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Wyrd #3
The Lost Castle
The End of the World of continues as three different story lines weave together in a strange apocalypse growing more bizarre and weird with each passing day. Now the survivors must fight off an assault on the "Castle" while Holiday discovers a mysterious edifice rising from the ruins of the Old Marine Base. Meanwhile, Special operator Braddock and what remains of Task Force 19 must fight their way through an apocalyptic zombie inferno as dark forces from another reality hunt them in order to serve a feast to an ancient master. And in the middle of all the chaos, Frank Romano struggles with a secret past as he tries to hold the walls, and the survivors, together against an onslaught of living corpses sent by a mysterious man in black to destroy the last safe place in a world turning into the Wyrd... The Lost Castle continues a story that begins after the end of everything you know.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2016
60 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Nick Cole
185 books623 followersNick Cole is a working actor living in Southern California. When he is not auditioning for commercials, going out for sitcoms or being shot, kicked, stabbed or beaten by the students of various film schools for their projects, he can often be found as a guard for King Phillip the Second of Spain in the Opera Don Carlo at Los Angeles Opera or some similar role. Nick Cole has been writing for most of his life and acting in Hollywood after serving in the U.S. Army.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 19, 2016
This book starts to tie together the strings, not only of the Nick Cole "Weird" books, but also his books Soda Pop Soldier, Ctrl Alt Revolt, The Old Man and the Wasteland and maybe some story lines we haven't yet seen yet. It's a bit King-esque, (as in Stephen King) I suppose to do this - gather up all these strings and tie literary universes together - and it takes considerable talent to make that work without it seeming choppy or hokey. Speaking of King, we even get a homage there - a glimpse of a Man-in-Black, who sends a horde of zombies at our survivors, just for shits and giggles.
Most of this story revolves around Frank, a retired lounge-singer-dish-washer-turned-assassin, and he's got a sad family backstory. He's father figure for this group of motley survivors and Holiday struggles mightily for Frank's approval... which is pretty darn hard to get. As everything's turning to poo, Holiday runs off on a quest and Frank holds down the fort.
Meanwhile, we get a side story of a bunch of mercenaries battling zombies and demons, led by "Mr. Steele"... Who may be bad terminator or good terminator? Who knows! He's got his own agenda.
All good fun.
Most of this story revolves around Frank, a retired lounge-singer-dish-washer-turned-assassin, and he's got a sad family backstory. He's father figure for this group of motley survivors and Holiday struggles mightily for Frank's approval... which is pretty darn hard to get. As everything's turning to poo, Holiday runs off on a quest and Frank holds down the fort.
Meanwhile, we get a side story of a bunch of mercenaries battling zombies and demons, led by "Mr. Steele"... Who may be bad terminator or good terminator? Who knows! He's got his own agenda.
All good fun.
November 4, 2016
I looked forward to this book for so long that I thought I might be disappointed when I finally read it. NOT!
This is by far the best of the Wyrd series to date. Holiday grows up and gets the approval he's seeking from Frank, who is so much more than a lounge singer who can cook a mean steak. And the scenes, written so well, that I was right there bashing zombies with the rest of the castle residents. And hanging on to truck for dear life. Nick Cole does here in this book what he does best: imagery. I swear I can smell the burning flesh of the zombies... and the damn eucalyptus trees. I think my eyes are watering. Maybe its allergies. Maybe its for Marie. Or maybe even a tear for Braddock.
At the beginning I thought Cory would have a bigger part in the book, and after a few chapters I was wondering if he would even have a small part... but in the end Batman is just as stoic and strong as ever.
This is by far the best of the Wyrd series to date. Holiday grows up and gets the approval he's seeking from Frank, who is so much more than a lounge singer who can cook a mean steak. And the scenes, written so well, that I was right there bashing zombies with the rest of the castle residents. And hanging on to truck for dear life. Nick Cole does here in this book what he does best: imagery. I swear I can smell the burning flesh of the zombies... and the damn eucalyptus trees. I think my eyes are watering. Maybe its allergies. Maybe its for Marie. Or maybe even a tear for Braddock.
