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Outpost #1
Outpost
They took the job to escape the world They didn't expect the world to end. Kasker a derelict refinery platform moored in the Arctic Ocean. A skeleton crew of fifteen fight boredom and despair as they wait for a relief ship to take them home. But the world beyond their frozen wasteland has gone to hell. Cities lie ravaged by a global pandemic. One by one TV channels die, replaced by silent wavebands. The Rampart crew are marooned. They must survive the long Arctic winter, then make their way home alone. They battle starvation and hypothermia, unaware that the deadly contagion that has devastated the world is heading their way...
388 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
September 1, 2018
do you like this??
then you will probably like this book.
it has very many awesome things in it, like arctic isolation and metal-spiked zombies and flamethrowers and the scariest cruise ship ever and only a couple of things that are crappy. and not even crappy-crappy, but just those little annoying impossibilities you can't help but note when you are watching movies/reading books like these and you are like, "hold up, that doesn't make sense." or "but surely the timer would have run out by now," kinds of things. they are pretty wonderfully summed up in the "view spoiler" of this review, so i am not going to bother typing them all out myself. i will just say "ditto, sister!"
and i liked it. it is an incredibly densely-written and slow-paced book, where most zombie books are zippy action and dialogue-based. this one is more focused on description, and it does a wonderful job with atmosphere and the whole icy wilderness is just as scary as the monsters, which is something i always appreciate - when we are reminded that nature will kill you just as quickly as any old zombie. the characters themselves are less-developed, but that's okay, because you probably don't want to get too attached to any of them.
because the arctic gets cold...
this works totally fine as a stand-alone book,although i see it is called #1, and i see there are 2 other titles listed, although none of these are available in my country.
gimmie the other ones, please,world! but not Unautomate Your Finances, because that looks like the real dud of the series.
come to my blog!
then you will probably like this book.
it has very many awesome things in it, like arctic isolation and metal-spiked zombies and flamethrowers and the scariest cruise ship ever and only a couple of things that are crappy. and not even crappy-crappy, but just those little annoying impossibilities you can't help but note when you are watching movies/reading books like these and you are like, "hold up, that doesn't make sense." or "but surely the timer would have run out by now," kinds of things. they are pretty wonderfully summed up in the "view spoiler" of this review, so i am not going to bother typing them all out myself. i will just say "ditto, sister!"
and i liked it. it is an incredibly densely-written and slow-paced book, where most zombie books are zippy action and dialogue-based. this one is more focused on description, and it does a wonderful job with atmosphere and the whole icy wilderness is just as scary as the monsters, which is something i always appreciate - when we are reminded that nature will kill you just as quickly as any old zombie. the characters themselves are less-developed, but that's okay, because you probably don't want to get too attached to any of them.
because the arctic gets cold...
this works totally fine as a stand-alone book,although i see it is called #1, and i see there are 2 other titles listed, although none of these are available in my country.
gimmie the other ones, please,world! but not Unautomate Your Finances, because that looks like the real dud of the series.
come to my blog!
March 26, 2022
*3.5 stars*
‘Outpost ‘ is set on an oil platform in the Arctic Circle, with a minimal crew, while the vessel is being decommissioned. The story follows Jane Blanc, Anglican chaplain, as she tries to cope with boredom, doubt, regret and loneliness, and the fourteen crew who are little happier than the chaplain.
Their sense of loneliness is going to grow – first, when no one starts to answer the radio; and a little later, when going to the rescue of a fallen space capsule, they get an idea of what might be befalling the rest of the world. In their consequent attempts at escape, they experience a closer proximity to heaven and hell as a cruise ship comes close enough that they could take control and escape on it. That is if they could keep the inhabitants of the lower decks in their places. They do not, no one could.
Told in short pararaphs, OUTPOST will not be every one’s cup of tea but I found it an interesting treatment of an old idea on a zombie apocalypse! Not my usual genre but a decent enough read.
•
‘Outpost ‘ is set on an oil platform in the Arctic Circle, with a minimal crew, while the vessel is being decommissioned. The story follows Jane Blanc, Anglican chaplain, as she tries to cope with boredom, doubt, regret and loneliness, and the fourteen crew who are little happier than the chaplain.
Their sense of loneliness is going to grow – first, when no one starts to answer the radio; and a little later, when going to the rescue of a fallen space capsule, they get an idea of what might be befalling the rest of the world. In their consequent attempts at escape, they experience a closer proximity to heaven and hell as a cruise ship comes close enough that they could take control and escape on it. That is if they could keep the inhabitants of the lower decks in their places. They do not, no one could.
Told in short pararaphs, OUTPOST will not be every one’s cup of tea but I found it an interesting treatment of an old idea on a zombie apocalypse! Not my usual genre but a decent enough read.
•
March 21, 2013
it is a remote refinery in the arctic. there is a disparate crew. there is freezing cold and isolation and all of those sorts of things. these are the sorts of things i often like to read about. there is a mysterious worldwide disaster. there are zombies, a new kind of zombie, metallic zombies. there is a space-born plague, maybe? the plague is from nanobots, maybe? one can only guess. there is an abandoned luxury liner. it is full of zombies. there is an ambiguous ending, which is perfect.
the book has a certain kind of writing style. there are a lot of short, declarative sentences. it is like so. it actually drove me crazy in the beginning. it was so monotonous. everyone sounded the same. but then it began to work. it sorta began to work. Baker's monotonous style never changed, never became invisible, but it began to feel like the exact style needed for his tale. but i don't want to underplay the frustrating monotony of the style. it got under my skin. like a metal-based nanobot? maybe so.
there is a fat chaplain - she is our protagonist. the 'fat' part is important, it becomes the key to understanding her character, her motivation and her isolation and her self-loathing.
there is a ruthless young lady. she may be going mad. she may be our villainess. hard to say, but an absorbing character.
the characterization is not the strongest part but those two characters were quite well-done. there is a third character who is even more compelling. her name is Dr. Elizabeth Rye. she is also well-characterized. her background and her context and her thought processes made sense. the next sentence is a spoiler. she becomes a zombie. we continue to read her thoughts. her thoughts are fascinating and her story is bizarre and frustrating and tragic. she is my favorite part of this novel.
the book is grim, grim, and grim. but it is not all grim. there is some hope in the book. the book is not necessarily scary but it certainly creates a mood. the mood is grim. it is a cold feeling but the book did not leave me cold. i don't like the cold but i like to read about the cold. i liked the book.
the book has a certain kind of writing style. there are a lot of short, declarative sentences. it is like so. it actually drove me crazy in the beginning. it was so monotonous. everyone sounded the same. but then it began to work. it sorta began to work. Baker's monotonous style never changed, never became invisible, but it began to feel like the exact style needed for his tale. but i don't want to underplay the frustrating monotony of the style. it got under my skin. like a metal-based nanobot? maybe so.
there is a fat chaplain - she is our protagonist. the 'fat' part is important, it becomes the key to understanding her character, her motivation and her isolation and her self-loathing.
there is a ruthless young lady. she may be going mad. she may be our villainess. hard to say, but an absorbing character.
the characterization is not the strongest part but those two characters were quite well-done. there is a third character who is even more compelling. her name is Dr. Elizabeth Rye. she is also well-characterized. her background and her context and her thought processes made sense. the next sentence is a spoiler. she becomes a zombie. we continue to read her thoughts. her thoughts are fascinating and her story is bizarre and frustrating and tragic. she is my favorite part of this novel.
the book is grim, grim, and grim. but it is not all grim. there is some hope in the book. the book is not necessarily scary but it certainly creates a mood. the mood is grim. it is a cold feeling but the book did not leave me cold. i don't like the cold but i like to read about the cold. i liked the book.
October 25, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
The writing is excellent, the characterisations, for the most part, are great. It is dark, atmospheric, claustrophobic and most importantly, quite frightening.
The first part of the novel can be read as something separate from the virus that is sweeping the planet. The explanations on the differing ways in which it is possible to die in a freezing and extremely remote environment are quite frightening themselves. Add mutations / zombies to the mixture and all of a sudden the fear aspect is stepped up even further, and in the case of our characters, this addition allows deep-seated personal fears and doubts to come to the fore. Baker gives some very good examples throughout the novel concerning psychological issues and the ‘cabin fever’ effect.
The book is told mainly from the perspective of the surviving crewmen (or do I need to be politically correct and say ‘crew people’?) The few times the narrative is changed to the point-of-view of one of the infected are fascinating, allowing an insight into the collective zombie (for want of a better description) mind.
A few things do concern me though, which I only really thought about once I'd finished the novel. I'll hide these concerns as spoiler alert so as not to distract from the main review.
I would love to have had more information and detail on what the actual virus was that turned people into these metal zombie machines that welded to structures and seats etc. I loved the idea that once they had ‘turned’ their thought process was as one. Also, the cosmonaut (who we can assume is the cause of it, or at least part of the cause), more detail on his adventure and eventual succumbing to the virus would have been fascinating. All very interesting stuff.
All in all, an excellent read (if you excuse my personal issues I mention).
The writing is excellent, the characterisations, for the most part, are great. It is dark, atmospheric, claustrophobic and most importantly, quite frightening.
The first part of the novel can be read as something separate from the virus that is sweeping the planet. The explanations on the differing ways in which it is possible to die in a freezing and extremely remote environment are quite frightening themselves. Add mutations / zombies to the mixture and all of a sudden the fear aspect is stepped up even further, and in the case of our characters, this addition allows deep-seated personal fears and doubts to come to the fore. Baker gives some very good examples throughout the novel concerning psychological issues and the ‘cabin fever’ effect.
The book is told mainly from the perspective of the surviving crewmen (or do I need to be politically correct and say ‘crew people’?) The few times the narrative is changed to the point-of-view of one of the infected are fascinating, allowing an insight into the collective zombie (for want of a better description) mind.
A few things do concern me though, which I only really thought about once I'd finished the novel. I'll hide these concerns as spoiler alert so as not to distract from the main review.
I would love to have had more information and detail on what the actual virus was that turned people into these metal zombie machines that welded to structures and seats etc. I loved the idea that once they had ‘turned’ their thought process was as one. Also, the cosmonaut (who we can assume is the cause of it, or at least part of the cause), more detail on his adventure and eventual succumbing to the virus would have been fascinating. All very interesting stuff.
All in all, an excellent read (if you excuse my personal issues I mention).
September 27, 2011
3.5 Stars
This book is a decent first novel. It has lots to like in it. A great atypical hero in Jane Blanc, an amazing frigid setting at the top of the world, and of course zombies. This is post apocalyptic fun that on that level alone is five star greatness.
Let me start by saying how much I really liked Jane Blanc. I think that Baker did a fabulous job at taking this woman who normally would not make a good action hero and showed how through synergy with her morals, her values, and her experience, she became the hero of Kaskar Rampart. She was atypical you see because she was a reverend on an oil rig atop the Arctic. When the shit hits the fan and supplies become scarce, she brings very little to the table for the survival of this small community. A holy woman with no real skills is little more than a resource liability. Add on to this, Jane is overweight, she is down right fat, and loves to eat... Baker plays up on some of the stereotypes but as the book slowly unfolds Jane transforms herself in a way that seemed real. She possessed the innate leadership ability that the doctor, the engineer, and the muscle could not equal. I found myself rooting for her early on.
Baker found a way to put two things together that I can never get enough of: Post Apocalyptic stories, and the harsh realm of the Arctic. Great stuff!
As for the fall of the world Baker handles that through minimalism. He gives us just enough to paint the picture without trying to go into the how's or the why's. There is no attempt at science or explanation. This is a book about survival. It reminded me of a cross between the movie The Thing, the black oil of the x-files, and 28 Days of Night. It is a lot of fun to feel the cold as you read through this book.
The zombies are never really called by that name. Yes the word undead is used sparingly but for the most part these are not your typical shufflers. I love zombies of all sorts, so these worked well for me.
There are some stereotypical side characters, and there are many plot points that can be seen to be coming from a mile a way as it has been done countless times before. That being said, Baker has created a first novel with a memorable hero, some decent sidekicks, and put them through an extraordinary set of circumstances. This book is my idea of an enjoyable read. It is like a great Sci-Fi "B" movie that I can never get enough of. I recommend this one for the post apoc crowd, and those that like survival books.
This book is a decent first novel. It has lots to like in it. A great atypical hero in Jane Blanc, an amazing frigid setting at the top of the world, and of course zombies. This is post apocalyptic fun that on that level alone is five star greatness.
Let me start by saying how much I really liked Jane Blanc. I think that Baker did a fabulous job at taking this woman who normally would not make a good action hero and showed how through synergy with her morals, her values, and her experience, she became the hero of Kaskar Rampart. She was atypical you see because she was a reverend on an oil rig atop the Arctic. When the shit hits the fan and supplies become scarce, she brings very little to the table for the survival of this small community. A holy woman with no real skills is little more than a resource liability. Add on to this, Jane is overweight, she is down right fat, and loves to eat... Baker plays up on some of the stereotypes but as the book slowly unfolds Jane transforms herself in a way that seemed real. She possessed the innate leadership ability that the doctor, the engineer, and the muscle could not equal. I found myself rooting for her early on.
Baker found a way to put two things together that I can never get enough of: Post Apocalyptic stories, and the harsh realm of the Arctic. Great stuff!
As for the fall of the world Baker handles that through minimalism. He gives us just enough to paint the picture without trying to go into the how's or the why's. There is no attempt at science or explanation. This is a book about survival. It reminded me of a cross between the movie The Thing, the black oil of the x-files, and 28 Days of Night. It is a lot of fun to feel the cold as you read through this book.
The zombies are never really called by that name. Yes the word undead is used sparingly but for the most part these are not your typical shufflers. I love zombies of all sorts, so these worked well for me.
There are some stereotypical side characters, and there are many plot points that can be seen to be coming from a mile a way as it has been done countless times before. That being said, Baker has created a first novel with a memorable hero, some decent sidekicks, and put them through an extraordinary set of circumstances. This book is my idea of an enjoyable read. It is like a great Sci-Fi "B" movie that I can never get enough of. I recommend this one for the post apoc crowd, and those that like survival books.
October 12, 2011
You hate humanity. You take a job at an arctic oil rig with the rest of the rejects in the world. Then the zombie apocalypse happens and you are stuck stranded on the sidelines waiting to starve or freeze to death.
I hate it when that happens.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint of zombie novels, the zombies do catch up with our unlucky oil rig residents. But before that happens, Adam Baker, in his debut novel Outpost, sets up a different kind of zombie novel in which the personalities of our survivors takes center stage. Jane and the other characters are basically losers. Even as they try to decipher why they are cut off from the world, they are ambivalent about reentering whatever is left of society. But that is better than dying. They think.
They think wrong. About a third of the way through, the zombies appear. Suffice to say, these are some of the most grotesque zombies I have encountered in these novels. The author successfully weaves a mix of psychological suspense, survival book, and straight out hack-and-slash zombie tale. It's a nice balancing act that kept my attention way longer then most of the books of this type. One of the most interesting things is that Baker manages to make the idea of arctic survival and its perils as terrifying as being devoured by zombies.
All-in-all one of the better books of this type. Recommended for anyone who has tired of the "Urrgh Arrgh" variety of zombies.
I hate it when that happens.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint of zombie novels, the zombies do catch up with our unlucky oil rig residents. But before that happens, Adam Baker, in his debut novel Outpost, sets up a different kind of zombie novel in which the personalities of our survivors takes center stage. Jane and the other characters are basically losers. Even as they try to decipher why they are cut off from the world, they are ambivalent about reentering whatever is left of society. But that is better than dying. They think.
They think wrong. About a third of the way through, the zombies appear. Suffice to say, these are some of the most grotesque zombies I have encountered in these novels. The author successfully weaves a mix of psychological suspense, survival book, and straight out hack-and-slash zombie tale. It's a nice balancing act that kept my attention way longer then most of the books of this type. One of the most interesting things is that Baker manages to make the idea of arctic survival and its perils as terrifying as being devoured by zombies.
All-in-all one of the better books of this type. Recommended for anyone who has tired of the "Urrgh Arrgh" variety of zombies.
November 3, 2013
Pitch-black zombie-apocalypse novel is simultaneously grim and beautiful. The setting, the spooky Kasker Rampart oil-rig platform, is inspired. The book begins with the main character, Reverend Jane, contemplating suicide by jumping to her death from the rig. She cannot do it; thus begins a personal odyssey that takes her to the very end of the world.
Baker's clipped, matter-of-fact writing style takes getting used to, but it also makes for a fast and intense read. Outpost is a masterclass in how to control suspense and narrative tension. The extended section told from the POV of Elizabeth Rye as she transforms into one of the zombie-like creatures is powerful and disturbing.
Baker strikes just the right note of attraction and revulsion. The violence is in-your-face, but never gratuitous; the characters are believable and individualistic. We also never learn precisely what has happened; we are in the same boat (well, on the same oil rig) as the characters, struggling to make sense of the situation, and how to adapt or die. Or be eaten.
Baker's clipped, matter-of-fact writing style takes getting used to, but it also makes for a fast and intense read. Outpost is a masterclass in how to control suspense and narrative tension. The extended section told from the POV of Elizabeth Rye as she transforms into one of the zombie-like creatures is powerful and disturbing.
Baker strikes just the right note of attraction and revulsion. The violence is in-your-face, but never gratuitous; the characters are believable and individualistic. We also never learn precisely what has happened; we are in the same boat (well, on the same oil rig) as the characters, struggling to make sense of the situation, and how to adapt or die. Or be eaten.
February 23, 2023
“Vicar of Dibley to Lara Croft in two weeks? Sign me up.”
I’m not going to beat around the bush here – I was expecting Nazi zombies. Why? For some reason I got it into my head that Outpost was the novelization of the film series – ironically penned both by Adam Baker (and directed by).
So, what’s the story about? In a nutshell it’s a survival-apocalyptic-end-of-the-world-pandemic-with-a-sci/fi-twist-adding-the-A/team-also-cause-why-not. That’s a big word! In this review I’m going to talk about Russian bunkers, penguins and ask the most important of questions – where the hell are the Nazi zombies!?
First up, lets meet Jane Blanc, a faithless, suicidal, I-ate-all-the-chocolate, self-loathing, fat-fat-fat vicar. All this is strongly reinforced for the first ten pages or so, and if I’m honest, gets a bit too much. Jane’s been stuck on Kasper Rampart (an oil rig) pumping crude oil from the Barents Sea, that’s the Arctic Ocean folks. A skeleton crew is currently watching over the rig until a new team arrive. Along with Jane there’s also Ghost, a Sikh, pot smoking handyman. Then there’s Punch, the chef and Frank Rawlins who is the very British security officer. No guns though, pepper spray and a taser. Among others there is also Doctor Rye and Nail. These nicknames – I laughed as well!
The core of the story is this; they get stuck on the oil rig while the world is going to hell and soon after meet zombies who sprout metal. The group want to get back too Britain, so they hatch a plan to get back. They steal a luxury cruise ship, float the oil rig etc. During these haphazard attempts they rescue some geologists, Simon and Nikki. During this small faction start to form among the crew and trust changes causing tension.
Now with the outline done I can give my opinion on Outpost. It’s not great. The writing style is spartan to say the least. You get the sense of a morose and morbid writing style from the outset. Nothing wrong with that, but it affected the narrative to the point where I just wasn’t caring, about anything. The way the author introduces Jane – well for me, she is made irrelevant from the outset. She’s a hard character to like, let alone root for. This is a writing problem. There’s a constant sort of character-drift floating between the refinery, disused Russian bunker and Hyperion (the cruise ship). Time for the characters is very dislocated and disjointed, it’s all rather flummoxing at times. The best example for the (and apologies for this minor spoiler) is when Nikki, one of those rescued scientists steals a boat. She’s sailing for 4-6 days. Then by the end of the novel she’s back in the Russian bunker. There’s no explanation for this, at all. It’s, well, weird. Due to this the narrative is pock-marked with confusion, there’s no real drive to it. It’s not helped by these half-baked plans that generally end up in the disaster which is utterly implausible. For example; when Jane is tight roping across a coiled metal support cable (while attempting to elude the metal zombies), the cruise ship Hyperion hits a small island. Jane miraculously survives. No explanation at all, she just lands on the deck. It boggles the mind because the crew of Kasper would consider letting Jane lead at times. It’s nothing to do with gender, it’s to do with the writing here and how character development is, well, nil. It’s mainly due to the fact her A-team style plans all result in disaster, as in someone dies. It doesn’t help the way Adam Baker treats Jane – I’ve already gone over this, but just wow.
Running parallel to all this is the problem that there is no real protagonist or antagonist. Ghost is the go-to-guy, ever ready and seems to have a solution for any problem. Mostly though even he is forced to take the passenger seat and run shotgun to the decisions made for him. Nail appears to be the main protagonist – though due to the dislocation flow of the narrative, things change rapidly, as I’ve mentioned. The real baddy are the metal zombies – they are like a collective hive. Personally, I didn’t think much of them as the scary one’s.
Overall Outpost is a confusing tale, mainly due to the writing style and the author not really getting to grips with telling a coherent story – i.e., making sense of the flow of time passing. It leaves for a loose plot, poor character development and a real lack of relatable characters. It’s a shame as there’s 3-4 books in this series.
I’m not going to beat around the bush here – I was expecting Nazi zombies. Why? For some reason I got it into my head that Outpost was the novelization of the film series – ironically penned both by Adam Baker (and directed by).
So, what’s the story about? In a nutshell it’s a survival-apocalyptic-end-of-the-world-pandemic-with-a-sci/fi-twist-adding-the-A/team-also-cause-why-not. That’s a big word! In this review I’m going to talk about Russian bunkers, penguins and ask the most important of questions – where the hell are the Nazi zombies!?
First up, lets meet Jane Blanc, a faithless, suicidal, I-ate-all-the-chocolate, self-loathing, fat-fat-fat vicar. All this is strongly reinforced for the first ten pages or so, and if I’m honest, gets a bit too much. Jane’s been stuck on Kasper Rampart (an oil rig) pumping crude oil from the Barents Sea, that’s the Arctic Ocean folks. A skeleton crew is currently watching over the rig until a new team arrive. Along with Jane there’s also Ghost, a Sikh, pot smoking handyman. Then there’s Punch, the chef and Frank Rawlins who is the very British security officer. No guns though, pepper spray and a taser. Among others there is also Doctor Rye and Nail. These nicknames – I laughed as well!
The core of the story is this; they get stuck on the oil rig while the world is going to hell and soon after meet zombies who sprout metal. The group want to get back too Britain, so they hatch a plan to get back. They steal a luxury cruise ship, float the oil rig etc. During these haphazard attempts they rescue some geologists, Simon and Nikki. During this small faction start to form among the crew and trust changes causing tension.
Now with the outline done I can give my opinion on Outpost. It’s not great. The writing style is spartan to say the least. You get the sense of a morose and morbid writing style from the outset. Nothing wrong with that, but it affected the narrative to the point where I just wasn’t caring, about anything. The way the author introduces Jane – well for me, she is made irrelevant from the outset. She’s a hard character to like, let alone root for. This is a writing problem. There’s a constant sort of character-drift floating between the refinery, disused Russian bunker and Hyperion (the cruise ship). Time for the characters is very dislocated and disjointed, it’s all rather flummoxing at times. The best example for the (and apologies for this minor spoiler) is when Nikki, one of those rescued scientists steals a boat. She’s sailing for 4-6 days. Then by the end of the novel she’s back in the Russian bunker. There’s no explanation for this, at all. It’s, well, weird. Due to this the narrative is pock-marked with confusion, there’s no real drive to it. It’s not helped by these half-baked plans that generally end up in the disaster which is utterly implausible. For example; when Jane is tight roping across a coiled metal support cable (while attempting to elude the metal zombies), the cruise ship Hyperion hits a small island. Jane miraculously survives. No explanation at all, she just lands on the deck. It boggles the mind because the crew of Kasper would consider letting Jane lead at times. It’s nothing to do with gender, it’s to do with the writing here and how character development is, well, nil. It’s mainly due to the fact her A-team style plans all result in disaster, as in someone dies. It doesn’t help the way Adam Baker treats Jane – I’ve already gone over this, but just wow.
Running parallel to all this is the problem that there is no real protagonist or antagonist. Ghost is the go-to-guy, ever ready and seems to have a solution for any problem. Mostly though even he is forced to take the passenger seat and run shotgun to the decisions made for him. Nail appears to be the main protagonist – though due to the dislocation flow of the narrative, things change rapidly, as I’ve mentioned. The real baddy are the metal zombies – they are like a collective hive. Personally, I didn’t think much of them as the scary one’s.
Overall Outpost is a confusing tale, mainly due to the writing style and the author not really getting to grips with telling a coherent story – i.e., making sense of the flow of time passing. It leaves for a loose plot, poor character development and a real lack of relatable characters. It’s a shame as there’s 3-4 books in this series.
August 5, 2011
I’ve said it before, and I’ll no doubt say it again, I am utterly fascinated by apocalyptic fiction. I grew up in the eighties and I think this has left a rather fatalistic streak in my character. I still remember the first time I was exposed to dramas like When the Wind Blows and The Day After. These left a distinct impression and as I grew up, and learned to appreciate the written word, I have devoured any fiction that touches on this broad subject matter. The nature of the cataclysm itself is almost irrelevant. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a pandemic, nuclear annihilation, alien invasion or zombie apocalypse. I am more interested in learning about the characters and their journeys while trying to survive.
Setting the majority of the story in such a closed environment is extremely effective. Surrounded by an inhospitable landscape, Kaser Rampart is a virtual prison, which adds a nice feeling of claustrophobia. In the first half of the story the characters are trapped in what is essentially a confined space with nowhere to run to, while waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was reminded of the classic John Carpenter’s movie The Thing. There is a palpable feeling of dread and impending doom that permeate every chapter.
When the contagion finally reaches the rig the slow pace accelerates rapidly as for the survivors it becomes a race against time to escape. The thin veneer of civility finally collapses and factions begin to form. There are those who are all about self preservation and are willing to do anything to survive while others are willing to do anything to help the group as a whole. Put it this way, as things get worse and worse the saying that “civilization is only three hot meals away from total anarchy” seems more and more apt.
The real heroine of the novel is Jane Blanc, the refinery vicar. She starts out as a bit of a doormat. Her low self esteem has driven her to take a job far away from the rest of the human race. In an effort to escape her old life, she has ended up in this remote location. As the story develops there is a genuine sense of development in her character as Jane starts to tap into, and use, unexpected reservoirs of inner strength. She rises to the challenge of a continuing existence and her grim determination is inspirational. She steadfastly refuses to quit and give in to the crushing despair that everyone else is drawn towards. Jane gets stronger and more able to cope, as those around her fall apart.
Outpost touches upon some truly dark subjects; suicide, cannibalism and murder to name but a few. I was impressed with how Baker’s writing tackled these areas. The isolation of the rig is well observed and felt very real. As the situation escalates, and things go from bad to worse, Baker ramps up the levels of paranoia and mistrust among the survivors. The psychological impact of the end of the world leaves scars on everyone, and the author spends time delving into the effects of this emotional trauma. I found it difficult to put the book down.
Harrowing and grim at times, but ultimately uplifting, Outpost is the debut novel from author Adam Baker and is available now. I can’t recommend this enough. Baker is definitely a new author to watch.
Setting the majority of the story in such a closed environment is extremely effective. Surrounded by an inhospitable landscape, Kaser Rampart is a virtual prison, which adds a nice feeling of claustrophobia. In the first half of the story the characters are trapped in what is essentially a confined space with nowhere to run to, while waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was reminded of the classic John Carpenter’s movie The Thing. There is a palpable feeling of dread and impending doom that permeate every chapter.
When the contagion finally reaches the rig the slow pace accelerates rapidly as for the survivors it becomes a race against time to escape. The thin veneer of civility finally collapses and factions begin to form. There are those who are all about self preservation and are willing to do anything to survive while others are willing to do anything to help the group as a whole. Put it this way, as things get worse and worse the saying that “civilization is only three hot meals away from total anarchy” seems more and more apt.
The real heroine of the novel is Jane Blanc, the refinery vicar. She starts out as a bit of a doormat. Her low self esteem has driven her to take a job far away from the rest of the human race. In an effort to escape her old life, she has ended up in this remote location. As the story develops there is a genuine sense of development in her character as Jane starts to tap into, and use, unexpected reservoirs of inner strength. She rises to the challenge of a continuing existence and her grim determination is inspirational. She steadfastly refuses to quit and give in to the crushing despair that everyone else is drawn towards. Jane gets stronger and more able to cope, as those around her fall apart.
Outpost touches upon some truly dark subjects; suicide, cannibalism and murder to name but a few. I was impressed with how Baker’s writing tackled these areas. The isolation of the rig is well observed and felt very real. As the situation escalates, and things go from bad to worse, Baker ramps up the levels of paranoia and mistrust among the survivors. The psychological impact of the end of the world leaves scars on everyone, and the author spends time delving into the effects of this emotional trauma. I found it difficult to put the book down.
Harrowing and grim at times, but ultimately uplifting, Outpost is the debut novel from author Adam Baker and is available now. I can’t recommend this enough. Baker is definitely a new author to watch.
July 5, 2025
Es de un inicio lento, es más como de gente atrapada aislada, aparte con un numero mínimo de personajes, y solo rumores de lo que está pasando en el mundo. en la primer mitad va más de que esperar a que llegue un barco de escape, rescatar a otras personas de otros sitios que están como ellos, pero sin medios de sobrevivencia o con menos.
La forma en que aparece el primer infectado a mí me parece tramposa, y aunque al final un personaje menciona algo que podría explicarlo, para ese punto ya ni.
Después si ya hay el encuentro con los infectados, aquí medio se pone interesante la cosa. Y hay algo que ocurre con cierto personaje que eso si me gustó mucho.
Lo que suele ser interesante en este tipo de libros, que es el conflicto entre los no infectados, es nulo en el primer 80% del libro y hacia el final aparece, pero es menos que mínimo.
Pero lo que rompió mi "suspension of disbelief" fue el cambio de la condición física del personaje de Jane.
Entre eso y que la redacción se leía rara.
2.34 strars
La forma en que aparece el primer infectado a mí me parece tramposa, y aunque al final un personaje menciona algo que podría explicarlo, para ese punto ya ni.
Después si ya hay el encuentro con los infectados, aquí medio se pone interesante la cosa. Y hay algo que ocurre con cierto personaje que eso si me gustó mucho.
Lo que suele ser interesante en este tipo de libros, que es el conflicto entre los no infectados, es nulo en el primer 80% del libro y hacia el final aparece, pero es menos que mínimo.
Pero lo que rompió mi "suspension of disbelief" fue el cambio de la condición física del personaje de Jane.
Entre eso y que la redacción se leía rara.
2.34 strars
September 5, 2011
Forget global warming, the world will end in great balls of zombie apocalypse and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Outpost is a surprisingly heartfelt story about a bunch of losers who happen to have the ultimate misfortune of getting stranded on an arctic oil refinery during a bout of worldwide zombie outbreak. Granted the plot has been done to death but I can’t help caring for these characters, which goes against every zombie rule I stand for (alas, by the end of the book I’ve had my heart broken so many times). Jane, the clinically obese priest on a constant yo-yo diet, is now my favorite zombie-fighting tough chick. Ghost is a beyond cool pothead gun-slinging turban-wearing Sikh dude. Other characters are your usual stereotypes; wise older lady with a past, friendly comic-relief chef, vulnerable young woman and of course an ***hole-in-residence.
I found the narrative quite choppy and the zombie rampage/carnage done on a microcosmic scale. It would be nice to have some global mayhem scenes instead of a few descriptions from TV and radio footage.
Recommended for: zombie/apocalypse fans
I found the narrative quite choppy and the zombie rampage/carnage done on a microcosmic scale. It would be nice to have some global mayhem scenes instead of a few descriptions from TV and radio footage.
Recommended for: zombie/apocalypse fans
August 27, 2012
Good premise and well executed. This is a good book in PA-Zombie fiction category and is worthy of more attention. On an off-shore refinery platform in the Arctic, the crew is isolated from rest of the world when the apocalypse occurs. This book reads more as a movie script and keeps you turning pages in order to know what happens next.
Yes characters are not as well developed as books from other genre but you have to accept the fact that the aim of this genre is different than others. To put it simply, its main objective is pure enjoyment. If you want to read about more fleshed out characters, go read something from a Nobel laureate of literature.
Now back to this particular book. I really liked how the story arc of some characters, like Rye in particular was developed. And the main male character in the book is an Indian (Rajesh Ghosh aka Ghost) – Sikh to be exact. Our main protagonist, Jane Blanc, is a female who, thankfully for a change, is not a slim and trim beauty with brains but fat and unskilled. Her character develops well as the book progresses.
The end could have been done better but that is just a minor hiccup for otherwise a good work of PA Zombie fiction.
3.5 stars.
Yes characters are not as well developed as books from other genre but you have to accept the fact that the aim of this genre is different than others. To put it simply, its main objective is pure enjoyment. If you want to read about more fleshed out characters, go read something from a Nobel laureate of literature.
Now back to this particular book. I really liked how the story arc of some characters, like Rye in particular was developed. And the main male character in the book is an Indian (Rajesh Ghosh aka Ghost) – Sikh to be exact. Our main protagonist, Jane Blanc, is a female who, thankfully for a change, is not a slim and trim beauty with brains but fat and unskilled. Her character develops well as the book progresses.
The end could have been done better but that is just a minor hiccup for otherwise a good work of PA Zombie fiction.
3.5 stars.
April 3, 2015
You gotta love it when you read a book by an author previously unknown to you and enjoy the hell out of it. Score! New author for me, good deal.
Another post-apoc zombie story but an interesting premise: it takes place on an oil platform in the Arctic Ocean. A few reviewers have made comparison to the movie The Thing and I can definitely relate to that sentiment, it was kind of like the Thing (minus the awesome music). It was a little predictable and I really couldn't get in to the characters too much, but I am a real fan of the genre so overall I really liked it. This was his first book too, so again I am optimistic.
I just reserved another one of his books at the library. Definitely recommended to fans of the genre.
Another post-apoc zombie story but an interesting premise: it takes place on an oil platform in the Arctic Ocean. A few reviewers have made comparison to the movie The Thing and I can definitely relate to that sentiment, it was kind of like the Thing (minus the awesome music). It was a little predictable and I really couldn't get in to the characters too much, but I am a real fan of the genre so overall I really liked it. This was his first book too, so again I am optimistic.
I just reserved another one of his books at the library. Definitely recommended to fans of the genre.
May 11, 2021
Plutôt cool, le rempart prends des directions imprévues à plusieurs moment. Les personnages manquent parfois de crédibilité (et appeler un personnage Ghost c'est clairement un truc d'ado tout naze) mais dans l'ensemble c'était plutôt cool. Le zombie est différent du mort vivant classique ici.
May 19, 2012
A small caretaker crew, stranded on an enormous refinery rig in the Arctic Circle, can only watch as the world succumbs to a strange zombie plague. With only a few months of supplies and with the long Arctic winter approaching, who will survive?
I read Adam Baker's prequel (Juggernaut) to this novel and, despite some faults, flaws and foibles really rather enjoyed it, so I thought it would be well worth giving his first novel a go. While much the same could be said for Outpost - flawed but enjoyable - I'm afraid that it has to be stressed that its flaws are considerable. The concept is a good one and the location has enormous potential; indeed Baker has tried hard to capitalise on the idea's natural resources, producing something along the lines of a 30 Days of Night, Alien, 28 Days Later mash-up.
Unfortunately his inexperience as an author lets him down in his debut - the plot is long and rambling, mixing in too many story lines, some of which turn out to be dead ends or simply irrelevant. It is very much a novel in need of an editor and the not-so-tender ministrations of a literary axeman would probably improve the whole thing many times over. Some of the concepts that are followed are almost ludicrous in their oversimplicity and in one extended scene the chaplain and the rig's handyman locate a drifting "superliner" which they board with the help of a jury-rigged grappling hook (despite the ship being "10 storeys high"). They manage to start the ship's engines up (with a conveniently discovered ignition key - is it really that simple?) and then accidentally crash it into the rig. The purpose of the scene is not, as advertised, to provide the rig's crew with a means of escape but in fact to introduce the ship's zombified passengers and crew as a new source of jepoardy into the so far zombieless story. That they were running a grave risk of doing precisely this clearly didn't concern the protagonists overmuch.
I think it's been mentioned in another review that the fact no-one in the novel seems particularly upset that Armageddon has been and gone, their friends and family are almost certainly undead and they seem very keen to return to the remnants of civilisation to do battle with the zombie legions.
Hats off to anyone brave enough to open a novel by introducing an obese, suicidal, female chaplain (who is, apparently so fat that she "struggles to wipe after going to the toilet" - thanks for that image Adam). Sadly, after this rather promising start, she looses her quirky appeal and becomes a rather bland, featureless character (and then, magically, a rather bland, featureless survivalist heroine). Imagine the capital that Baker /could/ have made with a character like that! The rest of the cast are either ridiculously stereotyped (one way or another) or are under-visualised ciphers. Characterisation is poor; almost all of the cast are clearly English but all of them - male, female, chaplains, cooks and doctors - talk in a strange, hyper-macho Americanized slang lingo (for instance, referring to other human beings as "f ks" or "f kers"). There is an extract from the diary of one of the protags who has been infected and is charting her descent into zombiedom. This is a great idea but, oddly, she writes her diary in exactly the same macho voice as she, and all the other characters (and the author) speaks.
Those are the bad points. On the positive side, the writing is pretty good - it's hampered somewhat by Baker's addiction to staccato sentences, but perfectly readable nevertheless. Whilst unable to paint vivid character portraits, he does great landscapes; the scenery and atmospher really come to life and I felt the Arctic cold, smelt the oily stink of a mothballed oil rig and could hear the howl of the wind outside.
In the final analysis, this is very much a so-so novel, fairly well written and with interesting (nay intriguing) but poorly executed ideas. Quite readable, but requiring a prodigious suspension of disbelief and I'm afraid that I can only give this a generous three stars. However, and despite my extensive moaning, I must stress that I really did enjoy reading it and never once considered putting it to one side (a fate that has befallen better books than this). I think it's heartening that his second novel (Juggernaut) represents such an improvement over this one and it bodes well for future writings.
I read Adam Baker's prequel (Juggernaut) to this novel and, despite some faults, flaws and foibles really rather enjoyed it, so I thought it would be well worth giving his first novel a go. While much the same could be said for Outpost - flawed but enjoyable - I'm afraid that it has to be stressed that its flaws are considerable. The concept is a good one and the location has enormous potential; indeed Baker has tried hard to capitalise on the idea's natural resources, producing something along the lines of a 30 Days of Night, Alien, 28 Days Later mash-up.
Unfortunately his inexperience as an author lets him down in his debut - the plot is long and rambling, mixing in too many story lines, some of which turn out to be dead ends or simply irrelevant. It is very much a novel in need of an editor and the not-so-tender ministrations of a literary axeman would probably improve the whole thing many times over. Some of the concepts that are followed are almost ludicrous in their oversimplicity and in one extended scene the chaplain and the rig's handyman locate a drifting "superliner" which they board with the help of a jury-rigged grappling hook (despite the ship being "10 storeys high"). They manage to start the ship's engines up (with a conveniently discovered ignition key - is it really that simple?) and then accidentally crash it into the rig. The purpose of the scene is not, as advertised, to provide the rig's crew with a means of escape but in fact to introduce the ship's zombified passengers and crew as a new source of jepoardy into the so far zombieless story. That they were running a grave risk of doing precisely this clearly didn't concern the protagonists overmuch.
I think it's been mentioned in another review that the fact no-one in the novel seems particularly upset that Armageddon has been and gone, their friends and family are almost certainly undead and they seem very keen to return to the remnants of civilisation to do battle with the zombie legions.
Hats off to anyone brave enough to open a novel by introducing an obese, suicidal, female chaplain (who is, apparently so fat that she "struggles to wipe after going to the toilet" - thanks for that image Adam). Sadly, after this rather promising start, she looses her quirky appeal and becomes a rather bland, featureless character (and then, magically, a rather bland, featureless survivalist heroine). Imagine the capital that Baker /could/ have made with a character like that! The rest of the cast are either ridiculously stereotyped (one way or another) or are under-visualised ciphers. Characterisation is poor; almost all of the cast are clearly English but all of them - male, female, chaplains, cooks and doctors - talk in a strange, hyper-macho Americanized slang lingo (for instance, referring to other human beings as "f ks" or "f kers"). There is an extract from the diary of one of the protags who has been infected and is charting her descent into zombiedom. This is a great idea but, oddly, she writes her diary in exactly the same macho voice as she, and all the other characters (and the author) speaks.
Those are the bad points. On the positive side, the writing is pretty good - it's hampered somewhat by Baker's addiction to staccato sentences, but perfectly readable nevertheless. Whilst unable to paint vivid character portraits, he does great landscapes; the scenery and atmospher really come to life and I felt the Arctic cold, smelt the oily stink of a mothballed oil rig and could hear the howl of the wind outside.
In the final analysis, this is very much a so-so novel, fairly well written and with interesting (nay intriguing) but poorly executed ideas. Quite readable, but requiring a prodigious suspension of disbelief and I'm afraid that I can only give this a generous three stars. However, and despite my extensive moaning, I must stress that I really did enjoy reading it and never once considered putting it to one side (a fate that has befallen better books than this). I think it's heartening that his second novel (Juggernaut) represents such an improvement over this one and it bodes well for future writings.
October 2, 2011
I unashamedly picked this book up from my local book shop because of the front cover and the interesting title. A small group of oil workers are isolated on the the oil company Con Amalgam refinery Kasker Rampart located high up in the Artic Ocean. They all seem to have their own personal reasons as to why they decided to take the isolated shift on the oil refinery. The story centres on Jane Blanc, reverend aboard Rampart; she is overweight and hates her tormented life back In England.
Strange news reports start to come through on the 24 hour news channels and the satellite radio law and order is breaking down around the world, an unknown virus is spreading from person to person causing the infected to attack others. A rescue from Rampart now seems very unlikely and the full horror of the situation the skeleton crew find themselves in starts to dawn on them and all the time the virus is approaching...
A really tense and scary read, very atomspheric. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A very original twist on a sometimes stagnant zombie/ apocalyptic end of the world genre. I highly recommend it!
Strange news reports start to come through on the 24 hour news channels and the satellite radio law and order is breaking down around the world, an unknown virus is spreading from person to person causing the infected to attack others. A rescue from Rampart now seems very unlikely and the full horror of the situation the skeleton crew find themselves in starts to dawn on them and all the time the virus is approaching...
A really tense and scary read, very atomspheric. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A very original twist on a sometimes stagnant zombie/ apocalyptic end of the world genre. I highly recommend it!
June 23, 2016
I feel like this book could have really been something but for me, it fell really short.
I mean first we meet Jane, fat, depressed Jane who turns out to be the rig Reverend. I thought the reverend thing would turn out to be important but it literally takes a couple of weeks before I felt like Jane was just a normal person. No talk of faith and then she says at one point that she'd be happy to be the last Christian on earth...doesn't sound like someone who gave their life to God.
I never felt a deep connection with any character in this book at all and I think that was because there was never any background or insight into who made them who they were. I found that I didn't really care who loved or died.
I also feel like the author forgot that the readers don't know know much about rigs and ships and all that kind of stuff. There was never a real explanation about what was what, I was confused.
The infection I also wasn't crazy about. It wasn't some typical zombie bacterial infestation. The metal spikes and the victims melting into metal...like what? I didn't get it at all.
I can't decide if I want to read the next book. I'll have to stew about for a while...
I mean first we meet Jane, fat, depressed Jane who turns out to be the rig Reverend. I thought the reverend thing would turn out to be important but it literally takes a couple of weeks before I felt like Jane was just a normal person. No talk of faith and then she says at one point that she'd be happy to be the last Christian on earth...doesn't sound like someone who gave their life to God.
I never felt a deep connection with any character in this book at all and I think that was because there was never any background or insight into who made them who they were. I found that I didn't really care who loved or died.
I also feel like the author forgot that the readers don't know know much about rigs and ships and all that kind of stuff. There was never a real explanation about what was what, I was confused.
The infection I also wasn't crazy about. It wasn't some typical zombie bacterial infestation. The metal spikes and the victims melting into metal...like what? I didn't get it at all.
I can't decide if I want to read the next book. I'll have to stew about for a while...
August 13, 2016
A small crew on an isolated oil refinery in the middle of the Arctic nowhere watches the world end from a mysterious disease on their televisions. The world stops broadcasting. The resupply ship never makes it, and supplies won't last the arctic winter. That's the least of these people's problems.
I was very impressed with this book. The sense of cold, the isolation, even amongst the crewmen, the paranoia, the despair. This book brought to mind many of my favorite movies: John Carpenter's "The Thing", Ridley Scott's "Alien". The transformation of Reverend Jane Blanc from suicidal fat girl to kick-ass heroine was impressive. One reviewer wrote that if she were in a zombie apocalypse, she would want Jane on her side. I second that sentiment.
Spooky scary good - a great read.
I was very impressed with this book. The sense of cold, the isolation, even amongst the crewmen, the paranoia, the despair. This book brought to mind many of my favorite movies: John Carpenter's "The Thing", Ridley Scott's "Alien". The transformation of Reverend Jane Blanc from suicidal fat girl to kick-ass heroine was impressive. One reviewer wrote that if she were in a zombie apocalypse, she would want Jane on her side. I second that sentiment.
Spooky scary good - a great read.
October 7, 2016
SO BAD!!!
Jane is the worst. Her main struggle is that she is fat. She loses her weight in a matter of weeks, cause yay, she's awesome. Then, she's a true superhero, BUT SHE USED TO BE FAT, GUYS.
The story made no sense at all. The characters weren't realistic at all.
It honestly felt like I was watching a kindergarten production.
I wish I could say one good thing about this, but I just can't.
Jane is the worst. Her main struggle is that she is fat. She loses her weight in a matter of weeks, cause yay, she's awesome. Then, she's a true superhero, BUT SHE USED TO BE FAT, GUYS.
The story made no sense at all. The characters weren't realistic at all.
It honestly felt like I was watching a kindergarten production.
I wish I could say one good thing about this, but I just can't.
July 11, 2011
I liked this. I don't read Zombie type books, but my husband bought this and once I started reading I didn't stop. Plus, it had a different take on things, which I liked. The characters were also good.
June 26, 2015
Real post-apocalyptic fun. Better than expected. Pretty decent writing style, gripping story, occasional bouts of true originality, and really scary at times.
A thoroughly enjoyable light reading experience. For its genre, a well-deserving 4 stars.
A thoroughly enjoyable light reading experience. For its genre, a well-deserving 4 stars.
December 18, 2024
Overall, the story was satisfactory, It was enough to keep you going with just enough tipping points to make you read on.
The reason I have given it 3/5 stars is because the writing can be very basic. There are lots of short snap sentences that span across the pages, but don't give you that much detail as the reader.
Often there are lots of occasions where, on the same page, the author is describing a scene or detailing a conversation between characters, and then it'll suddenly drop off elsewhere completely different, with no context whatsoever.
I often found myself thinking, "How the heck did they get there,". or "Why has he all of a sudden cut short that specific part?"
As I said, the story is simple. If you like infected things, then go for it.
