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River of Souls

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Undeath is a manageable condition.

That's what the media says, anyway: with the help of the miracle life-extension drug, Lazarus, the Undead can retain their humanity and live normal, happy lives. Without it, they become violent, mindless walking corpses.

Davin Montoya was eager to believe all of that. Forced to drop out of college to take care of his teenage sister, Zoe, after their father drank himself to death, he was more than happy to sign the no-good alcoholic over to the government's Lazarus House for treatment. That was one less thing for him to worry about.

Until an accident left him joining the ranks of the freshly deceased himself.

Now, keeping his death a secret is the only way to keep his sister out of foster care. But to do so, he must venture into the underground society of Unregistered Undead - a dangerous world of drug deals and government resistance. But when their access to Lazarus begins to run dry, the truth starts to unravel...and it's not what anyone expected.

216 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2019

2 people are currently reading
204 people want to read

About the author

T.L. Bodine

13 books36 followers
T.L. Bodine writes dark fantasy and horror. She's interested in uncanny, fantastic things, and the way real people with real problems interact with them.

You can also read up-and-coming stories on Wattpad, or check out her Tumblr for writing advice, creepypasta, and more.

When not writing, she can usually be found watching horror movies, playing story-heavy video games, or experimenting in the kitchen.

She lives in New Mexico with her husband, David, and two small dogs.

View content warnings for her books here: http://www.tlbodine.com/p/read-my-sto...

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Laurie  (barksbooks).
1,971 reviews807 followers
January 29, 2020
I, probably like many of you, have OD’d on zombies a little. Not so much in fiction, for me, but in movies and tv and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little wary of them. Sure, I’ll stick with The Walking Dead as it stumbles to its slow, cruel death because I am a glutton for punishment but I don’t seek out zombie novels to read in my spare time unless they’re funny or super disturbing or promise to bring me some new twist.

This one offers the new twist. So I read it. But I read it not really expecting all that much because honestly, how many books promise you the world and fail to deliver? Far too many, if you are asking jaded me. The blurbs, oh how they can lie and be deceptive creatures! No worries here though, I will always give you nothing but the brutal truth even when it gets me in trouble. And I have good news! River of Souls does have a somewhat unique storyline (unless you’ve watched IZombie) and I liked it a lot because it also has great characters.

In this world people who die continue to walk the earth but society has found a way to integrate them back into society with a drug called “Lazarus” which tames their worst impulses and allows them to function without eating people and being too disgusting. But it’s not working out too great for most people because dear old dead dad is now a walking vegetable that needs constant care and a daily dose of drugs and he’s not terribly thrilled with getting poked each day. This is asking a lot of citizens. Especially teenager Davin who is left alone to fend for undead dad and his younger sister (who has not been zombified, thank goodness, because she is full of sass and I love her). When Davin is invited to enroll dad into a new but secretive treatment program, who can blame him for wanting to relieve himself of some of his burdens? Not I. This poor kid has way too much on his shoulders.

Davin’s life takes a strange turn shortly after visiting the facility and I won’t spoil it for you because I’m not a complete jerk. But I wasn’t expecting the turn and the things that followed and I loved that. There are good characters here and I can always get behind a well written brother-sister bond and this writer does a fabulous job with their relationship. These are people you want to care about. People you want to win or at least people you hope can catch a break.

There are also a few side characters who are interesting too, namely Randy who is my favorite. He is fun, flirty, and colorful. Just full of life which is a weird thing to say in a book about the undead but there it is. There is adventure and, more importantly, some humor here and I’m always there for some humor. It’s a little gross and a lot of goodness and I can easily recommend it to you even if you are sick to death of zombies.I hope there will be a sequel because I want some more of these characters and their adventures, and that’s not something I say often because I already own a zillion books!

4.5/5
Profile Image for Sherry Fundin.
2,342 reviews169 followers
October 9, 2023
Four stars for it's originality. UPDATE: Looking for a ‘fresh’ and original take on zombies? Look no further than River Of Souls by T L Bodine. I am so happy that T contacted me about her Neverest story. I knew then that I would read anything she writes. The depth and details of her stories have me engulfed in her novels, not wanting to put them down for anything.

River Of Souls, the first book of the Lazarus series by T L Bodine, was so intriguing that I began reading almost as soon as I received it. I mean, considering Undeath a manageable condition as long as they have Lazarus, a life extension drug?

