Scott Medbury

While reading Hell Week, I kept getting a feeling that I've read this story before but couldn't place it. There is no mention of an earlier title, but after reading other reviews prior to writing this one, I got my answer. The same story was published in 5/2014 as part of a 3-part series called After Days which I read and reviewed way back then. Although Hell Week is now part of a 6-book series, I won't be pursuing this story. When rereading my earlier review, it seems like Hell Week ended sooner than the earlier title. Here is my earlier review...you decide:

After Days reminds me a little of Red Dawn. In this story, the Chinese set loose a virus that kills all adults except those with Chinese ethnicity and take over the United States with plans to repopulate the country with civilians from China. A Morse code message continues to broadcast across an AM radio channel that promises sanctuary on the Eastern Seaboard. The protagonist, a 15 year-old boy, hooks up with a close friend and together they head out to find out if Sanctuary actually exists. They meet others along the way and find themselves in life-or-death circumstances as they are hunted by Chinese soldiers and a gang of youths seeking revenge for them killing the leaders younger brother.

The group loses members along the way as they get a little bolder and go on the offensive against the gang members and Chinese Soldiers. It appears like the group will fail in their quest as they are attacked by Chinese soldiers and helicopters before reaching Sanctuary. There are some twists but eventually, the group is taken captive by soldiers in white camouflage. And then, it's the end of the story. The cliffhanger leaves readers hanging so they purchase the next book in the series to find out what happens. Who are these people? The protagonists best friend is gut shot and almost unconscious - will he survive? Does this story turn into a Red Dawn? I feel the author should have brought this story to a better conclusion for readers who are only interested in reading this one book because of others in their queue. So if readers don't want to read a partial story that ends with a number of unanswered questions then don't buy this. If you want to follow through the trilogy - buy the box set - it's less expensive.… (meer)

After Days reminds me a little of Red Dawn. In this story, the Chinese set loose a virus that kills all adults except those with Chinese ethnicity and take over the United States with plans to repopulate the country with civilians from China. A Morse code message continues to broadcast across an AM radio channel that promises sanctuary on the Eastern Seaboard. The protagonist, a 15 year-old boy, hooks up with a close friend and together they head out to find out if Sanctuary actually exists. They meet others along the way and find themselves in life-or-death circumstances as they are hunted by Chinese soldiers and a gang of youths seeking revenge for them killing the leaders younger brother.

The group loses members along the way as they get a little bolder and go on the offensive against the gang members and Chinese Soldiers. It appears like the group will fail in their quest as they are attacked by Chinese soldiers and helicopters before reaching Sanctuary. There are some twists but eventually, the group is taken captive by soldiers in white camouflage. And then, it's the end of the story. The cliffhanger leaves readers hanging so they purchase the next book in the series to find out what happens. Who are these people? The protagonists best friend is gut shot and almost unconscious - will he survive? Does this story turn into a Red Dawn? I feel the author should have brought this story to a better conclusion for readers who are only interested in reading this one book because of others in their queue. So if readers don't want to read a partial story that ends with a number of unanswered questions then don't buy this. If you want to follow through the trilogy - buy the box set - it's less expensive.

John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"… (meer)