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I'm sharing some of the books, films, and TV shows that inspired Rule of Extinction, both to provide recommendations and to give readers a sense of what to expect. The Book of Koli (and its sequels) by M.R. Carey was another inspiration for Rule of Extinction. One of my goals was to create a rich world with intricate layers of sci-fi elements while keeping a tight focus on a handful of compelling characters. Few books do that as well as the RAMPART Trilogy.  The Book of Koli is a post-apocalyptic adventure about a man named Koli who lives in a small, isolated village on the British Isles in the *very* distant future. Genetic engineering has caused Earth's flora and fauna to evolve into new deadly forms. "Everything that lives hates us."  Humanity has reverted to pre-industrial levels of technology. A few pieces of technology remain, some of which are advanced far beyond our current technology. Those that are able to use this tech are called "Ramparts" and they hold an elevated place in their social hierarchy.
I listened to all three books on audiobook. The narration by Theo Solomon (plus Saffron Coomber and Hanako Footman in books 2 and 3) is absolutely wonderful.  My new trilogy is quite different from the Rampart trilogy... But it's similar in that I tried to create a world with rich and intricate sci-fi elements that grow increasingly epic with each book, while keeping the focus on the personal stories of the characters.
If I was able to deliver an experience half as compelling as Mike Carey, then I've done something mighty... because the Koli books are *that* good. And they aren't nearly as well known as they should be. Please check them out! And if you like the Rampart trilogy and want to read another post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure, please check out Rule of Extinction. Preorder - - - - - Read Reviews - - - - - Request an ARC
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I'm sharing some of the books, films, and TV shows that inspired Rule of Extinction, both to provide recommendations and to give readers a sense of what to expect.
Run succeeds (imo) because at its core, the focus is on a father trying to protect his family. In Rule of Extinction, a comet is about to end civilzation.Mysterious pods arrive that carry people away. The opening chapters follow a father desperate to get his family into one of those pods.  Run moves at breakneck speed. Its tone is dark and gritty. It’s a hell of a thrill ride. Though Rule of Extinction features a wholly different scenario, its tone and pace owe a debt to Run. Run (and Pines) were such an influence that I hired Crouch's editor, Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry, to help me polish Rule of Extinction.
If you're interested in a dark break-neck apocalyptic thriller, then hurry up and grab a copy of Run. (The audiobook of the 2024 reissue is narrated by Scott Brick.)  And if you’re interested in another fast-paced apocalyptic adventure about a father trying to save his family, check out RULE OF EXTINCTION. Preorder - - - - - Read Reviews - - - - - Request an ARC
I'm sharing some of the books, films, and TV shows that inspired Rule of Extinction, both to provide recommendations and to give readers a sense of what to expect. Bird Box by Josh Malerman was another inspiration for my new book, Rule of Extinction. I love post-apocalyptic fiction. And although zombies and plagues make for great set-ups, I'm particularly fond of stories with a unique spin on the apocalypse. Bird Box delivers. In Bird Box (and its great follow-up Malorie), most of humanity has been wiped out by something that turns people homicidal if they see it. Horrific violence can occur at any moment.
As a result, the characters spend much of their time blindfolded. The tension is palpable. The survivors are thrust into a group where they aren't sure who they can trust, which only adds to the pervasive sense of dread. The story centers around parent will stop at nothing to protect her children. Bird Box and Malorie are available at Amazon:
Susanne Bier adapted Bird Box into a terrific film. However, I really recommend the audiobooks. Cassandra Campbell's narration is fantastic.  Although Rule of Extinction is quite different, with a completely different post-apocalyptic scenario, I attempted to replicate the page-turning tension & the horrific sense that anything could happen.
One protagonist is also a devoted parent, fighting to keep his children safe in a world filled with monsters, both human and otherwise. I'm sharing some of the books, films, and TV shows that inspired Rule of Extinction, both to provide recommendations and to give readers a sense of what to expect.
The Mist was a huge inspiration for my first book, The Dinosaur Four, and aspects of The Mist influenced Rule of Extinction. Much of The Mist takes place in a supermarket, a location that's immediately relatable. I set The Dinosaur Four in a cafe for just that reason. In The Mist, as with so many great horror stories, the other people are just as dangerous as the monsters. A religious fanatic convinces the crowd that end times have come and demands a blood sacrifice. Rule of Extinction features a similar subplot, and it pushes the book's antagonist over the edge.
Frank Darabont’s film adaptation makes an unforgettable change that kicks you in the guts. My favorite version is a dramatized audio adaptation. I listened to that sucker endlessly as a kid.
I'm sharing some of the books, films, and TV shows that inspired Rule of Extinction, both to provide recommendations and to give readers a sense of what to expect. The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a bleak survival story about a father and son scavenging their way through a world left barren by an unspecified apocalypse. McCarthy shines a light on the worst elements of humanity... but also highlights the love of a parent and the need for perserverance in the face of oppressive challenges John Hillcoat directed a film adaptation in 2009 staring Viggo Mortensen. I loved The Road's fiercely grim tone. It made the father’s dogged perseverance all the more heroic.
Rule of Extinction also features a father trying to keep his family safe in desperate times. It isn't as bleak (or eloquent) as The Road, but it goes to some dark places. The Road is both bleak and beautifully haunting. Highly recommended! I'm sharing some of the books, films, and TV shows that inspired Rule of Extinction, both to provide recommendations and to give readers a sense of what to expect.
Wool (Silo book 1) is post-apocalyptic sci-fi mystery about people living in an immense underground silo after the surface of the Earth has become uninhabitable. Howey deftly hands off the narrative from one set of characters to another, while maintaining a cohesive experience and introducing new mysteries as old ones are solved. This episodic storytelling made the books tough to put down, and these elements made the Silo saga perfect for a TV adaptation. Season 1 of the AppleTV+ adaptation was fantastic. Season 2 begins Friday, November 15. All-in-all, the Silo saga does a terrific job of balancing the personal stories of its characters with the epic nature of the larger post-apocalyptic mysteries.
Though my book is very different, I kept these aspects of Howey's storytelling in mind as I wrote Rule of Extinction. As a self-published author, Howey also inspired me professionally. I hired my own editor, cover artist, & narrator. The Silo saga is a compelling character-driven post-apocalyptic adventure. Please check it out! The Silo saga at Amazon And if you are looking for more post-apocalyptic science fiction, please give Rule of Extinction a look. Preorder Rule of Extinction at Amazon Download a Rule of Extinction ARC at NetGalley I'm sharing some of the books, films, and TV shows that inspired Rule of Extinction, both to provide recommendations and to give readers a sense of what to expect. Blake Crouch's Wayward Pines trilogy was one of the earliest inspirations for Rule of Extinction. Initially, Wayward Pines appears to be a traditional thriller about a Secret Service agent investigating a missing persons case in an idyllic Idaho town. The story spirals into horror when Agent Ethan Burke encounters homicidal townspeople. As things progress, Crouch peels away the layers of the onion to reveal something much, much larger going on. It's difficult to say more about Wayward Pines without spoiling the surprises. Crouch has talked about how Wayward Pines was inspired by Twin Peaks, but to me, it also felt like a mix of two older TV shows: The Fugitive and The Twilight Zone. I was hooked from the start, and felt like I'd discovered a new Stephen King. I loved the way Wayward Pines tells an increasingly-epic story while keeping the emotional focus on the characters. I also loved the dark tone, constant tension, and the pervasive sense that anything could happen. Wayward Pines combines the right mix of science fiction and horror for my taste. All of these aspects were in the back of my mind as I wrote Rule of Extinction (and its sequels). Wayward Pines was also part of the now-defunct Kindle Worlds program, which allowed other authors to publish stories within the world of a particular intellectual property. I thought this was a great idea and developed a scenario that would work well with the program. Although Kindle Worlds was discontinued in 2018, the exercise strengthened my world-building. The Wayward Pines trilogy is the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, science fiction, and horror. Highly recommended!   Sabrina Ricci at Digital Pubbing interviewed me recently about my publishing and marketing experiences. Hopefully there is a nugget in there that is useful to someone. Here is a fun quote: When I’m editing, I read everything out loud to make sure it flows well, again and again and again. I recommend this, and I also recommend that you lock the door. It is heart-stopping-ly embarrassing to be in the zone, performing your unfinished work out loud and have someone come up behind you. Click the link below to read the rest, as well as lots of other great info about digital publishing:
The Making of a Successful Ebook: An Interview with Geoff Jones, Author of The Dinosaur Four Local Editions Books and Coffee opens today in Longmont, Colorado. Local Editions will only sell books by Colorado authors. The Dinosaur Four, which was written in Colorado and takes place in Denver, will be available in paperback. Be sure to like the Local Editions Facebook page to find out about upcoming author events. Stop by for a cup of coffee and a great read! Local Editions Books and Coffee 2919 17th Ave Suite 110 Longmont, CO 80503  Books to Be Red, on the island of Ocracoke, North Carolina, now has signed copies of The Dinosaur Four available for purchase. Owner Leslie Lanier says the book has been a steady seller. Books to Be Red has a great selection of books, toys, and souvenirs, and Leslie is quick with recommendations. If you are ever on the Outer Banks, Books to Be Red is worth a trip to Ocracoke. Until then, be sure to like them on Facebook!  |
AuthorGeoff Jones is the author of the sci-fi thriller Archives
January 2025
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