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Scabs: The Gemini Exception  By  cover art

Scabs: The Gemini Exception

By: Eric A. Shelman
Narrated by: Eric A. Shelman
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Publisher's summary

A strange phenomenon occurs out of nowhere: an omnipresent light that engulfs the entire planet. Humanity is forever changed by the light. NOAA and NASA are mystified.

People soon face a new threat; even the smallest, most insignificant injury will no longer heal. Doctors cannot stop it. The sick do not die. They change.

They are Scabs.

As the survivors flee, it becomes clear there's no place to run, and time is short. The topography of the planet begins to change. Devastation and destruction ensue on a massive scale.

Scott and Warren Walsh are brothers. Over 1,000 miles separate them from one another. Something about them is special, and places them in a category with only 0.2 percent of the world's population.

Only one thing gives Scott, Warren, and others like them hope against the Scabs...The Gemini Exception.

©2015 Eric A. Shelman (P)2015 Eric A. Shelman

What listeners say about Scabs: The Gemini Exception

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    4 out of 5 stars

it's intense, small scale, and very personal

Scabs: The Gemini Exception is something lacking in the apocalyptic fiction world; it's intense, small scale, and very personal.

The two protagonists in Eric A. Shelman's novel are twin brothers Scott and Warren Walsh. After being separated by a divorce they've grown up and started their own adult lives, and are well adjusted, reasonably happy men when the book starts. They share a hobby for messenger pigeons (it helps them stay in touch over long distances), which becomes a crucial part of the story's plot.

The book begins with a bizarre period of intense, smothering white light that permeates the world. Everything for no discernible reason becomes illuminated by an indirect, otherworldly light. It kills shadows, mutes the night and causes tremendous disruption to the world. At the same time people who are injured stop healing.

Like, any injury will no longer heal. You're stuck with it for life, which as we find out for most, won't be much time at all.

When the light suddenly disappears those who are hurt begin to have their wounds scab over. But the scabs quickly get out of hand, covering their entire bodies like a terrible growth, encasing them in a chrysalis that they emerge from as monsters. Mutations of the highest degree become the rule of the day, and when they are set free from their prisons, they seek out anything still human to feed, and to destroy. The only people spared this fate are twins, leaving Warren and Scott to protect their families, and seek out answers and safety.

First off, Eric's narration of his own novel is fantastic. His production values are on par with the finest studio productions, and his voice (voices really, as he bounces around with different accents and cadences) is easy to listen to. I can easily say this is a top three audiobook that was read by the author. Kudos to him for a wonderful job.

Story-wise Scab's greatest strength lies in the intense, slow burn reveal of the apocalypse. It's a simmering story that unfolds one tiny revelation at a time, building and building the impending terror until it's unleashed in its full horror in the third act. Oddly for me, I thought the huge reveal of the full terror would be the highlight of the story but I was wrong. The build up turned out to be the most satisfying part of the story, and one I think others will enjoy in the same way.

Scabs features a reasonable cast of characters that isn't overwhelmingly large, but also well varied, as well as a good amount of action, and a bucketload of proper apocalyptic tension. Scabs: The Gemini Exception is a very welcome addition to the science fiction genre, and a must read for fans of Robert McCammon or the like.

Audiobook was provided for review by the Author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

!!Excellent!!

I read many many Zombie type books and am constantly in search of something unique, this is it! It was great. I was a little hesitant that the author narrorator it, but he did a really good job,the only way that could of been better is if Sean Runette or Ray Chase would have done it lol. I was pleasantly surprised to have really liked the authors narroration, great work! The story is unique and keeps you wanting more and you can't get much better than that. I can't wait for the next book! Hurry! I highly recommend this book to any zombie book lovers or post apocalyptic and apocalypse type book readers!

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because I enjoyed all aspects of the story. There were times when the book was a bit slow but I understood it was an effort so we could to get to know and grow to like each character, and I did. Because of the way the story ended, there is a need for a second book and I hope it comes soon. If there isn't a second book coming soon...I will NOT be pleased.

What did you like best about this story?

It kept my interest and that is not easy to do.

Which character – as performed by Eric A. Shelman – was your favorite?

All of them. Mr. Shelman gave a great performance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A few but I'll leave that for each reader to discover for themselves.

Any additional comments?

Get going on the second book quick!

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed it all, except the ending.

The final scene left me expecting another 10 hrs of narrative. Other than that, great book.

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3 people found this helpful

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

You will NOT be disappointed!

I LOVED this book. From the start it grabbed me and took me for a ride.

Maybe it's just me but I wasnt as scared as most of the reviews. I was intrigued by the light, and how the scabs started. I wanted to cut into it myself and see what was inside.

It was nice to see the difference between the main character twins dealt with what was happening. A little sad for one.

My only complaint is, that the story ended and now I have to wait for the next one.

And Mr. Shelman, ANY kind of bacon is good :)

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • 10-14-15

Enjoyed this book

I really enjoyed listen to this book. It was a very good story keep my interest the hole time and had you guess what the scabs things are and what the do. Eric can tell a story very well . I will be waiting for book 2.

This is a must have for any horror , sifi thriller , Shelman fan

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent start to a great series!

I am a great fan of the apocalyptic genre. This is a great start to a good story. It has a slight twist to it that makes it different and exciting. I will definitely be purchasing the next two books

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Unique!

This was such a unique and engrossing read, that it was really hard to put down! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, but I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did.

Plot wise, it was slow to start but still kind of gripping. Twin brothers, Scott and Warren live miles apart but have a passion for carrier pigeons, and that's how they communicate. So when a weird light appears suddenly infusing everyone and everything with it, they know something isn't right. Both decide that they need to meet up and try to survive this strange new world. It only get's worse, however, when people stop healing! From the littlest to the largest wound, nobody can heal. Many people lose their lives but those that don't have a wound they can't heal, that is until, the light goes away! Then people with injuries start scabing over, but it doesn't stop there, the scab keeps going until it encases the person totally. People are freaking out and trying not to get the slightest touch. Eventually, the scabs start opening and what comes out is a thing of nightmares! Can the brothers reunite?

So ya, this was such a unique post apocalyptic read. I really enjoyed the plot, I really liked the characters, which there weren't many of!! I really liked the idea of the twins being immune to the scabs. I even really enjoyed the fact that the narrator was the author himself. So overall I truly enjoyed this, so why not 5 stars?? Well, I think I found that something was missing from it. I'm not too sure what, but something stopped me from not loving this! Maybe it was the fact that I didn't really connect with one of the brothers. I found him to be self absorbed and not really nice!

Anyway, this is a unique and thrilling read and I will definitely check out more by this author.

As for the narration. I usually shy away from authors reading their own work as most of the time they fail, but Eric A. Shelman did a really good job!! He had enough tones for his characters though I did find that the brothers sounded the same at times. He was easy enough to listen to and was clear and concise.

*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*

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MOST ORIGINAL PLOT!!

Very Original setup!
IN DIRE NEED OF A PROFESSIONAL NARRATOR.
He does a good Jon but the writing is good the storyline very good and both deserve a pro narration.

Let's amp this up for #2

And you Know there will be a #2

Just hurry up with it!


You get so damn TIRED OF ZOMBINIES!!

Just the picture the word SCAB conjures up gives the perfect level

Of GROSS IVITY!

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Loved It!!

This was an excellent book! Eric makes it very easy to fall in love with his characters, I was really rooting for everyone! Definitely worth a listen, you will not be able to turn it off once you start. 5 stars!!

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