The main point of view is from Steve Hobart

First thoughts about the cover of Dead: Perspectives (Vol. 1)? Zombies!! There is a heart with initials on the tree with a bloody mark beside it. Is that a clue to a star-crossed lovers turned zombies? That woman is missing her pants, but her guts are kind of acting as a cover. Yup, for sure going to be a bloody good story!

The main point of view is from Steve Hobart. He thinks of himself as average and low key. He’s actually very brave, kind, and caring. He’s never been a parent, but during a zombie apocalypse he willingly takes on the role of parent for a little girl. He does have his faults and doubts, but he is for sure someone I would want on my team in this type of outbreak.

I get a kick out of the Narrator Andrew McFerrin’s voices and accents. Especially Mr. Randell Smith’s snooty tone, Thalia’s little voice, and Sgt. Paul Whimmer southern draw. The author of this book is TW Brown. This book is thirteen hours and thirty-seven minutes long. Warning- This book has lots of action, blood, guts, and several zombie parts. If you like your zombie books juicy, this would make a nice addiction to your zombie list.

This is a very interesting take on the zombie genre. There are several different ways this book varies from the usual zombie take. I rather enjoyed that the zombie bite isn’t always going to mean becoming a zombie… at least not yet. There seems to be some people that have natural immunities that let them live even after being bitten. Once that person dies from whatever caused him/her to die THEN he/she becomes a walking corpse.

This story left me wondering about how I would react in a catalytic event. Would I be brave and try to save those I care for? Or would I be fearful and try to hide? Would I be one of the many people to die in the first few days, weeks, or months after whatever event caused such a crisis? I do not know, and that makes this story all the more terrifying.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

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9 people found this helpful

More than just a Zombie book.

This book was awesome!! I so didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I think the thing I loved about this the most was the characters. All were well written and developed, but none so much as Steve Hobart. He was such an awesome character and hero. He is an unassuming and quiet young man, that is until the dead start walking. He then becomes something of a leader, of sorts... His first rescue is a a five-year-old Hispanic girl and from there he kind of picks up strays. He finds himself the leader of a very rag tag group of survivours which consist of the 5 year old, an Army doctor, a convicted murderer, and a teen girl. He was a brave, selfless, kind and an all round nice guy!!

The plot was fast paced and gripping. I quickly became invested with the characters and their stories and found it hard to put the audio aside. I loved that the book mostly focused on the survivours and their struggle to stay alive. Steve constantly struggles with being a "leader" and is always questioning his decisions and the consequences of them. Even though it is very much character driven, we still get a lot of Zombie action. There are some unique aspects to this book in that the Zombie bits doesn't always turn someone into a Zombie straight away! Some people seem to be immune to it initially, but when they do die, they then become Zombies! Also, the Zombies seem to have a sense of direction. When a person becomes one, they can find their way home. Eg, when someone gets turned into a Zombie in a place away from the group of survivours, they find their way back to camp!! It was a frightening thought.

Anyway, this was a fast paced, intense and addicting read and I need to listen to the rest ASAP. Totally recommend.

I haven't listened to a book narrated by Andrew McFerrin before but I definitely will in future!! He was so good. The sheer amount of tones, voices and dialects he did was amazing. He really brought this book t life.

I received a free copy of this and voluntarily reviewed it. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

3 people found this helpful

What is that noise?!

The bizarre noise blaring between chapters is vey distracting. Sounds like a car engine or something. Enjoyed the story and the reader was fine, but that noise!

2 people found this helpful

Excellent!

If you could sum up DEAD in three words, what would they be?

Summing this story up in three words is difficult. I'd have to choose:
Engrossing. The story pulls you in and refuses to let you go.
Detailed. The author gives you just enough information to know what is going on and allows your imagination to fill in the blanks. A perfect combination.
Suspenseful. You can't help but find yourself caring about these characters and worrying about what may or may not happen each step of the way.

What other book might you compare DEAD to and why?

There are a lot of zombie books out there, some good, some not so good, some excellent. I'd have to rank DEAD with some of the top zombie fiction out there. It's gritty, realistic, suspenseful and leaves you wanting more. Authors like Tufo, O'Brien, Chesser and Talluto come to mind. Series writers who bring you believable characters put into unbelievable circumstances, yet somehow...leaves the reader feeling it is more than possible.

What does Andrew McFerrin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His personality. He brings the characters to life in a way that is difficult to explain. It's one thing to read the characters and get an idea what YOU think they should sound like. What the dialogue would go like. It's another to hear another person's take on the same story. Andrew did an EXCELLENT job bringing DEAD to life. He is a fantastic storyteller.

Who was the most memorable character of DEAD and why?

Of course, I have to say Steve. The story begins and revolves around him. But at the same time, the other characters bring so much to the story that it's difficult to not include them. Still, with the story being told from his perspective, I would definitely have to go with my gut and first instinct.

Any additional comments?

This definitely leaves me wanting to hear more from the series. Andy McFerrin did such a wonderful job with this one that I can't wait to hear what he's done with the others.

2 people found this helpful

A great addition to a great series!

So let’s get the premise out of the way first. The dead have risen! In a world full of hacked up Zombie series TW Brown manages to make the stories he writes entertaining, and worthy of your precious time. He definitely has a twisted dark pit somewhere in his brain, and that comes out in the series. Some people may find some of the graphic scenarios he portrays disturbing at times. In reality though I think he explores a side of humanity that other authors are seem reticent to talk about. So if you pick up the series consider yourself warned.

I will try to avoid spoilers and not discuss details. The Perspectives series is drawn from the accounts of the various groups and characters in the Dead series. The books have a tendency to jump around from character to character, and some people may find themselves wondering if they missed something. Mr. Brown has repackaged this into a much more managed format. The Perspectives Vol 1 follows a single story arc, in this case the story of Steve Hobart. Steve is one of my favorite characters in the book. I often found myself wishing a segment would end so I could get back to his story. Now I don’t have to. As a bonus there is some new content so if you listened to the first three books this is a must have. Now I can hardly wait to get on with Vol 2 and hear Kevin’s story.

The Narrator.

Having listened to the other books in the Dead series I find I am really impressed with Andrew McFerrin’s performance. As a narrator he does an excellent job of creating consistent characters and conveying their emotions. I do find Talia’s voice a little grating on the nerves but you get used to it after a while.

So what’s wrong with it?

If I had to have a criticism for my review it would be the annoying sound effects that have been added to the audio version. I find them a distraction, but this is a personal preference. Despite that with an excellent performance and a good solid story to be told this is definitely a good use of your hard earned Audible credits.

2 people found this helpful

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE....

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE All these books!! TWO Brown. is an AWESOME AUTHOR! I HAVE LISTENED TO A BUNCH & everyone of then are just as amazing as the next!!! Andrew is great at bringing it all to life!!!

1 person found this helpful

Absolutely loved this!

This was action from start to end! Very human characters that you like and not like. Loved this! Looking for another by TW Brown now! I was given this for free for an unbiased review. This audio book was so good, that I'd gladly paid for it!

1 person found this helpful

Loved it.

I am not sure why I have never checked out a zombie auto book before. I am a huge zombie fan, and have watched a ton of movies on it. If every book is as good as this one, I am now a new fan!
this book was great, and i loved every minute of it! worth the credit!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

1 person found this helpful

Best zombie apocalyptic book that I have ever read!!!

This is not only one of the best zombie books that I have ever read, it is one of the best books that I have ever read. It is very fast paced, and full of action from beginning to end. The narration is excellent the way that he changes his voice for the female characters is great. In short I love this book. If you like this kind of novel you will absolutely love it!
I received this book at no cost to me for an honest review

1 person found this helpful

Review

Great books also the author is pretty cool an a great writer can't wait till the next one comes out.

1 person found this helpful