The Reckoning

By D. Mikels

Book Overview

John Morrison s life has been a wreck. . .but it s about to get even worse. An unspeakable apocalyptic event has transformed John s turbulent existence--an event that threatens to end his life at any given moment. With the aid of two companions, John struggles to hide from demented mobs, fight when necessary. . .survive. But is it a struggle for survival--or absolution? Learn the answer in D. Mikels s powerful novel, "The Reckoning."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1425731538
• ISBN13: 9781425731533
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Xlibris
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Damaged Man Against A Damaged World

The Reckoning chronicles John Morrison's journey as he struggles to survive in a post apocalyptic world. His once imperfect life is now complicated by a strange sulfuric fog that pollutes the air and water and 'changes' people, ultimately killing them. John's life was far from stellar before 'it' happened. As the current story unfolds, the author begins each chapter with a glimpse into John's past, creating an image of a man deeply flawed. The story flows fast and furious and the writing is of the caliber that you don't want to put it down; eager to get to the next level of action, fear or discovery. The author takes you on a creative ride between the past and the present; he gives you a realistic feel of the emotions and responses the characters convey in the face of adversity. Though the book is only 124 pages long, it is not lacking in content. It is rich and detailed, telling a tale of a horrific event, as seen by a damaged man and finally about forgiveness and peace. A great read.

This thriller is a page-turner!

This terrific thriller begins with a bittersweet flashback to a simple, happy day that meant a lot to John Morrison. He remembers his little son's tiny blue sneakers with the white tips, and now, years later, his son is gone. Looking back, John realizes his life has been one loss after another - jobs, love, his son, and ultimately, his self-respect. Today, something will happen that is so huge, so devastating, that he will have to fight for his very survival or give up and fail for the last time. His journey toward redemption will be the hardest of his life. Will he make it? D. Mikels' third book is a great read and his best story yet. John, the protagonist, is a very real man; flawed and filled with regrets. When a cataclysmic event changes life on earth, John must face many challenges and his own weaknesses in order to survive. The narrative is crisp, the dialogue authentic, and the pacing quick; there's action on every page and you can't wait to see what will happen next. This is a book that fans of action, science fiction, and drama are sure to enjoy. Heartily recommended.

Move over Mr. King

I started this one yesterday And couldn't put it down It all began one quiet day In a small rural town A deafening roar shattered the calm The ground began to shake A quick glance at the southern sky Proved this was not a quake A misty haze hung in the air Green clouds tinted the sky Poisoning the atmosphere And the water supply Some gasped a final dying breath In one stroke things had changed A select few appeared immune But many were deranged All John had were memories He and his wife had parted His failures and his love for booze Were where the trouble started Through the smoke he tried to find His daughter and his wife But soon he came to realize He must fight for his life Deep down inside he knows they've gone To join his son, who'd died But still he soldiered on despite The burning ache inside Comparable to King's book "Cell" But with a "Mikels" twist What's scary is it could come true 'Cos such things DO exist Amanda Richards, January 20, 2007

A fresh new twist on some favorite monsters

Like Mikels first book, 'Dawn Of The Transcendence', 'The Reckoning' promises to take you through surreal dimensions of deep emotional aches and touching tenderness. John Morrison's life has fallen apart. His son is dead, and his wife is separating from him. In the course of packing up his belongings, a strange event occurs that changes his life forever. An explosion, and afterward clouds of green smoke. John's focus is to find his wife and daughter who were shopping at the mall. John makes it as far as his business office, not far from the mall, before realizing just how bad things are. He's no longer fighting to find his wife, he's fighting for his life. If you're a fan of horror and dark fantasy, if you like zombies, if you like apocalypse tales, if you chase private daemons, or just enjoy magnetic stories with mythical implications, then you shouldn't miss out on this small gem of a novel. Mikels stylishly combines Morrison's poignant memories with the fast-paced, brutal survival actions in a world gone horribly wrong. The surprise ending will leave you breathless and questioning your own reality. New twists on "used" genres such as zombies and apocalypse tales are always welcomed by this particular horror fan. At only 124 pages, I read the book in a couple of hours and was left wanting more. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

Where were YOU when it happened?

John is sort of an everyman--not particularly successful, in fact, he's a notable failure in many respects. On the eve of the departure of his soon-to-be ex-wife, a horrific event takes place. As John is sorting out the junk in the closet while packing up to move out, there is a huge explosion. As he clutches a touching souvenir, his son Sean's baby sneakers, the world as John knows it changes forever. So much so that "Where were YOU when it happens" replaces "Hello" as a greeting. As the world devolves into a nightmare for John and the people around him, you, the reader, follow his descent into Hell. And as the scenes unfold, many possibilities as to WHY "it" happened race around your mind. When the end of the book and the revelation arrives, it's a total surprise, nonetheless. That's the pleasure of this very fast-reading novella. Anyone who is a Stephen King fan will appreciate this book; it's nothing like King except that it tells a story of horror. Fans of science fiction (War of the Worlds, The Puppet Masters, for example) will find this book to their liking as well. But I can't characterize it as either horror or science fiction, though you can argue it fits in both genres. I don't like horror but I loved this book and I imagine if you like neither horror nor sci-fi, you would still find this novel an intriguing read. "The Reckoning" does have the characteristic Mikels twist--a touch of fantasy mixed into the mundane world that makes all magic possible. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.