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Extinct #1
Extinct
Channel Two predicted a blanket of snow for Thanksgiving weekend--unusual, but not alarming for the little Maine island. What comes is a blinding blizzard, and a mass disappearance of nearly every person Robby Pierce knows. He and his family flee, trying to escape the snow and the invisible forces stealing people right from the street.
Miles away, Brad Jenkins battles the same storm. Alone, he attempts to survive as snow envelops his house. When the storm breaks, Brad makes his way south to where the snow ends and the world lies empty. Join Brad, Robby, and the other survivors as they fight to find the truth about the apocalypse and discover how to live in their new world.
Miles away, Brad Jenkins battles the same storm. Alone, he attempts to survive as snow envelops his house. When the storm breaks, Brad makes his way south to where the snow ends and the world lies empty. Join Brad, Robby, and the other survivors as they fight to find the truth about the apocalypse and discover how to live in their new world.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2013
1568 people are currently reading
2058 people want to read
About the author
Ike Hamill
54 books188 followersIke Hamill writes fast-paced horror novels with strong, relatable characters. His books have gained a steady following amongst readers who enjoy his blend of sci-fi, paranormal, occult, and suspense. Whether focused on a small family trying to survive the move to a haunted house, or following a band of angry rebels determined to withstand an apocalypse, his stories draw the reader into the lives of real people in crisis. Readers are always sad to leave the characters behind when the book is finished.
Reviewers compare Ike to Dean Koontz and Stephen King—two of his favorite authors. His narrative often jumps between interwoven stories, presenting readers with a fresh perspective and keeping them guessing until the last chapter. Most of Ike’s readers are repeat customers. Pick up one of his books to learn why.
Reviewers compare Ike to Dean Koontz and Stephen King—two of his favorite authors. His narrative often jumps between interwoven stories, presenting readers with a fresh perspective and keeping them guessing until the last chapter. Most of Ike’s readers are repeat customers. Pick up one of his books to learn why.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
April 5, 2017
Buddy read with Maks. Thanks Maks.
It wasn't horrible, since I did finish it (even though I skimmed), but I would definately pass on this one even though it's free. I'm sorry I just didn't like it.
The only thing that kept me reading was the fact I really liked Brad and Robby, and I was hoping to gets some answers to all the questions I had. Sadly it looks like the answers are to be found in the next book, which I have no desire to read.
This book sort of ends on a cliffhanger. You have to read the next one if you want to find out more about all these paranormal happenings.
Basically this is a Man vs. Nature/God/paranormal theme. The first 50% of the book is just reading about Robby and Brad (who are not together) surviving. They finally meet at 50% ish and then it becomes a group of people just wandering around and surviving.
There was so much wrong with this book I don't even know where to begin.
Emotional responses of characters were not logical or normal. Both Robby and Sarah didn't seem in the least bit fazed when Robby's dad (Sarah's husband) died in front of their eyes..in a grisly manner might I add.
Robby is apparently a genius but even so, he comes up with theories without a trace of evidence..made no sense.
The paranormal elements were never explained and not even remotely understandable..it was just like thrown out there.. with no rhyme or reason.
The characters didn't get bothered by the smell of all the dead, nor did they even care about washing up after handeling them. They never seemed bothered by the cold either.
I never felt anxious, or scared, I skimmed more than 80% of the book.
Overall, the writing was not bad, I did like two of the characters, and I think if re worked this book could be really good.
Content: Blood, gore cursing. No sex, no romance. A girl is tortured
It wasn't horrible, since I did finish it (even though I skimmed), but I would definately pass on this one even though it's free. I'm sorry I just didn't like it.
The only thing that kept me reading was the fact I really liked Brad and Robby, and I was hoping to gets some answers to all the questions I had. Sadly it looks like the answers are to be found in the next book, which I have no desire to read.
This book sort of ends on a cliffhanger. You have to read the next one if you want to find out more about all these paranormal happenings.
Basically this is a Man vs. Nature/God/paranormal theme. The first 50% of the book is just reading about Robby and Brad (who are not together) surviving. They finally meet at 50% ish and then it becomes a group of people just wandering around and surviving.
There was so much wrong with this book I don't even know where to begin.
Emotional responses of characters were not logical or normal. Both Robby and Sarah didn't seem in the least bit fazed when Robby's dad (Sarah's husband) died in front of their eyes..in a grisly manner might I add.
Robby is apparently a genius but even so, he comes up with theories without a trace of evidence..made no sense.
The paranormal elements were never explained and not even remotely understandable..it was just like thrown out there.. with no rhyme or reason.
The characters didn't get bothered by the smell of all the dead, nor did they even care about washing up after handeling them. They never seemed bothered by the cold either.
I never felt anxious, or scared, I skimmed more than 80% of the book.
Overall, the writing was not bad, I did like two of the characters, and I think if re worked this book could be really good.
Content: Blood, gore cursing. No sex, no romance. A girl is tortured
December 18, 2016
EDIT: I hadn't revisited this review until Finn disagreed with my assessment in the comments. Now that there are two more books, I assume a lot of questions get answered therein. I still have my doubts about the wisdom of such blatant dangling questions, but given my affinity for the concept and the pacing of this book, I'm probably going to read the other two. Leaving the review for now, though...