At the beginning I thought Cory would have a bigger part in the book, and after a few chapters I was wondering if he would even have a small part... but in the end Batman is just as stoic and strong as ever.
December 4, 2016
Even Farther Down The Rabbit Hole
Unlike the first books in this Wyrd series, The Lost Castle really needs to be read in order. Holiday, Frank...they're back and thrust headlong into the action that had been building. A bit more bizarre, this book steps a bit closer to the edge than the first three; grittier, more violent and intense. Readers will learn a lot more about Frank's background and it was an unexpected twist. Mr. Steele is ready to flip the switch and turn loose the hounds of Hell in the form of permanent nuclear holocaust, but can he be stopped? Should he be stopped? This was not my favorite in the series, but the story is still highly entertaining, well-written and takes the reader along on a journey that has yet to reach its final stop. Nick Cole knows how to create a world of chaos and plug characters, both flawed and beautiful in their own way, into that universe to create a mix that can be horrifying and a bit nostalgic. Recommended read.
Unlike the first books in this Wyrd series, The Lost Castle really needs to be read in order. Holiday, Frank...they're back and thrust headlong into the action that had been building. A bit more bizarre, this book steps a bit closer to the edge than the first three; grittier, more violent and intense. Readers will learn a lot more about Frank's background and it was an unexpected twist. Mr. Steele is ready to flip the switch and turn loose the hounds of Hell in the form of permanent nuclear holocaust, but can he be stopped? Should he be stopped? This was not my favorite in the series, but the story is still highly entertaining, well-written and takes the reader along on a journey that has yet to reach its final stop. Nick Cole knows how to create a world of chaos and plug characters, both flawed and beautiful in their own way, into that universe to create a mix that can be horrifying and a bit nostalgic. Recommended read.
April 25, 2017
The Lost Castle picks up the story left off in The Dark Knight. More of our protagonists have come together, the zombie apocalypse still rages, dimensions seem to be overlapping from alternate timeline, and things are still weird (wyrd?). This book focuses heavily on the back story of Frank and gives you answers to some questions and then brings up a few more questions. Nick Cole's obvious affection for videogames comes out in a crazy Call of Duty inspired theme park nightmare (and is totally awesome). Overall, you will get some answers, more new questions, and a story that is still going strong. Highly recommended!
November 28, 2016
There is a lot of feeling in this Action-adventure, end-of-the-world sequel. The characters were already fantastic, and this story gave them more flesh. Expertly written, fast paced and fun to read. Well done, Mr. Cole. I can't wait for the next one!
November 6, 2016
While The Lost Castle is Frank’s story, it also belongs to Holiday and Braddock, with a dash of Cory, the Dark Knight. Frank tends to come across a little too hard at times, and though we can understand why he’s been this way with Holiday, as a reader, I still didn’t like it. Especially since Holiday is sort of the Charlie Brown of the story (somewhat self-destructive, but with the best of intentions...sometimes), and many of us see at least a little of the old blockhead in ourselves. But we need conflict in fiction, and Charlie Brown needs Lucy to keep pulling that football away.
But maybe someday Lucy won’t yank that pigskin away, and Charlie Brown will have a chance to prove himself. And if you’ve already finished reading The Lost Castle, this will make a world more of sense to you.
Our first impressions of someone are often not our last impressions, especially when we dig a little deeper into their background. And that’s exactly what we get from Cole in this book. We see Frank with a different set of eyes. A much younger Frank. Yet still a Frank I wasn’t enamored with. Even when I learned everything I could about Frank’s background in this book, I still wasn’t a fan. But I could understand and empathize much more with the man.
Then near the end, when things are crazy and bleak as they often are in a Nick Cole book, and you aren’t sure who will live and who will die, Frank has a thought, and the floodgates open and my face is so wet that I have to stop reading, wiping off eyes and cheeks, and I realize that this is maybe the truest statement in The Lost Castle, something that would make this world a much better place, if only everyone would think about people the way Frank Romano does. And this makes every minute of reading worth it, and I never want to forget the feeling it sent through me, and the wish that everyone would think like Frank does about other people at that moment.
