Earth Fire

The Survivalist #9

by Jerry Ahern

After World War III, John Thomas Rourke, ex-CIA agent and survival expert, tries to break Russia's hold on America, but he, and the Russians, fear the imminent combustion of the earth's atmosphere

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Action, Adventure, Military Fiction, Dystopia, Pulp, Science Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Jerry Ahern (born Jerome Morrell Ahern) was a science fiction and action novel author best known for his post apocalyptic survivalist series The Survivalist. The books in this series are heavy with descriptions of the weapons the protagonists use to survive and prosecute a seemingly never-ending war amongst the remnants of the superpowers from pre-apocalypse times.

Ahern was also a firearms writer, who published numerous articles in magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Handguns and Gun World.

Jerry Ahern passed away on July 24, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.

Ahern also released books under pseudonym Axel Kilgore.

Reviews

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top notch, over the top early 80’s WWIII, post apocalypse fun. Outrageous? Yes! This is a sit back, grab some popcorn and enjoy the show type of story. This is shooting at Soviet MiGs with .45 pistols while waving the American flag type of Hollywood fun.

[Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one is moderately more engaging than the previous ones, even if the plot is on the silly side of things. No, seriously, it's a silly plot development. By this point, Ahern is almost capable of writing a decent action scene, but still far too bogged down in the tiny details about what Rourke is doing with his guns. I mean, this is the ninth book. We know he's operating the slide on the Detonic after he slams another clip in the well.

I think these details are how Ahern expresses his sexual frustrations.

Again, however, he does a decent job of portraying most of the Soviets as actual human beings, worthy of respect and honor, with only the main antagonist having the cartoonish villain aspects. Considering this is a post-apocalyptic novel (in which the Sovs started the apocalypse war) with a noticeable right/libertarian bent, written in 1984, that is impressive.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite adventure series. Dr John Thomas Rourke leads his family and friends through a post apocalyptic world fighting ever step if the way. Fantastic characters and plots. Very detailed weapon descriptions. Excellent series. My highest recommendation

[Joseph B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 'first act', as I call it, concludes in Earth Fire. All eight previous novels build up to the events in this one; and it is an explosive finale to this mega-arc. John and Natalia attempt to unite U.S. 2 and Soviet factions in a bid to stop the true end of the world... or at least survive it.

Earth Fire is both an end and new beginning for the Survivalist series. I enjoy Ahern's descriptive prose, even if it meanders into technical specifications about guns often, and paired with the predictable but enjoyable overpowered protagonists makes for fun pulp.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh.. really hate that Sarah cow.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old school pulp fiction at it's best. Bad dialog, over the top characters and plot holes you could drive a truck through. Very enjoyable!

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review under "Total War," Survivalist Book 1.

[Kurt Vosper · Rating 3 out of 5]

see book 1

[Jonah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The classic 1980s flagporn (flagsploitation?)at the end was too funny! That really took me back.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was fun easy reading in my teens. Would actually like to pick one up again and see what I think now. :D

[jayne flatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

Read them all five times and enjoying them all again as much cannot wait to read the Redstone for number ten