Wow. I keep looking for an author that will get me out of my reading rut of King, Struab, Saul, etc., but if this book is any indication, Hamill is NOT it. However, I'll talk about the good first. Hamill is excellent at writing the action sequences and some of the premises used are fascinating. This book is not just a variation on the most common zombie and vampire themes that seem so prevalent in the genre these days, the concepts are creative and compelling. Which brings me to the bad. It is just a shame that the plot lines, characters, and especially the continuity don't do the concepts justice. The book seems to be fine on the "what" and "where," but most of the time the "why" is missing.
Wow. I keep looking for an author that will get me out of my reading rut of King, Struab, Saul, etc., but if this book is any indication, Hamill is NOT it. However, I'll talk about the good first. Hamill is excellent at writing the action sequences and some of the premises used are fascinating. This book is not just a variation on the most common zombie and vampire themes that seem so prevalent in the genre these days, the concepts are creative and compelling. Which brings me to the bad. It is just a shame that the plot lines, characters, and especially the continuity don't do the concepts justice. The book seems to be fine on the "what" and "where," but most of the time the "why" is missing.
November 22, 2019
Extinct by Ike Hamill has an awesome cover, so I had to take a walk into the woods, during a blizzard to find out WTH is going on.
Robby is an intellectual young boy, always analyzing, so when the freak snowstorm hits on Thanksgiving and people began to go missing, he began questioning…everything.
Well, I’m still no sure exactly what’s going on and neither is our gang of survivors…that keeps dwindling in numbers. Vanishing into thin air, eyeballs popping our of their heads, ‘water’ devouring anything it touches…
This ragtag band keeps moving, not always forward, but sticking together, going the extra mile, doing whatever they can to save our world.
The characters come and go and at each juncture in their adventure I wonder who will vanish next. Where do they go? Who is taking them?
The world building is so richly detailed I could follow the thin blue line with them and we all know in troubled times peoples true colors are exposed.
Well, this has been one wild ride, danger around every corner and the mystery of ‘them’ hangs in every word. Good thing Book II, Instinct is ready and available, because I want to know. It looks like…so far…there are five books, so you will be seeing more of Ike Hamill’s work on fundinmental.
See more at fundinmental
Robby is an intellectual young boy, always analyzing, so when the freak snowstorm hits on Thanksgiving and people began to go missing, he began questioning…everything.
Well, I’m still no sure exactly what’s going on and neither is our gang of survivors…that keeps dwindling in numbers. Vanishing into thin air, eyeballs popping our of their heads, ‘water’ devouring anything it touches…
This ragtag band keeps moving, not always forward, but sticking together, going the extra mile, doing whatever they can to save our world.
The characters come and go and at each juncture in their adventure I wonder who will vanish next. Where do they go? Who is taking them?
The world building is so richly detailed I could follow the thin blue line with them and we all know in troubled times peoples true colors are exposed.
Well, this has been one wild ride, danger around every corner and the mystery of ‘them’ hangs in every word. Good thing Book II, Instinct is ready and available, because I want to know. It looks like…so far…there are five books, so you will be seeing more of Ike Hamill’s work on fundinmental.
See more at fundinmental
July 6, 2013
The first 3/4 of Extinct had my eyes anxiously GLUED to the Kindle screen. The details of this apocalypse really stood out against all the other end-of-the-world books I've read this year and I congratulate the author on his creativity. The final quarter of the book was a little... unsettling. Maybe I was too tired (stayed up late to finish), but the ending seemed extremely chaotic. I'm still not sure what happened and several characters/plot threads remain a mystery. To be answered in a sequel, maybe?
July 11, 2015
This book had a little bit of everything. Twenty foot snow storms, killer puddles, people disappearing into thin air, tornadoes, taxidermy critters coming to life, and on and on and on. The problem is, none of it makes sense, even when it's explained. And since the dangers didn't make sense, the solution to dealing with them also didn't make sense. What's really sad is, this is the first of a series. Sorry. I've had enough. I'm quitting after one.
November 6, 2018
My Opinion:
This is a weird and crazy spin on the end of the world tales that you have read. It's well worth it. I totally enjoyed this book and glad I picked it up to read. I do love these types of books and this one was no exception with its creepy vibe and an amazing kid that knows but doesn't know what is going on.
We are taken on a journey of the greatest snowfall ever and it happens on Thanksgiving weekend. Then people start to disappear and only a few are left. Robby is one of those people and he is trying to figure out what is happening as strange things start happening to him and his family. He is young but he is smart and his parents and most people take his advice because of this. He is their best chance of survival. He has instincts that help. I enjoyed Robby and was biting my nails throughout this book.
My favorite was Brad. He was always talking to his beloved wife who has passed away. I guess that is how he copes with everything. Or at least makes him feel like she is still there listening to him. Brad has the instincts and the smarts as well. I think I enjoyed his end of the story more.
This book was fast paced, scary and well told. I would recommend this book as I totally enjoyed it and have read the second in this series as well. I think there are four now. I will have to get working on the rest!
I give this books 4.5 of 5 stars!
This is a weird and crazy spin on the end of the world tales that you have read. It's well worth it. I totally enjoyed this book and glad I picked it up to read. I do love these types of books and this one was no exception with its creepy vibe and an amazing kid that knows but doesn't know what is going on.
We are taken on a journey of the greatest snowfall ever and it happens on Thanksgiving weekend. Then people start to disappear and only a few are left. Robby is one of those people and he is trying to figure out what is happening as strange things start happening to him and his family. He is young but he is smart and his parents and most people take his advice because of this. He is their best chance of survival. He has instincts that help. I enjoyed Robby and was biting my nails throughout this book.
My favorite was Brad. He was always talking to his beloved wife who has passed away. I guess that is how he copes with everything. Or at least makes him feel like she is still there listening to him. Brad has the instincts and the smarts as well. I think I enjoyed his end of the story more.
This book was fast paced, scary and well told. I would recommend this book as I totally enjoyed it and have read the second in this series as well. I think there are four now. I will have to get working on the rest!
I give this books 4.5 of 5 stars!
February 20, 2016
So much apocalyptic fiction tends to based around similar ways for the world to end, pandemic, emp, nuclear etc! To find a book that has a novel and interesting apocalypse was a breath of fresh air.
For much of the book, it tells the struggles of two separate characters Robbie and Brad. For me this was the most engaging part of the book. I found when they joined up with the other survivors it did lose a little of the flair if the story.
That being said, this was a great book. I am genuinely interested enough to pick up the next book in the series. There are a number of questions that I would like answers to! Good 4 star read.
For much of the book, it tells the struggles of two separate characters Robbie and Brad. For me this was the most engaging part of the book. I found when they joined up with the other survivors it did lose a little of the flair if the story.
That being said, this was a great book. I am genuinely interested enough to pick up the next book in the series. There are a number of questions that I would like answers to! Good 4 star read.
May 31, 2022
Fantastic!
I have only recently discovered Ike Hamill's book, but I have yet to be disappointed with any of his stories! Extinct was no exception! I usually have a hard time spending money on e-books unless I can read them first, but I bought this full series before reading even one line and was not disappointed with the first book! The only thing I don't like about his books is the fowl language, which is a personal thing to me, but it's nothing worse than you hear on primetime television.
*Slight Spoiler ahead*
One thing I loved about this book is how you started out with two separate points of view of two separate events. It almost felt like you were reading two separate books, but it helped you formulate your opinion on what was you thought was going on!
I also like how Ike Hamill doesn't spell every thing out for you, but let's you try to come up with your own conclusions, weather right or wrong (in my case, usually wrong since they are such off the wall conclusions!)
I would LOVE to see some of his stories put on the big screen!
I have only recently discovered Ike Hamill's book, but I have yet to be disappointed with any of his stories! Extinct was no exception! I usually have a hard time spending money on e-books unless I can read them first, but I bought this full series before reading even one line and was not disappointed with the first book! The only thing I don't like about his books is the fowl language, which is a personal thing to me, but it's nothing worse than you hear on primetime television.
*Slight Spoiler ahead*
One thing I loved about this book is how you started out with two separate points of view of two separate events. It almost felt like you were reading two separate books, but it helped you formulate your opinion on what was you thought was going on!
I also like how Ike Hamill doesn't spell every thing out for you, but let's you try to come up with your own conclusions, weather right or wrong (in my case, usually wrong since they are such off the wall conclusions!)
I would LOVE to see some of his stories put on the big screen!
July 18, 2016
A strange snowstorm on an island in Maine and a sentient vine in another part of the state that won’t stop growing are just the beginning of the odd things happening to the world.
Hamill starts this book off at a roaring pace, with odd disappearances, eccentric government agents and events that defy any explanation. He splits the narrative nicely between the two protagonists, Robby and Brad.
Their two stories don’t meet up until the second half of the story…and that’s when it all starts to lose shape. Continuity errors pop up and subplots are introduced and then dropped again a chapter or a few pages later.
And it was all going so well…
As a for instance of subplots forgotten, Robby comes across some cabalistic markings on a basement wall. He memorises them (Rather than take a photo with his phone, for instance). Only once more in the story does the author do anything with the markings. Then they’re forgotten.
There’s no explanation for some of the things Brad comes across behind his home - an odd sound that hypnotises him, for example. We never discover who the government people who turn up at his door really are. A character is kidnapped and then breaks free again a chapter later, the subplot quickly dropped. There’s also the mystery of a sexually mutilated body which is never resolved either.
Mystery in a story is fine, but I don't feel as if any of these plot points were resolved before Hamill found something else he wanted to throw into the mix.
Characters at times also start acting out of character. Robby starts joking with corpses, even though he’s plainly terrified of them a few pages earlier. He doesn’t remember visiting a place at the end of the story, despite his perfect memory.
There are conversations reported after the fact that never took place. In one, Brad discusses a theory of Robby’s that we've never heard. Brad suddenly states that a child they harbour may be a girl rather than a boy, but there’s no text or subtext to support his sudden claim, and no more is said or done about it.
Hamill also needs to be more confident in his use of pronouns instead of personal names. When there’s only Brad in a scene and it goes like this:
…it gets a little wearing.
There’s some repetition early in the book that could have been skipped. Brad writes to his dead wife weekly, and then we read in the narration that Brad wrote to his dead wife, and the summary of the letter we just read.
Hamill has clearly watched a lot of disaster and sci-fi movies, and seems determined to put every one in there he can. So we have tornadoes, intense snowstorms and people pulled into the air. I was waiting for the zombies as I read, and sure enough, they were there right at the end.
Despite the flaws in the story, there are some stand-out moments: The fight with the bear is particularly memorable, as is Robby’s desperate boat trip south and Brad’s lonely journey through the snow and the wonderfully eccentric (and very efficient) government agents.
Hamill starts this book off at a roaring pace, with odd disappearances, eccentric government agents and events that defy any explanation. He splits the narrative nicely between the two protagonists, Robby and Brad.
Their two stories don’t meet up until the second half of the story…and that’s when it all starts to lose shape. Continuity errors pop up and subplots are introduced and then dropped again a chapter or a few pages later.
And it was all going so well…
As a for instance of subplots forgotten, Robby comes across some cabalistic markings on a basement wall. He memorises them (Rather than take a photo with his phone, for instance). Only once more in the story does the author do anything with the markings. Then they’re forgotten.
There’s no explanation for some of the things Brad comes across behind his home - an odd sound that hypnotises him, for example. We never discover who the government people who turn up at his door really are. A character is kidnapped and then breaks free again a chapter later, the subplot quickly dropped. There’s also the mystery of a sexually mutilated body which is never resolved either.
Mystery in a story is fine, but I don't feel as if any of these plot points were resolved before Hamill found something else he wanted to throw into the mix.
Characters at times also start acting out of character. Robby starts joking with corpses, even though he’s plainly terrified of them a few pages earlier. He doesn’t remember visiting a place at the end of the story, despite his perfect memory.
There are conversations reported after the fact that never took place. In one, Brad discusses a theory of Robby’s that we've never heard. Brad suddenly states that a child they harbour may be a girl rather than a boy, but there’s no text or subtext to support his sudden claim, and no more is said or done about it.
Hamill also needs to be more confident in his use of pronouns instead of personal names. When there’s only Brad in a scene and it goes like this:
Brad tried all the trucks in the lot. Brad found one which wasn’t locked, and Brad climbed inside to look for the keys. Brad found the keys under the visor and started the truck. A sudden noise made Brad turn around in his seat.
…it gets a little wearing.
There’s some repetition early in the book that could have been skipped. Brad writes to his dead wife weekly, and then we read in the narration that Brad wrote to his dead wife, and the summary of the letter we just read.
Hamill has clearly watched a lot of disaster and sci-fi movies, and seems determined to put every one in there he can. So we have tornadoes, intense snowstorms and people pulled into the air. I was waiting for the zombies as I read, and sure enough, they were there right at the end.
Despite the flaws in the story, there are some stand-out moments: The fight with the bear is particularly memorable, as is Robby’s desperate boat trip south and Brad’s lonely journey through the snow and the wonderfully eccentric (and very efficient) government agents.
February 12, 2016
First, I can’t understand why this handful of protagonists didn’t suffer the same fate as the rest of the people around them. North of a certain area people literally disappear into thin air. Corpses of people whose eyes burst lie everywhere to the south. How on earth were these people overlooked?
When people start disappearing around Robby, somehow he jumps to the idea that this is some sort of local ‘extinction event’. (Later, obviously, he has to take out the ‘local’ part of that.) Seriously? To jump from a handful of missing people and a power outage to an extinction event is ridiculous.
I can at least understand why Robby would eventually make the leap to alien invasion, because by then he’s traveled quite a ways and met a lot of people. However, his assumptions about what the aliens are trying to accomplish, and how to thwart them, just left me going “huh?!” I couldn’t understand why he leaped to that conclusion nor why people then believed him.
There are also a few events that didn’t make sense to me as part of an alien invasion. Given how most of the people died or disappeared, it made little sense to me that the group of survivors would have to fight some particular battles. Either the aliens know where they are and that they exist and can target them–in which case they should just simply die or disappear–or the aliens have no awareness of them. In which case certain threats don’t make sense, and we’d need a damn good reason why the aliens aren’t aware of them.
I was looking forward to a trilogy by Hamill, but I’m not going to read the other books in this one.
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/02/r...
When people start disappearing around Robby, somehow he jumps to the idea that this is some sort of local ‘extinction event’. (Later, obviously, he has to take out the ‘local’ part of that.) Seriously? To jump from a handful of missing people and a power outage to an extinction event is ridiculous.
I can at least understand why Robby would eventually make the leap to alien invasion, because by then he’s traveled quite a ways and met a lot of people. However, his assumptions about what the aliens are trying to accomplish, and how to thwart them, just left me going “huh?!” I couldn’t understand why he leaped to that conclusion nor why people then believed him.
There are also a few events that didn’t make sense to me as part of an alien invasion. Given how most of the people died or disappeared, it made little sense to me that the group of survivors would have to fight some particular battles. Either the aliens know where they are and that they exist and can target them–in which case they should just simply die or disappear–or the aliens have no awareness of them. In which case certain threats don’t make sense, and we’d need a damn good reason why the aliens aren’t aware of them.
I was looking forward to a trilogy by Hamill, but I’m not going to read the other books in this one.
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/02/r...
May 7, 2016
A rather odd apocalyptic novel set in Maine, New England. A snowstorm of epic proportions traps the residents of a small island, slowly the realisation sets in that people are mysteriously disappearing. The modern world, TV and radio stops. What has happened?
What starts off as a really intriguing and exciting novel with flashbacks of a few months before turns into something very odd and the final quarter of the book just put me off. Strange events that just don't make sense and left unexplained just ruined it for me. It's a shame the excitement from the beginning just didn't continue until the end.
What starts off as a really intriguing and exciting novel with flashbacks of a few months before turns into something very odd and the final quarter of the book just put me off. Strange events that just don't make sense and left unexplained just ruined it for me. It's a shame the excitement from the beginning just didn't continue until the end.
