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The Immune #5
The Living: A Post Apocalyptic Survival Thriller
THE END OF THE WORLD WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING
It's been thirteen years since the Medusa plague wiped out nearly 99 percent of the world's population and pushed humanity to the brink of extinction.
Climate change triggered by nuclear skirmishes in the last fevered days of civilization decimated agriculture and livestock, and the hardened survivors battle for what few resources remain.
Eleven-year-old Will Callahan is one of the lucky ones. In his small community in Nebraska, he and his family have access to food, clean water, weapons, and medical care.
More importantly, he is the only child known to have survived infancy since the plague.
But everything changes when someone comes looking for him.
Author's Note: THE LIVING is a sequel to The Immune: Complete Four-Book Edition
It's been thirteen years since the Medusa plague wiped out nearly 99 percent of the world's population and pushed humanity to the brink of extinction.
Climate change triggered by nuclear skirmishes in the last fevered days of civilization decimated agriculture and livestock, and the hardened survivors battle for what few resources remain.
Eleven-year-old Will Callahan is one of the lucky ones. In his small community in Nebraska, he and his family have access to food, clean water, weapons, and medical care.
More importantly, he is the only child known to have survived infancy since the plague.
But everything changes when someone comes looking for him.
Author's Note: THE LIVING is a sequel to The Immune: Complete Four-Book Edition
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2019
1051 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
February 15, 2023
All in all not a bad series and in parts a lot better than other survival stories I've read. Unfortunately there are a few things that just did not make any kind of sense and it started out far better than it ended. Especially the last book was far to full of conspiracy theories and coincidences for my taste. So thirteen years had passed and the survivors still lived by digging through abandoned warehouses and are freezing. Because they live near Omaha. Nebraska.
I live in Germany so I am not familiar with the climate in Nebraska. But I am fairly certain that there are areas in the great US of A where the weather would be a bit more comfortable than Nebraska if you don't have electricity or central heating.
I live in Germany so I am not familiar with the climate in Nebraska. But I am fairly certain that there are areas in the great US of A where the weather would be a bit more comfortable than Nebraska if you don't have electricity or central heating.
October 30, 2017
The Living is a worthy follow up to The Immune. We leap ahead 13 years to find Rachel Fisher
surviving, but only that, in a community in Nebraska. With so much of humanity dead, food supplies dwindling, and crops failing, there is little to hope for. Especially since any babies that are born soon die, succumbing to the Medusa virus. But one child has survived--Rachel's son, Will. Now 11 years old, Will, for many, is special, a sign of hope that there is a future to be had. And that makes him very
valuable to the wrong people. Kazzie continues the thrilling story line from The Immune and adds more of the unexpected. Good read!
surviving, but only that, in a community in Nebraska. With so much of humanity dead, food supplies dwindling, and crops failing, there is little to hope for. Especially since any babies that are born soon die, succumbing to the Medusa virus. But one child has survived--Rachel's son, Will. Now 11 years old, Will, for many, is special, a sign of hope that there is a future to be had. And that makes him very
valuable to the wrong people. Kazzie continues the thrilling story line from The Immune and adds more of the unexpected. Good read!
June 27, 2020
I give this book 2.5 stars. This book has a lot of problems. Its a hot mess, and really annoying. Did no one edit it, or even read it before publishing? The story isn’t bad. I enjoyed the four previous books, that’s why I felt I had to finish it. There are glaring errors and contradictions everywhere in this book. An example, they are in a car, driving from Lincoln, NE to Denver. The book states, the car goes no faster than 30 mph, so they drove 400 miles in 10 hours (page 253, I actually looked it up to double check, and yes, that’s what it says). Hmm, obviously the author is not very good at math! Also, it is 500 miles from Lincoln to Denver, they drove 400 miles in one day, yet it took them 4 days to get there? These are the type of errors I find very annoying in a book, and there are many in this one. Something else that was weird, all the windows,in all the houses are broken due to weather? Seriously, are these all paper windows? This is repeated in all the houses they visit. The plants are another confusing issue. No plants grow, or have grown since the end of the world, but the roads are falling apart due to weeds, bushes and trees growing in all the roads? The grass and weeds are waist high, but no plants grow? I don’t think so. Make up your mind! Either stuff, plants, trees grow or they don’t. Seems he wants it both ways.
