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Inish Carraig
Post-alien invasion Belfast and humanity's been defeated. Pity the locals aren't listening.
Set up to release a virus which kills the alien invaders of Belfast, John Dray is sent to Inish Carraig, a forbidding prison. There he uncovers the secret behind the virus - a conspiracy which threatens Earth and everyone he loves.
He has to unveil it. He just has to get out of prison first.
'Blessed with an entirely novel storyline' - Alexander Stevenson-Kaatsch
'An exceptional book' - Sffchronicles.com
Set up to release a virus which kills the alien invaders of Belfast, John Dray is sent to Inish Carraig, a forbidding prison. There he uncovers the secret behind the virus - a conspiracy which threatens Earth and everyone he loves.
He has to unveil it. He just has to get out of prison first.
'Blessed with an entirely novel storyline' - Alexander Stevenson-Kaatsch
'An exceptional book' - Sffchronicles.com
- GenresScience FictionDystopia
239 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2015
14 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Jo Zebedee
25 books108 followersI write dark sci fi and fantasy with kick-ass pace. Edgy voices and sexy space pilots. And people, conflicted and sometimes half-mad, but always written so closely you could be them.
If you want to keep up to date with what I'm up to, get exclusive short stories and information about launches, sign up at: http://jozebedee.com/newsletter/ (I promise not to spam anyone!)
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If you want to keep up to date with what I'm up to, get exclusive short stories and information about launches, sign up at: http://jozebedee.com/newsletter/ (I promise not to spam anyone!)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 23, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5/5
The book hooked me with the title - what on Earth does it mean?
It turns out it's a prison. Scary and creepy one.
The story follows John Dray, a survivor of a brutal alien invasion. He lives in remains of Belfast and he's a regular teenager trying to survive and help his less resourceful siblings. He’s caught up in a conspiracy which threatens Earth and everyone he loves.
The story contains a strong mix of action, mystery, and politics. And did I mention a galactic war between strange species? Because there is one and humanity may be already lost.
The characters we follow are young and bit angsty. They feel real, I'll give you that. On the other hand, teenagers feeling real involves plenty of emotions and questionable behaviors. I remember being a teenager once but thankfully it's over and done. I usually have a hard time rooting for teenagers. It does happen, but it didn't happen here for big part of the book. To be fair, though, I need to emphasize this is a very intelligent book - (don't look for a savior figure/trope). But also dark and brutal - the terror imposed by alien-invasion is palpable. I can see why things went this way and not the other. While the characters feel and act as young survivors, it's definitely not a YA book. Unless YA became bleakly realistic and devastating? I mean, life pictured in the book isn't a magical quest, it's a desperate struggle from one moment to the next and the hope is in short supply.
Human characters are well defined and, to some extent, relatable. The Zelotyr and Barath’na less so, but they still feel interesting and unique (I can be wrong here as I read too little Sci-fi and my knowledge of the genre is limited).
The conclusion of the book is satisfying and suggests that Zebedee is an excellent story architect - it's hard to guess it but it was there almost from the beginning.
In the end, I would say it's clever, intelligent and gritty dystopian tale worth trying. I gave it 3.5 stars only because I had a hard time connecting with the characters and lack of emotional component tends to decrease reading pleasure a bit. Intellectually, though, I'm impressed and I'm definitely interested in reading more books by the author.
I read the book as part of the TBRind - An Indie Author and Reviewer Matching Service created and maintained by The Weatherwax Report.
The book hooked me with the title - what on Earth does it mean?
It turns out it's a prison. Scary and creepy one.
The story follows John Dray, a survivor of a brutal alien invasion. He lives in remains of Belfast and he's a regular teenager trying to survive and help his less resourceful siblings. He’s caught up in a conspiracy which threatens Earth and everyone he loves.
The story contains a strong mix of action, mystery, and politics. And did I mention a galactic war between strange species? Because there is one and humanity may be already lost.
The characters we follow are young and bit angsty. They feel real, I'll give you that. On the other hand, teenagers feeling real involves plenty of emotions and questionable behaviors. I remember being a teenager once but thankfully it's over and done. I usually have a hard time rooting for teenagers. It does happen, but it didn't happen here for big part of the book. To be fair, though, I need to emphasize this is a very intelligent book - (don't look for a savior figure/trope). But also dark and brutal - the terror imposed by alien-invasion is palpable. I can see why things went this way and not the other. While the characters feel and act as young survivors, it's definitely not a YA book. Unless YA became bleakly realistic and devastating? I mean, life pictured in the book isn't a magical quest, it's a desperate struggle from one moment to the next and the hope is in short supply.
Human characters are well defined and, to some extent, relatable. The Zelotyr and Barath’na less so, but they still feel interesting and unique (I can be wrong here as I read too little Sci-fi and my knowledge of the genre is limited).
The conclusion of the book is satisfying and suggests that Zebedee is an excellent story architect - it's hard to guess it but it was there almost from the beginning.
In the end, I would say it's clever, intelligent and gritty dystopian tale worth trying. I gave it 3.5 stars only because I had a hard time connecting with the characters and lack of emotional component tends to decrease reading pleasure a bit. Intellectually, though, I'm impressed and I'm definitely interested in reading more books by the author.
I read the book as part of the TBRind - An Indie Author and Reviewer Matching Service created and maintained by The Weatherwax Report.
January 14, 2016
The characters in Inish Carraig are some of the most three dimensional and believable people that I’ve encountered in a science fiction book in a long time.
These are real folk who make important choices as real people might. They have the doubts and fears and prejudices that I can recognise in myself, and my friends. Their decisions are brave or cowardly, right or wrong, sometimes noble, sometimes arbitrary in the same way as yours or mine might be. No-one is a saint or a demon, and each character’s choices are made in the light of their own personal histories, which become apparent bit by bit as the story progresses.
We are confronted with the sort of dilemma each of us might face in the presence of an occupying force of vastly superior strength. Resist or collaborate, or just keep your head down. Is martyrdom admirable or is a bit of expediency wiser if it allows us to carry on another day.
Even the motives and dilemmas of the aliens, each race with its own preoccupations and agenda, are things that we could recognise in ourselves, if presented with their choices.
The author has lived through the difficulties of Belfast during the last decades and brings all of her knowledge of that time to this story, a time when it must have been oh so easy to lose the integrity and wisdom which she has clearly retained.
But above all, this is a book which never lets up. The action and pace are unflagging, so that I read it from chapter 4 to the end in a single sitting, unable to put it down; hurrying my food and other requirements that I may return to Inish Carraig once more.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.
These are real folk who make important choices as real people might. They have the doubts and fears and prejudices that I can recognise in myself, and my friends. Their decisions are brave or cowardly, right or wrong, sometimes noble, sometimes arbitrary in the same way as yours or mine might be. No-one is a saint or a demon, and each character’s choices are made in the light of their own personal histories, which become apparent bit by bit as the story progresses.
We are confronted with the sort of dilemma each of us might face in the presence of an occupying force of vastly superior strength. Resist or collaborate, or just keep your head down. Is martyrdom admirable or is a bit of expediency wiser if it allows us to carry on another day.
Even the motives and dilemmas of the aliens, each race with its own preoccupations and agenda, are things that we could recognise in ourselves, if presented with their choices.
The author has lived through the difficulties of Belfast during the last decades and brings all of her knowledge of that time to this story, a time when it must have been oh so easy to lose the integrity and wisdom which she has clearly retained.
But above all, this is a book which never lets up. The action and pace are unflagging, so that I read it from chapter 4 to the end in a single sitting, unable to put it down; hurrying my food and other requirements that I may return to Inish Carraig once more.
I cannot recommend this book too highly.
August 21, 2015
Four stars.
I have an interesting mix of emotions when I read Jo Zebedee’s work. It’s darker than I like, with far more emphasis on emotions I prefer not to dwell on. But it’s written so well that I end up getting sucked in anyway. And I’m not sorry I did.
Her characterization in particular is extremely well done. Her main character begins by doing something he knows to be wrong—all part of a struggle to survive—and you end up rooting for him anyway. His journey is grim, with a bewildering array of shifting alliances, but I wanted him to come through in the end.
The setting was easy to picture, even though I’ve never been to Ireland, let alone Belfast.
For those who enjoy Earth-based sci-fi and alien invasions, you’ll absolutely love it. If, like me, that sort of thing is rarely your cup of tea, this might prove an exception to the rule.
I have an interesting mix of emotions when I read Jo Zebedee’s work. It’s darker than I like, with far more emphasis on emotions I prefer not to dwell on. But it’s written so well that I end up getting sucked in anyway. And I’m not sorry I did.
Her characterization in particular is extremely well done. Her main character begins by doing something he knows to be wrong—all part of a struggle to survive—and you end up rooting for him anyway. His journey is grim, with a bewildering array of shifting alliances, but I wanted him to come through in the end.
The setting was easy to picture, even though I’ve never been to Ireland, let alone Belfast.
For those who enjoy Earth-based sci-fi and alien invasions, you’ll absolutely love it. If, like me, that sort of thing is rarely your cup of tea, this might prove an exception to the rule.
September 30, 2015
There are some books that are filled with detail and make an in depth read; then there are others that are so light that they are hardly worth reading, and then there is a third kind, simple standalone stories that give you just what you need, are well written and turn out to be a page-turner.
Inish Carraig is one of those books. It gives you nothing more than you need and keeps you hooked from first to last page (no matter how slow a reader you might have become.)
The world has been invaded! And conquered! But all is not as it seems and as a crushed humanity struggles to comes to terms with its knew status quo a sequence of events take place that might change the world once again.
Told on a personal level, and set in the author’s native Ireland it makes a fresh approach from seeing events centralised on the America or England. Although everything that happens must happen on a global scale the reader is grounded by the personal tale of John Dray, a young man barely more than a boy who has to provide for his younger siblings after their parents are killed during the initial invasion.
Living in a ruined house the bond between the family has become almost a desperate one of dependence, as John and his best friend Taz are forced to do whatever it takes to survive; whether that includes pilfering food from bins and ruins, or running errands for a local mobster for a scant piece of clothing for the kids.
Showing the reader events and the ‘new’ reality from this angle allows them to connect with a shattered world, while at the same time to appreciate just how hard survival has become. The resentment Dray feels for the aliens is all too palpable, and is easily something that the reader can come to share.
The clever thing about the novel, is that Zebedee never distracts you with the bigger scale. The events that unfold do so around John, and any change of viewpoint remains equally personal, from his sister, or those trying to help.
Yes, the story is one of invasion, but it is almost second nature to the events that surround Dray, and although those events have massive implications for the world, it is still grounded by the heart of the story. Of Dray struggling to survive, of the need to find – or even know if his family are still alive. There is the intimate bonds of a lifelong friendship and how it can slowly unravel; of trust and how it can be eaten away after each perceived betrayal; of finding the chance of love in the direst of circumstances; of being a catalyst for change without even realising it; of finding courage where there should be none, and of sacrifice – of losing things that are most precious to you and still finding the strength to carry on.
So, even though Inish Carraig is about an alien invasion and a fight back against it, more importantly it is a fast moving yarn about humanity and surviving.
And a great read.
Inish Carraig is one of those books. It gives you nothing more than you need and keeps you hooked from first to last page (no matter how slow a reader you might have become.)
The world has been invaded! And conquered! But all is not as it seems and as a crushed humanity struggles to comes to terms with its knew status quo a sequence of events take place that might change the world once again.
Told on a personal level, and set in the author’s native Ireland it makes a fresh approach from seeing events centralised on the America or England. Although everything that happens must happen on a global scale the reader is grounded by the personal tale of John Dray, a young man barely more than a boy who has to provide for his younger siblings after their parents are killed during the initial invasion.
Living in a ruined house the bond between the family has become almost a desperate one of dependence, as John and his best friend Taz are forced to do whatever it takes to survive; whether that includes pilfering food from bins and ruins, or running errands for a local mobster for a scant piece of clothing for the kids.
Showing the reader events and the ‘new’ reality from this angle allows them to connect with a shattered world, while at the same time to appreciate just how hard survival has become. The resentment Dray feels for the aliens is all too palpable, and is easily something that the reader can come to share.
The clever thing about the novel, is that Zebedee never distracts you with the bigger scale. The events that unfold do so around John, and any change of viewpoint remains equally personal, from his sister, or those trying to help.
Yes, the story is one of invasion, but it is almost second nature to the events that surround Dray, and although those events have massive implications for the world, it is still grounded by the heart of the story. Of Dray struggling to survive, of the need to find – or even know if his family are still alive. There is the intimate bonds of a lifelong friendship and how it can slowly unravel; of trust and how it can be eaten away after each perceived betrayal; of finding the chance of love in the direst of circumstances; of being a catalyst for change without even realising it; of finding courage where there should be none, and of sacrifice – of losing things that are most precious to you and still finding the strength to carry on.
So, even though Inish Carraig is about an alien invasion and a fight back against it, more importantly it is a fast moving yarn about humanity and surviving.
And a great read.
June 17, 2018
This is an inventive story of alien invasion that deals with the aftermath - the invasion has been lost and the world is caught in the feud between two alien species while a remote galactic council seeks to enforce rules of interactions with a human species belatedly admitted to be sentient. Sort of like the UN trying to preserve some semblance of decency in the Balkan war between rival Serbian and Croatian forces each seeking to extend their influence over one or other muslim enclave. In short - the scenario is a political and humanitarian nightmare.
Zebedee's story principally follows a young man John Dray and his sister Josie as their everyday struggle for survival gets swept up in a fast flowing tide of interplanetary rivalry, xenocide (the murder of a species), conspiracy, collaboration and good old fashioned human iniquity.
As I write this I am looking out of the window at Cavehill - scene of a key event near the book's opening and there is something very satisfying about seeing so alien a story based so closely in recognisable Northern Ireland landmarks. A key part of the action takes place on Raithlin Island (once by repute briefly home to Robert the Bruce and a persistent spider). I once spent a dour grey day in Ballycastle contemplating the distant windswept island sanctuary and those notes of resonance help with immersion in the book. It was perhaps too much to hope that the carrick-a-rede rope bridge would make an appearance! but the North Coast of Northern Ireland is a worthy setting for many a fine story - as Game of Thrones viewers may unwittingly have witnessed.
There is an inventiveness to Zebedee's writing - the very different forms of alien, the technology including a kind of living metal that can hold people in suffocating imprisonment like flies trapped on flypaper.
The young people at the heart of the story lead lives filled with angst and driven by trauma and Zebedee makes much of their fears and troubles. However these two didn't fire my interest in quite the same way as the supporting characters like Carter the policeman and Peters the soldier. I think that's because it is the actions of Carter and Peters and others that really move the story forward. For all the trauma that Josey and John endure I struggled to find key plot points where their positive actions/decisions ultimately made the difference to the story's outcome. Frequently they were saved from their own folly or the human/alien malice by the intervention of other characters and machines. Carter - especially was for me the enduring hero of the story and, to be fair, Zebedee gives him a good proportion of the air time.
So overall an enjoyable and inventive read, easily consumed with a plot strong enough to carry the reader along - though probably not one to subject to too much detailed scrutiny.
Zebedee's story principally follows a young man John Dray and his sister Josie as their everyday struggle for survival gets swept up in a fast flowing tide of interplanetary rivalry, xenocide (the murder of a species), conspiracy, collaboration and good old fashioned human iniquity.
As I write this I am looking out of the window at Cavehill - scene of a key event near the book's opening and there is something very satisfying about seeing so alien a story based so closely in recognisable Northern Ireland landmarks. A key part of the action takes place on Raithlin Island (once by repute briefly home to Robert the Bruce and a persistent spider). I once spent a dour grey day in Ballycastle contemplating the distant windswept island sanctuary and those notes of resonance help with immersion in the book. It was perhaps too much to hope that the carrick-a-rede rope bridge would make an appearance! but the North Coast of Northern Ireland is a worthy setting for many a fine story - as Game of Thrones viewers may unwittingly have witnessed.
There is an inventiveness to Zebedee's writing - the very different forms of alien, the technology including a kind of living metal that can hold people in suffocating imprisonment like flies trapped on flypaper.
The young people at the heart of the story lead lives filled with angst and driven by trauma and Zebedee makes much of their fears and troubles. However these two didn't fire my interest in quite the same way as the supporting characters like Carter the policeman and Peters the soldier. I think that's because it is the actions of Carter and Peters and others that really move the story forward. For all the trauma that Josey and John endure I struggled to find key plot points where their positive actions/decisions ultimately made the difference to the story's outcome. Frequently they were saved from their own folly or the human/alien malice by the intervention of other characters and machines. Carter - especially was for me the enduring hero of the story and, to be fair, Zebedee gives him a good proportion of the air time.
So overall an enjoyable and inventive read, easily consumed with a plot strong enough to carry the reader along - though probably not one to subject to too much detailed scrutiny.
August 14, 2018
This is an exceptional novel. The pace is incredible, with hard-hitting characters, and a powerful plot. It’s also intelligent, and cleverly juxtaposes the sectarianism of Northern Ireland with that of two different alien races with interests on Planet Earth.
The story:
John is a fifteen-year old boy, struggling to help his younger brother and sisters survive in a bombed-out Belfast, which has been left under the control of dangerous criminal gangs...
Henry Carter is a police inspector - and a hated liaison for the invading Zelotyr. When he picks John up during curfew, he finds himself caught up in a crime of galactic importance - one that will decide the fate of earth, and humanity...
Impressions:
It really was hard to put this book down. I was expecting a strong opening, that would fade into a quiet middle, before picking up towards the end. Instead, the pace is unrelenting, as the plot unfolds to reveal complex turns and real surprises.
The setting is amazing - Jo Zebedee clearly uses imagery from the “troubles” of Belfast to create an electric context, that creates far bigger tensions than should ordinarily be expected in this sort of story.
Added to that, the invasion already finished a year before the story opens - so there’s no high drama of seeing earth attacked. Instead, we have a focus on survival, and the dealing with the aftermath - one that becomes increasingly engaging as the plot progresses.
Overall, this is an ‘alien invasion’ story with a difference - it’s unique, intelligent, and fearlessly tense.
And yet - here’s the biggest surprise by far - this is a self-published book. Apparently it was almost picked up by a Big 6 publisher, but the marketing dept wasn’t sure whether they could sell it as a YA fiction or adult science fiction novel. So they let it go.
Now Jo Zebedee has paid for a full edit, polished it up, and self-published. And I’m so glad she did, because this is such a wonderfully told story - and certainly one of my Top 10 favourite reads this year.
The story:
John is a fifteen-year old boy, struggling to help his younger brother and sisters survive in a bombed-out Belfast, which has been left under the control of dangerous criminal gangs...
Henry Carter is a police inspector - and a hated liaison for the invading Zelotyr. When he picks John up during curfew, he finds himself caught up in a crime of galactic importance - one that will decide the fate of earth, and humanity...
Impressions:
It really was hard to put this book down. I was expecting a strong opening, that would fade into a quiet middle, before picking up towards the end. Instead, the pace is unrelenting, as the plot unfolds to reveal complex turns and real surprises.
The setting is amazing - Jo Zebedee clearly uses imagery from the “troubles” of Belfast to create an electric context, that creates far bigger tensions than should ordinarily be expected in this sort of story.
Added to that, the invasion already finished a year before the story opens - so there’s no high drama of seeing earth attacked. Instead, we have a focus on survival, and the dealing with the aftermath - one that becomes increasingly engaging as the plot progresses.
Overall, this is an ‘alien invasion’ story with a difference - it’s unique, intelligent, and fearlessly tense.
And yet - here’s the biggest surprise by far - this is a self-published book. Apparently it was almost picked up by a Big 6 publisher, but the marketing dept wasn’t sure whether they could sell it as a YA fiction or adult science fiction novel. So they let it go.
Now Jo Zebedee has paid for a full edit, polished it up, and self-published. And I’m so glad she did, because this is such a wonderfully told story - and certainly one of my Top 10 favourite reads this year.
February 27, 2016
I just finished reading this and thought it was fantastic. Characterisation was marvellous, I was rooting for the protagonist, John, from start to finish, and the grim setting of post apocalyptic Northern Ireland really shone through ... I almost felt the grittiness coming off the pages. I just wish it could have been a bit longer; before I knew it I'd reached the end ... everything was wrapped up well, but an extra 50 or so pages would have drawn out the conclusion somewhat and not left me wanting for more. Guess this is just a reflection of my reading pleasure though. Jo is a superb author and I will definitely be reading more from her.
February 27, 2017
Alien invasions are a common enough theme in sf, but Inish Carraig sets itself apart - the setting is in and around a post-invasion, devasted Belfast, the streets almost familiar to those of a certain age given the media coverage decades ago.
The characters are all, in their own ways, survivors in a world with new masters and rarely do they (or the reader) know who to trust or who will betray them in a fast plot that twists and turns each chapter.
An excellent read and one to keep on the bookshelf or e-reader.
Edit: there is now an audio book version available from the publisher Tickety Boo Press through Audible and the gentle Irish accent simply adds to the story's tension - you won't fall asleep listening to it!
The characters are all, in their own ways, survivors in a world with new masters and rarely do they (or the reader) know who to trust or who will betray them in a fast plot that twists and turns each chapter.
An excellent read and one to keep on the bookshelf or e-reader.
Edit: there is now an audio book version available from the publisher Tickety Boo Press through Audible and the gentle Irish accent simply adds to the story's tension - you won't fall asleep listening to it!
August 25, 2015
This is the second of Jo Zebedee's books I have read. I loved the first (Abendau's Heir), but this is even better.
Set in post-invasion Belfast, the story revolves around two main characters and is refreshing change from all the Troubles-related fiction that we usually associate with Belfast. Two Alien species are eyeing Earth's resources hungrily, and humans are forced to make concessions in order to survive. No-on knows this better than Henry, a policeman and John, a teenage boy.
The stakes are high with the lives of their loved ones on the table. It takes all John's wits and the survival instincts he's developed on the streets of the ruined city to keep him and his best friend alive.
Gritty and fast-paced, this is a difficult book to put down. The author draws us into the lives of the characters until we feel what they feel, laughing and crying with them, holding our breath while they take incredible risks and face terrifying challenges. I found myself breathing as though I'd just run a race when I finally put this down at the end.
Satisfying and extremely well-written, this will appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Highly recommended.
Set in post-invasion Belfast, the story revolves around two main characters and is refreshing change from all the Troubles-related fiction that we usually associate with Belfast. Two Alien species are eyeing Earth's resources hungrily, and humans are forced to make concessions in order to survive. No-on knows this better than Henry, a policeman and John, a teenage boy.
The stakes are high with the lives of their loved ones on the table. It takes all John's wits and the survival instincts he's developed on the streets of the ruined city to keep him and his best friend alive.
Gritty and fast-paced, this is a difficult book to put down. The author draws us into the lives of the characters until we feel what they feel, laughing and crying with them, holding our breath while they take incredible risks and face terrifying challenges. I found myself breathing as though I'd just run a race when I finally put this down at the end.
Satisfying and extremely well-written, this will appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Highly recommended.
October 12, 2016
Very clever, very original feeling book. The characters feel as real as can be and deal with their wide range of problems in a decidedly human way. The plot is satisfyingly murky and moves at neither too fast nor too slow until right at the end, which is possibly the only criticism to level at the book. One of the gems of indie publishing - highly recommended.
February 18, 2017
I bought the Kindle version of this to take on holiday in 2015, started reading it while on holiday a month later and didn't get beyond the first few chapters. It's not a genre I would usually read, so I thought it wasn't for me. I was really wrong about this. I started reading it again about a week ago, and I enjoyed it a lot more than I would have expected. I found it quite comforting to read because like a lot of other people I've been quite dismayed by current affairs recently and reading something set in a world where things were really not okay made me feel a little bit better about it all.
January 14, 2018
Fun and fast-paced with good charactization. It's not exactly about alien invasion - more what happens after the invasion, when the dust settled. The book is short but I thought it was very well-structured, with no lulls that sometime plague other SF books.
March 20, 2017
I loved this book so much. An alien invasion story using the Troubles-hardened denizens of Belfast as the heroes and villains - pure genius.
The characters are well crafted, the plot is executed beautifully, the story-telling brings a grim world filled with tragedy to life with obvious love for the ravaged backdrop that is Belfast and its environs.
I will be reading more by Jo Zebedee!
The characters are well crafted, the plot is executed beautifully, the story-telling brings a grim world filled with tragedy to life with obvious love for the ravaged backdrop that is Belfast and its environs.
I will be reading more by Jo Zebedee!
February 24, 2017
I truly enjoyed Inish Carraig, the new novel by Jo Zebedee. Wow, is it an engaging read! The author has done a wonderfully moving, and credible job of depicting the gritty, brutal struggle for existence of the surviving citizens in a post-alien invasion Belfast. Ms. Zebedee is very strong on characterization (readers of her first book, Abendau’s Heir, will know this); the book is full of intriguing, richly defined characters--you’ll have any number of people to root for (and trust me, you will root for the main characters--they are immensely likeable). There are multiple storylines to follow, which really ramps up the intensity of the plotting as the story progresses, and the stakes get higher, and deadlier, for our protagonists. The plot moves quickly forward--I think calling the book a real page turner is absolutely fair, and justified in Inish Carraig’s case. And of course aliens should feature prominently in any tale of the alien invasion of Earth--there are two species, each also clearly defined, and very believable. The interactions between all species is also very nicely handled.
My only issue with Inish Carraig--and it’s a small one, and a subjective one--is that the story seemed to end a bit more quickly, and a bit more tidily than I would have expected it to (the story-telling was so rich throughout the book). I was so happily engaged with the story, that I wish the denouement had taken a few chapters longer. So, my only complaint is that I liked the book so much that I wish it had been longer. :)
My only issue with Inish Carraig--and it’s a small one, and a subjective one--is that the story seemed to end a bit more quickly, and a bit more tidily than I would have expected it to (the story-telling was so rich throughout the book). I was so happily engaged with the story, that I wish the denouement had taken a few chapters longer. So, my only complaint is that I liked the book so much that I wish it had been longer. :)
February 3, 2017
This is a powerful post-Apocalyptic novel set in Belfast (Northern Ireland) in the aftermath of a devastating alien invasion, where the race in question failed to spot that humans were sentient and therefore carpet bombed most of the planet before they were told to stop by the Galactic Council. As the story opens, a young man, John, is trying to provide for the surviving members of his family by doing jobs for a dodgy criminal gang leader. He and his friend Taz release a powder into the wind from a hilltop, which turns out to be a virus that wipes out the incumbent aliens. Then he and Taz find themselves held accountable and sent to a grim prison, the Inish Carraig of the title. Due to their families being taken hostage by the gang leader, they cannot put the blame where it really lies. The prison is run by another alien race, deadly enemies of the first, who have now been placed in charge of reconstruction on Earth, but turn out to have their own agenda.
The story is told from the point of view of a number of characters including John himself, a policeman, Carter, who is a reluctant liaison officer for the alien invaders, John's sister, and a female gang leader who has helped children survive, but who features only towards the end of the book. The adolescent characters are believable and prone to doing stupid things, especially John, this tendency being exacerbated by their loss of trust in other people following a year of bereavement, trauma and deprivation. The atmosphere of grim survival in a ruined city is well envisaged as is the violence perpetrated by John's and Taz's employer, including his abuse of John's sister and Taz's mother. This is a story where you don't know if the characters will survive, with John and Carter in particular being subjected to physical and mental torture. There is also a lot of action, especially in the closing stages.
One slight unevenness is the inclusion only towards the end of the female gang boss. I think the story would have worked better if she had been introduced earlier, which would have been fairly straightforward to do, and her backstory worked in then - there could have been sequences to establish that she knew John, and her arrest could have been shown - because it is a bit jarring to have a character in the prison, introduced fairly late in the story, who suddenly becomes important to John's survival. I found the character likeable and would have liked to have seen more of her. I was also a bit doubtful about the cute robots that Carter arranges to accompany the two lads, ostensibly to enable them to continue their education, although as I read on I could see how these were vital to the story development.
The reason I've rated this at 3-stars rather than higher is that it is a bit unrelentingly grim and although I liked the book, I couldn't "enjoy" it as such. However, I can certainly recommend it to anyone who is looking for solidly written and hard-hitting dystopian fiction.
The story is told from the point of view of a number of characters including John himself, a policeman, Carter, who is a reluctant liaison officer for the alien invaders, John's sister, and a female gang leader who has helped children survive, but who features only towards the end of the book. The adolescent characters are believable and prone to doing stupid things, especially John, this tendency being exacerbated by their loss of trust in other people following a year of bereavement, trauma and deprivation. The atmosphere of grim survival in a ruined city is well envisaged as is the violence perpetrated by John's and Taz's employer, including his abuse of John's sister and Taz's mother. This is a story where you don't know if the characters will survive, with John and Carter in particular being subjected to physical and mental torture. There is also a lot of action, especially in the closing stages.
One slight unevenness is the inclusion only towards the end of the female gang boss. I think the story would have worked better if she had been introduced earlier, which would have been fairly straightforward to do, and her backstory worked in then - there could have been sequences to establish that she knew John, and her arrest could have been shown - because it is a bit jarring to have a character in the prison, introduced fairly late in the story, who suddenly becomes important to John's survival. I found the character likeable and would have liked to have seen more of her. I was also a bit doubtful about the cute robots that Carter arranges to accompany the two lads, ostensibly to enable them to continue their education, although as I read on I could see how these were vital to the story development.
The reason I've rated this at 3-stars rather than higher is that it is a bit unrelentingly grim and although I liked the book, I couldn't "enjoy" it as such. However, I can certainly recommend it to anyone who is looking for solidly written and hard-hitting dystopian fiction.
April 28, 2016
If you're looking for some fast and fun science fiction, search no more; Inish Carraig by Jo Zebedee fits the bill perfectly. This is a so called soft sci-fi book. The setting is definitely sci-fi, but don't expect any space battles, travelling between the stars or in-depth exploration of scientific themes in a futuristic setting. Instead, this is an adventure story with detective/action hero elements set in the near future.
Zebedee's writing style is fluid and neat. She is very skilled in writing in different "voices". A taciturn policeman, a teenage boy, a pubescent girl; all are convincingly blown to life by the author's pen (well, keyboard probably). The book is also well edited. I couldn't find any typos, grammatical errors or clunky phrasing. This all combined made for a very pleasant reading experience.
The story is relatively straightforward, but has some cool twists and is presented in such a way that it keeps you flipping the pages to find out what happens next. It is very fast-paced, as they say a real page-turner.
The setting is post-Apocalyptic Northern-Island (Belfast). In the near future Earth has made contact with two advanced alien civilizations; the armoured, humanoid Zelotyr, and the canine Barath'na. Quickly after first contact the Zelotyr mistakenly almost eradicated humanity by bombing Earth's population centres (oops!), but here and there pockets of civilization still exist. The remainder of Earth's population is ruled by the Galactic Council, which is a joint venture led by humans and the two alien races (who being technologically superior call the shots). The story revolves around an adolescent Belfast boy named John who tries to eek out a living as a gang-member in ruined Belfast. His parents have been killed in the war against the Zelotyr and he now has to protect and raise his juvenile siblings. One day John and his buddy Taz are sent on a mission by a local gang-leader to perform an easy task. Shenanigans ensue.
As the story unfolds we meet various interesting characters, human as well as non-human, of which the soldier Peter and policeman Carter are my favorites. John and Taz are also cool characters. Josey, John's sister, is a bit irritating though en her part of the story didn't interest me nearly as much as the rest did.
The only gripe I have with this book is that it is rather short. I feel the story could have done with at least 50 extra pages. Especially the ending was over before I knew it. It didn't exactly feel rushed, but it was close.
All things considered I really enjoyed this book and I can recommend it to anyone looking for some quick soft sci-fi action. I rate this 8/10 (**** 4 GoodReads stars).
Zebedee's writing style is fluid and neat. She is very skilled in writing in different "voices". A taciturn policeman, a teenage boy, a pubescent girl; all are convincingly blown to life by the author's pen (well, keyboard probably). The book is also well edited. I couldn't find any typos, grammatical errors or clunky phrasing. This all combined made for a very pleasant reading experience.
The story is relatively straightforward, but has some cool twists and is presented in such a way that it keeps you flipping the pages to find out what happens next. It is very fast-paced, as they say a real page-turner.
The setting is post-Apocalyptic Northern-Island (Belfast). In the near future Earth has made contact with two advanced alien civilizations; the armoured, humanoid Zelotyr, and the canine Barath'na. Quickly after first contact the Zelotyr mistakenly almost eradicated humanity by bombing Earth's population centres (oops!), but here and there pockets of civilization still exist. The remainder of Earth's population is ruled by the Galactic Council, which is a joint venture led by humans and the two alien races (who being technologically superior call the shots). The story revolves around an adolescent Belfast boy named John who tries to eek out a living as a gang-member in ruined Belfast. His parents have been killed in the war against the Zelotyr and he now has to protect and raise his juvenile siblings. One day John and his buddy Taz are sent on a mission by a local gang-leader to perform an easy task. Shenanigans ensue.
As the story unfolds we meet various interesting characters, human as well as non-human, of which the soldier Peter and policeman Carter are my favorites. John and Taz are also cool characters. Josey, John's sister, is a bit irritating though en her part of the story didn't interest me nearly as much as the rest did.
The only gripe I have with this book is that it is rather short. I feel the story could have done with at least 50 extra pages. Especially the ending was over before I knew it. It didn't exactly feel rushed, but it was close.
All things considered I really enjoyed this book and I can recommend it to anyone looking for some quick soft sci-fi action. I rate this 8/10 (**** 4 GoodReads stars).
September 16, 2015
I first read Inish Carraig in an earlier draft version. It was good then. Now, it's great. Neither YA nor adult-orientated, but a cross-over, capable of appealing to all ages.
John Dray is in an impossible position: looking after his younger brother and sisters, keeping them alive, at an age when he should be thinking about school exams or if the redhead at the next desk fancies him. Aliens have devastated the Earth. Life on the streets is harder than ever, and a teenager whose siblings are depending upon him must do whatever he can to survive, and keep those he loves alive.
So, John accepts a job from the local mob boss; it's risky, but winter is just around the corner, and his family won't make it without food and warm clothes. What he doesn't realise is that the job will set off a series of events leading to him being charged with mass murder of an alien species - xenocide.
Inspector Henry Carter knows that John is a pawn, set up to take the fall for another's gain. But, as a cop, his hands are tied. He has more than one family to protect. As a reluctant liaison between humans and the aliens now ruling over Earth, he must try to keep the whole community alive. That doesn't mean he has to like his job.
And, in this case, fighting for justice might mean Carter must break the law he's sworn to uphold.
John and Henry may be the only ones able to expose a conspiracy which threatens not only the human race but the entire Galactic Council. If they live long enough, which seems increasingly unlikely.
This is post-apocalyptic sci-fi as it should be. These are the dirty streets and hard, open fields, where the locals must scrap amongst themselves to make it. Where the aliens are going to regret taking on the locals.
If there is a downside, I'd say that there was a slight touch of deus ex machina that could have been avoided by broadening out the final part of the story arc. That is a tiny aspect of the book though, more than made up for by the great writing and an absorbing story of believable characters.
9/10.
John Dray is in an impossible position: looking after his younger brother and sisters, keeping them alive, at an age when he should be thinking about school exams or if the redhead at the next desk fancies him. Aliens have devastated the Earth. Life on the streets is harder than ever, and a teenager whose siblings are depending upon him must do whatever he can to survive, and keep those he loves alive.
So, John accepts a job from the local mob boss; it's risky, but winter is just around the corner, and his family won't make it without food and warm clothes. What he doesn't realise is that the job will set off a series of events leading to him being charged with mass murder of an alien species - xenocide.
Inspector Henry Carter knows that John is a pawn, set up to take the fall for another's gain. But, as a cop, his hands are tied. He has more than one family to protect. As a reluctant liaison between humans and the aliens now ruling over Earth, he must try to keep the whole community alive. That doesn't mean he has to like his job.
And, in this case, fighting for justice might mean Carter must break the law he's sworn to uphold.
John and Henry may be the only ones able to expose a conspiracy which threatens not only the human race but the entire Galactic Council. If they live long enough, which seems increasingly unlikely.
This is post-apocalyptic sci-fi as it should be. These are the dirty streets and hard, open fields, where the locals must scrap amongst themselves to make it. Where the aliens are going to regret taking on the locals.
If there is a downside, I'd say that there was a slight touch of deus ex machina that could have been avoided by broadening out the final part of the story arc. That is a tiny aspect of the book though, more than made up for by the great writing and an absorbing story of believable characters.
9/10.
