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White Ash on Bone: A Zombie Novel
The story is set in my home town of Butler, Pennsylvania. Classically, the region is the heart of zombie lore. I grew up watching zombie movies that were filmed just down the road. It certainly can impact a young mind.
The novel starts out on what should be an average day. A demented prisoner in the drunk-tank, who happens to be subject zero, is brought before a judge to have his case reviewed. He breaks away, and violence soon spills outside of the courtroom.
White Ash on Bone follows groups of citizens who band together for survival as society breaks apart around them. This is not a story about living in a post-apocalyptic world that is already overrun by the undead. This is a story about trying to survive in the first days of the collapse.
I really tried to capture both small and large scale events in the novel. For example, one group of survivors might be trying to hide out in a garage while another group is watching the military try and maintain a collapsing stronghold in Pittsburgh.
I did not feel the need to make my zombies extra-ordinary. They move, some a little faster than others, but you won’t see them climbing up walls. What you get in the story is an ever growing horde beating in your front door.
The novel starts out on what should be an average day. A demented prisoner in the drunk-tank, who happens to be subject zero, is brought before a judge to have his case reviewed. He breaks away, and violence soon spills outside of the courtroom.
White Ash on Bone follows groups of citizens who band together for survival as society breaks apart around them. This is not a story about living in a post-apocalyptic world that is already overrun by the undead. This is a story about trying to survive in the first days of the collapse.
I really tried to capture both small and large scale events in the novel. For example, one group of survivors might be trying to hide out in a garage while another group is watching the military try and maintain a collapsing stronghold in Pittsburgh.
I did not feel the need to make my zombies extra-ordinary. They move, some a little faster than others, but you won’t see them climbing up walls. What you get in the story is an ever growing horde beating in your front door.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2012
2 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 13, 2014
The world needs another zombie novel like it needs another McDonalds. But that doesn't seem to stop anyone from writing them. And while some of them are actually very good and manage to distinguish themselves from the rest with original ideas and/or excellent writing and characters, this author decided not to bother with any of that. As a result here is an utterly predictable, forgettable book with zombies written seemingly for the sole purpose of livening the incredibly boring boonies PA, where the author resides. Seriously, reading this book one is reminded of why Pennsylvania remains the only conservative close minded state in that part of the country. No one is particularly bright and everyone owns and lives by guns. Anyone who might be rise above that low set IQ bar is severely mocked, in one instance 3, seriously 3, back to back lawyer jokes and not even very funny ones. The book has a highly misogynistic vibe, women are pretty much stupid, helpless, vapid or some combination of the above. The men are all armed, dangerous and uber capable, of course. The author didn't even bother giving the book a proper ending, it just sort of left of with a note that the sequel is being in the works. Since there is no listing for it anywhere, it looks like at least the author came to his senses and quit while behind. George Romero's zombies made rural PA terrifying, this author's zombies didn't even come close. Total waste of almost 3 hours.
August 21, 2013
This was an enjoyable and quick zombie read. Basic rundown. The zombie apocalypse breaks out in Western Pennsylvania. This book follows the survivors ... and some zombie snacks ... as they deal with the outbreak. The characters are interesting and I found myself rooting for them.
The major detraction for me with this book was the grammatical errors that cropped up on nearly every page. It really takes the reader out of the story when one of the hospitalized characters lapses into a punctuation mark ("fell into a comma"). Hopefully, the author will correct these in any future editions or stories.
In the afterword the author talks about writing a sequel to this volume. If he does, I might take a look at it.
The major detraction for me with this book was the grammatical errors that cropped up on nearly every page. It really takes the reader out of the story when one of the hospitalized characters lapses into a punctuation mark ("fell into a comma"). Hopefully, the author will correct these in any future editions or stories.
In the afterword the author talks about writing a sequel to this volume. If he does, I might take a look at it.
February 14, 2013
I love this zombie story. Well written, action packed, & zombies trying to eat you. What more could a girl ask for? I guess there is one thing but it seems to be an occuring theme in zombie stories & that is, HOW DID IT START? I'm guessing that it's just unexplainable. Yet, it does little in the way of keeping me from reading zombie books. Especially this one!! The characters are well developed so much so that I HAD to know how it ended. The end, it was AWESOME!! There will be a sequel, yay!! Overall, zombtastic read!!
January 4, 2013
This book is a standout for zombie novels. The author did not break any new grounds in concepts but the character developments and pacing is excellent. The actions and reactions are realistic. I appreciate that there were no amazing super humans with incredible shooting skills in here. After all, some readers are normal people who have never even seen a gun.
The story originates in a small town in Pennsylvania and imagines what the start of a zombie apocalypse would be like from patient zero. The stories bounces from local officials to the average man. We also get glimpses of the characters' history to build emotional connection.
There is nothing new in the storyline that you wouldn't have seen in hundreds of other zombie novels but I would recommend the book. It's well written and an enjoyable read.
The story originates in a small town in Pennsylvania and imagines what the start of a zombie apocalypse would be like from patient zero. The stories bounces from local officials to the average man. We also get glimpses of the characters' history to build emotional connection.
There is nothing new in the storyline that you wouldn't have seen in hundreds of other zombie novels but I would recommend the book. It's well written and an enjoyable read.
December 2, 2012
A fabulous read and an insight into a zombie take over. Thoroughly enjoyed it, very descriptive in places!! Lots of zombies coming apart!! Just brilliant!!! :)
February 24, 2013
Digital Read
3½ stars
this was pretty good. I liked that he didn't leave any characters open ended. if he brought in a character then you found out what happened to them even if they were only in the book for a page. I will be looking for the sequels.
3½ stars
this was pretty good. I liked that he didn't leave any characters open ended. if he brought in a character then you found out what happened to them even if they were only in the book for a page. I will be looking for the sequels.
October 20, 2013
Started and finished reading this book yesterday. A lot of great characters and how they reacted to the rising of the dead. A book I would definitely read again.
January 4, 2021
Read : January 4, 2021
Rating :4 Stars
This was fun.
The characters were reasonably well developed but could've used a little bit more.
The zombies were the shambly, walking kind and stayed that way throughout the book so yay for consistency!
The women in this book were not portrayed badly, it had a mix of dumb&useless and smart&skilled.
The men were a bit more on the smart&skilled side but there were some outliers.
I liked the addition of the cat, gotta trust the cats, they know what's up.
The ending was a bit lackluster "happy for now" (or more accurately a safe for now) with a mention of a coming sequel but since it's from 2012 and there is no sequel I guess the author gave up on it, which is a shame since I would have bought it just to find out how it ends.
Rating :4 Stars
This was fun.
The characters were reasonably well developed but could've used a little bit more.
The zombies were the shambly, walking kind and stayed that way throughout the book so yay for consistency!
The women in this book were not portrayed badly, it had a mix of dumb&useless and smart&skilled.
The men were a bit more on the smart&skilled side but there were some outliers.
I liked the addition of the cat, gotta trust the cats, they know what's up.
The ending was a bit lackluster "happy for now" (or more accurately a safe for now) with a mention of a coming sequel but since it's from 2012 and there is no sequel I guess the author gave up on it, which is a shame since I would have bought it just to find out how it ends.
November 7, 2013
Well above average ZA novel.
The writing is consistently excellent and the attention to detail, especially the government and civil militias' reactions, is greatly appreciated.
I hope the sequel will soon be published, if it hasn't already.
The writing is consistently excellent and the attention to detail, especially the government and civil militias' reactions, is greatly appreciated.
I hope the sequel will soon be published, if it hasn't already.
February 17, 2014
Nothing new here, but competently written. There are times when the dialog reminded me of Heinlein. However, if poor editing annoys you, avoid this one. I do not know who, or if the author used as proofreader, but he really needs to look around for someone else.
February 26, 2016
A good read
I enjoyed the story but had some trouble staying interested,parts got to drawn out ,I was thinking ,ok enough I get the picture,but still I stuck with it and I must say I was not satisfied with the ending,
I enjoyed the story but had some trouble staying interested,parts got to drawn out ,I was thinking ,ok enough I get the picture,but still I stuck with it and I must say I was not satisfied with the ending,
November 6, 2021
Good Book
I really enjoyed the story. The characters feel real and make you like them. Could have been left as a stand alone but got more to look forward to. Can’t wait to the next one.
I really enjoyed the story. The characters feel real and make you like them. Could have been left as a stand alone but got more to look forward to. Can’t wait to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews