Bastard of the Apocalypse: The Earth Died Screaming

by Chuck Rogers

Ex-trailer trash. Ex-res. Dishonorably discharged ex-Force Recon Marine and MP. Ex-con. Ex-biker. Ex-FBI informant. Ex-wrestler. It's a lot of x's to have by your name. It can give you a bad attitude, and it is not a good resume for most walks of American life. But it's not a bad career track at all for a fixer in Los Angeles, and if the name of the new job is surviving the end of the world?Put it this way. Staying alive in the post-apocalypse can be a real bitch. Sometimes it takes a real bastard.My name is Benjamin Allen Frame.Last night the Earth died screaming.Today is Day One . . .

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

426 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2019

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

With all the post apocalypse books I read, I have to say this was a realistic character. Not the syfi/fantasy aspect. That was great and I really can't wait to see more adventures of Frame, I found the MC believable no fake p/c rhetoric or letting the enemy live so they can kill 80 more people .I'm in my 40s and so very tired of all the so called moral rationalization and Beta male MCs .. boo hoo what do I do with the man who tried to rape/steal supply's oh I know let them go on down the road... NO.. from that moment on every life that person takes/destroyed is now the Mcs fault. It just always seems fake to me I realize society wants you to think all other life is just as important as mine/my loved ones but that's crap. Any way..... loved the book

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm clearly going to be an outlier on this book, but I just could not finish it. That feels like a failure on my part. I could not get comfortable with the rambling, first-person narration that digressed over and over. I'm not a prude and dislike sanitized/religious post-apocalyptic stories as much as over the top sex and gore. I felt this story was just too crude for my taste.

[J. Finney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this. Best book I've read all year.

[Harry Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like post apocalyptic, 1 man bad ass, with a hint of zombie-like things, mutant animals, blood gore, death, action, and some crude comedy thrown in kinda books.... this is for you!

The moon is destroyed and caused all kinds of chaos. Fram was in an underground bunker. Once he comes out, the fun begins. He is ex-military and part native American bad ass. He forms a click with the locals and heads out to save the town from a group of bad guys killing and destroying neighboring towns. Can he stop them before it's too late? I am not telling, you have to read it yourself.

Blood, gore, sexual situations, slavery, rape, cutting, killing of mutant animals, oh and 1 horse was injured (or killed not sure it was quickly pasted over) in the making of this book. So probably not for children or the weak. It had crude humor to off balance all that to make it quite fun and fast paced.

It ended with the hint that there could be a return to this story in the future (fingers crossed), but not a wtf cliff hanger ending (I hate that kind of ending).

[Melissa Drespling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well...this is quintessential Chuck Rogers. If you enjoy pulpy, gritty, hilarious, and violent fiction - this is for you. I'm typically a fantasy reader however after reading Heroes Road, I was bound and determined to read BOTA as well. I have zero regrets. It's not a normal read for me - not by a long shot, but I enjoyed every second of it. Chuck Rogers is a fantastic writer and I'm pretty sure that my consumptive literary future is going to be one that if he writes it - I'll love it.

[Steven Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

His name is Frame. He's big. He's scary. Death is his art. He plied his trade as a Reconnaissance Marine in the service of Uncle Sam. He relied on those skills to survive prison. And he makes his living with those skills as a member of the criminal underworld.

That was before the world ended.

In Chuck Rogers's inaugural entry in his new Bastard of the Apocalypse series, THE EARTH DIED SCREAMING, he paints a grisly scene of a freakish phenomenon that irreparably changes the world. His protagonist, Frame, meets the challenges of the apocalypse head-on, whether it's a radiation-charred grizzly bear or a cult-like biker gang.

Rogers does a fantastic job of both characterization and world-building. You feel both the survival-based despair and the personal despair that Frame endures. Internal world rules are logical and consistent. The supporting cast of characters is nothing short of compelling, each with their own story and motivations.

The action is visceral and kinetic. Frame is one bad killing machine, and in the apocalypse, he gets his kill on in a righteous manner.

Highly recommended for fans of action and survivalist fiction.

[KARL-BLAKKSTONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have visited Mister Rogers' neighborhood before. He was written some thrilling action-packed books for Gold Eagle/Harlequin in the MACK BOLAN series (a series featuring a one-man-army vigilante, the prototype for characters like PUNISHER) and the OUTLANDER/DEATHLANDS (post-end-of-world dystopia) series.

B*STARD OF THE APOCALYPSE features all of CHUCK ROGERS' strengths: mayhem, mischief, satire, dark humor, a sprinkle of social commentary, featuring a strong protagonist -Benjamin Frame, a jack-of-all-trades USMC veteran trying to survive and, sometimes, trying to do the right thing, in a dead world. Frame is supported by a very diverse cast of funny or twisted or tragic (or ALL OF THE ABOVE) characters.

In a world filled with mutants, evil bikers and all manner of radioactivity fueled nastiness, Frame proves to be the Apex predator in this not-so-Brave-New-World.

This comes highly recommended to fans of action-filled, twisted, blood soaked dystopian tales.

[Edward Sizemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bastard you want on your side and you will survive!

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot! What a fantastic read.It has it all. Mutant Animals. Check! Sadistic characters. Check! Lovable sympathetic persons...yeah..got them too! This book will make you wanna rush out and if you don't have one, you will build yourself a bugout bag and plan and prep your family to be "READY" While reading this book you will feel like you are cruising along the straightest road in the world on a Harley at 90 MPH with your arms sticking out at your sides then all of te sudden you are on the Zig zag road in San Francisco and you have no more control. Chuck has taken the simple premise of the end of the world and turned it into a one of a kind unique adventure that never stops entertaining. Now, if you will excuse me, while i'm waiting for book 2 i am going start packing my bug out bag.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, but good.

It's really dark and really good, I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that can handle some extreme stuff in a post apocalyptic setting. Heroes road 2 was one of the best books I've read, so definitely look into that series for amazingly written books that are a but less hardcore.

[Margaret Harp · Rating 5 out of 5]

There had better be a sequel!!

I was astounded, amazed and in awe of this book! The MC was not nice in any way, form or fashion but his narrative drew me in and totally claimed me. This is not your typical apocalypse story. Please purchase it! (I have never ever said that in any review I have ever written.)

[Clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it almost as much as Heroes Road books 1&2 :)

I really enjoyed this one, I'll be going back to read it again very soon since I had to speed through some parts to see what happened next LOL
If you enjoy it and haven't read Heroes Road 1 & 2, go get them now!!

[Danny Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Chuck Rogers....This is a really great and different post Apocalypse story...The main character is really funny and quirky and goes through hell and back with a sense of humor... Frame is the Man!!!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Chick classic and how Amazon sucks.

Another great novel with many highs and lows. Lows as in tragedy and heartache for the protagonist. Hopefully the next one is out soon.

[Barb Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Why can't I meet a guy like Frame?! He's a one man army fighting the bad guys, the mutants and loving the women. All around good read.m

[Sean Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down

Awesome story. Can’t decide whether I like frame or cole more. Can’t relate to either so hopefully will get to read more of both soon!

[Grant Merrifield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book.

I like this book I like this author I wish the next book was out in the series cuz I would because I would read it

[S.C. Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuck Roger's BOTA is a fun, fast-paced, R-rated adventure to appease the inner badass-action hero inside us all.

Benjamin Frame is a fresh take on the indominable Hollywood-style action hero. He's got all the grit and tough-guy attitude of the classic hero archetype, but with enough self-deprecatory humor to soften the edge of machismo and a dash of domesticity and romanticism thrown in to round him out. He is both harder and softer than any contemporary bad boy I can think of in film or literature.

Frame's narrative voice is strong, consistent, and immersive. The supporting characters are well-drawn and each have a life of their own. The setting is richly detailed and the baddies are deliciously bad. Frame's revenge will have a cathartic wish-fulfillment joy for anyone who has been abused or oppressed. And if not, it's still a whole lot of fun and explosions.

I appreciate the research and attention to detail that went into the writing of this tale of post-apocalyptic terror. It's clear that Rogers knows his stuff. For my own taste, there was perhaps a bit too much explanation--I would have been happy to take Frame's word for a lot of things without him having to prove his expertise in various asides--but I know a lot of readers will love the added depth of this narrative style.

The plot is complex, clearly laid out, and wraps up neatly in the end (though it does make way for the sequel... ) There are a few hilariously WTF elements that will have you laughing out loud and a lot of potential for more off-the-wall developments later on. I'm curious to see where Frame's adventures take him next.

The one thing that caught me a bit by surprise were the romantic sub-plots. I steadfastly avoid romance, especially of the love-at-first-sight or meant-to-be types, and this kind of book is the last place I expected to find them. The idealization of some relationships detracted from my enjoyment of the story a bit. (For some people, it will probably be their favourite part, so take this with a grain of salt.)

Overall, I can confidently recommend this book to action/adventure, post-apocalyptic, and grim-dark fans out there, especially those who like a lot of military/survivalist details in their fiction. Rogers has done a great job of making this crazy fictional world as realistic as possible!

Warning: If you're squeamish about sex, violence, or mature language, this book is not for you.

[M.W. Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

_Bastard of the Apocalypse: The Earth Died Screaming_ receives four stars from me. I listened to a graphic audio version with several actors, and I found the listen to be enjoyable and never annoying.

So often when I get a full cast some of the voices just don't fit with everyone else, or just grates on my skin. Not this time. Bradley Smith was the main character Frame, who is also telling the story. I found his reading to be spot on. His voice deep and resonate, very masculine. I found it matched the cover of the book. I'd get another book read by Smith.

The book.

What I liked about this novel was that it didn't seem to take itself seriously. I don't think I would classify it as a comedy, it is not. For example, after the apocalypse happens and Frame has decided to go out into the world, he meets up with some others who tell him about the goings on since the event. The narrator ticks off what kind of world he has based on other post apocalyptic movies and novels. I loved that.

This does indicate that this book isn't going to be breaking any new ground here with its world building. I don't think it does. It follows a lot of tropes that one finds in PA novels. However, there is the treatment of women, which I found a little different. So after women are completely subjecated but here it isn't nessarily the case. Yes it happens, but not exclusively to women, and not all women. I found that a little different, and refreshing.

Recommended: yes, I'd recommend this listen to anyone who enjoys that genre.

[Trike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so stupidly over-the-top with its ridiculous testosteroney machismo that it sails past being offensive into hilarity. It’s honestly hard to be mad at a book that mashes together every single 80s action flick and gene splices all of their monosyllabic heroes into one crazy oversexed wrecking ball of a main character.

And Rogers is clearly a geek who liberally sprinkles references to SFF stuff throughout the story. It’s not just guns and broads and zombies and post-apocalyptic Malibu fighting off a cannibalistic Mad Max-style army ruled by a woke ex-professional wrestler, it’s also taking lessons from Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Ready Player One may have made a big deal about 70s and 80s nerd trivia, but this book says “Screw you” and empties a clip into its brainpan.

Frankly, having an apocalypse kicked off by an event that reimagines the set-up from Thundarr the Barbarian was about as big a signpost as one could need for what follows.

My only real complaint is that the ending doesn’t have a full conclusion, but it means there’s more of this to come.

[Samantha Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy, I'm not even sure where I should begin with this. I bought the paperback and GA versions of this book and bounced back between them. The performance was spectacular. GA really hit it out of the park with this one and I cannot recommend their rendition enough. As for the book itself, without giving away spoilers, It. Was. Phenomenal. I ugly laughed, snorted, whooped out loud, and cried. BotA checked all of my boxes and added ones I didnt know I needed. Lol. The MC was everything (tall, dark, and gruesome is exactly my type), the action was great, the romance was hot, the witticisms were absolutely unhinged. Life is so short and we only have so much time to read so many books--let me say you are doing yourself a true disservice if you don't make this one of them! Frame will forever live rent free in my heart. 5/5 for me and I'll be devouring the authors other works. I'm impatiently, patiently, waiting for the next.

[Adam Getchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off good, interesting, witty dialogue.

Then the character started to live up to his name, abandoned what few principles he had, and by the end I really didn't care what happened. It was just a hyper-machismo train wreck of an invincible A-hole doing bad things to bad people (and some that weren't bad, just in the wrong circumstance).

That's what you should from expect from the title, I guess.

The story itself was pretty well done, and most of the characters seemed plausible ... I just grew to dislike the main character so much that the climactic battle was meh.

[Larry Coppock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Best!

This book was a treat from the beginning to the end. The writing style was fantastic. The premise thoughtful and story location perfect. The main character, Frame, became an intimate associate to me as I followed his tale of glory and revenge. The authors’ style made the book interesting with his banter and the story’s flow. It was hard to stop reading and I was pleased at how it ended yet yearned for more at the same time. I highly recommend this book!

[dorothy bland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

Did you ever wonder what would happen if a man who has had many different experiences survived a world changing meteor storm?
Meet Frame. 6'6 and knows how to use a weapon.
The cast of characters were a delight for me. And a compliment to the book. I can't wait for the next one!!

Mr Rogers, please keep em coming!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I will start this by saying I generally hate post post apocalypse, but this was different this humor and depth. That u dont usually see in these books and the plot is not ur standard world ends now book and has left plenty on the table for more and I'm ready for the next book please!

[Justin Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like over-the-top post-apocalyptic pulp violence fiction with a definite anti-hero, this is it. Never read a book from this author before but hooked now. It was a non-stop rush from start to finish. Characters and most situations were believable and got invested in them.

Author needs to get off his butt and finish the next book.

[Lance Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

Haven’t really read many post apocalyptic books. No reason, just haven’t. Picked this one up because I finished Roger’s Heroes Road trilogy and loved it. I loved this book too! Now I’m waiting for book two to come out! Also guess I’m going to have to dig deeper into post apocalyptic genre. Great read!! I recommend this book!!

[Br1cht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think Dungeon Crawler Hank but well-written by a Master, one of the best fiction authors we have that did a foray into dumb Apocalypse ultra-violence for our pleasure.


Hard to put down and highly recommended.

[Dean Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a delightfully cheesy and entertaining action novel. I experienced it through Graphic Audio, which I believe enhanced the overall experience. Would recommend for anyone that wants something fun to read that doesn't take itself too seriously.

[Doug Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so over the top and so bad it was fantastic.
It was almost like you let the 80's A team write their own book.
I almost gave up until i got to the radioactive rape bear.

[Richie Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read anything this guy writes. Loved it!

This book had the perfect amount of hard ons...