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Devil's Wake (Devil's Wake #1)

by Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due (Goodreads Author)

3.68 of 5 stars 3.68 · rating details · 190 ratings · 68 reviews

What happens when an unprecedented infection sweeps the world, leaving the earth on the brink of the Apocalypse? But this infection goes far beyond disease. Beyond even the nightmare images of walking dead or flesh-eating ghouls. The infected are turning into creatures unlike anything ever dreamed of . . . more complex, more mysterious, and more deadly.

Trapped in the nort...more

Paperback, 278 pages

Published July 31st 2012 by Atria Books (first published February 21st 2012)

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Sep 30, 2012 Andrew Neal rated it 1 of 5 stars

This isn't the first book I've read in which a world overrun by zombies presents almost no threat whatsoever to our plucky young heroes (Hi, Mira Grant!), but it takes that non-threateningness to whole new level by making sure (view spoiler)

Add in the fact that the authors completely forgot to finish the book, and Mwwwwwahh! [insert finger kissing gesture] It's a perfect novel for folks who are deluded enough to be...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Diverse Pages rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those well-written YA novels that will appeal to both teenagers and adults. The story is fast-paced and filled with plenty of action and dark humor. The characters are also likable—maybe a little too “likable” for some tastes. Kendra is introduced as looking like “a typical Disney Channel Sassy Black Teenager… short, cute, chipmunk cheeks, perfect teeth, and eyes bright as stars;” she’s also shy and, when the situation calls for it, plucky. Certainly not a dull or annoying charact...more This is one of those well-written YA novels that will appeal to both teenagers and adults. The story is fast-paced and filled with plenty of action and dark humor. The characters are also likable—maybe a little too “likable” for some tastes. Kendra is introduced as looking like “a typical Disney Channel Sassy Black Teenager… short, cute, chipmunk cheeks, perfect teeth, and eyes bright as stars;” she’s also shy and, when the situation calls for it, plucky. Certainly not a dull or annoying character, but there are no real surprises with her personality or behavior. That’s okay on one level—we probably need an “everygirl” as one of the main characters in the midst of hell on earth—but what’s slightly less forgiving is the sort juvenile delinquents with whom she joins up. Some of them have bad attitudes, but not a one of the five struck me as being even mildly dangerous. I understand they’re all petty criminals, or else they probably would’ve been locked up rather than given the opportunity to help run a summer camp. And, true enough, there are distinct personalities and some clashes among the group, but I wanted more of a sense of true and mysterious menace from within. Not a gangbanger or a terrorist, just one person among the group who’d make the others want to sleep with their eyes open. Then again, maybe my vision is clouded by reading too much adult noir; I may be asking for an additional layer of complexity where it’s not really needed or wanted. Undoubtedly the authors just wanted to create a relatable cast of characters who’d enough trouble to deal with in the freaks, the pirates, and Mother Nature.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is that the infection was spurred, at least in part, by the consumption of mushrooms that may be extraterrestrial in origin, and possibly even sentient. It’s an idea only hinted at in this first book in the series, and by itself it may be enough for some to want to read on. But, towards the end, there are also hints about Kendra—in future books, she may turn out to be not so “typical” after all.

Review submitted by Harambee Grey-Sun

Read unedited version at Diverse Pages.(less)

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Jul 02, 2012 Kathleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

The novel Devil’s Wake is the first in the new Devil’s Wake series from husband and wife writing team Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due. In this novel they create a world of horror so frightening as to be almost unbelievable. Set in contemporary United States, the novel begins as residents of Seattle become aware of a strange epidemic that is sweeping the city, and ultimately the country and the entire planet.

As victims are bitten by other infected individuals, they in turn attack others in a “zo...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Robert Brase rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: end-times

This is a story of a band of survivors in a world gone bad. Folks have begun attacking one anther, biting each other and spreading an infection that continues to spread. This is not really a zombie novel, sort of just not really, if that qualifies. The strange part of the book is it being authored by two authors who are married to one another. That in itself is not the strange part. Most books I have read that have been written by more than one author have a single cohesive voice that drives the...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Bruce Baugh rated it 5 of 5 stars

An outstanding work, in a genre that's hard to do anything fresh in. This is a zombie-ish apocalypse story, with the "zombies" infected by a mysterious fungus-like blight; there are hints laid for revelations and evolutions in later volumes. It's a nice framework that lets them tie together a bunch of different zombie tropes, as they cheerfully acknowledge in their thanks. What makes me rate this so highly, though, is the excellence with which Barnes and Due write about young people. They've got...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Carlie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: zombielovin

I set aside the weekend to read this book. The story itself is a solid three and half but since I finished it in a day, I go up to four. For me that is amazing and something I rarely do. This book held my interest and I only skimmed over a few pages. The downside to this book is that it is written with teens as the audience and therefore has a few quirks that are unbelievable. And yes, I suspend disbelief at the drop of a hat. First, our teens are 18 and they fight these “freaks” and none of the...more

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Dec 08, 2012 Rashida rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: unexpected-enjoyment, sci-fi-fantasy, young-adult, horror

man this book burrowed under my skin. Creeped me out and drew me in. I couldn't believe how much I was enjoying it, how much I wanted to get back to it, how much I didn't want to put it down, and continued to think about it as I drove, ate, tried to go to sleep. I was really just expecting a ya (read light, inconsequential, romance driven) zombie novel. Well, it is a zombie novel. And it is about YAs. But I identified with each of these characters, worried about them, and was completely transpor...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Erica Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: addiction-to-fiction

I needed a fix before The Walking Dead series returns to AMC, and little did I know that Tananarive Due and her husband Steven Barnes heard my silent prayer and produced a tour de force called "Devil's Wake".

What happens when all of a sudden, the people around you, the people you love become sick? Infected? And try to eat you? They overpopulate the earth and you find yourself running.

That's what happened to 16 year old Kendra. While on her way to the hospital to receive a flu shot, the place bec...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Alexandra rated it 2 of 5 stars

:/

I spent all that time reading and that's how it ended? I hate that. I was contemplating so many times to put the book down and then I just decided to keep going because it wasn't THAT bad.

I don't normally read zombie books. I read World War Z and thought it sucked hard, I started Warm Bodies and couldn't get into it..I just am not really interested in them. So why did I read this one? I guess I was more interested in what happened when the world as we knew it ended than the "freaks," as they...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Kristin Lundgren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopian, medical-disease, science-fiction, zombie