September 5, 2016
In post-Invasion Belfast, young John Dray can starve on his own or be a runner for the gangs that haunt the rubble. It's not much of a choice, especially with younger siblings to feed. Avoiding army patrols and the occupying alien Zelo is no game. But when John and his friend Taz are given a small box and told to tip the contents into the air atop a hill on the edge of Belfast, the whole nature of the Invasion is turned on its head...
If you remember the mid-80s alien invasion TV epic V, you might have expected Jo Zebedee's second published book - and the first outside her Abendau space opera series - to hark back to that. In some ways it does - it's very easy to see this story adapted for the small screen, for example - but Jo isn't interested in the invasion itself, more in the fall-out of a sort of liberation, a year or so down the line.
Unusually for a book that is much YA as "adult", there are multiple viewpoints. This turns out to be necessary to communicate the full breadth of the plot (John is imprisoned for much of the book and his ability to follow the clues is seriously hampered by that), but it does take away some of the power of John and Josey's experiences as a result. And they are powerful experiences indeed - Jo doesn't hold back in subjecting her characters to incredible levels of physical and psychological torture. If you've read Abendau's Heir, you already know this.
The aliens are very well drawn - the Zelotyr holding out its dead child is an eyeopener and the Barath'na are never anything less than creepy and intimidating, but the Galactic Council and trial aspects of the story are less well portrayed, essentially plot devices to put John in the hands/claws of the Barath'na.
Inish Carraig is a quick and easy read despite these bumps in the road, and a definite indication that Jo Zebedee is a name to watch for in SF over the next few years.
If you remember the mid-80s alien invasion TV epic V, you might have expected Jo Zebedee's second published book - and the first outside her Abendau space opera series - to hark back to that. In some ways it does - it's very easy to see this story adapted for the small screen, for example - but Jo isn't interested in the invasion itself, more in the fall-out of a sort of liberation, a year or so down the line.
Unusually for a book that is much YA as "adult", there are multiple viewpoints. This turns out to be necessary to communicate the full breadth of the plot (John is imprisoned for much of the book and his ability to follow the clues is seriously hampered by that), but it does take away some of the power of John and Josey's experiences as a result. And they are powerful experiences indeed - Jo doesn't hold back in subjecting her characters to incredible levels of physical and psychological torture. If you've read Abendau's Heir, you already know this.
The aliens are very well drawn - the Zelotyr holding out its dead child is an eyeopener and the Barath'na are never anything less than creepy and intimidating, but the Galactic Council and trial aspects of the story are less well portrayed, essentially plot devices to put John in the hands/claws of the Barath'na.
Inish Carraig is a quick and easy read despite these bumps in the road, and a definite indication that Jo Zebedee is a name to watch for in SF over the next few years.
November 7, 2015
First I would like to thank the author and goodreads for allowing me the opportunity to read this book, and I apologize that I took so long to complete it. I haven't recently read a lot of science fiction recently because the majority of them seem to be the same with a different sort of alien. The storyline of this novel was well written and complex if not a little dark. The characters were well developed and reminded me once again of the importance o f family and friendships and the extremes we will go for those we love. Kudos. I will have to seek out some of Ms. Zebedee's other works
December 15, 2015
I just finished Inish Carraig, I really enjoyed it. First impressions: I was drawn in the story from the first chapter. I loved the fact that I knew a lot of the places, we love going up Cave Hill, it gave me a sense of familiarity with the main characters, I wanted to know their story!
I loved the thorough description of the aliens, mostly the Barath'na’s, just a thought but I feel the novel would lend itself to a great graphic novel!
I loved the thorough description of the aliens, mostly the Barath'na’s, just a thought but I feel the novel would lend itself to a great graphic novel!
February 5, 2017
Great wee novel to come out of Northern Ireland. Character driven, but not at all lacking in plot. Full of suspense as the story builds. Took me a little while to get used to the narrator, but he got really into it and was great at bringing something different to each voice. You never got confused about who was saying which bit.
October 11, 2015
Superb science fiction drama set in and around Belfast after an alien invasion. Tension, action, believable characters, and you don't know how it's going to end until the last page. Jo Zebedee is an accomplished author. Definitely one to watch
May 6, 2016
Jo Zebedee's Inish Carraig is a suspenseful SF set in Belfast, post-alien invasion.
Overall an enjoyable, free-flowing story with likable characters and some interesting aliens. Probably a bit formulaic in it's plot but still a fun read.
Overall an enjoyable, free-flowing story with likable characters and some interesting aliens. Probably a bit formulaic in it's plot but still a fun read.
September 1, 2016
A very entertaining and quite different take on the alien invasion theme, set in and around Belfast. The characters were well-developed and the plot moved along at a good pace. The author has other books out there that I'll be checking out in the near future.
October 4, 2016
Terrific tale about a post invasion Earth and a resistance movement that is not all it appears to be. Sci fi with a decidedly low tech approach to the storytelling( very little doodads and weapons, well done)Jo Zebedee weaves a tale that had me caught from the beginning. Great read
October 28, 2015
Pacy, dark and deeply textured account of an alien occupation. The characters are well fleshed out. It rips along so fast it will skin you. This is a good read.
November 8, 2015
A fantastic tale set in Northern Ireland. It brought to life characters and places and will have me disappointed to learn there aren't aliens hanging out in Belfast....
December 1, 2015
Enjoyed this. Liked the Northern Irish setting and wee references. Good story.
March 17, 2017
Unconventional, post alien invasion story, a quick, good read.
May 16, 2019
Inish Carraig by Jo Zebedee
There are so many things that are good, about this novel, that it's difficult to say which one might have pushed it over the top and onto my pile of best novels for the year 2015. I've read the author’s first novel, Abendau's Heir, and I would recommend that when you finish this novel you should check it out if you haven't already read it. Abendau's Heir showcases the authors style of writing which might be described as fifty shades of dark. She likes to start things out in grey areas and slowly drip the characters through darkness until they reach some of the darkest places. But in this novel I think she proved that she could balance that and since Abendau's Heir is the beginning of a series it bodes well that she will eventually balance the scale in that story also. All of that considered: what she does better than dark; is her delving into consequences. Her characters are not the sterling white knights that you see in some novels. And the stories she tells start with those consequences and lead the reader and the characters down a path toward whatever redemption is possible. It’s a long and winding path filled with dark moments and things are rarely easy and often gruesome.
