2013/08/08

Barely Alive Book Review



Barely Alive (book #1)

In twelve weeks, seventeen-year-old Paul Ledger will be dead. At least he hopes so.
Paul is trapped in the worst cult the United States has ever seen. Infected with a zombie virus, symptoms culminate in a dead body but thriving mind over a course of twelve weeks. If he doesn’t earn the final death he longs for, he’ll be chained in a basement facility, moaning for human flesh for eternity.

Sent out to kidnap girls for food, toys, or whatever the boss wants, Paul nabs Heather McCain. He’s not a fan of humans as a general rule, but even his graying skin and insatiable hunger for her flesh don’t stop her from reaching out to him. Give him the second chance he doesn’t know he needs.

Overcome by his cravings, Paul bites her delectable skin. Amazingly, she doesn’t develop the zombie-like side effects. When the boss discovers Heather’s immunity, he gives Paul an ultimatum – deliver up Heather and her family to continue the research or watch as Paul’s brother suffers the zombie fate.

Paul has a chance to endure his short zombie existence knowing his brother is safe. But he’ll have to sacrifice Heather to do it.

Review:

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.  There is some violence in this book, but it is a zombie story.  For a mature audience it's not that bad. 

I was a bit hesitant getting into this story.  I'm usually not a big reader of zombie books or thrillers.  I have a very active imagination and usually end up not being able to sleep after reading or seeing this kind of thing.  I will say I was pleasantly surprised when I began and was immediately drawn into the story.

The author does an amazing job using suspense.  Not the nail-biting, what's-waiting-to-jump-out kind, but what's gonna happen next kind!  I haven't been able to put the book down since I picked it up.  I have to know what's going to happen to Paul, Heather, and James.  Will Paul be able to get away from Dominic?  Will he be able to protect both James and Heather?  Will they be able to help human-kind from this horrible fate?

As they travel to try to get away from Dominic, they find the "virus" is spreading more rapidly they knew.  There are true zombies, humans pretty much dead who come back.  Those are the worst!  All they do is eat and they have no mind left to tell them right from wrong.  The humans who don't die first can at least be reasoned with...  If they have meat.  

This story takes an interesting look at what might happen to the world around us if this kind of virus was let loose.  It seems humans do things with "good intentions" and it still gets away, quickly.  Dominic tries to controls the zombies he creates, but things get out of hand in a disastrous way.  He will stop at nothing to finish his research.  

I certainly look forward to finishing the series!!

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