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The Similayer Project: Part One
A DEADLY PANDEMIC. FIVE SURVIVORS. ONE DESTINATION.
“The funny thing about fight-or-flight was that sometimes flight didn’t cooperate when fight failed you. There was always freeze, but no one ever talked about freeze, because no one ever wanted to admit they weren’t strong enough to fight and were too scared to flee.”—Idaho survivor
“She had killed two of those men and not shed a tear. Even as she replayed it in her head, she felt no remorse. No, it was more than that. She was glad… happy she had done it. She wasn’t sure she knew who she was anymore.”—California survivor.
“If the human race was to survive, they’d have to dig deep and find the strength to take back their homes.”—Florida survivor
“She moved on to the bed to lay beside him and leaned in so their heads were touching and held on to him until his last breath. ‘Be at peace, Dave, and keep a seat warm for me.’”—Massachusetts survivor.
“Eric’s voice was distant, as if water had filled her ears. The room was too stuffy, too small. Rising, she shook her head and turned, fleeing from the place she had lost Shawn.”—Indiana survivor.
A deadly virus born of good intentions ravages the planet, leaving humans on the bottom of the food chain as the infected mutate into creatures born of myth and nightmares.
As the military sets out to gather the healthy inside the walls of a biolab located in the central United States, the fight for survival begins for anyone willing to step beyond the safety of their own front door.
Follow five groups of survivors as they journey from California, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, and Massachusetts in an epic adventure to find, not only what’s left of their government, but their independence, true love, and the strength to survive in a world bent on breaking them.
“The funny thing about fight-or-flight was that sometimes flight didn’t cooperate when fight failed you. There was always freeze, but no one ever talked about freeze, because no one ever wanted to admit they weren’t strong enough to fight and were too scared to flee.”—Idaho survivor
“She had killed two of those men and not shed a tear. Even as she replayed it in her head, she felt no remorse. No, it was more than that. She was glad… happy she had done it. She wasn’t sure she knew who she was anymore.”—California survivor.
“If the human race was to survive, they’d have to dig deep and find the strength to take back their homes.”—Florida survivor
“She moved on to the bed to lay beside him and leaned in so their heads were touching and held on to him until his last breath. ‘Be at peace, Dave, and keep a seat warm for me.’”—Massachusetts survivor.
“Eric’s voice was distant, as if water had filled her ears. The room was too stuffy, too small. Rising, she shook her head and turned, fleeing from the place she had lost Shawn.”—Indiana survivor.
A deadly virus born of good intentions ravages the planet, leaving humans on the bottom of the food chain as the infected mutate into creatures born of myth and nightmares.
As the military sets out to gather the healthy inside the walls of a biolab located in the central United States, the fight for survival begins for anyone willing to step beyond the safety of their own front door.
Follow five groups of survivors as they journey from California, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, and Massachusetts in an epic adventure to find, not only what’s left of their government, but their independence, true love, and the strength to survive in a world bent on breaking them.
- GenresVampiresShapeshifters
584 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2018
9 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Magen McMinimy
46 books189 followersI kind of like to think of myself as a normal lady living a semi normal life. I’m not sure that’s all that accurate; I have a sweet husband and two dogs-my girls- that I think of as my children. I grew up in Sonoma County, California and I never pictured myself moving. Funny because now I live in North Idaho and I love it here, I love the summers; camping, bar-b-ques with friends, and the farmers markets. I find the winter magical and love the snow. I started writing as a hobby. I’ve been one of those people who has been obsessed with the world of the paranormal for as long as I can remember. I self published my first book in August of 2011 at my husbands’ urging.
Sophia’s story was truly meant for me at the beginning. Now I love that I chose to share these characters with everyone who’s chosen to read about them. I love these characters. They hold a special part of me and represent the strength and knowledge that comes with never giving up. of course I’m biased.
As for me personally, I’m not one who ever really shared much of my own story, however not long ago I finally shared my story with the fans who followed my Facebook page Magen McMinimy Author Page so I figure my story is out there for the world to read so I might as well share it here . . .
Like I said I grew up in California, I was born in Santa Rosa, Ca on April 19th 1983, I had a simple and pretty good childhood with a rather great family. I have wonderful parents and a pretty great sister( I didn’t always think so as I was growing up, but now I know the simple pleasures of having a sister as my best friend, she also gave me my nephew Asher who I adore). When I was nine I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, I was fortunate enough that it didn’t affect any of my major organs, but on the flip side of that it was in my eyes.
When I was around the age of twelve, I was given the diagnosis of secondary glaucoma. At thirteen I had my first in a fairly long line of surgeries to help control the pressures and remove the cataracts in my eyes.
When I turned twenty-one I took the first step of a major life change and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
I left a lot of amazing friends and an amazing extended family. I met my now husband a few months after the move and was married to him in June of 2006. In 2008 I finished college and became a wedding planner. I love a good party and I live to decorate and make things beautiful and amazing for those around me.
In April of 2010 I woke up one morning with no vision in my right eye, I got an appointment with a specialist and found out I had blood vessels growing in the back of my eye that led to nowhere and were steadily bleeding. I underwent treatments and we got the bleeding under control and eventually stopped completely. But not before some major damage had been done. My doctor got me on the road to getting some help and I work each day with a small amount of remaining vision in my left eye.
So why do I tell you all of this? I tell you all because this is who I am, and those of you taking the time to read this have probably read at least one of my books and because of that you’ve helped to make this dream of writing and reaching out to others who love books, and vampires, and shifters and all things gorgeous and sexy . . . come true!
Life is a constant balance of what we want and what we need. It's also a lot like a Battle. A battle that we all have to fight in our own way. I chose to try and love and cherish every minute that I get to chase my crazy dreams and create a world and characters to get lost in.
Sophia’s story was truly meant for me at the beginning. Now I love that I chose to share these characters with everyone who’s chosen to read about them. I love these characters. They hold a special part of me and represent the strength and knowledge that comes with never giving up. of course I’m biased.
As for me personally, I’m not one who ever really shared much of my own story, however not long ago I finally shared my story with the fans who followed my Facebook page Magen McMinimy Author Page so I figure my story is out there for the world to read so I might as well share it here . . .
Like I said I grew up in California, I was born in Santa Rosa, Ca on April 19th 1983, I had a simple and pretty good childhood with a rather great family. I have wonderful parents and a pretty great sister( I didn’t always think so as I was growing up, but now I know the simple pleasures of having a sister as my best friend, she also gave me my nephew Asher who I adore). When I was nine I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, I was fortunate enough that it didn’t affect any of my major organs, but on the flip side of that it was in my eyes.
When I was around the age of twelve, I was given the diagnosis of secondary glaucoma. At thirteen I had my first in a fairly long line of surgeries to help control the pressures and remove the cataracts in my eyes.
When I turned twenty-one I took the first step of a major life change and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
I left a lot of amazing friends and an amazing extended family. I met my now husband a few months after the move and was married to him in June of 2006. In 2008 I finished college and became a wedding planner. I love a good party and I live to decorate and make things beautiful and amazing for those around me.
In April of 2010 I woke up one morning with no vision in my right eye, I got an appointment with a specialist and found out I had blood vessels growing in the back of my eye that led to nowhere and were steadily bleeding. I underwent treatments and we got the bleeding under control and eventually stopped completely. But not before some major damage had been done. My doctor got me on the road to getting some help and I work each day with a small amount of remaining vision in my left eye.
So why do I tell you all of this? I tell you all because this is who I am, and those of you taking the time to read this have probably read at least one of my books and because of that you’ve helped to make this dream of writing and reaching out to others who love books, and vampires, and shifters and all things gorgeous and sexy . . . come true!
Life is a constant balance of what we want and what we need. It's also a lot like a Battle. A battle that we all have to fight in our own way. I chose to try and love and cherish every minute that I get to chase my crazy dreams and create a world and characters to get lost in.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 12, 2018
This is not my usual read but thought i would give it a go. So glad i did.
The way the stories of each group of survivors grows and changes keeps you guessing as to whats going to happen.
I love thats there is such diversity in the groups and its not all macho alpha men leading the charge to get the womanfolks to safety. Yes there is alphas but there is also kick ass women, "geeks" who step up to the plate and push fear aside to get on to the sanctuary they are heading to. And there is the sweetest little girl that will make your heart melt.
There is sacrifices that you understand but break your heart, unexpected attacks and fights that have you holding your breath to ensure everyone makes it.
So humanity is hanging by a thread and then the stuff of horror films becomes reality. There is a deadly virus killing half the earths population, oh and the obes who didnt die from it are "reborn" as creatures that attack and kill.
You need to read this book. I cannot wait for the second instalment!!!
The way the stories of each group of survivors grows and changes keeps you guessing as to whats going to happen.
I love thats there is such diversity in the groups and its not all macho alpha men leading the charge to get the womanfolks to safety. Yes there is alphas but there is also kick ass women, "geeks" who step up to the plate and push fear aside to get on to the sanctuary they are heading to. And there is the sweetest little girl that will make your heart melt.
There is sacrifices that you understand but break your heart, unexpected attacks and fights that have you holding your breath to ensure everyone makes it.
So humanity is hanging by a thread and then the stuff of horror films becomes reality. There is a deadly virus killing half the earths population, oh and the obes who didnt die from it are "reborn" as creatures that attack and kill.
You need to read this book. I cannot wait for the second instalment!!!
July 25, 2018
I am a HUGE S.L. Dearing fan so I was totally down for this!
I haven't read a novel like this in a LONG time. This is the stories of survivors and was a read that had me on my toes time after time. I love the way that these authors through such a mismatch group together, and made you fall in love with each and every one of them.
The crazy moments that I didn't see coming, totally threw me for a loop. I went through all the emotions with this read. It truly was the stuff of a movie. The world is suffering from a virus and the people who don't die, are not what you think when they do survive.
Can't wait for part 2!
July 10, 2018
The Similayer Project is an exciting and captivating read. It was well written and fast paced thriller. It has a fresh and new point of view on a medical suspense. The different point of views made this a quick read while also keeping the reader engaged. I can't wait to read the next book!
July 11, 2018
In a world of repetitive ideas comes something original: The Similayer Project.
I very much appreciate the unique premise on which the story begins, and the melding of the characters' stories is reminiscent of The Stand with a softer edge, and which also slices across several genres.
I enjoyed reading it. Kudos to the authors.
I very much appreciate the unique premise on which the story begins, and the melding of the characters' stories is reminiscent of The Stand with a softer edge, and which also slices across several genres.
I enjoyed reading it. Kudos to the authors.
July 10, 2018
Amazing collab!
What happens when the the ozone layer is broken? You send the top minds to fix it of course. But what happens if fixing it causes something far worse?
This book is beyond epic. I am so blown away by the detail and the fluidity of the collaboration of these authors. You truly cannot tell where one author ends and one begins.
I'm not going to give any spoilers but if ever a book needed to be turned into a movie, it is this one! I cannot wait for part 2!
What happens when the the ozone layer is broken? You send the top minds to fix it of course. But what happens if fixing it causes something far worse?
This book is beyond epic. I am so blown away by the detail and the fluidity of the collaboration of these authors. You truly cannot tell where one author ends and one begins.
I'm not going to give any spoilers but if ever a book needed to be turned into a movie, it is this one! I cannot wait for part 2!
July 10, 2018
The authors of The Similayer Project weave their story so fluidly that it was impossible to tell pick out their individual voices. They’ve created a world that is so frighteningly realistic in its possibility, but also contains so much heart and faith in possible better futures. While a little slow in the beginning (a necessary evil in such a complex world), once it began moving, the story ran away with me (and the time – suddenly I had lost two hours in the real world as I was so engrossed in this one).
The authors take the reader around the US on a journey with survivors of an outbreak as they work to find safety and order in the new chaos of the world. Love is lost and found, friendships are changed and things that were once simple and everyday become rare and sometimes difficult. These characters are so well written that as the reader I felt myself filling with empathy for them and sharing in their wins and losses like they were my own. (heck, I even developed my own “reader crushes” on a few of them).
The incredible scope of diversity amongst the characters is probably one of my favorite things in this book – you’ve got your typical strong and heroic men, but then the authors have thrown in some amazing women and even children who defy the “damsel in distress” expectation and find a way to survive against all odds.
I truly cannot wait for Part 2 to come out so that I can continue following these new “friends” on their journeys to find “home” – which is more or less the journey of them all no matter where they come from. What form that “home” takes for each of them is what will keep me anxiously awaiting their future stories.
The authors take the reader around the US on a journey with survivors of an outbreak as they work to find safety and order in the new chaos of the world. Love is lost and found, friendships are changed and things that were once simple and everyday become rare and sometimes difficult. These characters are so well written that as the reader I felt myself filling with empathy for them and sharing in their wins and losses like they were my own. (heck, I even developed my own “reader crushes” on a few of them).
The incredible scope of diversity amongst the characters is probably one of my favorite things in this book – you’ve got your typical strong and heroic men, but then the authors have thrown in some amazing women and even children who defy the “damsel in distress” expectation and find a way to survive against all odds.
I truly cannot wait for Part 2 to come out so that I can continue following these new “friends” on their journeys to find “home” – which is more or less the journey of them all no matter where they come from. What form that “home” takes for each of them is what will keep me anxiously awaiting their future stories.
Read
July 11, 2018When I first heard about this book and collaboration of authors I just knew I had to get my hands on it! Not only that but I love these types of books and I wasn't disappointed.
This book is about different groups of survivors trying to survive in a world that is falling apart after the outbreak. After trying to repair the hole in the Ozone layer the result was worth than can ever have been imagined.
I am totally blown away by how amazing this book was! A bit of a slow start but a few chapters in and I couldn't put it down! These authors have truly created a world that sucks you in and won't let you go, to the point the story stays with you even when you have to put the book down for real life.
The writing is amazing and flows well and the characters are well thought out and developed.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough and I cannot wait for the next installment.
This book is about different groups of survivors trying to survive in a world that is falling apart after the outbreak. After trying to repair the hole in the Ozone layer the result was worth than can ever have been imagined.
I am totally blown away by how amazing this book was! A bit of a slow start but a few chapters in and I couldn't put it down! These authors have truly created a world that sucks you in and won't let you go, to the point the story stays with you even when you have to put the book down for real life.
The writing is amazing and flows well and the characters are well thought out and developed.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough and I cannot wait for the next installment.
August 2, 2018
When incredible authors conspire to create a new world, watch out for what they create. McMinimy, Dearing, Walsh, and Michaels have developed not only a new world, but a web of characters that slowly come together, teasing us with the cliffhanger finish of this serial novel. Coming together is a theme of this project, as four independent writers collaborated to produce this stellar novel.
What would you do when faced with the potential end of the world? Crumble or survive? This is the question put forth by the authors. Then they back it up with a scenario that is truly frightening. When the atmosphere is messed with by scientists, disaster occurs sending the world as we know it into a spiral of destruction. New creatures come out of the darkness. New concerns weigh upon the soul. New questions face the world.
The cast of characters is a conglomeration of unique individuals thrust into extreme circumstances. While we meet them individually, we only truly get to know them in groups. Singular entities grow emotionally and physically, only by facing the dramatic reality with strangers. Through the eyes of the characters we explore the new world that has been crafted, and can only sit back in awe and fear, at the possibility that this might some day come true.
Somehow four voices seamlessly became one to deliver this nightmare spawning tale. These authors have left the reader wanting more, and needing more. Did I mention cliffhanger, serial novel? Smile, the wait will be worth it.
What would you do when faced with the potential end of the world? Crumble or survive? This is the question put forth by the authors. Then they back it up with a scenario that is truly frightening. When the atmosphere is messed with by scientists, disaster occurs sending the world as we know it into a spiral of destruction. New creatures come out of the darkness. New concerns weigh upon the soul. New questions face the world.
The cast of characters is a conglomeration of unique individuals thrust into extreme circumstances. While we meet them individually, we only truly get to know them in groups. Singular entities grow emotionally and physically, only by facing the dramatic reality with strangers. Through the eyes of the characters we explore the new world that has been crafted, and can only sit back in awe and fear, at the possibility that this might some day come true.
Somehow four voices seamlessly became one to deliver this nightmare spawning tale. These authors have left the reader wanting more, and needing more. Did I mention cliffhanger, serial novel? Smile, the wait will be worth it.
July 11, 2018
First off, this was an amazing collaboration between some authors that I haven't had the opportunity to read from and I plan to keep my eye out for more work from each. The writing style was seamless and very enjoyable. The creative world that was built out of the imagination of these authors is very interesting and is a new view of a medical outbreak that threatens the very existence of humanity. I like the mix of characters from the five groups of survivors and all of their personality quirks. Their actions made me think about what I would do if I were in that same position. This was well written, nice action paced storyline that kept me asking what was going to happen next. Well worth the read for lovers of sci-fi, post-apocalyptic type stories, and creatively written thriller/suspense stories. I cannot wait for the second installment of this story and will look into other works by these authors in the meantime. I was voluntarily given an ARC and have reviewed this book to give my honest opinion.
July 10, 2018
Don't normally leave feedback for any book HOWEVER,,,,,,,,,,
AND I won't put any spoilers on here....................
My BEST suggestion is READ IT! Exciting, edge of your seat and always Always ALWAYS WANT MORE OF THE STORY!!!
Great Job Magen McMinimy
AND I won't put any spoilers on here....................
My BEST suggestion is READ IT! Exciting, edge of your seat and always Always ALWAYS WANT MORE OF THE STORY!!!
Great Job Magen McMinimy
July 10, 2018
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. When I first started this book back in May I had a hard time getting into it. The horror that started within the first few chapters made me squeamish and I wasn’t sure if it was for me. It’s a departure from my normal genre reads but the book sounded great so I wanted to give it a try. About the 5th chapter I got captivated and had a harder time putting it down. Is there blood and gore? Yes. Is there love? Yes. Is there a lot of the unexpected? Absolutely. The authors did a good job of melding several different stories into a captivating tale of survival during a time of big loss. I’m excited to see what part 2 has in store for the characters as they converge on a lab meant only for humans, when several of the characters you fall in love with and are rooting for are part of the monsters nightmares are made from.
August 5, 2018
Wow
Seriously enjoyed this. I love the alternating POVs. I’m not sure when the next installment comes out but you can bet I’ll be looking for it. Postapocolyptic books are my guilty pleasure.
Seriously enjoyed this. I love the alternating POVs. I’m not sure when the next installment comes out but you can bet I’ll be looking for it. Postapocolyptic books are my guilty pleasure.
July 28, 2018
This book was so cleverly put together. I cannot express how good this book was. So descriptive and immersive. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the survivors and I cannot wait for the next one to come out.
July 10, 2018
Right from the beginning I was pulled into this story. And while it’s a little different from what I usually read, I really enjoyed it. And I am really looking forward to the next book.
The story follows multiple people, or groups of people, from many different areas in the US as they struggle to survive after the world as they knew it changes. In this new world there lots of different monsters, and sometimes the worst of them are not even really monsters. And sometimes the “monsters” are not really monsters at all.
There were times during this book where I just wanted to scream at the characters, or even just pull them close and tell them things would get better. But when I would least expect it, something would happen to change the tide (whether for good or bad) and I would be crying or yelling all over again. Because, above anything else, this story is not beyond the realm of the believable. And I hope these authors don’t make us wait too long for more.
The story follows multiple people, or groups of people, from many different areas in the US as they struggle to survive after the world as they knew it changes. In this new world there lots of different monsters, and sometimes the worst of them are not even really monsters. And sometimes the “monsters” are not really monsters at all.
There were times during this book where I just wanted to scream at the characters, or even just pull them close and tell them things would get better. But when I would least expect it, something would happen to change the tide (whether for good or bad) and I would be crying or yelling all over again. Because, above anything else, this story is not beyond the realm of the believable. And I hope these authors don’t make us wait too long for more.
July 10, 2018
I got this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is on the edge of your seat gripping. From the first page, you wander what is going in and what is happening. This is one book you HAVE to read.
July 11, 2018
When 2 different authors write a book sometimes you can tell it is 2 different authors and it distracts from the story. This is not one of those books. It is a fast paced story that will grab you and pull you so far into it that you'll refuse to emerge until then end.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews