The Blissful Plague (All Our Forgotten Futures Book 4) by Brady Koch Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A mother and daughter must traverse a broken world and face their past together in author Brady Koch’s “The Blissful Plague”, the fourth book in the All Our Forgotten Futures series.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Maggie, her mother, and their loyal dog, Penny, traverse desolate cities, guided by a well-worn travel book. A chance encounter with a solitary boy, entangles them in the perils of Plantation Oaks, a seemingly safe haven.

As secrets unravel, revealing the reasons behind their endless voyage, Maggie and her mother grapple with their complex past. This poignant tale speaks to survival, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter, emphasizing the strength it takes to navigate a shattered world.

Take a Food Journey Around the World!

The Review

As a longtime fan of series like The Walking Dead, The Last of Us, and author Alexandra Bracken’s “The Darkest Minds”, this story really spoke to me. I’ve been covering this series all year, and this fourth novella was truly character-driven. The relationship between this mother and daughter, and the connection to the overall narrative started in book 1, made their story feel intimate and emotional, highlighting the impact that this world has had on their journey.

The mythos of this story and the emergence of the “feral” people that resulted from this global pandemic made the reader feel emerged into this story. The imagery of the author’s writing style really captured the lonely, abandoned feeling that the story brought forth in its setting. Yet, the heart and hope that the characters bring to the world help elevate this dystopian story to new heights.

Holiday Bundles

The Verdict

Heartfelt, thoughtful, and entertaining, author Brady Koch’s “The Blissful Plague” is a fantastic dystopian read and the perfect conclusion to this narrative. The emotional bond between the mother and daughter of this story, and the examination of how we as a people overcome overwhelming odds (reflected in the way we faced the global pandemic of our world), made this a gripping story that is not to be missed. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Feel free to read over Brady’s shoulder if you see him working on a new novel or short story at the coffee shop or library. Despite his penchant for crime, horror, and the unusual in his writing, he’s actually a nice guy and welcomes your feedback. Brady Koch’s first collection of short works, Guns, Gods & Robots, is now available. His debut novel, All our Forgotten Futures, will be available in Winter 2023.

Website: www.BradyKoch.com

Twitter: @BradyTheWriter

Email: BradyKochBooks@gmail.com

The Hotline at the End of the World (All Our Forgotten Futures Book 3) by Brady Koch Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A man working a hotline at the CDC sees an opportunity to end a global plague when a woman the world has been searching for may be on the line with him in author Brady Koch’s “The Hotline at the End of the World”, the third book in the All Our Forgotten Futures series. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

In a world paralyzed by an unprecedented outbreak, Clint mans the CDC hotline, a solitary beacon of dwindling hope. Then, one fateful day, a call comes in. Clint finds himself navigating a delicate situation involving a mysterious woman, hinted at in classified files, who may possess the coveted cure. As the world remains under a suffocating lockdown, Clint’s every word, every choice, holds the weight of untold futures.

“The Hotline at the End of the World” is a gripping narrative of responsibility and suspense, set in a reality where a single phone call can alter the course of humanity.

ABN Banner

The Review

This was a gripping and compelling short story. The author is able to weave together plot points from the previous two entries in this series to illustrate the desperation and sorrow that has overtaken the world, emphasizing in particular the importance of book one protagonist Sarah. The fast pace of the narrative and gripping imagery really elevate the tension that has built over time in this world.

The character development and world-building that this story does for the All Our Forgotten Futures series was incredible. The subtle moments of the narrative, such as the protagonist scratching at a phantom limb illustrate the things and people that are missing from his own life and the way this story builds towards an emotional and fantastic final entry into this dystopian-level sci-fi thriller. 

The Verdict

Engaging, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking, author Brady Koch’s “The Hotline at the End of the World” is a must-read short story and emotional read. The twists and turns that drive this story forward and the shocking end that leaves the future on a somber note yet filled with endless possibilities make this a thoughtful and caring story to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Feel free to read over Brady’s shoulder if you see him working on a new novel or short story at the coffee shop or library. Despite his penchant for crime, horror, and the unusual in his writing, he’s actually a nice guy and welcomes your feedback. Brady Koch’s first collection of short works, Guns, Gods & Robots, is now available. His debut novel, All our Forgotten Futures, will be available in Winter 2023.

Website: www.BradyKoch.com

The Forgotten Sons of Wyoming (All Our Forgotten Futures Book 2) by Brady Koch Review

I received a free copy of this book in e exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A group of men at a ranch discover they have no memory of how they arrived at the location nor how their secrets connect to one another in author Brady Koch’s “The Forgotten Sons of Wyoming”, the second book in the All Our Forgotten Futures series. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

The men at Trinity Ranch all have something in common: none of them can remember how they arrived there or the terrible secret they all share.

Introducing BookBaby Editing Services. The first truly affordable book editing solution designed for self-publishing authors.

The Review

Author Brady Koch has done it again. The thrilling and captivating world that the author has built shows the depth of character development blending with the mind-boggling world-building that builds upon some of the mythos established in the author’s first book in this series. The imagery and atmosphere become quite prevalent early on in the narrative, allowing the reader to feel the contrast of the serenity the men in this facility feel clashing with the violence and shock that comes with working in a slaughterhouse.

The heart of this story came in the rich mythos of the greater story blending with the mystery and suspense that this particular novel brought to life. The compassion and intrigue that the protagonist and his fellow workers conjure up take several drastic turns as the secrets of their past come to life, even to them. The shock and awe that the narrative takes as the layers of the mystery peel away one by one will keep readers on the edge of their seats. 

ABN Banner

The Verdict

Memorable, adrenaline-fueled, and entertaining, author Brady Koch’s “The Forgotten Sons of Wyoming” is a must-read thriller! The tension and pacing of the author’s work really do an incredible job of drawing the reader in and the dynamic character development allows the reader to feel the shocking twists and turns that take the narrative into all new directions. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Feel free to read over Brady’s shoulder if you see him working on a new novel or short story at the coffee shop or library. Despite his penchant for crime, horror, and the unusual in his writing, he’s actually a nice guy and welcomes your feedback. Brady Koch’s first collection of short works, Guns, Gods & Robots, is now available. His debut novel, All our Forgotten Futures, will be available in Winter 2023.

Website: www.BradyKoch.com

Interview with Author Brady Koch

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I used to have a train commute that would take an hour in and out of the city each way. I’ve always been drawn to golden-era science fiction and horror and started writing short stories every day on the train. Eventually, I had enough to select from for my first collection Guns Gods & Robots. Reviews and feedback from my readers inspired me to keep at it.  

Advertisements

2) What inspired you to write your book?

I always like to ground my science fiction stories with an ethical dilemma and have been interested in the tragic Typhoid Mary story for a while. She was a woman immune to typhoid fever, but still transmitting it to everyone she came into contact with. She worked as a cook but couldn’t continue doing that and it ruined her livelihood. Her crime was being a carrier. Sara Glen started as a version of that. What if she had the opposite challenge? What if she carried a cure? But what if the only way the world could benefit from it would destroy her?  

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Sara is indecisive, as I would think anyone would be in her situation. I want readers to see how they think they would act in the same situation. Are they empathetic? Frustrated? There’s no right answer, but I want people to consider what they would choose for themselves. That’s been my favorite feedback. People enjoying your stories is nice, but if they feel like they are actively involved, that’s even better.  

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

My favorite science fiction is rooted in possibility. Day after tomorrow type of technology. In the case of The Negotiated Death of Sara Glen, the tech is commercial DNA testing, genetic mapping, and ultimately personal health data privacy. If this kind of tech we have in our lives today turns against us, then it’s easy to make the case that this also bleeds into psychological horror.

BookBaby's Complete Self-Publishing Package includes eBooks, Printed Books and more - everything you need for your book launch!

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Sara has enough on her mind so I wouldn’t want to bother her. There is a side character, Dr. Reggie, that I would love to check in with to verify the medical information I’ve included in the book. I’m no Michael Crichton and needed to streamline the disease explainer, but wanted to guarantee it was grounded in actual science.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I started writing and distributing short stories for free through platforms like OpenBook (RIP) and Noise Trade (RIP again). These were great because I would get the contact information for each person who would download the book. Now I use Drive-thru Fiction for the same purpose. It’s also been good to have these lists to get some advance readers willing to give me honest feedback.

ABN Banner

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Knock out that first draft warts and all. It feels great to get to the end. Then put it away for a while before revisiting it for your first edit. I’ve found that editing as I go makes something fun into an absolute chore.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

The Negotiated Death of Sara Glen is the first of four novels I’m releasing this year. They’re each distinct capsule stories that are all part of a larger narrative called All Our Forgotten Futures. That larger volume will be going to print in the fall. After that, I’ve completed a weird mystery/suspense novel that should be coming out in 2024 then a short story collection later that same year.

Advertisements

About the Author

Feel free to read over Brady’s shoulder if you see him working on a new novel or short story at the coffee shop or library. Despite his penchant for crime, horror, and the unusual in his writing, he’s actually a nice guy and welcomes your feedback. Brady Koch’s first collection of short works, Guns, Gods & Robots, is now available. His debut novel, All our Forgotten Futures, will be available in Winter 2023.

Website: www.BradyKoch.com

Email: BradyKochBooks@gmail.com