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Mountain Man #5
Make Me King
As the zombie epidemic wanes, one community hopes to expand-but a menacing rival group will do anything to stop them-in this post-apocalyptic horror series. On the isle of Big Tancook, Collie Jones is making plans. She informs her fellow islanders that it's time to resume her original to find other survivors of the apocalypse, screen them, and bring them back with her. Every person who joins them is another valuable addition to their skill and gene pool. But first, Collie must return to the place from whence she originally came and secure the elaborate government bunker known as Whitecap as well as its vast store of munitions. Assembling a team that includes mountain man Gus Berry, Collie returns to the mainland-and confronts a new enemy. It seems a rival group is also determined to locate survivors, intending to build an empire. And they don't like competition . . .
295 pages, ebook
First published August 21, 2019
175 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Keith C. Blackmore
38 books917 followersBooks are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
February 6, 2026
This is book 5 in the Mountain Man series, and we're back with all the survivors who've congregated on the Isle of Big Tancook. Around 6 months have passed since the end of the last instalment, and most of the zombies are dying off—but not all, as we find out later.
A small group, led by Collie and Gus, decide to head out for a few days to see if they can find any other survivors and supplies. But Collie also wants to try and make a trip to her old hideout at the military bunker, Whitecap, where there is a store of weapons. Once again, however, they run into trouble; this time we get a new antagonist—the gang known as The Leather and their leader, The Vulture, who are in possession of a useful weapon.
I've been making my way through the series over the last few months, and the pacing and writing have improved as it's gone on. I did mention in my review of Mountain Man 1, that the Author went a little bit down the 'men writing women' route with regards to Roxanne in that book, but I think they've made up for it where Collie is concerned. I really love her as a character; we also get a nice twist to her storyline in this outing.
Whilst I'm still enjoying it, each book does seem to be a bit of a rinse and repeat of the one before, just with different named antagonists. It looks like in the next instalment we'll be sticking to the same one, though, as The Leather appear to be a huge and highly organised group.
Rating it 3.5/5 but will round up.
A small group, led by Collie and Gus, decide to head out for a few days to see if they can find any other survivors and supplies. But Collie also wants to try and make a trip to her old hideout at the military bunker, Whitecap, where there is a store of weapons. Once again, however, they run into trouble; this time we get a new antagonist—the gang known as The Leather and their leader, The Vulture, who are in possession of a useful weapon.
I've been making my way through the series over the last few months, and the pacing and writing have improved as it's gone on. I did mention in my review of Mountain Man 1, that the Author went a little bit down the 'men writing women' route with regards to Roxanne in that book, but I think they've made up for it where Collie is concerned. I really love her as a character; we also get a nice twist to her storyline in this outing.
Whilst I'm still enjoying it, each book does seem to be a bit of a rinse and repeat of the one before, just with different named antagonists. It looks like in the next instalment we'll be sticking to the same one, though, as The Leather appear to be a huge and highly organised group.
Rating it 3.5/5 but will round up.
January 19, 2022
Yet another phenomenal episode....Gus has held a place in my heart since the very first book of the Mountain Man series. He has always exuded humility and I firmly believe that his understanding and acceptance of himself (both strengths and weaknesses) has been key to his continuing to be a survivor instead of a Zed (aka zombie). He pulls no punches and what you see is what you get.
Lots of action as the group comes up against an exceptionally sinister group of survivors who have some seriously demented methods for dealing with outsiders. There is a huge cliffhanger at the end which could have tremendous implications for the group going forward - Book #6 cannot come out soon enough for me.
Narrator R.C. Bray -as always- is a listening joy.
Lots of action as the group comes up against an exceptionally sinister group of survivors who have some seriously demented methods for dealing with outsiders. There is a huge cliffhanger at the end which could have tremendous implications for the group going forward - Book #6 cannot come out soon enough for me.
Narrator R.C. Bray -as always- is a listening joy.
June 17, 2023
it's astounding to me how good this series is. just when you think it can't get better, it does!
this one had me all in my emotions. it was the most terrifying so far and not because of zombies, if you can believe it. lots of ups and downs and many times I said out loud WHAT, NO WAY, OH YEAH!!
I really can't say much more without giving something away so just do yourself a favor and read this series!!!
this one had me all in my emotions. it was the most terrifying so far and not because of zombies, if you can believe it. lots of ups and downs and many times I said out loud WHAT, NO WAY, OH YEAH!!
I really can't say much more without giving something away so just do yourself a favor and read this series!!!
September 22, 2019
A journey from start to finish
This is a stunning comeback for a series I was, quite frankly terrified about the thought of it being over. I think I’ve fallen in awe of Gus a dozen times. Then into the scene came Collie and Wallace! Wow! Now Wallace is gone but Collie remains and my heart wants Gus and her to be together. But...this is Gus...a modern Don Quixote with guns, knives, courage, compassion. A heart as big as Texas and so sadly a belly to match. What a journey they embark on this time. It’s not easy but when has Gus’s life ever been easy? Far out! I suffer with him every time. How much more can he take? Only Keith knows. Over to you Keith!
Read this series. It is not about Zombies but the world as it could be if anything catastrophic happened. Of course Zombies are in it, but that’s a good thing. We all need a challenge.
This is a stunning comeback for a series I was, quite frankly terrified about the thought of it being over. I think I’ve fallen in awe of Gus a dozen times. Then into the scene came Collie and Wallace! Wow! Now Wallace is gone but Collie remains and my heart wants Gus and her to be together. But...this is Gus...a modern Don Quixote with guns, knives, courage, compassion. A heart as big as Texas and so sadly a belly to match. What a journey they embark on this time. It’s not easy but when has Gus’s life ever been easy? Far out! I suffer with him every time. How much more can he take? Only Keith knows. Over to you Keith!
Read this series. It is not about Zombies but the world as it could be if anything catastrophic happened. Of course Zombies are in it, but that’s a good thing. We all need a challenge.
February 19, 2020
5 stars audio
5 gorgy, gruesome, cringey stars story!! Loved every minute of it!
5 gorgy, gruesome, cringey stars story!! Loved every minute of it!
February 27, 2020
Admittedly, I DNF. I made it about 60% before returning my audiobook. I like Blackmore and love Bray, but the tale of the Mountain Man is getting to be a hint too repetitive, predictable, and grisly for the sake of being unnecessarily disgusting. I can't even follow along with all of the characters anymore. They get lost.
There will always be someone out there - someone with a ridiculous nickname - who wants to take over and subjugate the remaining groups of people left in the wake of the zombies/mindless hordes. It is always a group of men who want to rape, enslave, and mutilate others - just 'cause. After a while, it was gross for the sake of gross; littered with pointless juvenile conversations; or gratuitous violence. I get that is the style of this series, but I've listened to this since book 0, Gus' origin story. They could have ended this series with the last one, and it would have been fine.
Now, Gus and his crew, are even worse for the wear and battling yet another megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur, called "The Leather." There are never any points of relief or hope. Sure, some of the violence is justified. But I can't seem to get into this series anymore.
There will always be someone out there - someone with a ridiculous nickname - who wants to take over and subjugate the remaining groups of people left in the wake of the zombies/mindless hordes. It is always a group of men who want to rape, enslave, and mutilate others - just 'cause. After a while, it was gross for the sake of gross; littered with pointless juvenile conversations; or gratuitous violence. I get that is the style of this series, but I've listened to this since book 0, Gus' origin story. They could have ended this series with the last one, and it would have been fine.
Now, Gus and his crew, are even worse for the wear and battling yet another megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur, called "The Leather." There are never any points of relief or hope. Sure, some of the violence is justified. But I can't seem to get into this series anymore.
October 6, 2020
Excellent as usual. What a great series.
March 13, 2020
I was so excited for this installment of the Mountain Man series! I was a little let down for the first half of the book. It felt slow and generic to me. The new characters were not nearly as fleshed out and even Gus himself felt barely there. It picked up a little over midway through and kept me glued. I guess there just is no way to compare to that first Mountain Man with his foppish captain and deep seeded need for tp.
April 15, 2021
Another great read in the Mountain Man series. It takes on more of a Mad Max vibe but still a fun read. Gus is as cranky as he always is. The story has good flow, and bad guys you want to see stopped. Wish Scott was in it more as he seems to be left out. We will see what # 5 has in store. Very discriptive, but at times too much, that is why its a 4 not a 5. It normally really helps with the flow, but at times seems not needed.
November 18, 2019
I read the first 4 books of this series some time ago and have a pretty lousy memory (I can't remember how book #4 turned out at all), but this was still fine to read on it's own—however, I would most certainly recommend reading the first 3 books first, in particular, as they are a stunningly good example of their type, and steer away from many of the genre standards.
In Blackmore's post zombie apocalypse world, several years on, the 'mindless' have faded out... most of them, anyway. All that's left is an empty world... or not so empty. Gus, Scott and his friends are living on an island, but supplies must still be found. Which is where the trouble starts.
I adored the first half of this book, with its sinister alternate chapters from the point of view of some bad guys - later, it features some of the best escape-from-zombies chapters I've read. I was not so keen on the last 30-40%, which takes place in a bunker inside a mountain, because I could no longer picture it, despite there being much detail; a lot of this-happened-then-that-happened; scenes that would have worked brilliantly on screen but I didn't think translated so well to a book. However, there were still some great plot developments, and it kept me reading.
If you like the horror end of the post apoc genre, I can't recommend Books #1 - #3 highly enough.
In Blackmore's post zombie apocalypse world, several years on, the 'mindless' have faded out... most of them, anyway. All that's left is an empty world... or not so empty. Gus, Scott and his friends are living on an island, but supplies must still be found. Which is where the trouble starts.
I adored the first half of this book, with its sinister alternate chapters from the point of view of some bad guys - later, it features some of the best escape-from-zombies chapters I've read. I was not so keen on the last 30-40%, which takes place in a bunker inside a mountain, because I could no longer picture it, despite there being much detail; a lot of this-happened-then-that-happened; scenes that would have worked brilliantly on screen but I didn't think translated so well to a book. However, there were still some great plot developments, and it kept me reading.
If you like the horror end of the post apoc genre, I can't recommend Books #1 - #3 highly enough.
September 13, 2019
I stumbled upon KCB through Audible. Being a huge fan of RC Bray and PA fiction I couldn't ignore this series (and the free short story to help get you hooked).
Keith has a way of letting the characters breathe within their universe and thus the stories seem to write themselves... Perhaps he even writes with no planned story arc in mind at all... Who cares... Each chapter, long or short ;), was less unpredictable than most books... Until the ending... Yes I saw that coming... Maybe you're supposed to see it coming... I don't want to include any 'spoilers',,, even though stories should be an awesome road trip even if you already know the destination...!
This one though, Make Me King... the title had me salivating when it was first announced... So my only real gripe with this book is that I was truly expecting Gus to explode and perhaps take on some form of leadership... I had visions of him standing outside Whitecap with his foot on a barrel... But who knows, there's still hope... This book however should've been called Make Me Queen...
Besides that, I enjoyed every page, and loved the twists and turns that separate Mountain Man from other PA zombie fiction... and will definitely be snagging the audio version when (yeah I said when) RC decides to pull his finger out...
Keith has a way of letting the characters breathe within their universe and thus the stories seem to write themselves... Perhaps he even writes with no planned story arc in mind at all... Who cares... Each chapter, long or short ;), was less unpredictable than most books... Until the ending... Yes I saw that coming... Maybe you're supposed to see it coming... I don't want to include any 'spoilers',,, even though stories should be an awesome road trip even if you already know the destination...!
This one though, Make Me King... the title had me salivating when it was first announced... So my only real gripe with this book is that I was truly expecting Gus to explode and perhaps take on some form of leadership... I had visions of him standing outside Whitecap with his foot on a barrel... But who knows, there's still hope... This book however should've been called Make Me Queen...
Besides that, I enjoyed every page, and loved the twists and turns that separate Mountain Man from other PA zombie fiction... and will definitely be snagging the audio version when (yeah I said when) RC decides to pull his finger out...
March 3, 2020
I was a bit torn with this entry in the series
I found myself a bit torn on the nature of this story. I was expecting more of the mindless. Instead, the first half of the book made me feel as though I was listening to a different post-apocalyptic story. Sure, it had Gus, but it also felt like an exorbitant amount of character development for a good portion of the book. There was little information about the inhabitants of the island (perhaps a future sequel?) once Gus and crew left for the mainlands.
Now, that said, in the middle of the book the story took a very nice arc that was filled with action and mindless galore. I loved the story with Collie and her special operations background, especially since I have met folks that had very close to the same personality. The portion with Joshua Rogan was awesome. I mean, I could never imagine degenerating to the point (virus, spores, or what have you) to where I would choose to live (and eat) that way.
Bray, as usual, does a fantastic job with the narration and I will say that while the first half of the story left me less than thrilled, the second half grabbed on to me and took me for a wild ride.
A solid 4/5 that, truthfully, I wrestled with my rating for this book as I genuinely love the series. Rating it less than a 5 was difficult and felt wrong as the first 4.5 novels brought me on an adrenaline,, and Captain, filled journey.
I found myself a bit torn on the nature of this story. I was expecting more of the mindless. Instead, the first half of the book made me feel as though I was listening to a different post-apocalyptic story. Sure, it had Gus, but it also felt like an exorbitant amount of character development for a good portion of the book. There was little information about the inhabitants of the island (perhaps a future sequel?) once Gus and crew left for the mainlands.
Now, that said, in the middle of the book the story took a very nice arc that was filled with action and mindless galore. I loved the story with Collie and her special operations background, especially since I have met folks that had very close to the same personality. The portion with Joshua Rogan was awesome. I mean, I could never imagine degenerating to the point (virus, spores, or what have you) to where I would choose to live (and eat) that way.
Bray, as usual, does a fantastic job with the narration and I will say that while the first half of the story left me less than thrilled, the second half grabbed on to me and took me for a wild ride.
A solid 4/5 that, truthfully, I wrestled with my rating for this book as I genuinely love the series. Rating it less than a 5 was difficult and felt wrong as the first 4.5 novels brought me on an adrenaline,, and Captain, filled journey.
July 5, 2021
The best part about this volume is the description of Whitecap, which seems like a fascinating place. The worst part is everything else. That's an overstatement, but this volume isn't the best in the series. More zombies when they were all gone, another violent gang, and another zombie/human. All things we've seen before, but better. On the plus side, Gus must have treated his balls with a tube of Advantage because they were 90% less itchy.
September 22, 2019
Repeat of sadistic bad guys. In fact the is a repeat of a couple of things and not for the better. Perhaps he should have stopped at #4. I sent him a message a while back wondering about Ann ( i cannot remember her whole name) from the prequel book and if she would show up again. His answer was basically no and no one had asked about her. No, she isn't in this book.
February 21, 2021
Same ole same ole. I was missing a good ole zombie book, it's been a little while. Collie is still a badass and Gus is still Gus. Are they ever going to have some sort of peace? Maybe just a little bit? Each bad-guy group is worst than the one before. Will they ever have a place of their own? How do the Leather's recruit so many bad people?
September 12, 2019
Another great mountain man book.
This has always been a favorite series of mine. If you haven't read the first books, do yourself a favor and check them out- you won't be disappointed. Good character development all the way through the series , and neat surprises.
This has always been a favorite series of mine. If you haven't read the first books, do yourself a favor and check them out- you won't be disappointed. Good character development all the way through the series , and neat surprises.
November 8, 2021
This series always felt like a guilty pleasure to me, but the quality really drops off in books 4 & 5. New characters are increasingly flat and ideas are recycled from earlier books.
With that being said, I'm definitely buying book 6.
With that being said, I'm definitely buying book 6.
September 4, 2019
Another great book by my favorite author.
September 26, 2019
Great read!
Love the characters and writing. Could not put down. Well done! Gus and Collie are a great pair.
Love the entire series.
Love the characters and writing. Could not put down. Well done! Gus and Collie are a great pair.
Love the entire series.
March 18, 2020
I LOVE this series! R. C. Bray reads it for Audible, and I can't wait for the next installment! ♥️
January 12, 2021
Fantastic with a great verve and pace. I thinl Keith C gets better at every outing. Book 6 please and quick!
February 29, 2020
I had a few issues with book 5. Keep in mind, I love this series! One day (I have so many books I want to read/listen to), I hope to relisten or read this series again. I was sad when Gus was put to rest (the series ended) but was ecstatic when I learned Mr. Blackmore decided to add to it. Speaking of the aforementioned issues…
1. Gus was all about zombies. Zombies and Gus went hand in hand in this series. Hearing that the zombies were all gone at the beginning confused and saddened me. Yes, they might have been vacant from the areas around the island when they’d go in search for supplies, but how would they know they were all gone? They wouldn’t.
2. I’d say the first half of this book had me comparing or thinking of the series “Commune” (which I also love) by Joshua Gayou. Like I imagined with book 5 (if the author ever decided to continue it), we, the readers, would learn more about the island. I mean Gus had just arrived on the island at the end of book 4! But there was nothing really mentioned about it. Characters on the island were introduced or reintroduced but that was it, and given there was a fair amount of time between book 4 and 5, there were some characters that I wasn’t even sure of, as in who they were?!
3. I think my biggest question for book 5 was: Why did Collie(?) kill the bad guys (Jolly Jake and his crew) as well as the two ball-gagged men? There was no mention afterward that she had seen anything questionable or had somehow known about them prior to their interactions. There was nothing. It’s like Jolly Jake and his men were doing their thing, suddenly Collie came along, realized she was bored and decided to kill some people. It didn’t make sense. Why the gagged men? Shouldn’t they have rescued them? I mean they were attached to chains so it should have been obvious they weren’t apart of the bad guy groups.
I love R.C. Bray!
Questions/Comments:
Did Gus ever scratch his balls? I was driving while listening to the story, so I might have missed that.
Speaking of Jolly Jake, there was a part when Top Gun ended up falling down on top of Jake and his chest was described as being sunken in. Given the man just died, why would it have looked any different than normal, especially since he’d been shot in the head?
Collie (I think) ended up saying something about how the one “family man” on the island shouldn’t come with them because he already had one kid and another on the way, and he and his significant other needed to continue popping out kids. Why? Obviously they don’t want the human race to end, but when it was just one family having the kids…
The group ended up staying at a nice house after rescuing the ball-gagged group (the one with Eva and Monica). They had arrived at the house with their two trucks and the trailer. There hadn’t been enough room in the trucks for the “meat bags” to ride in so they had to stay in the trailer. When they go to leave, I swear it was like there was suddenly an SUV. I’m guessing it was at the house and I just somehow missed that part. I have no clue. Either way, how was it able to run still? Wouldn’t the gas have gone bad by then?
Gus ended up comparing the feeling of the urine on his face first to what it would feel like having maggots devouring his face, then later, what it would feel like to have worms devouring his face. I thought the comparisons were questionable especially since worms don’t eat meat, so I’m not sure where/why he would have come up with that comparison.
Near the end, Gus, then later Collie, referred to Vultures not-dead or fully-alive minions as the mindless. Yes, that was what the Vulture referred to them as. BUT there was never a time when Gus would have known that, Collie either! It wasn’t like Vulture was yelling out telling the minions/mindless what to do. So how would either of them have picked up on the nickname?
Who was taking care of the goldfish? I mean, those babies need to be fed multiple times a day, otherwise, they’ll starve and die. So how were they still alive? And I don’t believe… I forgot the wheelchair guy’s name would have been doing it as it sounded like he rarely left the computer room Gus had found him in.
1. Gus was all about zombies. Zombies and Gus went hand in hand in this series. Hearing that the zombies were all gone at the beginning confused and saddened me. Yes, they might have been vacant from the areas around the island when they’d go in search for supplies, but how would they know they were all gone? They wouldn’t.
2. I’d say the first half of this book had me comparing or thinking of the series “Commune” (which I also love) by Joshua Gayou. Like I imagined with book 5 (if the author ever decided to continue it), we, the readers, would learn more about the island. I mean Gus had just arrived on the island at the end of book 4! But there was nothing really mentioned about it. Characters on the island were introduced or reintroduced but that was it, and given there was a fair amount of time between book 4 and 5, there were some characters that I wasn’t even sure of, as in who they were?!
3. I think my biggest question for book 5 was: Why did Collie(?) kill the bad guys (Jolly Jake and his crew) as well as the two ball-gagged men? There was no mention afterward that she had seen anything questionable or had somehow known about them prior to their interactions. There was nothing. It’s like Jolly Jake and his men were doing their thing, suddenly Collie came along, realized she was bored and decided to kill some people. It didn’t make sense. Why the gagged men? Shouldn’t they have rescued them? I mean they were attached to chains so it should have been obvious they weren’t apart of the bad guy groups.
I love R.C. Bray!
Questions/Comments:
Did Gus ever scratch his balls? I was driving while listening to the story, so I might have missed that.
Speaking of Jolly Jake, there was a part when Top Gun ended up falling down on top of Jake and his chest was described as being sunken in. Given the man just died, why would it have looked any different than normal, especially since he’d been shot in the head?
Collie (I think) ended up saying something about how the one “family man” on the island shouldn’t come with them because he already had one kid and another on the way, and he and his significant other needed to continue popping out kids. Why? Obviously they don’t want the human race to end, but when it was just one family having the kids…
The group ended up staying at a nice house after rescuing the ball-gagged group (the one with Eva and Monica). They had arrived at the house with their two trucks and the trailer. There hadn’t been enough room in the trucks for the “meat bags” to ride in so they had to stay in the trailer. When they go to leave, I swear it was like there was suddenly an SUV. I’m guessing it was at the house and I just somehow missed that part. I have no clue. Either way, how was it able to run still? Wouldn’t the gas have gone bad by then?
Gus ended up comparing the feeling of the urine on his face first to what it would feel like having maggots devouring his face, then later, what it would feel like to have worms devouring his face. I thought the comparisons were questionable especially since worms don’t eat meat, so I’m not sure where/why he would have come up with that comparison.
Near the end, Gus, then later Collie, referred to Vultures not-dead or fully-alive minions as the mindless. Yes, that was what the Vulture referred to them as. BUT there was never a time when Gus would have known that, Collie either! It wasn’t like Vulture was yelling out telling the minions/mindless what to do. So how would either of them have picked up on the nickname?
Who was taking care of the goldfish? I mean, those babies need to be fed multiple times a day, otherwise, they’ll starve and die. So how were they still alive? And I don’t believe… I forgot the wheelchair guy’s name would have been doing it as it sounded like he rarely left the computer room Gus had found him in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2020
Welcome Back Old Friend!
Ah of all the post apocalyptic characters you've ever wanted to spend more time with surely Gus, The Mountain Man has to be right up there among the very best. And he's back! But of course this isn't quite the same Gus that we first fell in love with, he's sober for a start. Who knew as those brilliant people at the AA set up their programs and their meetings that all you really needed to do was to survive a few years of a zombie apocalypse? That's as designed by Keith C Blackmore of course, ordinary zombie apocalypses need not apply! He's also a slightly more banged up Gus but the brilliant news is that while he has changed a bit he's still that flawed mound of human being that we've come to love.
Being out walking, driving, running and falling over with The Mountain Man again has been a real highlight of my listening year so far. This book takes the series in a whole new direction, with added weirdness. Yes, I know a series that has brought us playpens full of gnashing heads and even that maternity ward nightmare has found new ways to be weird, you have been warned! Most of the time it's been very much about how the day to day is transformed with ordinary people in extreme situations but the series took on a gradually grander scale as the enemies became increasingly human. This one propels us even further along that line with more sci-fi elements tagging into it and after a reasonably Gus-paced opening the action starts coming thick and fast with a feeling more akin to something like the Arisen series than The Mountain Man by the end.
But never fear there is plenty of that special brand of humanity that only Gus can bring and when he's teamed up with Collie Jones, a woman as scary as the apocalypse itself, his heart is just as much at risk as his miserable skin. Blackmore is a clever writer and while the story behind the apocalypse is explored a little more he finds ever new inventive ways to torture his long-suffering hero and drag at his heartstrings. You really are going to want to sit poor Gus down and pour some of the Captain's remedy down him on more than one occasion during this one.
The performance, I really don't need to say anything other than it would have been a crime if Podium had chosen anyone else and I would have done a Collie Jones on them if they had!
So, a bit different in character, a bit more Sci-fi in nature but it's still Gus and Blackmore is still throwing every kind of viscera at him that you can imagine with Gus actually ending up smellier than he has ever been before at times as hard as that is to believe.
Just wonderful.
Ah of all the post apocalyptic characters you've ever wanted to spend more time with surely Gus, The Mountain Man has to be right up there among the very best. And he's back! But of course this isn't quite the same Gus that we first fell in love with, he's sober for a start. Who knew as those brilliant people at the AA set up their programs and their meetings that all you really needed to do was to survive a few years of a zombie apocalypse? That's as designed by Keith C Blackmore of course, ordinary zombie apocalypses need not apply! He's also a slightly more banged up Gus but the brilliant news is that while he has changed a bit he's still that flawed mound of human being that we've come to love.
Being out walking, driving, running and falling over with The Mountain Man again has been a real highlight of my listening year so far. This book takes the series in a whole new direction, with added weirdness. Yes, I know a series that has brought us playpens full of gnashing heads and even that maternity ward nightmare has found new ways to be weird, you have been warned! Most of the time it's been very much about how the day to day is transformed with ordinary people in extreme situations but the series took on a gradually grander scale as the enemies became increasingly human. This one propels us even further along that line with more sci-fi elements tagging into it and after a reasonably Gus-paced opening the action starts coming thick and fast with a feeling more akin to something like the Arisen series than The Mountain Man by the end.
But never fear there is plenty of that special brand of humanity that only Gus can bring and when he's teamed up with Collie Jones, a woman as scary as the apocalypse itself, his heart is just as much at risk as his miserable skin. Blackmore is a clever writer and while the story behind the apocalypse is explored a little more he finds ever new inventive ways to torture his long-suffering hero and drag at his heartstrings. You really are going to want to sit poor Gus down and pour some of the Captain's remedy down him on more than one occasion during this one.
The performance, I really don't need to say anything other than it would have been a crime if Podium had chosen anyone else and I would have done a Collie Jones on them if they had!
So, a bit different in character, a bit more Sci-fi in nature but it's still Gus and Blackmore is still throwing every kind of viscera at him that you can imagine with Gus actually ending up smellier than he has ever been before at times as hard as that is to believe.
Just wonderful.
December 3, 2024
Gus and Collie are making their way west
In an action filled romp through the remains of Canada, Gus is teamed with and learning operator tactics from Collie. Their romance is platonic through no lack of interest or desire from Gus. Collie gives out signals indicating her interest, but still holds back on the physical side. Gus is patiently giving her room, but his desire is obvious. And he's learning to stay alive.
The zombies are, for the most part, dried out husks. But the human survivors still have plenty of danger from other survivors. On their search for supplies and other survivors, Gus and Collie find plenty of by both. Some are welcoming, some hostile, but none more threatening than the group calling themselves The Leather, probably due to the black leather clothes and masks they wear. This gang is the most deadly outfit they find. Or who found them.
These characters we know so well are exploring another side of their relationship. Their romance is difficult. Gus gives her room to mourn her lost husband but lets his interest show as she grieves in her way. The bad guys are about as bad as they get. I've never met another group I desired quite so to see become zombie kibble! The storyline and action are both amazing, filled with smiles, laughs and gasps. This is a great read!
In an action filled romp through the remains of Canada, Gus is teamed with and learning operator tactics from Collie. Their romance is platonic through no lack of interest or desire from Gus. Collie gives out signals indicating her interest, but still holds back on the physical side. Gus is patiently giving her room, but his desire is obvious. And he's learning to stay alive.
The zombies are, for the most part, dried out husks. But the human survivors still have plenty of danger from other survivors. On their search for supplies and other survivors, Gus and Collie find plenty of by both. Some are welcoming, some hostile, but none more threatening than the group calling themselves The Leather, probably due to the black leather clothes and masks they wear. This gang is the most deadly outfit they find. Or who found them.
These characters we know so well are exploring another side of their relationship. Their romance is difficult. Gus gives her room to mourn her lost husband but lets his interest show as she grieves in her way. The bad guys are about as bad as they get. I've never met another group I desired quite so to see become zombie kibble! The storyline and action are both amazing, filled with smiles, laughs and gasps. This is a great read!
January 29, 2021
After the conclusion to Well Fed, I couldn't imagine where Blackmore could take the series, and even he took some time thinking on it, but it seems the world isn't quite done pulling Gus out of the fire only to kick him right back in. Setting out on a search for survivors to build up the thriving community on Big Tancook, Gus and Collie stumble headfirst into a war between a faction of survivors and a gang of mask-wearing, leather-bound slave masters with weaponized zombies and trained human attack dogs. Yeah, Mad Max ain't got nothing on Canada's post-apocalypse, it seems. The Leather make for a striking and chilling enemy, and the calm, collected way they hunt is terrifying. It's all the more effective as Gus seems to have carved himself a little slice of happiness. We can't have that, though, can we? Make Me King moves at a breakneck pace. It runs on adrenaline, desperation and shows that there's still some fight left in the ornery old mountain man I've grown to relate to more and more with each book.
March 21, 2024
Ok damn it...ok... I am a fan! I will see this to its bitter end, and if this grows into a post-apocalyptic sci-fi, or aliens show up...I don't care, I will still love it!
I recently finished Bearhead by Adrian Tchaikovski, and I said after that I wish someone had the brass to show humans as evil as they are...well...this series just goes above and beyond and it just keeps on going!
I always had a feeling that after a zombie apocalypse, people will not be just singing kumbaya in the streets, but this guy just makes Mad Max blush.
Plus it's so fun to see the men all seem to find the strong dashing female counterpart, that saves their butt over and over again and is overall more qualified...funny, subtle, I see you sir and I tip my hat to your style.
Oh....one more thing...besides the endless names for zombies, I think this series wins some sort of prize for the most metaphors for taking a crap. :))))
ONWARDS!!!!!
I recently finished Bearhead by Adrian Tchaikovski, and I said after that I wish someone had the brass to show humans as evil as they are...well...this series just goes above and beyond and it just keeps on going!
I always had a feeling that after a zombie apocalypse, people will not be just singing kumbaya in the streets, but this guy just makes Mad Max blush.
Plus it's so fun to see the men all seem to find the strong dashing female counterpart, that saves their butt over and over again and is overall more qualified...funny, subtle, I see you sir and I tip my hat to your style.
Oh....one more thing...besides the endless names for zombies, I think this series wins some sort of prize for the most metaphors for taking a crap. :))))
ONWARDS!!!!!
October 18, 2024
My goodness. This book might as well have been called 'Collie and Friends'. Such a disappointment. Gus is now a side character, can't do, say or accomplish anything without Collie's say so. He's essentially just a footnote and does nothing whereas Collie is badass at literally everything.
I would've appreciated Gus learning as he was going along and becoming capable by association based on his past experiences and at least doing something noteworthy in the climax....but jeez it was just a repeat of the previous book. Cruel bad guys show up, and Collie wipes them out.
That's literally the book. I'll finish the others in the series only because I detest starting and not finishing things. I cannot recommend at all.
I would've appreciated Gus learning as he was going along and becoming capable by association based on his past experiences and at least doing something noteworthy in the climax....but jeez it was just a repeat of the previous book. Cruel bad guys show up, and Collie wipes them out.
That's literally the book. I'll finish the others in the series only because I detest starting and not finishing things. I cannot recommend at all.
October 26, 2019
I love the Mountain Man series!!!!!! It is refreshing to read a zombie series that is so different from the genre. I read the first three books (Mountain Man, Hellifax and Well Fed) in 6 weeks. I couldn't put the books down which counted for a lot of late nights. Make Me King was no different. As soon as it was released in paperback I tore into the book with a vengeance. It was unpredictable to anticipate what would happen next. I was just sorry that the book had to end. Hoping Blackmore writes another Mountain Man book, but looking forward to read his new book Majestic 311. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES.
March 1, 2020
Thank You Keith Blackmore for another Gus adventure, I'm an absolute fan!
I love post apocalyptic stories and I've read a few. I have to say that this series is my favourite, by far.
It's not all about the zombies (and there are a LOT of great and very different zombie fights) it's mostly about human nature and how adversity brings out the best and the worse in people.
Gus is a great character.
Each book of the series brings something new to the table, and this one is no exception. I can't wait for the next one. Please don't take too long.
R.C.Bray is wonderful as always. I can't imagine Gus in another voice.
I love post apocalyptic stories and I've read a few. I have to say that this series is my favourite, by far.
It's not all about the zombies (and there are a LOT of great and very different zombie fights) it's mostly about human nature and how adversity brings out the best and the worse in people.
Gus is a great character.
Each book of the series brings something new to the table, and this one is no exception. I can't wait for the next one. Please don't take too long.
R.C.Bray is wonderful as always. I can't imagine Gus in another voice.
September 20, 2020
I flipping loved this book and this series, Keith C. Blackmore is a genius for writing tense action and with a seriously twisted imagination.
Everything about this novel made sense in the Mountain Man universe and even when there were times that I thought "how could that happen" he explains it and I think "of course, that makes total sense".
I will definitely be reading the next book in this series and its one of the best I've read this year, so good I couldnt read it before going to bed as otherwise I would have kept reading instead of going to sleep.
Everything about this novel made sense in the Mountain Man universe and even when there were times that I thought "how could that happen" he explains it and I think "of course, that makes total sense".
I will definitely be reading the next book in this series and its one of the best I've read this year, so good I couldnt read it before going to bed as otherwise I would have kept reading instead of going to sleep.
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