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Plagued #3
The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment
When a helicopter carrying presidential hopeful Senator William Jefferson crashes in the Quarantine Zone, zombie half-breed Penelope Hope is enlisted into the most unorthodox rescue team ever assembled for a mission to save the very man leading the effort to wipe out her kind from the Plagued States of America...
With the recent destruction of Biter's Hill and Biter's Island, the last remaining sanctuary for uninfected humans inside the quarantine zone stands alone against the seemingly endless zombie horde. Tom and Penelope, survivors of the destruction at Biter's Hill, have taken up residence inside the Elevated Platform Station at Biter's Bend in the hopes of rehabilitating Penelope from her half-breed zombie past. Their plans of a normal life are put on hold, however, when Army Ranger Mason Jones arrives seeking asylum from the very man rallying against him, Tom's own father. When Tom's father's helicopter crashes deep inside the quarantine zone, Tom and Penelope enlist Mason Jones and other survivors of Biter's Island on a mission to rescue him.
In this action-packed installment of the critically acclaimed Plagued States of America series, zombie half-breed Penelope Hope returns to join forces with Army Ranger Mason Jones for another edge-of-your-seat thrill ride.
With the recent destruction of Biter's Hill and Biter's Island, the last remaining sanctuary for uninfected humans inside the quarantine zone stands alone against the seemingly endless zombie horde. Tom and Penelope, survivors of the destruction at Biter's Hill, have taken up residence inside the Elevated Platform Station at Biter's Bend in the hopes of rehabilitating Penelope from her half-breed zombie past. Their plans of a normal life are put on hold, however, when Army Ranger Mason Jones arrives seeking asylum from the very man rallying against him, Tom's own father. When Tom's father's helicopter crashes deep inside the quarantine zone, Tom and Penelope enlist Mason Jones and other survivors of Biter's Island on a mission to rescue him.
In this action-packed installment of the critically acclaimed Plagued States of America series, zombie half-breed Penelope Hope returns to join forces with Army Ranger Mason Jones for another edge-of-your-seat thrill ride.
294 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2014
3 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Better Hero Army
20 books66 followersBetter Hero Army is the (really cool) pen name of American author Evan Ramspott. Under the Better Hero Army name, Evan writes about zombies, gargoyles, fairies, aliens, and pretty much anything that doesn't belong in the mainstream (i.e., he writes about cool stuff under the BHA name). He has a really cool website at www.betterheroarmy.com, he's sometimes active on Twitter @BetterHeroArmy, and he's in a bunch of cool GoodReads groups.
Evan's other (not so cool) works of fiction are mainstream stories about social inequities and hardships (and are real downers by comparison).
When Evan isn't being a (cool) writer, he has a family and a day job and enjoys all three equally. Oh, and he likes the beach because it's also cool.
Evan's other (not so cool) works of fiction are mainstream stories about social inequities and hardships (and are real downers by comparison).
When Evan isn't being a (cool) writer, he has a family and a day job and enjoys all three equally. Oh, and he likes the beach because it's also cool.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 17, 2016
My collaborative review with B can be seen here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.c...
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.c...
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com
May 10, 2015
"Of course," the doctor replied, offering an awkward smirk in his direction. "Even zombies are still human, right?"
-Dr. O'Farrell
Tom and Penelope have been trying to get their lives back on track ever since they came out of Biter Territory alive without Larissa, Tom's infected sister, not too long ago. Moving on is a little harder than expected, though. In fact, it is practically impossible to do in a world infested with zombies and overwhelming memories mixed with unanswerable questions. Then Tom's father, a powerful man in the government, decides to take a trip into the Quarantine Zone on a mission of his own. He takes a crew with him that includes the mysterious and deadly Dr. Kennedy. However, the Senator's helicopter unexpectedly goes down, crashing into the dangerous, zombie infested territory. Tom can't let his father die in that forsaken place and makes up his mind to go after him. Tom will definitely need help and he knows just the guys to ask if he wants to make it back home alive.
Hank (a previous companion of Tom's from the time he spent in the Plagued States of America), Mason (an extremely wanted, high-trained soldier), Dr. O'Farrell (an intelligent and inquisitive scientist), Houston (the guy with the train who can take the crew where they want to go), and Penelope (a half-breed who is Tom's closest companion) all head off into the most dangerous mission of their entire lives thus far. Each and every single person mentioned has their own motives for taking up the task, but they agree to work together for a single cause. Making the treacherous journey on board Houston's train, it becomes frighteningly clear that not only do Tom and Penelope have to deal with trying to keep safe from the zombies outside, but now they have to worry about Houston's own zombies that are housed within the train cars. Of course, it is also imperative that no one finds out about Penelope's true nature of being a half-breed. Tom has assisted her with assimilating back into civilization the best that he could, but that does not mean that she is safe. Who knows how people might react to her if they found out what she really was? Dr. O'Farrell seems to be getting too close to the truth for the two's comfort, but being in such close proximity to one another has the opposite effect of keeping secrets hidden.
The truth is, Senator Jefferson wants to wipe out the infected in the Plagued States of America. So, why did he risk his life to go there if he just wanted to eradicate the entire population? What is he planning to do? What is Dr. Kennedy up to anyway? Her presence is bound to mean even more trouble. Will Penelope be found out by those surrounding her? Will she ever be cured, her utmost desire? Once Tom's gang arrives on enemy ground, they discover even more pressing matters. Are the half-breeds becoming smarter, more alert? Will everyone make it out alive from this entire ordeal? Are zombies more human than we would like to admit? Who will live and who will die? Read, Plagued: The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment to find out!
Elated moaning and groaning from the zombie horde rose above the snaps and creaks of glass, their calls announcing to one another that sanctuary was at hand. Their calls became frenzied as they pushed against the faltering glass. Penelope recognized a few calls as something more insidious -- hunger, and the sight of prey.
Our thoughts: (Please note that this is a collaborative with C.)
Better Hero Army easily surpassed all of our expectations in his third installment to the Plagued States of America series! Everything in this novel was bigger and better, ultimately making this the best book in the collection thus far. It was amazing to get to witness so many of the wonderful characters from The Midamerica Zombie Half-Breed Experiment and The Rock Island Zombie Counteractant Experiment come together into one story. Their interactions, struggles, predicaments, dreams, hopes, and faults were equally addicting to delve into. Not a single dull moment passed within these pages.
It seems almost impossible for us to touch on all of the wonderful aspects that we were naturally drawn to in this book, but we'll start with the idea of zombies and their humanity. Portions of The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment focused on the question: Are zombies still human? Yes, they lost themselves to the instincts of a rabid animal, but who has the power to dictate who is still a person and who is not? Is it okay to treat them as if they are vermin, slaves, or even lab experiments? Penelope is a half-breed but she still cares and feels emotions just like everybody else. Sure, she's still relearning about her surroundings but she is not evil. She is intelligent, which brings us to our next point. The half-breeds have proven themselves to be quite a smart and more quick-witted bunch than was previously believed, and this idea made the story even more terrifying.
Going up against an enemy that, while slow, is plentiful in numbers, persistent, and able to use weapons and deception against you when you thought they were only mindless creatures, is exceptionally terrifying. There was this one particular scene that included a half-breed coming up to the structure where Tom and everyone else were hiding and the creature was banging against the glass with a creepy, smiling expression on its face. Chills literally ran down our spines.
Experiencing this story through Penelope's point of view was definitely intriguing and special and sets this book apart from the rest of them. She is such a unique, distinctive individual, and this all leads to the fact that looking through her eyes was like looking at an entirely new world. Knowing what was going on in her head added an entirely new perspective to this series that complemented the other books yet elevated this one to a whole new level. It allows the reader to understand a partial history of some of the first zombie experiments and what it is like to be stuck in a life that you didn't choose.
Overall, Better Hero Army outdid himself and wowed us yet again! In fact, he absolutely blew us out of the water!!! His writing style and plot lines have evolved to become more in depth and intricate, bringing the zombie atmosphere into a whole new playing field. The stakes have been raised yet again, the mystery deepened, and the terror and thrills have heightened! We highly recommend this series. It has never let us down. You seriously need to go pick up the books right now!
The Knightingale Reviews team would love to give a huge thank you to Better Hero Army for offering us a review copy of this book. However, our thoughts and opinions were in no way influenced by this fact.
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com/.
-Dr. O'Farrell
Tom and Penelope have been trying to get their lives back on track ever since they came out of Biter Territory alive without Larissa, Tom's infected sister, not too long ago. Moving on is a little harder than expected, though. In fact, it is practically impossible to do in a world infested with zombies and overwhelming memories mixed with unanswerable questions. Then Tom's father, a powerful man in the government, decides to take a trip into the Quarantine Zone on a mission of his own. He takes a crew with him that includes the mysterious and deadly Dr. Kennedy. However, the Senator's helicopter unexpectedly goes down, crashing into the dangerous, zombie infested territory. Tom can't let his father die in that forsaken place and makes up his mind to go after him. Tom will definitely need help and he knows just the guys to ask if he wants to make it back home alive.
Hank (a previous companion of Tom's from the time he spent in the Plagued States of America), Mason (an extremely wanted, high-trained soldier), Dr. O'Farrell (an intelligent and inquisitive scientist), Houston (the guy with the train who can take the crew where they want to go), and Penelope (a half-breed who is Tom's closest companion) all head off into the most dangerous mission of their entire lives thus far. Each and every single person mentioned has their own motives for taking up the task, but they agree to work together for a single cause. Making the treacherous journey on board Houston's train, it becomes frighteningly clear that not only do Tom and Penelope have to deal with trying to keep safe from the zombies outside, but now they have to worry about Houston's own zombies that are housed within the train cars. Of course, it is also imperative that no one finds out about Penelope's true nature of being a half-breed. Tom has assisted her with assimilating back into civilization the best that he could, but that does not mean that she is safe. Who knows how people might react to her if they found out what she really was? Dr. O'Farrell seems to be getting too close to the truth for the two's comfort, but being in such close proximity to one another has the opposite effect of keeping secrets hidden.
The truth is, Senator Jefferson wants to wipe out the infected in the Plagued States of America. So, why did he risk his life to go there if he just wanted to eradicate the entire population? What is he planning to do? What is Dr. Kennedy up to anyway? Her presence is bound to mean even more trouble. Will Penelope be found out by those surrounding her? Will she ever be cured, her utmost desire? Once Tom's gang arrives on enemy ground, they discover even more pressing matters. Are the half-breeds becoming smarter, more alert? Will everyone make it out alive from this entire ordeal? Are zombies more human than we would like to admit? Who will live and who will die? Read, Plagued: The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment to find out!
Elated moaning and groaning from the zombie horde rose above the snaps and creaks of glass, their calls announcing to one another that sanctuary was at hand. Their calls became frenzied as they pushed against the faltering glass. Penelope recognized a few calls as something more insidious -- hunger, and the sight of prey.
Our thoughts: (Please note that this is a collaborative with C.)
Better Hero Army easily surpassed all of our expectations in his third installment to the Plagued States of America series! Everything in this novel was bigger and better, ultimately making this the best book in the collection thus far. It was amazing to get to witness so many of the wonderful characters from The Midamerica Zombie Half-Breed Experiment and The Rock Island Zombie Counteractant Experiment come together into one story. Their interactions, struggles, predicaments, dreams, hopes, and faults were equally addicting to delve into. Not a single dull moment passed within these pages.
It seems almost impossible for us to touch on all of the wonderful aspects that we were naturally drawn to in this book, but we'll start with the idea of zombies and their humanity. Portions of The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment focused on the question: Are zombies still human? Yes, they lost themselves to the instincts of a rabid animal, but who has the power to dictate who is still a person and who is not? Is it okay to treat them as if they are vermin, slaves, or even lab experiments? Penelope is a half-breed but she still cares and feels emotions just like everybody else. Sure, she's still relearning about her surroundings but she is not evil. She is intelligent, which brings us to our next point. The half-breeds have proven themselves to be quite a smart and more quick-witted bunch than was previously believed, and this idea made the story even more terrifying.
Going up against an enemy that, while slow, is plentiful in numbers, persistent, and able to use weapons and deception against you when you thought they were only mindless creatures, is exceptionally terrifying. There was this one particular scene that included a half-breed coming up to the structure where Tom and everyone else were hiding and the creature was banging against the glass with a creepy, smiling expression on its face. Chills literally ran down our spines.
Experiencing this story through Penelope's point of view was definitely intriguing and special and sets this book apart from the rest of them. She is such a unique, distinctive individual, and this all leads to the fact that looking through her eyes was like looking at an entirely new world. Knowing what was going on in her head added an entirely new perspective to this series that complemented the other books yet elevated this one to a whole new level. It allows the reader to understand a partial history of some of the first zombie experiments and what it is like to be stuck in a life that you didn't choose.
Overall, Better Hero Army outdid himself and wowed us yet again! In fact, he absolutely blew us out of the water!!! His writing style and plot lines have evolved to become more in depth and intricate, bringing the zombie atmosphere into a whole new playing field. The stakes have been raised yet again, the mystery deepened, and the terror and thrills have heightened! We highly recommend this series. It has never let us down. You seriously need to go pick up the books right now!
The Knightingale Reviews team would love to give a huge thank you to Better Hero Army for offering us a review copy of this book. However, our thoughts and opinions were in no way influenced by this fact.
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com/.
September 13, 2019
Getting better and better
October 18, 2015
I was given an electronic copy by Storyteller Press and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Plagued: The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment is the third book in a series about the containment of zombies after a world wide apocalypse. Penelope is living with Tom and they just discovered that Senator Jefferson, Tom's father, was on a helicopter that crashed in the Quarantine Zone. Rounding up some help to save his father and the other occupants of the helo, Tom ends up using the rail system to cross into the Zone. Along the way, he discovers more about Penelope's beginnings and his father's connection to Dr. Kennedy.
Some old favorite characters from the first two books make an appearance, but the main focus is Penelope. The author does a good job relaying Penny's background, which helps to tie the whole series together. My big issue is with the writing style, as the conversations seem forced and the plot is sorely lacking. It seems like just a story to me, as I find it hard to connect with any of the characters. There are some good action sequences, but I did not get that anticipatory, edge of your seat feeling. Overall, I thought the book had some promising ideas, but had execution problems.
Plagued: The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment is the third book in a series about the containment of zombies after a world wide apocalypse. Penelope is living with Tom and they just discovered that Senator Jefferson, Tom's father, was on a helicopter that crashed in the Quarantine Zone. Rounding up some help to save his father and the other occupants of the helo, Tom ends up using the rail system to cross into the Zone. Along the way, he discovers more about Penelope's beginnings and his father's connection to Dr. Kennedy.
Some old favorite characters from the first two books make an appearance, but the main focus is Penelope. The author does a good job relaying Penny's background, which helps to tie the whole series together. My big issue is with the writing style, as the conversations seem forced and the plot is sorely lacking. It seems like just a story to me, as I find it hard to connect with any of the characters. There are some good action sequences, but I did not get that anticipatory, edge of your seat feeling. Overall, I thought the book had some promising ideas, but had execution problems.
August 10, 2016
Plagued by better hero army is a sci-fi and fantasy and teens ya read.
When a helicopter carrying presidential hopeful Senator William Jefferson crashes in the Quarantine Zone, zombie half-breed Penelope Hope is enlisted into the most unorthodox rescue team ever assembled for a mission to save the very man leading the effort to wipe out her kind from the Plagued States of America...
Absolutely fantastic read.
I loved the story and the characters.
Penelope was my favourite character.
I love this series.
I loved the ending too.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
When a helicopter carrying presidential hopeful Senator William Jefferson crashes in the Quarantine Zone, zombie half-breed Penelope Hope is enlisted into the most unorthodox rescue team ever assembled for a mission to save the very man leading the effort to wipe out her kind from the Plagued States of America...
Absolutely fantastic read.
I loved the story and the characters.
Penelope was my favourite character.
I love this series.
I loved the ending too.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
March 19, 2019
Left wanting more
This is the conclusion to this trilogy. Tom finally saves his sister who is a “half breed”, people die, yadda yadda lol I guess I wanted more after the cure was found. Wanted to read about the rebuilding of the US etc
This is the conclusion to this trilogy. Tom finally saves his sister who is a “half breed”, people die, yadda yadda lol I guess I wanted more after the cure was found. Wanted to read about the rebuilding of the US etc
September 5, 2014
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This time the story is seen mostly through Penelope's eyes. If you remember, Penelope is the half-breed that Tom Jefferson came across in the first book. The beginning of the story is marked by Tom's father's helicopter (en route to Midamerica) crashing. With him is Dr. Kennedy, a couple of "handlers" (bodyguards), and a reporter, who does not survive the crash. Due to the storm, no one can fly anything to rescue the Senator and his team. Tom knows his father went out there to find his sister. So he gathers a team, consisting of Penelope, Hank, Mason Jones, and Dr. O'Farrell, and heads out on a train driven by the Zombie Pin-Up King, Houston.
A lot of the story is getting to Midamerica, and the rescue of his father and the others. While at the airstrip, Tom and the others learn that there are way more half-breeds than there should be, and that his father and Dr. Kennedy were involved in something far more dangerous than they guessed.
The story was action-packed and ended in a way that could lead to a fourth novel, while still definitely allowing closure on the story as a whole. I would not be sad to see another novel in this series, as I grew to love the characters, especially Penelope.
This time the story is seen mostly through Penelope's eyes. If you remember, Penelope is the half-breed that Tom Jefferson came across in the first book. The beginning of the story is marked by Tom's father's helicopter (en route to Midamerica) crashing. With him is Dr. Kennedy, a couple of "handlers" (bodyguards), and a reporter, who does not survive the crash. Due to the storm, no one can fly anything to rescue the Senator and his team. Tom knows his father went out there to find his sister. So he gathers a team, consisting of Penelope, Hank, Mason Jones, and Dr. O'Farrell, and heads out on a train driven by the Zombie Pin-Up King, Houston.
A lot of the story is getting to Midamerica, and the rescue of his father and the others. While at the airstrip, Tom and the others learn that there are way more half-breeds than there should be, and that his father and Dr. Kennedy were involved in something far more dangerous than they guessed.
The story was action-packed and ended in a way that could lead to a fourth novel, while still definitely allowing closure on the story as a whole. I would not be sad to see another novel in this series, as I grew to love the characters, especially Penelope.
November 19, 2014
Along with books #1 & #2 in this series, I was gifted "PLAGUED: The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment" by the author and I had a pretty good idea that I was going to love this series. Not JUST because they're zombie books and I'm a big horror genre junkie, but because I was intrigued by the titles and wondered what each one meant.
Book #1 begins on Biter's Hill and #2 at the secret Defense facility on Rock Island, while this book takes place around a week after the obliteration of Rock Island, at a relatively safe location in Biter's Bend. We rejoin Tom and zombie half-breed Penelope Hope (survivors from Biter's Hill), as well as Army Ranger Lt. Mason Jones (escapee from Rock Island), and other favorite survivors from the previous two books. Tom's father, Senator William Jefferson is all over the news, but this time it's not due to his war against zombies in the Plagued States. His helicopter has gone down in a quarantine zone and Tom is determined to rescue him. But he's going to need help.
Primarily told from Penelope's perspective, she and her friends will learn an awful truth about what she is, and that there are far more like her than anyone previously suspected.
As did the first two books in this series, PLAGUED #3 gets a rousing 5 Stars!
Book #1 begins on Biter's Hill and #2 at the secret Defense facility on Rock Island, while this book takes place around a week after the obliteration of Rock Island, at a relatively safe location in Biter's Bend. We rejoin Tom and zombie half-breed Penelope Hope (survivors from Biter's Hill), as well as Army Ranger Lt. Mason Jones (escapee from Rock Island), and other favorite survivors from the previous two books. Tom's father, Senator William Jefferson is all over the news, but this time it's not due to his war against zombies in the Plagued States. His helicopter has gone down in a quarantine zone and Tom is determined to rescue him. But he's going to need help.
Primarily told from Penelope's perspective, she and her friends will learn an awful truth about what she is, and that there are far more like her than anyone previously suspected.
As did the first two books in this series, PLAGUED #3 gets a rousing 5 Stars!
March 25, 2015
I enjoyed the action in the 3rd book but unfortunately I didn't get the ending at all. We know know Tom's Dad (the Senator) was backstabbing everyone and in league with Dr Evil Kennedy. Apparently after learning Larissa (his daughter) was in midamerica the Senator crashed his helo. Tom goes out with a group to save him and finds out Kennedy has the cure...giving it to Larissa and staging a big todo. Nothing goes to plan, senseless killings except for the evil dr, and a confusing ending. I loved where the series was going but .....I think that there should be another book or a better explanation about whatever was being covered up.
I was given a copy in exchange for my review and my opinions are all my own.
I was given a copy in exchange for my review and my opinions are all my own.
July 14, 2024
This story ties some things up and finally explains what the Senator and Dr. Kennedy were up to. There are not a lot of details, but you can easily fill in the blanks to paint a nasty picture of the past. I would really like to read a prequel story to this series that details the events of the vaccine experiments, but that is only because this is such an enjoyable world to get lost in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read
With just two books left in this series, I still have a lot of unanswered questions, and honestly, I don't trust too many people right now. Even if the Senator has done some shady business in the name of political power, there is clearly another group working behind the scenes with their own agenda.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read
With just two books left in this series, I still have a lot of unanswered questions, and honestly, I don't trust too many people right now. Even if the Senator has done some shady business in the name of political power, there is clearly another group working behind the scenes with their own agenda.
December 18, 2015
I received a copy through the Good reads First Reads program.
Plagued was an easy and thoroughly enjoyable read. This was one of the first zombie books I have ever read, and it has made a long-lasting impression on me. If you are looking for a book that will keep you entertained and on your toes, this is the book for you.
Plagued was an easy and thoroughly enjoyable read. This was one of the first zombie books I have ever read, and it has made a long-lasting impression on me. If you are looking for a book that will keep you entertained and on your toes, this is the book for you.
January 26, 2016
Zombies
I will like to know, what happens to Larrisa, The Senator and the doctor. I would have really enjoyed it Danielle died a gruesome death.
I will like to know, what happens to Larrisa, The Senator and the doctor. I would have really enjoyed it Danielle died a gruesome death.
June 27, 2019
Great!
This was a great story it had lots of action and a surprising ending, one that you never would of thought!
This was a great story it had lots of action and a surprising ending, one that you never would of thought!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews