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The Fall #2
Dead Will Rise
Dead Will Rise
The Fall: Book Two
Kell McDonald killed the world.
It is a truth that haunts him every day of his life. It is a fact etched so deeply in his mind that every waking moment is haunted by his sins. But for his choices, the dead would not walk. Men would not travel the decaying highways hunting for victims. Communities of survivors would not have to struggle to lay the foundation of a new society.
Forced to migrate from his adopted home, Kell finds himself an unlikely leader. Caught between unimaginable guilt and duty to his followers, he must find a way to keep them alive while holding himself together. Whatever the cost, no matter the danger.
The Fall: Book Two
Kell McDonald killed the world.
It is a truth that haunts him every day of his life. It is a fact etched so deeply in his mind that every waking moment is haunted by his sins. But for his choices, the dead would not walk. Men would not travel the decaying highways hunting for victims. Communities of survivors would not have to struggle to lay the foundation of a new society.
Forced to migrate from his adopted home, Kell finds himself an unlikely leader. Caught between unimaginable guilt and duty to his followers, he must find a way to keep them alive while holding himself together. Whatever the cost, no matter the danger.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2013
132 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Guess
50 books363 followersJoshua Guess (who goes by Josh most of the time, but Joshua professionally because his mom insists) is originally from southern Illinois, but moved to central Kentucky at an early age.
Always a storyteller, his interest in creating began with art. He loved to draw and come up with stories about his pictures.
Then he discovered comic books and novels, and things...took a turn.
Devouring everything from superboy to Stephen King, Josh started to gain a greater interest in writing, making it a hobby during high school and achieving distinguished marks in his portfolio.
Then, life got in the way. College and the struggle to start a life of his own away from home took up most of his time. His love of telling stories took a back seat to the needs of daily life for many years, with the occasional foray into working on one project or another.
In late 2009, Josh buckled down and started work on an idea for a fantasy novel that had been stuck in his head since those halcyon days back in high school. Struggling to find a voice, Josh realized months later after many false starts that he needed to stretch his brain a little, strengthen his writing muscles. So he began another project that had been simmering in the back of his mind, a continuing serialized zombie story, told in the form of a daily blog.
Living With the Dead has given him a measure of success, but more important has imparted new skills at wordsmithing and the drive to complete. 'Bound to Silence', his debut novel, has been released and is available now, as are many collections and versions of Living With the Dead.
Once that tipping point was reached, there was no choice for him but to keep on writing. Much more of Josh's work will be released in the coming months.
I hate writing in the third person about myself. I live an average life and work a full time job. I have three cats, two dogs, two ferrets, and a wife that I'm so in love with it hurts. My goal is to some day have enough success to write full time, and to manage a level of long term financial security that I don't have to worry about money. It's my dream to make a good living doing what I love--telling stories. I hope you enjoy my work. That's why I do it.
Always a storyteller, his interest in creating began with art. He loved to draw and come up with stories about his pictures.
Then he discovered comic books and novels, and things...took a turn.
Devouring everything from superboy to Stephen King, Josh started to gain a greater interest in writing, making it a hobby during high school and achieving distinguished marks in his portfolio.
Then, life got in the way. College and the struggle to start a life of his own away from home took up most of his time. His love of telling stories took a back seat to the needs of daily life for many years, with the occasional foray into working on one project or another.
In late 2009, Josh buckled down and started work on an idea for a fantasy novel that had been stuck in his head since those halcyon days back in high school. Struggling to find a voice, Josh realized months later after many false starts that he needed to stretch his brain a little, strengthen his writing muscles. So he began another project that had been simmering in the back of his mind, a continuing serialized zombie story, told in the form of a daily blog.
Living With the Dead has given him a measure of success, but more important has imparted new skills at wordsmithing and the drive to complete. 'Bound to Silence', his debut novel, has been released and is available now, as are many collections and versions of Living With the Dead.
Once that tipping point was reached, there was no choice for him but to keep on writing. Much more of Josh's work will be released in the coming months.
I hate writing in the third person about myself. I live an average life and work a full time job. I have three cats, two dogs, two ferrets, and a wife that I'm so in love with it hurts. My goal is to some day have enough success to write full time, and to manage a level of long term financial security that I don't have to worry about money. It's my dream to make a good living doing what I love--telling stories. I hope you enjoy my work. That's why I do it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 11, 2017
Not bad, but not completely good either. I would almost say this book felt played out--maybe he's written too many of these and it's become rote? Not sure, but I enjoyed the first one more than this sequel. Though to be fair, unlike the first one, rape isn't really the central threat like the first book, so that was refreshing--instead, in this one, the evil government kills everyone, men, women, and children, to strip the resources to take back to the politicians hiding in the bunkers in Texas. Now, that's actually a NEW plot point which I haven't come across after so many zombie books, but that plot was fumbled (mentioned like once, not really brought up again--they didn't even interrogate the captives!!). Really, I now want to read a book where the beleaguered survivors have to fend off Ted Cruz's scout parties.
Perhaps the first person of Kell, former prodigy, genius scientist partially responsible for the zombie plague (though if you spoke to him for 2 seconds, it would be all mea culpa for the whole damn thing), widower, and elite fighting 300 lb 6"5 black man, should be semi phased out. If you look at the other main characters--the two women he rescued in the 1st book--you can't really differentiate between the 2 whatsoever (they even married brothers), and even the new woman who rescues him in this one, could almost be a stand in for them (except she has 2 tots). He mentions names and people, but there's almost zero description, which is odd, and started to a wear on me a bit. Rather than matter of fact Kell statements, I wanted description.
I think the sameness of voice, not much character building other than the main, and a rush to get on with the plot really hurt this. It would have been cool to see things from the vantage of the scouts or even the people back in Haven (which pretty obvious in reading this ties in with his other series), but it's always back to him feeling guilty because he worked on the strain. The terrible formatting in my copy didn't help. The book was basically one huge paragraph, which didn't really help readability.
Perhaps the first person of Kell, former prodigy, genius scientist partially responsible for the zombie plague (though if you spoke to him for 2 seconds, it would be all mea culpa for the whole damn thing), widower, and elite fighting 300 lb 6"5 black man, should be semi phased out. If you look at the other main characters--the two women he rescued in the 1st book--you can't really differentiate between the 2 whatsoever (they even married brothers), and even the new woman who rescues him in this one, could almost be a stand in for them (except she has 2 tots). He mentions names and people, but there's almost zero description, which is odd, and started to a wear on me a bit. Rather than matter of fact Kell statements, I wanted description.
I think the sameness of voice, not much character building other than the main, and a rush to get on with the plot really hurt this. It would have been cool to see things from the vantage of the scouts or even the people back in Haven (which pretty obvious in reading this ties in with his other series), but it's always back to him feeling guilty because he worked on the strain. The terrible formatting in my copy didn't help. The book was basically one huge paragraph, which didn't really help readability.
June 5, 2018
I have no idea why I'm giving this book a 4, since I don't believe it rates a 4, more like a 3.5. I learned to really like the first book, but I just could never get into this one. One word I would use that describes this story quite consistently is "boring."
I also feel as if the author and I are on two different waves of thought. Somehow, we don't sync up, and that's sad cause I really want to know what will happen in the future, but I've decided to quit the series now--not because I'm afraid of the zombies, but because I'm afraid of wasted time.
I'm going to try "Next" next, and hopefully that one will a book that I love.
I also feel as if the author and I are on two different waves of thought. Somehow, we don't sync up, and that's sad cause I really want to know what will happen in the future, but I've decided to quit the series now--not because I'm afraid of the zombies, but because I'm afraid of wasted time.
I'm going to try "Next" next, and hopefully that one will a book that I love.
April 6, 2014
Great new author
first let me start by saying I love the "zombie/post apocalyptic" genre. I read the books simply for enjoyment. I try not to get overly excited about a new series our author, as I am usually disappointed. not with this series. I am truly enjoying the style and the ability of the author to build the characters. I recommend the series just because it's a different take on the hero. and no I'm not going to elaborate since that would spoil it if you haven't read the first book.
first let me start by saying I love the "zombie/post apocalyptic" genre. I read the books simply for enjoyment. I try not to get overly excited about a new series our author, as I am usually disappointed. not with this series. I am truly enjoying the style and the ability of the author to build the characters. I recommend the series just because it's a different take on the hero. and no I'm not going to elaborate since that would spoil it if you haven't read the first book.
November 26, 2017
Excellent, enthralling, entertaining and exciting !
Dead will rise (is a good description of how I felt the morning after staying up all night to finish it ) !
The 1st book in this series was good but this has taken the story to another level for me. Plenty of new characters, a few of whom you care about almost immediately after meeting them. Can't wait to see how the story develops now because no doubt about it, I'm hooked and will be with Kell and the 'girls' to the end.
Dead will rise (is a good description of how I felt the morning after staying up all night to finish it ) !
The 1st book in this series was good but this has taken the story to another level for me. Plenty of new characters, a few of whom you care about almost immediately after meeting them. Can't wait to see how the story develops now because no doubt about it, I'm hooked and will be with Kell and the 'girls' to the end.
September 17, 2018
Awesome story
And awesome story with a great cast of characters and a unique beginning to the zombie apocalypse with characters that are intertwined from the very beginning all the way up to the current story plenty of action plenty of blood and gore when needed but not so much that it is all blood in your. It has a great story and will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Check it out
And awesome story with a great cast of characters and a unique beginning to the zombie apocalypse with characters that are intertwined from the very beginning all the way up to the current story plenty of action plenty of blood and gore when needed but not so much that it is all blood in your. It has a great story and will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Check it out
July 17, 2018
Holy Zombies Batman pt 2
I'm just excited to keep going in the next book, so much so that I now have no choice but to subscribe to Kindle unlimited. I loved reading and getting lost, when I was a kid, in novels. It's been a long time for me, getting to come back. I'm happy to dive into more books! Looking forward to book 3!
Excellent read!
I'm just excited to keep going in the next book, so much so that I now have no choice but to subscribe to Kindle unlimited. I loved reading and getting lost, when I was a kid, in novels. It's been a long time for me, getting to come back. I'm happy to dive into more books! Looking forward to book 3!
Excellent read!
January 12, 2018
This is a very good series. Along with the fighting ans scavenging for food and stuff, the characters show their inner selves. I could really feel the turmoil Kel was going through.
I would recommend this series to all.
I would recommend this series to all.
November 30, 2017
I loved books 1&2.
December 13, 2017
Another great story in the saga
May 31, 2018
Too short
I have two complaints: the cliffhanger this ended in, and too few pages. This is a good series. I would read more books by this author.
I have two complaints: the cliffhanger this ended in, and too few pages. This is a good series. I would read more books by this author.
February 11, 2019
Great read!
This is a well written book. A great read. I enjoyed the first book and this held my attention also. Worth the time!
This is a well written book. A great read. I enjoyed the first book and this held my attention also. Worth the time!
September 10, 2019
Excellent read
Although the fight scenes can be a bit confusing but overall great read. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Although the fight scenes can be a bit confusing but overall great read. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
January 7, 2020
Dead will rise
Just when I think Kell and his friends may find peace there are more bad guys to augment the zombies.
Just when I think Kell and his friends may find peace there are more bad guys to augment the zombies.
January 18, 2020
An interesting series
This series will have you wanting to binge read the whole series from the very beginning. It has interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline.
This series will have you wanting to binge read the whole series from the very beginning. It has interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline.
April 21, 2020
Good story
Enjoyed the sequel as much as the first book. Liked the progress the survivors have made and look forward to more about them.
Enjoyed the sequel as much as the first book. Liked the progress the survivors have made and look forward to more about them.
March 20, 2017
The cadence of this story reminds me so much of epics I have enjoyed over the years. Probably what keeps me very on edge is the factor that the virus allows the dead to evolve and adapt in their pursuit of "dinner." A great zombie saga for the lover of apocalyptic dystopia. Keep writing Joshua Guess, for your reader base can only grow with this gem of a series.
July 16, 2014
I love this series! Unfortunately the third one is not written yet and I really really hate that. I broke my own rule not to begin a series until it has been completed.
But it was worth it. I love the strong females in this story even though Kell himself is a gargantuan man. He is tall, big, strong, black and a scientist. He lost his wife and daughter in the Fall and the creation of the virus that killed them and most everyone else was made from the virus he created. So he is filled with tons of guilt. He hides his identity from everyone and goes by "K" because he believes if people find out who he really is they will kill him.
He is best friends with the two women he saved from marauders and because of what happened to them they have become very strong. Although there is no romance with these ladies he does meet someone new and maybe maybe? there is a chance for romance with her.
In this second entry in this series Kell and his friends leave the relative safety of their community and finally agree to go to the lab Kell had done his research in. They have some women and men guarding them as they go.
Kell's struggles continue and excite and capture you as you go with him. His life is constantly in danger it seems, and you wonder how he will escape it this time.
This is written in the same universe as Living With the Dead, although you do not need to read that first or after to understand this story. It is great on its own and although I read LWtD a year ago or so it has been so long it is like I did not read it yet I love this story. So if you are a fan of the zombie apocalypse as I am, this story is for you, for sure.
But it was worth it. I love the strong females in this story even though Kell himself is a gargantuan man. He is tall, big, strong, black and a scientist. He lost his wife and daughter in the Fall and the creation of the virus that killed them and most everyone else was made from the virus he created. So he is filled with tons of guilt. He hides his identity from everyone and goes by "K" because he believes if people find out who he really is they will kill him.
He is best friends with the two women he saved from marauders and because of what happened to them they have become very strong. Although there is no romance with these ladies he does meet someone new and maybe maybe? there is a chance for romance with her.
In this second entry in this series Kell and his friends leave the relative safety of their community and finally agree to go to the lab Kell had done his research in. They have some women and men guarding them as they go.
Kell's struggles continue and excite and capture you as you go with him. His life is constantly in danger it seems, and you wonder how he will escape it this time.
This is written in the same universe as Living With the Dead, although you do not need to read that first or after to understand this story. It is great on its own and although I read LWtD a year ago or so it has been so long it is like I did not read it yet I love this story. So if you are a fan of the zombie apocalypse as I am, this story is for you, for sure.
July 4, 2015
Sad,,, :(
I think my title really does best sum up my overall emotions regarding this book, the sequel to an absolutely amazing book. The first book allowed the reader to get a great deal of insight into Kell, (and others such as Lucy, Kate, Andrea, Micelle, Evan, etc) especially as he "evolved" for lack of a better term, to survive in this new, violent world where nothing he had grown up believing had prepared him for the new one. Growing with them was a huge part of why I loved the first book!
This book, in my opinion, almost seemed to distance the characters causing me to struggle between a rating of 3.5 or 4 stars. Obviously I went with 4 but I think part of that is sentimentality for how deeply I enjoyed the first book and felt almost as if I'd actually met the characters and wanted to give them their due respect despite their gaping absence from this story. For example I believe there may be one mention of Michelle and Evan, at most, in the entire book! How were they coping? We're the initial bonds created between the kids and Kell still as strong? More expansion regarding what happened to Kate was expected but never occurred... There was tons of military info and strategy planning, but for me that wasn't why I wanted to read this book. I felt disappointed that characters I had grown fond of and wanted to continue to learn about in their battle for survival, and my be even a cure, seemed to take second place to innumerable pages of military garble. I will be moving forward with the series but with a sadness that I have no idea how such well fleshed out, realistic feeling characters I'll have to leave behind with no sense of closure. :(
I think my title really does best sum up my overall emotions regarding this book, the sequel to an absolutely amazing book. The first book allowed the reader to get a great deal of insight into Kell, (and others such as Lucy, Kate, Andrea, Micelle, Evan, etc) especially as he "evolved" for lack of a better term, to survive in this new, violent world where nothing he had grown up believing had prepared him for the new one. Growing with them was a huge part of why I loved the first book!
This book, in my opinion, almost seemed to distance the characters causing me to struggle between a rating of 3.5 or 4 stars. Obviously I went with 4 but I think part of that is sentimentality for how deeply I enjoyed the first book and felt almost as if I'd actually met the characters and wanted to give them their due respect despite their gaping absence from this story. For example I believe there may be one mention of Michelle and Evan, at most, in the entire book! How were they coping? We're the initial bonds created between the kids and Kell still as strong? More expansion regarding what happened to Kate was expected but never occurred... There was tons of military info and strategy planning, but for me that wasn't why I wanted to read this book. I felt disappointed that characters I had grown fond of and wanted to continue to learn about in their battle for survival, and my be even a cure, seemed to take second place to innumerable pages of military garble. I will be moving forward with the series but with a sadness that I have no idea how such well fleshed out, realistic feeling characters I'll have to leave behind with no sense of closure. :(
May 22, 2016
Kell, Kate and Laura along with their group of survivors called "The Unit" are on their way to Kentucky. Several other groups of survivors from North Jackson have been included on their trek. Braving zombies and marauders they make their way to their new home. The zombies btw have been evolving as the virus transforms into each new variety; now called "new breed". Kell, separated from the convoy, gets himself captured by a scouting team of a larger marauding group. Just as quickly he is rescued by a young lady who has managed to keep herself and her two young children hidden and safe for the past year. Kell agrees to help and take her and the children to his new home in New Haven, Kentucky. The convoy, under prior agreement, did not wait for Kell but continued on to New Haven. So Kell and company are on their own to make it to friends and safety. When in New Haven Kell must once again try to fit in to the community without revealing his true identity.
January 4, 2014
This story draws you in to Guess' wonderfully rich post zombie apocalyptic world.
This is another wonderful trip in a world where the survivors have brains, know how to use them to survive while keeping them inside their skulls away from the undead.
I have to add that while this book may fall in the horror/zombie genre it is really about survival and human nature. If I was to label Mr. Guess' books dealing with zombies I would have to call them hyper realistic post apocalyptic survival adventure.
This story, along with the rest of the stories set in the LWTD universe are rich and intelligent, heartwarming and gruesome. Truly unique and entertaining.
Lastly, I must add that if you read these books and watch the walking dead the reading will make you view the walking dead differently.
This is another wonderful trip in a world where the survivors have brains, know how to use them to survive while keeping them inside their skulls away from the undead.
I have to add that while this book may fall in the horror/zombie genre it is really about survival and human nature. If I was to label Mr. Guess' books dealing with zombies I would have to call them hyper realistic post apocalyptic survival adventure.
This story, along with the rest of the stories set in the LWTD universe are rich and intelligent, heartwarming and gruesome. Truly unique and entertaining.
Lastly, I must add that if you read these books and watch the walking dead the reading will make you view the walking dead differently.
June 17, 2014
The way Kell had gone about observing the ways of the zombies- how they act and react- coupled with his strength of observation and overall smarts is appealing in many ways. Some will like how he was the top scientist studying the virus before it got out, how he wants to right that wrong. Others will be drawn to his resourcefulness, his lone wolf mentality even when surrounded by those people he wants to keep safe.
And I like the zombie virus in this. The way it keeps adapting really ramps up the danger factor.
You like zombies, you'll like this series. Gotta say it again though, this would make a top-rung z flick.
And I like the zombie virus in this. The way it keeps adapting really ramps up the danger factor.
You like zombies, you'll like this series. Gotta say it again though, this would make a top-rung z flick.
May 25, 2015
Onward
The Fall series is my second foray into the world of zombie apocalypse...until recently I had avoided this subset of the horror genre like the plague...literally. One Friday night I got bored and while searching Amazon for suggestions, I stumbled across Kell and company. I figured what the check..let's see where this goes....2.5 hours later I was back at Amazon looking for a sequel..which I found in this book..Dead Will Rise. The storyline is well laid out and the characters so well constructed that you find yourself really starting to care what happens to them. I look forward to continuing alongside Kell on the next part of his adventure.
The Fall series is my second foray into the world of zombie apocalypse...until recently I had avoided this subset of the horror genre like the plague...literally. One Friday night I got bored and while searching Amazon for suggestions, I stumbled across Kell and company. I figured what the check..let's see where this goes....2.5 hours later I was back at Amazon looking for a sequel..which I found in this book..Dead Will Rise. The storyline is well laid out and the characters so well constructed that you find yourself really starting to care what happens to them. I look forward to continuing alongside Kell on the next part of his adventure.
November 18, 2015
More about a Man's Personal Journey than Zombies
This series, as I stated in my book one review, is better than most in the genre.
Those looking for the typical zombie story won't find it here. It's more about a man's journey within the zombie apocalypse than it is about zombies.
Sometimes I wish there were more zombies. In a world decimated by the zombie virus, one would expect to encounter more infected persons.
As I also stated in my book one review, I'm waiting (still) for Dr. K to get back to work. Will he ever......??? Not thus far.
This series, as I stated in my book one review, is better than most in the genre.
Those looking for the typical zombie story won't find it here. It's more about a man's journey within the zombie apocalypse than it is about zombies.
Sometimes I wish there were more zombies. In a world decimated by the zombie virus, one would expect to encounter more infected persons.
As I also stated in my book one review, I'm waiting (still) for Dr. K to get back to work. Will he ever......??? Not thus far.
August 26, 2015
Again, it was interesting and well written. However, I felt, once again, that reading it felt like going through the motions. I guess there's just a lot going on that, at the end, doesn't really go anywhere. It almost borders on boring, which is a shame, since Josh is an amazing writer and I love this story and its characters. Still a good book and I will definitely start reading the next one immediately.
March 27, 2014
Excellent! I was NOT disappointed--again!
Excellent! I was NOT disappointed--again!
I recommended this book and Victim Zero to a friend just today. Because, I said, Joshua Guess writes well and his story is plausible! Excellent read. I'm did not waste any money; it was well worth my money and time.
Excellent! I was NOT disappointed--again!
I recommended this book and Victim Zero to a friend just today. Because, I said, Joshua Guess writes well and his story is plausible! Excellent read. I'm did not waste any money; it was well worth my money and time.
November 6, 2014
Great Book...AGAIN
Joshua Guess is awesome and I highly recommend all of his books to anyone that wants a good Zombie Apocalypse read! It's harder than some think and I'm just grateful to read his work. Try it for yourself! Just think, you can read his books on your tablet or phone during the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!
If we have power of course:)
Joshua Guess is awesome and I highly recommend all of his books to anyone that wants a good Zombie Apocalypse read! It's harder than some think and I'm just grateful to read his work. Try it for yourself! Just think, you can read his books on your tablet or phone during the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!
If we have power of course:)
April 5, 2015
Excellent zombie apocalypse novel
This novel is the second in a series, but stands on its own as well. It is well written and has good character development. Lots of action without excess verbiage or redundancy. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Worth the price of admission.
This novel is the second in a series, but stands on its own as well. It is well written and has good character development. Lots of action without excess verbiage or redundancy. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Worth the price of admission.
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January 18, 2014I thoroughly enjoyed this book
this was a fun read nothing like a bio nerd turned bad ass, I also enjoyed the fact that there were hardcore zombie and bad guys killing women. can't wait to read the next one.
this was a fun read nothing like a bio nerd turned bad ass, I also enjoyed the fact that there were hardcore zombie and bad guys killing women. can't wait to read the next one.
December 18, 2014
Great book! Great Author!
I've been a dedicated reader of the living with the dead series and now this series. Love them! Very captivating author really creates a realistic view of the post apocalyptic world and how society will rebuild itself. Must read for zombie lovers!
I've been a dedicated reader of the living with the dead series and now this series. Love them! Very captivating author really creates a realistic view of the post apocalyptic world and how society will rebuild itself. Must read for zombie lovers!
August 23, 2014
I didn't give you much info on the first book in this series and can only add that these are a very well written series and I wish the 3rd one was out now.
Events move fast in these books and keep your interest easily. Give them a try-- you won't be disappointed.
Events move fast in these books and keep your interest easily. Give them a try-- you won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews