation and the intensity of the scenes. All round, this is a fantastic post-apocalyptic thriller, one I highly recommend. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Inventive and intense take on the AI apocalypse

This is a very different kind of AI post-apocalypse story. It's equal parts action story and intensely intimate character portraits, all told in a highly stylized way that only adds to the tension and suspense. The twists are huge and gratifying. The ideas are big. I found myself reminded of Philip K. Dick's twisty, reality-bending stories while reading this, in the best way possible. I highly recommend this book!

A fast paced thriller!

I love the Audio version of this omnibus edition. The narration is done by James Highfield, and he did a top-notch job!
  I had originally started reading the series as each of the 6 stories were released, but had given up by story 4 or 5 as I had completely lost the thread of the story,  so when the audible omnibus edition came out, I jumped on the chance to reacquaint myself with the characters and story, and finish the book that had started out so well. I'm glad I did!
  Get the omnibus copy so you can get the full impact of Eamon's work!

Zero Hour Omnibus

This was an amazing book!I was taken in early on and it just kept rolling.The 4 stars is for questions not answered...like how are humans switched to robots and where are their human bodies stored when they aren't in them?
James Highfield was a very good narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

An Interesting Listen.

I had a hard time in the beginning, understanding what was going on, but I ended up liking the story. I don't read too many post-apocalyptic stories involving Sci-fi aspects (androids/robots) so I found the idea very interesting.

The narrator did a great job! I’d listen to him again.

I’m curious as to why the author wrote Sarah’s part in a second-person point of view? I wasn’t a fan of that, at all. It actually annoyed me with all the, “You” did this, “You did that.” Why second-person? How does the reader "get into" the story while being told what "you" did. That just wasn't working for me.

Besides the POV question, I only had two others. How did Bentley end up in Shepard’s body? Did I miss that part? I’m thinking I did. Also, where had he been once he left his old “robot” body that Sarah took over? Did I miss that, too?



I received a free audiobook code in exchange for an honest review.

Curious if there is more

This is the first book I have read/listened to by this author and I would be interested listen to another. It does end at a point that could easily lead into another story or stories. The main conflict present in this omnibus does come to a conclusion. I am unsure why there is the perspective switches. The character Sara is fully aware of who she is but we get her side of the story in the second person perspective, we get the character Alex’s perspective in the first person and the remainder of the characters we get a narrative of their actions. I got used to it although never fully understand stood why the second person perspective was used with the main character. It is a bit confusing at the end because the author switches and uses the second person perspective for a different character temporarily. I, like a few other listeners, had to go back and re-listen to make sure I was understanding who the character was. The second person perspective took me out of the story a bit. I was immersed during the parts with Alex but when it switched to Sara the story felt more distant and separate.——-

This is the first book I have listened to by this narrator ( James Highfield ) and I would definitely listen to another. He truly performs the story rather than just reads it and his character voices, including the female ones, were well done. His style drew me into the story but the second person perspective kept tugging me back out. ——-

There are no explicit sex scenes, or excessively described violence, there is some minor swearing. ——-

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 4/5
Narration 5/5

I, Robot!

A unique twist on the post-apocalypse genre. Told in second-person point of view, it takes a little while to get accustomed to this style. Our protagonist Sarah may be the last living survivor on the earth after a devastating robotic drone attack. Encountering the mad scientist behind the attack, Sarah’s psyche gets up close and personal with an AI-controlled robot, much more than she ever imagined, while the scientist possesses her body. Moving forward, Sarah and the AI search for survivors, ultimately endeavoring to save what remains of the human race. An interesting tale to be sure, although more science fiction than post-apocalyptic IMO. Somewhat confusing with the point of view flips, not one of my favorites. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Futuristic sci-fi dystopian

Definitely futuristic sci-fi dystopian not as I expected but enjoyed the characters especially Alex, Al, Grace and Bentley as they travel the wasteland and there are twists and turns and decent narration. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

Third Person Narrative was Really Cool!

This was a short book, but really good. The whole storyline was unusual for me. I’ve listened to many post-apocalyptic books, but this was the first AI one that I have listened to. This is also the first book I’ve ever listened to that used a third person narrative. It was pretty cool to hear a story told as though it was about me. I felt pretty heroic, lol. I highly recommend this book. The narrator was awesome and the storyline was great. It’s a quick listen but well worth it. I received this book for free at my request from Audiobook Boom.

Not for me... not engaging

I tried multiple times to give this audiobook a shot... couldn't even get a full hour into it. Unfortunately the characters aren't relatable, storyline isn't engaging and I got bored with the narration.

* This audiobook was provided to me at no cost in exchange for my unbiased review.

Original and very readable!

I really enjoyed this book, I found it refreshingly original, a unique perspective on the popular post apocalyptic genre, that had me hooked very quickly. I loved Sarah's character and was soon in love with Al & Alice and the quadraceps, I can't wait for the next book, the narration was good. I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

smashing listen

an absolutely smashing listening brings to life a wonderful book. highly recommended to sci fi fans.

stunning.

beautifully written with an exciting and sometimes downright scary plot. loved the narration too. a great combination.

Refreshing

It's been awhile since I listen this for the first time, I listen the second and is still so good! The story is refreshing, different from the usual storyline present in the genre, the characters are likable and the twists are really well done. I like the narrator, his pacing and his acting skills are really nice.

Great characters bring humour to a dark tale.

Thank you to the author for the free copy I received in return for an honest review.

In short:
The lines between robots and humans blur in this fun post-apocalyptic thriller.

Loved:
- The world as we know it has ended in the grimmest way possible? I’m in.
- The idea: Robots have taken over. Humans become robots, robots start acting like humans. It’s a thinker.
- Oh, the humanity: The characters really drove this story, bringing hope and humour to what could have been (ahem) robotic.
- The deep, dulcet tones of narrator, James Highfield.

Could Have Loved More:
- More vocal distinction between male/female characters. I got confused sometimes as to who was speaking.
- The ending felt a little rushed.

Shall I compare thee to…
William R Forstchen’s optimistic view of humanity in a Hugh Howey world.

Incidentally, Hugh Howey is quoted on the cover describing this book as “grim, dark, inventive”. I LOVE Howey’s books, but they are magnitudes of Armageddon grimmer and darker than this, so it struck me as interesting. Call me, Hugh. We must compare notes.