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Black Tide Rising #3
Islands of Rage & Hope
BOOK 3 IN THE BLACK TIDE RISING SERIES FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR. Sequel to To Sail a Darkling Sea and Under a Graveyard Sky. A hardened group of survivors fights back against a zombie plague that has brought down civilization.
With the world consumed by a devastating plague that drives humans violently insane, what was once a band of desperate survivors bobbing on a dark Atlantic ocean has now become Wolf Squadron, the only hope for the salvation of the human race. Banding together with what remains of the U.S. Navy, Wolf Squadron, and its leader Steve Smith, not only plans to survive—he plans to retake the mainland from the infected, starting with North America.
The next step: produce a vaccine. But for do that, Wolf Squadron forces led by Smith’s terrifyingly precocious daughters Sophia and Faith must venture into a sea of the infected to obtain and secure the needed materials. And if some of the rescued survivors turn out to be more than they seem, Smith just might be able to pull off his plan.
Once more, exhausted and redlining Wolf Squadron forces must throw themselves into battle, scouring the islands of the Atlantic for civilization's last hope.
BLACK TIDE RISING SERIES:
Under a Graveyard Sky
To Sail a Darkling Sea
Islands of Hope and Rage
Strands of Sorrow (upcoming)
With the world consumed by a devastating plague that drives humans violently insane, what was once a band of desperate survivors bobbing on a dark Atlantic ocean has now become Wolf Squadron, the only hope for the salvation of the human race. Banding together with what remains of the U.S. Navy, Wolf Squadron, and its leader Steve Smith, not only plans to survive—he plans to retake the mainland from the infected, starting with North America.
The next step: produce a vaccine. But for do that, Wolf Squadron forces led by Smith’s terrifyingly precocious daughters Sophia and Faith must venture into a sea of the infected to obtain and secure the needed materials. And if some of the rescued survivors turn out to be more than they seem, Smith just might be able to pull off his plan.
Once more, exhausted and redlining Wolf Squadron forces must throw themselves into battle, scouring the islands of the Atlantic for civilization's last hope.
BLACK TIDE RISING SERIES:
Under a Graveyard Sky
To Sail a Darkling Sea
Islands of Hope and Rage
Strands of Sorrow (upcoming)
416 pages, Hardcover
First published July 15, 2014
About the author
John Ringo
112 books1,787 followersJohn Ringo is a prolific author who has written in a wide variety of genres. His early life included a great deal of travel. He visited 23 foreign countries, and attended fourteen different schools. After graduation Ringo enlisted in the US military for four years, after which he studied marine biology.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 27, 2014
http://koeur.wordpress.com/2014/06/27...
Publisher: Baen
Publishing Date: August 2014
ISBN: 9781476736624
Genre: I think SciFi
Rating: 0.5/5
Publisher Description: With the world consumed by a devastating plague that drives humans violently insane, what was once a band of desperate survivors bobbing on a dark Atlantic ocean has now become Wolf Squadron, the only hope for the salvation of the human race. Banding together with what remains of the U.S. Navy, Wolf Squadron, and its leader Steve Smith, not only plans to survive—he plans to retake the mainland from the infected, starting with North America.
Review: Cool cover art.
I just can’t seem to get over the hump on this series. There are two huge glaring, non-believable holes in the story-line. Faith and Hope. Faith, a 13 year old marine platoon leader that is this legendary zombie killer that garners the respect of the entire military and will faith-fully follow her into hell and back. Her sister is a 15 year old ensign in the Navy and commands a ship of her own. Are you fugging kidding me? Really? I don’t even know where to start as I have a hard time suspending my dis-belief in order to read this crap.
The author did a better job on the firearm portion this go around but still misses the mark, imho, on a few things. How does a 13 year old girl wear a 100+ pound ruck, abseil down to a rooftop from a helicopter? Also, why is she still using a crappy Saiga? And if she is taking on hundreds of zombies, why would she take a Saiga? The weight and space that shotgun shells take up would prohibit her taking the multiple weapons and ammo that she did. We hear the same old crap about the 5.56 Barbie gun, when accuracy is really the issue. The author makes good use of a head shooter in the building that begins to make sense, finally.
There is one passage that was reminiscent of the trapped marines all agreeing that they would go insane if they didn’t get to rotational rape…..er have sex with the lone marine female in the group (whom got pregnant) that tends to resonate in vile fashion. See two kids are rescued that were on a lifeboat. They find out that the 12 year old girl is extremely pregnant. Only the two claim that they never had sex. They examine the girl and find that her hymen is intact. When questioning the 17 year old kid, they find that he had nocturnal emissions. So according to Mr. Science Marine guy when a female likes a certain male her labia expands and when added with the high salt content of the water in the life boat mixing with the kids semen (super sperm) it somehow managed to facilitate an immaculate conception. Fug. Not only is this a stupid unnecessary interlude, but Mr. Marine Science suggests that since she is pregnant anyway that they need to start having sex at least once per day in order to thin the vaginal walls for easing child birth. What this has to do with killing zombies finding a vaccine and securing areas for normals I have no fucking idea.
Despite obvious story-line fails, as mentioned, the dialogue was extremely heavy and jumped around to the point where you didn’t know where the shjt you were in the story until a few pages later. “Oh, I see where we are. We are no longer on a ship, but at Gitmo”.
I have shot in high level shooting competitions with 10-18 year olds and I can tell you, that at 13, kids just do not have the strength, speed, experience, agility, endurance to pull off anything resembling what the author purports in his anti-heroine, Faith. And that’s just the physical side of things. Faith also has the intellect and presence to command a marine platoon and the adult gift of internalizing bloodshed and a broken humanity on an epic scale? Fug this book.
Publisher: Baen
Publishing Date: August 2014
ISBN: 9781476736624
Genre: I think SciFi
Rating: 0.5/5
Publisher Description: With the world consumed by a devastating plague that drives humans violently insane, what was once a band of desperate survivors bobbing on a dark Atlantic ocean has now become Wolf Squadron, the only hope for the salvation of the human race. Banding together with what remains of the U.S. Navy, Wolf Squadron, and its leader Steve Smith, not only plans to survive—he plans to retake the mainland from the infected, starting with North America.
Review: Cool cover art.
I just can’t seem to get over the hump on this series. There are two huge glaring, non-believable holes in the story-line. Faith and Hope. Faith, a 13 year old marine platoon leader that is this legendary zombie killer that garners the respect of the entire military and will faith-fully follow her into hell and back. Her sister is a 15 year old ensign in the Navy and commands a ship of her own. Are you fugging kidding me? Really? I don’t even know where to start as I have a hard time suspending my dis-belief in order to read this crap.
The author did a better job on the firearm portion this go around but still misses the mark, imho, on a few things. How does a 13 year old girl wear a 100+ pound ruck, abseil down to a rooftop from a helicopter? Also, why is she still using a crappy Saiga? And if she is taking on hundreds of zombies, why would she take a Saiga? The weight and space that shotgun shells take up would prohibit her taking the multiple weapons and ammo that she did. We hear the same old crap about the 5.56 Barbie gun, when accuracy is really the issue. The author makes good use of a head shooter in the building that begins to make sense, finally.
There is one passage that was reminiscent of the trapped marines all agreeing that they would go insane if they didn’t get to rotational rape…..er have sex with the lone marine female in the group (whom got pregnant) that tends to resonate in vile fashion. See two kids are rescued that were on a lifeboat. They find out that the 12 year old girl is extremely pregnant. Only the two claim that they never had sex. They examine the girl and find that her hymen is intact. When questioning the 17 year old kid, they find that he had nocturnal emissions. So according to Mr. Science Marine guy when a female likes a certain male her labia expands and when added with the high salt content of the water in the life boat mixing with the kids semen (super sperm) it somehow managed to facilitate an immaculate conception. Fug. Not only is this a stupid unnecessary interlude, but Mr. Marine Science suggests that since she is pregnant anyway that they need to start having sex at least once per day in order to thin the vaginal walls for easing child birth. What this has to do with killing zombies finding a vaccine and securing areas for normals I have no fucking idea.
Despite obvious story-line fails, as mentioned, the dialogue was extremely heavy and jumped around to the point where you didn’t know where the shjt you were in the story until a few pages later. “Oh, I see where we are. We are no longer on a ship, but at Gitmo”.
I have shot in high level shooting competitions with 10-18 year olds and I can tell you, that at 13, kids just do not have the strength, speed, experience, agility, endurance to pull off anything resembling what the author purports in his anti-heroine, Faith. And that’s just the physical side of things. Faith also has the intellect and presence to command a marine platoon and the adult gift of internalizing bloodshed and a broken humanity on an epic scale? Fug this book.
August 26, 2018
Yet another awesome installment of one of my favorite series. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.
2018 reread: Still worthy of 6 stars.
2018 reread: Still worthy of 6 stars.
August 24, 2014
3 stars for the first 50%
4 stars for the last 50%
The pacing of the first half of the book just dragged, and I had to force myself to keep reading. Once the squadron finally headed off to battle the undead, though, I couldn't stop reading. The final action sequence in London was fantastic. I loved Faith diving into battle, and discovering Walker's real identity. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
4 stars for the last 50%
The pacing of the first half of the book just dragged, and I had to force myself to keep reading. Once the squadron finally headed off to battle the undead, though, I couldn't stop reading. The final action sequence in London was fantastic. I loved Faith diving into battle, and discovering Walker's real identity. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 15, 2014
I stalk baen like a... stalker... AND AM THUS REWARDED
it was fantastic
I lol'd
my finals are done and I'm not doing those two papers, fahgetaboutit
it's so funny
yeah I'm not coherent
so now I wake up in about 3 1/2 hours and am gonna work... yay fun... yeah...
maybe type more later, when I can feel like my fingers are attached to my body... or something
it was fantastic
I lol'd
my finals are done and I'm not doing those two papers, fahgetaboutit
it's so funny
yeah I'm not coherent
so now I wake up in about 3 1/2 hours and am gonna work... yay fun... yeah...
maybe type more later, when I can feel like my fingers are attached to my body... or something
September 30, 2014
Well the Zombie story builds on.. After awhile-- it is more about rebuilding for mankind than it is fighting zombies... Still, after awhile, some of the zombie fighting action does seem a bit silly..
In the three books I've read of this series only one zombie fighter has died-- and that was from falling into the ocean and being consumed by sharks on a feeding frenzy from zombie bodies. One marine is wounded by friendly fire (remarkable given some of the circumstances)--
Ringo's reliance on a thirteen year old heroine as the super zombie fighter of all time continues to annoy and defy reality. In the last book, we saw signs of her teenage psyche showing a few cracks and making her more human.. but, alas, in this one, she's back to being Wonder woman, the terminator, super-girl and G.I. Joe all in one. I get the impression Ringo wrote this character for a daughter-- and forgot about any semblance of realism and\or reality.
To be fair and balanced, Ringo is focusing on those who are doing something to help rebuild-- the lazy, the insane, the injured or infirmed who are shuttled away from the story (with the exception of several marines and I won't spoil that part of the story for you) -- with a sentence of two and never mentioned again. Ringo is trying to write about the rebirth of the human race-- climbing back out of the pit of despair, assessing what might be left and making the best of it.
However, I think Ringo forgets that even those who are working diligently to rebuild sometimes lose it. The 13 year old comes close but then pulls it together, because, by God, now she is a marine.
Ringo paints a military logistic picture, but the human element continues to be the missing element in this series. All of these people are dealing with their great loss with hardly a tear shed. Nobody sits around morosely drinking or moping-- nobody contemplates suicide-- nobody wonders about their own sanity after killing hundreds of zombies--
I was telling my friend that the thing that makes "The Walking Dead" so awesome is the human emotion in the midst of an apocalypse. His response was "This is not the walking dead!" and I agree..it's not! Ringo has a different picture to paint-- most of it revolves around those who are military\former military or military wannabes who are willing to come together and rebuild. He wants to paint a picture not of complete hopelessness, but of man's ability to react and rebuild after ALL is lost. It is a story about survival and man's ability to rise to the challenge.
However, with that said-- Ringo forgets that part of that challenge is dealing with the overwhelming sense of loss. He forgets the human element by creating superhuman marine types. He leaves behind the reality of emotion by forcing his characters to just keep building-- just keep killing-- just keep sailing-- just keep planning-- without giving them time to respond to their loss.
If you want to read a military-heavy textbook for rebuilding after a zombie plague-- this series is for you. If you want to find real human people dealing with the terror and tragedy-- it is sorely lacking here...
Is this a good series.. I think with the window of hope in the third book it is improving. Ringo introduced some more characters and some sunshine rays of hope that lightened it and I'll keep going.. but I hope Ringo-- somewhere along the line-- allows his superheroes a chance to respond emotionally to the death and loss around them...
In the three books I've read of this series only one zombie fighter has died-- and that was from falling into the ocean and being consumed by sharks on a feeding frenzy from zombie bodies. One marine is wounded by friendly fire (remarkable given some of the circumstances)--
Ringo's reliance on a thirteen year old heroine as the super zombie fighter of all time continues to annoy and defy reality. In the last book, we saw signs of her teenage psyche showing a few cracks and making her more human.. but, alas, in this one, she's back to being Wonder woman, the terminator, super-girl and G.I. Joe all in one. I get the impression Ringo wrote this character for a daughter-- and forgot about any semblance of realism and\or reality.
To be fair and balanced, Ringo is focusing on those who are doing something to help rebuild-- the lazy, the insane, the injured or infirmed who are shuttled away from the story (with the exception of several marines and I won't spoil that part of the story for you) -- with a sentence of two and never mentioned again. Ringo is trying to write about the rebirth of the human race-- climbing back out of the pit of despair, assessing what might be left and making the best of it.
However, I think Ringo forgets that even those who are working diligently to rebuild sometimes lose it. The 13 year old comes close but then pulls it together, because, by God, now she is a marine.
Ringo paints a military logistic picture, but the human element continues to be the missing element in this series. All of these people are dealing with their great loss with hardly a tear shed. Nobody sits around morosely drinking or moping-- nobody contemplates suicide-- nobody wonders about their own sanity after killing hundreds of zombies--
I was telling my friend that the thing that makes "The Walking Dead" so awesome is the human emotion in the midst of an apocalypse. His response was "This is not the walking dead!" and I agree..it's not! Ringo has a different picture to paint-- most of it revolves around those who are military\former military or military wannabes who are willing to come together and rebuild. He wants to paint a picture not of complete hopelessness, but of man's ability to react and rebuild after ALL is lost. It is a story about survival and man's ability to rise to the challenge.
However, with that said-- Ringo forgets that part of that challenge is dealing with the overwhelming sense of loss. He forgets the human element by creating superhuman marine types. He leaves behind the reality of emotion by forcing his characters to just keep building-- just keep killing-- just keep sailing-- just keep planning-- without giving them time to respond to their loss.
If you want to read a military-heavy textbook for rebuilding after a zombie plague-- this series is for you. If you want to find real human people dealing with the terror and tragedy-- it is sorely lacking here...
Is this a good series.. I think with the window of hope in the third book it is improving. Ringo introduced some more characters and some sunshine rays of hope that lightened it and I'll keep going.. but I hope Ringo-- somewhere along the line-- allows his superheroes a chance to respond emotionally to the death and loss around them...
