• ARES Virus: Arctic Storm

  • By: John O'Brien
  • Narrated by: Mark Gagliardi
  • Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (368 ratings)

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ARES Virus: Arctic Storm  By  cover art

ARES Virus: Arctic Storm

By: John O'Brien
Narrated by: Mark Gagliardi
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Publisher's summary

What would happen if a viral agent was released on American soil? How would local agencies react? How would the military respond? What if it was one of their own? Would they own it or attempt to cover it up? If a major operation was jeopardized because of the release, would that alter any of the decisions? A potent viral agent, created to destabilize a region for forces to move in and clean up, is accidentally spilled in a metropolis. Those infected serve only to afflict others through any means.

As forces move in on the beleaguered city, Sergeant Brown has to make his way through roving bands of the infected in order to escape. Will the ring close before he can reach safe grounds or will he and others he finds be added to the final tally?

©2017 John O'Brien (P)2017 John O'Brien

What listeners say about ARES Virus: Arctic Storm

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Al
  • 01-17-18

Rarely write reviews anymore but....

Would you try another book from John O'Brien and/or Mark Gagliardi?

Not sure. It would have to have been out a while and have received rave reviews from the large majority of listeners.

What do you think your next listen will be?

After it Happened set 3.

Did Mark Gagliardi do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Not at all.

Was ARES Virus worth the listening time?

No. I've actually stopped with 3 hrs to go.

Any additional comments?

Didn't like the narrator at all. There was zero relationship built between the characters. Every male character sounds exactly the same. Hard to tell when the story switched from one person to another as they all sounded the same.

Obviously i'm in the minority as many readers love this book but it really just did nothing for me.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

SCARY PREMISE FOR THE ZOMPOCALYPSE!

Any additional comments?

First off let me say I love John Obrien...he is a talented writer, and a very nice man...This was a great premise and shows you how scary the government could get..deceitful and careless...and really cruel! However this book is written in 3rd person...and that ruined it for me...John's other wonderful series is written first person..and its great..so I was disappointed that this book was written in 3rd...and that just does not do it for me...I struggled till about half way through this book and it finally hooked me enough to adjust to the writing style...Most people will love this..but even though the story is completely terrifying...it was not my cup of tea!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Silent But Deadly

I wasn't sure where the story was going at first but I can't wait to continue. At first I thought it was going to be about a couple of cadets trying to get out of an infected town. Then it turned into another plot twist on top of that one and now we see into the mindset of the person responsible for the virus. Then the virus spreads.
Then on top of that one we go to a story about one admitted terrorist (?) just trying to survive after being unfairly blamed for the whole thing going from country to country to country. Then the virus spreads.
Starts out with a lot of action and doesn't stop. Just enough character build to get into the thinking process of the people involved. I really want to know how these stories evolve as I am beginning to care about each one.
Virus versus people versus government versus survival - all good!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Can you tell me that someone “stated” one more time

The book is written in a way that they have to tell you someone “stated” 1000’s of times or someone “comments” even more. The main character is a selfish dick even though they try to tell you on several occasions that he’s not. Actions and thoughts tell you that he is though. That makes it hard to get into because you don’t have anyone to pull for. You’re constantly reminded by the main character how stupid everyone else is so when they die it’s no big deal. He was so worried about getting out and saving himself that he didn’t want to save a 10 year old girl, but he’s not a dick according to them even though every five seconds he’s worried that it’s taking too long and they should just leave her. Couldn’t finish book and got my money back for the first time in 50+ books and years of listening.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Terrifyingly realistic

Another John O'Brien story to scare the crap out of me. This zombie tale starts at Ground Zero and shows just how easily thus could happen. I couldn't stop listening!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Something Different

Not exactly Zombies, but something to be feared non the less. This book is filled with action, compassion, and giggles. O'Brien sure did his homework from the CDC to the Military. The only complaint I have is that I have to wait for the next book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another hit

Wow....I have read the book but I always like to listen to the Audible version as well. I was not disappointed. As usual, something horrific begins with a beautiful sunny day where everyone is so engrossed in enjoying the sun, friends, a good read under a tree or bench or even an impromptu picnic. A misread label leads to the unthinkable occuring, the release of an experimental, extremely virulent virus that quickly infects those within the immediate vicinity. The infected become enraged carriers of a hybrid rabies virus that has only one goal, to perpetuate it's existence with the host as the carrier attacking everyone it sees. Those that are bitten rise and continue the infection spreading it with horrifying speed. Sgt Brown, a soon to be retired has taken a simple assignment as the ROTC instructor for the small university. It's easy and he is looking forward a quick year and retirment. Unfortunately he is caught in the midst of those infected and his only hope to remain alive and uninfected is to leave the campus and possibley the nearby town. Along with him are two ROTC cadets that managed to also evade the ramapage. Along the way, he also finds a little girl and convinces her to tag along. Brown knows what is happening and what will happen next once the government and military decide on the best course of stopping the virus and it will not bode well for an survivor in the town or anywhere close to it. He leads them out, avoiding the hordes of infected and the military and all their might as they attempt to contain the problem they created. John O'Brien has once again given us a character we can like if not relate to as he quickly takes steps necessary to ensure their survival as well as the knowledge of what can and will happen if they are found close to the town.
Meanwhile the one man that had warned against the move of the virus is now under the gun to stop it from spreading regardless of the consequences to any survivors. He cannot afford for the virus to get past his blockade. Great story with good storyline and scary enough to make you think.......like I said, I loved the book, the audible just brought it that much closer to home...great job John O'Brien...

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Definitely worth the time!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, the author and narrator are fairly new to me, however I was pleasantly surprised at the complexity of this story. There was a significant amount of emotional investment in this book/characters on my part. I can base this on how angry I get at the characters and the situations they get themselves into. It had the right amount of humor and drama, I laughed out loud at many a punchline! I'm about to start the next installment and am looking forward to the twists and turns the journey will take.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not. Zombies.

Spoiler: If you’re looking for a zombie book, keep looking. These are “zombies” like in “28 Days/Weeks Later.” Therefore - NOT ZOMBIES. The book is enjoyable although a section seemed, to me, overly drawn out. And then the usual stupid, “Eh, don’t worry about it” response to an important revelation.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Great premise, poor execution.

Much seemed to be filler. Great start, lots of filler, then a hollow contrived conclusion.

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1 person found this helpful