I don’t understand what happened between the first four books and this one. This book felt like an afterthought, or something forced that someone didn’t want to do. How did no one point out the many errors in this story when editing? The only thing that saved this book from a 2 was the story itself. If you are reading this book without having read the first 4, don’t. Skip it. If you are reading this book, like me, to finish the series, good luck!
Reading this book is like reading someone’s first draft, that what it’s like!
I don’t understand what happened between the first four books and this one. This book felt like an afterthought, or something forced that someone didn’t want to do. How did no one point out the many errors in this story when editing? The only thing that saved this book from a 2 was the story itself. If you are reading this book without having read the first 4, don’t. Skip it. If you are reading this book, like me, to finish the series, good luck!
Reading this book is like reading someone’s first draft, that what it’s like!
September 10, 2019
Loved the first Immune books. I really liked Adam and was disappointed that he was killed off early in this book. Its a very depressing book of gloom and doom. Not much hope out there. I wasn't a fan of the ending of this book. I feel like there should be more. Maybe another book will come out.
October 1, 2018
I needed more! I desperately searched for more books on this series! David Kazzie - I need more!
Ignored everything and read this straight through!
Ignored everything and read this straight through!
February 17, 2019
Trying to like this more
This book finishes the Immune story. It starts 13 years after book 4 ends. We find out how Rachel is immune and has a child. This is where the story’s timeline falls apart. Better editing and proofreading could have made this a great finale to the Immune story. Timeline mistakes happen several times and change several characters backstory within single chapters. If you can ignore these glaring errors, it’s a great read. I wish they had taken the time to get these glaring issues handled and then it would have been at least a 4 star if not 5 stars. Good editing can make or break a story.
This book finishes the Immune story. It starts 13 years after book 4 ends. We find out how Rachel is immune and has a child. This is where the story’s timeline falls apart. Better editing and proofreading could have made this a great finale to the Immune story. Timeline mistakes happen several times and change several characters backstory within single chapters. If you can ignore these glaring errors, it’s a great read. I wish they had taken the time to get these glaring issues handled and then it would have been at least a 4 star if not 5 stars. Good editing can make or break a story.
December 8, 2018
Review by 2shay..........
It’s thirteen years later, since the last page of The Immune. The world is more brutal than what we last saw. Much more. During the Medusa virus outbreak, several countries felt threatened by enemies, and launched nuclear attacks, causing a weather calamity. Crops failed, livestock and game died from lack of food. The food crisis is extreme. There are those who will kill for a single meal.
This is the world that Dr. Adam Fisher must navigate after rescuing his daughter, Rachel, from The Citadel in the previous book. But this is Rachel’s story, not her father’s. Rachel has a 12-year-old son, Will, and a husband, Eddie. Rachel and Eddie are at odds about pretty much everything, and only stay together because there are limited places to live. On the other hand, Rachel loves her son beyond reason.
There have been many babies born in the years since Medusa struck, but they all died within days...all but Will. Women now tried hard to avoid pregnancy, the loss was far too painful. Rachel, having the only surviving child, redefined the term “helicopter mom”. She guards and protect him from everything, including his lukewarm father. They have established themselves in a small community they call Evergreen, where they have a bit of food security, but nothing lasts in this brutal world.
Word has spread to,outsiders that there is a surviving child in the Evergreen community. Others want him, with the idea of discovering how he survived when no others had. A group led by a woman named Priya approaches and eventually attacks Evergreen, destroying their food supply and killing many. Rachel grabs Will and escapes. But now she also wonders why she, her father and her son all survived Medusa. So few had, and there are no known family groups who were immune to the virus. Except the Fishers. Three generations. After Rachel knew for sure that people would kill and die to discover why they all lived, she‘s determined to learn the secret herself.
And there begins the real tale. David Kazzie has created a story that reduces the world to its most basic level. Simple survival. It’s almost too realistic. The possibilities. Brilliantly written, this is a look at humans at their worst...and their best. Grab your copy and...
Enjoy!
It’s thirteen years later, since the last page of The Immune. The world is more brutal than what we last saw. Much more. During the Medusa virus outbreak, several countries felt threatened by enemies, and launched nuclear attacks, causing a weather calamity. Crops failed, livestock and game died from lack of food. The food crisis is extreme. There are those who will kill for a single meal.
This is the world that Dr. Adam Fisher must navigate after rescuing his daughter, Rachel, from The Citadel in the previous book. But this is Rachel’s story, not her father’s. Rachel has a 12-year-old son, Will, and a husband, Eddie. Rachel and Eddie are at odds about pretty much everything, and only stay together because there are limited places to live. On the other hand, Rachel loves her son beyond reason.
There have been many babies born in the years since Medusa struck, but they all died within days...all but Will. Women now tried hard to avoid pregnancy, the loss was far too painful. Rachel, having the only surviving child, redefined the term “helicopter mom”. She guards and protect him from everything, including his lukewarm father. They have established themselves in a small community they call Evergreen, where they have a bit of food security, but nothing lasts in this brutal world.
Word has spread to,outsiders that there is a surviving child in the Evergreen community. Others want him, with the idea of discovering how he survived when no others had. A group led by a woman named Priya approaches and eventually attacks Evergreen, destroying their food supply and killing many. Rachel grabs Will and escapes. But now she also wonders why she, her father and her son all survived Medusa. So few had, and there are no known family groups who were immune to the virus. Except the Fishers. Three generations. After Rachel knew for sure that people would kill and die to discover why they all lived, she‘s determined to learn the secret herself.
And there begins the real tale. David Kazzie has created a story that reduces the world to its most basic level. Simple survival. It’s almost too realistic. The possibilities. Brilliantly written, this is a look at humans at their worst...and their best. Grab your copy and...
Enjoy!
July 3, 2025
Very Satisfying Read
The Living: A Post Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (Book 2 of The Immune Series) picks up some years after the end of The Immune. If you liked The Immune ( I loved it and found it hard to put down) you’ll love The Living. Adam is still there as is Rachel, Adam’s now adult daughter. Rachel has acquired a good for nothing husband, and from that union a wonderful young son named Will.
This book has so many twists and turns and surprises. Many more than the first book had in my opinion.
Rachel comes to the forefront of this story as a mother who has and will do absolutely anything to keep her son safe and alive in a world turned upside down and literally crumbling before her eyes. But, Rachel is the ultimate she bear mom, and no one, nor anything is going to harm Will as long as Rachel can draw her next breath. But that next breath is not guaranteed when people are starving and willing to do anything for food. Will Rachel survive? How will her son survive without her?
Rachel discovers facets of her personality and skill set she had no idea she possessed just by virtue of being Will’s mom.
I don’t want to say much more about the story, because I don’t want to deprive you, the reader, from experiencing the story as it unfolds.
I’ll just say that this is another fast read that will keep you up well beyond your bedtime! Enjoy!
The Living: A Post Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (Book 2 of The Immune Series) picks up some years after the end of The Immune. If you liked The Immune ( I loved it and found it hard to put down) you’ll love The Living. Adam is still there as is Rachel, Adam’s now adult daughter. Rachel has acquired a good for nothing husband, and from that union a wonderful young son named Will.
This book has so many twists and turns and surprises. Many more than the first book had in my opinion.
Rachel comes to the forefront of this story as a mother who has and will do absolutely anything to keep her son safe and alive in a world turned upside down and literally crumbling before her eyes. But, Rachel is the ultimate she bear mom, and no one, nor anything is going to harm Will as long as Rachel can draw her next breath. But that next breath is not guaranteed when people are starving and willing to do anything for food. Will Rachel survive? How will her son survive without her?
Rachel discovers facets of her personality and skill set she had no idea she possessed just by virtue of being Will’s mom.
I don’t want to say much more about the story, because I don’t want to deprive you, the reader, from experiencing the story as it unfolds.
I’ll just say that this is another fast read that will keep you up well beyond your bedtime! Enjoy!
March 24, 2023
This and the first book are great examples of a good, old fashioned virus-related apocalypse.. no zombies, aliens or freakish weather.. but plenty of death, devastation and human beings at their very worst. Masterfully written with a twisting storyline that holds your attention tightly in its grip.
I didn’t much like the female protagonist.. I liked her father a lot more.. but surprisingly for me, this didn’t detract from my desire to want to keep reading. Very highly recommended. These are the first I’ve read from the author and I’ll be looking out for more.
I didn’t much like the female protagonist.. I liked her father a lot more.. but surprisingly for me, this didn’t detract from my desire to want to keep reading. Very highly recommended. These are the first I’ve read from the author and I’ll be looking out for more.
November 8, 2018
Devil in the details
Sooo much post-apocalyptic realism here...I think most of us who wonder with secret longing about what life would be like in a world with far fewer people, imagine it to be an adventure, with less stress in many ways. This story is nothing like that. The authors clearly put a lot of thought into what such a world would be like and it is not pretty. This book was very enjoyable but be sure to read the Immune first.
Sooo much post-apocalyptic realism here...I think most of us who wonder with secret longing about what life would be like in a world with far fewer people, imagine it to be an adventure, with less stress in many ways. This story is nothing like that. The authors clearly put a lot of thought into what such a world would be like and it is not pretty. This book was very enjoyable but be sure to read the Immune first.
December 2, 2018
This book certainly lived up to being the sequel to The Immune Omnibus. After the virus almost totally destroys the world, those who remain, who are the "living" have to face so many more challenges than they originally thought. The heroine, who has the only child who appears to be immune to the virus and lives to be a young boy becomes a target and the Mom's struggle to keep him safe becomes a true struggle. Amazing author uses emotions about as well as any other author I've read. The ending, as in The Immune Omnibus, just blew me away. Great read.
January 3, 2019
This is the sequel to David Kazzie’s post-apocalyptic thriller The Immune. I really enjoyed this journey which begins a decade after the Medusa virus wiped out >90% of the population. Again, he shows the horrors that mankind inflict upon each other and the struggles that would be encountered by trying to survive in this dead new world. I had a hard time putting this book down and can’t wait for more from David Kazzie.
March 4, 2019
A great follow-up to The Immune. In The Living, David Kazzie shows us how much pure grit and determination can count for in one person's quest to protect the one she loves. Recommended for readers of The Immune who want to know what kind of world developed in the wake of that story, as well as anyone looking for a story about someone fighting back against man's darkest impulses after civilization has fallen.
December 6, 2019
Truthfully, I didn't actually completely finish this one, I've got about 25% left, but I've put the book down so long now that I've forgotten whats going on in it. I do know that I did enjoy it, I just got tired of that particular drama, the stuff that happened I wasn't ready for and didn't particularly want to happen, then I started reading a string of easy fluff happily ever after books and didn't feel like going back to it.
March 20, 2020
So glad that there was another book with a kind of ending. This book begins 13 years after the events that happened in the other books and I again enjoyed it. A very quick and fun read.
Why I have the need to read books like this while we are now in the coronavirus times where here in my country the restaurants and bars have been closed for a while and life is so different for many a people.
I know! Probably because I can now think it is not that bad. Look what could have happened! LOL
Why I have the need to read books like this while we are now in the coronavirus times where here in my country the restaurants and bars have been closed for a while and life is so different for many a people.
I know! Probably because I can now think it is not that bad. Look what could have happened! LOL
March 26, 2020
I made the mistake of reading some reviews before reading this. It seemed a few people didn't like the father dying. I actually found the book a bit more realistic than most. In a post plauge world there would still be horrible people and others ould become more base. With what is going on at the moment you can already see this behaviour. I like the fact that its not all happy endings but life is hard and harsh sometimes. Definatly worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2020
The Living
I loved these two books by David Kazzie. It was nonstop action, and never lagged in the middle like some books. I would recommend it to anyone who likes post apocalyptic stories. The only thing I wish was different is that I would have liked an epilogue explaining what happened to Rachel and WilI. I give the book five stars because it really was an exciting book. I hope he writes another in this series.
I loved these two books by David Kazzie. It was nonstop action, and never lagged in the middle like some books. I would recommend it to anyone who likes post apocalyptic stories. The only thing I wish was different is that I would have liked an epilogue explaining what happened to Rachel and WilI. I give the book five stars because it really was an exciting book. I hope he writes another in this series.
October 7, 2021
A good read
While I enjoyed reading this book and the first book in this series, I didn't like stumbling around misspelled words and incorrect grammar. The story itself was interesting as were the characters. It reads easy. It was fast paced, which kept my interest. However, the story was cluttered with too many "feelings" and "past thoughts." Given its few flaws, I would still recommend it to others who enjoy a good sci-fi story.
While I enjoyed reading this book and the first book in this series, I didn't like stumbling around misspelled words and incorrect grammar. The story itself was interesting as were the characters. It reads easy. It was fast paced, which kept my interest. However, the story was cluttered with too many "feelings" and "past thoughts." Given its few flaws, I would still recommend it to others who enjoy a good sci-fi story.
November 21, 2021
Another Great Read
After reading the first book in this series, "The Immune," I was anxious to start this book, the second in the series. The author's take on a post-apocalyptic world is gritty, intense, and feels legitimate. Humans will fight to survive, no matter the odds, and it seems few will retain any semblance of humanity in the new world. I don't give many novels five stars, but both this one and the first one have earned five stars from me.
After reading the first book in this series, "The Immune," I was anxious to start this book, the second in the series. The author's take on a post-apocalyptic world is gritty, intense, and feels legitimate. Humans will fight to survive, no matter the odds, and it seems few will retain any semblance of humanity in the new world. I don't give many novels five stars, but both this one and the first one have earned five stars from me.
Read
December 20, 2022A very good follow up to The Immune
Although this book can stand on its own, I recommend reading The Immune first. As with many sci-fi books you need a degree of suspension of disbelief to fully enjoy these books. I found The Living as strong as The Immune with a good storyline and a satisfactory ending - perhaps room for another book? The characters are well drawn and believable and the plot line is horribly believable. A really good read.
Although this book can stand on its own, I recommend reading The Immune first. As with many sci-fi books you need a degree of suspension of disbelief to fully enjoy these books. I found The Living as strong as The Immune with a good storyline and a satisfactory ending - perhaps room for another book? The characters are well drawn and believable and the plot line is horribly believable. A really good read.
April 27, 2020
Fantastic book
I love apocalypse books that don’t have zombies and this whole story from book one to this one has been incredible reading. I love the fact the author has wrote this book a decade after the virus wiped out most of humanity. It’s interesting to see how they were living/surviving. Brilliant book brilliant read. Highly recommend
I love apocalypse books that don’t have zombies and this whole story from book one to this one has been incredible reading. I love the fact the author has wrote this book a decade after the virus wiped out most of humanity. It’s interesting to see how they were living/surviving. Brilliant book brilliant read. Highly recommend
October 30, 2020
A Post Apocalyptic tale worthy of your time
Rachel survives 13 years of brutal life raising her 11 year old son in world without other children. Other groups what her son but a mother much protect him and make tough choices along the way. This thriller and the rest of the story would make a great flick on the big screen.
Rachel survives 13 years of brutal life raising her 11 year old son in world without other children. Other groups what her son but a mother much protect him and make tough choices along the way. This thriller and the rest of the story would make a great flick on the big screen.
November 20, 2020
Great read
These books were very good the “I cant put it down” kinda of book. The only thing I did not like was the views and disrespect of God. Also the swearing using Gods name and Jesus name. Otherwise extremely well written book. I give 5 stars even though the software only let me give one.
These books were very good the “I cant put it down” kinda of book. The only thing I did not like was the views and disrespect of God. Also the swearing using Gods name and Jesus name. Otherwise extremely well written book. I give 5 stars even though the software only let me give one.
December 11, 2020
Thank you for leaving out the zombies.
Very much enjoyed this series. Characters and story line were great. My favorite is there were no zombies. I love this genre, but every story depends on the zombies and gore. Thank you, Mr. Kazzie for proving that those two elements are not a necessary part of apocalyptic America.
Very much enjoyed this series. Characters and story line were great. My favorite is there were no zombies. I love this genre, but every story depends on the zombies and gore. Thank you, Mr. Kazzie for proving that those two elements are not a necessary part of apocalyptic America.
Read
February 5, 2022Excellent work by David Kazzie.
There are survivors struggling to find food, water and somewhere to live without being robbed or killed. One child is born and lives, WHY! Why did some people survive a virus that killed so many within hours of being infected? Who made and released the deadly virus and most of all where are these people now?
There are survivors struggling to find food, water and somewhere to live without being robbed or killed. One child is born and lives, WHY! Why did some people survive a virus that killed so many within hours of being infected? Who made and released the deadly virus and most of all where are these people now?
February 19, 2022
Too many wasted words.
This book was worse than the prequel, the Immune, in so far as the rambling that the author uses to "fill up" the pages. The scenarios are fine, even good at times, but Kazzie has a terrible habit of writing meaningless paragraphs that add nothing to the story. It's just wasted words. I don't recommend reading this book.
This book was worse than the prequel, the Immune, in so far as the rambling that the author uses to "fill up" the pages. The scenarios are fine, even good at times, but Kazzie has a terrible habit of writing meaningless paragraphs that add nothing to the story. It's just wasted words. I don't recommend reading this book.
April 30, 2023
A Tiresome Thriller
The author wrote a decent story, but it was a bit tedious. It was just too depressing for me. I read it just to be done with the story, but I wouldn't recommend it. At the rate humanity was going, nobody was going to be around long enough to make a new start no matter if they could have babies or not!
The author wrote a decent story, but it was a bit tedious. It was just too depressing for me. I read it just to be done with the story, but I wouldn't recommend it. At the rate humanity was going, nobody was going to be around long enough to make a new start no matter if they could have babies or not!
August 18, 2023
A great sequel.
An absolutely fantastic series that is so worth reading. The Living starts 13 years after the plague so there is quite a jump forward in the story. I did miss the main character because for me he was such a big part of the story but his daughter stepped up and filled part of the void he left. I couldn't recommend this series enough.
An absolutely fantastic series that is so worth reading. The Living starts 13 years after the plague so there is quite a jump forward in the story. I did miss the main character because for me he was such a big part of the story but his daughter stepped up and filled part of the void he left. I couldn't recommend this series enough.
October 24, 2024
The Ending Apparently
It did not end how I’d imagined. Chadwick and his right hand man must’ve known who Rachel was. If her grandfather was such a big deal, how could others on the project not have known.
Gruber was a special man to do what he did regarding the vaccine.
An epilogue 20 years later would have really finished this off well.
It did not end how I’d imagined. Chadwick and his right hand man must’ve known who Rachel was. If her grandfather was such a big deal, how could others on the project not have known.
Gruber was a special man to do what he did regarding the vaccine.
An epilogue 20 years later would have really finished this off well.
December 6, 2018
End of series
This book was so depressing. Somehow it’s easier to read about a world wide plague than about the endless deaths of characters you’ve come to know. I liked the first 4 books much better.
This book was so depressing. Somehow it’s easier to read about a world wide plague than about the endless deaths of characters you’ve come to know. I liked the first 4 books much better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews