The Grim Reaper, as perceived in The Judas Syndrome

A man, a terrorist organization, a rogue country bent on world annihilation, the Grim Reaper is a mystery.

Though touted as a mad man, coined The Grim Reaper by the media, the idea that a single man or even a small country could have the nuclear arsenal the Reaper’s blogs are suggesting seem ludicrous.

All the same, he (they) are insisting world governments dissolve, religion is removed from society, that the root of all evil is possessions, that every person should live off the land, that technology is poisoning the planet and our children’s minds. He is asking that we revert to a pre-1800’s way of life.

Though these demands would heal the planet, they would destroy the delicate infrastructure of society. The Grim Reaper blogs daily about world hunger, pollution, endangered species. He threatens a future now, where he will show the world’s leaders today what kind of a world they are creating for our children and grand children. He will release his nuclear weapons on every corner of the earth, bringing about a nuclear Armageddon, missiles removed from Iraq, pre-inspection and housed in a secret location.

To know more about this new threat to Homeland Security and the world at large, click on this link.

Michael Poeltl

Micki Peluso of The New York Journal of Books reviews post-Apocalyptic fiction trilogy

Micki Peluso describes book one of the dystopian trilogy dealing wtih the end of the world like this: "Author Michael Poeltl brings book one of his page-turning, outstanding stories to a dramatic, unforeseen close. Spellbound readers will want to read, "Rebirth", second in this ongoing series . . . followed by "Revelation", the final book of this unforgettable trilogy."

Micki Peluso reviews book two of the series like this: "Michael Poeltl writes a brilliant, riveting sequel of survival in a world gone mad. This is one book that's impossible to put down. Readers, captivated by this story will want to rush to buy the finale . . . `Revelation'..."

And for book three of the trilogy, Micki sums up the whole series like this: "Author Michael Poeltl's talent as a writer shines ... The book races to a heart-pounding climax that will shock and surprise readers. This debut trilogy is a five star winner, reminiscent of `The Stand' by Stephen King and the twelve books of the `Left Behind' series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Those enjoying this phenomenal trilogy will agree that Michael Poeltl is heading for the best seller list. It is one of the best series to surface in years."

For more on the series, The Judas Syndrome, visit this link.

For more on Micki Peluso find her here.

Michael Poeltl

Characters from the Post-Apocalyptic series The Judas Syndrome - Sara

18 years old at the beginning of The Judas Syndrome, Sara is the 'it' girl at her high school. Beautiful, smart, athletic and engaging. Her popularity was assured, but popularity does not impress Sara, determination and purpose impress and drive her. Her choice of a best friend in Julia, a spectacled overachieving book club type, pretty in an unorthodox way, gives us an idea of her value in popularity.

She is blessed with perfect features, a main of thick shiny brown hair and the body of a cheerleader. Standing at 5'8", Sara is taller than most of her girlfriends, but in no way uncomfortable in her own skin. The majority of her high school career Sara dates a volleyball player and though he was driven, it proved not enough for her as she yearned for more intellectual stimulation.

Sara is a family oriented person who never complains about taking family vacations or trips to the beach with her mom and dad. She cherishes her time with them. That being said, she is a teenager and happily splits from the family unit when a party or other social event involving her friends comes up. She indulges in all the illegal fun her popular friend base enjoys, but rarely to excess.

Sara is a confident girl, secure in her choices and thoughtful of her actions. She believes in Karma and is mindful of her spiritual nature. Raised in the Lutheran faith, Sara was baptized as a baby, confirmed as a young teenager and has carried the Christian teachings close to her heart. She believes in God, but accepts that she is human and so imperfect.

Sara heads up the cast of Rebirth, telling her story in 1st person, advancing the story from its tragic beginnings with The Judas Syndrome.

After the Apocalypse, Sara is devastated along with the others, over the monumental loss of her family to the Reapers deed. Joel would be her rock, he would be her everything. She was very happy when she heard Joel would be voted in as the groups leader and celebrated the victory with her friends. She became Joel’s religious advisor, reading him stories from the Bible every night, not sure whether to believe in anything herself anymore.

In Rebirth we find Sara taking on a leadership role herself when the house is split down the middle, Earl leading one camp and the remaining friends following Sara's ideals. Pregnant and scared, Sara decides to flee the house which has fallen to Earl's warped sensibilities, embarking on a journey with her son that will lead her onto a destiny forsaken by Joel.

Michael Poeltl

Characters from The Judas Syndrome trilogy - Joel

18 years old. Lean muscular build, 6' tall. Dirty blonde hair frames his handsome face as though worked into place.

His style mirrors a favorite band, unkempt, with clean lines. Outwardly his mood reflects that of his deceased father, calm. But this calm he recognizes as little more than a mirage, his mother’s anxious nature prevalent in the back of his mind. A quiet intelligence radiates from him, he wins friends easily with little effort, a skill or trait not learned but rather something he’d been born with. He couldn’t recall a time where he made the first gesture of friendship. It went that way with girls as well. Joel had been single a total of 6 months throughout his high school career.

