Should really be better

Its a pretty well written book and good narration, I just had difficulty with the story. I had some difficulty with the "hero" because he has anger issues and doesn't seem to be very thoughtful, but that's because hes just a kid. I don't like kids in stories, but they weren't terribly annoying.

As you read in the blurb, his base got run over and he's trying to find his brother, along with an even younger side kick he feels obligated to protect. So typically, on his way there, he meets up with one group after the other...

Soon after the fall of the base, two brothers save his life and rather than being thankful this silly alpha dominance struggle ensues. I don't think he said thanks, just got all angry, literally the second after they shot the zombies about to eat him. Same thing happens later on, he gets "caught" twice by quirky groups. They have their "issues", but its not like they want to put him in a pot and eat him. They give him a safe place to sleep, eat and rest and he just gets all up in their face. Amazingly they try to placate him, except the one time where one in their group ran off and got himself killed and they were all put in "jail". I was like uh? They didn't do anything, the one who did something stupid died, why jail the rest?

I can't think of any "twist" in this book, kinda standard fare, but thats ok, most "twists" are pretty dumb.

I liked the narrator for the most part, but two of the characters were similar, sounding kinda dopey and one was the voice of Xanders brother but didn't sound like family at all.

Still, the actual writing is pretty good and I'll invest in the next book in the series. Maybe Xander will grow up and use his anger only when he needs to. And the authors already jammed all the zombie cliches in this book, so maybe he can focus more on just one good story.

4 people found this helpful

Worst Zombie book I have ever read

What disappointed you about Rise of the Horde?

The main character is arrogant and self centered which the story is told through his eyes. The kid spends most of the time complaining about people taking his katana and the other half about a celebrity girl he likes but struggles to talk to but she likes him anyway. Still this 16 year old travels with a comic book geek kid who's only purpose show he doesn't just care about himself.

Has Rise of the Horde turned you off from other books in this genre?

The start was not to bad though like most zombie books was vague and simply there to start the journey. It was also only real spot in the book with Zombies. They would then run into a group and despite being really well off the leader wanted to make a 16 year old his number 2 guy. Really... but they are Natzies so they fight there way out. This is really the theme of the book whether it's a bikers gang that sets up a toll road or a cult who takes them in and despite constant mocking puts up with our hero just so we can listen about constant diolog about nothing important between events.

Which scene was your favorite?

The narrator is really the best thing about this book. Who actually does a good job. Still unless a teen who like other over glorified teens stay away from this one.

1 person found this helpful

This book is awful. Don't buy it, I'm returning it

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

This was rated as four stars by someone so i was expecting a decent book. This is not it. It is unoriginal and boring. It seems to have copied most pieces of dialog and plot from other books. If there's an original thought I didn't find it.

9 people found this helpful

Non-Stop Adventure

This was a fun listen. The action started off almost immediately and was practically non-stop from start to finish. Our heroes are traveling from an overwhelmed military base to get to another base for safety. Along the way they run into zombie hordes, cults, bandits, cannibals, celebrities...

Some of the situations were similar to previous situations and a teeny bit convoluted, but this was a fun book with interesting characters that were flawed, but relatable. I will definitely check out the next in series.

Slow to start, but more I listened the more I want

What made the experience of listening to Rise of the Horde the most enjoyable?

It was slow in the beginning and the narrator made Zander seem like he was a middle aged man. When we got deeper into the story he started sounding more his age. I like the different scenario's the group ended up in. Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed. I am buying Book 2.

Great young adult Zom-poc

Would you consider the audio edition of Rise of the Horde to be better than the print version?

No...equal....

What other book might you compare Rise of the Horde to and why?

Since I've not read/listened to other young adult zom-poc /series books there really is no comparison right now.

Which character – as performed by Luke Daniels – was your favorite?

I thought Mr. Daniels did a good job with Xander

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Benji opened up to Felicity about what happened to his family, how he watched as his sister was devoured by the undead as she looked straight at him, knowing there was nothing he could do to help.

Any additional comments?

Over all, it was a good start to a new series. I don't know if the author meant it as a young adult because it was not billed as such but as I got into it, it became obvious to me. I think tweens and teens would like it because it is their story of survival. I do think the narration would have been better suited if the narrator sounded younger but it does not detract from the over all story line if you take it for what it is; a good story about kids thrust into impossible situations facing not only zombies but adults with ulterior motives. They have no true life experience to either practice self control or knowing that sometimes there is no wrong or right choice, even adults have trouble. Responsibility is not only for adults, kids can also take those actions, sometimes better than adults because they are not jaded by those life experiences.

Zombie book enthusiasts should read!

And anyone else that enjoys post apocalypse type books. Good story, GREAT narroration! Def. Worth a credit.

A. Roper

Lot of Action!

This was a great book. Love the action and characters. Will definitely continue the series.

A great story

Would you listen to Rise of the Horde again? Why?

I would listen to this story again. The story accompanied by Luke Daniels as the narrator is an amazing combination. This has a nice refreshing view of the zombie apocalypse.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Xander is pretty awesome. He's a know it all teen, a truly sharp minded person for the apocalypse, loyal friend till the end, all while still being a normal teen boy.

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

Luke Daniels is one of the best narrators out there. Definitely one of my favorites. It doesn't matter if he's reading a zombie book, about Druids, or anything between his range in voices give every character their own personality.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. In fact I finished this book in the course of two days. for me that's fast. It usually takes me a about a week to get through a book of similar length.

Any additional comments?

Great book overall. I can't wait for the next one.

A Winner

I really enjoyed this book and plan to listen to the second. As always Luke Daniels did an out standing job. A great book deserves a great narrator. Just Sayin.