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Wormwood
The blonde anchor glanced nervously off-camera, as if a gun were pointed at his head, then gazed back into the lens.
“This footage comes to us from our Chicago affiliate and what you’re about to witness is attributed to the so-called ‘Wormwood’ virus. We present it uncensored and unedited in hopes viewers might prepare themselves for what, by all reliable indicators, may spread our way in coming weeks. This footage is of an extremely graphic nature and viewer discretion is strongly advised.”
With that, the cautions ceased and the videotape rolled.
“We need to start making plans,” Rudy Cheng told his wife later in bed. “We need to start getting ready for this thing.”
Aimee Cheng propped herself up on an elbow. “That news report must have been something to tie you in knots like this.”
He nodded, thinking of the pile of bodies and the line of gunners on the roof. “It looked like the apocalypse.”
“People have been seeing the apocalypse for two thousand years.”
Against his closed eyelids, a dead man came shambling out of a dingy garage and disintegrated in a storm of gunfire, taking a screaming soldier with him.
“This looked pretty convincing.”
Michael James McFarland draws an unforgettable portrait of Quail a quiet cul-de-sac whose residents have joined together to survive an emerging epidemic. Threatened by widespread panic, their careful plans fall rapidly to pieces, pitting each against the other for survival.
“This footage comes to us from our Chicago affiliate and what you’re about to witness is attributed to the so-called ‘Wormwood’ virus. We present it uncensored and unedited in hopes viewers might prepare themselves for what, by all reliable indicators, may spread our way in coming weeks. This footage is of an extremely graphic nature and viewer discretion is strongly advised.”
With that, the cautions ceased and the videotape rolled.
“We need to start making plans,” Rudy Cheng told his wife later in bed. “We need to start getting ready for this thing.”
Aimee Cheng propped herself up on an elbow. “That news report must have been something to tie you in knots like this.”
He nodded, thinking of the pile of bodies and the line of gunners on the roof. “It looked like the apocalypse.”
“People have been seeing the apocalypse for two thousand years.”
Against his closed eyelids, a dead man came shambling out of a dingy garage and disintegrated in a storm of gunfire, taking a screaming soldier with him.
“This looked pretty convincing.”
Michael James McFarland draws an unforgettable portrait of Quail a quiet cul-de-sac whose residents have joined together to survive an emerging epidemic. Threatened by widespread panic, their careful plans fall rapidly to pieces, pitting each against the other for survival.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2011
2 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 27, 2012
I am fortunate to receive review copies from time to time. It is the proverbial "Box of Chocolates" mentioned by one Mr. Gump. You never know what you're gonna get. In this case...I have to say that if you are a fan of the zombie genre, yet are not familiar with Wormwood by Michael James McFarland, you are missing out.
The zombie scene has been deluged with titles in the past few years...some good, other not so much. I would dare to say that Mr. McFarland is one of the best writers you have not heard of yet...but should. He is exceptional at creating a tight scene...and offering a variety of characters to love or hate. In addition, he is not shy about exposing the darkness that lurks under the surface of humanity.
One of the true strengths of Wormwood rested in the set up. So often, readers of the zombie genre are plopped down in the middle of the story. There is something special about watching a plausible chain of events unfold that bring on the apocalypse. Like the tide, the central characters in this story watch the horror start out east and head toward them with a painful slowness. This is where McFarland really shines. The tension built in the first third of the book is a rarity that you have to read for yourself to enjoy.
I give this book all five of its well deserved stars. I offer no spoilers, but will warn you that there are some scenes that may be a touch brutal. My only fault that I could mention was that I felt the "gas station" scene with the splash of "Deliverance" happened a bit soon in the chaos. While I certainly feel that there is a dark, lawlessness that would ensue, I felt that particular scene happened a shade too soon. That would be my only complaint if I were to nitpick. Regardless, this is a super entry and deserves more attention.
The zombie scene has been deluged with titles in the past few years...some good, other not so much. I would dare to say that Mr. McFarland is one of the best writers you have not heard of yet...but should. He is exceptional at creating a tight scene...and offering a variety of characters to love or hate. In addition, he is not shy about exposing the darkness that lurks under the surface of humanity.
One of the true strengths of Wormwood rested in the set up. So often, readers of the zombie genre are plopped down in the middle of the story. There is something special about watching a plausible chain of events unfold that bring on the apocalypse. Like the tide, the central characters in this story watch the horror start out east and head toward them with a painful slowness. This is where McFarland really shines. The tension built in the first third of the book is a rarity that you have to read for yourself to enjoy.
I give this book all five of its well deserved stars. I offer no spoilers, but will warn you that there are some scenes that may be a touch brutal. My only fault that I could mention was that I felt the "gas station" scene with the splash of "Deliverance" happened a bit soon in the chaos. While I certainly feel that there is a dark, lawlessness that would ensue, I felt that particular scene happened a shade too soon. That would be my only complaint if I were to nitpick. Regardless, this is a super entry and deserves more attention.
March 29, 2012
Wormwood jumped out at me from a review by a prolific zombie apocalypse blogger. At that point, I was a commercial fiction zombie fan...whatever the masses found appealing (World War Z). Michael McFarland's story opened my eyes to the potential of this genre, with his no-holds-barred, clever approach to the zombie apocalypse.
McFarland chose to add several layers of menace to his story beyond the spreading zombie threat. Particularly, he focuses considerable energy describing the thin veneer of community bonds in a suburban setting. Instead of the usual group of conveniently skilled, cooperative survivors, we are treated to a loosely knit group of neighbors, who have to pool their limited skills to survive. Each household is different, with their own agenda and concept of preparing to defend against a horrible threat seen only through inexplicably bizarre media clips. Readers are exposed to the full spectrum of responses. Denial, shock, obliviousness, hardcore preparation...and the unthinkable.
Their first foray into town convinces them that a perverse version of Darwinism has emerged as the rule of law in the nearby township and that future trips into town would be ill advised. No zombies have arrived, but in a scene reminiscent of Deliverance, the reader will quickly agree that hunkering down on their secluded street might be the best approach to surviving. Easier said than done, as Deliverance makes house calls. This is where the novel breaks new ground in my opinion...and the ground does break open (as it should in a zombie novel).
The zombie rising has an explanation. Nothing earth shattering, but the scientific explanation lends credibility to a genre that typically just thrusts you in the middle of the zombie apocalypse (I enjoy this type of story too...very much so). Without venturing too far into spoiler territory, it takes the neighborhood crew a little time to figure out exactly how the Wormwood virus affects the dead and living.
**A quick note. This was the only time I was nearly screaming at the characters and thought I had found flaw in the book. In my mind, I only need to see one reanimation to go into hyper vigilance mode. Even the most competent characters seemed to be slow to react. Still, I have no idea how I'd truly react if I saw one of my neighbors stumble at me from their house.**
This slow learning curve pushes the novel into dark territory, even for the zombie genre. There are a few scenes that will be nearly impossible to erase from your memory. One scene in particular. If you are a horror fan, the book is worth reading for this scene alone. Once you figure out how the Wormwood virus works, you can see it coming...but nothing will prepare you for McFarland's masterful description. I was cringing...which is not an easy feat for an author to accomplish (especially with me). Beyond the neighborhood, the novel breaks into the more traditional zombie chase, run and shoot fest...all in scenes that will please hardcore readers of the zombie genre.
Overall, this is a solid expansion of the genre that readers should consider, especially if you feel that you are stalling out in your zombie reading. It will "reanimate" your interest.
McFarland chose to add several layers of menace to his story beyond the spreading zombie threat. Particularly, he focuses considerable energy describing the thin veneer of community bonds in a suburban setting. Instead of the usual group of conveniently skilled, cooperative survivors, we are treated to a loosely knit group of neighbors, who have to pool their limited skills to survive. Each household is different, with their own agenda and concept of preparing to defend against a horrible threat seen only through inexplicably bizarre media clips. Readers are exposed to the full spectrum of responses. Denial, shock, obliviousness, hardcore preparation...and the unthinkable.