This is a nice zombie thriller - made very real and visceral. Although not strictly zombies, these people have fallen prey to an infection that first makes them sleepy and then turns them into biting monsters. They don't really eat their victims, at least most don't, but bite - trying to spread it as far as they can I suppose. The main two characters are Kendra, a teenager from a nice family in Portland, OR, who, when her father falls sick because of being bitten by one in the very early stages,...more This is a nice zombie thriller - made very real and visceral. Although not strictly zombies, these people have fallen prey to an infection that first makes them sleepy and then turns them into biting monsters. They don't really eat their victims, at least most don't, but bite - trying to spread it as far as they can I suppose. The main two characters are Kendra, a teenager from a nice family in Portland, OR, who, when her father falls sick because of being bitten by one in the very early stages, has to endure his leaving home to save them, before his mind goes. Then she is given supplies and told to stay locked in the basement until a secret phrase that she has with her grandfather is revealed. She is not to come out for any reason, even if her mother asks her. Meanwhile her mother, not infected yet, but scared she might become so, calls her father and asks him to come down and get them. But in the meantime, while trying to help a neighbor, who looks fine, she is bitten by that neighbor. Finally Kendra's grandfather arrives and she goes to his cabin in the woods, well-stocked and prepared for living off the land, with a few trips to the local market, which is still open. And that is the start of her journey. The other is a young boy, a little on the juvenile delinquent side, from a broken home, who is sent to a camp for such kids, who still have a chance to turn around their lives. The camp in is the Southern WA woods, not that far from Kendra's grandfather. The couple that runs the place are nice, kind and have worked with troubled kids for many years, and soon the boys are whipped into shape and have learned some basic outdoors skills, including how to shoot a shotgun. The camp owns a van and a big lumbering old bus. When the camp's owners are bitten, they have to escape. One of them they lock in the fridge until he freezes - the other was killed by her husband. They gather up as many supplies as they can in the school bus, intending to head for the nearest town in southern Washington, and stay there - the radio, sporadic as it is, says there's safety and food and shelter there. They load the bus with as many provisions as they can, as much ammo and guns as they can find, and take off. And thus begins their journey to safety. Somewhere along the line, they and Kendra meet up and begin a long trek down the coast as it becomes less safe at each place they think is okay. Some of the people left unbitten are good, otehrs are profiteers, or bandits, or just desperate for food for their families. Eventually by the end of the book they are heading for Devil's Wake - an island where Kendra's aunt lives, and they hope will take them in (not giving away much since the name of the island is the title). It is the first in a at least two part book series I hope, since there is still much to tell. Good characters, Not too much on the attitude from bad teens excuse, and more about working together, with some trust issues. A few others are picked up along the way. Enjoyed it very much. Not great literature, but it's zombies!(less)

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Jul 24, 2012 Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/07/...

I’m always willing to read a book in the interest of important zombie research, so Devil’s Wake was definitely on my radar. Devil’s Wake follows two teenagers, Kendra, a girl left adrift on her own, and Terry, one of a group of kids that make up the Red Meadows Five, serving their time as camp counselors instead of in the Washington juvenile justice system. After their bosses, Vern and his wife Molly are attacked, turning...more You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/07/...

I’m always willing to read a book in the interest of important zombie research, so Devil’s Wake was definitely on my radar. Devil’s Wake follows two teenagers, Kendra, a girl left adrift on her own, and Terry, one of a group of kids that make up the Red Meadows Five, serving their time as camp counselors instead of in the Washington juvenile justice system. After their bosses, Vern and his wife Molly are attacked, turning Vern into a zombie, the group decides to hit the road in a big navy blue school bus called Blue Beauty. Eventually, the little group crosses paths with Kendra, and she joins them, hoping to make it somewhere safe.

Safety is relative in this new world of constant danger, death, and loss, and our group has quite a haul ahead of them. Terry eventually emerges as the de facto leader of the group, although the physically larger Piranha seems to give him a run for his money a few times. Kendra is drawn to Terry, and although she comes off as quite dependent at first, she eventually holds her own. The group has heard rumors about an island called Devil’s Wake, that may be a safe haven, but they have to make it there first, and that means battling through groups of freaks (aka zombies), as well as human menaces. Constant vigilance is necessary, and I can’t imagine being a teenager in this situation, without any help other than fellow teens. I appreciate that they made quite a few mistakes, but also proved quite self-sufficient and streetwise, and the group dynamic is relatively conflict free. There are no descents into Lord of the Flies territory here, and I enjoyed the cautious optimism of these teens thrust into an indescribably horrible situation. The zombies are a little different in Devil’s Wake, though. Some zombies seem to retain shadows of their old selves, and can utter simple sentences, which ups the creep factor quite a bit. Also, Kendra has had dreams, even before the outbreak, that signaled something bad to come, so I’m curious to see if that will be explored further. The author are old pros, and it shows in the writing. We never really get to know any character too in depth, although of course we get to know Terry and Kendra a little bit better than the rest. While there is plenty of zombie action, the gore is never over the top, so this book could appeal to older teens as well as zombie aficionados. While no new ground is broken here, it’s an entertaining entry in the zombie pantheon, and the ending leaves things open for another book, strongly hinting at a burdgeoning romance between Terry and Kendra. I’ll be interested to see where the authors take this group of teens, and plan on picking up book 2 when it comes out!(less)