But maybe someday Lucy won’t yank that pigskin away, and Charlie Brown will have a chance to prove himself. And if you’ve already finished reading The Lost Castle, this will make a world more of sense to you.
Our first impressions of someone are often not our last impressions, especially when we dig a little deeper into their background. And that’s exactly what we get from Cole in this book. We see Frank with a different set of eyes. A much younger Frank. Yet still a Frank I wasn’t enamored with. Even when I learned everything I could about Frank’s background in this book, I still wasn’t a fan. But I could understand and empathize much more with the man.
Then near the end, when things are crazy and bleak as they often are in a Nick Cole book, and you aren’t sure who will live and who will die, Frank has a thought, and the floodgates open and my face is so wet that I have to stop reading, wiping off eyes and cheeks, and I realize that this is maybe the truest statement in The Lost Castle, something that would make this world a much better place, if only everyone would think about people the way Frank Romano does. And this makes every minute of reading worth it, and I never want to forget the feeling it sent through me, and the wish that everyone would think like Frank does about other people at that moment.
July 17, 2019
The best installment so far in the series, and probably the most confusing. New, weirder threads are introduced and it seems like some backstory might be found in other books, but not enough contained in here. There is a barely-mentioned Man in Black (Stephen King ripoff), a Terminator on some independent mission, and the return of our expected protagonists between Holiday, Frank, Braddock, and the others.
It's good that at least one more book is planned since there are too many loose ends and underdeveloped characters. For all intents and purposes, this is Frank's story and the author does a great job mingling his past and present for a fully flushed out character. The pacing overall is the best so far with smooth transitions between Holiday, Frank, and Braddock. Unfortunately, the others suffer as a result, especially Ash. She's this mysterious stranger from the first story and somewhat of a badass, but takes a complete backseat with no significant impact on the events despite her capability. Her relative disappearance during some tense moments is baffling for multiple reasons, one being the weapon she possesses but never uses. Even in dire straights.
Overall it was a good continuation. There are still problems, some more troubling than others, but the three different plot lines intrigued me and kept the pages flowing. I hope the next book explains away some of the weirdness, as well as various backstories in desperate need of attention.
It's good that at least one more book is planned since there are too many loose ends and underdeveloped characters. For all intents and purposes, this is Frank's story and the author does a great job mingling his past and present for a fully flushed out character. The pacing overall is the best so far with smooth transitions between Holiday, Frank, and Braddock. Unfortunately, the others suffer as a result, especially Ash. She's this mysterious stranger from the first story and somewhat of a badass, but takes a complete backseat with no significant impact on the events despite her capability. Her relative disappearance during some tense moments is baffling for multiple reasons, one being the weapon she possesses but never uses. Even in dire straights.
Overall it was a good continuation. There are still problems, some more troubling than others, but the three different plot lines intrigued me and kept the pages flowing. I hope the next book explains away some of the weirdness, as well as various backstories in desperate need of attention.
November 14, 2016
Really enjoyed the first two books of the series. This book had a different flow to it while following multiple plot lines. I hoped that this would finish up the story, but didn't get there leaving another book in the works. I can't wait to read it when it's out. Keep them coming Nick!
February 24, 2020
3.5 stars for the whole series including books 1, 2, "3" (which in comparison to the others I found to be a rather weak novella in the series that apparently also gets called either book 2.5 but also book 3) and 4. I'll figure out some way to rate each book accordingly because I only want to - and only really can - describe them all together as a single unit, despite the changes that occur in style and form and reality and...
OK, first of all: why did I read these? Well, it's my yearly one-week bachelor holiday with the wife and kids off skiing and this beats drinking by myself into a pathetic stupor (plus, that wouldn't be fair to the dog). So: what to read, what to read? Hey, you know what? It's been a while since I enjoyed a good zombie book! But they're all the same! I wonder if there are any books out there that are really unique in the genre? Well, kids, if that's what you're looking for, you found it! Unique. OH yeah.
Cole's writing is a mix of both really awesome aspects (he has an often but not always excellent way with words and I found some blurbs to be immensely quotable) and some less so. Especially in books 1 and 2, the style is very blocky and we disappear for far too long to introduce or follow various characters (see for example, The Cory Bit or The Skully Aside or....). That changes dramatically in book 3 which alternates chapters between the different characters both in the present and in the past. This leads to a much more coherent flow back and forth between various aspects of the plot as well as making the final much more tense and interesting than it might have been otherwise (particularly what with the whole 'well, there goes my mind being blown away' stuff). But I will openly admit that I didn't even stop long enough between ending one book and starting the next to do, well, anything. The series was that much fun. That's got to count for something, no?
Having said that, the only thing I can think of to call the... evolution???... of this series is that it is a total literary clusterf*ck, but, you know, mostly in a good way. I mean, wowzers, does it eventually go off the rails and the road and the sky and the sea, too. This must be what a lot of people refer to as cyberpunk because you are NOT!! going to get answers to a lot of open bits and you are NOT!! going to guess what happens next in a lot of parts. It gets so incredibly weird that by the end you won't know what you've just read nor if you're really done until your kindle just won't go any further.
Yes, the characters in their own ways are fascinating, deeply flawed and sympathetic... but good gods, again, what the literal fudge was all that? There are parts that are so confusing and yet you read on like you're watching some kind of horrible yet equally spectacular train crash! The CGI on this if it ever gets turned into a film would be mind-boggling! But the books read fast, they read fun and especially if you've got Kindle Unlimited (valid for books 2-4 only), why the hell not is my motto. I know it sucks as a motto, but what are you gonna do?
OK, puppy is asleep, I may start drinking anyway.
OK, first of all: why did I read these? Well, it's my yearly one-week bachelor holiday with the wife and kids off skiing and this beats drinking by myself into a pathetic stupor (plus, that wouldn't be fair to the dog). So: what to read, what to read? Hey, you know what? It's been a while since I enjoyed a good zombie book! But they're all the same! I wonder if there are any books out there that are really unique in the genre? Well, kids, if that's what you're looking for, you found it! Unique. OH yeah.
Cole's writing is a mix of both really awesome aspects (he has an often but not always excellent way with words and I found some blurbs to be immensely quotable) and some less so. Especially in books 1 and 2, the style is very blocky and we disappear for far too long to introduce or follow various characters (see for example, The Cory Bit or The Skully Aside or....). That changes dramatically in book 3 which alternates chapters between the different characters both in the present and in the past. This leads to a much more coherent flow back and forth between various aspects of the plot as well as making the final much more tense and interesting than it might have been otherwise (particularly what with the whole 'well, there goes my mind being blown away' stuff). But I will openly admit that I didn't even stop long enough between ending one book and starting the next to do, well, anything. The series was that much fun. That's got to count for something, no?
Having said that, the only thing I can think of to call the... evolution???... of this series is that it is a total literary clusterf*ck, but, you know, mostly in a good way. I mean, wowzers, does it eventually go off the rails and the road and the sky and the sea, too. This must be what a lot of people refer to as cyberpunk because you are NOT!! going to get answers to a lot of open bits and you are NOT!! going to guess what happens next in a lot of parts. It gets so incredibly weird that by the end you won't know what you've just read nor if you're really done until your kindle just won't go any further.
Yes, the characters in their own ways are fascinating, deeply flawed and sympathetic... but good gods, again, what the literal fudge was all that? There are parts that are so confusing and yet you read on like you're watching some kind of horrible yet equally spectacular train crash! The CGI on this if it ever gets turned into a film would be mind-boggling! But the books read fast, they read fun and especially if you've got Kindle Unlimited (valid for books 2-4 only), why the hell not is my motto. I know it sucks as a motto, but what are you gonna do?
OK, puppy is asleep, I may start drinking anyway.
August 18, 2019
This was a great series by author Nick Cole. I loved the combination of sci-fi, fantasy and elements of pop culture. An intriguing series that kept me reading, eager to discover the outcome for all the characters I grew to love. Bravo!
July 6, 2017
Another strange, solid story
I don't know what it is about Nick Cole, but he's really struck a chord with me. This story is no exception. Predictable he is not.
I don't know what it is about Nick Cole, but he's really struck a chord with me. This story is no exception. Predictable he is not.
January 24, 2018
Lots of twists
It's interesting to know the back stories of the characters. It get deeper and darker in each book. What is next?
It's interesting to know the back stories of the characters. It get deeper and darker in each book. What is next?
December 25, 2018
Unfortunately, the story (which was excellent to begin with) starts to unravel, with too many confusing threads for my taste.
May 5, 2017
This book answers a lot of questions that have been creeping around in the series. What is Mr Steele aiming for right now? What's going on with some of these weird occurrences? How can Holiday make peace with his mistake? Most importantly, who the hell is Frank?
The author's style has improved to the point of fine polishing and smooth silk. The first book on Nick Cole's that I read was Soda Pop Soldier. While I loved it dearly, the marks of a very young author were present in a lot of the writing. This was refined in some of his subsequent works. In Lost Castle, his writing style has become fluid and remarkable, truly growing into his voice as an author. If this guy wrote a grocery list on a bar napkin, I would preorder it.
Certainly don't go into this book looking for full resolution of the story. Rather, look to it for resolution of the past, and an exciting path forward into the future of this franchise. May it be long and fruitful, because I'm enjoying it.
The author's style has improved to the point of fine polishing and smooth silk. The first book on Nick Cole's that I read was Soda Pop Soldier. While I loved it dearly, the marks of a very young author were present in a lot of the writing. This was refined in some of his subsequent works. In Lost Castle, his writing style has become fluid and remarkable, truly growing into his voice as an author. If this guy wrote a grocery list on a bar napkin, I would preorder it.
Certainly don't go into this book looking for full resolution of the story. Rather, look to it for resolution of the past, and an exciting path forward into the future of this franchise. May it be long and fruitful, because I'm enjoying it.
December 21, 2016
I devoured The Lost Castle, the third full novel in Nick Cole's WYRD series, in less than 48 hours. I think that pretty much says it all.
This installment continues the epic journey of Frank, Holiday, Ash, and Cory as they look to survive the apocalypse. Between zombies, demon sisters, and madmen they have their hands full. Part 3 explores the back story of the mysterious Frank, where he learned to shoot like that, and his involvement with the Black Hand. Also, we get to see a lot more of Mr. Steel, as well as get a bigger glimpse at just what is really going on behind the apparent collapse of the multiverse.
Nick’s fast paced, page turner style really jives with my reading preference. While the world might be about to end, I definitely like where this story is going. Can’t wait for the next episode!
This installment continues the epic journey of Frank, Holiday, Ash, and Cory as they look to survive the apocalypse. Between zombies, demon sisters, and madmen they have their hands full. Part 3 explores the back story of the mysterious Frank, where he learned to shoot like that, and his involvement with the Black Hand. Also, we get to see a lot more of Mr. Steel, as well as get a bigger glimpse at just what is really going on behind the apparent collapse of the multiverse.
Nick’s fast paced, page turner style really jives with my reading preference. While the world might be about to end, I definitely like where this story is going. Can’t wait for the next episode!
February 6, 2017
The story continues and Frank takes center stage. The reader gets a look at his strange and interesting past, and it turns out he was a bit more involved in the battle behind the scenes pre-apocalypse than we suspected. A battle that very evidently failed.
Meanwhile, Holiday goes on a crazy mission, runs into the same crazy stuff that our Terminator-esque baddies are into, and if you've read the first two, what are you waiting for?
Meanwhile, Holiday goes on a crazy mission, runs into the same crazy stuff that our Terminator-esque baddies are into, and if you've read the first two, what are you waiting for?
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May 15, 2018Well done
Ive started Mr. Coles books last year and have found them fast paced and entertaining. Keep it up sir!! Thanks for the great read!
Ive started Mr. Coles books last year and have found them fast paced and entertaining. Keep it up sir!! Thanks for the great read!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews