They thought the worst was over…they were wrong.
“I loved it and I lost sleep trying to finish it. So different than our usual apocalyptic and dystopian stories”
It’s a post-apocalyptic world now. Everyone the pandemic left behind is…special.
Survivors of the deadly pandemic possess diverse, savant-level talents, are intellectually gifted, or both. A handful of others possess even more impressive and mystifying qualities. Everyone has some form of a psychological issue, ranging from minor anxiety disorders to full-blown psychopathy.
No technology, no medicine, no law and order. And there’s more to surviving than just filling your belly…you have to dodge a few crazies along the way.
- A touch of “Swan Song” and a dash of “The Stand”…Very good post-apocalyptic tale in the mode and mood of R. McCammon’s “Swan Song” and S. King’s “The Stand”. ★★★★★
- One of the best SHTF books I have EVER read…and I read a lot. I could not put the book down. ★★★★★
- I really enjoyed this book! The characters are well written and their development over the course of the book is interesting to follow. There are some great twists and turns along the way. This is not your typical apocalypse novel! ★★★★★
- Wonderful, well developed characters… a refreshing sense of humor… great, actual, survival info for when the SHTF, and I am just sure it’s not a question of IF, but WHEN. ★★★★★
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What Others are Saying About Troop of Shadows
Riveting story with characters that you care about. One of my favorites in the post apocalyptic genre.
If I really like a book it usually rates 3 or at most 4 stars from me. This was truly a 5 star book. There wasn’t anything about it I didn’t like.
Well written, great dialogue and a well thought out plot that kept me wondering as well as dying to know what came next – I stayed up late three nights running as I couldn’t put it down.
Almost no typos. The change from the perspective of one character to another was a tiny bit hard to follow in the beginning as so many were introduced fairly quickly, but each was so well drawn and definitive that it became easy to follow and a great way to increase suspense.
A new concept was introduced at the end that might have been a bit hard to buy into, but by then I was so invested in the characters and their story that I was sufficiently on board to go right out and buy book two. If it’s even somewhere near as good as this one, I’ll be happy.
Great! Wonderful, well developed characters…a refreshing sense of humor…great, actual, survival info for when the SHTF, and I’m just sure it’s not a question of IF, but WHEN. My absolute favorite genre of fiction is post-apocalyptic, dystopian, survival stuff and this storyline fits that bill perfectly. Throw in my second-favorite, archaeological, with a mix of underground-dwelling possible aliens (circa Ancient Origins), and I’m loathe to put it down! Rushing to get Book 2 now!
Aliens…maybe? Books are therapy for me. Give me a good book and I can almost forget anything. This is a good book.
I’m still pondering on the storyline. There is an unknown gene that we all have that has somehow been activated all around the world. No hope of survival. But for those that are left there are two different types of behavior. Psychopaths or idiot savants, or sweet, intelligent people with abilities we aren’t aware of yet.
This author has created wonderful characters, Dani, Sam & Fergus (there’s something strange about him) Steven and his son Jeffrey, Steven’s sister Julia and Logan ,
It’s an enjoyable read about a future that may be nearer than we think.
I enjoyed the assembled cast of characters. They began widely spread each with their own emotional baggage and obstacles before abandoning the cities for the countryside. The pace allowed you to develop your feelings for the characters and how they handled stress. Each of the disparate groups becomes stronger with a new member, when they aim for central Kansas as the middle of nowhere. Some grow-up and face adult responsibilities, others flail and blame. The plot and the characters are well-developed. It’s an enjoyable read about a future that may be nearer than we think.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are well written and their development over the course of the book is interesting to follow. There are some great twists and turns along the way. This is not your typical apocalypse novel!
Great read. It is a very well written and absorbing look at a dystopian future which is both frightening and get hopeful. I loved all the characters, but Fergus was an unexpected favorite. Get this book and begin your journey through this riveting adventure.
A future where decisions are made by different people in different situations leading to a central place. Quite violent in places with some light moments.
Loved it! Very enjoyable book…loved the characters, well….most of them…has humour too . Loved it! Have just purchased the sequel, can’t wait to get started on it!
Kansas Good Guys 1 Vs Oklahoma Rednecks 0. All earth was but one thought-and that was death Immediate and inglorious; and the pang Of famine fed upon all entrails-men Died, and their bones were tombless as their flesh.
If you liked Stephen King’s [book:The Stand|149267], or you enjoy the action-packed, multi-threaded plot that is [book:A Game of Thrones|13496], then you’ll love this book. I know that’s a lofty comparison, but I believe Ms Huntsman Smith’s book will stand up well against Mr King’s and Martin’s works, AND without being the tortuously long tome that they are either. That’s high praise for what is only her second published novel. This book reads like it’s her 50th novel, with only a few unpolished edges, but precious few – hardly noticeable – in fact – forget I even mentioned it.
Not too much suspension of disbelief required with this well thought out plot. Instead of the usual “off-the-shelf” causes of our demise, the author has chosen something original (well, original to me at least). Such a refreshing change from the usual zombies, comets, nuclear weapons, rogue planets, aliens, Ai’s, rampant STD’s and excessive computer usage. It seems our DNA just might contain a secret code that switches on a fatal disease – thus wiping out most, but not all, of us. Those left behind – well they’re very special. You’ll just have to read it to find out how special.
Unlike Lord Byron’s grim poem that I prefaced this review with, our author does leave us with some hope. Hope in the form of a sequel which I shall read because I may now be a Huntsman-Smith fanboy. (Please note: I did not receive a free copy for a nice review, I am not related to the author, she did not threaten me with bodily harm, or do some alien mind meld in order to write this review. I just gave my unbiased opinion.)
Enjoy!
Great Read. Really enjoyed the book. I related most to Steven, father, prepper, protection for his family. Not a fan of the gd word used so many times, but other than that, great Read, my husband will read it next I’m sure.
Really good, this was a free book and I took a chance on it and boy glad I did. Quite the page turner, I couldn’t put it down and read it in a couple of days.
Outstanding! I felt a part of the story and the experiences of each person seemed real. We never know what is ahead for us and time to follow the golden rule before we destroy our selves
Great! I just loved the writing and dialog of the characters – really hit home for me.
Very enjoyable book. Exceptional characters in a wonderful plot. I look forward to more adventures with Dani, Sam, Pablo, Maddie and the rest of the fascinating characters that have been so cleverly born in Troop of Shadows.
Great read. I enjoyed this book in that it was a bit different from the other pepper type books i have read.
Characters of the best and the worst! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many facets that run smooth!
AWESOME! Easy flow to this book., already can’t wait to get next in series. Great characters, interesting story line. Download yours now! The apocalypse may be nearer than we think.
Really good read!! Hard to out down, moves quickly. Fairly clean, some language. A bit Stephen Kingish… Can’t wait to read the next one!
Loved it! I will add Nicki Huntsman Smith to my favorites list. This is a really good read with very well rounded characters.
Love this. Awesome reading, I can’t wait to read the next installment. A book I couldn’t put down
Page Turner! I enjoyed every moment of this book. Loved the characters, and enjoyed the plot development.
Good read. I really enjoyed this book, loved the character development. As things were coming together at the end I was anticipating the next book.
Never a dull moment. Excellent reading. Well written, with tons of character development. The story is good, with never a dull moment or wasted word.
Shades of Stephen King. Do you like the creepy added to post apocalyptic? A + B= superb reading til 2 in the morning, and I gotta go to work at 8.
Really enjoyed the book kept me intrigued the entire time. Can’t wait to see what happens to this interesting group!!
A SyFy Novel of Discovery in Iraq Which Becomes Active After 12,000 Years
NHS has written about a world wide virus spread by contaminated DNA. When the contaminated DNA attacks the immune system then that person has three weeks to to recover or die. This is an excellent read for the novel….. ER
This a great book and very well written. Right from the beginning your interest is captured. Be forewarned…you will buy the next book!
Could Not put it down. I loved characters and fast pace. Could Not put this book down and can’t wait to read the entire series
Fab! Book to accommodate post apocalyptic fetishes. Intelligent story and character development. I’ll be looking for the next books to binge read
Good book IMO. Very interesting book that I enjoyed very much. Have already finished book 2 as well
Really good, this was a free book and I took a chance on it and boy glad I did. Quite the page turner, I couldn’t put it down and read it in a couple of days.
Loved it!! Excellent story that kept me reading and wanting more. Characters well defined and not the normal end of the world story line.
Five Stars! Enjoyed this book and already reading the second in the series.
Riveting! At first the introduction of so many characters made me believe this would a mediocre book. So glad I read on. When the variety of true to life characters slowly began to interact, I knew this was a book that would have to be finished in one sitting.
Couldn’t put it down! I enjoyed this engaging story of life after a plague-like illness destroys most of the earth’s population. The few remaining people must use their wills and wits to survive against overwhelming odds. The characters are written with remarkable depth and plenty of humor, which made them seem like old friends by the time I turned the last page. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Survival. With no grocery stores would you survive. Is it in your DNA? Love when science is blended with a great story. The characters are real and each has a place in this world. Can’t wait to read book 2.
New take on the acopalypse. I thoroughly enjoyed Troop of Shadows on every level. There was a good pace to the story, the characters became people that, for the most part, I would enjoy hanging out with (or, for a few, run from!), and the take on the end of the world as we know it was unique. I look forward to the next book!!
Good read! A different apocalyptic tale. Some of the characters reminded me of some in Swan Song by Koontz that I read years & years ago. I could not always predict who was going to do what next.
The plot is fast-paced and intriguing–a unique look at how the human race can face its worst nightmares.
Wow! This book is a page-turner, but it also successfully makes the reader think–about survival, the future, ethics, values. So much going on. The plot is fast-paced and intriguing–a unique look at how the human race can face its worst nightmares. But perhaps of even more value to me personally is the characterization. The people in this book are so three-dimensional, so well-rounded, that I thought about them even when I wasn’t reading the book. I highly recommend this fantastic read!
Troop of Shadows: Book One
Enjoyable reading, good plot, very good characterisation, the story didn’t limp at all. I tended to follow Pablo and Maddie the most, as I used to be young and hopeful like them.
Nice job Nicki!