Title: Sanctuary
Series: Sanctuary End Times
Author: Pauline Creeden
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: 8th Spetember 2013
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In a heart-racing thriller described as Falling Skies meets The Walking Dead, Jennie struggles to find a safe place for what’s left of her family. But it seems as though there is no place sacred, no place secure. First the aliens attacked the sun, making it dimmer, weaker, and half what it used to be. Then they attacked the water supply, killing one-third of Earth’s population with a bitter contaminate. And when they unleash a new terror on humankind, the victims will wish for death, but will not find it…When the world shatters to pieces around her, will Jennie find the strength she needs to keep going?
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Series: Sanctuary End Times
Author: Pauline Creeden
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: 31st March 2015
BLURB from Goodreads
What if the Biblical End Times unfolded in a way no one told you about and the rapture didn't happen before the tribulation began...
Aliens have attacked and Rory's mother is missing, but none of that matters much to him. He's safe in his apartment complex, has his friends and his twin sister, Hailey. But as supplies start to dwindle, it becomes obvious that he needs to do something to make sure they all survive...even if it means he has to brave going outside through the Shisa and the zombies people have become. As long as they are safe, that's all that matters, right?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BOOK TRAILER
MY REVIEW
SANCTUARY
Series: Sanctuary End Times
Author: Pauline Creeden
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: 8th Spetember 2013
BLURB from Goodreads
In a heart-racing thriller described as Falling Skies meets The Walking Dead, Jennie struggles to find a safe place for what’s left of her family. But it seems as though there is no place sacred, no place secure. First the aliens attacked the sun, making it dimmer, weaker, and half what it used to be. Then they attacked the water supply, killing one-third of Earth’s population with a bitter contaminate. And when they unleash a new terror on humankind, the victims will wish for death, but will not find it…When the world shatters to pieces around her, will Jennie find the strength she needs to keep going?
Goodreads Link
PURCHASE LINKS
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I am looking forward to reading this book. My favourite genres are dystopian & post apocalyptic. From the blurb I'd guess this book is post apocalyptic. The title of the book is "sanctuary" I presume the characters within the book find or create some sort of, 'safe haven' from whatever type of apocalypse has struck the world. Then upon reading the blurb, I saw that it wasn't my the usual type of global disaster apocalypse. In this book the apocalypse is because Aliens have landed on earth. I don't normally enjoy "alien type stories" but am keeping an open mind as I approach reading this one.
MY REVIEW
I downloaded an ecopy of this book from Amazon UK when it was price promoted. I have promoted this author and her books on my blog in the past. I also read an excerpt from Survivor (the novella that is Book 2 in the Sanctuary End Times Series), and it made me want to read the series.
The cover of this book a crow sat on an outcropping of rocks looking into the sea for fish to eat. The background of the cover shows the skyline set against a damaged dimmer sun and dark clouds in the sky which creates atmosphere and adds to the post apocalyptic feel of the cover. So would the cover make me pick this one up from a book store shelf? I think being totally truthful whether I picked this book up or not would depend what was on the shelf around it. Being totally honest the cover alone would not urge me to pick this one up. It was the blurb that pulled my attention and made me ask enough questions to want to read and learn more.
Aliens have come to earth, they have attacked the sun causing it to be dimmer and not as strong or warm as it used to be. The aliens have also somehow poisoned the water supply, which has killed the fish, hence the crow on the cover, lonely and looking for food at the waters edge. The people on earth, including the military and government are just trying to stay indoors and are waiting for the aliens next move.
When the aliens make their move, no one is expecting it, or organised enough to deal with it. The military eventually prepare strategic military bases to take in survivors and provide a place of relative safety they can live in.
This book is told from various characters' points of view, what their life was before the aliens attacked, trapped in their homes watching the TV and listening to the news. The news people speak to various sources and a Dr call's the alien creatures "Shisa". The different characters also tell how they survived, the people and things they lost, as well as how they get to a military base. Then there's the question of are the military bases totally safe or will the aliens attack?
