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Ares Virus #1
Arctic Storm
What would happen if a viral agent was released on American soil? How would local agencies react? How would the military respond? What if it was one of their own? Would they own it or attempt to cover it up? If a major operation was jeopardized because of the release, would that alter any of the decisions?
A potent viral agent, created to destabilize a region for forces to move in and clean up, is accidentally spilled in a metropolis. Those infected serve only to afflict others through any means. As forces move in on the beleaguered city, Sergeant Brown has to make his way through roving bands of the infected in order to escape. Will the ring close before he can reach safe grounds or will he and others he finds be added to the final tally?
A potent viral agent, created to destabilize a region for forces to move in and clean up, is accidentally spilled in a metropolis. Those infected serve only to afflict others through any means. As forces move in on the beleaguered city, Sergeant Brown has to make his way through roving bands of the infected in order to escape. Will the ring close before he can reach safe grounds or will he and others he finds be added to the final tally?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2016
50 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
John O'Brien
45 books286 followersJohn O'Brien is a former Air Force fighter instructor pilot who transitioned to Special Operations for the latter part of his career gathering his campaign ribbon for Desert Storm. Immediately following his military service, John became a firefighter/EMT with a local department. Along with becoming a firefighter, he fell into the Information Technology industry in corporate management. Currently, John is writing full-time.
As a former marathon runner, John lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and can now be found kayaking out in the waters of Puget Sound, mountain biking in the Capital Forest, hiking in the Olympic Peninsula, or pedaling his road bike along the many scenic roads.
As a former marathon runner, John lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and can now be found kayaking out in the waters of Puget Sound, mountain biking in the Capital Forest, hiking in the Olympic Peninsula, or pedaling his road bike along the many scenic roads.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 11, 2016
This story started as a short in another anthology and I'm glad this has became a longer story. Another lab error has a virus delivered to the wrong address and the results are devastating. Sgt. Brown trains ROTC cadets at Pineville University and is enjoying the day reading when the s**t hits the fan. He comes in contact with three cadets and together they try to get out of town undetected, as Brown has an idea that the government will raze the town before letting the news get out. Of course he is spot on as we have another case of the government screwing up and then covering up. Now after witnessing the results, the government decides to go ahead with a totally insane plan to release the virus on terrorist strongholds and the hell with the loss of innocents. Project Arctic Storm is a go even though the virus has not been fully tested and surprise, the results are not what they hoped for. I highly recommend this first book in this new series to anyone who enjoys the zombie/horror genre,you will not be disappointed.
August 29, 2017
First off let me say I love John Obrien...he is a talented writer, and a very nice man...This was a great premise and shows you how scary the government could get..deceitful and careless...and really cruel! However this book is written in 3rd person...and that ruined it for me...John's other wonderful series is written first person..and its great..so I was disappointed that this book was written in 3rd...and that just does not do it for me...I struggled till about half way through this book and it finally hooked me enough to adjust to the writing style...Most people will love this..but even though the story is completely terrifying...it was not my cup of tea!
January 2, 2018
A different kind of apocalyptic tale, I believe there are more in the series so I'm going to check it out. At first samples of biohazards are ordered to be delivered to labs across the world from military bases. We can see where this is going. But if it didn't there wouldn't be a story I guess. As the story unfolds a sample of one of the worst viral samples ( ARES) is accidentally released when it is delivered to a college campus lab instead of the actual town lab. Luckily, Sergeant who leads a small cadet unit on the base for the Guard happens to be around when the accident happens. As he is nearing retirement, he recognizes the signs of some kind of nerve/biohazard gas agent release. He tries to lead 3 cadets that show up out of the town limits, realizing a cordon will be set up. Along the way we catch snippets of other stories, however, we don't ever find out the other outcomes, which is kind of disappointing. Of course there are uplifting moments but calamity manages to win in the end, hence a part 2 I'm guessing ? I'm not sure whether or not I'll follow through with the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2019
Part zombie novel, part Rollinsian adventure. I liked that this story had more to it than just running from infected, rabid people. The suspense was an engine, constantly revving up as the story progressed; and, the journey through the mountain made for equally suspenseful subterranean adventure. I've been a fan of O'Brien's New World series, and this is very well on par with what you would hope to get from him.
June 16, 2017
Great Read
Being a Mark Tufo fan, I had to start reading John O'Brien. This was an interesting take on an apocalyptic scenario. Could something like this truly happen? The thought is terrifying! Highly recommend this series!
Being a Mark Tufo fan, I had to start reading John O'Brien. This was an interesting take on an apocalyptic scenario. Could something like this truly happen? The thought is terrifying! Highly recommend this series!
February 4, 2018
Great book as expected. I liked how the story developed and it wasn’t whole world devastation within the first few chapters. In the end the outcome is the same but it was nice to think that we didn’t all succumb immediately and government tried to change brain the virus. Looking forward to book 2
February 20, 2020
In a word: Scary
In the midst of what is occurring in real life, this is truly frightening. Very well written, amazing world detail and twists you don't even see coming. I will be reading any additional work by this author!!
In the midst of what is occurring in real life, this is truly frightening. Very well written, amazing world detail and twists you don't even see coming. I will be reading any additional work by this author!!
April 8, 2020
O’Brien never disappoints!
Another tale grabbing story line that will leave you panting for more. Love able characters and actual probabilities will keep you looking over your shoulder.
Another tale grabbing story line that will leave you panting for more. Love able characters and actual probabilities will keep you looking over your shoulder.
November 16, 2017
Pretty good action/adventure book, fast paced and engaging.
September 12, 2018
Interesting and fun
This book was fun and easy to read. Well written and well edited, it was also full of action. Great characters and storyline.
This book was fun and easy to read. Well written and well edited, it was also full of action. Great characters and storyline.
March 5, 2019
Pace was a little awkward.
June 18, 2019
WOW what a great book ! Well written and strong characters . Like how the virus started and then evolved. A must read !
December 27, 2020
Meh... stilted dialogue.
May 26, 2021
Scary
Especially frightening due to Covid-19. I almost start another series but I'm glad I kept with it, it is a good book.
Especially frightening due to Covid-19. I almost start another series but I'm glad I kept with it, it is a good book.
August 2, 2023
Absolutely loved every bit of it! Great books to read from John O’Brien!
September 30, 2024
Good start
Good start to a zombie apocalypse series.I'll be buying the rest. Loved his night screamers in one of his other series.
Good start to a zombie apocalypse series.I'll be buying the rest. Loved his night screamers in one of his other series.
March 23, 2018
Fantastic new series
He's back! John O'Brien teased us with a small story found in Middletown Apocalypse which I thoroughly enjoyed. He has now taken it and expanded on it. Unlike his last series this one begins innocently enough then it slams into you full force with Mr. Murphy along for the ride. Sgt Brown is a veteran soldier who transferred to Pineville University as an instructor looking to take it easy until retirement when the Virus is accidentally released on campus. After witnessing the assaults he quickly realizes a biological agent has been loosed and his first thought is to get as far away as possible. Unfortunately it is traveling fast getting ahead of him as more and more are infected. He winds up with two cadet students leading them out of the area knowing that containment protocols will come swiftly. There are harrowing moments as they make their way across campus and into the outlying areas running and fighting almost every step of the way. But escaping is only the beginning as Brown attempts to explain that getting out is only the beginning and not necessarily a good thing. They soon realize how true his words are as the military moves in and tightens the noose around the town. We are also given a small dose of what some families see and do as they too are caught up in the violence of the fast moving virus. Great beginning to a new series.
He's back! John O'Brien teased us with a small story found in Middletown Apocalypse which I thoroughly enjoyed. He has now taken it and expanded on it. Unlike his last series this one begins innocently enough then it slams into you full force with Mr. Murphy along for the ride. Sgt Brown is a veteran soldier who transferred to Pineville University as an instructor looking to take it easy until retirement when the Virus is accidentally released on campus. After witnessing the assaults he quickly realizes a biological agent has been loosed and his first thought is to get as far away as possible. Unfortunately it is traveling fast getting ahead of him as more and more are infected. He winds up with two cadet students leading them out of the area knowing that containment protocols will come swiftly. There are harrowing moments as they make their way across campus and into the outlying areas running and fighting almost every step of the way. But escaping is only the beginning as Brown attempts to explain that getting out is only the beginning and not necessarily a good thing. They soon realize how true his words are as the military moves in and tightens the noose around the town. We are also given a small dose of what some families see and do as they too are caught up in the violence of the fast moving virus. Great beginning to a new series.
August 16, 2016
Awesome read from one of the best
John O'Brien is a master story teller. I read his New World series, which was fantastic. This book scared the bejesus out of me because the storyline was something that could be ripped from the headlines. I could believe this could one day happen. It really puts the fear of people playing with nasty virulent agents front and center. This book hooked me and kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning. You won't go wrong with this book.
John O'Brien is a master story teller. I read his New World series, which was fantastic. This book scared the bejesus out of me because the storyline was something that could be ripped from the headlines. I could believe this could one day happen. It really puts the fear of people playing with nasty virulent agents front and center. This book hooked me and kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning. You won't go wrong with this book.
September 26, 2016
The tension delivered by the author made for an unnerving and frantic read in parts, with a scarily believable story line, characters with faults and flaws you could relate to and a heart stopping twist makes this another must read in one sitting novel. Would highly recommend from teens to octogenarian's!
A fast paced, nerve jangling, roller coaster of a read, with a gritty, grizzled lead character just looking to stay alive....
A fast paced, nerve jangling, roller coaster of a read, with a gritty, grizzled lead character just looking to stay alive....
August 22, 2016
A TALE OF A HUMONGOUS, HORRENDOUSLY STUPID SCREW UP IT IS...
Hello, this story rates at about a 3.5, but Mr. O'Brien is an excellent author, so I gave him a little slack. The premise is a good one, but a little on the obviously stupid as far as people's actions. I'll wait on the next one to see if it gains a little more substance. Thanks.
Hello, this story rates at about a 3.5, but Mr. O'Brien is an excellent author, so I gave him a little slack. The premise is a good one, but a little on the obviously stupid as far as people's actions. I'll wait on the next one to see if it gains a little more substance. Thanks.
January 31, 2017
Ares
This is another five stars for John O'Brien and for the first book in his new series, Ares. It is really a scary thought that something like this story could really happen. I have really enjoyed reading this book and hope to see some of the same characters ( like Sergeant Brown) in the next book.
This is another five stars for John O'Brien and for the first book in his new series, Ares. It is really a scary thought that something like this story could really happen. I have really enjoyed reading this book and hope to see some of the same characters ( like Sergeant Brown) in the next book.
October 13, 2016
Amazing
John O'Brien does it again with a thrilling new novel. This will keep you on the seat of your pants throughout the journey.
John O'Brien does it again with a thrilling new novel. This will keep you on the seat of your pants throughout the journey.
August 22, 2016
Awesome book!
Was an interesting read. I enjoyed it immensely, as I have all of the authors books. I could definitely see this story continuing.
Was an interesting read. I enjoyed it immensely, as I have all of the authors books. I could definitely see this story continuing.
October 29, 2016
Great new series!
Knew I would not be disappointed with O'Brien's work. Excited for the next! A must read and tight, well written characters and story.
Knew I would not be disappointed with O'Brien's work. Excited for the next! A must read and tight, well written characters and story.
April 1, 2017
Excellent book, and good start to a series. Quick paced.
May 2, 2017
3.5 stars. I was going with 3 until the end, which I enjoyed. I was not a fan of writing in the present tense and I did not connect with any of the characters, except maybe Koenig. Until the last 20 pages or so, I was just going to say goodbye to this series, but now I may be interested to see where it goes, just not immediately.
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December 15, 2017Great book crazy but good
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews