Sudden Independents (Independents Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

Ted Hill (Author)

Book Description

Jimmy never thought he’d be spending the apocalypse farming in Nebraska and worrying about Hunter. But when the plague killed their parents, along with everyone over the age of seventeen, Jimmy suddenly became head of the household.

Then the oldest kid in town turned eighteen and the plague chased him down. Now Jimmy has one more thing to worry about--and he’s running out of time.

Hunter finds a little girl named Catherine under a cottonwood tree in the middle of nowhere. When Catherine magically heals Hunter’s broken arm, Jimmy hopes he will survive his eighteenth birthday if he can protect her from the horseman responsible for unleashing the plague.

"I really liked this novel... intriguing [and] well-written..."
--Danica Page, Taking It One Page at a Time

"You will be wrapped up into the story line almost immediately. I had to know what was going to happen next."
--Book Whisperer

Product Details

• File Size: 954 KB
• Print Length: 267 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005AV9T10
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,463 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars BookWhisperer MC Reviews: Sudden Independents May 10, 2012

By J. Omullane

Format:Kindle Edition

A plague has swept the nation (and possible world) killing everyone eighteen years of age and older. The kids that are left behind are determined to man up and keep on living as best as they can. Jimmy, a seventeen year old, is a council member of a town called "Independents" and his soul goal is to provide for the children under him and beat the plague that is knocking at his door. When his brother Hunter returns to town with a small girl named Catherine, he realizes that his prayers may be answered. Although no one knows how, Catherine has the ability to heal making her a poplar person in the town. But Independents isn't the only town that wants Catherine for her healing powers.

I am just going to be honest and say that I really liked "Sudden Independents." It has a little bit of something that everyone could enjoy and relate to: family trouble, spats, jealousy, violence, fast cars/motorcycles, action, forgiveness, danger, hatred, and love. And you will find that because of all of these categories are present; you will be wrapped up into the story line almost immediately. I kept promising myself that I would finish a chapter and then go do something constructive other than reading and I just couldn't do it. I had to know what was going to happen next. Hill makes you really feel for his characters and you want the absolute best for them, you want them to strive to survive. I will say that this book may not be some people's "cup of tea" but it was certainly mine.

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Christian morality tale May 19, 2012

By anon

Format:Kindle Edition

This book is less a dystopian adventure than it is Christian propaganda. Quoted bible verses, miracles, lines like 'I'll just have to heal you so you believe again,' the whole nine yards.

I'm not bashing the religious, or their books, I just think you should know what you're getting before purchasing. (That said, I found this particular story boring and lame. I'm sure there are much better books out there aimed at Christian teens.)

You have been warned.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Suddenly Dependent May 23, 2012

By TMemo

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Reading the summary for this novel had me very interested, but even I couldn't have known just how amazing it would be. It was the kind of book I could totally lose myself in, and I was less than happy that it came to me at one of the busiest times because I literally did not want to put it down.

There is only one way for me to describe it: it's like Grapes of Wrath meets The Green Mile set in the time of Fallout 3 with Luna Lovegood as the darling catalyst. It's thrilling. It's magical. It's complex. You read it and find yourself happy, angry, jealous, and scared. The novel is set in the mid-west in a town renamed Independents because it is home to children who survived once their parents died of "the plague". This plague is never described in detail, but, right away, you know it's horrible and takes them out fast. The characters there are all on the edge of reality - the plague is coming for them - and they are desperate to escape by whatever means possible. Things get very volatile, and that is before the action even gets started really.

I would kill to see this made into a movie. It's probably the best candidate for screenplay that I've read in ages.

I'm not normally into novels written by men - let's just be honest upfront. To me, men often write characters that speak to men in general and plots that are more about murder, loud booms, and fast cars, which is probably why I am a self-professed Chick Lit Whore. Hill totally surprised me from the first chapter with how compelling and lovable his characters are and how fascinating his story and landscape turned out to be.

And I'm totally in-love with Jimmy. I'm gonna put that out there. If Jimmy and I had to repopulate the country in a post-apocalyptic nightmare, I would be totally okay with that.

More About the Author

Ted Hill grew up in the front pew of the Methodist church in Denton, Texas where he honed his scribbling skills on the church bulletin. He peaked as a senior in high school when he became Class President, Homecoming King, All-District Offensive Tackle, and Class Clown. He also failed Spanish II and Geometry, but graduated because of football credits.

Ted then took his talents to Bethany College in the middle of Kansas where he fell in love with his wife, and the heartland. He now lives in Colorado, staying busy with his two boys, and their dog and cat--Molly and Ginger.