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Ares Virus #2

White Horse

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The ARES Virus ran rampant throughout the world, leaving very few remaining. There are no sanctuaries in the midst of the infected, where the very air is contaminated. For the few surviving, the slightest misstep can introduce the viral agent into their midst, bringing an end to the last vestige of humankind. However, there’s too much at stake to merely hover in the shadows.

Remnants of the navy survive the catastrophe, but humankind has never been able to live for long periods upon the world’s oceans. Even in current times, with advances in medicine and technology, this still holds true. The survivors must find a secure location, but first they must make safe the constructions of the past. Not only do they have the agent to contend with, but there exists a ticking time bomb. Without power, the cooling ponds of the nuclear plants will fail, breathing a cloud of poison across the skies.

Emily finds herself surrounded and alone again. There were people who came to help the first time. Now she has to free herself from the city.

Sergeant Brown faces yet another predicament. Does he have the energy to escape again? Will his luck finally run out?

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2016

27 people are currently reading
58 people want to read

About the author

John O'Brien

45 books286 followers
John 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.

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5 stars
80 (53%)
4 stars
39 (26%)
3 stars
26 (17%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Brandie Lea Slicer.
337 reviews4 followers
January 12, 2018
A pretty good end of the world story. It concerns biological war fare and military blunders, which having served in the military for 10 years. Sadly, I can see happening. The Ares Virus was created to aid the United States in wars against other countries. However, it was dropped on U.S. Soil with disastrous results. Now all major parts of the military are scrambling to save what part of humanity they can. There wasn't a lot of resolution with some of the side stories, hence the 3 star rating. However, over all a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brandon.
556 reviews38 followers
February 15, 2019
Felt like it ended too soon, but still a fun series to listen to. Like the first one, White Horse contains more (and a few same) enjoyable characters. The macro and micro pictures of survivors in the US makes for interesting viewpoints. And the larger group's focus for potentially saving the continent for habitation is a very realistic plan. Many end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it stories often overlook the reality of nuclear plants without anyone to operate them.
Profile Image for Deb G..
34 reviews
November 19, 2016
Another Fantastic book by Mr O'Brien... great follow-up to the first with a whole bunch of new players widening the storyline. Can't wait for the next book. altogether a refreshing take on the "zombie" line of books out on the market. Both riveting and unique make this series one to read. I highly recommend it!!!
Profile Image for Bradley Greenberg.
3 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2017
Conclusion?

This edition of Ares puts the reader right in harms way as we fight the infected. The reader is transported to a place and put right into the fight running and shooting alongside the squads. It is hypnotic the method by which we the readers are immersed in this story. The conclusion? Well I hope we get to see something further......
Profile Image for Amanda Davies.
22 reviews
February 4, 2018
Loved the howbthe story continues and that it follows more than 1 set of characters, interesting to see how we could fight back and possibly come out on top. Nice change to us just hiding and scavenging in the stores. Oh and I loved the reference to the new world lol. On my way to start book 3.
570 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2018
Another great part to the series

I love the way Mr. O'Brien writes. His books are always well edited and flow so smoothly that they are a pleasure to read. This book was a great read and full of action.
Profile Image for Corinne Marshall.
417 reviews10 followers
June 23, 2019
This is the 2nd book in the series and doesn't disappoint. I really like the military operations that take place along with the main characters. Sad it finishes with the next book. Really enjoyed it !
Profile Image for Janice.
19 reviews4 followers
June 9, 2021
Great book

This book really kept me reading on. I enjoyed the new characters that were introduced and the continuation of characters from the previous book. The characters are all well thought-out and interesting.
3 reviews
June 16, 2017
Awesome

Loved this book. Can't wait to read the third. John O'Brien is an amazing writer. One of my favorites, right along with Mark Tufo!
382 reviews
December 27, 2020
All the maneuver and tactical stuff got tedious.
Profile Image for Patricia Wilson.
67 reviews23 followers
Read
December 9, 2016
Infectious disease-White Horse of the Apocalypse

The ARES Virus continues to ravage the population in insurmountable waves leaving no areas untouched. Sergeant Brown and his two cadets find themselves in a familiar and predictable situation with a very limited way out. Resourcefulness becomes of extreme importance as Brown and the cadets attempt to rescue other students. After learning one of the group is a novice pilot Sergeant Brown forms a plan to travel from New York all the way to a friend's hideaway in the mountains near Colorado Springs. The trip is fraught with hair-raising danger to say the least.
Adding to this bit of edge of your seat perilous crapshoot we find Emily in a very precarious predicament when her aunt and uncle succumb to the ARES Virus and become something other than the loving substitute parents that Emily has known. What will become of Emily as she decides to escape from her aunt and uncle's house and return to Pineville to search for her parents? Will 10 year old Emily live long enough to make it out of the city, not to mention the trek on foot back to Pineville? Will she find a way to overcome all the obstacles before her on her way?
Consider military personnel who have been isolated on ships and in subs. They have had no first hand personal contact with those infected by the virus so you have a considerable number of U.S. citizens who are free of the sickness that turns victims into raging monsters. What will be their role in this situation where the people who keep everything running are now mindlessly attacking everyone in sight while spreading the virus? What will happen to the many numerous nuclear power plants?
John O'Brien is a master of the written word and in this second volume of ARES Virus series he hasn't slacked up. This is another great story using his strong aptitude for descriptive writing. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this delivery. Great job, Mr. O'Brien. I'm waiting for the next volume.
As always, happy reading.
Profile Image for Joan.
1,140 reviews7 followers
December 18, 2016
This is the second book in the Ares Virus series and I'm really looking forward to the next one already. Sgt. Brown and ROTC cadets Clarke and Hayward again find themselves smack dab in the middle of another sh**t storm. West Point has been overrun by infected and they're fleeing again. Rescuing Handley, another cadet, they escape by boat and then after numerous encounters with the crazies, they head for a camp in the mountains using a helicopter.The young girl Emily that the trio rescued in book one is also caught up in the terror but this time has an unforeseen advantage that the others don't have. Also on the run is the creator of the virus Koenig and his wife Liz.After many horrifying escapes they find themselves meeting up with Brown and company. Putting their heads together, they try to figure out how to survive this terror. This is a action packed tale of survival, terror and zombies.
442 reviews8 followers
November 19, 2016
Another Great Adventure

I love reading all of Mr. O'Brien's books. This second book in the Ares series was no exception. Characters are well developed, even new ones we just have been introduced to. In this book the battle begins to take back our country for the living. I enjoyed every minute and am looking forward to the next book. Thank you for a fantastic escape from reality!
Profile Image for Judy Hickman.
164 reviews1 follower
December 25, 2016
Nice second book in the series

This story continues the tale of the Ares Virus the question remains on how much has the virus changed. Can people survive on their own? Does the military really have a chance to save humanity? I look forward to the next book and answers to these questions?
Profile Image for Kristie hunter.
94 reviews
December 11, 2016
Great series

Love John O'Briens series. It really gets you thinking how quickly a pandemic can wipe out the normalcy that most of us have come to expect.
Profile Image for Robi Sen.
24 reviews
January 9, 2017
Fun new series

the author takes a different tone and approach compared to his New World series. It is a interesting contrast compared to other 'zombie like' books.
Profile Image for Cathy Harris.
88 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2018
Great

I liked the book. Excellent read. Another Fresh Zombie to add to the Zombie generation that we love to escape into. 😊
Profile Image for Bree.
259 reviews7 followers
April 1, 2017
Good book, fast paced, with lots of action.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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