He finds himself the center of attention in many situations, not the least of which is making choices for his friends. He’d rather be the one making the decisions than following someone else’s anyways, and if his decisions and opinions could be projected onto his friends favorably, what’s the harm.

Joel is a compassionate person, focusing mainly on those who seemingly cannot help themselves. He feels a responsibility toward them, to help them, protect them, and is likely one of the reasons people are drawn to him.

Anxiety occasionally overwhelms him, the physical stress of it at times paralyzing him. It comes without warning, his pulse quickens, pins and needles attacking his extremities, a numbness in his face and finally the frightening certainty that death lurks around the corner. Though undiagnosed he is very aware of this flaw in himself, and manages it as best he can, alone.

Though this dark secret he carries plagues him regularly, he keeps it from his mother, not to worry her, keeps it from his doctor and friends and buries it deep within himself, controlling the outbursts by self medicating with drugs and alcohol. Careful not to become dependent on the lifestyle, he practices deep breathing and daydreaming to calm the symptoms.

Regardless of the loss of his father and his anxiety disorder, Joel is a remarkably active and vibrant person, enjoying life as it comes and where it lulls, making something from nothing. He has never allowed his dark side to completely overwhelm his life, his motto, ‘shit happens, when you get a lemon, make lemonade’ has served him well through his high school career, and he is ever hopeful it will serve him well into adulthood.

For more character sketches of characters fromThe Judas Syndrome visit this link.

Michael Poeltl

Author Interview with Michael poeltl - Dystopian fiction

Book three of the popular post-apocalyptic trilogy The Judas Syndrome is now available, and to accompany the books release is a new interview by Catherine Sword of WhiStle Radio, 102.7 on your FM dial. In this most recent interview, Michael Poeltl gives insights into the book (and series)creation, the process and answers question about the trilogy's look at destiny, free will and how spirituality plays a powerful role in the character's day to day. Also Ppoeltl offers three readings from the third book, Revelation.
The interview is in two parts and can be found on Youtube
1.) http://youtu.be/YKPcrZfH8bM
2.) http://youtu.be/fK5s1TvUx4Q

Michael Poeltl

Dystopian fiction for men - it's not all about the girls

With so many dystopic and post-apocalyptic series coming out the past few years that cast female leads like Divergent and the Hunger Games, it's difficult to find popular books for the boys. Though the stats have it that girls and women read a LOT more than the opposite sex, we guys that like our fiction dark need a few books that we can relate to as well!

That being said, The Maze Runner series offers just that. With a strong lead that is very identifiable to teenage boys and adults alike. Another dark trilogy is The Judas Syndrome, whose main character is a teen boy in book one, and book three. Faced with a dark premonition in book one, Joel, who narrates the book in first person is a care free teen waiting out the summer with his friends before heading off to college. Then a great evil shrouds the world in darkness and he and his friends have to navigate a post apocalyptic present without the aid or guidance of their families.

In book three, Lief, the son of Joel is faced with a similar premonition in the aftermath of his father's apocalypse and all at once struggles with his destiny and humanity. A lot to put on a kid of eighteen, but definitely books the boys can sink their teeth into.

Michael Poeltl

SPIKE TV IS GIVING YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN AN UNDERGROUND SHELTER FOR YOUR FAMILY

PR from SPIKE TV

Are you a survivor? Are you prepared?

Nuclear war, terrorism, pole shifting, killer comets and tsunamis all have the potential to cause national or worldwide disaster. Some people think the Mayan Calendar predicts the end of the world on December 21, 2012.

If you've always wanted to secure lifetime access to a well-protected, underground shelter for you and your immediate family in case of a global emergency, then this is your chance.

SPIKE TV and Vivos Shelters (www.terravivos.com) are seeking a handful of lucky people to compete on a new TV show for the chance to own shares in a state-of-the-art, community underground shelter for up to 6 family members.

Producers are looking for outgoing, competitive PAIRS of immediate family members (husband and wife, father and son, siblings...) to represent their family household on national television in a series of fun and exciting challenges. This is your opportunity to PROVE that you have what it takes to join a community of people who can survive global disaster!

APPLY TODAY!
 Send an email to LastFamilyCasting@gmail.com with the following:
 1. Your name and the name of at least one family member who could be your teammate
 2. Your phone numbers
 3. Your city/state (same household or neighborhood preferred)
 4. Recent photos of each of you
 5. A brief explanation of why you want to win this show AND what skills you and your family can offer a community of survivors.

Deadline to apply is JUNE 20, 2012! Producers are waiting to hear from you!

* To compete on the show, you must be a legal U.S. resident and at least 18 years of age. (Note: Family members of any age are eligible for a place in the shelter. Conditions and restrictions for shelter co-ownership apply.) For more information, visit www.pilgrimstudios.com/casting/LastFamilyOnEarth
www.the-judas-syndrome.com

Michael Poeltl