…the zombies are here, but instead of tearing down civilization, they’re standing in line at the Social Security office, waiting for their checks like everyone else.

In the small, sleepy town of Los Ojos, New Mexico, Davin Montoya struggles to care for his zombie father and his teenage sister. When a car accident turns him into one of the Undead, he hides it to keep his sister, Zoe, from being sent into foster care.

Davin begins to discover that things are not as they seem. He is unregistered, so getting access to Lazarus becomes a black market misadventure. Now he is dealing with dangerous drug dealers. The supply dries up, Davin becomes desperate, and questions arise.

I would share something in this review, then delete it. I don’t know how to say what I want without giving away too much. Are there lies? Sure. Is there a conspiracy? Probably. Is there more to the story? Absolutely. And, one thing sticks in my mind and makes me laugh…can zombies get it up? I mean…I get shivers and my mind just won’t let me go there. LOL

River Of Souls by T L Bodine is such a unique take on zombies, I couldn’t stop reading and am (im)patiently waiting for what comes next.

Profile Image for Alex | | findingmontauk1.
1,571 reviews91 followers
March 24, 2020
I am extremely picky when it comes to reading any sort of book about zombies because between movies, TV, and books, we are definitely in a saturated world. For decades. So when I chose to read this one, it was because I saw in it something special and unique. And I was not wrong! T.L. Bodine has crafted a world where being infected/being undead has been "somewhat cured" by a drug called Lazarus. But you have to keep taking your meds or you might go off the deep end. There are also "home" and facilities for those infected to get better care/attention than they may receive at home with their loved ones trying to do their own 9-to-5 jobs, schools, etc.

We take a huge turn when a son who has put his life on hold to care for his undead father has a car wreck and ends up in the same place. Dead. This story has compassion. It has heart. It is unique and also can be seen as a reflection for some current political times.

4 stars to River of Souls as it kept me entertained and ready for more the whole time I was reading.
Profile Image for exorcismemily.
1,458 reviews356 followers
December 17, 2019
"They don't feel pain, either, or get tired, and bodies that no longer have the limitation of pain are capable of doing amazing, terrible things."

I've been exhausted by zombie stories for a while now, but River of Souls interested me from the beginning. This book has an interesting take, and it stands out from other zombie story options.

I thought the story was creative, and it kept my attention throughout the entire book. However, the thing that frustrated me was that monsters were positioned like actual real-life minorities in the book, and this frustrates me. It seems to be a bit of a trend in horror books sometimes, and it's getting old.

That wasn't a major factor throughout the entire book, but it was still in the back of my head. Besides that aspect, I enjoyed the book, and it was a unique and intriguing zombie story (I never thought I would say that).
Profile Image for Alison.
Author 7 books6 followers
September 3, 2019
I picked this up after a long reading slump, and it was so refreshing. A zombie story more about the pain of life than the horrors of death, it’s a novel about hope for the hopeless and how one sharp moment can change who you are and what you’re fighting for.

It’s a book with action and danger and loss, but I still found it a comfortable read, something to settle into with a mug of hot cocoa. Maybe it could have been more stressful, more intense, but I liked that it wasn’t what I expected.

Mild spoilers: The ending left me looking for more, in a good way. The story feels unfinished, but it just means I’m hoping for a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brennan LaFaro.
Author 26 books156 followers
Read
March 27, 2020
Forget everything you know about zombie stories...okay, good work. Well, maybe not everything. Can you get some of that back? Look, a lot of people are sick of zombies. Brian Keene did something with The Rising almost twenty years ago and the Walking Dead captures audiences when it premiered but it's been all downhill since. Sure there have been some bright spots in all the darkness, but overall - pass.
Enter T.L. Bodine with River of Souls. The novel promises a fresh spin on zombie tropes and lo and behold, it absolutely delivers. By the time we enter the story, the world has already been established. The dead began to come back to life, so here begins the apocalypse, right? Nope. Instead a vaccine dubbed "Lazarus" is developed which curbs the trademark taste for flesh and allows deceased loved ones to remain among their family.
Davin Montoya, our main character, is dealing with the death, resurrection, and ultimately the commitment to a nursing home of his father. That's when his life gets flipped, turned upside down. I'd consider it spoiler territory to give any more synopsis, but Bodine makes a bold and surprising choice that makes the novel very effective.
River of Souls is injected with social commentary throughout. Depending on how you read into it, you can see statements about racism, immigration, or even care/respect for our elderly. If that's not your thing, no worries. The characterization is the strongest suit. Davin is a complete three-dimensional character whose head we get to spend 200 pages in, and he's not even the best part. The most endearing part of the story is Davin's sister, Zoe. She's a firecracker, a lot of fun to read, and has a very complete arc to boot.
If you like a good zombie story, but you feel like you've been there, done that, give River of Souls a shot.

I was given a e-copy by the author for review consideration.

Profile Image for Horror DNA.
1,287 reviews118 followers
June 21, 2019
Like many other reviewers, I suffered serious zombie-fatigue with the sheer number of novels published in recent years featuring our undead friends and have given them the swerve unless it was a friend’s hot tip. However, I’m pleased T.L. Bodine’s River of Souls managed to lure me out of early zombie-review-retirement with her refreshing and alternative take on a familiar story. Do not expect much flesh-munching, high-powered action sequences or Walking Dead-inspired story lines, it is not that kind of zombie tale and is all the better for it.

You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Profile Image for Tracy.
522 reviews153 followers
December 8, 2019
Review up after this week!
Profile Image for A.F. Swinford.
48 reviews
August 2, 2019
Aside from having a quintessentially New Mexico flavor that I--as a New Mexico resident--found absolutely charming, this book made zombies interesting again. Instead of mindless shufflers or a metaphor for capitalism or a symbol for "science gone too far," the zombies are actually characters. Characters with relatable histories, thoughts, fears, worries and hopes.

There's more here than simply zombies dealing with "what comes after." Found family and blood relatives, guilt and anger, hope and despair--a lot of fascinating dualities play out between characters that have a surprising amount in common (beyond their undead status). I was thoroughly unsatisfied with the ending because it existed. I wanted more.
20 reviews
October 10, 2021
If you are looking for a fresh perspective on zombies, this book will not disappoint. The blurb does the story justice: Davin Montoya, as a protagonist, has been beaten down by a difficult life. Undeath only complicates things further. His experiences in the town of Los Ojos are completely realistic, and the author contextualizes the consequences of walking death with the social problems we're well familiar with. This is not a story in which society immediately crumbles or in which gun-wielding heroes shoot their way to victory.

The core of this story is Davin's transformation. Bodine doesn't shy from the gore of unhealing wounds, a sluggish heart, and sludgy veins. Neither does she shy from the difficulties imposed by his continued existence. To keep custody of his teen sister, he has to secure an under-the-table source of the miracle drug, Lazarus. But diving into the perils of a drug ring composed of unregistered undead and gang members is the last thing that Davin wants to deal with. Personally, I think it's pretty understandable that he'd be risk averse after dying.

But the person who drags him into this unsavory unlife is, in my opinion, the brightest spot in the book. Randy, a savvy, wry, and openly gay transplant from Georgia, can't help but be endearing. He pushes Davin to face his new existence as a corpse and to learn more about the reality he's been resolutely ignoring since his father rose. Meanwhile, Davin's sister, Zoe, has long been an activist for the rights of undead, and she's perhaps better-equipped to navigate Davin's new circle than he is. Davin's love for Zoe and his developing relationship with Randy form the heart of this story. I will definitely pick up the second book to see how they fare as the conspiracy behind Lazarus unfolds.
Profile Image for Julia Lewis.
Author 18 books52 followers
July 24, 2021
Usually, zombie books bore me to death (no pun intended). I used to love watching and reading all the Resident Evil movies/novelizations, but at some point the whole trope was overdone. Zombies just popped up here and there, and it wasn’t anything new anymore. This isn’t the case with River of Souls, in fact, it might be the best dang zombie novel I’ve ever read.

Here, we get the story from the zombies’ perspective, and they really have it rough. Being treated like second class citizens, they have to register themselves and give up their entire life - all while still being conscious like any other human. The government also makes them take drugs and forces them to be supervised by someone at all times. It sucks for them.

That’s when we meet Davin, and his sister Zoe. The two of them have to take care of their dead father, and it isn’t long until Davin also becomes a living dead citizen. He realizes he can no longer trust the government, and remains unregistered. Along the way he meets more unregistered Undead and might just make a friend or two.

I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, but you’ll just have to read it for yourself. I can’t wait to read the second book!

Thanks to the author for the review copy.
Profile Image for Kristin Jacques.
Author 37 books274 followers
September 24, 2019
It's hard to find a fresh spin on zombies, but T. L. Bodine nails it with the River of Souls which features complicated family relationships. Davin is a guy who is just trying to get by and keep his small family afloat. Without spoiling anything, I love how this novel treats Undeath as both an inconvenience and anti-climatic. We learn in the first few chapters how the dead are reviving, and what an absolute hassle it is, particularly as Davin attempts to juggle his undead father and rebellious teenage sister.
Davin's 'life' only goes from bad to worse, and you can't help feeling he is just experiencing one long no good very bad day. He is an every day average Joe thrust into a crazy world, and it's the perfect perspective to connect to this world.
Profile Image for KWinks  .
1,319 reviews16 followers
July 24, 2020
I mildly enjoyed this. I consider it more of a virus horror novel than a zombie horror novel. The character I loved most was Zoe and, sadly, she's a side character that barely gets any love. I would have given anything to see what she was researching on the deep web. Davin, while a good guy, was kind of slow to grasp things, was afraid to say what he was thinking to other characters, and I think accidentally stalled the plot's growth by being wishy washy.
Am I the only one who wanted more about the thing on the bridge that caused the accident? I thought that was WAY more interesting than the whole Lazerus storyline.
It had it's moments or I would have DNF'd.
Profile Image for Pat Eroh.
2,621 reviews36 followers
December 1, 2019
This is an amazing story that has so many different facets to it that make it so original and so compelling. I loved the characters David and Zoe and my heart broke for what was going on in this story. I love the way this author builds the suspense and keeps the pages turning even into the next chapter. This author is new to me but I am a fan now.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sharon.
4,152 reviews31 followers
December 14, 2019
This is my first time reading anything by this author and I’m impressed with the plot she has come up with. Adds a little extra to the normal zombie storyline. This story caught my attention with the blurb and then the book drew me in within the first few pages. It’s a really well written thought out book and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Elizabeth McDaniel.
2,383 reviews
November 4, 2019
This was a great story about a family in a very difficult place in time. It gives their view through a very up close and personal different approach to the rebirth of the dead ergo zombies, the governments approach and the day to day hassle of living with them. Very detailed and imaginative and different.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Avalon Roselin.
Author 6 books46 followers
September 22, 2022
I was at the edge of my seat--or rather, my finger at the edge of the page and ready to turn--the entire time I was reading. I am not a fast reader by any means but I think I finished this one in two days because I did not want to stop reading and I had to find out what happened next! The chemistry between the characters is absolutely electric and I'm so excited to read the sequel.
Profile Image for Lee Ann.
778 reviews20 followers
November 2, 2022
A refreshing spin on the zombie subgenre, with thoughtful reflection on our real-world society. Bodine's worldbuilding is rich, and her characters are lovable (I would die for Zoe lol). The book is a great length too and leaves room for a sequel(s). Looking forward to revisiting these characters in the future!
Profile Image for Wolf Moon.
11 reviews
March 8, 2022
4.5 stars

I've always been a sucker for zombies. But the last shows and movies after the next started to get boring... Zombie fatigue, as others have said. Initially, I bought this book in early-mid 2020, after having followed the author on writeblr back in 2019. As I usually do, I read the whole book in one or two sittings. I found the characters enjoyable, I loved the premise, and I thought it was well written.
It was fresh and I couldn't put it down!

If there's one thing in this book that made me a little weirded out, it was the labelling of the undead as an oppressed class. I mean, it makes sense in the world of this book- it was just some of the comparisons to real-life marginalized people that kind of made me look away from the book for a second. Now, me and the author are both people of color, so I don't fault her for this or think it was a bad choice. As I said, it makes sense. The comparisons just weren't my cup of tea. That being said, I would reread this for sure, and I loved it.
Profile Image for Elford Alley.
Author 20 books85 followers
January 28, 2021
Bodine's River of Souls approaches the zombie story from a new angle. Instead of survivors trying to make it to another day in a world consumed by the living dead, the apocalypse played out much differently. Instead, the undead face hurtles in their new existence, and the living must navigate a new way of interacting with loved ones who... are not living anymore. But then the story takes a turn, into something much darker and more unexpected. A thrilling, original horror tale populated with fascinating characters, a book you should definitely check out!
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