The reason I have given it 3/5 stars is because the writing can be very basic. There are lots of short snap sentences that span across the pages, but don't give you that much detail as the reader.
Often there are lots of occasions where, on the same page, the author is describing a scene or detailing a conversation between characters, and then it'll suddenly drop off elsewhere completely different, with no context whatsoever.
I often found myself thinking, "How the heck did they get there,". or "Why has he all of a sudden cut short that specific part?"
As I said, the story is simple. If you like infected things, then go for it.
June 18, 2025
In the frigid climes of the Arctic, Con Amalgam's Kasker Rampart an off shore Oiling Rig faces and unseen unknown horror. And the group manning the rig, becomes the last people on the Earth as the entire world explodes in an unknown, unseen and unheard of virus. Some try to head to the civilized world, in hopes to be with their families. Some try to stay out and see how things play out. Some have their own selfish agenda and some selflessly try to save the others. In all this turmoil the different characters of this book have shown great resilience and cunning throughout the book. This is a must read science fiction apocalyptic novel by Adam Baker, who has done a brilliant job in depicting the horrors of those moments when all hope seems lost.
September 12, 2025
Took me a while to adjust to Bakers writing style. It’s a fast paced story that often skips over details and expects you to fill in the gaps, but overall it’s engaging and a fun read.
I really liked the different take on zombie infection, but would have appreciated a bit more exploration into its nature. At one point one of the characters mentions seeing big “leviathans” implying the infection has evolved, but this is then never expanded upon.
The ending was very underwhelming, it all seems to be over too soon. As I understand the sequels focus on an entirely different set of characters, it’s a bit disappointing not to have at least some indication to the fate of the group in this one. So at this point I don’t really have a desire to continue the series.
I really liked the different take on zombie infection, but would have appreciated a bit more exploration into its nature. At one point one of the characters mentions seeing big “leviathans” implying the infection has evolved, but this is then never expanded upon.
The ending was very underwhelming, it all seems to be over too soon. As I understand the sequels focus on an entirely different set of characters, it’s a bit disappointing not to have at least some indication to the fate of the group in this one. So at this point I don’t really have a desire to continue the series.
August 29, 2019
Enjoyable apocalyptic romp in the arctic circle! Just what I needed. Better written than most with one confusing plot line that didn't make much sense, but still much fun with flamethrowers and walking dead was had! You can't help but like Jane Blanc, resident reverend aboard Kasker Rampart and Ghost, couldn't put it down.
August 9, 2025
Jane works as a chaplain on an isolated oil rig with a skeleton crew in the Arctic Circle. Unfortunately her lowest day just got worse. The ship she and her crew mates were supposed to return on to civilization looks like it might not be coming. The world seems to have shutdown because of a virus, and they are all out of chocolate.
Adam Baker weaves a compelling tale in Outpost.
Adam Baker weaves a compelling tale in Outpost.
July 22, 2024
Very, very different from what I would normally read! Perfect for fans of The Thing - bitterly cold Arctic isolation with death scratching at the door. Very atmospheric & mysterious. Lots of action & gore!!
May 31, 2017
A good zombie novel that focus mainly in the interaction between the characters.
We start this story in a oil rig in the artic so there aren't any zombies but scant information about the zombie outbreak in the planet. As it progress they search a way to survive the winter and then go to europa or canada afterwards.
The book has some slow pace in the beginning but it ends with a fast pace narrative. I was impressed by this.
Flamethrowers in the artic (The Thing anyone?)
I really enjoy the mission in the luxury liner and the question or where it all began. This time they hint that it's a space born plague after discovering a USSR space module with a zombie in it.
The characters as I said before are good. I like the stories behind them, the ministry, the sikh, the usurper and a couple others.
The ending in my opinion is one of the reasons I rarely don't give 5 stars to a zombie novel. I enjoy the ending on this one but a bit predictable. I already knew it was ending the way it ended.
Unfortunally or not, it leaves us a open ending that will continue. As I search there is a second book that came out but besides being on the same world the characters are differents. Let us see. Probably this will leave us with a third book where all characters will join up. I really want to read it. Just waiting for the masspaper back release.
We start this story in a oil rig in the artic so there aren't any zombies but scant information about the zombie outbreak in the planet. As it progress they search a way to survive the winter and then go to europa or canada afterwards.
The book has some slow pace in the beginning but it ends with a fast pace narrative. I was impressed by this.
Flamethrowers in the artic (The Thing anyone?)
I really enjoy the mission in the luxury liner and the question or where it all began. This time they hint that it's a space born plague after discovering a USSR space module with a zombie in it.
The characters as I said before are good. I like the stories behind them, the ministry, the sikh, the usurper and a couple others.
The ending in my opinion is one of the reasons I rarely don't give 5 stars to a zombie novel. I enjoy the ending on this one but a bit predictable. I already knew it was ending the way it ended.
Unfortunally or not, it leaves us a open ending that will continue. As I search there is a second book that came out but besides being on the same world the characters are differents. Let us see. Probably this will leave us with a third book where all characters will join up. I really want to read it. Just waiting for the masspaper back release.
July 17, 2011
It's largely thanks to this novel that I have just had a rather lazy weekend, that is if you count being gripped by a story as lazy. Baker's Outpost quickly grabbed, as the skeleton crew of a mothballed Arctic refinery platform are left abandoned as the world is brought to an end by some unknown plague. At first, as the mysterious carnage unfolds on the TV screens, then as the screens go blank one by one, all they can think of is rescue - of getting home. Then the nightmare comes closer and the isolated rig effectively becomes their fortress against the horror that has consumed humanity.
With their food running out, with the Arctic winter drawing in, the 15 crew are on their own, and it isn't long before tensions within are as much a danger as the horrors without. The icy wastes at the top of the world are no defence, especially from their own mounting despair. As events unfolds, Reverend Jane Blanc and her motley allies must dig deep to find their strengths and the determination to survive. It is compelling watching them as they learn to come to terms with their terrifying situation.
With their food running out, with the Arctic winter drawing in, the 15 crew are on their own, and it isn't long before tensions within are as much a danger as the horrors without. The icy wastes at the top of the world are no defence, especially from their own mounting despair. As events unfolds, Reverend Jane Blanc and her motley allies must dig deep to find their strengths and the determination to survive. It is compelling watching them as they learn to come to terms with their terrifying situation.
April 30, 2016
Outpost has plenty of features to make a very interesting book: zombie-like creatures, the critical situation of the main characters in a remote place, the fad of zombies on Tv and even a good book cover. However, I didnt really get into the book. The characters lack in strong personalities and usually have very superficial conversations that don't make you feel real connection with them. Another thing that just didn't help me totally liking it was the way it is written, at least the spanish version of the book. Many repetitions, short sentences and descriptions that didn't really make me imagine the situations presented.
Despite all of these things, the last part kind of got me hooked up, but I won't read the rest of the saga no time soon.
Despite all of these things, the last part kind of got me hooked up, but I won't read the rest of the saga no time soon.
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