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Daimones Trilogy #1
Daimones
The death and re-birth of the human race.
Nothing could have prepared them for the last day. Explore the future of humanity in Massimo Marino's sci-fi debut, Daimones, an apocalyptic tale that feels like it could happen tomorrow. You may never sleep through a windstorm again.
Death swept away the lives of billions, but spared Dan Amenta and his family, leading them to an uncertain future. When merely surviving isn't enough and the hunt for answers begins, memories from the past and troubling encounters lead Dan to the truth about the extermination of the human race. Distressing revelations will give new meaning to their very existence.
Early humans shaped the future and seeded a plan millions of years in the making. Now survivors must choose: Endure a future with no past or fade away into a past with no future?
Nothing could have prepared them for the last day. Explore the future of humanity in Massimo Marino's sci-fi debut, Daimones, an apocalyptic tale that feels like it could happen tomorrow. You may never sleep through a windstorm again.
Death swept away the lives of billions, but spared Dan Amenta and his family, leading them to an uncertain future. When merely surviving isn't enough and the hunt for answers begins, memories from the past and troubling encounters lead Dan to the truth about the extermination of the human race. Distressing revelations will give new meaning to their very existence.
Early humans shaped the future and seeded a plan millions of years in the making. Now survivors must choose: Endure a future with no past or fade away into a past with no future?
330 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
30 people are currently reading
2320 people want to read
About the author
Massimo Marino
24 books223 followers
Massimo Marino is an author with Booktrope Publishing LCC, an Active Member of SFWA— the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America association—and member of the CODEX group—https://www.codexwriters.com
He is the Author of multi-awarded Daimones Trilogy: Daimones, Once Humans, The Rise of the Phoenix: The Daimones Trilogy, Vol. 3
Currently writing "The Law" - a YA Urban SF novel.
He's a scientist envisioning science fiction. He spent years at CERN and The Lawrence Berkeley Lab followed by lead positions with Apple, Inc. and the World Economic Forum. In December 2013 he co-founded "SquaresonBlue", http://squaresonblue.com, a consultant service company on Big Data and Analytics.
Co-founder of BookGarage - www.bookgarage.com
the ultimate ecosystem for assisted self-publishing. It’s a place where committed authors, top-notch freelancers and selective readers come together to create and enjoy exceptional books.
Massimo currently lives in France and crosses the border with Switzerland mutlitple times daily. But, no, he is not a smuggler...he plays golf.
With family, he lived on both sides of the Ocean Pond and they speak three languages at home, sometimes in the very same sentence even! They feel home where loved ones and friends are and have friends in Italy, Spain, France, UK, Switzerland, Germany and the US.
"Daimones" is based on personal experience and facts with an added "what if" to provide an explanation to current and past events. It is his first novel.
If interested in more details about Massimo Marino, please see his full profile on Linkedin: http://ch.linkedin.com/in/massimomarino
Connect with Massimo Marino:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/MassimoMarino...
Twitter: @MASSIM0MARIN0
https://twitter.com/MASSIM0MARIN0
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 3, 2013
This was a really good story - well written, well edited, and different from other books I have read - not to say it was totally original, but from my point of reference I have not read one similar.
The flow of this book was different than I am used to. Generally, they start slow and build up to the climax. I found myself totally interested in this one from the start, but about a third of the way it started to get a bit dull and stayed that way until the last quarter, then got really exciting.
Ultimately, it is an "end of the world as we know it" story. Sorry, no zombies, vampires, or ghouls of any type for those of you looking for that kind of thing. It was forward-looking and intelligent (not so much that you needed a dictionary near while reading, but you didn't feel like it was dumbed down) but it was also a warning regarding how we are treating our planet and the repercussions of our actions. A frequent theme in books and movies these days.
The only things I didn't care for were the following two things and in the grand scheme of of the story as a whole, I guess they were minor "irritants" which may not bother anyone but myself:
The flow of this book was different than I am used to. Generally, they start slow and build up to the climax. I found myself totally interested in this one from the start, but about a third of the way it started to get a bit dull and stayed that way until the last quarter, then got really exciting.
Ultimately, it is an "end of the world as we know it" story. Sorry, no zombies, vampires, or ghouls of any type for those of you looking for that kind of thing. It was forward-looking and intelligent (not so much that you needed a dictionary near while reading, but you didn't feel like it was dumbed down) but it was also a warning regarding how we are treating our planet and the repercussions of our actions. A frequent theme in books and movies these days.
The only things I didn't care for were the following two things and in the grand scheme of of the story as a whole, I guess they were minor "irritants" which may not bother anyone but myself:
October 7, 2012
Recently, I have had the immense pleasure of reading Daimones, by Massimo Marino. We begin with excerpts of real news articles about the death of thousands of fishes and birds. For those of you who keep up with current events, you will have noticed that the internet has been peppered these past few years with such articles.
Our main character Dan is a loving family man who does the daily drone of going to work. What I really enjoyed at the beginning of the book is the description of the work environment, the peer competition, and the office politics. Here I’m thinking the author might be pulling from real life experience and I like it, because it’s believable! Write what you know as they say, right?
Dan is not happy with some of his coworkers, specifically the kiss-ass types who always manage to push their ideas onto the head honchos, despite the fact that it wouldn’t be in the company’s best interest. I’m talking about Carl who can and will suck up to every honcho in the company for his own advancement. Sound familiar anyone? On the other hand, we have Dan. To use Dan’s words, ‘he refuses to oil squeaking wheels or lick boots.’ Suffice it to say he gets fired and it’s the last ‘normal’ day he’ll ever have....at least for a while that is.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes: ‘I (Dan) was an impediment for someone, or considered to be one, refusing to put lipstick on pigs.’ Ouch!
Dan drives home while listening to a barrage of bad news streaming from the radio. Reading this part reminded me of why I don’t listen to the news. Waaay to depressing! But Dan on the other hand can’t believe how disastrous humanity has become. Killings, terrorist acts, species dying with no apparent reason, countries at war, on and on it goes. I almost wanted to smack Dan on the shoulder and tell him to shut off the radio.
Fast forward and Dan gets home to his family and is pummeled with more ‘evil’ news on TV. The author succeeds in showing just how decrepit the human society has become. And you know what? Things can actually get worse! Dan, along with his wife, Mary, and his daughter, Annah all head to bed at the end of the evening. All seems normal and poor Dan is now wondering what he’s going to do for work.
He wakes up in the middle of the night because of a strong windstorm blowing outside. The next morning the family is chipper and Dan heads out to bring Annah to school. On the way, he spots a tractor with the driver slumped over. He calls his wife and asks her to call the emergency personnel. Then he gets on the highway and that’s when things take a queer turn. There are cars everywhere, having crashed in one way or another. Nothing moves and there is no noise. Dan freaks and heads back home.
From there the story takes us through Dan’s discovery of what has happened to the people of the community. He goes to see if his neighbors are all right and comes back wishing he hadn’t gone looking. Confusion, sadness, and fear start to mix into a potent mixture. What has happened? I’ll let you discover this for yourself.....Will you believe me if I say that Facebook just might save the day?
The scenes the author has created made me laugh, made me feel sad, and had me questioning myself if I were put in that same position. What would you do if you knew your child could be the only one left alive in the world with no hope of a future, only waiting for her dying day? See what I mean? Makes you think. One particular scene even freaked me out. I mean really freaked me out! I’m not joking! Sitting alone in my office with darkness outside my window, I couldn’t take it anymore one night and had to shut the blinds. The next scenes seem to dig into my unconscious fears. What if I saw that glow? Aack! Lying in my bed that night, I kept expecting to see that slow moving glow to show up in my hallway! I don’t watch horror movies and there’s a reason for it...I have an over active imagination and I scare easily.
Despite a few grammar issues, I truly enjoyed this book. The writing is witty and sharp, and the author has obviously done his research on doomsday theories. In the end, when everything is explained about the First and Second Loss; it’s like watching a marathon of Ancient Aliens, which I absolutely love! All of the information condensed in so few pages was truly mind-boggling. The author provides so much accurate information on so many different scientific notions that you can’t come away from reading this book without having learned something. The ending leaves the reader with a sense of hope for humanity. As I said before, this book will make you think. All in all, this is a highly recommended read!
Our main character Dan is a loving family man who does the daily drone of going to work. What I really enjoyed at the beginning of the book is the description of the work environment, the peer competition, and the office politics. Here I’m thinking the author might be pulling from real life experience and I like it, because it’s believable! Write what you know as they say, right?
Dan is not happy with some of his coworkers, specifically the kiss-ass types who always manage to push their ideas onto the head honchos, despite the fact that it wouldn’t be in the company’s best interest. I’m talking about Carl who can and will suck up to every honcho in the company for his own advancement. Sound familiar anyone? On the other hand, we have Dan. To use Dan’s words, ‘he refuses to oil squeaking wheels or lick boots.’ Suffice it to say he gets fired and it’s the last ‘normal’ day he’ll ever have....at least for a while that is.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes: ‘I (Dan) was an impediment for someone, or considered to be one, refusing to put lipstick on pigs.’ Ouch!
Dan drives home while listening to a barrage of bad news streaming from the radio. Reading this part reminded me of why I don’t listen to the news. Waaay to depressing! But Dan on the other hand can’t believe how disastrous humanity has become. Killings, terrorist acts, species dying with no apparent reason, countries at war, on and on it goes. I almost wanted to smack Dan on the shoulder and tell him to shut off the radio.
Fast forward and Dan gets home to his family and is pummeled with more ‘evil’ news on TV. The author succeeds in showing just how decrepit the human society has become. And you know what? Things can actually get worse! Dan, along with his wife, Mary, and his daughter, Annah all head to bed at the end of the evening. All seems normal and poor Dan is now wondering what he’s going to do for work.
He wakes up in the middle of the night because of a strong windstorm blowing outside. The next morning the family is chipper and Dan heads out to bring Annah to school. On the way, he spots a tractor with the driver slumped over. He calls his wife and asks her to call the emergency personnel. Then he gets on the highway and that’s when things take a queer turn. There are cars everywhere, having crashed in one way or another. Nothing moves and there is no noise. Dan freaks and heads back home.
From there the story takes us through Dan’s discovery of what has happened to the people of the community. He goes to see if his neighbors are all right and comes back wishing he hadn’t gone looking. Confusion, sadness, and fear start to mix into a potent mixture. What has happened? I’ll let you discover this for yourself.....Will you believe me if I say that Facebook just might save the day?
The scenes the author has created made me laugh, made me feel sad, and had me questioning myself if I were put in that same position. What would you do if you knew your child could be the only one left alive in the world with no hope of a future, only waiting for her dying day? See what I mean? Makes you think. One particular scene even freaked me out. I mean really freaked me out! I’m not joking! Sitting alone in my office with darkness outside my window, I couldn’t take it anymore one night and had to shut the blinds. The next scenes seem to dig into my unconscious fears. What if I saw that glow? Aack! Lying in my bed that night, I kept expecting to see that slow moving glow to show up in my hallway! I don’t watch horror movies and there’s a reason for it...I have an over active imagination and I scare easily.
Despite a few grammar issues, I truly enjoyed this book. The writing is witty and sharp, and the author has obviously done his research on doomsday theories. In the end, when everything is explained about the First and Second Loss; it’s like watching a marathon of Ancient Aliens, which I absolutely love! All of the information condensed in so few pages was truly mind-boggling. The author provides so much accurate information on so many different scientific notions that you can’t come away from reading this book without having learned something. The ending leaves the reader with a sense of hope for humanity. As I said before, this book will make you think. All in all, this is a highly recommended read!
January 19, 2013
I loved reading this book. Some parts of it held my attention like a vice. I can still hear the roar of roller blades, the shatter of glass, the cawing of circling crows.
Some passages needed a touch more editing. However, the little stutters in the flow, the very occasional clumsy phrase, certainly didn't spoil the book. I guess it might if you happen to be the sort of grammarian that suffers pain from every linguistic deviation, but then you must often be short of reading.
I had the constant nag at the back of my mind that the electricity supply for Geneva should have died, along with 99.9% of the population. Though this continuing availability was never explicitly explained the implicit assumption I eventually made tied the threads together satisfactorily. Another strand that I felt needed earlier enforcement was the childhood experience of Dan, which led to his life of chronic tinnitus. The early avoidance of these issues was I'm sure in part due to a determination to hold the surprise of the ending. I, though, like to see all the main circles of direction earlier in a plot build.
We start with reports of animal population crashes that might have come from the culturally shifting writing of Rachel Carson, move through a quiet apocalypse, then delve into the individualistic process of survival. Finally, Marino pulls together an episodic and dystopian past history of mankind, and the promise of a new galactic spirituality for our species. Erich Von Däniken, Philip K Dick and Arthur C Clarke might all have been sitting around a table collectively weaving together the elements of the new start instigated by the Daimones. I can see Marino sitting at the end of the table rapidly scribbling notes. Then finally, he selected a touch of each to colour his vision. Though each of these great authors probably inspired a few sentences, I feel that there is a lot of novel speculation to come in the rest of the planned trilogy.
I really found this to be a very enjoyable read. I am sure this is partly because I'm a writer of speculative science fiction of a similar nature. But also it's because this is, even with science fiction discounted, a very entertaining book. The differing psychological profiles and difficulties of the main characters are well drawn, giving very real feeling grist to Marino's speculative ideas.
Not every aspect of the book deserves 5 stars, but we are required to use this crude classification. As you will have noted, I gave 5. I thank you for having taken the trouble to read my review.
Some passages needed a touch more editing. However, the little stutters in the flow, the very occasional clumsy phrase, certainly didn't spoil the book. I guess it might if you happen to be the sort of grammarian that suffers pain from every linguistic deviation, but then you must often be short of reading.
I had the constant nag at the back of my mind that the electricity supply for Geneva should have died, along with 99.9% of the population. Though this continuing availability was never explicitly explained the implicit assumption I eventually made tied the threads together satisfactorily. Another strand that I felt needed earlier enforcement was the childhood experience of Dan, which led to his life of chronic tinnitus. The early avoidance of these issues was I'm sure in part due to a determination to hold the surprise of the ending. I, though, like to see all the main circles of direction earlier in a plot build.
We start with reports of animal population crashes that might have come from the culturally shifting writing of Rachel Carson, move through a quiet apocalypse, then delve into the individualistic process of survival. Finally, Marino pulls together an episodic and dystopian past history of mankind, and the promise of a new galactic spirituality for our species. Erich Von Däniken, Philip K Dick and Arthur C Clarke might all have been sitting around a table collectively weaving together the elements of the new start instigated by the Daimones. I can see Marino sitting at the end of the table rapidly scribbling notes. Then finally, he selected a touch of each to colour his vision. Though each of these great authors probably inspired a few sentences, I feel that there is a lot of novel speculation to come in the rest of the planned trilogy.
I really found this to be a very enjoyable read. I am sure this is partly because I'm a writer of speculative science fiction of a similar nature. But also it's because this is, even with science fiction discounted, a very entertaining book. The differing psychological profiles and difficulties of the main characters are well drawn, giving very real feeling grist to Marino's speculative ideas.
Not every aspect of the book deserves 5 stars, but we are required to use this crude classification. As you will have noted, I gave 5. I thank you for having taken the trouble to read my review.
July 12, 2014
I've liked post-holocaust tales going all the way back to the many series of the seventies. Some of the more recent books in this genre haven't been as enjoyable. This book, first of a trilogy, changed all that.
A slight twist has our hero Dan taking his daughter to school one early morning to find dead all over the highway, vehicles crashed, no help anywhere. He learns that most of the world, at least that in and around their home in rural France near the Swiss border, dead, apparently at the same instant. That it was such an early morning hour lessened vehicles on the street.
Dan, his wife Mary, and their daughter, twelve year old Annah, appear to have the world to themselves. Even ads placed on Facebook only yield one contact, Michael in New York. And those services soon begin to fail.
And those glowing humanoid shapes only seen at night. Who, what are they? Are they responsible for killing the world?
Answers come at the end, setting up the next two volumes.
Most excellent.
A slight twist has our hero Dan taking his daughter to school one early morning to find dead all over the highway, vehicles crashed, no help anywhere. He learns that most of the world, at least that in and around their home in rural France near the Swiss border, dead, apparently at the same instant. That it was such an early morning hour lessened vehicles on the street.
Dan, his wife Mary, and their daughter, twelve year old Annah, appear to have the world to themselves. Even ads placed on Facebook only yield one contact, Michael in New York. And those services soon begin to fail.
And those glowing humanoid shapes only seen at night. Who, what are they? Are they responsible for killing the world?
Answers come at the end, setting up the next two volumes.
Most excellent.
July 25, 2014
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
I flew through this book! The action started very quickly and from that point on things progressed nicely. I liked the moral dilemmas Dan had to go through and when the reason for all the destruction is given, it is quite interesting indeed!
As a huge fan of science fiction I feel this book is a must read for all who claim to be fans of that genre. It has a great plot and premise that push the story in ways that just take a normal "end of the world as we know it" story to a new level.
Dan is a great character to follow as he seems like a typical man, who has a family and just wants them to be safe. I found myself wanting to know more about him and worried for him when danger seemed near. He is a great well developed character to follow in these novels.
I flew through this book! The action started very quickly and from that point on things progressed nicely. I liked the moral dilemmas Dan had to go through and when the reason for all the destruction is given, it is quite interesting indeed!
As a huge fan of science fiction I feel this book is a must read for all who claim to be fans of that genre. It has a great plot and premise that push the story in ways that just take a normal "end of the world as we know it" story to a new level.
Dan is a great character to follow as he seems like a typical man, who has a family and just wants them to be safe. I found myself wanting to know more about him and worried for him when danger seemed near. He is a great well developed character to follow in these novels.
July 28, 2014
This was a very interesting story which I thoroughly enjoyed listening to. It is well thought out and a refreshing change from the usual post-apocalyptic zombie novel.
If you woke up and discovered everyone outside your house was dead, what would YOU do?
Well Dan and his wife Mary have to not only decide what to do, but also how to shield and protect their daughter Annah from the realities which now face them.
Thoughtfully written and logical, the decisions, and how they react to each experience make this a really enjoyable story.
What happens to the rules when there’s no-one there to enforce them? How long will the internet survive? Are there other human’s out there, isolated and afraid too, and if so, how can you contact them?
So many questions, not forgetting the obvious one, what happened?
An exciting story, with interesting twists and turns and great characters, and the icing on the cake was the ending which explained a lot, and yet kept you wanting to know more.
If you woke up and discovered everyone outside your house was dead, what would YOU do?
Well Dan and his wife Mary have to not only decide what to do, but also how to shield and protect their daughter Annah from the realities which now face them.
Thoughtfully written and logical, the decisions, and how they react to each experience make this a really enjoyable story.
What happens to the rules when there’s no-one there to enforce them? How long will the internet survive? Are there other human’s out there, isolated and afraid too, and if so, how can you contact them?
So many questions, not forgetting the obvious one, what happened?
An exciting story, with interesting twists and turns and great characters, and the icing on the cake was the ending which explained a lot, and yet kept you wanting to know more.
October 29, 2014
This book was really great with an exceptional ending. I am very excited to read the sequel. A new twist on apocalyptic futures and the strength and healing of the human race.
November 10, 2014
REVIEWER: PEN
4.0 ON THE MASQ SCALE
How would you feel if you went to sleep one night then awoke to discover you and your family were the only survivors in a now-silent world?
That's exactly what happens to Dan, his wife, Mary and their daughter, Annah.
They live in Switzerland but quickly realize that whatever happened struck globally: via the Internet they discover no one else is alive as far as they can tell.
What follows after this initial discovery is the kicking-in of survival instincts: gathering provisions from local stores and malls while searching, via Facebook ads, for any other survivors.
About halfway through the book, you begin to get an inkling of what really happened. Even so, it doesn't prepare you for what actually happened.
I liked that about this book. Despite typos and overusage of exclamation points, the creativity and imagination of Mr. Marino is enough to outweigh all that. I also enjoy the unexpectedness of it. Though I thought the book was going in one direction, it ended up in an entirely different place.
However, this book is not for the narrow-minded. Those whose belief systems are carved in stone won't appreciate the alternative explanation for life on earth as we know it supplied by Mr. Marino.
I, on the other hand, love discovering fresh and new approaches to that conundrum; they sometimes ring more true than the centuries-old dogma pervading this world.
Much of the explanation found in this book does ring true: much of it, but not all of it. Still it is a very unique and interesting perspective that may ring true for those open-minded enough to seek those alternative explanations.
If you're seeking a fresh perspective about life on Earth, its beginnings and its future, this is definitely one book you want to read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.0 ON THE MASQ SCALE
How would you feel if you went to sleep one night then awoke to discover you and your family were the only survivors in a now-silent world?
That's exactly what happens to Dan, his wife, Mary and their daughter, Annah.
They live in Switzerland but quickly realize that whatever happened struck globally: via the Internet they discover no one else is alive as far as they can tell.
What follows after this initial discovery is the kicking-in of survival instincts: gathering provisions from local stores and malls while searching, via Facebook ads, for any other survivors.
About halfway through the book, you begin to get an inkling of what really happened. Even so, it doesn't prepare you for what actually happened.
I liked that about this book. Despite typos and overusage of exclamation points, the creativity and imagination of Mr. Marino is enough to outweigh all that. I also enjoy the unexpectedness of it. Though I thought the book was going in one direction, it ended up in an entirely different place.
However, this book is not for the narrow-minded. Those whose belief systems are carved in stone won't appreciate the alternative explanation for life on earth as we know it supplied by Mr. Marino.
I, on the other hand, love discovering fresh and new approaches to that conundrum; they sometimes ring more true than the centuries-old dogma pervading this world.
Much of the explanation found in this book does ring true: much of it, but not all of it. Still it is a very unique and interesting perspective that may ring true for those open-minded enough to seek those alternative explanations.
If you're seeking a fresh perspective about life on Earth, its beginnings and its future, this is definitely one book you want to read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2012
Daimones was a pleasant surprise. English is not my language but reading the book by Massimo Marino was simple and addictive. From the very beginning, and until the end, the rhythm is tight, and the writing evocative. The plot has a strong American footprint: I have readily associated "Daimones" with Stephen King, for the strength of the characters, and Cormac McCarthy (The Road), for the suggestive places descriptions and the post-apocalyptic scenarios. I liked better the descriptions than the dialogues. A little hasty in the development of the relationship between the characters and, in some cases, the characters themselves (e.g., the girl with the rollerblades) but the story evolution is fantastic—without being excessive—and the story involves and intrigues the reader. You sense the potential for a sequel, which of course I will read it.
February 17, 2014
To say that Daimones is an exceptional work, is an understatement. To say it is unusual, even more so. While it lacks the action most science fiction thrives on, Massimo Marino maintains tension almost from the story’s outset and doesn’t let it drop until the story’s unexpected conclusion. With a clarity of language and style few writers achieve, his elegantly painted scenes transport the reader straight to Geneva where, after a windstorm throws the protagonist out of his everyday existence into a surreal but believable one, the reader is compelled keep turning pages to learn the reason why.
Marino blends renditions of recent news stories with science and mysticism into an explanation that will give the reader reason to question mankind’s current state of affairs. Just as The Matrix gave one plausible explanation to our existence, Daimones offers another.
Marino blends renditions of recent news stories with science and mysticism into an explanation that will give the reader reason to question mankind’s current state of affairs. Just as The Matrix gave one plausible explanation to our existence, Daimones offers another.
November 30, 2012
Daimones by Massimo Marino is a post-apocalyptic book with a slightly different take on the storyline. It was a great read and I found it hard to put down once I started reading the book.
The author is an excellent story teller, weaving a tail of survival which was well thought-out and developed. The story was deep but it was also easy to follow. I often found myself pondering what he said and thinking wow.
I really enjoyed the characters. They were very believable and easy to relate to. Massimo Marino did a great job of developing them and relating them to the storyline.
This was a great read and I really enjoyed it.
I highly recommend Daimones by Massimo Marino.
[Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
The author is an excellent story teller, weaving a tail of survival which was well thought-out and developed. The story was deep but it was also easy to follow. I often found myself pondering what he said and thinking wow.
I really enjoyed the characters. They were very believable and easy to relate to. Massimo Marino did a great job of developing them and relating them to the storyline.
This was a great read and I really enjoyed it.
I highly recommend Daimones by Massimo Marino.
[Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
August 27, 2014
The beginning of this was a bit boring, but then it got really good! I love a good "stranded on a desert island" story, and this was sort of that, except everyone on earth is dead. Well almost everyone. There was an interlude towards the end I didn't think was necessary, and the explanation of what happened was pretty dry as well, though well thought out. So I guess I really liked about 90% of the book.
March 7, 2014
This book has a number of problems.
First, a quick synopsis: Daimones is set in and around Geneva, Switzerland. Dan works for a firm in Geneva, but he, his wife and his daughter live in a sort of exurb across the border in France. One day, he's fired from his job and goes home. A day or two later, there's some kind of weird windstorm that wakes him and his wife in the middle of the night; the next morning, they discover every other human in the world is dead. Or, to be more precise, nearly every other human -- there are survivors, but they are far-flung around the globe. Eventually, Dan figures out who caused this apocalypse, and how it ties into an incident from his childhood.
Now, the problems. The biggest one is the pacing. Marino spends the whole first half of the book describing, in too much detail, the family's efforts to stockpile supplies and arm themselves. It's only at the midpoint that Dan and his family learn of another survivor in Geneva. And contact with the aliens behind the apocalypse kind of comes out of the blue; it should have been foreshadowed much earlier in the story, especially since it turns out Dan has had contact with them before.
I also think Marino missed an opportunity with Dan's dismissal from work; it could have been much more than a plot device that allows him to be home when the apocalypse occurs. Dan never makes the connection that he was singled out at work for dismissal in the same way he's been singled out by the aliens for survival.
But also, he never goes through the typical emotional responses of someone who's been let go: anger that he was misunderstood, confusion about what happens next, concern about how to support his family, and, in Dan's case, a sick feeling of justification when he survives the culling and the morons who fired him don't. Numbness and depression are also common reactions to being fired. But Dan doesn't think about any of that, and his actions don't belie that he's feeling any of it, either; his biggest concern is the timing for telling his daughter.
Finally, I wish Marino had used someone whose first language is English to go over his prose. His English is good, but I ran across numerous instances where his word choice, while accurate in terms of definition, is not what a native English speaker would have used. The one that sticks out for me is "corpse." It's technically correct, but most people would say "body" or "dead body" instead.
In summary, I'd say Daimones is a science fiction novel with an interesting premise, but some problems in its execution.
***
Originally appeared at hearth-myth-rursday-reads.blogspot.com.
First, a quick synopsis: Daimones is set in and around Geneva, Switzerland. Dan works for a firm in Geneva, but he, his wife and his daughter live in a sort of exurb across the border in France. One day, he's fired from his job and goes home. A day or two later, there's some kind of weird windstorm that wakes him and his wife in the middle of the night; the next morning, they discover every other human in the world is dead. Or, to be more precise, nearly every other human -- there are survivors, but they are far-flung around the globe. Eventually, Dan figures out who caused this apocalypse, and how it ties into an incident from his childhood.
Now, the problems. The biggest one is the pacing. Marino spends the whole first half of the book describing, in too much detail, the family's efforts to stockpile supplies and arm themselves. It's only at the midpoint that Dan and his family learn of another survivor in Geneva. And contact with the aliens behind the apocalypse kind of comes out of the blue; it should have been foreshadowed much earlier in the story, especially since it turns out Dan has had contact with them before.
I also think Marino missed an opportunity with Dan's dismissal from work; it could have been much more than a plot device that allows him to be home when the apocalypse occurs. Dan never makes the connection that he was singled out at work for dismissal in the same way he's been singled out by the aliens for survival.
But also, he never goes through the typical emotional responses of someone who's been let go: anger that he was misunderstood, confusion about what happens next, concern about how to support his family, and, in Dan's case, a sick feeling of justification when he survives the culling and the morons who fired him don't. Numbness and depression are also common reactions to being fired. But Dan doesn't think about any of that, and his actions don't belie that he's feeling any of it, either; his biggest concern is the timing for telling his daughter.
Finally, I wish Marino had used someone whose first language is English to go over his prose. His English is good, but I ran across numerous instances where his word choice, while accurate in terms of definition, is not what a native English speaker would have used. The one that sticks out for me is "corpse." It's technically correct, but most people would say "body" or "dead body" instead.
In summary, I'd say Daimones is a science fiction novel with an interesting premise, but some problems in its execution.
***
Originally appeared at hearth-myth-rursday-reads.blogspot.com.