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Aug 06, 2012 Idris rated it 5 of 5 stars

I always thought that I didn’t like books about zombies or any other type of monsters that want to kill you or bite you. And maybe that’s the reason why I have avoided those types of books, even though sometimes I have felt curious about them. Just once, I decided to read one, (Young Adult book) and the only thing I can recall is how disappointed I was. And then, I saw Devil’s Wake and I wanted to read it. Just like an experiment. I didn’t know if I was going to hate it or love it. The only reas...more I always thought that I didn’t like books about zombies or any other type of monsters that want to kill you or bite you. And maybe that’s the reason why I have avoided those types of books, even though sometimes I have felt curious about them. Just once, I decided to read one, (Young Adult book) and the only thing I can recall is how disappointed I was. And then, I saw Devil’s Wake and I wanted to read it. Just like an experiment. I didn’t know if I was going to hate it or love it. The only reason why I decided to try it is because I liked the name, the cover and because it looked like an interesting and different read. And let me tell you… you can’t imagine how happy I am right now… because I’m totally in love with this book.

Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due… where have you been all this time?

Devil’s Wake is about a world that is becoming something else. A world where people are turning into “Freaks” who want to kill and bite the rest of the humans. Kendra is a young girl who finds herself in a world where she can’t trust anyone. All her family is gone, and she is headed to “Devil’s Wake”, a place, where she might find some relatives and some security. In her dangerous journey, she will meet other kids that are in a similar situation.

When I started reading this book, I must admit I didn’t like it too much. The story starts in the same day when everything or almost everything is happening, and it was a little bit difficult for me to get used to what I was reading, and to be able to understand it clearly. But after a few pages, everything starts to get sense, and then I realized that I really liked the way it started, because there were no long introductions or boring passages, on the contrary, the book maintains the reader on the edge of their seats.

The story is amazing, breathtaking, heartbreaking and incredibly realistic. I was able to see the changes with my own eyes, and I could understand the fear and the sadness people felt. The characters are amazing. All of them have their own stories and they are credible. Not all of them are good, or bad, they just behave like real people behave in that type of situation or similar. They not always make the right decisions and of course, you can feel their fears and how their dreams are mostly gone.

Devil’s Wake was a great surprise for me. I never thought I would like a book like this one, but I did. It was a marvelous read, very enjoyable, and the best of all, it wasn't as descriptive as I feared it would be. Like I said at the top of the review, this is my first time reading something like this, but I’m sure it won’t be the last one. Now I’m looking for something similar while I wait for the next book of the series.

This book deserves five stars… and it’s a favorite.(less)

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Dec 30, 2012 Siew Ee rated it 4 of 5 stars

I like zombie novels, and decided to check this YA zombie novel out for my daughter Lea.

Why I like this book : 1) You can’t predict who will survive and who will not (of course, with the exception of the 2 main protagonists); 2) is fast-paced, suspenseful with all the action that characterizes a good zombie novel; & 3) no gore and violence spared because it’s a teenage novel; for this reason, I wouldn’t recommend it to younger teens. They may end up traumatized!

Why I don’t like this book :...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Mya rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books-i-read

Zombie apocalypse stories aren't really about the zombies. Sure there's lots of gore with the brain/flesh eating but after all that we want to read about the survivors. How will they live in a world where you have to worry about being chomped by close friends and relatives? In this book we follow a group of teenagers as they try to navigate through this strange and dangerous world where sometimes the living are more dangerous than the zombies. Devil's Wake is the first in a series and does a fin...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Mary (BookHounds) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, from-publisher-author

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Kendra is a normal teen, with two loving parents and then her world falls apart. Both of her parents are bitten by plague ravaged freaks and her grandfather rescues her and takes her off to his secluded cabin outside in Washington state. When her grandfather is also attacked by a neighbor, she meets up with some camp counselors who are also on the run from the freaks. Two twins, one extremely brilliant misfit nicknamed Piranha, Terry and another girl close to her age named Son...more MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Kendra is a normal teen, with two loving parents and then her world falls apart. Both of her parents are bitten by plague ravaged freaks and her grandfather rescues her and takes her off to his secluded cabin outside in Washington state. When her grandfather is also attacked by a neighbor, she meets up with some camp counselors who are also on the run from the freaks. Two twins, one extremely brilliant misfit nicknamed Piranha, Terry and another girl close to her age named Sonia. As they wind their way through what was once a normal world, they end up in a military base where they are joined by Ursalina. Each of these individual help make up a new family in order to survive the post apocalyptic world after the infection has brought the world down.

The freaks are not ordinary zombies that you have read about before. They are not stupid and are fast at first, only slowing down as they infection takes a stronger hold on them. The only way they can be killed is by removing their head, either through a bullet or decapitation. As the story unfolds you get to find out the back story of most of the characters, especially Terry and Piranha. Ursalina, is slowly introduced towards the end. I found myself racing through this story to see if they would survive each Freak attack and then to make their way slowly in an old school bus to a place rumored to be Freak free called Devil's Wake, an island off the coast of California. Kendra and Terry do seem to have a connection but it is somewhat at that awkward stage. The real romance is between Piranha and Sonia and even that is kept under wraps.

Each character must face the horror of their past to make way in this new world without civilization and now ruled by pirates or vigilantes who will take first, possibly kill and then maybe help you out. It is very fast paced and wonderfully written horror. Fans of The Forest of Hands and Teeth will find this world much less organized. I know this is an adult book but with most of the characters teens or young adults, it will probably be a great crossover for zombie fans looking for more adult fare. I think this is probably more tame than a lot of dystopian young adult books I have read. There is no graphic violence, only some minor kissing, and only a few mentions of alcohol. If you are looking for something to get your blood moving this is a nice start to a series since it seemed to end with a bit of a cliffhanger and I really want to know what happens to the group.
(less)

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Aug 01, 2012 Melissa ( Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-hard-copy, reviewed-other

This was my first "Zombie" read and I am so happy to report that I really enjoyed it. Barnes and Due draw us in from page one as we experience an ordinary day that could be today turn into a horror story. Some unknown infection is spreading across the country turning loved ones, friends and neighbors into zombie-like versions of themselves who spread this infection by biting their victims.

The characters, a group of juvenile "delinquents," and a lone teen, come together to try to make sense of t...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Lady Book Voodoo & Hoodoo Review rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-then-review, 2012-releases, horror, love-the-cover, zombie-genre

~ Monster Girl ~ Review

You guys you who know me, know that on a rare occasion that I wont finish a zombie book. But this story was diffrent then the rest! An normaly that would be a great thing. But I got more then half way threw the book and saud to myself. Self ...where is the real horrable ,terrifing ,mind blowing action??? It never really comes you'll have a couple parts with a little bit. But most of the book talks about the group of survivors and what there doing. Sorry but Monster girl...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Deleva rated it 2 of 5 stars

I feel just... just horrible giving that few stars to this book. I am a huge fan of Steven Barnes; his book Lion's Blood and the follow up, Zulu Heart, are two of my favorite books. He's a magnificent writer. I've had less experienc with Tananarive Due's writing but what I've read has been good.

I just felt that this was not up to their normal standards. It was by no means... bad. Just not as good as I think either could have done. I was hoping that the ending would lead me to feel more curious a...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Eddie Whitlock rated it 3 of 5 stars

There are some good elements to this zombie apocalypse novel. Geared toward teens, the main characters are African-American. I liked the fact that the young protagonists admitted having seen zombie films. Many novels in the genre come from the vantage point of there being no such thing.

The characters spend most of the novel en route to a safe place in California, with one of them hoping to go to relatives at the titled "Devil's Wake," an island off the coast.

The ending was disappointing. Still,...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love a story line that involves apocalypse but adding zombies to the mix is a bonus. Had not read this author before but I loved this book. Thes tory line was great and I loved how the characters developed with the story. These troubled teens were faced with a lot more than the consequences of stealing or a few drugs. They were faced with their very survival. The story moved at a great pace and I loved how the teens adapted and dealt with each new challenge that was presented to them. Hope to...more

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Sep 07, 2012 OOSA rated it 4 of 5 stars

Once Bitten

Southern Washington State: Sixteen-year-old Kendra Washington is taken to the hospital by her parents to get a flu shot. On the way to the hospital, the radio reports violent behavior in the Seattle area and that “as a cautionary measure, further vaccinations have been halted…” Kendra tries to convince her parents to forgo the flu shot but they insist that it was just rumors and that it was perfectly safe. This did nothing to ease Kendra’s fear. When they got to the hospital something...more Once Bitten

Southern Washington State: Sixteen-year-old Kendra Washington is taken to the hospital by her parents to get a flu shot. On the way to the hospital, the radio reports violent behavior in the Seattle area and that “as a cautionary measure, further vaccinations have been halted…” Kendra tries to convince her parents to forgo the flu shot but they insist that it was just rumors and that it was perfectly safe. This did nothing to ease Kendra’s fear. When they got to the hospital something bizarre happens, people became crazed and began biting each other. Although, Kendra and her parents got away, unfortunately her father was a victim of this bite. With more reports coming through the radio that folks that are bitten first fall asleep and when they awaken they are zombie-like with red eyes and red tendrils hanging from their face. Before this could happen, Kendra’s father ran off so as not to hurt his family. Her mother was eventually bitten by a neighbor and forced Kendra to lock herself in the basement until she heard the secret word.

Round Meadows Summer Camp, in the Olympic Forest Area in Washington: The manager Vern was bitten in town with Terry (one of the juveniles who was to stay at the camp.)Although Vern seemed to look normal on the way back to the camp, his wife Molly took him to nurse him back to health. Later that night Vern was anything but okay. He was one of those crazed zombie-like people. Some of them are flesh eating and unfortunately Molly just so happened to be one of these casualties.The problem now was to survive this apocalypse that seemed to be sweeping across the nation. The remaining campers were all juveniles. Besides Terry, there was Piranha, Dean, Darius, Sonia and the dog Hipshot. They tried to survive the best they could. With all the food that was in the freezer they stayed as long as they could. When it began to get cold they knew it was time to move on and try somewhere else because it was only a matter of time before they became victims.

They all pile upon the camp bus and put the snow chains on and head for someplace more civilized and safe. Along the way they pick up Kendra on the side of the road and another person by the name of Ursalina. Along their travels they overhear static on the radio saying there is shelter and a safe place to stay: Devil’s Wake. This is where their destination winds up being, as long as the old bus can get them there.

“Devil’s Wake”by Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due was a very good read. Unbeknownst to me, I accidentally read DOMINO FALLS first so I knew how the story played out more. I still enjoyed reading this novel. Although this could have easily rated as a 5–star read, I had to give it 4 stars because it still does not give a clear understanding exactly how this epidemic broke out. Everything is kind of speculative and rumored. Other than that, it was a story that had a lot of action and the reader is definitely drawn into the story and easily connects to the characters. If you like movies such as I AM LEGEND and zombie related movies, you’re sure to enjoy this one.

Reviewed by LeonaR(less)

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Nov 05, 2012 Brie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: highway-to-the-neutral-zone

This was a pretty good story and book. The writing was decent and didn't drag and make me want to punch myself in the face after throwing said book across the room.

There were some scenes that didn't really make sense to me, but I was willing to overlook the minor stupid factor. The authors also decided to sneak attack the reader with a vague paranormal aspect, outside of the "zombie" thing.

