Review – The Remaining: Extinction by D.J. Molles

The final instalment in The Remaining series, Extinction is an epic conclusion to an outstanding story. Drawing numerous threads together whilst leaving room for more, it’s a thrilling and intense book. Unrelenting and violent and truly gripping.

As various factions and enemies begin to put their plans in motion, Captain Lee Harden is, once more, at the forefront. Desperate to fulfil his mission, his determination sees him go places that he never thought he would. Unsure who is friend and who is foe, he’s forced to put his trust in people he barely knows and in a plan with too many moving parts. When an old friend and fellow coordinator for Project Hometown emerges, Harden doesn’t know what to think and the complex political lines get even more convoluted as the acting President continues to make his plays for power.

However, it’s the huge massing horde of infected that is the real, immediate danger. With the forces out of a Fort Bragg and the help of the Marines, Harden has come up with a plan that could work or could be the end of them all. It’s this idea, of extinction, which cuts it’s way across the various narrative arcs. Camp Ryder, the Followers and the infected all seem hell bent on a collision course and how it comes together is unbelievably intense and compelling. With so much happening, and so many lives hanging in the balance, Extinction is a truly breathless piece of writing.

Once more it’s the rigorous internal logic which sets the series, and this book, apart. Characters, forced into situations from which there is no turning back, display their true humanity. Where some are given the choice between right and wrong, and the choice of morality, Harden is here to do the things that others won’t. In a world of hard decisions and awful consequences, he is the one prepared to stand firm; to do what is necessary so that others can remain apart. It’s a burden he bears but one he was chosen for; the sheepdog that keeps the wolves at bay be they human or infected.

But it’s not easy. Brutal and unforgiving, Harden is pushed beyond even his own limits as he tries to hold everything together. However, as some follow his lead and do what’s needed, others fall to the wayside in the final reckoning. Because, whilst it is the end, it’s also the beginning again and nothing will ever be the same because of it. Though what is left isn’t devoid of reason; it’s the very thing that makes us human. The ability to recognise what is correct and what is needed despite the excuses and hardships; it’s choosing to do right without exception.

For a six book series, The Remaining losses none of its momentum. Building a narrative that is impossible not to invest in, with characters both good and bad, who are impressively rendered, Extinction brings it all together in a rush of violence and chaos and breathtaking action. Addictive and gripping, dark and violent, it’s one of the best zombie apocalypse stories around.

My copy

Published by Orbit

Review – The Remaining: Refugees by D.J. Molles

The third book in the series, Refugees is another, brutally realistic addition to this post-apocalyptic adventure. Less frenetic than it’s predecessors but no less breathless, it’s as action packed and intense as ever.

Whilst the opening two books were set over a few weeks, Refugees is set months later. Lee Harden has recovered from his injuries and the camp has solidified its position both defensively against the infected but also as a haven for survivors. Using his bunkers to supply people with weapons and food stuffs, Harden is working tirelessly to fulfil his mission objectives. However, he still has his detractors; those either philosophically opposed to his military outlook, or those who would usurp his position for their own gain. The infected continue to pose a terrible threat but, as ever, it is human avarice which makes life so difficult.

As Harden discovers awful truths about the infected, he also makes contact with a doctor who was with another Captain; a man who bears even worse news. Hordes are moving east in such massive numbers that the camp and anyone else will be in terrible jeopardy. Working up a plan to withstand the onslaught, further complications arise both from within the camp and from without. Refugees constructs a highly believable maelstrom of human kind as, with a little distance from the initial turmoil and terror of the collapse, people’s true characters and motivations are brought to bear. For Harden, it means he’s suddenly caught defending multiple fronts, including one he’s not even truly aware about. It’s this aspect that makes the book so intense. With enemies everywhere, it’s hard not to root for Harden and hope that he can overcome the odds.

However, the other feature that adds such realism to this series is Harden’s own humanity; his doubts, fears, loyalty and more. Though highly trained, he isn’t ever portrayed as superhuman. A nuanced character, it is his willingness and willpower that set him apart; a mindset that sees him engaging in perilous situations for the greater good. It also means he is fallible and mortal, things sternly put to the test in Refugees.

A book that bridges the gap from the initial apocalyptic fallout to a more stabilised, post-catastrophe setting, there’s a lot going on in Refugees. The infected are changing, adapting and creating difficult threats whilst, simultaneously, people are causing other, troublesome and dangerous issues. Amidst it all, Harden is an intriguing perspective through which to view all of this even as the narrative widens to bring in other characters.

Gritty, realistic and full throttle, The Remaining series is proving to be a massively enjoyable military post-apocalyptic adventure.

My copy

Published by Orbit

Review – The Remaining: Aftermath by D.J. Molles

The second book in this stellar military zombie apocalypse, Aftermath is a breathless rollercoaster of a read. Terrifying action, brutal realism and very human characters, it’s a brilliant book.

Set straight after the first novel, a mere four days since protagonist Captain Lee Harden emerged from his bunker with the mission to help reunite the people of America, Aftermath keeps its foot firmly on the pedal. Whilst Harden put his body on the line to save a mother, daughter and another young boy, his appearance at a survivor camp is met with suspicion and animosity. It’s not helped when a breach in the fence results in the death of one of the camp dwellers. Still trying to convince them of his status and his cache of supplies, Harden is forced to go back out into the world, injured and underpowered, to prove who he is. The result is a terrible litany of running battles with the infected and worse.

The month Harden spent sequestered in his bunker saw the world change drastically. With the collapse of society, those survivors already on the wrong side of the law have been given a freedom to take things into their own hands. It’s these same characters that put Harden in so much danger before and, once again, he must face not only the infected but also human enemies. In a scarily realistic portrayal, Aftermath paints a worrying picture as survivors are preyed upon by the more nefarious elements amongst them. Forcing people into awful decisions, it’s here that the real dangers lurk.

Whilst Harden does everything he can to continue his mission and help those in need, keep the promises he’s made and try to unite different groups, he is constantly met with obstacles; some unavoidable and some man made. A brilliant character who shows the inner workings of a highly trained operator, both in terms of their mental fortitude and humanity, Harden is put through the wringer. Breathless action and terrifying situations come thick and fast as the pages burn by. Once again, the whole book only considers a few days but the sheer adrenaline fuelled task of surviving in a world torn apart gives the sequel a feel of a true epic. Yet, in the end, it’s Harden and his mission that stands tall.

Action packed, top notch military adventure in a zombie apocalypse, Aftermath is a dark, desperate and brilliant read.

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Published by Orbit

Review – The Remaining by D.J. Molles

I’ve been itching to read some zombie horror recently and D.J. Molles’ series is one I’ve been looking to get to for a while. A perfectly set up piece of apocalyptic fiction, the opening book is fast, furious and frightening.

Unlike other zombie horrors I’ve read, The Remaining uses a unique set up to structure the story. Sequestered in a fortified bunker, Captain Lee Harden is one of a number of specially trained military personnel who provide the last line of hope for the US government in the face of total breakdown. Whenever a threat looms, Lee is tasked with staying in his bunker until he is either stood down or forced to undertake his mission. He’s never had to act before but when his superior doesn’t check in, he realises that the plague sweeping the country has become devastating. Trained for these very circumstances and armed to the teeth, Lee must begin to help any survivors he can find.

Constructing a believable scenario and background for Harden, The Remaining, however, keeps details of what’s happening outside the bunker at a minimum. As the suspense builds, Harden realises he must leave the safety of his bunker and start his mission. Along with his dog, his first port of call is to check on his neighbours but before he can even get off his own porch, he’s attacked. It’s the beginning of a breathless and brutal fight for survival in a world that has gone mad in the month that Harden has spent hidden away.

The action is tight and convincing from the outset. Even though Harden is highly trained, the reality of the terrible situation and his reactions ring true, making for a tense and captivating narrative. Crazed infected, marauding militia and desperate survivors populate the first few days as Harden struggles to get a grip on the situation and fulfil his mission parameters. Whilst his perspective is fairly straightforward, the morally grey atmosphere of an apocalyptic America acts as an awful counterpart to Harden’s intentions.

A gritty and intensely realistic portrait of a zombie plague and the consequent fall of society, The Remaining is a stellar opening to a series. Excellently written and well conceived, it’s an exemplary piece of zombie horror.

My copy

Published by Orbit