For more reviews of The Judas Syndrome, or to write one of your own please visit Amazon.co.uk

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Post apocalyptic fiction isn't normally my go-to genre, but this story goes beyond the simple plotline of "what happens after the bomb". If you enjoyed Stephen King's "The Stand", the movies "Stand by Me" and "Band of Brothers", and appreciate strong character interactions, this little gem is worth your time. The Judas Syndrome is a story of a group
of stranded teenagers who find themselves struggling to survive in a world destroyed by a madman's ideology. They're guided by nothing more than their wits and a little bit of supernatural intervention.

The author has a good writing style and is very eloquent - you can tell that he has stepped into the protagonist's shoes and is actually experiencing the story as it unfolds. He allows the complex interactions of the characters to drive the story, rather than rely solely on external circumstances. In other words, it's all about the characters, not about the situation.

The astute reader may recognize subtle quasi-religious sub-themes which surface now and again without being overt or overshadow the storyline. I will admit that initially I was a bit disconcerted to imagine a bunch of 17 year old stoners speaking with the level of maturity and insight in this story, but as the tale unfolds, it is less of an issue and even becomes somewhat plausible. Or maybe I give teenagers more intellectual credit than I should. /shrug All in all, this was a fun book to read, and I found it highly enjoyable.

Please be aware that although the main characters in this book are teenagers, this story is definitely written for the
adult reader. If you are comfortable with strong language, characters who engage in copious drug use, and mature themes, this story is a good value. - Andrea Kraus


For more reviews of The Judas Syndrome, or to write one of your own please visit Amazon.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

As one not prone to read apocalypic prose, The Judas Sydrome has made me a believer in the genre.

Michael's insight into human nature under pressure and uncertainty is a textbook look at human behaviour and interdependancy. His comparison of the world outside and the world of the mind is spellbinding and the question throughout is ,which will collapse first.

The characters are strong and interesting. The action is non stop with unexpected twists and turns leaving one guessing at what might happen next. But your guess would be wrong. Michaels juxtaposition of good and evil is stark not only as it plays out on the physical landscape but more interesting on the landscape of the human mind.

The use of omenous apparitions adds great flavour to the plot and intriguingly blurs the line between fact and fantasy. The reader is constantly questioning, as are the characters, what these apparitions are, what power they have, and
what part they will play in the groups ultimate triumph or demise.

Truly a rollercoaster ride of emotion, action, introspection and mystey, a ride I am glad I waited in line for. I am already queing up for the next book. Hold onto your hat! - Roger Luton

For more reviews of The Judas Syndrome, or to write one of your own please visit the fan page on Facebook

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

How would you deal with the apocalypse?

Have you ever wondered what you might go through if the rest of the world ended and left you and your friends to fend
for yourselves? Mike Poeltl has written an excellent book – the Judas Syndrome gives a fantastic, well-imagined answer. The characters, familiar to everyone and rooted firmly i...n the strengths and weaknesses of human nature,
are put through a series of exciting, chilling and though provoking events.

The surprising but entirely believable ending was a big plus. It came as a surprise, but once I thought about it, the
logic became inescapable - it HAD to end that way - Jeff Farris

For more reviews of The Judas Syndrome, or to write one of your own please visit the fan page on Facebook
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

The Judas Syndrome is a nice departure from the familiar post-apocalyptic theme of scarcity. The debut novel by Michael Poeltl is rich in its use of excess – from copious amounts of drugs to gratuitous violence to the emotional
highs and lows of the main characters. The book does a good job of exploring the abundance of a suddenly depopulated world.

The main character, Joel, leads a gang of high school friends who find themselves among a handful of post-
holocaust survivors. At first the friends treat the end of the world as an opportunity to party. They find a massive
grow-up, scrounge more liquor then they could ever consume, and try their best to forget the family and life they
have lost. However, every now and then reality seeps in, usually in a pot induced, hyper paranoid state, and Poeltl
does an excellent job of connecting the reader to the pain and denial the characters are feeling. This is perhaps the book’s strongest achievement.

A post-apocalyptic cult leader antithesis, who is typical genre hyperbole, confronts Joel and his gang roughly half way through the Judas Syndrome. The cult leader is on an Inquisition style mission to root out evil and makes outrageous demands on the school gang. Naturally Joel refuses to submit to the cult questioning and a surprisingly good fight scene ensues. But, the cult leader is not a significantly developed foil for Joel’s character to battle. The lack of a clear antithesis is the book’s weakness. On one hand, it could be said that Joel is his own worst enemy, or that the cryptical Grimm Reaper – a cyber terrorist who took credit for unleashing the apocalypse is the antithesis. Perhaps the reader will decide for themselves. In any case, The Judas Syndrome is a solid debut novel that is worth the read and I look forward to Poeltl’s next novel - Jason Percy White