The end reads like there will, at the very least, be a sequel. When/if it comes out, I will most likely rea...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Porkpie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Utter garbage, and cynical "eye on the royalties" garbage at that. The only value this novel has is as a primer on how to NEVER WRITE A BOOK.

Wooden, one-dimensional characters that make popsicle sticks look complex by comparison. A plot that is as tired and shambling as zombies themselves, and limp dialogue that is instantly forgotten.

Easily one of the worst things I've ever read. Finished it only to say I had - just like you would at the dentist or a particularly bland meal.

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Mar 02, 2013 ~Charmer~the 1click addict rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi, horror, zombies, library-checkout

This book scared the shit out of me; but I love me some Zombie books and movies. Me and my son do a zombie apocalypse scenario every time we're in a parkin garage, mall, picture show, or traffic, and we discuss what are evac plan would be for right then and there. It gets pretty interestin.

Ok, back to my review. Did I say how much this book scared the shit out of me? Oh, yeah I did. The scariest scene in the book for me was when Joe and Kendra were at Mike's place and when they were on their wa...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Topher rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: post-apocalypse, sci-fi, teenybopper-lit

I enjoyed this novel of the post-zombie-apocalypse, and I particularly enjoyed their explanation of the cause of the apocalypse!, but I just didn't enjoy it enough to add it to my list of series to track. If the sequel comes out and I see it and happen to remember reading this one, I'll happily pick it up, but this just wasn't quite good enough to become the 71st series I'm trying to actively read and follow.

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Jun 24, 2012 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very exciting YA Zombie post apocolyptic novel by two of the coolest authors on the planet. The characters are interesting, the fight scenes are "forget I'm on the bus" engrossing.

Two nit picky things: I thought it ended too abruptly and I was waiting for one of the characters to kick some ass like I know she's capable of but didn't in this volume. Maybe next?

Comes out at the end of July. Buy it!

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Dec 26, 2012 Diane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror

I really enjoyed this story and would have rated it higher but for the ending. It just seemed to stop in mid-stream, with nothing wrapped up, no hint of a second book. It ended with no warning and the stopping place lacked sense. I have no idea if the authors are planning more books or not but I doubt if I will read them.

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Aug 13, 2012 Suzy Ream Rutan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: z-posted, read-2012, ep

One of the things I want most in a zombie/apocalyptic book is for the story to seem plausible. This book gave me that, along with a bunch of varied and interesting characters.

My only small complaint is that it felt like the story ended very abruptly. Perhaps that is because this will be part of a series. One can hope!

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Oct 04, 2012 Jared rated it 4 of 5 stars

A young teen meets up with a group of juvenile delinquents who escape from a summer camp during a mysterious outbreak of zombie infestation. While this intense zombie feast doesn't do anything too off-the-wall with the well-worn premise, the husband and wife author duo manage to deliver the goods. They tweak the basic zombie presence with a creeping intelligence to the flesh-eating hordes that will generate some genuine shivers in even the most cynical horror reader. It's the first in a new tril...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Lakendra added it

I loved this book more than I thought I would! I can't wait for the next book to come out. The pacing is awesome and you never know what could be lurking right around the corner. There is also an element of romance that was very welcome after all of the horror and gore.

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Young Adult

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Apocalyptic > Post Apocalyptic

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Science Fiction > Dystopia

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Science Fiction > Aliens

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About Steven Barnes

Steven Barnes (born March 1, 1952, Los Angeles, California) is an African American science fiction writer, lecturer, creative consultant, and human performance technician.

He has written several episodes of The Outer Limits and Baywatch. He has also written the episode "Brief Candle" for Stargate SG-1 and the Andromeda episode "The Sum of its Parts". Barnes's first published piece of fiction, the 1...more

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Books by Steven Barnes

The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars, #2)

The Invisible Imam (Assassin's Creed, #1)

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Devil's Wake (Devil's Wake #1)

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