Loved this book. I read it years ago not long after its release. I came across it the other day on my bookshelf and would probably re-read it if I was...moreLoved this book. I read it years ago not long after its release. I came across it the other day on my bookshelf and would probably re-read it if I wasn't committed to reviewing three books already for my blog.
The psychopath in this book borders on Hannibal Lecter intelligence, if he wasn't a sick, twisted piece of filth I would probably admire his brilliant mind. Very impressive thriller, a real page turner.(less)
I have always fancied myself a prepper on at least a small scale since I live in a hurricane zone. The possibility for the basic infrastructure of my...moreI have always fancied myself a prepper on at least a small scale since I live in a hurricane zone. The possibility for the basic infrastructure of my region to be disrupted for an extended period of time is within the reasonable realm of expectation. I found the family in this story to be a refreshing example of what every family should strive to be on some level. It just makes sense. Preppers in the media are often cast in a negative light as paranoid nut jobs. This novel is a real eye-opener and illustrates just how fragile our society can be. In a very short period of time, food shortages, utility outages, and lawlessness can descend on us. When the time comes, being prepared can be the difference between life and death.
What drew me in was the depth of the characters. More often than not, the main character in any story is the ultimate hero, he makes all the right decisions and succeeds at everything he does. The main character is also usually mainstream and appeals to the masses. While other Amazon reviewers have knocked the author for various idosyncrasies about the main character (he bashes Fox News, he's a vegetarian, he makes questionable tactical decisions for a military vet, etc.), I welcome the richness it brings. I find it tiresome when the main character succeeds at all times, fits into a stereotype, and has all the answers. It also helps to understand that a character's views in a novel don't necessarily reflect the views of the author.
I also found the setting to be a refreshing change from other PA novels. Stories in this genre tend to focus on the world at large or center on a group of people traveling on a journey to find safe harbor. This novel centers on one family hunkered down in their home and how they interact with their neighbors on their street. I was quite impressed with the level of research put into this novel, the author clearly did his homework.
As is the case with most survival scenarios, the most difficult obstacle to overcome is not the scenario itself, but dealing with other survivors. If anything, this novel reinforces the concept of isolation to survive. Dealing with unprepared crybabies that will do anything to take advantage of your survival foresight should not be the most trying aspect of survival, but sadly, it is. This story deals with that pitfall in interesting ways.
A very exciting and compelling read. I highly recommend this work to any fan of the PA genre.(less)
Pandora's Pitbull by Peter Carroll had me hooked on the first page. I can honestly say that very few indie books have managed to do that. I'm usually...morePandora's Pitbull by Peter Carroll had me hooked on the first page. I can honestly say that very few indie books have managed to do that. I'm usually content to wait for the first few chapters or thirty pages, whichever comes first, for a book to sink its claws into me and not let go till the very end. Any book, indie or not, must do that or I will simply stop reading. Carroll managed to do that on literally the first page. I knew immediately that I had found a gem.
What was it that grabbed me so immediately? Well, two things really. The first was the writing style. Carroll has a style that I seek out regularly in authors. He has a talent at writing clever, witty, and intelligent prose. This talent carries over in all aspects of the novel. The second was the "hook" that any writer will tell you is crucial to deliver early on. A hook has to set the book apart from other similar books, it makes the book unique and special; more importantly, it has to grab hold of you. Many a literary agent in the publishing world has sent rejection letters stating that the book just didn't grab the reader's attention early on to keep them reading. Well, that is not the case in Pandora's Pitbull, Carroll wastes no time at all grabbing hold of you.
On the first page, an unknown character is near death, fighting to stay alive. Who is he? What happened to him? Did he survive? How did he survive? And one more time because it drove me nuts - Who is he? That entire first scene stayed with me for the rest of the book. The world started to slowly come apart at the seams, and then very quickly descended into chaos. While I enjoyed the entire book, the hook that Mr. Carroll sunk into me on the first page kept me reading page after page, anxious to come full circle back to the dying man on the first page.
What I liked most about the book was that the chaos and subsequent anarchy was told from so many different angles, each looking upon the same disaster with very different perspectives. This can be tricky for some writers, as it is easy to get bogged down in repetition. This is not the case with Pandora's Pitbull.
Overall, the book was entertaining, well written, and full of action. The characters were very realistic. I think that any writer that can create characters you root for and others you sincerely hope meets a violent demise has done an excellent job in the storytelling department. Reader beware, the book does have some gruesome scenes of violence and gore that I found enjoyable, if not frightening. I would think that anyone going into such a novel would know that from the start, but if you don't know, now you do. ;)
What didn't I like about the book? Hmmm. Nothing of consequence really. The only thing that was a thorn in my side was some of the UK specific slang terms. I'm not knocking any UK writer for the use of slang, it was an opportunity for me to learn something I didn't know.
Are you a fan of apocalyptic, end of the world type of fiction? This book is for you. Not a fan of the genre? Read it anyway, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Oh yeah, so, what's the story with the man on the first page? Did he make it? Who was he? You're going to have to find out for yourself! LOL(less)
Grabbed the free excerpt from Amazon last night. Very impressed! The first paragraph grabbed hold of me and sucked me right in. Very interesting chara...moreGrabbed the free excerpt from Amazon last night. Very impressed! The first paragraph grabbed hold of me and sucked me right in. Very interesting character, can't wait to get to know him better and see what adventures he takes me on.(less)
Any fan of The AMC series "The Walking Dead" will want to read this. For those that have read the graphic novels, it is practically...moreSPOILER FREE REVIEW
Any fan of The AMC series "The Walking Dead" will want to read this. For those that have read the graphic novels, it is practically required reading. The story chronicles a group of men surviving in a Zombie Apocalypse. With death and destruction all around them, they struggle to find safety in a world that has fallen apart. The characters are engaging and deep, not only do they have to fight off zombies, they have to learn to survive as a group. At first, they find safety and manage to defend themselves in a defensible location. Seemingly safe from the dead, they forget that they must also defend themselves from the living. After narrowly escaping with their lives, they find their way to a town full of survivors and join their group. By the end of the book, one of them rises and becomes the most ruthless villains in "The Walking Dead" universe.(less)
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