Hell's Requiem

An Apocalyptic Thriller

By: M. L. Banner

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Don't just survive the apocalypse -- live!

His son died, and his wife left him. Then the world ended. It was about to get much worse.

Tom was already prepared for society's collapse when the nonstop solar storms arrived. He just hadn't planned on the loneliness.

When a woman and a little boy show up, they bring with them much more than Tom had bargained for. He'll not only have to battle for his life; he'll need to fight for a reason to live, as he recalls the painful memories and the songs linked to them in Hell's Requiem.

©2017 Toes in the Water Publishing, LLC (P)2017 Toes in the Water Publishing, LLC

very enjoyable

didn't grab me at first, but kept coming back to my mind, like a song stuck in your head. worth the listen.

Loved the sound track

This was a good story with good character development. I enjoyed the way Banner folded in the sound track all but a few of the songs are on my own favorites list. The back story of Tom and his wife and son was also interesting. He really grieved for the loss of his son, not so much his wife. Seemed honest and added to the characters story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This is my honest review. I read and enjoyed the first two books in the Stone Age series. This is listed as the third, though it really stands alone. Would be 5 stars if it was longer.

Music & memories go hand-in-hand.

This is an interesting story to be sure. A bit off the beaten path of apocalyptic survival stories; this tale focuses on one man’s sorrow and guilt. Guilt for a tragedy he could neither avoid nor claim responsibility for. But he did feel responsible and it ruled his life. The unique twist here is the importance music played in this man’s life. His memories, both good and bad, along with major events are anchored in his mind with music. Each memory wrapped in its own song according to the time it played over the air. I think most, if not all of us, can relate. I know certain songs bring up memories for me. The story follows our protagonist Tom as he leaves his home heading for Cicada. An interesting story with well-developed characters, but more suited as background to Banner’s Cicada series, which I have not read. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Interesting use of songs

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tom and the Creepy Kid

Any additional comments?

I like the way the songs were used to tell the story of Tom's journey from self-pity and despair to a renewed purpose in life. The kid is very creepy. For the most part, I enjoyed the narration. The British accent definitely needs work. I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom for my unbiased review.

Great side story

In so much fiction there is only the protagonist and their immeadiate journey or adventure.

The set up of other characters and back story for the main coming main plot was awesome. It would be nice for other authors to not kill off stories when they get bored with them. Expanding that universe as done by Banner would be welcome to many beloved storylines.

Good job. Great pace. Fun read.

An Interesting Take on Post-Apocalyptic Tale

3.5 out of 5 stars

Hell's Requiem tells the story of Tom and his fight for survival after a solar storm takes the lights and seemingly peoples sanity from them.  He was prepared but he still lost everything.  His son is dead and his wife left him.  How much does he have to live for?

I wrote that this is an interesting take on a post-apocalyptic tale because Banner wrote it from the point of view where each chapter was a new song on an apocalyptic playlist.  Tom lives out his life to the themes that are presented in different songs.  This felt like a really cool and different idea.  (It reminded me a little bit of I Am Legend where Will Smith's character has a playlist that is really the only way that he gets through life alone in a world that is out to get him.

Tom as a character was hard to like.  Not that he was unlikable -- I just didn't feel like I was given enough reason to be following him until the story was almost over. Honestly, the last 50ish pages were where Tom became a tolerable main character.  That frustrated me a bit since I'd followed him for the other 200 already.  I actually took a break from Hell's Requiem because I found myself getting frustrated and asking "but, why?" I just couldn't figure out why Tom was the main character.

This isn't the first time that I felt like I was thrown into a story without some back story. The first time was with Banner's main series -- of course, I started with book two there, so I assumed that I just jumped into the story too late.  I just think that this book (and any future books) could benefit from some more backstory or character building in the opening chapters. I appreciate that Banner throws us into the action in this story quickly (especially because I hate books that drag on).  I just wanted a little more!

The story itself (especially after figuring out why we were following Tom) was a conglomeration of lots of other post-apocalyptic stories with some new ideas and thoughts sprinkled in.  Banner is able to write an enjoyable story that just fell a little short for me.  That being said, I still finished it and by the end, I was glad that I did.  The ending was kinda a mind-eff.  I was like, "Wait, seriously?!" by the last chapter. So, the book definitely redeemed itself in the final pages.

Overall, Hell's Requiem was a new take on a genre that I read a lot of! I think if I wasn't a PA veteran this book would have rated higher -- but being someone who reads 1 PA book a week this one wasn't my all-time favorite.  That being said, the ending was worth getting too and since the book itself isn't too long I'm glad that I got there.

Kevin Pierce narrating it didn't hurt either.  Pierce could narrate me the instructions on the back of my shampoo and I'd be riveted to my chair. Pierce definitely shined in this story.

I received a free copy of this book. It has not affected my review of my opinion.

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KEVIN PIERCE DOES END OF THE WORLD LIKE NO OTHER!

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I was confused with this story at times, it jumps around a bit, and once you listen to the whole thing, you will go... hmmmm? I loved the playlist, and it is a very realistic take on the end of the world... when his wife cries because there is no wifi in the beginning.. I totally lol'd, because that would be me! I felt bad for Tom at times, because he never stopped grieving his son.. and I can totally relate with that. Kevin Pierce does End of the world/Apocalypse/Prepper like no other... I really like listening to him... he rocks this genre!

Always listen to your gut!

I did enjoy learning about Tom and his life. How can you not feel for him?
I loved how they took lines from songs to make remember things. this happens all the time in real life.
Man, Tom just seems to keep getting hit by hard balls in his life. I kind of felt like i was rooting for the under dog. I wanted to shout, "listen to your gut Tom"!
This is a good start of a EMP series!
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

I need more about the boy!

First, I have to admit that I would probably listen to Kevin Pierce reciting a phone book. He is that good!
Second, he does read my absolute favorite genre post apocalyptic and prepper fiction.
I like to think that he gets a say in what he narrates as I have never been disappointed in a single book that he has narrated.
Is this a game plan story but it does have its dark moments. (As all SHTF books do)
I am very interested in the boy and where his story will lead.
Thank goodness for bad asses who have big hearts!

I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

This was an unexpected delight.

This story delivered all it promised and some more. The main character has a strong knowledge base of survival and prepping, but at no point did I feel like he was too busy criticiszing librals to get to being in the story. That alone made the story enjoyable.