December 20, 2021
3 AND 1/2 STARS
This third book in John Ringo's Black Tide Rising series is just as good as the others. However, unlike other readers, I didn't find this any better than the previous two books. The author spends too much time with repetitive technical details and only spends five percent of the book in battle situations against the enemy. For me, I really wanted more action and danger because the characters never really feel as if they can't handle the situations they are thrown into. At over 500 pages, I expected a lot more out of this book, but Ringo still has a talent for keeping me interested with some interesting scenarios, so I'll be back for the fourth installment. But the next book might be my last with this series.
This third book in John Ringo's Black Tide Rising series is just as good as the others. However, unlike other readers, I didn't find this any better than the previous two books. The author spends too much time with repetitive technical details and only spends five percent of the book in battle situations against the enemy. For me, I really wanted more action and danger because the characters never really feel as if they can't handle the situations they are thrown into. At over 500 pages, I expected a lot more out of this book, but Ringo still has a talent for keeping me interested with some interesting scenarios, so I'll be back for the fourth installment. But the next book might be my last with this series.
August 18, 2014
I really enjoy this series by John Ringo. "Islands of Rage and Hope" is his take on the zombie apocalypse trope and he is does a thorough job of it.
- Plenty of action
- incredibly realistic military-"sci-fi"
- hard science and physics
- good (not great) rising tension
- his final "climactic" scenes are done as well as anything you've read
I suspect not all readers would enjoy this series as much as I. The primary characters brush up against the ceiling of disbelief from time to time, but the hell with it; so much fun to read.
In addition, Ringo provides one of the best examples of a "slow play" introduction of a mystery character I've ever seen. Goes a little like this...
1. Seemingly ordinary bit character arrives on the scene.
2. Adds value with unusual/valuable skills or background.
3. Main characters are curious and dig deeper.
4. Blocked or obstacle put in way
5. During the course of the story, additional minor details are dropped, adding to the air of mystery.
6. Up to this point, no firm details have been provided and the sense of mystery deepens further.
7. A scene is written in which the reader is SURE the answers will be revealed, but it is a tease.
8. At a fitting point, usually the climax or where a profound reversal of fortune occurs, the mystery is cleared up, AWESOMENESS takes over and the story proceeds with much head nodding and several "Hell, yeahs!" along the way.
- Plenty of action
- incredibly realistic military-"sci-fi"
- hard science and physics
- good (not great) rising tension
- his final "climactic" scenes are done as well as anything you've read
I suspect not all readers would enjoy this series as much as I. The primary characters brush up against the ceiling of disbelief from time to time, but the hell with it; so much fun to read.
In addition, Ringo provides one of the best examples of a "slow play" introduction of a mystery character I've ever seen. Goes a little like this...
1. Seemingly ordinary bit character arrives on the scene.
2. Adds value with unusual/valuable skills or background.
3. Main characters are curious and dig deeper.
4. Blocked or obstacle put in way
5. During the course of the story, additional minor details are dropped, adding to the air of mystery.
6. Up to this point, no firm details have been provided and the sense of mystery deepens further.
7. A scene is written in which the reader is SURE the answers will be revealed, but it is a tease.
8. At a fitting point, usually the climax or where a profound reversal of fortune occurs, the mystery is cleared up, AWESOMENESS takes over and the story proceeds with much head nodding and several "Hell, yeahs!" along the way.
August 6, 2020
it's john ringo, if you like military fiction, or milspec sci fi, you should know who he is, if you don't then you've got a wonderful 6 or 8 months ahead as you clear all the other books he's written to date. A new release means the to read pile gets skipped.
April 30, 2021
I love this series! Faith was a hoot during the last mission! Oorah!
2nd reading! Still good!
2019 Quick re-read! I enjoy watching Decker and Condrey get their sanity back!
2021 reread! I still get a kick out of Faith!
2nd reading! Still good!
2019 Quick re-read! I enjoy watching Decker and Condrey get their sanity back!
2021 reread! I still get a kick out of Faith!
April 1, 2020
I like this series; it's a good STORY... now if it was better WRITTEN...
most of the story is pure exposition with snippet-scenes of action. SHOW me, don't tell me, huh?
most of the story is pure exposition with snippet-scenes of action. SHOW me, don't tell me, huh?
January 16, 2018
YES! Finally we get to a real Ringo ringer! This one was perfectly balanced in terms of action, character development, and that patented Ringo 'Holy crap, how did you think of that! That's so friggin' cool' factor. I got several 'Hell, Yeah!' fist pump moments in this one, and one hell of an ending!
The plot takes you from the Atlantic crossing from the Canary Islands to Gitmo. Then you have lots of different scenarios encountered during the clearance of the Windward Isles as they search for the ingredients to make vaccine for the sub sailors that are still trapped in self-imposed quarantine. The last two 'missions' are pretty awesome, but I won't spoil those.
The main characters grow a lot in this one, and the Smith girls are still hyper-capable, but not as in-your-face Mary Sue as the last book. You get to meet some other folks that I found quite interesting, but I won't spoil that for you. Hey, you even get to meet some royalty in this one!
Even the logistics portions of the book seemed to be more interesting and less info-dumpy that the last book. Probably because it's interspersed with more action. And, thankfully, the mil-speak was much better explained in this one. I actually learned quite a bit.
I highly recommend this book, and it alone make the series worth diving into. I give it five stars and call it an Hoorah! Read.
The plot takes you from the Atlantic crossing from the Canary Islands to Gitmo. Then you have lots of different scenarios encountered during the clearance of the Windward Isles as they search for the ingredients to make vaccine for the sub sailors that are still trapped in self-imposed quarantine. The last two 'missions' are pretty awesome, but I won't spoil those.
The main characters grow a lot in this one, and the Smith girls are still hyper-capable, but not as in-your-face Mary Sue as the last book. You get to meet some other folks that I found quite interesting, but I won't spoil that for you. Hey, you even get to meet some royalty in this one!
Even the logistics portions of the book seemed to be more interesting and less info-dumpy that the last book. Probably because it's interspersed with more action. And, thankfully, the mil-speak was much better explained in this one. I actually learned quite a bit.
I highly recommend this book, and it alone make the series worth diving into. I give it five stars and call it an Hoorah! Read.
November 26, 2021
Large amount of american military abreviations. However, the overall story and idea is still great and the characters have good form and meaning. Good read!
August 29, 2021
The zombie plague--which turns still living beings into murderous, none-too-intelligent cannibals--is still in full swing. Survivors are still scattered on rooftops and ships, huddling and conserving dwindling supplies, waiting for rescue. And that is Wolf Squadron's job--to provide that rescue. Once a small group of survivors, they've grown in numbers, and now they have a new mission--to make vaccine, so they can start to recover the land.
Which means several dangers trips to zombie-infested land, gathering the supplies and finding a location to make it in, and hopefully the personnel with the skills to make sure their efforts are not in vain. Because Faith and Sophia, the daughters of Wolf Squadron's leader, are intelligent and strong young women--but they're still teens, and shouldering the burden of saving humanity is a lot to ask. It's a lot to ask of the whole Squadron--but that's what they're going to do.
There's plenty of character development amid the battles and shambling zombies, though the focus is still mostly on the core group. It's interesting to see what growing up in a post-apocalyptic world does to your definition of normal, or achievable. The personal struggles to find your place shouldn't seem to important with all the efforts to simply live, but people are still people. Once again, and detailed look at the military structure, and how they might work in such dire straits. For the most part, it feels like it could happen this way, though I did catch a 'myth' told as truth, which it most certainly is not--and I would hope the characters would know that, too.
Which means several dangers trips to zombie-infested land, gathering the supplies and finding a location to make it in, and hopefully the personnel with the skills to make sure their efforts are not in vain. Because Faith and Sophia, the daughters of Wolf Squadron's leader, are intelligent and strong young women--but they're still teens, and shouldering the burden of saving humanity is a lot to ask. It's a lot to ask of the whole Squadron--but that's what they're going to do.
There's plenty of character development amid the battles and shambling zombies, though the focus is still mostly on the core group. It's interesting to see what growing up in a post-apocalyptic world does to your definition of normal, or achievable. The personal struggles to find your place shouldn't seem to important with all the efforts to simply live, but people are still people. Once again, and detailed look at the military structure, and how they might work in such dire straits. For the most part, it feels like it could happen this way, though I did catch a 'myth' told as truth, which it most certainly is not--and I would hope the characters would know that, too.
April 20, 2016
Very briefly:
Much of this book read like the previous one, which meant it bogged down in jargon-laden administrivia, earning it a three-star base score. Things pepped up nicely with a couple of epic clearing actions and a solid achievement at the end, earning a bonus star. However, the absolutely appalling scene that started Chapter Two was not only utterly squicky, but completely POINTLESS since the young refugees in question never appear again. It's gratuitously disgusting, and took that bonus star away with interest. Yes, it's a fascinating medical case study, but it still should've been cut as irrelevant to the plot - and Walker's mansplaining (seriously, you're explaining female physiology to a crew of WOMEN?) and creeptastic assessment of the extremely young girl are just... yuck. I need a shower. Please, nobody put Walker on babysitting duty!
Final judgment: 2.75 stars, rounded up to three after serious thought. I nearly rounded down to two, but the final battle of the book was an accomplishment in several ways.
Much of this book read like the previous one, which meant it bogged down in jargon-laden administrivia, earning it a three-star base score. Things pepped up nicely with a couple of epic clearing actions and a solid achievement at the end, earning a bonus star. However, the absolutely appalling scene that started Chapter Two was not only utterly squicky, but completely POINTLESS since the young refugees in question never appear again. It's gratuitously disgusting, and took that bonus star away with interest. Yes, it's a fascinating medical case study, but it still should've been cut as irrelevant to the plot - and Walker's mansplaining (seriously, you're explaining female physiology to a crew of WOMEN?) and creeptastic assessment of the extremely young girl are just... yuck. I need a shower. Please, nobody put Walker on babysitting duty!
Final judgment: 2.75 stars, rounded up to three after serious thought. I nearly rounded down to two, but the final battle of the book was an accomplishment in several ways.
October 16, 2014
I got both books two and three at the same time and finished them back to back. I've come to love to hate Ringo at times, but I really did enjoy this book.
If you've already been reading the series you'll know by now that the Wolf Squadron needed a land base with sufficient resources and once the Atlantic hurricane season was over cleared the US military base in Guantanamo Bay. From there the story alternates between Sophia and Faith's role. For me the story really picks up pace when Sophie and Faith lead their teams to search for a medical facility to create a vaccination, and also clear a landing site for the crew of the International Space Station.
I had read a spoiler review which mentioned London. I will not add to the spoiler except to say that I found the climax of the novel in the ruins of London was well done, especially the over the top part when Walker reveals who he really is.
Unlike the previous two novels, this one actually ends at a logical moment leaving the reader feeling that the next book will be upbeat and conclude the series.
If you've already been reading the series you'll know by now that the Wolf Squadron needed a land base with sufficient resources and once the Atlantic hurricane season was over cleared the US military base in Guantanamo Bay. From there the story alternates between Sophia and Faith's role. For me the story really picks up pace when Sophie and Faith lead their teams to search for a medical facility to create a vaccination, and also clear a landing site for the crew of the International Space Station.
I had read a spoiler review which mentioned London. I will not add to the spoiler except to say that I found the climax of the novel in the ruins of London was well done, especially the over the top part when Walker reveals who he really is.
Unlike the previous two novels, this one actually ends at a logical moment leaving the reader feeling that the next book will be upbeat and conclude the series.
September 27, 2018
getting worse.
action ok;
Characters...let's not talk about Faith. Let's not talk about any of them...
The white supremacist dream where only pretty white girl survive is getting old.
And seriously no, all the women won't get pregnant. If we are blocked in a closed space with little to no water and limited food, most women (and I suppose some men) can understand adding a new personne is stupid; And that is even without considering the dangers of pregnancy and the fact that babies tend also to crap; Absent rape there is no way any normaly intelligent woman will get pregnant in such conditions. Maybe a few cases of totally ignorant girls, yes; All ? Not in a million years.
Men do not get any dangerous side effet from not having p-i-v sex.
Also, please, please, get a native to write your dialogues. Your "French speaking" guy level is "I speak Anglish very good". "Je parle Francaise. Parfait"...no, no, no... "Je parle Francais. Parfaitement". His humble description of being able to speak perfectly in a dozen languages is a lot less impressive if that is "speaking perfectly"
action ok;
Characters...let's not talk about Faith. Let's not talk about any of them...
The white supremacist dream where only pretty white girl survive is getting old.
And seriously no, all the women won't get pregnant. If we are blocked in a closed space with little to no water and limited food, most women (and I suppose some men) can understand adding a new personne is stupid; And that is even without considering the dangers of pregnancy and the fact that babies tend also to crap; Absent rape there is no way any normaly intelligent woman will get pregnant in such conditions. Maybe a few cases of totally ignorant girls, yes; All ? Not in a million years.
Men do not get any dangerous side effet from not having p-i-v sex.
Also, please, please, get a native to write your dialogues. Your "French speaking" guy level is "I speak Anglish very good". "Je parle Francaise. Parfait"...no, no, no... "Je parle Francais. Parfaitement". His humble description of being able to speak perfectly in a dozen languages is a lot less impressive if that is "speaking perfectly"
May 21, 2014
Once again I am left wanting MORE. I feel like some sort of virtual vampire not getting enough. John Ringo; you rock and why can't you write faster than I read? :) This series is starting to develop nicely. Faith is still Faith and the zombies still die in windrows. What happens in the cabin stays in the cabin :)
June 9, 2019
An airborne plague is turning people into zombie-like creatures. The lucky few saw something like this might be possible. One family sets their survival plan in motion at the earliest moment so they manage to stay ahead of the collapse of civilization. They take to the sea in a sailboat. But while they manage to survive, they find out the problems have followed them even in the vast oceans of the world. They realize that they can survive but if they want to ever have a real life again, it will be up to them to start saving the world.
The third book in the series. It continues to expand on the story form books one and two. You should definitely read them in order to get the full enjoyment from them.
There are tons of zombie books out there. Also tons of stories where people manage to survive and start fighting the zombies. But they usually have a ton of problems as well. The zombies are nearly unstoppable whether they are created from a scientific method (plague) or magical method (the dead walking) or even if as so often happens, nothing explains the zombies. The zombies continue to spread because they keep attacking people (to either eat them or at least their brains) which really doesn't make sense. If the zombies are eating the people (or their brains) where are the new zombies coming from? They should just be getting killed, not turned for the most part. This type of zombie has to actually destroyed since they don't succumb to disease, starvation , or other problem.
But the Black Tide Rising series is different. It has zombies that follow logic and actual real world biology. The disease that causes the zombies acts like a disease. People can die form it. If they turn into a raging zombie-like monster, they can still starve to death and die for exposure (even if they more resistant to these). A vaccine is possible. The people fighting the zombies have actual plans better than "Look, zombies. Let's shoot them a lot out in the open."
The characters in the series are awesome. They are well-thought out and complex. It is true that some characters don't get much time in the spotlight (the mom is the best example.) But there are a lot of characters and the number grows as the series goes on, so not all could get a lot of focus. I did enjoy that the 2 main characters turned out to be the teenage girls.
The third book in the series. It continues to expand on the story form books one and two. You should definitely read them in order to get the full enjoyment from them.
There are tons of zombie books out there. Also tons of stories where people manage to survive and start fighting the zombies. But they usually have a ton of problems as well. The zombies are nearly unstoppable whether they are created from a scientific method (plague) or magical method (the dead walking) or even if as so often happens, nothing explains the zombies. The zombies continue to spread because they keep attacking people (to either eat them or at least their brains) which really doesn't make sense. If the zombies are eating the people (or their brains) where are the new zombies coming from? They should just be getting killed, not turned for the most part. This type of zombie has to actually destroyed since they don't succumb to disease, starvation , or other problem.
But the Black Tide Rising series is different. It has zombies that follow logic and actual real world biology. The disease that causes the zombies acts like a disease. People can die form it. If they turn into a raging zombie-like monster, they can still starve to death and die for exposure (even if they more resistant to these). A vaccine is possible. The people fighting the zombies have actual plans better than "Look, zombies. Let's shoot them a lot out in the open."
The characters in the series are awesome. They are well-thought out and complex. It is true that some characters don't get much time in the spotlight (the mom is the best example.) But there are a lot of characters and the number grows as the series goes on, so not all could get a lot of focus. I did enjoy that the 2 main characters turned out to be the teenage girls.
November 7, 2020
Too much of the early going in Islands is devoted to the struggle Faith is having with acting as a Marine Lieutenant, being a 13 year old girl, mind you. Of course, after any marine sees her in battle, their respect for her borders on hero worship, so Ringo could have foregone all of this angst and moved the plot along a little more swiftly. The second flaw for me in this book was that the whole plot feels like a big wargame, "if we had to retake the entire world after a zombie apocalypse, where would be the best place to start, given the resources stipulated, etc." When the strategy gaming overwhelms the zombie killing, then you've really lost most of what holds my interest in this series. Third, for whatever reason, Ringo decided that the results of "what happens in the compartment..." would be a couple thousand pregnancies, and combined that with the statistics on pre-modern medicine mother and infant mortality, and devoted a big chunk of plot time to our heroes figuring out how to minimize the damages - the jury remains out at the end of the book.
That said, once things got rolling in the latter third of the book, there was plenty of whack-a-zombie for everyone. We finally get to find out who "Walker" was in his previous life, which is cool, too. I got to thinking about about Ringo's basic premises here, that there would be no land-based cities still active after a zombie plague, and while I get the idea of limiting the Vs in multi POV, here, I think it likely that there would be far more survivors in some of the rural areas, given their lesser dependency on technology in the first place, the lesser population density, and the fact that a ton of heartlanders have thousands of rounds of ammo for the guns to which they bitterly cling.
Anyway, I was glad I didn't pay over $20 to add this book to the collection, but borrowed it from the local library. I'm interested to see where the story goes next, but I hope it goes there without so much ado about nothing, this time.
That said, once things got rolling in the latter third of the book, there was plenty of whack-a-zombie for everyone. We finally get to find out who "Walker" was in his previous life, which is cool, too. I got to thinking about about Ringo's basic premises here, that there would be no land-based cities still active after a zombie plague, and while I get the idea of limiting the Vs in multi POV, here, I think it likely that there would be far more survivors in some of the rural areas, given their lesser dependency on technology in the first place, the lesser population density, and the fact that a ton of heartlanders have thousands of rounds of ammo for the guns to which they bitterly cling.
Anyway, I was glad I didn't pay over $20 to add this book to the collection, but borrowed it from the local library. I'm interested to see where the story goes next, but I hope it goes there without so much ado about nothing, this time.
June 14, 2023
This is a worthy addition to Ringo's Zombie apocalypse series centering around a family of survivors and their growing flotilla of vessels plying the Carribean and Atlantic searching for survivors and liberating small islands from the zombie plague assisted by what's left of the U.S. Navy (mostly submarines). Following a daring liberation of Guantanamo Bay they turn towards their next objective; finding a place to mass produce a vaccine to the zombie virus not to mention finding materials needed to process it in quantity. The story is well written and compelling as the survivors build their own floating world scrambling back from the brink of oblivion. My only gripe is the two teenage daughters who while pretty formidable have survived 3 books packed with hair-raising adventures and danger not only to obtain officer's rank in the Navy and Marines, however decimated those two services had become, but never seem to age. Surely one of them should have a birthday by now! Also it stretches belief that a 15 year old teen can obtain a lieutenant's rank in the Navy no matter how talented and resourceful she is but her 13 year old sister a lieutenant leading seasoned Marines? Faith is pretty bad-ass killing zombies but I need a healthy suspension of reality buying that premise. Still I'm anxious to read the next installment to see what happens next.
June 3, 2018
Ringo does it again with another excellent chapter in the BTR series. Ringo's strength is combining a zombie apocalypse with really good military tactics and leadership. If you're burned out on Walking Dead type antics where characters 6ISH YEARS INTO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE ALL OF A SUDDEN REALIZE THAT THE WORLD HAS ENDED AND BAD STUFF HAPPENS...then this is a saving grace entry into the genre. Ringo is still able to keep the series fresh and fun and unloads a few good twists. Maybe the most unbelievable part is that there doesn't seem to be too many terrible characters this far into the plague. However, because sci-fi is so awesome, the outcome Ringo has come up with is not outside the realm of possibility - which makes it great sci-fi. If you liked the others in the series, this one will be just as great and the next one will be consumed as well. Final Grade - A-
July 4, 2020
Dealing with all the pregnant women comes to so many puns here. A little too much Oorah—to many. I really liked the different flow of this zombie series. Zombies on the ocean. But I thought this one slowed down a bit. Almost too much. Yes, the Wolf girls are in a routine and are an established part of the marines, but really about half the novel went too slow. It does feel like a realistic retaking of the world after zombies but some of those old-world rules may need to be canned to restore the world. I think this book spend a little too much time on the need to hold on to old world procedure. The last book was heading down this path but really the action and the retaking of the world from the zombies was appealing. I’d like to see it head back in that direction. Still I like these series and will read the next book.
December 19, 2020
This one was slightly less aggravating than the previous and Ringo is very good at writing action. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their development and the plot has been interesting and unexpected. I enjoy the new characters introduced and seeing how they are integrated into the storyline. Sophie and Faith continue to be stand outs as I'm certain the writer intended since so much revolves around them, particularly Faith. If you are a big Faith fan, there is some great payoff in this book.
Overall, I'm glad to be reading this series because it is well written, the characters are interesting, the plot is mostly engaging, and even the parts that aggravate me make me consider things in ways I haven't before (no matter that I still disagree with them).
Overall, I'm glad to be reading this series because it is well written, the characters are interesting, the plot is mostly engaging, and even the parts that aggravate me make me consider things in ways I haven't before (no matter that I still disagree with them).
May 18, 2020
Trigger warning - sexualisation of children
Gave up on this book, Not sure if the author is well intentioned and misinformed or has an agenda promoting adult-child relationships.
Multiple references to 13 year old as being desirable to adult men.
Also bad human biology - medical experts agreeing that sex with a 12 year old is the best thing for her after being knocked up by an adult.
Giving up on this series now as I don't know where this is going. I find it weird and creepy the casual fetishism.
Gave up on this book, Not sure if the author is well intentioned and misinformed or has an agenda promoting adult-child relationships.
Multiple references to 13 year old as being desirable to adult men.
Also bad human biology - medical experts agreeing that sex with a 12 year old is the best thing for her after being knocked up by an adult.
Giving up on this series now as I don't know where this is going. I find it weird and creepy the casual fetishism.
December 5, 2023
Yet another fast paced installment in this zombie apocalypse series. It's still centered on the girls, Sophia and Faith, but we do get some views from other characters. I'm liking some of the new characters, and felt some sadness when one of the new ones was killed off.
I'm excited to see where this all goes. There's not much down time to this novel, it really trucked along at a quick pace. I'm also curious what's going to happen with Walker.
The eBook was formatted well with no obvious spelling or grammatical errors.
I'm excited to see where this all goes. There's not much down time to this novel, it really trucked along at a quick pace. I'm also curious what's going to happen with Walker.
The eBook was formatted well with no obvious spelling or grammatical errors.
December 23, 2023
It has been while between books in this series for me, but this was another solid installment. The book took a little while to war up, but once the action started it was solidly into 4-star territory for me. I suspect that the slow/soft start was deliberate in order to support one plotline based on: Why the hell are we following a 13 year old into a ZomPoc hellfest? Well, the answer to that question is answered unequivocally in the second half of the book. This series still has me coming back for more and I've got book 4 in the pipeline.
July 23, 2019
Aaaaand it just keeps going!
I do not believe this is book three.... I believe Mr. Dingo wrote an epic novel and some brilliant editor cut it into shorter novels... Again characters are believable and f.eel like people you know. Situations although impossible in this universe are entirely possible and even probable in the Black Tide universe! Human nature is what it is and the author "gets" it AND WRITES IT!
I do not believe this is book three.... I believe Mr. Dingo wrote an epic novel and some brilliant editor cut it into shorter novels... Again characters are believable and f.eel like people you know. Situations although impossible in this universe are entirely possible and even probable in the Black Tide universe! Human nature is what it is and the author "gets" it AND WRITES IT!
March 30, 2021
In the battle to reclaim the world from the zombies Wolf Squadron begins to re claim the land. At first they focus on tiny islands then getting to larger land masses. They do have to make a side trip to England for the king and some vaccine supplies, but that aside the two Smith girls begin having issues with surviving ranking military officials. It's hard when your work peer group is 10-20 years older than you are. It's harder when your the boss.
March 20, 2022
First, as stories go, it's a good story. Howeveer... John Ringo makes at least one serious math error, when he has Faith claim 7000 hours of combat time in just 6 months. There aren't 5000 hours of time period in 6 months, so that's flat-out impossible, unless she's logged simultaneously in different combats. But it's still an enjoyable yarn; I liked it, except for the egregious math error, which still bugs me every timr I read the book.
May 27, 2024
Review is for the first eight volumes in the series -
An entertaining if slightly repetitive series that follows a logical but somewhat fantastical cast through adventures whose tension dims with every new entry without fatalities. (Seriously, there is plenty of plot-fuel mass death but exactly one sort of important person dies in eight books and that was in an accident - statistically it's absurd given the world as presented).
An entertaining if slightly repetitive series that follows a logical but somewhat fantastical cast through adventures whose tension dims with every new entry without fatalities. (Seriously, there is plenty of plot-fuel mass death but exactly one sort of important person dies in eight books and that was in an accident - statistically it's absurd given the world as presented).
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