Life After: The Basement and The Phoenix by Bryan Way - Review by Kimmy

Hello all,

Today's review from myself.  Its the 2nd and 3rd short stories related to Life After: The Arising by Bryan Way.  My review of the first book can be found by clicking here.

Life After: The Basement
by Bryan Way

Published Date: 15th July 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

How far would you go to understand why the dead began returning to life? What would you be willing to sacrifice?

Eric Matthews, a fanatical conspiracy theorist, and Mia Muxworthy, a fatal realist, have been following suspicious activity surrounding the existence of the undead in Newtown Square. Convinced that the government has some stake in the matter, they enlist the help of an amateur surveillance expert to make sense of the data, but on the cusp of a what might be a major discovery, these amateur spies find themselves in a situation far more insidious than they could have imagined.

Bridging the gap between Life After: The Arising and the forthcoming sequel, Life After: The Basement reveals an exclusive background on a major development in the ongoing series, calling into question the purpose and drive of seeking answers while ignoring the terrifying realities lurking beneath the surface of society.

Life After: The Phoenix
by Bryan Way

Published Date: 29th July 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

Adam Wilent and Shar Antosky have been split up for months, but neither of them can let go; while Shar suffers silently with a flaky new companion, Adam has turned his old flame into a burning obsession. Shar's invitation for Adam to visit her on a late shift brings tensions to a boil, but as the former lovers quarrel, the living dead swarm the area. Between fighting the undead and each other, Adam and Shar only have a few hours to figure out what sacrifices they have to make in order to survive.

Set during the events of Life After: The Arising, and offering a unique insight into one of the novel's major characters, Life After: The Phoenix explores the myriad of emotions stirred when a breakup is complicated by the onset of a disaster and considers the pain and abuse we endure for the sake of love.

*****

Review:

After previously reading and reviewing Life After: The Arising back in January and Life After: The Cemetery Plot in July, Bryan again offered the opportunity to review the next two instalments of short stories in the series.  I am a huge zombie fan and loved the first book, so I had to read more to try and piece more of the puzzle together as to how it all began or came to be in the first book.

Bryan is always capable of delivering excellent well written pieces.  His ability to pull you into the world of the characters is always amazing.  Reading each of these stories almost gives you a feeling of realism.  For each story and the characters in it, you find yourself thinking, someone, somewhere could be in that exact situation and that is how it could possibly happen if we were ever to have a zombie apocalypse.  Bryan has a great attention to detail when writing and ensures that each of these stories compliment the main book.

Whether your already a zombie fan or considering venturing into the world of zombie fiction, this is a great short story, one that must be read after reading Life After: The Arising.  You really don't want to spoil the surprises in the main book!

So what are you waiting for, go get the first book and short stories now.  Trust me, you won't be disappointed.  Grab your copy now using the links below!

Congratulations to Bryan Way, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

The Basement - Goodreads

The Basement - Amazon UK
The Basement - Amazon US

The Phoenix - Goodreads Page

The Phoenix - Amazon UK
The Phoenix - Amazon US
Authors Website

Just desserts! by Kimmy

Hello, hello,

Another review today for my lovely viewers:

Life After: The Cemetery Plot
by Bryan Way

Published Date: 1st July 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

The death of a relative can be tough on a family, but nothing makes it more punishing than jealousy and greed.

When William Pelletreau passes away and leaves nothing to his scorned family, brother-in-law Holt Prendergast coerces his wife Judy into giving William the cheapest burial allowed through his funeral contract. However, Holt's obsession to squeeze every penny leads him to discover that the secrets of the local cemetery are as dubious as they are terrifying, and if he wants William buried his way, he might have to dig a grave himself.

Taking place before the events of the novel Life After: The Arising, Life After: The Cemetery Plot enriches the arc of the series by filling the void of questions the novel's characters can't answer, such as the cause for the car accident on route 3, how it is the undead can dig out of their graves, and most importantly, who is patient zero?

Review:

Back in January I was given the opportunity to review Bryan Way's book Life After: The Arising.  Click here to see the review.  I love zombies and jumped at the chance to read this book.  I was not disappointed!

Bryan approached me again and asked if I would be interested in reading a short story that he had been writing related to Life After: The Arising.  Again I jumped at this fantastic opportunity.  I am so glad I did, this story was awesome!

This is a prequel to Life After: The Arising.  Another well written piece by the author.  Bryan's ability to pull you into the world of the characters is always amazing.  Reading this short story brings back so many memories of when I read The Arising.  Each piece of the story flows well and is easily linked to the main book.  Just the right amount of detail put into every character and scenes.  I really do find myself there, seeing it all happen.  I can't wait to read the next short story which is being released this month!

Whether your already a zombie fan or considering venturing into the world of zombie fiction, this is a great short story, one that must be read after reading Life After: The Arising.  You really don't want to spoil the surprises in the main book!

So what are you waiting for, go get the first book now and this short story.  Links to the first book can be found by clicking here.  Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Congratulations to Bryan Way, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads Page

Amazon UK
Amazon US
Authors Website

The Future Drug by Kimmy

Another review for you all, I hope you enjoy:

The Fearless
by Emma Pass

Published Date: 24th April 2014

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

The Fearless. An army, powered by an incredible new serum that makes each soldier stronger, sharper, faster than their enemies. Intended as a force for good, the serum has a terrible side-effect - anyone who takes it is stripped of all humanity, empathy, love. And as the Fearless sweep through the country, forcing the serum on anyone in their path, society becomes a living nightmare.

Cass remembers the night they passed through her village. Her father was Altered. Her mother died soon after. All Cass has left is her little brother - and when Jori is snatched by the Fearless and taken to their hellish lair, Cass must risk everything to get him back.

Review:

I found this book one day whilst browsing Netgalley, I actually received this book as an arc at the time, unfortunately this review is coming to you after the release.

Well you should all know by now that this is my favourite genre and when I read the blurb, this was my next must read.

This book was awesome!!

It is not just your normal run of the mill post-apocalypse style books.  Set in the UK was a welcome change and being from the UK myself I found it easy to relate to.  The idea of a drug like what is in this book, created to help deal with PTSD makes it even more realistic.

The story is mainly told through Cass, our lead female role.  When the fearless first strike, Cass is still quite young and experiences alot of hardship.  As the story progresses Cass has turned into a strong woman, her only option as she faces many more desperate and dangerous situations.  Nothing will get in her way when it comes to family.  One of the male lead characters, Sol, Cass grew up with and experienced the fearless invasion together.  Most other books would have these two together, surely going through so much hardship would make them a couple...not the case.  We then meet Myo, our other male lead character.  Mysterious at the start, then as the story progresses and you learn of what Myo has experienced throughout his life, it all makes a very compelling storyline.  Every page I read, I needed more.  This book was fantastic!

If your a lover of dystopian, zombie, apocalypse/post apocalyptic you need to get this book.  You won't be disappointed!

Congratulations to Emma Pass, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads Page

Amazon UK
Amazon US
Authors Website

Organised Zombies! by Kimmy

Hey all,

Here is my latest review:

Julie Rayzor (Julie Rayzor, #1)

by Richard Howes

Rating:

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Summary:

17 year-old Julie is caught between a world of zombies outside of "Fort Tulsa" and a life of drama inside. When everything she loves in life is stolen away; her soldier-boyfriend missing-in-action; troubles with Jill, her best friend; Felix, a nerdy medical researcher fawning over her; plus a broken leg in a cast to weigh her down, she has to join the war and fight or be killed. When she learns of a plan to rescue her boyfriend and save the city, she uncovers a dark secret - a secret that she must keep hidden deep inside until she can complete the most dangerous task of her life.

Review:

My bestie Rinny came across this book in a facebook group and knowing how much I love zombies she brought it to my attention.  I couldn't resist.  I'm a sucker for anything zombie related lol.

The main lead, Julie Rayzor, a strong female able to handle herself better than most well trained military guys.  Young, in love, kicking ass and taking names.  A different approach to your normal zombie fest.  None of the typical 'Need to Feed' zombies and everything that goes along with it.  The zombies created in this story and what they are up to, make for an interesting read.  I do feel some of the storyline was slightly rushed or perhaps not as explored as it could have been.

With all post apocalyptic stories, something happens, causing us to feel those heart strings getting tugged at.  Unfortunately, I didn't quite feel it.  I wasn't convinced.  What happens between Julie and her boyfriend just seemed like a total WTF moment.  Like, huh, you guys were totally in love and like that's it.  Perhaps this was written this way on purpose, this is the first book in the series, it could possibly be laying the foundations.  But I just couldn't find myself connecting much with their relationship.  Felt more like a one night stand between them.

The turn of events for Julie becomes interesting and enjoyable, but the phrase she uses telepathically, I found a little lame to be honest.  It did make me laugh though.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what is in store for Julie and her comrades, the teaser at the end of the book certainly does pique your interests.

For all the price this book is, its an interesting piece of imagination on the zombie genre.  A good read worth the money!

Watch this space for the review of the second book in the series.

Congratulations to Richard Howes, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads Page

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Gotta love me some zombies! by Kimmy

This past few weeks, I have felt like a kid in a candy shop, being surrounded by all these great books to read and review.  Especially when it comes to zombies.  Gotta love zombie books.

**Disclaimer - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Life After: The Arising by Bryan Way

Summary:

19-year-old film student Jeff Grey returns home from college for the weekend only to find himself confronted with something he'd only seen in movies and read about in books: Zombies. Despite lungs beset by asthma and a total lack of survival skills, his lifelong fantasy of living through an undead apocalypse helps him organize a small group of acquaintances, but with the town effectively quarantined and no help on the way, Jeff and the rest of the survivors will have to grow up fast if they want to see a life after the arising.

Review:

Zombie apocalypse books are nothing new, but when the story is told in the way this one is, it makes for an exciting read.  The details in the story have been well written, you find yourself there, seeing what the main character Jeff sees, hears and feels.  When we aren't immersed in the fight for survival during the zombie action scenes, were getting to know the characters and watch them develop.  Their basic everyday needs aren't forgotten and this adds to making the story even more realistic.

Whether your already a zombie fan or considering venturing into the world of zombie fiction, this is a great book.  I really look forward to reading the next instalment.

So what are you waiting for, go get this book now, links posted below.

Congratulations to Bryan Way, may you have many future successes!

Useful Links

Goodreads Page

Bryan Way Facebook

Purchase from Amazon UK

Purchase from Amazon US