Plagued: book 1 by Eden Crowne

Excellent start with a really brief history with a surprising twist. Skylar is the readers narrator and she is also a Negative with “level ups” or enhancements.

This is a world post bird flu in what the survivors call the Plague. What remains of the split are negatives which are immune and positives that don’t seem to last very long, add in the army and some militants and the usual corrupt politics and you soon have an intriguing storyline.

In this new post-apocalyptic world Negatives all have enhanced senses although our little hero/narrator as the usual set of enhancements, Sky has so much more than most and she needs to know why.

When she starts to notice and fall for Hugo the gorgeous Brit’ boy, his appearance in her life starts a strange chain reaction of coincidences and intrigue starts to unfold.

Loved all the British poke at humour. Although the odd vernacular was missed which did start to distract once it stopped being funny. Zucchine is a British yellow courgette not a marrow but hey ho!

The odd spelling mistake or missing word along with the rushed compact and baffling explanation for various things made me feel that things were rushed on the this book and not the usual polished perfection from this (journalist) author.

Whilst the ending left me on a cliff-hanger I’m not sure I liked the story or the (obvious) characters enough to want to read a sequel, I just don’t care about them enough like I usually do in her other storylines or characters.

Also there was a general lack of tongue in cheek humour that I have come to expect. It took me a long time to get into and then to finish, but EC is still an amazing author and her Avenging Angel series is awesome

Plagued

ready DEAD: End by TW Brown

The authors note followed by the mega fan comments were enough to make me cry; so I left this book for another two weeks. This is the END.

Having invested a few years in this series I have thus far, lost friends, disagreed with the author, cried, laughed, been disgusted, been horrified but always been drawn back to continue the journey, only now it’s finally, really, truly coming to an END.

Looking back, is it the writing style that I have enjoyed? The world TWB has foretold? The vivid characters? After all, I still have DEAD: “in your town” series; so lots more zombies, great characters and yucky moments. I also have That Ghoul Ava, Zomblog and the other many books that TWB has planned to enjoy.   

So what makes me so sad about the end of this book series?  I suppose I don’t want to say a final goodbye to Thalia, Billy, Jody, Catie, Dr Zahn and all the other multitude of characters that TWB has brought into my life (even the personally irritating Juan!).

Not all the stories or people have panned out as I wished they would. Catie really annoyed me, I’m not so sure Kevin would have been proud of her methods but I did like her ending. 

Thalia, sigh, I have loved this child, and been privileged to watch her grow up, so letting her go and seeing what happened to her made me cry. 

As for crying, I did lots of that in this book. Juan, Jody, Billy; saying farewell in various ways, some fizzled out, some got the happy ending and some got gruesome take outs; TWB did not shy away in making anyone safe or anything unimaginable.

As for my name sake, well, a huge lump came to my throat for her ending with the gorgeous Paddy. 

A few things were still not finished in my view of the world; what happened to Egypt? Kid zombies? Cats….. what the hell is it with zombie authors and cats!!

I did feel a little cheated at getting to 92% and then given two (ok they are great but…) first chapters of other books!

I did like all the little jibs, jabs and subtle references; very clever Mr TWB, very clever.

As a post-script TWB has now started his stand alone (but a series) of DEAD snapshots... so go take a look!


                            DEAD: End

Left to Darkness: Oblivion Series Bk1 by Craig Saunders

I heard the first chapter of this book read by the author at FantasyCon (sept 2015) and went straight back to my hotel room to download it. I then waited three weeks until my holiday to relish it.

No disappointments at all.

Frank the Thug has a dramatic entrance to the story. Paul is the Good Cop who plods along; how these two meet is unexpected and what follows is a fantastic piece of storytelling. Finley, who happens to be Franks Boss, is up to no good as all corporate villain bosses should be.

 Dawn is a most likeable, tender yet tough, woman who has a vicious start to this book and life generally. Thankfully she has the most amazing father in law.

Some of the horror, gruesomeness, gore and torture was so blunt I actually laughed out loud in my discomfort.

As meteors hit the Earth destroying all life, a strange naked man is wandering around offering smokes, advice and guidance to our main characters. His continual smoking is like the Pied Piper bringing them all together in a strange warped way.

A few of the intermediary characters have such force that they really took my breathe away.

This book is merely the start of a series planned by the author and I have to say I can’t wait for the next one. I am intrigued with what is “really” going on, what will happen to the heroes and villains, who is the naked man and what does he want to achieve, what’s with the Little Kings and and and and …..!

Left to Darkness: Oblivion Bk 1

Dying Days 5 by Armand Rosamilia

The story starts off with a group of survivors stuck in a restaurant toilet being taunted by a group of zombies, one of those people is Mitchell, who eventually opens the door to The Lich Lord and listens to his proposal. AR is very clever in almost summing up the last four books in one little speech from this “fella”.

This continues to be a zompoc with a difference as this particular zombie keeps getting faster, more cunning, nastier and definitely smarter, not to mention shifting his appetite preferences.  The Lich Lord is expanding not only his empire but his abilities but what is his end goal?

Back in the Daytona Beach camp Veronica is working hard on keeping things running whilst loathing and doubting Jeff, so is Claude who is “promoted” to refugee coordinator; a job that sounds, from Jeff’s version, very much like the Third Reich’s ideal sorting plan. Jeff is a horrific character but totally believable, sadly.

Our “heroine” Darlene continues to recover from her horrific birth and loss. With a lot of help from an unexpected source. Her baby is not yet safe and so many factions have plans for him.

There are some really harsh deaths in this book, especially as I had started to care about them, clever writing AR but cruel.

The ending is climactic but of course leaves you wanting more, bring it on.

Initially I will be the first to admit I was very unsure of this series with its hard than diamond girls, their thongs and the sexually rampant zombies BUT AR has evolved (like his zombies) and his writing is much more articulate, eloquent, plot stuffed, character laden and all manner of other wonderful things, so yes, I am now a huge fan of these books and the author.

Dying Days 5

DEAD: Blood & Betrayal (bk 11) by TW Brown

So we are at Book 11 the penultimate one.... sob, but also good as think TWB has proven that the zompoc is not all a glorified camping trip with a few movie style zombies and that everything will go back to normal in a few days, weeks, years or decades. He paints a sad but probably true vision of what humanity would become given the nudge.

Yet again TWB “treats” the reader to another spectacular ride aboard the zompoc train. 

The wonderful circular way of writing is back, alternating between storylines really gives a sense of forward motion, tension and a great literary vehicle for leaving you on a knife edge.

Catching up with all the groups by circling another year in the life of… but whilst its lovely to see some groups flourish, characters settle, grow and move forward some are still struggling as humans prove that we are as a species jerks 

I was glad to see the new character Adam (hunter) still going strong but also having some doubts. I hope he manages to find some peace. 

I totally loved this book and as usual finished it within a few hours as could not put it down, when will I learn to read only a few chapters a day – with TWB, never.  But now at least I can get my nose stuck into Ava (that ghoul!) who does a cameo at the end of the book.

As usual I have a few comments and whinges! (TWB would be disappointed if I didn’t!);

How come no one seems to die of routine infections? Flu, a cut, child birth, ear ache, blocked bowels, appendicitis? With no antibiotics around anymore all these vicious outside trips must warrant a few cuts and grazes? No rapid animals?

What happened to all the cats?   What happened to the Egypt storyline?  What about the zombie children! 

Also I’m sure the zombies are like electricity and follow the easiest path but do you have to keep repeating it, sorry, a gripe!

on a final note that cover is the BEST yet!!

Blood & Betrayal

The Hunt Chronicles: Awakening by JD Demers

This is cleverly narrated by a survivor holed up in an office block running out of water and food. It is done with diary style with dates and the order runs very well.

He often eludes to the fact that he is unique in having immunity and as his story played out I was impressed with how the author, JDD, managed to allow information and knowledge to seep out slowly.

It is straight to the point, very matter of fact but with an underlying element of sadness in his trains of thought, he claims he is not a hero when clearly he has only acted as most of us would in times of horror eg hiding, running etc.

Then there is the burden of carrying the "cure" in your blood and the guilt of having others die to save you, I thought these thoughts were dealt with very well and it was really great to see the character developing before my eyes.

In one of the first few chapters he recounts a drive to the local bar and I had to laugh at the irony of his driving; it was like a bad joke about women drivers!

As the world descends into chaos he is very honest in his realisation that he did not believe it at the time, that he remained a scaredy cat.

Eventually he is forced into a life or death situation which leaves him with a little reminder of the struggle; teeth marks, and we all know what that means in a zompoc!

There was a sense of realism when internally discussing the zompoc which was good and compelling. I loved the bonding with Boomer, the dog. I also felt like this gave a different element to the story line with our manin character having a dog not a human for a companion.

In addition some of the other major aspects of this “version” of the zompoc are far, far different from any other books I have read.  The zombies are different, their evolution is different etc.

The army speak explanations were really good as they allowed me into this work and therefore did not bore me. Whilst army he admits to being a supply man and not gunned up to the eyeballs which also makes a great change.

It could have been cleaner with the odd missing letter/word and incorrect tense; however this did not distract too much as the story was riveting.

However, a couple of things did irritate me that I have to mention, in hope the author will address these in subsequent books:

When locked in the bedroom for two weeks how did the woman go to the toilet? The explanation for how she got water was quite detailed but the other end is never mentioned! But JDD is not alone in this, most authors of apocalyptic situations never address these issues, weeing, pooping, periods etc…..

The lack of medical knowledge (and therefore research) annoyed me re the wound care and expecting a body to regenerate/replace blood loss overnight. But I suppose this is an occupational hazard for me.

Is Christian bigoted or brutally honest in describing people, I’m not sure.

This story starts with a bang, has a really strong middle, with no slow points and the ending leaves you with just enough of a cliff-hanger to want more, I certainly am looking forward to the next volume in this series.

The Hunt Chronicles: Awakening

JD Demers is a brand new author, he was very gracious in providing me with a bit more information about himself, so read on for all the gossip!

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

I served in the US Army for five years as Military Intelligence, and then contracted to the DoD for another seven.  After years of traveling, I decided to settle down in Florida.  I’m married with two children and two lovable and annoying dogs.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I enjoy shooting mostly.  It allows me to unwind.  

What’s your favourite food? 

Popcorn.  My wife hates it.  I can eat three or four bags in one sitting.

Who would be on the soundtrack to your life story?

I would hope it would be Breaking Benjamin, but it would probably end up being Weird Al Yanukovych 

Do you prefer the term Horror, Weird Fiction or Dark Fiction?

Horror.  I guess I’m old school.  Weird Fiction doesn’t seem to describe Horror and Dark Fiction seems like a politically correct way of saying Horror.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

My first and foremost would have to be Tom Clancy.  I do not write anything like him, but when I joined the military and found out I was going to be Military Intelligence, my recruiter bought me the book “Patriot Games.”  He highlighted what I was going to be doing since he really wasn’t supposed to talk about it.  Funny, as I look back now, that was a security violation.

I’m a big fan of TW Brown.  I would love to include Stephen King, mostly because his book “On Writing” was so influential, but truthfully, his style throws me off a little.

What is your all-time favourite horror novel, and film?

Novel: The Dead  

Film: Signs.  And before anyone says anything, it’s not that Signs was exactly Horror, but the movie gave me chill bumps.  Gore doesn’t make Horror.  Something that keeps me on the edge of my seat, worried about what’s going to happen next and sends shivers down my spine… That’s Horror.

If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?

Gore makes Horror.  I hate that.  I can write a book full of blood and guts, but to me, that’s just blood and guts.  Saving Private Ryan had lots of it, and it wasn’t a Horror story.  Don’t get me wrong, you need it, but that’s not what Horror Authors should focus on.

Which fictional character would be your perfect neighbour, and who would be your nightmare neighbour?

Perfect: John McClain.  He seems like the type of guy that would keep to himself, but at the same time, hold a decent conversation at the mailbox.

Nightmare: Edward from Twilight.  The guy’s a creepy stalker.  

What do you think of the current state of the genre?  

It’s in flux.  There are a lot of new writers out there with Self-Publishing.  Some are good, some are bad.  I think the market is getting flooded, and hopefully some good ones are not being drowned out by the sheer volume of books being released these days.

What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you?

Great Book: Game of Thrones.  The writer did a superb job of creating a whole new world.

Disappointing Book: Zombie Fallout 2.  I thought the first book was great, but the second kind of threw me.  I love Mark Tufo’s style, but the story got a little weird for me for a zombie book.

How would you describe your writing style?

I try to not get overly descriptive.  I love Tom Clancy and can stomach his long descriptions only because I worked in the Intelligence field for twelve years.  But I get turned off when an Author spends three paragraphs describing one zombie.  I like to provide just enough information to let the reader know what’s going on, but not drown it out with the colour of table cloths and drapes.

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?

Unfortunately, I have yet to receive any negative reviews.  I would like to know what irritated people with my writing.  However, the best positive review I received said my character growth was amazing.  That really made me happy because I focused a lot on making my characters both likeable and real.

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?

Thinking of stories is easy for me.  If I had the time, I would have a couple hundred books by now.  The problem comes with putting the thoughts on paper.  Things do not always translate the same way.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?

Erotica.  Just don’t have it in me.

If you could kill off any character from any other book who would you chose and how would they die?

Edward from Twilight.  He would die in a burst of flame from the sun like he’s supposed to.

What do you think makes a good story?

Besides great characters is an objective.  That objective can vary greatly depending on what the story is about, but sometimes, especially in the zombie genre, the objective of “survival” becomes bland after book 2 or 3.

How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?

This is a hard one.  Christian, the main character in The Hunt Chronicles, is named after my son (and his sister, Trinity, is named after my daughter).  Other than that, I go with what would sound right for the character.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

That’s a hard one.  I’ve always been creative.  But I think mostly I’ve learned to be more realistic when it comes to unrealistic scenario’s (IE: Zombies, Aliens, Magic, etc.).  I know that sounds weird, but I think you have to make it believable.  Not just “It is because it is”.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

The ability to become the characters you are writing about.  When I write about my characters, I don’t think “What would I do,” I think “What would they do.”

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?

Ignore the Trolls and learn from constructive criticism.  (Bobby Adair)

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Facebook and Twitter, hands down.  

Who is your favourite character from your book and why?

I have to go with Fish.  He is an asshole, but a complicated one with a past not too many people can compare themselves with.  Most of my readers agree and I’ve already been begged not to kill him off. 

How about the least favourite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

So far I would have to say Jenna.  Not because she isn’t likeable, but because I still haven’t put her where I want her to be.

Fame, fortune, or respect?

Can I say the last two?  Fortune because I would like my writing to sustain me financially.  Fortune to me does not mean rich, but rather comfortable.  Respect in my writing is most important, though.  

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?

I guess I’d have to say The Hunt Chronicles.

And are there any that you would like to forget about?

Not yet.

For those who haven’t read any of your books, what book of yours do you think best represents your work and why?

The Hunt Chronicles because, currently, it is the only published work I have.  But I do think it will really represent who I am for years to come.

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do?  And what would be the answer?

When would I retire?  From work?  Now if I could.  From writing?  Never.

Website: http://www.jddemers.com/

Blog

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/authorjddemers

Twitter @jacob76dem

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jddemers

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/wwwgoodreadscomjddemers

Biography -  

J.D. Demers served in the United States Army as an Intelligence Analyst for five years.  After he was honorably separated from service, he continued to serve his country as a civilian Department of Defense Contractor for another seven years.  Since then, he has returned to his hometown in the State of Florida.

J.D. Demers has been writing since he was in High School.  His interests mostly gear him toward Science Fiction, though he does enjoy Politics, International Affairs, and History.

Zombie Fallout 8 by Mark Tufo

LOVE the new style cover!!

This is book no.8 (not including the 3.5 or Lycan Fallout books) and you would think that the series would start to lose its luster or get stuck in a rut, nope!    The craziness that is Talbot and his mad moments, family, friends and dog make for riveting reading. There is no shortage of zombie action, gore and heartbreak. The finale was particularly gross. Many loose ends still hanging in the wind, but MT also opens doors for new story lines, which is quite exciting.

In this chapter of the story Talbot and his family have escaped the huge zombie horde only to find out they have been captured and imprisoned by the Demense group run by Dixon who clearly has a screw loose in that he once loved Deneaux and wants world domination!

In the cell next to Talbot is Dennis, the poor chap who suffered at the hands of Deneaux in the last book. However with the ever present Tommy’s help escape seems, and is, possible, they even find time to utilise some everyday things for some unique uses; the fireman’s hose was both amusing and disgusting in equal measures!

Meanwhile, Will and June in the lab’ have been fascinated by Talbot's blood and are trying to make sense of it, June appears to have found the cure but also, finally, her conscience. Sometimes Karma comes at just the right time.

BT and Justin are now healed but at what cost; just what else have these two nasty lab' rats been experimenting with and what on.

I really enjoyed the other members of the group getting more of a chance to “speak” and be their own entities, especially Tracy. It was interesting to see how they functioned without Talbot directing them. Also fascinating to have those characters expanded and not just have them as window dressing to Talbot; seeing why he fights so hard for them.

Poor Porkchop, what a terrible history and current situation he finds himself in, there was some really horrific things in this part of the story that didn’t include zombies or Deneaux.

How certain people survived is beyond me and I can only hope that MT has some wonderfully spectacular deaths planned for them.  There was also some great back story information on Tommy and Eliza that almost had me feeling sorry for her, almost.

Zombie writers and their cat hatred, what is that?  But, that is made up for with the clear love of Henry and all things dog/other animal.

Trip was his normal hilarious self. The trees when he is looking for coconuts had me in fits of giggles at the mental image. Although that was soon superseded with Bobby Blaze his hotdog and blueberries!

Zombies, fires, floods, warheads, Knights Templar and impending doom – of course Talbot survives! But what spooked me more was the comment Tommy makes near the end of the book about what is coming…..

I really enjoyed all the epilogues, but why oh, why do I now have to wait forEVER for the next instalment.

Zombie Fallout 8

The Grey Matter by Billie Sue Mosiman

Naughty BSM for saying “I think you will like this story” to me, as bang went my productive Saturday afternoon. What an amazing opening paragraph, I dare you to read it and not want to finish the book.

There is a sadistic killer living amongst the gentle folk on the Mountain.    John Grey knows what he is, he likes what he is, he is well skilled in his pretense of normality, but he likes killing, he needs to kill. 

Just down from his den of torture is Caleb’s cabin, a teenage boy that has already made his fortune.  This allows him to provide a place of safety, a home, to his long abused friends; Abe, Ben & Josie, not forgetting Gabby the dog.

You cannot help but be envious of this wonderful friendship, even the obvious love triangle between the three boys and Josie, is treated among them as a source of strength and joy; the loyalty and love they feel for each other is clearly described, and played upon, by BSM.

Her ability to create characters that feel real and then insist that you care about them is amazing. It’s easy to see why she is nominated so often for awards.

When the EMP bombs are dropped, the lights go out and life changes for everyone in the small town and those on the Mountain, the struggle for survival just became harder, especially with a killer in their midst.   The devastation portrayed by BSM in the failing of modern culture and how people turn on each other was more terrifying than any zombie horde.

When John starts to “slip” mentally his killing becomes uncontrolled.  Friendships are now about to be tested to the limit. BSM has now ratcheted up the tension.

With law enforcement having left the town or left their own minds, the townsfolk so hungry they turn to “who knows what”, the safety of the cabin soon becomes the center of a blood bath.

The last quarter of the book is so tense my teeth hurt from the clenching.

Even when I thought it was over I turned the page to find more stalking, more horror and more murders, exquisitely described by BSM in her gentle way that left me bug eyed.

Happy ending? Good guys beat out the bad guys?? No spoilers here, but hang on to your pants because this is a wild ride into hell with no end in sight. 

The Grey Matter

Iain Rob Wright & JA Konrath join forces - but before you read that! read these!!

Basically a story of a demon, named Bub, who the American government have decided to experiment on. They house him in an uber secret facility, feed him only sheep, expect answers to ALL of mankinds questions and wonder why he gets pissed off,  tries to escape and hatch his master plan to obliterate humanity. 

Great blend of weird but damaged characters, which is my first niggle because if “you” seriously had this terrifying secret you needed to keep would you allow that calibre of person to be responsible for it? With no other military presence?

But then I guess there would be no real failure in procedure and the story would be pretty boring!

I enjoyed the relationships between all of them but really found the holies annoying with their religious double speak although you could feel the depth of research that JAK had done within the language element and the biology as it just oozes off the page. However the biblical pondering goes on way too long and I found myself skipping some of the genome waffle as it did not really enhance the story at all, IMO.

One of the main characters is a linguist; however as soon as he walks into the room with Bub, the demon decides to speak English! Kind of negates his need to be there really and think he could have been expanded much further in reading of the casket etc I feel that JAK  merely skimmed the surface of what could have been a very in depth and complex story line. 

The Vet gets on my nerves a little, why is she measuring the sheep? and how did she decide that they fulfil his dietary requirements? 

Another brilliant description yet niggle was the “facility” it was so huge yet had no staff; who did the maintenance? When they dropped off food who did the unloading? What about humans needing sunlight to live? And could they not have had a hydroponics unit for fresh food?

Humour is one of JAK trademarks but im not sure he meant Bub to be quite so “cute” – I did not really find him terrifying so was nose wrinkling when I read the “reactions” of the team when they first meet him, or maybe I just read too much horror. 

I wish JAK had expanded on his history a little more, maybe played with Bubs inner dialogue more. Don’t get me wrong he is no huggable, fluffy demon, he has his gorefest moments but felt there could have been more. 

Other reviews have suggested that this is a “popcorn” book and I would be disappointed to know that his how JAK intended it, as the basic concept is pretty awesome and possibly could have been executed a bit better with a longer novel.  It does have some interesting arguments about the beginnings of humanity and our need for religion and where all the legends stem from.

The windup to escape is pretty tense as no character is safe, which is always good in a novel, although how you can put up with that much physical injury and still climb a ladder amazes me, but sometimes you need to suspend belief. 

My final niggle is the internal bombs, why does Bub just not dig them out sooner? I dislike when authors just suddenly blag a bit or change a basic function of a character to help them out of a jammy bit of storyline; that’s so Hollywood. 

Overall I really loved this book, the ending is pretty awesome and I look forward to a sequel. This would make a great film, as the action is all very visual and the time line is pretty straight, with maybe a few flashbacks.

Origin

I LOVED the "Britishness" of the whole thing, the pub setting, the humour,   although I was a bit dismayed to find the Americanisms in the dialogue.

IRW has done some brilliant character links here with his other books; its his own scary little world.  I really enjoyed the almost cliché characters, they are so condensed you can see a little of someone you know in each one. I had a real fondness for some of them towards the end but was pleased to see that no one safe.

This was a very easy to read yet hard to put down book, I read this in 2 sittings. This was the first book I ever picked up from IRW and I have to say he his now a firm favourite.

I have reread this book now, I think its going to be one of those that you go back to as an old favourite. The second reading allowed me to pick up on the little nuances that I missed in the first reading, very clever! If you have any doubts how complex this book is then have a read of this "a look at the Final Winter".

I thought the ending could have had many alternatives, and personally I would have liked to have had all the characters endings "wrapped up", I just wanted to see some people get their karma balanced!

The Final Winter