Review: Desolation

Desolation by Travis Simmons

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Post-apocalyptic dark fantasy/zombies
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of zombie fiction
Trigger Warnings: murder, mental slavery, lots of gore

My Thoughts: I'm not a huge fan of traditional zombie fare, but thought with the necromancers thrown in I might enjoy this well enough, and that was true. The necromancers made this more interesting, as did the several types of zombies: traditional, speeders, and infernals. However, the ending was unsatisfying; it just sort of petered out rather than providing much of an ending. I suppose it was left open for a sequel, but I felt like things could have wrapped up a bit more than they did.

It was nice to have a book where the characters were fairly well accepted as who they were in the QUILTBAG, but it also seems awfully convenient that so many of the men surviving the zombie apocalypse were gay.

I'm not sure what would have made me happier about this book, honestly. It just felt unfinished. I know this was an ARC, so I discounted the various typos I saw, which will probably mostly be cleared up in the final release, although the constant misspelling of “rifle” as “riffle” made me giggle a few times. However, I imagine that fans of zombie fare will enjoy the book, so don't let my lackluster recommendations turn you off if you're interested in reading it. I will definitely be exploring other books by this author.

Disclosure: I received an e-book ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Asher St Paul thought it was just a typical zombie apocalypse like in the movies, until the necromancers crawled out of the woodwork. Since the undead have chased the living into hiding, the necromancers are able to roam freely in a new America of their making. Asher is seeking safe harbor. The need for safety is what drove him from his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before it was shelled. He has searched from quarantine to quarantine, always finding them overrun with zombies until he hears of The Refuge, a military compound in Binghamton, New York. 

With his family and lover lain to rest by his own hand, he has nothing left to lose and gives everything he has to reach the safe haven. But questions arise when he reaches The Refuge: mainly, how has he been able to sustain multiple zombie bites and not change? He thinks he has found safety in the military compound turned quarantine, but he was wrong. Even now there is a necromancer trying to make The Refuge their kingdom of the dead.



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