The Reprisal

The Survivalist #11

by Jerry Ahern

World War III and its aftermath of all-consuming fire left civilization on the brink of extinction. But John Thomas Rourke, the ex-CIA Covert Operations Officer, weapons specialist, and survival expertstill lives, fighting the elements and the odds. And those odds have never been more heavily stacked against Rourke than when he finds his son mortally wounded and Natalia and all of his family kidnapped by a Russian foe, long thought dead. As Rourke's son hovers between life and death under the watchful eyes of John Rubenstein, Rourke loads his weapons and sets out across a desolate America. His destination: ""The Womb"" in Colorado, where he must battle an enemy who brutally tortures his helpless captives before killing them. Rourke cannot afford to fail. There will be no second chances for The Survivalist.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Action, Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Jerry Ahern (born Jerome Morrell Ahern) was a science fiction and action novel author best known for his post apocalyptic survivalist series The Survivalist. The books in this series are heavy with descriptions of the weapons the protagonists use to survive and prosecute a seemingly never-ending war amongst the remnants of the superpowers from pre-apocalypse times.

Ahern was also a firearms writer, who published numerous articles in magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Handguns and Gun World.

Jerry Ahern passed away on July 24, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.

Ahern also released books under pseudonym Axel Kilgore.

Reviews

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adds Nazis, because why not

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite adventure series. Dr John Thomas Rourke leads his family and friends through a post apocalyptic world fighting ever step if the way. Fantastic characters and plots. Very detailed weapon descriptions. Excellent series. My highest recommendation

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Część jedenasta przyjemnego odzwierciedlenia kina akcji w klimatach postapo z czasów filmów na kasetach wideo.

[Joseph B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahern's reinvention of the series starts to pay off in The Reprisal; as the new landscape of threats and allies introduces exciting elements into the Survivalist. If The Awakening piqued your interest and you enjoyed it; odds are good you would like Reprisal.

Commies, Nazis, and Spacers... oh my! We open up with the crew of the Eden Project, having just arrived back to Earth. It was neat to see their perspective throughout the novel. A lot of the book is focused on John's family, with some scenes focusing on the Russian Communists and a Nazi faction (yes, you read that right). The stakes have been raised, character's lives are put on the line, and we get some new dynamics to think about.

It's pretty by-the-books pulp within this sub-genre; but it is enjoyable stuff. I'd give it a 2.5/5 overall and a 3.5 for pulp fans.

[Nick Grayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a small break from reading this series and came back to a beauty. Just like the main characters in a way see they take a 500 year nap and get right back into the action. In a world where its all about saving ya friends and surviving another day, this is one hell of a read.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review of Total War, Survivalist #1

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was fun easy reading in my teens. Would actually like to pick one up again and see what I think now. :D

[Andrew Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of the series. Awesome.