Their first foray into town convinces them that a perverse version of Darwinism has emerged as the rule of law in the nearby township and that future trips into town would be ill advised. No zombies have arrived, but in a scene reminiscent of Deliverance, the reader will quickly agree that hunkering down on their secluded street might be the best approach to surviving. Easier said than done, as Deliverance makes house calls. This is where the novel breaks new ground in my opinion...and the ground does break open (as it should in a zombie novel).
The zombie rising has an explanation. Nothing earth shattering, but the scientific explanation lends credibility to a genre that typically just thrusts you in the middle of the zombie apocalypse (I enjoy this type of story too...very much so). Without venturing too far into spoiler territory, it takes the neighborhood crew a little time to figure out exactly how the Wormwood virus affects the dead and living.
**A quick note. This was the only time I was nearly screaming at the characters and thought I had found flaw in the book. In my mind, I only need to see one reanimation to go into hyper vigilance mode. Even the most competent characters seemed to be slow to react. Still, I have no idea how I'd truly react if I saw one of my neighbors stumble at me from their house.**
This slow learning curve pushes the novel into dark territory, even for the zombie genre. There are a few scenes that will be nearly impossible to erase from your memory. One scene in particular. If you are a horror fan, the book is worth reading for this scene alone. Once you figure out how the Wormwood virus works, you can see it coming...but nothing will prepare you for McFarland's masterful description. I was cringing...which is not an easy feat for an author to accomplish (especially with me). Beyond the neighborhood, the novel breaks into the more traditional zombie chase, run and shoot fest...all in scenes that will please hardcore readers of the zombie genre.
Overall, this is a solid expansion of the genre that readers should consider, especially if you feel that you are stalling out in your zombie reading. It will "reanimate" your interest.
October 25, 2011
I found this book to be well written (and I was happy to have few editing complaints for a self published offering).
The Wormwood virus was airborne, and the small group of survivors this book focuses on saw it coming across the map as it dispersed throughout the country. The group tries to plan and prepare for the threat that they see coming, but no one can anticipate the results. There were some standout characters...but not a lot of people made it out alive.
It looks as if there will possibly be a second book for the continuance of this story, and it will be interesting to see where the author goes with it.
The Wormwood virus was airborne, and the small group of survivors this book focuses on saw it coming across the map as it dispersed throughout the country. The group tries to plan and prepare for the threat that they see coming, but no one can anticipate the results. There were some standout characters...but not a lot of people made it out alive.
It looks as if there will possibly be a second book for the continuance of this story, and it will be interesting to see where the author goes with it.
June 24, 2012
After a satellite crashes to earth, a deadly virus is released into the atmosphere - Wormwood. Infecting those who have already died, the dead rise and for the residents of Quail Street, there is only one option - to barricade themselves in their homes and work together as a community and try and keep themselves alive and survive.
Beginning with news footage of the virus spread and it's gory symptoms, one of the men living on Quail Street tries to rally his neighbours to defend their homes. As the story is based around a neighbourhood trying to survive, there is a large cast of characters. Some of them are easily distinguishable, others play a more minor role and don't have any really outstanding features. Told in multiple POVs, it was a great way to get into the minds and hearts of the characters.
The book, understandably, does begin quite slowly - the actual infection itself doesn't start to really kick the pace up until about a third of the way in. And it certainly doesn't gloss over any of the realities - this is a pretty gruesome read, with a high level of suspense.
Overall the writing is very good, and the shifting POVs is done very well in that it is easy to distinguish the voices of the characters. There are some preemptive lines at the end of chapters (e.g. ''It was a decision he'd later come to regret''), which does dilutes some of the surprise factor.
Read more of my reviews at The Aussie Zombie
Beginning with news footage of the virus spread and it's gory symptoms, one of the men living on Quail Street tries to rally his neighbours to defend their homes. As the story is based around a neighbourhood trying to survive, there is a large cast of characters. Some of them are easily distinguishable, others play a more minor role and don't have any really outstanding features. Told in multiple POVs, it was a great way to get into the minds and hearts of the characters.
The book, understandably, does begin quite slowly - the actual infection itself doesn't start to really kick the pace up until about a third of the way in. And it certainly doesn't gloss over any of the realities - this is a pretty gruesome read, with a high level of suspense.
Overall the writing is very good, and the shifting POVs is done very well in that it is easy to distinguish the voices of the characters. There are some preemptive lines at the end of chapters (e.g. ''It was a decision he'd later come to regret''), which does dilutes some of the surprise factor.
Read more of my reviews at The Aussie Zombie
March 6, 2015
I really enjoyed this novel about neighbors banding together in preparation for the spread of the zombie epidemic, which explores the psychological impact of its nightmare scenario while also providing plenty of good old zombie action.
McFarland's clever nod to 'NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD' in referencing the crash of the Venus probe near Willard, Pennsylvania (now, University Park) also brought a nostalgic smile.
McFarland is certainly a writer I will be watching.
McFarland's clever nod to 'NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD' in referencing the crash of the Venus probe near Willard, Pennsylvania (now, University Park) also brought a nostalgic smile.
McFarland is certainly a writer I will be watching.
October 31, 2011
WOW what a creepy book- and I say that in the nicest way! The premise of this story is great! What would you do to protect your family when a killer virus is attacking? The virus turns your friends and family into zombies and in order to survive you must destroy them! Don't read before bedtime or when you are alone- it will scare you!
March 1, 2013
Overall, I enjoyed this story about how the zombie apocalypse affects a group of neighbors that live on a secluded cul-de-sac. I did find the second half of the book to be a lot more fun than the first half. At about the 50% point, most of the characters are still just names, so there really wasn't much to get involved with. I'm giving it a rating of 3 instead of a 4 because I found myself putting it down too often, and not being anxious to continue it. At one point, I even read several short stories and novellas before returning to the book.
November 6, 2014
One of the best zombie apocalypse books that I've read recently. I'm hoping a sequel will happen.
May 26, 2020
Tragic
Interesting enough to keep me turning pages for a few hours. But wrenching in some moments and other moments my heart was pounding hoping for the best.
Interesting enough to keep me turning pages for a few hours. But wrenching in some moments and other moments my heart was pounding hoping for the best.
October 26, 2022
This is a frustrating review to write. The book had a lot of promise -- some interesting ideas, and the author's prose isn't bad. Unfortunately at various points in the story the author has characters do incredibly stupid things just to presumably thin the herd and focus the narrative. For example, one of the female characters sees a child being shot in the head and rushes into the street to help the child (and thus gets bitten), EVEN THOUGH SHE KNOWS WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. Another female character (anyone getting a pattern here?) sees her deceased husband moving in his grave and immediately assumes she buried him alive, EVEN THOUGH SHE KNOWS WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE, AND THE GUY'S BEEN DEAD FOR DAYS. And what does she do? Yup, she rushes headlong in and gets bitten. You might say, well this is just the character's personality, but this particular character had shown impressive presence of mind just a few chapters ago (and took out some guys who had killed her husband and were threatening to kill her and her neighbors). What happened?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2013
Wormwood is an enjoyable zombie/horror/apocalyptic novel set among a small group of neighbours in a US suburb who set out to defend their patch against the expected disaster. This particular genre is becoming well populated with many similar offerings and stories are probably going to be defined by the angle they are told from (as well as the style and quality of the writing of course).
McFarland pretty much achieves what he set out to do with his tale of a small group who struggle with their different opinions on what is required to survive, or at least make a stand. Wormwood is an easy, fast read - so credit to McFarland for that. There's nothing wrong with Wormwood, but while it's a competent and enjoyable entry into the genre there's nothing that really makes it stand out.
McFarland pretty much achieves what he set out to do with his tale of a small group who struggle with their different opinions on what is required to survive, or at least make a stand. Wormwood is an easy, fast read - so credit to McFarland for that. There's nothing wrong with Wormwood, but while it's a competent and enjoyable entry into the genre there's nothing that really makes it stand out.
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February 12, 2013No rating. I wrote it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews