The Reckoning [Paperback]

D Mikels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

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."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The narrative keeps the reader alert and interested." --The Sunday Oklahoman, June 24, 2007

About the Author

D. Mikels graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1980 with a degree in journalism. He resides in windswept northwestern Oklahoma, where he owns and operates an insurance agency. He is the father of three grown children, a hopeless bookworm, and an avid sports nut. The Reckoning is the author's third novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corporation (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142573152X
• ISBN-13: 978-1425731526
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,240,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just a post-apocalypse story, February 26, 2010

By 

B. D. Whitney "BookWenches" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Reckoning (Paperback)

A bomb attack from an unknown enemy spreads an illness that turns peaceful citizens into a red-eyed, crazed hoard of killers. A small cadre of individuals, as yet unaffected by the sickness, fights their way through the homicidal masses. A desperate dash for the mountains is accompanied by a far-fetched hope for safety and survival. I admit that I kind of dig these post-apocalypse (zombacalypse?) stories, like Stephen King's "Cell" and "The Stand" and the movie "28 Days Later." D. Mikels' novella "The Reckoning" fits nicely into this mold, so it makes sense that I would enjoy it. As a tale of apocalypse and violence and survival, it is an exciting, eerie, and well-conceived story. However it is must more than just that, and this is what makes "The Reckoning" stand out from the crowd and linger with you well after you have read it.

I won't give away what makes "The Reckoning" unique - I'm not so cruel as to ruin the story for you. Suffice to say that after I read the last page, I had to stop and blink for a moment and then mentally rewind and replay the entire story to look at it from a slightly different angle. This element adds depth of the story and elevates it from simply "good" to "memorable" in my opinion.

In this novella, the present struggle for survival is interspersed with John's memories, and these trips into the past serve as a wonderful contrast: what is now versus what used to be. Not only does this underscore the grim situation that John has found himself in, but it also provides insight into aspects of John's character that we would never have been privy to otherwise. John strikes us as almost heroic as he deals with the horrors of the present, but we see that this is not actually who he has been in the past. And we wonder: is this a redemption of sorts for John?

Overall, "The Reckoning" is a well-written thriller of a story that many readers should find satisfying. The action is well written and exciting, the danger is omnipresent, and the effects of the illness enough are satisfyingly revolting. Once or twice the prose felt just a touch overblown, but this did not affet my enjoyement of the story. I found "The Reckoning" an enveloping and very entertaining read, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Damaged Man Against A Damaged World, April 23, 2007

By 

Cherise Everhard (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Reckoning (Paperback)

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.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Until the End . . ., May 23, 2007

By 

CV Rick (Minneapolis, MN, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reckoning (Paperback)

D. Mikels, you're a good writer, well versed in craft and pacing, able to hold a story together with a theme, but character driven. That's what I take from The Reckoning. It's a good book, novella, told as two stories - the before and the after.

John Morrison screwed up his life - that's the message from the before - and in point by point detail, we learn how that happened. He's not a bad man and he's not a good man, he's just a man with flaws as well as strengths. He's not particularly honest, but then again he does have a conscience.

For my taste though, I'd have rather had full alternating chapters detailing the before and after, or I'd have brought out the before in situations, dialogue, memories, etc. A few inconsistencies threw me out of the story and those ought to have been caught in the proofing stage. But the major problem I had with the book is the ending. Those of you who've read it know what I'm talking about, but I won't spoil it for those who haven't. Suffice it to say that the reader has an emotional investment in the plot and characters and that ending betrayed that connection, I believe.

However, those nits aside, this was a quick and enjoyable read. It carried me through based on the strength of plot and pacing. Like a good movie, it was told in specific scenes and I had no trouble seeing those scenes before me as I read the text.

I'm giving it 4 stars because it succeeded on so many levels, anything lower would be unfair of me. I can't give it 5 stars because it just wasn't quite up to that standard for me.

I will read more by D. Mikels and look forward to doing so. Besides, a fellow Sooner with writing talent is a great find indeed.

- CV Rick