☣️ Apocalyptic

Solstice: a novel of the Zombie Apocalypse

✍️ Donna Burgess
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$14.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A novel about survivors seeking Sanctuary after a flash causes an endless night and zombie-like Ragers.

The plot centers on the aftermath of a mysterious global event that stops the sun from shining. Characters in Sweden and London must traverse dangerous territories filled with infected individuals known as Ragers. The teacher and his students represent one group trying to survive inside a confined space before moving out. Their goal is to reach the British Isles where Sanctuary supposedly exists. The Swedish travelers rely on fragmented information from a radio broadcast to guide their path. Both groups face the constant threat of being torn apart by the hungry infected. Burgess uses this dual perspective to show how different people react to the same apocalypse. The story emphasizes the physical and emotional toll of traveling through a darkened world. It does not offer a simple resolution but focuses on the struggle for hope amidst terror.

Key Themes
Survival in darkness Rager infection Sanctuary journey
Literary Context

The novel is published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform in 2012. It engages with the zombie apocalypse genre by introducing a unique cause for the undead: a massive flash on the winter solstice eve. The setting spans from Sweden to London, reflecting a transatlantic perspective on global collapse. Burgess writes within the tradition of supernatural fiction that explores societal breakdown.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Max Brooks · Ira Levin
☣️
Apocalyptic
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2012 📖 246 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781477458990

📝 Description: Solstice: a novel of the Zombie Apocalypse

Donna Burgess writes a novel set against the backdrop of an unending winter. On the eve of the winter solstice, a massive flash envelopes the Earth, plunging civilization into darkness. Those exposed to this event become Ragers, bloodthirsty creatures determined to devour the uninfected. The narrative follows two distinct groups seeking a place called Sanctuary. In Sweden, uneasy travelers hear a broken broadcast offering hope on the shores of the British Isles. Simultaneously, an American high school English teacher and his students find themselves stranded in a London supermarket. They face hoards of hungry Ragers waiting to tear them apart. Burgess structures the story around their desperate journey toward this distant refuge. The book covers themes of survival, terror, and finding love at the end of the world. It suits readers who enjoy supernatural fiction with a focus on human resilience during catastrophic events. Those preferring fast-paced action without emotional depth may find the pacing deliberate. The text draws on gothic traditions by placing characters in perpetual darkness and isolation. Burgess qualifies her work by addressing the psychological impact of sudden global collapse. The narrative avoids magical solutions, relying instead on the characters' determination to reach safety. This approach grounds the horror in realistic human reactions to extreme stress. The story does not promise easy answers or quick escapes for its protagonists.

💎 Our verdict on Solstice: a novel of the Zombie Apocalypse

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Burgess effectively blends gothic atmosphere with visceral horror, creating a tense narrative driven by the dread of an unending winter. The dual structure between Sweden and London allows for a nuanced exploration of fear and isolation. While the pacing may feel deliberate to those seeking non-stop action, the emotional weight provides a satisfying counterbalance. The focus on human connection and the psychological impact of global collapse distinguishes it from standard genre fare. It suits readers who value character development and atmospheric dread alongside survival mechanics. The grounded approach to the apocalypse ensures the horror feels immediate and terrifyingly plausible.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate horror fiction that prioritizes psychological depth over mere spectacle will find this book rewarding. It offers a compelling dual-perspective narrative that examines how different individuals react to sudden, unimaginable terror. Those interested in the emotional toll of survival and the struggle for hope amidst despair will connect with the characters' desperate journey. The book is ideal for fans of supernatural fiction who enjoy seeing human resilience tested by extreme stress rather than magical solutions. It appeals to those who want a grounded take on the zombie apocalypse, focusing on the realistic human reactions to a world plunged into endless night and the constant threat of being torn apart by infected Ragers.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Burgess effectively blends gothic atmosphere with visceral horror, creating a tense narrative driven by the dread of an unending winter. The dual structure between Sweden and London allows for a nuanced exploration of fear and isolation. While the pacing may feel deliberate to those seeking non-stop action, the emotional weight provides a satisfying counterbalance. The focus on human connection and the psychological impact of global collapse distinguishes it from standard genre fare. It suits readers who value character development and atmospheric dread alongside survival mechanics. The grounded approach to the apocalypse ensures the horror feels immediate and terrifyingly plausible.

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