Title: MONSTRE
Series: MONSTRE: VOLUME ONE
Author: DUNCAN SWAN
Genre: FICTION, HORROR
Length: 388 PAGES
Publisher: SUPER HOOT PUBLISHING
Received From: NETGALLEY
Release Date: SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7345740-0-5 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-7345740-1-2 (eBook)
Rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DESCRIPTION:
There is no stopping it.
The Cloud is armageddon, steamrolling the world at a walking pace.
In his thrilling debut novel Monstre, author Duncan Swan crafts a relentless, terrifying, genre-bending tale of courage, desperation, and redemption that shows just how fragile our civilization is… and how far we will go to survive.
Day 0. From the wreckage of a research facility in Switzerland, a plume of toxic smoke and ash pours into the sky, forming an impenetrable cloud that is slowly smothering the world in darkness. As Europe disappears beneath the Cloud, a squad of United States Marines are sent on a desperate mission to find out what went wrong, and how to undo it before it’s too late. Venturing into a cold, dark world, the Marines must travel deep under the Cloud, with no comms, no backup, and no idea of what they will face.
Day 89. Half a world away, the Cloud has reached the East Coast of the U.S. With nowhere to run and no hope of survival, the American people have descended into madness, turning on themselves and each other. From the sidelines, an old Tennessee sheriff watches as his country unravels. But he can’t bring himself to take the easy way out. Quitting isn’t in his DNA. So when one of his deputies asks him to help protect her family, he leads them west, chasing a miracle-a rumor of an old nuclear bunker that just may be their only hope for survival.
Because if the Cloud doesn’t kill them, what’s hiding in the dark will.
Monstre, Vol I, Exc. III
(Art: Chris Cold)
MY REVIEW:
Move over Stephen King, there is a new Master of Horror!!!
If Michael Crichton was still around, even he would feel threatened by Duncan Swan’s writing and imagination.
There are a zillion books out there that talk about the end of civilization as we know it, but none like MONSTRE by Duncan Swan. In the apocalyptic genre there are few storylines that can be considered original, yet Duncan Swan has achieved that goal.
I do not want to give away any of the plot, nor do I want to lessen the enjoyment of potential readers. I do however want to ensure that anyone who reads this review understands that I am giving MONSTRE the highest possible rating allowable.
In scope, this book takes on a mammoth task. After all, it is about the end of all human life on the planet that is being threatened.
The story begins in Europe and at the end of Book One, readers realize that what began half a world away has now come to North America and threatens to wipe out everything and everyone we hold dear.
If you are a fan of horror, this is a MUST READ.
If you are a fan of science fiction, this is a MUST READ.
If you are a fan of apocalyptic fiction, you do not want to miss this book.
If you are a fan of great dramatic fiction, you just can’t afford to miss this novel.
If you love character driven, multifaceted, fast paced stories that grab your attention and are so engrossing that you can immerse yourself for hours at a time, and yet still not want to stop reading, MONSTRE is the book for you.
At 388 pages, this first book in what promises to be an amazing series, is long enough to ensure that readers get their money’s worth and then some.
Duncan Swan has crafted a winner of a book. If he does not win multiple awards for MONSTRE I would be very surprised.
I rate MONSTRE as 5++ OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book. The only good thing about having to wait is that it will give me a chance to read MONSTRE again.
*** Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***
Artist: Laurie GREASLEY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
South African born and raised, Kiwi immigrant, Australian citizen, and now a U.S. Permanent Resident, Duncan Swan holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Commerce. He originally wanted to be an astronaut, but somehow wound up working in finance as a portfolio analyst and making fancy spreadsheets.
Now, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter and tells stories, working with amazing artists, editors, publishers, and marketing geniuses to create something new.
Duncan’s debut novel, MONSTRE – a story about survival and mad desperation, described as “sci-fi with teeth” – will be released in two parts, with Volume 1 due in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats on September 15, 2020, and Volume 2 to follow in Summer 2021.
To learn more about this author, visit the following links:
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