Grey Fox

Day by Day Armageddon #4.5

by J.L. Bourne

A nail-biting short story that takes place years after GHOST RUN. Decades post-apocalypse, a man sets out on a perilous voyage into the undead badlands.

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2013

About the author

Welcome to the Official J.L. Bourne Goodreads page.

J.L. Bourne is a retired military officer and national best selling author of the horror series, DAY BY DAY ARMAGEDDON, and dystopian thriller, TOMORROW WAR.

With twenty years of active military and intelligence community service behind him, J.L. brands a realistic and unique style of fiction.

J.L. lives on the Gulf Coast but is sometimes spotted toting a rifle and a knife in the rural hills of Arkansas where he grew up.

Reviews

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella works perfectly fine as a standalone.

Post apocalyptic
Zombies
One man on a mission

Had a surprisingly wonderful HEA.

[Shana Festa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve yet to read the first three offerings in Bourne’s Day By Day Armageddon series, I’m sure to drop a spoiler or two, so there’s your warning shot. On the flipside, if you aren’t at all familiar with J.L. Bourne, then by all means take a walk with me here.

No, Bourne hasn’t injected a Tardis into the DBDA universe and Kil isn’t charging after hordes of the undead with a sonic screwdriver. Instead, Grey Fox takes us nearly 30 years into the future (sans callbox) where we find our narrator in the Florida Keys, or better known as the southern border of the “inclusion zone” aboard his sailboat, the Solitude.

Bourne returns to his powerful first-person journaling approach which we haven’t seen full on since “Beyond Exile”. I could’ve read Grey Fox, bypassing the first three altogether and most likely drawn the same conclusion. Perhaps it’s tamer than the other DBDA titles, but this one, for me, is about the character. “I’m going to take a piss off the fantail and then go inland to shoot some zombies. How’s that for a Facebook update?” See? Poetry.

Although it lacks page after page of mangled carcasses hurtling through cordite scented air and meat-strewn deathscapes, Grey Fox is a great short story by one of the best writers in the genre.

Visit bookie-monster.com to read the full review

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll read anything that comes out by J.L. Bourne. I think its all tremendous but please note about this.
1. Book is really really short, think 40 pages?
2. Read this if you've read the other 3 books because by its nature 30 years later it is somewhat of a spoiler.
3. Don't read this unless you are a big fan like me, its probably just ok if your not a huge fan.

[Brian Manville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tweeted the author some time back asking about a 4th DBDA book; he tweeted back to say there were no plans for a 4th book. Now, a short story on the other hand...

This is a wonderful suppliment to the DBDA saga. Without the constraints and pressure of trying to write a novel - Bourne is active duty in our armed forces - he can simultaneously whet our appetite for more & be creative. I look forward to more such mini-adventures.

BOTTOM LINE: This is a worthy addition to the DBDA saga & a worthwhile read for fans.

[julie sharples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gray fox

Just like the rest of these books they are hard to put down you just want to keep on reading have read them now many time but had to borrow so now I own my own and can read when ever I want ...fantastic books.

[John Cheeseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt realise this was a short story so was very disappointed with how quickly it was over. Once that shock was over it was fine but nothing special.

[Zoey Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and gruesome. 4 out of 5.

[Leather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story in which we follow Kil on what may be his last assignment.
Same atmosphere of the firsts Day by Day Armageddon: an adventure recounted in a diary.
For fans.

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, but far too short. It just made me want more Bourne books; there are just too few!

[Crystal DeBoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and only 44 or 45 minutes. Enjoyed it.

[Andrew Karras · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't think things could get dumber after book 4, but I'm an idiot myself.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Bourne's Day by Day Armageddon series, so I immediately picked up Grey Fox the moment it was available. It's a worthwhile way to spent a few bucks and an hour of your time if you're already invested in the series, but otherwise I found it to be a disappointing release.

One of the things that has always attracted me to the series is the author's expert understanding of certain topics that often get short shrift in other zombie fiction. Firearms and their application, the military, aviation, seamanship, survivalism, and so forth. However so much of this story seems to be dedicated to geeking out over technical details that it almost forgets to tell an actual story.

The very first paragraph leads with extolling the virtues of the protagonists trusty Glock handgun over the older and less reliable M1911 design, which sets the pace for much of the story. As a firearms and training enthusiast I've always appreciated Bourne's expert treatment of the subject in his works, but so much of this short story is dedicated to this kind of trivia that it just feels like fan service.

Hopefully Bourne's next installment in this great universe of books will focus a bit more on the actual storytelling.

[Timothy Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this could be read without having read anything else in the Day By Day Armageddon series, I agree with J.L. that it's best to read the three books first, since this takes place a good few decades after the last book. If you've read this, check out my podcast interview with J.L. where he discusses how this opens up possibilities for future stories in this universe: http://www.adventuresinscifipublishin...

As to my review, I enjoyed the setting and how the inclusion zone gave people a safe area from zombie infection. The possibilities for stories that add a unique twist on the zombie genre have me very excited for more. The story of a man going out of the inclusion zone for supplies was a bit of a letdown until the reveal at the end. Not much happens until the end, the action is summarized to a kind of fast-forward to the good part feel. I get that you summarize more in low tension sections, but this felt like too much summary. The ending is well worth the read, I just wish the journey to it was more exciting.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

After listening through each book in the series in sequence I have to say that this was disappointing. I knew it would be short, but not that short. This seems like it may have been better to have as the epilogue in the last book Shattered Hourglass. It would start build action just like you would expect in the other books and then just fizzle out again and again. Which made me think why? This could have been just a summary of the future they were in. Explain a little more about the anomaly, how the society worked more after the inclusion zone, the science behind what made the inclusion zone, on and on. JL just glossed lazily over it and saying the character didn't care how it all worked so you shouldn't either. So disappointing especially after coming from those three other quite engrossing books. Which makes me ask why? Why was this written in the first place?

Luckily this is the only weak link in JL's line work. His latest one, Tomorrow War, is his best yet and so enjoyable to listen to. Mr. Snyder narrates that one as well so it's a bonus treat.

[AudioBookReviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My full Day by Day Armageddon: Grey Fox review can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

First thing is first, Bourne apologizes to us in the very beginning for time being a fluid thing that authors can manipulate forwards and backwards as they see fit. I personally see nothing wrong with this at all. I was Day by Day Armageddon: Grey Fox would have been longer, so many interesting ideas were introduced to the Day by Day universe that really only makes me more excited for the next book.This story happens 25 years or so latter than the rest of the series and has an aging Kill. He has spent his retirement from the military running jobs for hire into the dead zones. My mouth is now drooling more for the expansion of the series and cannot wait much longer.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a devoted fan of Mr. Bourne's vision of the zombie apocalypse, I was delighted to see this latest offering! I loved every bit of it and can only hope that our intrepid journaler and zombie killer will be heard from again. It can't be stressed enough that if you haven't read Bourne's trilogy, this isn't going to make much sense to you. For those of us that have, it was nice to know our hero was still there, still amongst the living and doing what he does best: surviving! My only complaint, and a majority of fans will agree, is that it was too short! I wanted more!

I, for one, will be on the look out for another installment (novel) or a dispatch (short story), from the DBDA universe.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Money grab. It's that simple. This should really be a 1 star rating. But out of nostalgia for the first 2 books and my initial props to the author, I gave it 2 stars. But, you should be ashamed, Mr. Bourne. First you dropped the ball with book 3 (Shattered Hourglass), and now this...

It felt like this very short story was phoned in. It didn't bring anything worthwhile to the table. If anything, this "story" felt like it should've been the epilogue for book 3.

[John Holmes III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty enjoyable, this short novel is a fan service to those who enjoyed the first two books of the Day by Day Armageddon books. Curious as to what that entails? Mainly, a zombie apocalypse goes down while the story follows the day-to-day journalings of the main character. Going through his mindset and all that he does to survive, it's an enjoyable read, and this is definitely a fun continuation of what was laid out to begin with.

[Kym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short story which gives us a glimpse of what life looks like for Kil in the future. The story is good, but it left me wanting to know more about the characters I've grown attached to. I suppose that could be by design. if Bourne wrote a fifth installment, I would buy it. I think he's grown as a story teller through this series and It's been a joy to experience.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a super short story written in the Day By Day Armageddon universe that takes up the story ~25 years after the story left off in the prior series. It is a worthy addition and ties things up even better.

But it is so short that it really should have been the epilogue/final chapter in the third book - not its own installment.

[Lee Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a long short story, Grey Fox is closer in tone to the first two books and makes me really want another one. There's so much more than can be done with this world. I love the idea of mercenaries who travel into the wasteland with "shopping lists." What could they find out there? Hopefully, Bourne will tell us one day.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my introduction to the world of "Day by Day Armageddon" WOW. I'm hooked! Grey Fox took about an hour to read and I was pulled into the story within the first few minutes. Note this not the first book of the series and is set about thirty years into the future from the start of the series. I plan on moving this series up on my reading list.

[NotTheNorm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've ready Day by Day Armageddon books 1-4, diary/journal by John, who has made it through the zombie apocalypse by the skin of his teeth, helped thwart an unnamed group of anarchists who wanted to take advantage and take over the world, and then made it from Florida to Atlanta by himself to bring back the cure. This book takes place somewhere in the middle.

[Psy · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I really like this author and as usual this is a very good read. But I've only given it 3 stars because for £1.93 for barely a couple of chapters just isn't good enough.
If you like his other books you'll enjoy this - just wait until it's a more reasonable price.

[August · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure which way this is going but this book was really short. I guess I'm to blame. I didn't see the print length until after I bought it. I love the series. I guess this is priming the pump for a continuation or closing the loop on the trilogy. I'll wait an see.

[Thia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very short but it is a great little toss to those fans who have been waiting for the next book. I think you can enjoy this even if you haven't read the previous books. It left me drooling for more ;)

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked the first book in the series then you will definitely like this book. It was a fresh look back into a series I loved. Anyone who is into zombie books I recommend reading the original series and then this book. Love to see more from this author continuing from this book.

[Gabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone said how great thinness, but...

...it was alright. It was what I'd come to expect from this author in terms of writing style, detail, etc, however it was so short. It ended somewhat abruptly and I thought, "That's it?"

It was alright.

[Audioreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite short with hardly any zombie action.

An interesting ending, especially for those who are familiar with the character because they have read the prequel (in plot time, not in writing order), Ghost Run.

[Mark Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little story read in a couple of hours, telling what happens 30 years later. Really must read the series again, great great story. Well worth reading back to back.