Awakening

Children of the After #1

by Jeremy Laszlo

It has been six months since their father locked them in the security vault with a promise to return. But he never came back. With supplies running out and vital life support systems failing, Jack, Samantha, and Will have no choice but to ignore their father’s warnings and leave the vault. With no knowledge of what befell the world outside, or what they might expect once the door is opened, they find themselves in a world they do not recognize.

Thrust into the remains of the world they remember, how will they survive on their own, not knowing what or who else remains amongst the ruins?

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction, Horror, Fantasy

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2013

About the author

First and foremost I am a father and a husband. I work full time as a civilian employed by the US army, and have also been known as a welder, electrician, carpenter, roofer, writer, painter, CNC machinist, and amongst many other things a romantic. I also belong to the eternal fraternal brotherhood of the United States Marine Corps, having served 8 years that showed me a much broader perspective of the world at large serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, The war on Terrorism, and the humanitarian effort in Liberia.

I currently live in southern Louisiana with my wife and children, though I grew up in Michigan, graduating high school in Mason MI. I also spent time living in North Carolina, Florida, and California during my time in the United States Marine Corps. I have always dreamed of publishing my work, and seeing it on a bookshelf in a store, however with the huge shift to digital media I finally realized that the dream was in my own hands. I tell my children that they can live their dreams, and I believe in leading by example.

I enjoy writing across several different genres from poetry, to children's stories, to full epic fantasies. Creating new characters for my readers to connect with, new worlds for them to immerse themselves in, and new ideas to wrap their minds around is an amazing if not humbling experience. I hope that all my readers can take something away from each of my books, and enjoy reading them just as much as I have enjoyed putting them in print.

Semper Fidelis

Reviews

[Jeremy Laszlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to give it five stars simply for the impact it has had on my own children. Prior to writing this novel, I hadn't published a single thing my own girls could read. It was with that in mind that this new series was created, and I couldn't write this first novel fast enough for them. They were ravenous in its consumption, reading each chapter right after I had it completed. It feels like a wonderful achievement to create something your children appreciate and enjoy. Inspiring a child's imagination is the most humbling thing in the entire world, for they are unrestrained and can see what others miss. Thank you all for your wonderful support and feedback. I hope you have all enjoyed reading this first installment as much as I have in writing it.

[Anna (Enchanted by YA) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

***I received the ebook free as a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review***

For such a short book, Awakening dragged like no-one’s business. There was so much repetition in not just the writing but the plot; for a story of survival there was plenty of actual existing and not much fear that something might disrupt it. The only horror aspect was disregarded so quickly, until we get a glimpse of something else at the end – and I just don’t know if it’s enough to peak my interest for obtaining next instalments.

This is definitely one for younger audiences (which feels weird to say since it’s labelled as horror) but following the journey of 3 kids there was definitely a juvenile theme running through. The characters themselves were incredibly well developed, and had adapted to the circumstances. You see them move on from blindly following their parents’ wishes, to making their own choices.

I did love seeing the relationships between the three because it captures how tragedy can bring people together so well, and was enjoyable to see (if a bit predictable with regards to their roles as a unit).

To be honest, this wasn’t the book for me because there wasn’t enough substance. Too many questions went unanswered – and they mainly came from the characters themselves who were fixated and had to prove it by repeating them again… and again… and again…



Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/

[Nicole Storey · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book is 260 pages I'll eat my cat. There is no way. It took all of two hours to read, so either Amazon messed up with their estimation or the author padded the book somehow to fool readers into thinking they were getting a full-length novel.

The story itself is not bad. I do like the idea behind it but reading the same information over and over through three POVs was irritating. As I am sure the following installments (I refuse to call them books because they aren't. They are parts of ONE book) are just as short and the author has jumped the price to $3.50, I won't be reading the rest. I don't mind paying for books but when an author is dishonest about page count and length, I can't support them.

[Lanie]

Clearly, this book is not for me. The writing is Bland and emotionless.

& The logic here totally unrealistic. If the rest of the 13th floor apartment is falling down around them, how did this super heavy metal apocalyptic bunker vault not come loose and send these kids to the afterlife? Who care!? Fuck logic, want matters is coolness! Well, yes. I won't deny that that is true. But you should also realize that even in apocalyptic fiction, readers are still gonna want a little bit of realism. Like, obeying the basic laws of physics.

Plus, what little I read of this was Riddled with annoying gender roles, i could only stomach maybe 40 pages of this dreck, but it was bad. Like, jack, the oldest boy, going out first while Sam stayed inside to watch the kid brother. Like how both these boys think it's their job to protect Sam. Not that they should all work together to survive as a family, but we should automatically try and protect her because she's a girl. -_- or how, jack goes out to look out the house & brings a hair brush for Sam & a robot toy for will. -_- even in the end of the world scenario, a women should always give a shit about her appearance. All little boys like robots.

I just... I just can't deal with this shit. Maybe someone else would enjoy this book, but I am not one of them. And I don't think i could ever recommend it to someone.

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll never pick a book again without checking what it's about a bit more (it said horror so I was happy enough).
But this was YA (which I avoid totally, not to say hate) and on top of it for audience 15+.
Yey for me :/
Well, lesson learned.
I did finish the book though, I tried to imagine reading it 20 years ago and I would have enjoyed it. Therefore a deserved 4*.
Now I'm in desperate need of something violent, gory and hideous.

[J.C. Cauthon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book read like a long journey to no where, and it left me with so many questions and "how is that even possible?"'s at the end that I was a bit frustrated.

These kids are locked in a security vault that is located several floors up in a Chicago apartment building. Okay, most security vaults are HEAVY. When they come out of the vault, the foundation and floors of their apartment building either have or are about to collapse. How is that heavy metal container still solidly attached and supported? That was issue one, and it was hard for me to keep reading after that, but I did.

The main characters--um, stereotypes and quite flat. Will is 7. Someone show me a seven-year-old that ever hushes? Will is constantly quiet, and when he does talk, his vocabulary is almost archaic. He feels off as a character. And don't get me started on the sister. She's been locked in a box with her brothers for months, barely surviving, and the first thing she goes for when she gets out is her Gothic makeup. Really? Jack was not that bad, but even he felt a little flat to me at times.

Then they start traveling to what they feel is their best chance at finding food. It's plausible. For me, if I knew a stocked root cellar was that close and could possibly still hold food, I'd go for it. But it quickly turned into the journey to nowhere. They just kept plodding on, and what little action to be had always turned out to be a "coincidental accident" (the phone pole falling outside the restaurant that scared them so badly) or a "mistaken identity" (man on horse was really just trying to save them).

They kept seeing an alien, but it seemed more scared of them than they did of it. And finally, finally, in the final chapters, they get to their grandparents' house, find the food, and find some newspapers. Horse guy catches up with them, and suddenly, the aliens become hostile. The end. What? The book was finally getting good and it just quit. If it had been a paperback, I would have thrown it, but as it was my cellphone, I refrained. I love a good cliffhanger as much as the next reader, but nothing was answered for me. I was left with more questions, and then the book just ended.

So, not my favorite book of Laszlo's.

[Victoria Simcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who’s left among the ruins they have no clue. They recall that they were cast into the remnants of the domain. They did not identify with the realm they found themselves in. Once through the entrance they didn’t know what to believe. What was Samantha, Will and Jack supposed to do now that the life provision were dwindling. They disregarded their dad’s cautioning, though they figured it was their only option. It was their dad that had sealed them away in the safety vault, encouraging them he’d come back for them. Did he? No he didn’t. Sci-fi is one of my favorites and this is a good one because it’s mixed with down to earth reality as well. The plot is well laid out, making it believable. Held my interest throughout the story.

[Michelle Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dystopian mystery

I was completely enthralled by this book and although some things were a bit repetitive, I think it was only the author trying to drive his message.
The reader has no clue what has happened in the world, but it isn't good. Destruction is everywhere and the chance of finding food and water is slim.
The book keeps you reading in hopes of finding out what has happened to cause all of this. A vague explanation is given towards the end but not enough to fully understand.

[margaret Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

Something new from a Teens view point. Couldn't even put it down. Keep writing please. Loved the book. Want more!

[Amethyst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont often read Young adult books but there was something about the blurb that caught my imagination and attention and the book was FREE what had I to lose.

I read this book in one sitting as its in between a novel and novella and I simply couldn't put it down. Its perfect for the teens but some adults may enjoy this too. I loved the 3 separate characters of the kids and showing so clearly the different ages. Its well written and has brilliant character development as the kids have to to start fending for themselves. We watch them grow as scared children to becoming pretty sensible when needed even the youngest Will whose 14 year old sister Sam has taken to her "Mum" role perfectly and Jack is the brilliant older brother we all want to have.

I love the extremely close bond they have between them and Jeremy most certainly has experience with kids to write with such detailed and childhood understanding. The childlike terminology brings this book together and kids will love this read....all wanting to be Jack Im sure.

Locked in their homes vault by their Dad for safety, running out of food they have to leave before they starve; and to their shock discover utter devastation; their home and city destroyed but who is following them; who is the older man on a horse and the even stranger monkey-like beings?

I would have loved for this to have been much longer as I prefer novels and getting completely immersed into a read. I finished this compelling read within 2-3 hours and went onto buy the second immediately as simply NEED to know what happens next as it ends on a sort of cliffhanger.

A good start to this series and Im now off to download book 2...watch this space!

[Lorenzo Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children of the After: Awakening by Jeremy Laszlo
From the first line of Children of the After: Awakening by Jeremy Laszlo, we know we’re in for an exciting adventure. A master story teller, Laszlo brings the reader right into the action and keeps us engaged throughout. The story unfolds as three siblings, Jack, Samantha, and Will plan their escape from a vault they have been locked in for six months by their own father who had promised to return but never came back. Having exhausted all the supplies they need to survive in captivity, and against their father’s advice, they make their way out of the vault to find the world they knew before completely destroyed.
Children of the After is the first book in a series. The reader will have to wait for future sequels to learn what has happened to the siblings’ world. Who is the horse rider who at first appears to be an enemy but isn’t? Who are those ape-like creatures who try to kill the children? What has happened to the children’s family? They appeared to have vanished. In Children of the After Laszlo makes effective use of product placement. After they leave the vault, the siblings find Pepsi and Skittle and consume these products to survive. I hope those companies recognize the endorsements.
Children of the After: Awakening by Jeremy Laszlo is a fantasy that will appeal to middle grade, young adults and adult readers alike. I recommend it highly.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good post apocalyptic book. Jack who is 16 and one of the main characters was the best for me. It is written in 3 POV's so there is something for everyone. Jack, Will and Samantha are locked into a security vault by their father. Now just so you know it is hard to read some parts without having some serious anxiety. The passages when Jack decides he has to leave to save them are loaded with fear for me as the reader.

The author does a great job in describing what has happened outside. The house they knew is half destroyed under ashes. The city is basically in ashes. When they leave they hope to find supplies, food and maybe people.

It is a great read from the angst I felt as they opened the door to the ending. I look forward to more in the series. I really enjoyed these kids being so smart and resourceful.

[Stonebender · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started out sort of liking this book. I received this one as a freebie on Amazon. It's a pretty slow, not much action. I didn't think the setup was interesting, but the author could've cut the work by half and had a tighter story. The story is part of a series, but those three books are really just one. There is no attempt in the first two to provide any kind of partial resolution. Neither book stands up on its own at all. Did not love the ending. Went from a mildly interesting science fiction story to a comic book ending. It's not a bad way to kill a couple of afternoons.

[Su Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written (zombie?) apocalypse story. My only negative was the abrupt ending. But maybe that's because I was enjoying the relationship and story of three kids out on their own with NO clue what devastation occurred whilst they were locked away in a panic room of sorts. I thought it was a clever beginning to their story. The children's personalities and interactions are honest and, at times, funny. Which is what you'd expect from kids. A definite must-read for apocalypse fans.

[Reviewer Nick]

This book was very good overall. The way that the author used tone and mood to create suspence was well thought out. The fear and wonder that the kids shown was unmistakeable. This was short but a great introduction to this series. The author wrote this story from the POV of a child and it is well seen.

[Janani Ravichandran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gripping read

This book keeps you engaged and wondering what might come next. It kept me coming back for more. Can't wait to read the next series and find the answers about the dark rider.

[Ken Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great concept book, however, I was a little disappointed in how it ended so abruptly.
Jeremy does a wonderful job of creating his dystopian world.

[bookishdoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!Free on Kindle!!
-
I loved this. A lot. I'm already planning on grabbing the last three. It was a quick read but it hooked me from the very first page.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good!!!!

[Constance Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright

Audible edition was really good. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. But it felt like I've read this book many times before.

[真里 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lack of basic logic, slow pacing, and repetition bog down a decent premise.

Awakening suffers from poor editing in a lot of ways. As other reviewers have stated, the series could've been trimmed down into one book, which probably would've been good if not great. All the detail-heavy padding gets really, really tedious.

As it is, I don't appreciate paying more than maybe a few dollars for such a short book, much less such a clearly rough draft.

That's not even mentioning all the illogical points. The placement and integrity of the vault, the lack of answers, drinking unfiltered rainwater from the tops of rusted cars, and kids who talk like tiny geniuses despite being admittedly average in school... The list goes on.

Also it may be a bit nitpicky, but I didn't appreciate the author's opinions being injected into a lot of places in this middle grade fiction.

At one point Lazlo talks about gun control and criticizes it (most 14 year olds don't know or care about it), and he reinforces gender stereotypes and gender roles at every turn. Frankly I think it's in poor taste. Authors naturally have and express opinions through their writing, but give your readers some credit by not making your fictional story into a word for word political statement. If you want to portray gun control as a dangerous thing, then show us a world where the bad guys are the only ones with guns. Don't just tell us that that is the natural consequence when no one is even alive in your world anyway.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the writing was decent for the most part. I had trouble with the following:

- the safe room/vault being on the 30th floor of an apartment building. All the other buildings, including their own, had major damage, but the vault miraculously survived?

- their IMMEDIATE distrust of everyone. You would think after being locked away for six months without even knowing why, they'd want some answers. Not hide away and try to kill anyone following them.

- they tried to kill the guy, yet he still followed them to warn them? Maybe if he would have just said "Fuck 'em, let 'em die" then he wouldn't have died.

It wasn't a bad read, but I'm not invested enough to go for the rest of the series.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three children, two boys (16 and 9) and a girl (14) are shoved into a panic room in their apartment in Chicago by their father and told to stay there. Six months later, the food has run out and the electrical systems are increasingly unreliable. The children open the panic room to find a city destroyed. Everything is blackened ruins, and there seem to be no people remaining. They set out to their grandmother's house outside the city. Things get worse.
Not a bad story, but not particularly compelling either.

[Christine Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story

Awakening is a story told from three siblings POV. Their father locked them in a vault/shelter with instructions to stay inside. That was six months ago and he hasn’t returned. The food is gone the water is tasting funny and the electricity hasn’t been reliable. Jack is the oldest and when he opens the vault door he can not believe what he sees, the world as they knew it is gone.

[Amanda Hallam-Taillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to get to the next instalment. Setting was amazing, kids are very likeable, and I NEED ANSWERS! A great, quick read, appropriate for tweens. I wish I’d gotten them all at once, instead of having to wait for the next (my own fault). My only dislike- and it’s quite mild, not extreme- is that I did find the characters a bit on the trope-y/gender roled side, and I’d rather they be a touch less cookie-cutter stereotypical.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

The setting was promising but quickly turned into a literal journey of walking/running that dragged through much of a book. If it wasn't for my need to finish a book I wouldn't have seen it through. So did not like how it took the whole book ttolearn a very simple explanation to why everything is the way it is.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good, but I feel it was far too drawn out. Not much really happened throughout the whole book and it only started to get good at the end. I think it would have been better if all 3 children's POV's were not added. I just feel it was lacking, but I really liked the concept of the book.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay

Not a lot happens in this book except for the kids running through the city and finding shelter. It takes most of the book to get any information on what happened while they were in the bunker and then ends on a big cliffhanger. The descriptions were pretty good, but there could have been more to the plot.

[Bev Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the last 40 years I have read loads of fantasy/sci-fi books. I prefer series types. This is my first time reading Laszlo and I have to say it was absorbing. Following the kids daily ordeal was so detailed I felt like I was with them witnessing too. They're questions certainly would be mine under those circumstances. Well thought out Laszlo! Looking forward to reading Revelation!

[JL Emerson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cliffhanger

I hate, despise, detest & abhor cliffhangers. There is no point in serializing a story that can be told between the covers of a single book. I don't have the 'graphic novel' mentality. This tome was short to the point of being a novella. You could fit 3 of these 'books' in a single book of average length.

Not well done.