A Refreshing Twist On Zombies
351273
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was one of the most original stories I've read in a long time! It was just such a refreshing twist on zombies and it was a really good love story!
The main character is Phoenix McKay, and she is simply a typical seventeen year old girl with her own issues. She's a little rebellious and really hurting inside since the death of her mother. She has been sent off to Barinkoff Academy, a prestigious boarding school and feels somewhat abandoned by her emotionally distant father. Her character was likable, even if there were a couple of time when I wanted to yell at her, "No! What are you doing?" lol. I was happy reading about her and the things she was going through, and she was easy to relate to.

There are not one but two love interests that Phoenix has to decide between. Dark haired & obsidian-eyed Demitri. He is serious and protective of Phoenix, but can be a little domineering. And then there is Luka, with his blond hair, ice blue eyes and mischievous smile, he's more relaxed and teasing than Demitri. Both guys are extremely handsome, the kind of sexy that leaves you breathless when they smile, so Phoenix really has her work cut out for her!

I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I'm not going to go into the plot too much. Suffice it to say it was a very interesting read and kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end (I didn't want to put it down). I didn't know what was going to happen till the end of the book, so it wasn't predictable. There was action, mystery, danger, suspense, and (my favorite) romance!

Kate's writing is really descriptive and flows so well that I wouldn't have known that this was her debut novel if I hadn't read it. It definitely doesn't read like a first book, if this is how she starts out, then I can't wait to see what else she writes! Overall, it was a really good book and I'm so glad I read it!

***Title provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review***
Also published on my blog [...]
3955965
As far as zombie books go, this one is quite good. At least I think it is, I haven't read a lot in this genre.

I like the zombies in this book because they make a lot more sense than the familiar living dead portrayed elsewhere. These almost make sense. The characters in the book are good, believable, and have unique personalities. The world is fairly well thought out and detailed. There's a lot of action, most of which is a fun ride.

There are a couple of things I didn't like. I hate when people who are dying explain the reasons for their actions or tell the survivors some great secret that will push them to pursue a hopeless (ha!) cause. There are certain aspects of the story that don't really make sense, and this is not necessary for the working of the plot. Lastly, the book leaves many things unresolved to  try to prompt the reader to read the next book in the series. A good book doesn't need that, the reader will love the characters and their world enough to continue without the lack of satisfaction of a good ending.
2165030
Kept me entertained.  The characters were interesting.  While it played on some of the usual themes of zombie apocalypse, it still managed to be fresh.
1692842
Man, this book was fantastic! I was honestly expecting another zombie tale set in a rural community (a la Romero's Night of the Living Dead), but was pleasantly surprised by this alternate take on the genre. It's not a rabble of easily-killed zombies coming back to life, THE DEAD are returning to life, completely coherent, intelligent, and confused as all Hell.

With good pacing, interesting characters, mysteries a-plenty, and great art all in one, this series is now near the top of my to-read list.
4210988
As someone who honestly hates zombies and generally the genre myself, I was surprised at the ability of this story to draw me in and keep me wanting to read more.  A well-written and engaging story that never stops with twists, turns, and a bit of humor that seems to be unique to this author.  I think this will appeal to anyone with a passion for the mythical mixed with witty humor and adventure.  I can't say I now LOVE zombies, but I don't think that was the point!  Good stuff indeed.  Highly recommend it.
1372565
Zombie Apocalypse well done!

Great take on the genre, with two families trying to survive and protect themselves and their loved ones. Lots of action and it keeps you on your toes, wondering what will happen or how they will get out of it.

Humor is mixed in there as well, and the characters are relateable to what might actually happen if Zombies suddenly appeared. Its also refreshing to see the attention to detail, especially in the weapons and gear the characters use.

The buildup and payoff is good, with enough mystery to continue on to the next installment.

Looking forward to reading the next one!
3183634
Until now, I haven't played into the whole zombie and undead trend. It seemed boring and tacky. I finally decided to give in, and my first take at a zombie novel, and I couldn't be more pleased! There was the perfect amount of blood, gore, and just a bit of suspense to leave you captivated and guessing at what would happen next. The chapters flow together well, and it makes for a nice, quick read.
16588
If you love a good zombie story then Dead Soul Mary should be right up your alley. This novel isn't exactly your classic look at zombies which gives it a refreshing edge in the genre. Instead of coming back to life and eating your brains these zombies actually steal your soul, so its a bit harder to tell who has been infected. The book is definitely filled with some jump points and is more haunting than anything else. It will make you take a look at your life and all of the things you don't appreciate (like your soul). The character development is amazing. The main character Megan is complex and won't start to annoy you like a lot of teen characters seem to do these days. The dialogue is also incredible which makes this rather lengthy book breeze by a whole lot faster. I could have easily finished this book up in a couple of days if I weren't too creeped out to read it at night. I'll definitely be telling my horror fanatic friends about this gem.
1795896
I really enjoyed this new zombie tale. It is a completely different look at exactly what zombies are. It's also a great story, with well thought out characters and an excellent story line. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!
3108842
Review:
I bought this book Free on Amazon a few weeks back, it was about Zombies and had a pretty good rating, so really why not give it a shot. Well let me tell you, I am so glad that I did. What Zombies Fear is a really unique take on your run of the mill Zombie Apocalypse. These Zombies are more parasitic then plague driven and that is pretty cool to see.

The Story starts out following a pencil pusher named Viktor, he says goodbye to his wife and son and heads out to start the day just like dozens before. Once at work the action picks up and we very quickly learn that something has caused Zombies to rise. After saving his son and wife they embark on a journey to meet up with the rest of his family at this mother's farm and along the way learn that not all the zombies are slow and stupid but some are smart and have heightened abilities. The Zombies also have there sights set on Max, Viktor's 3 Year old son. He's special and the Zombies know it, so it is up to Viktor and the rest to keep him safe.

What Zombies Fear does a great job blending the zombie element and that of the otherworldly paranormal that cause the survivors and Zombies to have extraordinary abilities. I'm not sure why only some people are affected but the Survivors guess it might be a genetic mutation. At least in this book no hard proof of why is mentioned. I found the smart zombies highly creepy, especially because some look almost normal and only when they try and rip your throat out do you realize they aren't. Also having Zombies organize, able to communicate and plot strategy is scary. Those are the Zombies of my nightmares.

Overall this was a great book with well developed characters,strong character driven plot and fantastic world building. If your a fan of the genre and looking for something new and unique, I highly suggest picking this book up. I will be giving What Zombies Fear ''''.
3535393
If you have read any of my reviews before, you may have noticed that I have a love for zombie novels. After reading so many of them, it is refreshing when a novel comes along and changes all the rules. RecruitZ has some very interesting turns that took me by surprise, and I am curious to see how things will play out as the Afterworld series continues. RecruitZ is not your standard zombie apocalypse novel, but a look at civilization after the zombies.

Rebekah survived the horrors of the zombies with her husband Gavin, only to discover that there are worse things than zombies. After her husbands death, Rebekah pulls away from her friends and sets her sights on learning what is really going on, and who is behind it. As she delves deep into her personal mission, she discovers that the truth maybe harder than expected, but she may not be the only one searching for it.

RecruitZ is like an amusement park Haunted House Ride, everything is going along one way but then the twists and turns cause new surprises to leap out at you along the way. The flow of the story keeps the reader in the action, without making them feel rushed. Rebekah is a strong female lead character, but she is not an expert and does need help. I find that quality makes Rebekah more realistic, and believable as a character. Who does not need help from time to time?

With the reveals that happen during RecruitZ I feel like I barely got to touch the whole story of the Afterworld Series, and I am hoping for more developments in the next book in the series, AlibiZ. I am also looking forward more to see how Rebekahs story continues and where it all leads.
1027254
Great character development leaves you wanting another. This author has brought a new twist to the zombie genre. I am hooked.
3182050
Walking Shadows is the story of what happens after the zombie apocolypse.  While not a pure zombie story, the basic premise of the book is about the survivors of a zombie outbreak.  Think of The Stand meets Dawn of the Dead.

What I really liked about this book is that the characters all have their own demons to deal with (figuratively speaking).  The author did a great job with how the characters interact with each other as well as their new enviornment.  I also appreciated that the main protagonists weren't always the best looking, or most heroic people.  (That's the easy way out - and a way that too many authors take)

*SPOILER ALERT*

While there are zombies in this book, they die off rather quickly once there's no one left to infect.  Like many other viruses, it dies off without a viable host.  For the majority of the book it's more about picking up the pieces and moving on than it is about zombies running rampant.  This deals more with adjusting to a world without people while trying to procure food, water, and shelter while looking for other survivors
2651388
This tale is book one is a series which has ambitiously set out to re-draw the world of zombies by combining it with a high technology vector of transmission. That's the key twist in this saga and revealing this certainly won't spoil what is a well-written and riveting zombie novel.

It follows the adventures and misfortunes of Jack, a character I think many readers will identify with, and his struggle to make sense of a zombie outbreak which robs him of wife and more. Along the way, he picks up help from his odd neighbour and martial arts expert Zaun, who has a penchant for swords and few dark secrets tucked away under his black belt. And, from the feisty Maria who turns up some way into the book and is a welcome addition as I feared it was going to do without a strong female character but no worries, she fits the bill and can handle herself. (Think Michelle Rodriguez)

Bernstein's book is a taut almost Crichton-esque zombie techno-thriller which opens at a steady pace, with believable characters and an innovative plot. You need to be patient with this one; it's more of a slow-burn that will leave you thinking and waiting for the next instalment. It is also a good linear story which I prefer and which works well in this case. (On side note, don't be fooled by the cover into thinking it's about helicopters - it's not!)

This is grown up zombie stuff so if you are after a blood'n'guts slasher, this won't be for you. The authors voice is precise and his dialogue crisp - he really doesn't waste any words. I'd also like to point out that the book was very well edited.

So, prepare yourself for Bernstein's world of secret bunkers, conspiracies and nano-technology.

Thoroughly recommended from the Ministry of Zombies here in London.
1668083
This was  a good read and a new twist on the standard zombie stories. There are some typos to look  past, but I like these overall storyline and that it's written in the 1st person view.
507936
I am an avid fan of zombie shenanigans.  I really appreciated the new twist on the reason for the infection.  SPOILER ALERT !!  Having the Navy Seals, and the army team up with Al Qaida makes the story quirky and interesting.  Well, I guess living in a post apocalyptic zombie filled world teaches us how to get along bettler with our fellow man.  Maybe what the world needs is zombies, just sayin'
4789997
Fast paced, good characters, different twist on zombies, great read !