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Toy Soldiers Omnibus 1: Apocalypse / Aftermath
1 - Apocalypse
In 1989, Peter's young life is an unfair and miserable existence, even before events unfold far beyond his isolated, rural corner of the world. He is left alone to fend for himself and to survive in impossible circumstances.
In the dying throes of the Cold War, testing of experimental bioweapons goes wrong in the worst kind of way. As the media coverage of disorder and chaos in London spreads, so too does the disease that makes the hosts it invades exist with just one goal: to find more living flesh to infect. Pockets of survivors, meanwhile, struggle to comprehend the nature of this new enemy.
Cut off from information and senior leadership, one squadron of armoured troops finds itself forced to operate independently, until the remnants of military and government command re-establish themselves safely at sea in the English Channel.
The dead, however, have a different agenda, and begin to exhibit behaviour that could eradicate the human race from the world.
2 - Aftermath
It is 1989 and the disease resulting from the testing of experimental bioweapons has ravaged much of the world. The UK and Europe are in chaos as the virus spreads uncontrollably. The US, nominally arriving in force to offer military and humanitarian assistance to their allies, are posturing dangerously with the east and failing to unite over the common enemy of humanity.
As command and control are ramping up operations over the British Isles and Europe, the remnants of Johnson’s Yeomanry and the scattered troops consolidate their position on their island stronghold and begin to look to the future, but events beyond their knowledge and control force them into desperate action.
Peter, alone by choice and oddly thriving, finds himself suddenly responsible for the life of someone other than himself. Adapting with ease, the young boy begins to show the difference between nature and nurture.
Elsewhere, other survivors stake their own claims to land and resources, but the inexplicable swarms of undead threaten to gather and dissipate constantly.
In 1989, Peter's young life is an unfair and miserable existence, even before events unfold far beyond his isolated, rural corner of the world. He is left alone to fend for himself and to survive in impossible circumstances.
In the dying throes of the Cold War, testing of experimental bioweapons goes wrong in the worst kind of way. As the media coverage of disorder and chaos in London spreads, so too does the disease that makes the hosts it invades exist with just one goal: to find more living flesh to infect. Pockets of survivors, meanwhile, struggle to comprehend the nature of this new enemy.
Cut off from information and senior leadership, one squadron of armoured troops finds itself forced to operate independently, until the remnants of military and government command re-establish themselves safely at sea in the English Channel.
The dead, however, have a different agenda, and begin to exhibit behaviour that could eradicate the human race from the world.
2 - Aftermath
It is 1989 and the disease resulting from the testing of experimental bioweapons has ravaged much of the world. The UK and Europe are in chaos as the virus spreads uncontrollably. The US, nominally arriving in force to offer military and humanitarian assistance to their allies, are posturing dangerously with the east and failing to unite over the common enemy of humanity.
As command and control are ramping up operations over the British Isles and Europe, the remnants of Johnson’s Yeomanry and the scattered troops consolidate their position on their island stronghold and begin to look to the future, but events beyond their knowledge and control force them into desperate action.
Peter, alone by choice and oddly thriving, finds himself suddenly responsible for the life of someone other than himself. Adapting with ease, the young boy begins to show the difference between nature and nurture.
Elsewhere, other survivors stake their own claims to land and resources, but the inexplicable swarms of undead threaten to gather and dissipate constantly.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Devon C. Ford
78 books430 followersDevon is from the UK, having lived in many places until finally settling in the Midlands. His career in public services started in his teens and has provided a wealth of experiences, both good and some very bad, which form the basis of the book ideas that cause regular insomnia.
He first started reading for fun as an adult, having tried his hardest to avoid anything resembling academia growing up, and at that point the world became a far bigger place. He has been reading, at least one book at a time, ever since.
His debut works, the After It Happened series, (Survival, Humanity, Society) were published in April 2016 followed by Hope (July 2016) and Sanctuary (December 2016). The first part of the series concluded with the release of Rebellion which was published in June 2017.
Storming high into the charts with the first books of the After It Happened series, Devon launched into the top 10 sellers listings in the UK, Australia, Canada and the US, and he made the decision to write full time shortly after the launch of Hope.
Devon’s self-published beginnings caused a stir in the publishing world, and resulted in contracts with Podium Publishing for Audible, narrated by R.C. Bray (The Martian, Expeditionary Force, Arisen), before a publishing deal for kindle and paperbacks with Vulpine Press.
Further works have seen the start of a multi-author series, sci-fi/post-apocalyptic cross genre, futuristic dystopian and alternative history zombie apocalypse. Spin-off books from the After It Happened world have been announced for 2018.
He first started reading for fun as an adult, having tried his hardest to avoid anything resembling academia growing up, and at that point the world became a far bigger place. He has been reading, at least one book at a time, ever since.
His debut works, the After It Happened series, (Survival, Humanity, Society) were published in April 2016 followed by Hope (July 2016) and Sanctuary (December 2016). The first part of the series concluded with the release of Rebellion which was published in June 2017.
Storming high into the charts with the first books of the After It Happened series, Devon launched into the top 10 sellers listings in the UK, Australia, Canada and the US, and he made the decision to write full time shortly after the launch of Hope.
Devon’s self-published beginnings caused a stir in the publishing world, and resulted in contracts with Podium Publishing for Audible, narrated by R.C. Bray (The Martian, Expeditionary Force, Arisen), before a publishing deal for kindle and paperbacks with Vulpine Press.
Further works have seen the start of a multi-author series, sci-fi/post-apocalyptic cross genre, futuristic dystopian and alternative history zombie apocalypse. Spin-off books from the After It Happened world have been announced for 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 12, 2019
When Jonathan Maberry has an imminent new release i take notice. When Jonathan Maberry releases the latest Joe Ledger book, tools are downed, and everything is bagged up and forgotten about until its conclusion.
Devon C. Ford decided to throw a spanner in the works with his book Toy Soldiers. The unthinkable happened. Inexplicably on conclusion of book 1, without hesitation i moved to book 2. Then came the dark matter, quantum physics style absurdity of instant progression to book 3.
Sorry Mr Maberry, but im afraid you've been trumped.
This series of books takes brilliant, and laughs in its face. I honestly cannot remember when i enjoyed a story so much. Everyone has a bunch of ingredients that make their favourite recipe to perfection. Toy Soldiers was my lemon drizzle sponge cake with custard. Incredible characters, realistic dialogue, and a plausible but exciting story, with most importantly to me, colourful language that match the characters, and situations. The author does something in his undead masterpiece, that is seldom done, but massively appreciated by me. On occasion it is remembered that the 'monsters' were once people. I've always appreciated this authors work, having read other books, but Toy Soldiers is simply magnificent. Whether from the perspective of the young boy, or the hardened soldiers, the tale is brutal in places, but touching and warm in others. I just can't recommend this series highly enough.
Devon C. Ford decided to throw a spanner in the works with his book Toy Soldiers. The unthinkable happened. Inexplicably on conclusion of book 1, without hesitation i moved to book 2. Then came the dark matter, quantum physics style absurdity of instant progression to book 3.
Sorry Mr Maberry, but im afraid you've been trumped.
This series of books takes brilliant, and laughs in its face. I honestly cannot remember when i enjoyed a story so much. Everyone has a bunch of ingredients that make their favourite recipe to perfection. Toy Soldiers was my lemon drizzle sponge cake with custard. Incredible characters, realistic dialogue, and a plausible but exciting story, with most importantly to me, colourful language that match the characters, and situations. The author does something in his undead masterpiece, that is seldom done, but massively appreciated by me. On occasion it is remembered that the 'monsters' were once people. I've always appreciated this authors work, having read other books, but Toy Soldiers is simply magnificent. Whether from the perspective of the young boy, or the hardened soldiers, the tale is brutal in places, but touching and warm in others. I just can't recommend this series highly enough.
January 31, 2024
Apocalypse (Toy Soldiers #1) - 3/5 stars
0.5/1 ★ for plot
0.5/1 ★ for characters and character development
0.5/1 ★ for writing style and narration
1/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
Listening to John Rafter Lee as Sergeant Major Johnson saying, "F*** me sideways with a d*** chair" was priceless. Love his narration and command of accents, as always. Onto book 2 of 6!
Aftermath (Toy Soldiers #2) - 2.5/5 stars
0.5/1 ★ for plot
0.5/1 ★ for characters and character development
0.5/1 ★ for writing style and narration
0.5/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
John Rafter Lee narrating Sergeant Major Dean Johnson is the best part of book 1 and 2!
His acting and accent are perfect when he says, "Trooper Nevin. I can only assume, having never met the man, that your father wished you had been a wank! You, Trooper Nevin, are a 5'6" walking advert for condoms!"
My biggest complaint with this series so far is that I feel like all six books could've been condensed into one long book. There's not a lot going on in many of the chapters except explaining who the dozens of military personnel are, what they do, and what they're waiting for. But I'm sticking with it because of John Lee's fantastic narration. So onto book 3 of 6!
0.5/1 ★ for plot
0.5/1 ★ for characters and character development
0.5/1 ★ for writing style and narration
1/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
Listening to John Rafter Lee as Sergeant Major Johnson saying, "F*** me sideways with a d*** chair" was priceless. Love his narration and command of accents, as always. Onto book 2 of 6!
Aftermath (Toy Soldiers #2) - 2.5/5 stars
0.5/1 ★ for plot
0.5/1 ★ for characters and character development
0.5/1 ★ for writing style and narration
0.5/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
John Rafter Lee narrating Sergeant Major Dean Johnson is the best part of book 1 and 2!
His acting and accent are perfect when he says, "Trooper Nevin. I can only assume, having never met the man, that your father wished you had been a wank! You, Trooper Nevin, are a 5'6" walking advert for condoms!"
My biggest complaint with this series so far is that I feel like all six books could've been condensed into one long book. There's not a lot going on in many of the chapters except explaining who the dozens of military personnel are, what they do, and what they're waiting for. But I'm sticking with it because of John Lee's fantastic narration. So onto book 3 of 6!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews