Audible Book Review: Zero Day Code by John Birmingham

This end of the world thriller is scarily possible.

Zero Day Code
End of Days, Book 1
By: John Birmingham
Narrated by: Rupert Degas

Series: End of Days, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 07-04-19
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Thriller, Military Science Fiction,
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Every modern city has one week’s worth of food to feed itself. Then it will collapse.
Cut off the resources to New York, Sydney, or even a mid-size metropolis, and millions will soon starve. In Zero Day Code we see those immense and open, hyper-complex, networked supercities of the new millennium die. And in the last moments we see their vengeance take form as all the best and worst traits of humanity bubble to the surface.
Zero Day Code is set in a realistic near future with dwindling global food supplies under increasing pressure from worsening droughts, floods and extreme weather events. Written by prolific Australian writer John Birmingham, the thriller follows a handful of survivors from the first day of society’s descent into violent, uncertain futures.
James, a consultant to the US National Security Council, is the first to suspect that the worldwide emergence of a crippling computer virus is actually a cover for something else - a devastating cyber-attack by China on the food distribution system of the United States. The attack is a bid for the Middle Kingdom to distract America as it seizes the food bowl of South East Asia and feeds its starving population. But Beijing has miscalculated.
Follow the missions of an embittered activist chasing salvation, a single mum rescuing her child from a frantic San Francisco and an army veteran who has long retreated from society, as the world they knew crumbles around them.
Please note: this audiobook contains mature content and listener discretion is advised.
©2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd. (P)2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.

Review:
This story follows several key characters who struggle to survive a collapse of society. James is a business adviser who studies the trends of the markets. He manages to become a consultant for the US National Security Council, where they provide him some additional information on a glitchy computer virus. He suspects that China is planning an attack on the US food distribution system. His warnings are accurate but just a tad too late. Apparently, most grocery stores in the US have only three days’ worth of supplies on hand, always expecting the next truck delivery. When the food distribution systems are scrambled it doesn’t take long for society to breakdown into chaos and brutality.

When the government contractors are released, James invites his new co-worker, Michelle, to join him to travel to his family home and farm in the Midwest. First, they have to gather some supplies, primarily transportation and food, in a hope to break out of DC and then they have to travel safely.

Rick is a former soldier who has chosen a solitary live style, with a service Lab, Nomi, as his companion. He finds himself with a sharp young woman, Mel, who teaches martial arts and self-defense in a nearby park. The pair are off in their own world enjoying their new relationship and not following the news. A routine stop to pick up dog supplies finds them caught in the middle of an armed robbery.

Another character is a violent, low-life thug who dreams of becoming a famous pod-caster. He is part of the evil side of the society breakdown and contributes a barrage of ugly language to the book. One woman, dealing with an escape from an abusive ex-husband, is desperate to get to her son to find a safe place for them.

The author includes vignettes of the situation in other countries which led to this attack. The China powers tried to make the attack less than full on to minimize the response, but they didn’t recognize the extent of the damage they would cause and the reaction that would follow.

The plot is a scarily possible version of an end of the world scenario. The mix of characters are interesting with some quite likeable and others not so much. Real life struggles that emerge are shown through the various points of view. Few of the characters are prepared to face the rapid decline of life as we know it. This is the first book I have read by Mr. Birmingham but it certainly won’t be the last. I am glad to have books 2 and 3. I highly recommend this to fans of TEOTWAWKI thrillers.

Audio Notes: Rupert Degas does a wonderful job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and strong energy. I will admit I was engrossed in the story and I think that gives support for good narration that helped draw me into the story.

Source: February Free Audible Catalog. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook and 2021Alhabet goals.