The Passage by Justin Kronin

I'd never heard of this book. I think I found out about it from one of the 'interview the author' type blog posts (can't remember whose sorry) the author was asked what there favourite top three books was and this was one of them. Feeling a bit at a loss as to what to read I though I'd see if the library had got it. They did and boy am I glad that they did.

Here is a link to the authors website.
http://enterthepassage.com/

From the back of the book.

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy—abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape—but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world

I have only just finished this book having started it at the beginning of December its took me a while as the prep for Christmas meant I could only read bits at a time and not for very long but with the break over Christmas I managed to get it finished.

Its a beast of a book at just over 1000 pages but it has kept me enthralled it full of all sorts of different emotions which you can't help getting swept up in. It has become probably one of the best books I've ever read and that's not an exaggeration either.. If you like vampires or post apocalyptic settings I suggest you go and seek it out!

Its sequel 'The Twelve' is out also and I've just requested it from the library can't wait.

 Please do go check it out you won't regret it.

Happy New Year 2013

Just a quick post to wish all who follow my blog a Happy New Year 2013, May it be a prosperous and healthy one for all you and your families!

Thanks for taking an interest.

All the Best Simon (Brummie)

Projects for 2013

With the rush of Christmas over a lot of forums I visit have been holding threads on plans for 2013 model projects?

Myself I intend to continue with my various Zombies projects, More 7TV, Certainly more Empire of the Dead and a new one sci fi in 15mm.

I've always been in love with the Aliens, Predator, Aliens Vs Predator movies and books. I recently caught up with some movie watching and watched Prometheus which has sparke off my imagination. I looked into doing this in 28mm Hasslefree being a great source of marines. However there are no decent Alien figures that don't require major conversions to get the look that I want. So 15mm is the route I've decided to go it will be mainly figures from Khurasan though I may pick up a few bits and pieces.

The first package has arrived of many as I'm ordering small quantity's to avoid being stung by customs plus they have some excellent vehicles. I've been collecting some matchbox diecast vehicles from various places for the project which i'm going to try and strip and repaint.

What are you guys all planning on doing,

Hasslefree Parker

Reading the zombie like series by Charlie Higson The Enemy, The Dead, The Fear and The Sacrifice basically everyone over the age of 14 falls down with a diseases which turns them in to flesh hungry diseased beasts. It tells the story of the remaining children striving to survive in this new world. There are some great ideas in these books and it is what has inspired my competition entry for The Board of The Living Dead.

Hasslefree where obviously going to be my main source for Child like survivors. I picked up the Mantic/Hasslefree set 'Juveniles' which comprises of five armed children four of them you can get direct from Hasslefree and one is a special that can only be got in this set. I have to mention the fact that these figures are so tiny!

First up from this set is Parker this guy is one of my favourite figures by Hasslefree I love the coat and brings back fond memories from my Junior school years. Armed with a machette he's ready to cleave some zombies!

As December was quite busy for everyone we decided to push the comp deadline upto January 31st 2013 so I'll be doing there rest in the next few weeks

Merry Christmas Everyone

Just wanting to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given--when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.

May your stockings be full and may the wine flow (or beer)

Break from work tonight until the new year yay! Looking forward to spending time with the family playing games with the kids and eating to much food. Just got the last few bits to do for my competition entry hoping to finish it for Christmas Eve.

Have a great one everybody hope your stockings and sacks are filled with lots of shiny things.

Peace to all

Simon (Brummie) 

Foundry Converted Female Survivor

This is one of the figures I was intending of using as one of Brummies Angels an all group of female secret agents etc. Well the idea shortly fell on its ass as not long after i bought/converted all the miniatures some great female figures where released by Crooked Dice so the idea now is to use those instead.

So any way this was one I converted a fair bit. I've added a grenade/pouch from a space marine scout sprue as well as sculpting some extra pouches on the the back. I've use putty to cover the stomach and extend the top. The shorts have been filed down so that the look like skinny jeans and the roller skates have been converted into the huge biker style boots with the metal strips all over them. One thing I like about this miniatures is the fact she is holding the SMG left handed. I am right handed myself but when firing a rifle I automatically use my left hand? I've included a picture of the Foundry pack she is from so you can see what she looked like before hand.

Posts will probably tail off a little bit in the next few weeks as I need to get my diorama finished off for Christmas eve.

Purbrook Models Competition

A new model selling company called Purbrook Models announced on facebook a competition.
Which was what can you do with a free model in a month. The prize being a £10 voucher to spend in there store. So I though what the hell I'll give it a go. So here is my entry. Its a Mantic Corporate Marine It arrived fairly sharpish and not wanting to waste a figure I thought I'd convert it slightly and use it with my Hasslefree Lady Soldiers also sold by Mantic. I changed the head for one I had in the bits box as the helmet didn't really go with the others and then added a bit of sprue to make a drum magazine to the rifle and plan to use it as a light support weapon for my troops.  I think its fits in well with the G36's carried by the rest of the gals so. Fingers crossed for the competition.

Posts might be a bit infrequent over the coming weeks with the prep coming upto Christmas and trying to get my Competition entry done most of my hobby time will be spent on that. There will be plenty of posts of the entry once its over but I don't want to show the work here yet.