Review of The Passage, by Cronin

The Passage shares many aspects of The Judas Syndrome , for example; main character development prior to its explanation of how the end comes, and its use of multiple characters. The end having come from a plague rather than a nuclear holocaust allowed the planet to better sustain survivors in The Passage, offering an easier "afterlife" than the demoralized planet The Judas Syndrome left its surviving population.

That being said, both surviving communities were forced to push back attacking parties, in The Passage it was the infected humans bent on sucking the blood from their human counterparts, whereas in The Judas Syndrome those that survived were left to fight one another for what remaining resources there was left.

Both books offer up the intense anxiety survivors would experience after an Apocalypse of some design occurred, but the anxiety The Judas Syndrome creates is immediate whereas The Passage jumps ahead 100 years after the virals have already decimated the population. This broke up the anxiety (and the story) for me, and left me feeling like one book had ended while another was starting. Not a bad thing, but an interruption into a world I was just getting comfortable with.

All the same, The Passage was a good read with interesting characters, telling a story of survival and sorrow. If you enjoyed The Passage, then you will enjoy The Judas Syndrome also. If you enjoyed The Passage, then you will enjoy The Judas Syndrome

Excerpts from the 2nd novel in The Judas Syndrome series

Rebirth, the second book in the popular Apocalyptic fiction series, The Judas Syndrome, is now available exclusively through the author's website. Pick up where you left off, but before you do, read two excerpts from Rebirth - found here.

How to purchase the book that made Michael Poeltl choice for best author 2010

Want to know how and where to purchase The Judas Syndrome on-line in paperback and e-book format?

Buy from Amazon.uk

Buy from Amazon.com

Buy from Smashwords.com

Buy from the Author's Website

Best Writer/Author of 2010

Michael Poeltl was voted Best Writer/Author for 2010 in October by The View Magazine: A weekly alternative newspaper serving the cities of Hamilton, Burlington and the Golden horseshoe region, reaching over 1 million potential voters/viewers.

Poeltl was voted Best Author based on his Young Adult/Apocalyptic Fiction novel (which has spawned a series) The Judas Syndrome.

Congratulations!

PIck up where you left off with REBIRTH, the 2nd book in The Judas Syndrome Trilogy

COMING FALL 2010

Although Mike Poeltl never intended for The Judas Syndrome to be the first of a series, he caved in to reader demand in the spring of 2010 and began working on Rebirth, a continuation of the popular post-apocalyptic tale that one Facebook reviewer called “a stark and uncompromising vision of the future of our world.”

Narrated by Joel’s girlfriend Sara, Rebirth is a story of survival, betrayal, and hope. After giving birth to their son, whose evident purpose is to fulfill the destiny that Joel had forsaken, Sara realizes that her home is no longer a haven.

Menaced by a power-obsessed Earl and frightened by the deterioration of a once-tight group of comrades, she flees north- into a nihilistic world inhabited by dangerous nomads, new friends, and old enemies.

Early reviewers have commented that Rebirth, while a sequel, is a powerful story in its own right. Poeltl has confirmed that a third book, as of yet untitled, will complete the Judas Syndrome trilogy.

“The series will chronicle the struggles and sacrifices of two generations of post-Apocalypse survivors,” he said recently. “The sins of the father (Joel) fall upon his son and Sara both. The question is- will the legacy he left them ensure their survival or their doom?”

If you haven't yet read The Judas Syndrome, order it here.

More reviews of post apocalyptic fiction

Review by Roger Luton:

As one not prone to read apocalypic prose, The Judas Sydrome has made me a believer in the genre.

Michael's insight into human nature under pressure and uncertainty is a textbook on human behaviour and interdependancy. His comparison of the world outside and the world of the mind is spellbinding and the question throughout is ,which wi...ll collapse first.

The characters are strong and interesting. The action is non stop with unexpected twists and turns leaving one guessing at what might happen next. But your guess would be wrong. Michaels juxtaposition of good and evil is stark not only as it plays out on the physical landscape but more interesting on the landscape of the human mind.

The use of omenous apparitions adds great flavour to the plot and intriguingly blurs the line between fact and fantasy. The reader is constantly questioning, as are the characters, what these apparitions are, what power they have, and what part they will play in the groups ultimate triumph or demise.

Truly a rollercoaster ride of emotion, action, introspection and mystey, a ride I am glad I waited in line for. I am already queing up for the next book. Hold onto your hat!

For more visit the website or the facebook fan page or Goodreads.com

Apocalyptic mindset of todays population.

As a rule we pick up on what is hot or popular in entertainment, and enjoying a renaissance since the 50's and 60'sis apocalyptic fiction. We see it in all forms of entertainment, Movies, Books , games and music now more than ever before.

There has always existed the dark places in our minds, and what darker, more horrifying vision than that of our everyday being taken violently from us through some global catastrophe? It plays on the public consciousness and has seeped out into our most celebrated escapes, that being entertainment.

There will always be wars, famine and hate in the world. This is a constant, but what horrors await us when each of us is forced to survive in a world unfamiliar?