January 20, 2014
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this ebook.
I found that I really enjoyed this story. It was a lot of fun to read and I kept looking forward to times that I could sit down and continue on. For starters the storytelling is superb. There was just enough back-story to help me understand the protagonist before launching in to some pretty serious action. I loved the apocalyptic moment itself because I continually wondered what actually happened. I wanted to know more! This kept me on the edge of my seat, digesting every word. The post-apocalyptic process of creating a safe shelter and gathering supplies and food had the right amount of survival skills to lend some credibility to the story. I enjoyed the characters and their relationships one with another. The pacing of the story was just right; I didn't find myself getting bored at any point. When I pieced together the likelihood of how the book would end I worried it might be a bit "hokey" or one-dimensional. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It was very intriguing. The last chapter covered a bit too much information too quickly for me and certainly opened up a plethora of questions. But this just leaves me wanting more. I can't wait for the sequel!
I found that I really enjoyed this story. It was a lot of fun to read and I kept looking forward to times that I could sit down and continue on. For starters the storytelling is superb. There was just enough back-story to help me understand the protagonist before launching in to some pretty serious action. I loved the apocalyptic moment itself because I continually wondered what actually happened. I wanted to know more! This kept me on the edge of my seat, digesting every word. The post-apocalyptic process of creating a safe shelter and gathering supplies and food had the right amount of survival skills to lend some credibility to the story. I enjoyed the characters and their relationships one with another. The pacing of the story was just right; I didn't find myself getting bored at any point. When I pieced together the likelihood of how the book would end I worried it might be a bit "hokey" or one-dimensional. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It was very intriguing. The last chapter covered a bit too much information too quickly for me and certainly opened up a plethora of questions. But this just leaves me wanting more. I can't wait for the sequel!
January 7, 2013
I was really blown away by this book. I really liked it a lot. First let me say that I don't give drawn out technical reviews about the protagonist and antagonist etc etc...blab blab. I don't like reading them and wont write one. I want to know if a book was enjoyed by someone with similar tastes as my own. I have to say that if you liake post apocalyptic stories you will love this book. The first couple chapters were a little rough...but it quickly picked up and was smooth sailing from then on.I also really enjoyed the setting.It was nice to try to imagine a European country besides the same old NYC etc. The story takes on some great twists and turns that leave you thinking "what would I do?". It also leaves you thinking "holly shit!!". The end was a complete surprise and leaves you wondering what's next!!!! I want more and I'm sure you will too!!!
January 29, 2013
First of all let me just say that the main reason why I enjoyed this book was because it wasn’t the overly done, end of the world novel we’re probably so tired of seeing or reading about. Don’t get me wrong, I love zombies just as much as the next gal, but honestly, everyone’s done it already. This story is original and different, which was incredibly refreshing.
As I read, there were times when I began to envision myself in the protagonist shoes and let’s just say it wasn’t very pleasant. I don’t think I could survive the kind of scenarios this family did. However, I really enjoyed reading about how they fought on and didn’t lose hope even though at times, things got really rough.
If you’re looking for something new that will grab your full attention, I highly recommend this read.
As I read, there were times when I began to envision myself in the protagonist shoes and let’s just say it wasn’t very pleasant. I don’t think I could survive the kind of scenarios this family did. However, I really enjoyed reading about how they fought on and didn’t lose hope even though at times, things got really rough.
If you’re looking for something new that will grab your full attention, I highly recommend this read.
June 8, 2014
"ARC received for honest review"
What an interesting start of a new trilogy. This is the story of Dan, his wife Mary and Annah their daughter, and how they life where completely changed overnight. This is novel about the apocalypse, how a family finds out that everything they knew has changed forever.
I found it quite interesting, as it’s not the regular story, yes it’s about the apocalypse, how they need to survive and adapt to their new life. The writing is enjoyable and in cases it had a bit of humor. The writing is quite good, you find yourself reading it all in no time.
I think if you enjoy end of the world stories you will definitely like this one.
What an interesting start of a new trilogy. This is the story of Dan, his wife Mary and Annah their daughter, and how they life where completely changed overnight. This is novel about the apocalypse, how a family finds out that everything they knew has changed forever.
I found it quite interesting, as it’s not the regular story, yes it’s about the apocalypse, how they need to survive and adapt to their new life. The writing is enjoyable and in cases it had a bit of humor. The writing is quite good, you find yourself reading it all in no time.
I think if you enjoy end of the world stories you will definitely like this one.
September 29, 2012
In this post apocalyptic story for the thinking person, Marino explores a myriad of moral and emotional issues as well as the mechanics of everyday survival. The timeline is natural, unforced and the European setting adds a fresh perspective. The exploration of human relationships and their importance, of, personalities and memories, provide real heart for the tale. Though sci-fi is not my usual genre, I enjoyed Daimones, and look forward to the next two books in this intriguing trilogy.
October 1, 2012
What would you do if You Woke One Day to find your life had Completely Changed?
That’s exactly what happens to Dan, his wife Mary, and their daughter Annah, in this debut novel by Massimo Marino. This book gives the reader a different view of the apocalypse.
Dan and his family had the almost-perfect life in the French countryside until a mysterious windstorm in February. Nobody realized that anything unusual had happened until it was time to drive Annah to school. Vehicles of every type littered the highway, their dead drivers still behind the wheel. Dan decided to return home and instructed Mary to stay put instead of going to her teaching job. No one was answering the phone at any of the emergency departments. The family didn’t know what happened, so decided to go check on their friends next door only to find more death.
Once they discovered that they were the only survivors of some catastrophe, Dan decided it was best to stock up on emergency supplies. Therefore, instead of looking for a new job, which was the plan, he went to the mall and began to collect food, medical supplies and other things the family may need, not knowing what was coming later.
Luckily the internet still worked, so Dan decided to launch a massive campaign to find any other survivors in hopes of learning more about what they were facing. While they waited for a response, not expecting any, they continued to collect supplies, even going as far as befriending some neighborhood dogs and arming themselves with survival gear.
At first, it was hard to simply go into the stores and take things without paying for them, but of course, there was no one to pay. The whole world had become a ghost town. After awhile that got easier and Dan even allowed himself a few luxuries, as well as the needed supplies.
At home, to keep a sense of normalcy, they went by the calendar and home-schooled Annah. After school and on weekends they trained the dogs and practiced shooting with the arsenal Dan had gathered. Everyone tried to stay busy.
However, more changes came as the months went by and their lives took some turns that even they could not have ever predicted in their wildest dreams. Yet, now, it was a case of survival and adapting to what came their way.
The down-to-earth writing style of this story makes it an enjoyable read, with a bit of humor as Dan contemplates things along the way and even scolds himself for some of his thoughts when they turn morbid. The characters are real as they face their challenges; the descriptions of the countryside and Geneva are beautiful, bringing the reader into the story to hear the birds chirping, see the blue sky and witness nature taking back the towns and villages.
The conclusion is surprising, giving the reader lots to ponder. In fact, it is so much information that I had to read it twice in places and think, perhaps, this could have been broken up into smaller increments making it easier to take in. The ending brings some closure about the catastrophe to this family, but also lays a heavy burden and responsibility on Dan.
The entertainment value of this story deserves five stars, but I’m giving it four only because there are a few editing issues.
That’s exactly what happens to Dan, his wife Mary, and their daughter Annah, in this debut novel by Massimo Marino. This book gives the reader a different view of the apocalypse.
Dan and his family had the almost-perfect life in the French countryside until a mysterious windstorm in February. Nobody realized that anything unusual had happened until it was time to drive Annah to school. Vehicles of every type littered the highway, their dead drivers still behind the wheel. Dan decided to return home and instructed Mary to stay put instead of going to her teaching job. No one was answering the phone at any of the emergency departments. The family didn’t know what happened, so decided to go check on their friends next door only to find more death.
Once they discovered that they were the only survivors of some catastrophe, Dan decided it was best to stock up on emergency supplies. Therefore, instead of looking for a new job, which was the plan, he went to the mall and began to collect food, medical supplies and other things the family may need, not knowing what was coming later.
Luckily the internet still worked, so Dan decided to launch a massive campaign to find any other survivors in hopes of learning more about what they were facing. While they waited for a response, not expecting any, they continued to collect supplies, even going as far as befriending some neighborhood dogs and arming themselves with survival gear.
At first, it was hard to simply go into the stores and take things without paying for them, but of course, there was no one to pay. The whole world had become a ghost town. After awhile that got easier and Dan even allowed himself a few luxuries, as well as the needed supplies.
At home, to keep a sense of normalcy, they went by the calendar and home-schooled Annah. After school and on weekends they trained the dogs and practiced shooting with the arsenal Dan had gathered. Everyone tried to stay busy.
However, more changes came as the months went by and their lives took some turns that even they could not have ever predicted in their wildest dreams. Yet, now, it was a case of survival and adapting to what came their way.
The down-to-earth writing style of this story makes it an enjoyable read, with a bit of humor as Dan contemplates things along the way and even scolds himself for some of his thoughts when they turn morbid. The characters are real as they face their challenges; the descriptions of the countryside and Geneva are beautiful, bringing the reader into the story to hear the birds chirping, see the blue sky and witness nature taking back the towns and villages.
The conclusion is surprising, giving the reader lots to ponder. In fact, it is so much information that I had to read it twice in places and think, perhaps, this could have been broken up into smaller increments making it easier to take in. The ending brings some closure about the catastrophe to this family, but also lays a heavy burden and responsibility on Dan.
The entertainment value of this story deserves five stars, but I’m giving it four only because there are a few editing issues.
February 26, 2013
Daimones is a polarizing novel. I believe that though I neither loved Daimones nor hated it, the ends of the spectrum will be the reality of other readers. Daimones is a reflective novel. Set in a post-apocalyptic world it is rife with symbolism. Marino and Stroud set a tone of an event that could really happen prefaced with real news stories. Could Dan have stopped the oncoming apocalypse if only he had given his attention to the world around him and not to the co-worker who was kissing tushie?
The writer seems to purposely make the story confusing at the start. Where some readers will become invested, some will get lost and put the book down. To really become one with this book a reader has to invest themselves in the characters and their plight. I was able to do so at first but after a while I found myself reading and hoping for something new to happen.
It took incredible talent and planning to write a story this complex emotionally. This is not someone who sat one day bored at the computer and said, “I think I’ll write a book.” This is someone who went to a lot of work and a lot of trouble to craft a novel to make readers think and feel. The television show “Lost” and its pretenders have shown us that there is a huge market for this sort of speculative work and I believe that many of my fans will love Daimones.
What would you do if one day you woke up to find that the world had ended?
December 21, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I loved how the book begins with the strange mass animal deaths as this is already occurring and they hold a great intrigue for me. After everybody dies however I found the book to be quite slow going however still captivating. Although it is not action packed I thought this book rang true to what people might actually do if such an event were to occur. For example after the family have stocked up on all their immediate needs and had concluded there was no impending danger Dan finds leisure in perusing through a cigar shop. (I can see myself doing similar but perhaps through a book store!) and later breaks in to steal some luxury cars.
I found the ending to be not only original but also captivating with the suggestions that the human race had nearly destroyed itself on other occasions after having destroyed a previous planet. The last chapter however seemed a bit rushed however and I thought a few more pages about the current situation of the human race would have improved it.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. Personally I would have loved a bit more hard science and action. Nonetheless I look forward to reading the next books in the series and think it deserves all the awards it has received. I recommend this book to anyone who loves post-apocalyptic novels :)
I loved how the book begins with the strange mass animal deaths as this is already occurring and they hold a great intrigue for me. After everybody dies however I found the book to be quite slow going however still captivating. Although it is not action packed I thought this book rang true to what people might actually do if such an event were to occur. For example after the family have stocked up on all their immediate needs and had concluded there was no impending danger Dan finds leisure in perusing through a cigar shop. (I can see myself doing similar but perhaps through a book store!) and later breaks in to steal some luxury cars.
I found the ending to be not only original but also captivating with the suggestions that the human race had nearly destroyed itself on other occasions after having destroyed a previous planet. The last chapter however seemed a bit rushed however and I thought a few more pages about the current situation of the human race would have improved it.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. Personally I would have loved a bit more hard science and action. Nonetheless I look forward to reading the next books in the series and think it deserves all the awards it has received. I recommend this book to anyone who loves post-apocalyptic novels :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2022
This book has a slow pacing that took me a bit to get used to, however I soon realized I was experiencing the slow progress from bewilderment to preparation and finally acceptance of the new world that Dan has found himself in. Unlike so many other apocalypse stories, this one is not populated with the monsters (zombies, vampires, etc.) we all come to expect. Yes, these can be fun to read but also rather predictable. Marino's story is just the opposite. I was thoroughly immersed in Dan's world, wondering all the same things he was and finding I would have taken the same steps in home protection and seeking out of other people as he did. (Side note: I loved the Facebook Advertisement scenes... such a unique but realistic concept. Of COURSE the last man on Earth would try that. Why not?!). In fact, I found myself more and more engrossed with Dan's discoveries as the story neared its climax. Definitely going to read the rest of this series.
June 12, 2013
Imagine waking up to find you are the only family left on earth? That is the opening premise of Daimones. Dan, Mary and Annah awaken one morning, go about their morning routines and discover that everyone is dead on the way to school. Deeply shocked and full of despair, Dan and his family learn how to survive after a great, if unknown, tragedy has befallen the human race. This story follows Dan, and his desire to protect and care for his family, survive, seek out other survivors and discover what killed nearly the entire human race.
Daimones is a different book. I'm not sure whether to place it into sci-fi, fantasy or what. It is definitely post-apocalyptic but it covers both science, the supernatural and in part, religion. Once the Daimones are revealed, it is clear that something else has been going on that what was thought at the beginning.
This book was haunting. It will stick with you for awhile, as the explanation the writer reveals is made known, it will shake your foundations. He links human myth and science together well and the final answer is almost like a loss of innocence; shocking, terrible and wonderful all at once.
Pros: This book has many pros. It's very original, and the author has definitely done his homework. I like the inter-meshing of modern ideas with the Greek mythos that is revealed at the end (literally the second to last chapter). Also, the smooth integration of alien abductions/interactions and the final conclusions drawn in the book were fascinating. I also like the Biblical references at the end as Dan undergoes his transformation. (I'm trying not to throw out any spoilers, and it's hard!). The book is intelligent, logical and character driven (my thing). Until the last two chapters, the book has a nice pace as we watch Dan and his family survive and evolve in their new world.
Cons: I don't have many cons. My main problem was the information drop in the second to last chapter. The whole book built up to the question, "What the hell happened?" The second to last chapter was the answer. Dan didn't discover it or have it hinted to him over time, no, the Daimones come out and just tell him. It was too quick, almost like the author was tired of writing and decided to get it over with. Then, there is only one last chapter that talks about the aftermath and covers a few years, but I felt that I never got resolution for the other characters.
My second "con: was the narration. This may just be a matter of preference, but I never quite got into Dan's voice. Maybe because he was too analytic, or practical, and even though he sometimes described his feelings, it was like seeing them from a distance. This is the author's first novel, and he comes from a scientific background which may be what I'm picking up, or an English as a second language or something (I don't know the author's linguistic background). Anyway, just my personal preference.
Overall, I did really enjoy the book. I couldn't wait to get time to read it. I kept coming back because I wanted the mystery of how everyone died solved. Once I realized it was supernatural in aspect (or alien) I kept waiting for more to be revealed (Dan's first revelation about the aliens was sort of out of the blue, that could have been hinted at earlier). Having new survivors show up like Michael and Laura added to the suspense of how the family would survive and prosper. The book was well paced (other then the last 2 chapters) and kept me wanting more. I would definitely recommend it to both sci-fi, post-apocalyptic and urban fantasy adult readers.
Daimones is a different book. I'm not sure whether to place it into sci-fi, fantasy or what. It is definitely post-apocalyptic but it covers both science, the supernatural and in part, religion. Once the Daimones are revealed, it is clear that something else has been going on that what was thought at the beginning.
This book was haunting. It will stick with you for awhile, as the explanation the writer reveals is made known, it will shake your foundations. He links human myth and science together well and the final answer is almost like a loss of innocence; shocking, terrible and wonderful all at once.
Pros: This book has many pros. It's very original, and the author has definitely done his homework. I like the inter-meshing of modern ideas with the Greek mythos that is revealed at the end (literally the second to last chapter). Also, the smooth integration of alien abductions/interactions and the final conclusions drawn in the book were fascinating. I also like the Biblical references at the end as Dan undergoes his transformation. (I'm trying not to throw out any spoilers, and it's hard!). The book is intelligent, logical and character driven (my thing). Until the last two chapters, the book has a nice pace as we watch Dan and his family survive and evolve in their new world.
Cons: I don't have many cons. My main problem was the information drop in the second to last chapter. The whole book built up to the question, "What the hell happened?" The second to last chapter was the answer. Dan didn't discover it or have it hinted to him over time, no, the Daimones come out and just tell him. It was too quick, almost like the author was tired of writing and decided to get it over with. Then, there is only one last chapter that talks about the aftermath and covers a few years, but I felt that I never got resolution for the other characters.
My second "con: was the narration. This may just be a matter of preference, but I never quite got into Dan's voice. Maybe because he was too analytic, or practical, and even though he sometimes described his feelings, it was like seeing them from a distance. This is the author's first novel, and he comes from a scientific background which may be what I'm picking up, or an English as a second language or something (I don't know the author's linguistic background). Anyway, just my personal preference.
Overall, I did really enjoy the book. I couldn't wait to get time to read it. I kept coming back because I wanted the mystery of how everyone died solved. Once I realized it was supernatural in aspect (or alien) I kept waiting for more to be revealed (Dan's first revelation about the aliens was sort of out of the blue, that could have been hinted at earlier). Having new survivors show up like Michael and Laura added to the suspense of how the family would survive and prosper. The book was well paced (other then the last 2 chapters) and kept me wanting more. I would definitely recommend it to both sci-fi, post-apocalyptic and urban fantasy adult readers.
July 13, 2014
We all have said or thought ‘What if?” at one time in our lives.
Why did the strange death of birds and fish cause alarm among naturalists and environmentalists in all nations?
Birds and fish die every day, don’t they?
What would you do if you were taking your child to school one morning to find death everywhere with automobiles crashed all over the place? Where are all the people that should be alive here and around the world?
I liked that it was in the firs-person narrative. I must say this is a different of novel with lots of things happening. Planet earth is in trouble, who has the answers?
This one is almost like a Stephen King novel. But, that being said, Stephen is the best at conjuring up relationships, anguish, sexy language, unbelievable apocalypses, traumatic events ... you name it...
But, I hope you take a chance and read this sci-fi fable “Daimones” It’s the beginning of a trilogy.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
]
Why did the strange death of birds and fish cause alarm among naturalists and environmentalists in all nations?
Birds and fish die every day, don’t they?
What would you do if you were taking your child to school one morning to find death everywhere with automobiles crashed all over the place? Where are all the people that should be alive here and around the world?
I liked that it was in the firs-person narrative. I must say this is a different of novel with lots of things happening. Planet earth is in trouble, who has the answers?
This one is almost like a Stephen King novel. But, that being said, Stephen is the best at conjuring up relationships, anguish, sexy language, unbelievable apocalypses, traumatic events ... you name it...
But, I hope you take a chance and read this sci-fi fable “Daimones” It’s the beginning of a trilogy.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
]
February 19, 2013
Diamones Trilogy #1 - Massimo Marino
I was lucky enough to receive this free in exchange for an honest review, and found it to be an enjoyable read. The story begins with absolutely zero indication of what is to come. And what is to come is a story of vast dimensions.
This book is challenging to review without including spoilers, which I try to avoid whenever possible. Interestingly, the longer I think about the story the more details I discover to have been hidden in plain sight. I was so focused on the 'here and now' of the story that I did not initially 'see' the not so hidden overarching parallels, even when directly mentioned.
For a large portion of the story things are mostly believable - yet there are parts that seem to progress much faster than one would expect in real life. Things like that threw the balance off a bit for me, though some do get explained later in the story.
Characters are well written, and it reads like a pretty fair representation of our world anytime from the mid-nineties on. There is some interesting 'recycling' of history as we currently understand it to be (until the next big discovery blows all prior theories out if the water that is).
Personally I am happy that this is the first in a series. Marino has done a nice job with telling this tale, but I feel that had it ended with this book it would have cut out right before the truly challenging part of the tale.
I was lucky enough to receive this free in exchange for an honest review, and found it to be an enjoyable read. The story begins with absolutely zero indication of what is to come. And what is to come is a story of vast dimensions.
This book is challenging to review without including spoilers, which I try to avoid whenever possible. Interestingly, the longer I think about the story the more details I discover to have been hidden in plain sight. I was so focused on the 'here and now' of the story that I did not initially 'see' the not so hidden overarching parallels, even when directly mentioned.
For a large portion of the story things are mostly believable - yet there are parts that seem to progress much faster than one would expect in real life. Things like that threw the balance off a bit for me, though some do get explained later in the story.
Characters are well written, and it reads like a pretty fair representation of our world anytime from the mid-nineties on. There is some interesting 'recycling' of history as we currently understand it to be (until the next big discovery blows all prior theories out if the water that is).
Personally I am happy that this is the first in a series. Marino has done a nice job with telling this tale, but I feel that had it ended with this book it would have cut out right before the truly challenging part of the tale.
January 4, 2014
Thank you to the author for the review copy.
Dan Amenta woke up one morning to discover the world had changed…the Apocalypse had arrived.
Death, destruction, and disaster were wreaking havoc across the globe. Yet Dan and his family remained untouched and he sensed some sort of supernatural power had left them the only three people alive on Earth. They were not.
Post Apocalyptic novels are my favourite kind and this one was in the way of being slightly different to the norm. The end comes quietly and the whole book I would describe as quietly contemplative.
A beautifully written story which begins with a look at our society that is both frightening and real, this had the benefit of immediately grabbing my attention. After the event Dan and his family believe they may be the only people left alive. As they prepare for this possibility this is an extremely compelling look at human nature and our reactions to impossible circumstance.
I do not want to give much away. The author weaves a haunting authentic feeling end of days tale using his characters to drive home the horrors of it all. I read this fast – it was difficult to leave behind and I look forward to more.
Recommended for fans of Post Apocalyptic fiction.
Happy Reading Folks!
Dan Amenta woke up one morning to discover the world had changed…the Apocalypse had arrived.
Death, destruction, and disaster were wreaking havoc across the globe. Yet Dan and his family remained untouched and he sensed some sort of supernatural power had left them the only three people alive on Earth. They were not.
Post Apocalyptic novels are my favourite kind and this one was in the way of being slightly different to the norm. The end comes quietly and the whole book I would describe as quietly contemplative.
A beautifully written story which begins with a look at our society that is both frightening and real, this had the benefit of immediately grabbing my attention. After the event Dan and his family believe they may be the only people left alive. As they prepare for this possibility this is an extremely compelling look at human nature and our reactions to impossible circumstance.
I do not want to give much away. The author weaves a haunting authentic feeling end of days tale using his characters to drive home the horrors of it all. I read this fast – it was difficult to leave behind and I look forward to more.
Recommended for fans of Post Apocalyptic fiction.
Happy Reading Folks!
February 13, 2013
Daimones by Massimo Marino
This story offers a unique perspective on how one family handles the end of the world as they know it.
Instead of a world-wide sweeping account of what happens, this story centers on one family. They are going about their daily lives when overnight, everything changes. I got involved in these characters. I felt their angst. I was invested in their daily lives. Then suddenly, the world changed.
I was with them as they accepted their new reality. I was with them when they tried to reach out to other survivors. I felt their sadness and their desperation as they struggled to deal with the changes to the world that affected them in such a profound manner. I was with them as they changed to deal with the new realities that had been thrust upon them.
I enjoyed their love and care for each other. This is an intimate portrait of a family who woke up one morning and discovered the impossible had happened.
I felt a sense of triumph and sadness as they made their way through the transition from the old world to the new. This is an excellent story. I highly recommend it.
This story offers a unique perspective on how one family handles the end of the world as they know it.
Instead of a world-wide sweeping account of what happens, this story centers on one family. They are going about their daily lives when overnight, everything changes. I got involved in these characters. I felt their angst. I was invested in their daily lives. Then suddenly, the world changed.
I was with them as they accepted their new reality. I was with them when they tried to reach out to other survivors. I felt their sadness and their desperation as they struggled to deal with the changes to the world that affected them in such a profound manner. I was with them as they changed to deal with the new realities that had been thrust upon them.
I enjoyed their love and care for each other. This is an intimate portrait of a family who woke up one morning and discovered the impossible had happened.
I felt a sense of triumph and sadness as they made their way through the transition from the old world to the new. This is an excellent story. I highly recommend it.
November 11, 2012
What A Jewel!
This is quite simply a brilliant sci-fi novel and story.
It is a post-apocalyptic vision that is stunning in its breadth and complexity. It easily rivals the power of Stephen King's THE STAND and Neville Shute's ON THE BEACH.
Animals are suddenly and mysteriously dying by the thousands and soon the people follow. Only Dan Amenta and his wife and daughter seem to have survived. They find themselves alone on the planet in Switzerland and begin the search for other survivors.
Massimo Marino has crafted a powerful and entertaining novel that has suspense, action and plenty of anxious moments about the future. It is difficult to stop reading until you find the answer and whether or not they are in fact alone on the planet. The ending is also one of new hope and could easily make for a sequel.
I highly recommend this read. You are in for quite a journey.
What a jewel!
This is quite simply a brilliant sci-fi novel and story.
It is a post-apocalyptic vision that is stunning in its breadth and complexity. It easily rivals the power of Stephen King's THE STAND and Neville Shute's ON THE BEACH.
Animals are suddenly and mysteriously dying by the thousands and soon the people follow. Only Dan Amenta and his wife and daughter seem to have survived. They find themselves alone on the planet in Switzerland and begin the search for other survivors.
Massimo Marino has crafted a powerful and entertaining novel that has suspense, action and plenty of anxious moments about the future. It is difficult to stop reading until you find the answer and whether or not they are in fact alone on the planet. The ending is also one of new hope and could easily make for a sequel.
I highly recommend this read. You are in for quite a journey.
What a jewel!
September 30, 2013
What if your family woke one morning and everyone else was gone?
Daimones is an unusual post-apocalyptic novel in that even the apocalypse occurs quietly. It is a book of reasonable believable reactions in the face of an unreasonable reality. Dan and his wife and child appear to be the only humans left alive. They prepare for the inevitable degradation of resources and search for other survivors.
The author immerses the reader in the thoughts of an intelligent, well-educated person facing the reality of living the rest of his life with all the “things” of our society, but without the society. It’s not just about how you survive, but how you live your life in terms of values and behavior. If you want zombies and blood-soaked violence, this is not the book for you. If you want a book that makes you think a little deeper about values and the continuous misbehavior of mankind, read and enjoy.
Daimones is an unusual post-apocalyptic novel in that even the apocalypse occurs quietly. It is a book of reasonable believable reactions in the face of an unreasonable reality. Dan and his wife and child appear to be the only humans left alive. They prepare for the inevitable degradation of resources and search for other survivors.
The author immerses the reader in the thoughts of an intelligent, well-educated person facing the reality of living the rest of his life with all the “things” of our society, but without the society. It’s not just about how you survive, but how you live your life in terms of values and behavior. If you want zombies and blood-soaked violence, this is not the book for you. If you want a book that makes you think a little deeper about values and the continuous misbehavior of mankind, read and enjoy.
December 30, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, having been to Geneva many times it was easy to imagine the setting. A well rounded story that pulled me in early on and resulted in me reading it quickly in a couple of sessions ( I also had one of those stay up too late sessions to finish the last few chapters). Great effort, oh and it was free!
How I review...
1 star - binned it before half way, please don't write anymore!!!
2 stars - finally binned it after really trying, I mean really trying and I hate to not finishing someth....
3 stars - finished it but boy was that hard work on times, it just about hooked me back in as I was about to dump it
4 stars - great book but it lacked something, something, can't put my finger on it but.... something
5 stars - want more, more books, more movies about the books, more movies about the authors and the making of the movie, just more!!!
How I review...
1 star - binned it before half way, please don't write anymore!!!
2 stars - finally binned it after really trying, I mean really trying and I hate to not finishing someth....
3 stars - finished it but boy was that hard work on times, it just about hooked me back in as I was about to dump it
4 stars - great book but it lacked something, something, can't put my finger on it but.... something
5 stars - want more, more books, more movies about the books, more movies about the authors and the making of the movie, just more!!!
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