January 9, 2015
Great read
Loved it, kept me interested throughout. Will read book 2 next :) nothing like a good book by a fire
Loved it, kept me interested throughout. Will read book 2 next :) nothing like a good book by a fire
February 22, 2022
My jury of one is still out on this book. It is the first of 3 that continues the story of the coming end (is it really?) of the world as the characters know it. Most of the population disappears (spoiler alert) in the first few chapters, and it seems as if nature itself has turned against man, but something else, more sinister could be the cause. I did form a connection to the main characters of the book, and went through a lot of highs and lows over the survivor's experiences, all the while wondering what was going to happen to them next! It was pretty much non stop action and mystery. That's why I gave it 5 *. It reminded me somewhat of Stephen King's The Dream Catcher. I've already started the sequel, INSTINCT, so stay tuned!
September 5, 2018
Now this book I really liked. I love disaster/ end of the world stuff so this book was right up my alley. It was sort of a cross between the Gone series by Michael Grant and Stephen King's, The Mist. I was riveted from page one and was delighted to learn that there is a sequel despite not ending in an obvious cliff-hanger. The end of the book took quite a bizarre twist, one I wasn't expecting but overall, as solid read.
Rating... A+
Rating... A+
March 7, 2016
“If all this is the same as the dinosaur extinction, then I think it’s pretty clear what our fate will be. I mean, you don’t see any of them still walking around, do you?”
So … Ike Hamill’s Extinct reminds me a lot of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening.
A mysterious global event, presaged by strange weather and bloody hieroglyphs, leads to mass disappearances and deaths as the planet’s population is culled to just a handful of survivors. The story is moody and atmospheric with a pervasive unease that hints at something terrible lurking just out-of-view as the environment turns unsettlingly alien. The world-building is rather well done and Hamill keeps things interesting as the main characters pick through the bones of a desolate Maine, stumbling upon things both bleak and horrific.
Unfortunately, setting only goes so far, and the rest of the story feels a bit rudderless as it meanders into a vague climax with a vague antagonist that is just as frightening as The Happening’s suicide-invoking summer breezes. The book’s internal logic is also a bit dodgy – for example, it’s really hard to follow how exactly the characters came up with their plan of attack in the first place -- and the book has so, so, so many loose ends, it’s like a plate of spaghetti by the final page.
The author’s postscript indicates that the book’s sequel offers answers to many of the story's lingering questions, but am I the only reader who feels cheated when AFTER 300 PAGES[!], I don’t get a satisfactory ending? I mean, I get that even Star Wars had sequels, but the first movie stood up pretty darn well on its own two feet. Honestly, give me a good beginning, middle, and end and I’m pretty likely to try your next book.
“To Be Continued” makes me grimace.
October 19, 2015
Okay, this book was fantastic.... I have never read Ike Hamill before, but I am now definitely a fan. This was a complete new take on the apocalypse. Vines that move, 20 feet of snow, ice, colored lightning, killer puddles, and people snatching tornadoes. I have read nothing like this before, and it was fun. Story is mostly based around a thirteen year old prodigy, who seems to be the only one who knows what's going on. He meets survivors along the way, and tries to save the earth from whatever menace is attacking. The chapters were long, and you found yourself reading for 3 or 4 hours without noticing. Nothing is completely resolved at the end and you are grateful that this is the first in a trilogy. I immediately bought the next two books.
Thank you, Mr. Hamill for writing such a good book. Oh and thanks, that I will never go into a Cabella's, REI, or L.L. Bean superstore, if there ever is an apocalypse...no matter what supplies they carry.
Thank you, Mr. Hamill for writing such a good book. Oh and thanks, that I will never go into a Cabella's, REI, or L.L. Bean superstore, if there ever is an apocalypse...no matter what supplies they carry.
September 27, 2013
An interesting horror story. Well developed characters and well written. Fairly smooth read.
It is the story of a young boy caught up in the chaos of end days. The story follows him as he tries to survive and understand what has happened to the world he once knew.
I must say that I did not like the ending, felt there was a bit more that could have added to the story and was left wondering if there is a sequel coming up. Other then that, would recommend this to 16 plus.[[ASIN:B00D3A97IU Extinct]]
It is the story of a young boy caught up in the chaos of end days. The story follows him as he tries to survive and understand what has happened to the world he once knew.
I must say that I did not like the ending, felt there was a bit more that could have added to the story and was left wondering if there is a sequel coming up. Other then that, would recommend this to 16 plus.[[ASIN:B00D3A97IU Extinct]]
July 15, 2019
Poznate to, ked vam kniha sadne ako rit na serbel? Mne sa to stava v poslednej dobe zriedkavejsie, ale ked sa to uz stane, mam chut kricat a skakat, ale to sa velmi neda, ked drzim v ruke citacku 😅
RAz som nahodou na ebook stiahla tuto knihu, anotacia aj obalka ma zaujali a hoci ma slabsie recenzie, ludia, vcera som ju citala do 1 v noci...
mam rada tento typ knihy. Je to podobne aj u S. Kinga. Normalni ludia, normalna situacia a BUM, nieco nenormalne sa stane.
Rodinka zijuca na ostove sa pripravuje na vdakyvzdanie. Blizi sa snehova burka a preto mnohi ludia chcu odist do vnutrozemia. Ale ked pridu na trajekt, zistia, ze tam nie je kapitan, ani nikto z posadky.
Robby je 14. rocny chalan. Je iny ako bezne deti. Nadpriemerne inteligentny, trosku asi autista. Jeho rodicia ho po mnohych skusenostiach beru vazne a ked teda navhrne, nech idu skontrolovat susedov, lebo sa mu nezda, ze sa nikde inde nesvieti, otec nenamieta.
A ked zrazu nieco schmatne ich znameho a zmizne im zpred oci, pochopia, ze situacia je vazna.
Napriek snezeniu a silnemu vetru okolnosti prinutia ludi odist z ostrova, no nakoniec sa to podari iba Robbymu.
Druhy pribeh sleduje Brada. Po smrti svojej exmanzelky /v naznakoch z jeho listov sledujeme, ze asi sa rozviedli, lebo nebol pripraveny na deti, ale neviem, preco zomrela/ jej pise listy. Zije na samote a ked raz na pozemku spozoruje cudnu rastlinu, ktora sa hybe a rychlo sa rozsiruje, ani nevie ako a ma federalov na dvore a dostane domace vazenie. No ked po niekolkych mesiacoch zrazu na dvore vsetko stichne, rozhodne sa pre odchod, co nie je kvoli snehu jednoduche.
Ach, moja citatelska dusa pisti blahom, lebo okrem sily, ktora ludi zrazu vytiahne a necha ich zmiznut, su tam aj mlaky, v ktorych miznu mrtvoly, tornada, ktore umyselne nicia mesta, obzivle vypchate zvierata a neuveritelne finale, ktore ma prinutilo zakupit si dalsie knihy.
Fakt, ale fakt po dlhsej dobe kniha, ktoru som nepustila z ruky. A hoci su tam nejake veci, ktore by som vytkla, nespravim to
RAz som nahodou na ebook stiahla tuto knihu, anotacia aj obalka ma zaujali a hoci ma slabsie recenzie, ludia, vcera som ju citala do 1 v noci...
mam rada tento typ knihy. Je to podobne aj u S. Kinga. Normalni ludia, normalna situacia a BUM, nieco nenormalne sa stane.
Rodinka zijuca na ostove sa pripravuje na vdakyvzdanie. Blizi sa snehova burka a preto mnohi ludia chcu odist do vnutrozemia. Ale ked pridu na trajekt, zistia, ze tam nie je kapitan, ani nikto z posadky.
Robby je 14. rocny chalan. Je iny ako bezne deti. Nadpriemerne inteligentny, trosku asi autista. Jeho rodicia ho po mnohych skusenostiach beru vazne a ked teda navhrne, nech idu skontrolovat susedov, lebo sa mu nezda, ze sa nikde inde nesvieti, otec nenamieta.
A ked zrazu nieco schmatne ich znameho a zmizne im zpred oci, pochopia, ze situacia je vazna.
Napriek snezeniu a silnemu vetru okolnosti prinutia ludi odist z ostrova, no nakoniec sa to podari iba Robbymu.
Druhy pribeh sleduje Brada. Po smrti svojej exmanzelky /v naznakoch z jeho listov sledujeme, ze asi sa rozviedli, lebo nebol pripraveny na deti, ale neviem, preco zomrela/ jej pise listy. Zije na samote a ked raz na pozemku spozoruje cudnu rastlinu, ktora sa hybe a rychlo sa rozsiruje, ani nevie ako a ma federalov na dvore a dostane domace vazenie. No ked po niekolkych mesiacoch zrazu na dvore vsetko stichne, rozhodne sa pre odchod, co nie je kvoli snehu jednoduche.
Ach, moja citatelska dusa pisti blahom, lebo okrem sily, ktora ludi zrazu vytiahne a necha ich zmiznut, su tam aj mlaky, v ktorych miznu mrtvoly, tornada, ktore umyselne nicia mesta, obzivle vypchate zvierata a neuveritelne finale, ktore ma prinutilo zakupit si dalsie knihy.
Fakt, ale fakt po dlhsej dobe kniha, ktoru som nepustila z ruky. A hoci su tam nejake veci, ktore by som vytkla, nespravim to
November 25, 2018
Extinct adds an interesting and refreshing take on the apocalypse theme. Instead of the typical contagious virus, the world is plunged into a deep freeze. Huge snowstorms, sentient tornadoes, mysterious puddles, patrolling fires and unknown entities plucking people up into the sky.
The story follows Robby and Brad as they battle to survive in the new frozen world searching for other survivors and clues as to what happened. Robby and Brad eventually find each other and form a group with a few other survivors. Robby comes up with a theory trying to explain what happened and the group starts planning to take the world back.
Extinct was a good read overall with some interesting ideas and adventures, but I do have a few gripes with it. Robby almost immediately jumps to the conclusion that this is an extinction event caused by an unknown organism despite having no evidence of this other than a few people missing in a blizzard. Even if you immerse yourself in the world, many parts of the book weren't believable and didn't make any sense. Why was Robby seemingly immune to the creatures that grabbed his parents and everyone else? What happened to the government guys at Brad's house? Why was Robby unphased by the disappearance of his parents? How did the stuffed animals come to life? What caused everyone's eyes to pop and why are there so many corpses lying around when at the beginning everyone simply disappeared?
The story progressed as the group executed their wacky plan to save the world. Finally, we reached the unsatisfying conclusion where nothing about the apocalypse was explained and so many questions were left unanswered. What took over the world? Is it over? What now? I guess we find out in the second book. But I'm not in a hurry to find out.
The story follows Robby and Brad as they battle to survive in the new frozen world searching for other survivors and clues as to what happened. Robby and Brad eventually find each other and form a group with a few other survivors. Robby comes up with a theory trying to explain what happened and the group starts planning to take the world back.
Extinct was a good read overall with some interesting ideas and adventures, but I do have a few gripes with it. Robby almost immediately jumps to the conclusion that this is an extinction event caused by an unknown organism despite having no evidence of this other than a few people missing in a blizzard. Even if you immerse yourself in the world, many parts of the book weren't believable and didn't make any sense. Why was Robby seemingly immune to the creatures that grabbed his parents and everyone else? What happened to the government guys at Brad's house? Why was Robby unphased by the disappearance of his parents? How did the stuffed animals come to life? What caused everyone's eyes to pop and why are there so many corpses lying around when at the beginning everyone simply disappeared?
The story progressed as the group executed their wacky plan to save the world. Finally, we reached the unsatisfying conclusion where nothing about the apocalypse was explained and so many questions were left unanswered. What took over the world? Is it over? What now? I guess we find out in the second book. But I'm not in a hurry to find out.
October 23, 2018
"Winter hit like a hammer, right on Thanksgiving Day."
This is quite the unusual post-apocalyptic tale. Author Hamill came up with quite a few twists and turns in this first book in a series.
Robby, 13 years old and brilliant, is home on a small island off the coast of Maine when people start disappearing into thin air.
Brad is at home inland from Robby when strange things start to appear in his yard. And THEN the government comes and isolates him in his house. Then the mother of all snowstorms hits.
Robby and Brad join up with the few other survivors in Portland, Maine that they find while unusual, life-threatening occurrences happen all around them.
I don't know whether I like this book or not. The narrative is chaotic with chunks of storyline missing that only get halfway explained later in the book. But I really do like Robby and Brad's characters.
I would have rated this 3 1/2 stars if I could have. Strange but compelling and I'm going to continue with book 2 in the series INSTINCT.
This is quite the unusual post-apocalyptic tale. Author Hamill came up with quite a few twists and turns in this first book in a series.
Robby, 13 years old and brilliant, is home on a small island off the coast of Maine when people start disappearing into thin air.
Brad is at home inland from Robby when strange things start to appear in his yard. And THEN the government comes and isolates him in his house. Then the mother of all snowstorms hits.
Robby and Brad join up with the few other survivors in Portland, Maine that they find while unusual, life-threatening occurrences happen all around them.
I don't know whether I like this book or not. The narrative is chaotic with chunks of storyline missing that only get halfway explained later in the book. But I really do like Robby and Brad's characters.
I would have rated this 3 1/2 stars if I could have. Strange but compelling and I'm going to continue with book 2 in the series INSTINCT.
January 30, 2021
Interesting ideas, not always perfect execution.
This story was definitely flawed and it took me a bit longer to get through it because certain parts could have been done better, in my opinion. However this story has some great ideas and enough legs to it that I will be continuing with the characters in the next book. Not every detail in this book seemed to pay off but I will reserve judgement until I read all four. Definitely worth a shot if you enjoy aspects of action, horror, mystery, and science fiction blended together.
This story was definitely flawed and it took me a bit longer to get through it because certain parts could have been done better, in my opinion. However this story has some great ideas and enough legs to it that I will be continuing with the characters in the next book. Not every detail in this book seemed to pay off but I will reserve judgement until I read all four. Definitely worth a shot if you enjoy aspects of action, horror, mystery, and science fiction blended together.
August 1, 2018
Good reading
It was an interesting reading. I quite enjoyed, but it was also kind of a mess. So many stuff where happening at the same time.
Overall, was entertaining.
It was an interesting reading. I quite enjoyed, but it was also kind of a mess. So many stuff where happening at the same time.
Overall, was entertaining.
January 17, 2016
Extinct
It's Thanksgiving Day and everyone is set to enjoy the holiday when a strange sound is heard. This is not upsetting to anyone because most are already upset, as they have family members that are unaccountable. Where are they? As some people start looking for the lost friends or family members ...they are suddenly jerked up in the air and simply disappear.When the phenomenon is finally witnessed everyone quickly seek to run and escape. But escape to where. Soon there seems to be only hands full of people to be found, scattered around the world. Have they escaped this APOCALYPTIC happening, or has it just not bought up to them yet. This book takes you through their struggles to survive and their attempts to help each other. Can they even survive, and if so for what? This is a THRILLING MYSTERY that is surely the most different Apocalyptic book you will have read. I RECOMMEND it and hope you too will ENJOY the read.
It's Thanksgiving Day and everyone is set to enjoy the holiday when a strange sound is heard. This is not upsetting to anyone because most are already upset, as they have family members that are unaccountable. Where are they? As some people start looking for the lost friends or family members ...they are suddenly jerked up in the air and simply disappear.When the phenomenon is finally witnessed everyone quickly seek to run and escape. But escape to where. Soon there seems to be only hands full of people to be found, scattered around the world. Have they escaped this APOCALYPTIC happening, or has it just not bought up to them yet. This book takes you through their struggles to survive and their attempts to help each other. Can they even survive, and if so for what? This is a THRILLING MYSTERY that is surely the most different Apocalyptic book you will have read. I RECOMMEND it and hope you too will ENJOY the read.
January 13, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this story. It's another dystopian story, but instead of a new government system or whatever there is nothing. Nearly every Human on earth is dead and the story follows what happens to the remaining few.
I found the story gripping and even a bit creepy in places. I was constantly keen to find out what would happen next and learn more about what had actually happened in the first place. In the end the There are also still some unanswered questions which are intriguing. Therefore I would certainly be interested in reading the second book. However it is perfectly possible to read this as a one off story.
I found the story gripping and even a bit creepy in places. I was constantly keen to find out what would happen next and learn more about what had actually happened in the first place. In the end the There are also still some unanswered questions which are intriguing. Therefore I would certainly be interested in reading the second book. However it is perfectly possible to read this as a one off story.
May 28, 2021
UPDATE:
Found myself thrashing around for the next read and decided to look back at series I had started and not finished. When I came to Mr. Hamill's INSTINCT I thought I'd give it a try. It's free with KindleUnlimited.
As I started the book (#2) I contemplated skimming EXTINCT to refresh my memory. And I turned out re-reading the book.
Maybe it's the Pandemic but I think I enjoyed this quick, fun read more this time than the last.
Currently 99 cents and if you're in the mood for an adventure-disaster book that's not depressing or gore filled.
~
Good Post-Apoc novel. I liked the book and cared about the two main characters. I though the author created realistic characters in Robby and Brad. I thought his end of world was novel and that this book was worth Recommending to other Post-Apoc lovers. For scifi-horror lovers, I suggest his other book.
Found myself thrashing around for the next read and decided to look back at series I had started and not finished. When I came to Mr. Hamill's INSTINCT I thought I'd give it a try. It's free with KindleUnlimited.
As I started the book (#2) I contemplated skimming EXTINCT to refresh my memory. And I turned out re-reading the book.
Maybe it's the Pandemic but I think I enjoyed this quick, fun read more this time than the last.
Currently 99 cents and if you're in the mood for an adventure-disaster book that's not depressing or gore filled.
~
Good Post-Apoc novel. I liked the book and cared about the two main characters. I though the author created realistic characters in Robby and Brad. I thought his end of world was novel and that this book was worth Recommending to other Post-Apoc lovers. For scifi-horror lovers, I suggest his other book.
May 20, 2015
I thought it was just going to be a goofy read. Two separate plots. Lots of grammatical errors. Two very weird main characters. It was interesting enough to keep me reading but I wasn't looking for that "next great book." And then.....BAM!! The plots converged and the book was ON FIRE. Couldn't put it down. Lots of excitement and it all seemed (unbelievably) possible! The conclusion of the book was even satisfying, even tho it wasn't the conclusion. You could stop reading after finishing the first book, Extinct, but you'd have to be CRAZY!!!! I went right on and downloaded INSTINCT....and although some time had passed since the ending of EXTINCT and the beginning of INSTINCT, I can tell that book two is going to be just as exciting.
July 19, 2015
I found this book on a free kindle books list so I thought I'd give it a try since I like science fiction and it's always fun to read a story based in my home state. Wow! A great science fiction apocalypse story with creepy creatures, reanimation, mysterious vines, alien invasion, and a trip to LL Beans. I enjoyed the smart young protagonist, as well as the lack of swearing and gratuitous graphic violence that often bogs down the movement of the plot. My only negative comments are some parts are slightly unbelievable and left unexplained, and as is often the case of kindle-published books could use a thorough spell check. I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoyed Douglas Preston' Impact, Dean Koontz' Phantoms, and Stephen King' The Langoliers.
August 28, 2013
The biggest snow storm for many years hits on Thanksgiving and Robby and his family are forced to flee the island where they live. However people start disappearing and Robby is left on his own to get to the mainland.
Earlier in the year Brad is holed up at home when government officials arrive to clear the area of an unusual plant. When the snow comes he too is forced to flee for help.
How these two cope with a sucession of never before seen disasters is the story of this book.
It's an interesting story although hard to believe that someone of Robby's age an command such authority.
Earlier in the year Brad is holed up at home when government officials arrive to clear the area of an unusual plant. When the snow comes he too is forced to flee for help.
How these two cope with a sucession of never before seen disasters is the story of this book.
It's an interesting story although hard to believe that someone of Robby's age an command such authority.
November 21, 2016
This was a very enjoyable read. An interesting plot and a story that moved along at a good pace. Some have commented that they were unhappy with the way in which there seemed to be no conclusion, however, there is a sequel I believe and to be fair, this first instalment did conclude well enough.
It's also fair to say that it could do with a good proof reader, who would undoubtedly spot issues such as the multiple use of the same word within a paragraph which detracted from the flow. However, editing and proof reading are costly and this I would imagine is just a happy pastime for the author.
On balance this is a very good effort and something Mr Hamill can be proud of.
It's also fair to say that it could do with a good proof reader, who would undoubtedly spot issues such as the multiple use of the same word within a paragraph which detracted from the flow. However, editing and proof reading are costly and this I would imagine is just a happy pastime for the author.
On balance this is a very good effort and something Mr Hamill can be proud of.
May 27, 2015
Steven King-ish.......
Originally I was going to say this in a critical vein (world has apocalypse, people mysteriously disappear/have eyes blown out by an unknown presence while the protagonist in Maine hears voices) sounded a lot like "The Stand". But, as I continued, i enjoyed the progression of the narrative. I have to say King has a better way with characterizations but I did find the tale to be enjoyable, if a little derivative. Still, worse things to be compared to.......
Originally I was going to say this in a critical vein (world has apocalypse, people mysteriously disappear/have eyes blown out by an unknown presence while the protagonist in Maine hears voices) sounded a lot like "The Stand". But, as I continued, i enjoyed the progression of the narrative. I have to say King has a better way with characterizations but I did find the tale to be enjoyable, if a little derivative. Still, worse things to be compared to.......
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