The Shisa are large dog like creatures that have hair like a lions mane with teeth like sharks! The Shisa have a long cat like tail that has a barb or sting on the end of it. The Shisa seem to attack people on a purely random basis, they then return and attack those same victims again. Could victims survive if they were bitten only once and then isolated and wait for the fever and poison to pass through their systems.
The two character's I really liked a lot and was rooting for them to survive throughout the book were Jennie and her little brother Mickey. Jennie has to be brave and grow up really quickly when she is left in charge of her and her younger brother survival in this new warped world. I also enjoyed reading about the too brothers Brad and Hugh. They are brothers but are so different, both feel a chemistry with Jennie when they first meet her. Brad is a womaniser who will spin whatever story and line he needs to, to get him where he wants to be and what he wants. Hugh is a "hot" biology teacher who taught at the school that Jennie attending, though he never taught her.
There are so many situations and scenarios that the characters have to go through, and deal with. From a parent who has been attacked locking his children away so he cannot hurt them when the "virus" gets a hold of him. Then there's a family that return to their home to hideaway and discover that all their food has been taken out of their home. They have been left with nothing. When they go to their once friendly neighbours to ask for shelter they find themselves being callously and rather blatantly ignored.
This book is not just about an apocalypse, it is about how people react to a threat they know nothing about.
The book does have a religious element to it, initially the Chapters begin with a quote from Revelations. There are also two religious characters in the form of Pastor Billy and his wife Mrs Crawfood. The Pastor and his wife station themselves at the church, as they think is the best place for them to help people. They offer "sanctuary" at the church and distribute what supplies of clothes and food they have between those survivors that have made it to the church. Pastor Billy, his wife and fellow survivors all board the church bus and head toward the military base that is taking people in.
So did I enjoy the book? Yes, it was a great mash up of Post Apocalyptic & Sci-fi genres. Would I recommend the book? Yes, I think it has a little something for everyone within this book. There's action, drama, mystery with a touch of betrayal, suspense and a hint of romance too. So it should appeal to a wide range of readers.
Would I want to read more in this series? Yes please! Although I have read an excerpt from the Survivor novella I would like to read the whole novella, and anything else that is written as part of this series. Would I want to read other titles by this author? Yes I throughly enjoyed the writing, descriptions and action in this book so I'd always check out the blurbs of anything written by this author in the future.
MY REVIEW
SURVIVOR
Author: Pauline Creeden
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: 31st March 2015
BLURB from Goodreads
What if the Biblical End Times unfolded in a way no one told you about and the rapture didn't happen before the tribulation began...
Aliens have attacked and Rory's mother is missing, but none of that matters much to him. He's safe in his apartment complex, has his friends and his twin sister, Hailey. But as supplies start to dwindle, it becomes obvious that he needs to do something to make sure they all survive...even if it means he has to brave going outside through the Shisa and the zombies people have become. As long as they are safe, that's all that matters, right?
Goodreads Link
MY REVIEW
SURVIVOR
Title: Survivor A Sanctuary Novella
Series: Sanctuary End TimesAuthor: Pauline Creeden
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: 31st March 2015
BLURB from Goodreads
What if the Biblical End Times unfolded in a way no one told you about and the rapture didn't happen before the tribulation began...
Aliens have attacked and Rory's mother is missing, but none of that matters much to him. He's safe in his apartment complex, has his friends and his twin sister, Hailey. But as supplies start to dwindle, it becomes obvious that he needs to do something to make sure they all survive...even if it means he has to brave going outside through the Shisa and the zombies people have become. As long as they are safe, that's all that matters, right?
Goodreads Link
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon UK
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Approaching this book I am quite looking forward to reading it. Even though I did actually break my own rule and read an excerpt I'm hoping that I haven't spoilt my reading experience by doing so. I really enjoyed the excerpt. and was so hooked I
went on to read book one, enjoyed that and after the excerpt couldn't wait to
read more of this series. So I decided to reread the part I had read during the excerpt
and it certainly grabbed my attention once again, so I am looking forward to
reading more.
MY REVIEW
I received this e-novella free of charge in exchange for my honest review. The cover shows what we in the UK call a "block of flats", in the USA it would probably called an apartment building. There's a couple broken down, smashed up car in front of the building. This sets the scene for the books setting, how the world has gone to ruin since the Shisa Aliens have invaded. Would the cover make me pick this one up from the book store shelf? I think it would especially if it was in the "post apocalyptic, sci-fi" section.
This book is based on different characters that are stuck together hiding out in their apartment building. The younger people/the teens in the building are tasked with going on every floor, in every flat to gather food, most importantly water and batteries and other supplies. Water has been a problem for some time and after an incident where a fight almost occurs when it is thought water has been "stolen" it is decided the teens need to search further afield and outside the relatively "safety" of the building. Two of the older residents goes out of these search parties with three of the teens. Initially these trips work well so much so, food & water rations are increased. Though they soon fall into the trap of doing more and more trips out into the dangerous "outside". The problem with this is the fact the Shisa seem to be monitoring their trips and are turning up more and more often during the supply runs. It is during one such trip that two members of the team are attacked and bitten by the Shisa. When the remainder of the party return to their building emotions are high as they have been gone the longest time, mush longer than they usually are.
Arguments begin about the risk and sense in going out again for supplies. During this heated discussion one of the older women of the group decides she and her family are going to attempt getting to the railway station that the army is regularly attending to pick up survivors.
This novella has action, drama, bravery,hope and a little greed,loss, with a little self preservation within it's pages too. One character in particular, the apartment security/attendant Mr Black, wants more supplies but is in no way willing to risk himself to acquire them. He actively encourages the teens to take all the risks. Mr Black is also the self appointed leader and decides which group will attempt the journey to the pick up point. He chooses the fittest people, leaving the second group with weaker people, less supplies and the harder journey to take.
This book is based on different characters that are stuck together hiding out in their apartment building. The younger people/the teens in the building are tasked with going on every floor, in every flat to gather food, most importantly water and batteries and other supplies. Water has been a problem for some time and after an incident where a fight almost occurs when it is thought water has been "stolen" it is decided the teens need to search further afield and outside the relatively "safety" of the building. Two of the older residents goes out of these search parties with three of the teens. Initially these trips work well so much so, food & water rations are increased. Though they soon fall into the trap of doing more and more trips out into the dangerous "outside". The problem with this is the fact the Shisa seem to be monitoring their trips and are turning up more and more often during the supply runs. It is during one such trip that two members of the team are attacked and bitten by the Shisa. When the remainder of the party return to their building emotions are high as they have been gone the longest time, mush longer than they usually are.
Arguments begin about the risk and sense in going out again for supplies. During this heated discussion one of the older women of the group decides she and her family are going to attempt getting to the railway station that the army is regularly attending to pick up survivors.
This novella has action, drama, bravery,hope and a little greed,loss, with a little self preservation within it's pages too. One character in particular, the apartment security/attendant Mr Black, wants more supplies but is in no way willing to risk himself to acquire them. He actively encourages the teens to take all the risks. Mr Black is also the self appointed leader and decides which group will attempt the journey to the pick up point. He chooses the fittest people, leaving the second group with weaker people, less supplies and the harder journey to take.
I did enjoy reading the
rest of the novella. I was originally a little worried that reading the excerpt would put
me off. To be totally honest this novella did feel harder to read compared to book one, why? I'm not really
sure. . . . was it because I had read the excerpt, or was my head still with
the characters I had grown to love in book one? I did feel like I wanted a
little glimpse of how the characters of book one were doing. I did eventually end up
forming attachments with the new characters, such as Rory and José. These two boys/teens knew that supplies were dwindling rapidly and came up with the notion of venturing away from their apartment building to seek more supplies. They were also courageous enough to carry out the ever more dangerous trips around the neighbourhood for the supplies that were needed for everyone.
I am looking forward to more of this series. In fact I broke my rule once again and read the first chapter of Book Two that is featued at the end of this novella. I really hope book two will tell us about
both sets of survivors.
Did I enjoy the novella? Once I got over the fact this novella was about different characters than those featured in book one. Although one character from book one, Hugh, did live in that building prior to the Alien attacks. I did end up enjoying the novella. Would I recommend the novella? Yes I do recommend reading the novella, as it introduces you to new characters and tell's you what else is happening within the same area that the Shisa have invaded.
Would I want to read more of this series? I definitely wanted to read more in this series, especially after reading the first chapter of book two. It seem's like the survivors from book one and some of those from the novella may meet up in book two. Sanctuary End Time's is certainly, firmly on my must read series list.
Would I want to read more titles by this author? Yes, I would like to try some of Pauline Creeden's other titles.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What genre would you place your
Sanctuary End Times books into? What made you decide to write Dystopian/Post
Apocalyptic /Sci-fi genre of book?
That’s a tough one – I’d say Science
Fiction mostly since that sort of covers all of it. I wrote the story because
as a teen, I had a hard time meshing the idea of zombies or aliens, or that
sort of apocalyptic cataclysm with my faith, since the Bible (on the surface)
doesn’t seem to mention any of that. When I got older and read the Bible
myself, and studied it, I found how the could mesh together, and wanted to
share that finding through a fictional tale that could hit home with a teen
like I was.
Do you have a favourite character from
your Sanctuary End Times Series? and why
are they your favourite?
I connect most with Jennie, but I do
love Hugh.
If you had to choose to be one of your
characters from your Sanctuary End Times Series which would you be? and why?
I would most like to be friends with
Hugh. He’s smart, brave, and a true go-getter.
Where did you get your Sanctuary End
Times Series plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
Like true science fiction, most of my
ideas come from actual science – the Yellowstone Caldera is one. But most of my
inspiration is actually the Biblical scriptures – particularly end times stuff.
What can we expect from you, in regards
to the Sanctuary End Times Series in the future? How many more books?
I know that Silence is coming – it’s
about half finished. That may be the end of the series, or if things don’t wrap
up nicely enough, there may be another. When I originally wrote Sanctuary, I
intended for it to be a stand-alone, but my readers demanded more.
Will
book two see the characters from book one Sanctuary and the novella
Survivor come together in book two?
Yes – the sneak preview of Silence hints
at how the characters run into each other at the end of Survivor. They will all
come together and work in the third.
How do you come up with the Title and
Cover Designs for your Sanctuary End Times Series so far? Who designed the
Cover of your books?
Najla Qamber is awesome and came up with
the covers for the Sanctuary End Times series. With the help of Marcy Rachel
Designs, we had developed a concept for our original cover, but over time, I
felt that the book was darker than the cover suggested, and others felt that it
played too heavily on the YA feel. So I kept my eyes open and searched artists’
pre-made designs for one that had a concept I liked, and Najla hit me with the
eventual cover of Sanctuary. Then I asked her to design the covers for both
Survivor and Silence too.
The titles have to deal with the
subjects and feel of each books, and I sort of got stuck on using one word
titles starting with S.
Did you choose a title of the
book/series first, or write the books then choose the title?
I always write or outline the books
before coming up with the titles.
How do you come up with characters names
and place names in your Sanctuary End Times Series? Do you decide on character traits (ie shy,
quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
The places are actual places here in the
Hampton Roads area of Virginia, although slightly fictionalized. The characters
often go through name changes as I write because one name might suit them
better as they reveal their characters to me. Writing a book for me is similar
to watching a movie – even when I use an outline. I just describe things as
they unfold, including the characters’ personalities.
Did you basic plot/plan for your
Sanctuary End Times Series, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you
let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
For this series, I have basic outlines.
I know the end, beginning, and some of the major peaks in the story, it’s
getting to each peak that makes writing hard – then I have to let things flow
with little guidance as it takes the story to the next part. I also have to be
flexible, as sometimes the flow takes me in different directions, too. If I try
to force things my way, I hit writers block.
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