In Inish Carraig John and Taz are survivors, but just barely; and they are scratching the bottom just to keep the remainder of their families alive. Aliens have devastated the earth, despite our technology the Zelotyr did not recognize humans as sentient and they began a systematic extermination of the vermin, because they needed the Earth as a replacement for their own dying world. When they finally recognized the error, they reversed course and began working toward coexistence. Still many humans did not gracefully accept this coexistence or the fact that the aliens still held superior power and authority over Earth. There is the GC, Galactic Council and its members which include the Barath'na who seem to be in some type of cold war with the Zelotyr. And on the night we get acquainted with John and Taz, they are completing a task for McDowell; a man who has always been the lowest of low who commands the dark streets they hide among. After going to high ground, the two begin to release what almost appears to be ashes into the wind and that begins their descent into a convoluted scheme that starts with the Xenocide of those Zelotyr on Earth.
John and Taz are quickly caught and easily linked to the outbreak that is killing the Zelotyr. As the few remaining Zelotyr abandon earth the Galactic Council, and specifically the Barath'na, move in to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. John and Taz begin the trials that will show them the consequences of the actions they took and even though through ignorance they know they will face the consequence; but Taz is now sick because he was foolish enough to test the 'ash' (out of bravado and ignorance) before they released it. To make things worse, others who have been involved with spreading the virus are turning up dead and that doesn't bode well for John and Taz's future. John and Taz could help fill in the spaces and connect the dots; but they have family that they are certain McDowell will harm if they talk; so they walk that thin line allowing them to be convicted of the crime they committed in ignorance.
There is a far greater and more insidious plot below all of this that will put the human race at risk; as the only people who might be able to put things together are slowly and systematically removed from the playing field. As the responsibility slowly devolves upon John and Taz until they discern that they may be the Earths only hope, they are uncertain that they are up to the task especially when they've been handed over to the somewhat enigmatic Barath'na who have vowed to bring justice against the perpetrators.
This novel varies in its style of writing from Abendau's Heir and I suppose that might be something to do with editors and editing. And though there were some few glitches that suggest the possibility of author tinkering post-edit; they were not enough to distract from the intensity of the story. The pacing is somewhat less intense as regards the delving into darker areas, but is well paced overall to make this a rapid and satisfying read throughout. It's a well told and tightly plotted story that maintains a solid feel that lasts right to the very end.
Lovers of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Suspense and Mystery should enjoy this one. And though the science is almost taking a back seat, it maintains a consistency necessary to carry the reader through. The story takes place in and around Belfast and contains some elements of colloquial speech that I found helped the story along and rarely demanded I stop to look things up, because the context usually clarified the meaning.
Read and enjoy.
J.L. Dobias
There are so many things that are good, about this novel, that it's difficult to say which one might have pushed it over the top and onto my pile of best novels for the year 2015. I've read the author’s first novel, Abendau's Heir, and I would recommend that when you finish this novel you should check it out if you haven't already read it. Abendau's Heir showcases the authors style of writing which might be described as fifty shades of dark. She likes to start things out in grey areas and slowly drip the characters through darkness until they reach some of the darkest places. But in this novel I think she proved that she could balance that and since Abendau's Heir is the beginning of a series it bodes well that she will eventually balance the scale in that story also. All of that considered: what she does better than dark; is her delving into consequences. Her characters are not the sterling white knights that you see in some novels. And the stories she tells start with those consequences and lead the reader and the characters down a path toward whatever redemption is possible. It’s a long and winding path filled with dark moments and things are rarely easy and often gruesome.
In Inish Carraig John and Taz are survivors, but just barely; and they are scratching the bottom just to keep the remainder of their families alive. Aliens have devastated the earth, despite our technology the Zelotyr did not recognize humans as sentient and they began a systematic extermination of the vermin, because they needed the Earth as a replacement for their own dying world. When they finally recognized the error, they reversed course and began working toward coexistence. Still many humans did not gracefully accept this coexistence or the fact that the aliens still held superior power and authority over Earth. There is the GC, Galactic Council and its members which include the Barath'na who seem to be in some type of cold war with the Zelotyr. And on the night we get acquainted with John and Taz, they are completing a task for McDowell; a man who has always been the lowest of low who commands the dark streets they hide among. After going to high ground, the two begin to release what almost appears to be ashes into the wind and that begins their descent into a convoluted scheme that starts with the Xenocide of those Zelotyr on Earth.
John and Taz are quickly caught and easily linked to the outbreak that is killing the Zelotyr. As the few remaining Zelotyr abandon earth the Galactic Council, and specifically the Barath'na, move in to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. John and Taz begin the trials that will show them the consequences of the actions they took and even though through ignorance they know they will face the consequence; but Taz is now sick because he was foolish enough to test the 'ash' (out of bravado and ignorance) before they released it. To make things worse, others who have been involved with spreading the virus are turning up dead and that doesn't bode well for John and Taz's future. John and Taz could help fill in the spaces and connect the dots; but they have family that they are certain McDowell will harm if they talk; so they walk that thin line allowing them to be convicted of the crime they committed in ignorance.
There is a far greater and more insidious plot below all of this that will put the human race at risk; as the only people who might be able to put things together are slowly and systematically removed from the playing field. As the responsibility slowly devolves upon John and Taz until they discern that they may be the Earths only hope, they are uncertain that they are up to the task especially when they've been handed over to the somewhat enigmatic Barath'na who have vowed to bring justice against the perpetrators.
This novel varies in its style of writing from Abendau's Heir and I suppose that might be something to do with editors and editing. And though there were some few glitches that suggest the possibility of author tinkering post-edit; they were not enough to distract from the intensity of the story. The pacing is somewhat less intense as regards the delving into darker areas, but is well paced overall to make this a rapid and satisfying read throughout. It's a well told and tightly plotted story that maintains a solid feel that lasts right to the very end.
Lovers of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Suspense and Mystery should enjoy this one. And though the science is almost taking a back seat, it maintains a consistency necessary to carry the reader through. The story takes place in and around Belfast and contains some elements of colloquial speech that I found helped the story along and rarely demanded I stop to look things up, because the context usually clarified the meaning.
Read and enjoy.
J.L. Dobias
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews