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Deadlocked #4
Deadlocked 4
It all ends here. The characters of the Deadlocked series have been through nearly unbearable challenges, but they're about to face the hardest yet. Kim has been taken by the cruelest, most vile person in the series, and it's up to Billy and Levon to save her. All the while, Laura fights for her life in the grip of the military as they perform tests on her daughter, Annie, that are risking the little girl's life.
The conspiracy behind the rise of the zombie plague will be revealed as Reagan uncovers the horrible secret that led to the murder of six and a half billion people. The world hangs in the balance as one family fights to survive.
The conspiracy behind the rise of the zombie plague will be revealed as Reagan uncovers the horrible secret that led to the murder of six and a half billion people. The world hangs in the balance as one family fights to survive.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2012
13 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 8, 2013
Hands down the best zombie series I have ever read. The Deadlock series 1-4 possessed every thing that I like in a zombie story.
Strong characterization - check
Fast paced with non stop action - check
Great story - check
Massive Conspiracy - check
Zombie Gore - Check
But most of all, this was very well written. The best complement I can give to the author is that I was so deeply moved that I shed a tear at the end of book 1. Kudos to you A.R. Wise. I've never heard of you before, but now I'm a superfan.
Strong characterization - check
Fast paced with non stop action - check
Great story - check
Massive Conspiracy - check
Zombie Gore - Check
But most of all, this was very well written. The best complement I can give to the author is that I was so deeply moved that I shed a tear at the end of book 1. Kudos to you A.R. Wise. I've never heard of you before, but now I'm a superfan.
January 24, 2020
And the apocalypse continues at its break neck pace, was expecting to tire of this a bit but not so!! It continues to keep me gripped and turning pages 🧟♂️.
January 13, 2015
2.5 stars
I don't know what is wrong with me, I seem to be almost a lone voice with the last couple of instalments in this series. I just don't find the voice authentic. In the first of the series, Wise took risks and killed off a character that many wouldn't. In the second, you saw another character fight to overcome seemingly impossible odds. I want to know where that voice has gone.
In this book, the 4th of an ongoing series, but also the end of the first part of books, there are very few risks taken. The thing about a good zombie story is that the zombies are the setting within which the stories of humanity unfold. Wise touches on this, with the 'cops' and the island, but even so it doesn't actually get any depth to it. I think that he struggles with writing dialogue so that it sounds realistic, and certainly the age of the children does not work with the actions (especially Kim - 5? Really?)
Then there is the *roll eyes* moment, where Reagan is told all the back story about how the zombie event happened, and why, and who by his friend. It really was a Bond-Baddie 'I will tell you everything while I stroke the cat on my knee and you thus will have extra time to get away,' moment. And of course the author gives another overly detailed explanation of the choices made - you shouldn't have to explain narrative choices in the detail he does, the story should make it clear!
So. Harrumph. Disappointed and not sure if I should continue with the next part of the story or not. They are very quick and easy reads, but it is almost beginning to feel like a chore.
I don't know what is wrong with me, I seem to be almost a lone voice with the last couple of instalments in this series. I just don't find the voice authentic. In the first of the series, Wise took risks and killed off a character that many wouldn't. In the second, you saw another character fight to overcome seemingly impossible odds. I want to know where that voice has gone.
In this book, the 4th of an ongoing series, but also the end of the first part of books, there are very few risks taken. The thing about a good zombie story is that the zombies are the setting within which the stories of humanity unfold. Wise touches on this, with the 'cops' and the island, but even so it doesn't actually get any depth to it. I think that he struggles with writing dialogue so that it sounds realistic, and certainly the age of the children does not work with the actions (especially Kim - 5? Really?)
Then there is the *roll eyes* moment, where Reagan is told all the back story about how the zombie event happened, and why, and who by his friend. It really was a Bond-Baddie 'I will tell you everything while I stroke the cat on my knee and you thus will have extra time to get away,' moment. And of course the author gives another overly detailed explanation of the choices made - you shouldn't have to explain narrative choices in the detail he does, the story should make it clear!
So. Harrumph. Disappointed and not sure if I should continue with the next part of the story or not. They are very quick and easy reads, but it is almost beginning to feel like a chore.
January 31, 2013
I WANT MORE!!!!! This series of novellas was absolutely great. And I even loved the fact that after each book, the author had commentary that described his process in writing the book, the symbolisms he used, his feelings as he was writing the book, etc.
September 7, 2017
It took me way too long to finish this. I didn't especially enjoy this series. It fell flat in too many ways.
The author has no idea how to write children. Kim and Annie either came off as way younger than their ages or way older.
Overall the majority characters felt very inauthentic. I dislike how neatly this tied up. The first book was pretty good, he took some risks in the plot and it worked. But it felt like he tried too hard to make a happy ending after that. The ones killed off were expendable from the beginning.
The author has no idea how to write children. Kim and Annie either came off as way younger than their ages or way older.
Overall the majority characters felt very inauthentic. I dislike how neatly this tied up. The first book was pretty good, he took some risks in the plot and it worked. But it felt like he tried too hard to make a happy ending after that. The ones killed off were expendable from the beginning.
July 19, 2019
Really well done
Really, really liked the story throughout this series, loved the characters and the happy ending. Well written and edited. Highly recommended.
Really, really liked the story throughout this series, loved the characters and the happy ending. Well written and edited. Highly recommended.
May 21, 2012
Interestingly enough, I was only asked to review the first book in the Deadlocked series. But it was so short (they're all novellas) and so good, that I had to read the rest!
Deadlocked starts off as your average zombie apocolypse story - although you learn pretty early on that the virus may have been may have been brought on intentionally as an act of bio-terrorism. I found the mystery to be exciting and thrilling - especially considering I could totally see see this happening in our world today! But of course, my favorite part were the...
ZOMBIES!
When it comes to the disgusting, man-eating creatures, A.R. Wise does not disappoint! His zombies move a little faster than others I've read about, they can walk underwater, and change within a matter of hours after death. It was great! LOL. Their ruthless pursuit of flesh makes every moment terrifying. Even as you read, you want to make the characters hurry up and you practically want to shout at them!
And speaking of the characters - I loved them all - every single one. There are only a handful that last throughout all four novellas and I love that Wise was not afraid to kill some of our favorites - it made the story all the more realistic. The character of Laura, a mom desperately trying to make sure her kids stay safe, is the most bad-ass character I've read in a long while. She lives through some crazy painful experiences just to keep her children from turning into zombies. Her risk-taking courage is actually quite inspiring.
5 out of 5 stars!
Deadlocked starts off as your average zombie apocolypse story - although you learn pretty early on that the virus may have been may have been brought on intentionally as an act of bio-terrorism. I found the mystery to be exciting and thrilling - especially considering I could totally see see this happening in our world today! But of course, my favorite part were the...
ZOMBIES!
When it comes to the disgusting, man-eating creatures, A.R. Wise does not disappoint! His zombies move a little faster than others I've read about, they can walk underwater, and change within a matter of hours after death. It was great! LOL. Their ruthless pursuit of flesh makes every moment terrifying. Even as you read, you want to make the characters hurry up and you practically want to shout at them!
And speaking of the characters - I loved them all - every single one. There are only a handful that last throughout all four novellas and I love that Wise was not afraid to kill some of our favorites - it made the story all the more realistic. The character of Laura, a mom desperately trying to make sure her kids stay safe, is the most bad-ass character I've read in a long while. She lives through some crazy painful experiences just to keep her children from turning into zombies. Her risk-taking courage is actually quite inspiring.
5 out of 5 stars!
May 26, 2013
This was a great conclusion to the DL series, although I am sad to see it go. I will,however, be moving on to the DL 5 series. I believe that A.R. Wise is a brilliant author, and I am so glad that I stumbled upon his work. One of the things that I love about all of the deadlocked books is all of the symbolism found within the pages. This book has a deeper meaning, and deeper plot, and I just adore that it's found in a Zombie book of all things. If I could change one thing about each of these books, it's just that they would be longer. I have never been one to read short stories or short novella's so this was stepping out of my comfort zone. I loved em all, I just now know why I tend to go for the longer books, because I am always craving more of the story by the time I flip to the last page.
If I could shake this authors hand, I would, and I would also thank him for filling some empty spaces I've had for the last year. I have been searching, and scouring through books looking for something to keep my mind off all the billions of things I have going on in my life right now, and finally I stumbled on Deadlocked. A.R. Wise made it easy to fall into his world, and the lives of his characters and made it easy for me to forget what has been going on in my own life, even just for a short time. I never really thought I would feel connected to a zombie series, and yet here I am! READ THESE BOOKS! do not let them pass you by. I just loved them! A.R. Wise is such a great author, and I am looking forward to reading more from him!
If I could shake this authors hand, I would, and I would also thank him for filling some empty spaces I've had for the last year. I have been searching, and scouring through books looking for something to keep my mind off all the billions of things I have going on in my life right now, and finally I stumbled on Deadlocked. A.R. Wise made it easy to fall into his world, and the lives of his characters and made it easy for me to forget what has been going on in my own life, even just for a short time. I never really thought I would feel connected to a zombie series, and yet here I am! READ THESE BOOKS! do not let them pass you by. I just loved them! A.R. Wise is such a great author, and I am looking forward to reading more from him!
August 19, 2012
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I was given a copy of Deadlocked from the author for a review.
Kim, Laura's oldest daughter has been taken hostage and taken to an island. Billy and Levon go after her. Guess what they take with them to help them on their rescue mission to save Kim? You guessed it zombies. Kim is a very smart little girl for a five year old but will it help her to stay alive long enough for Billy and Levon to get to the island and save her?
Meanwhile Laura and her other daughter Annie are taken to a military hospital. Laura is fighting for her life while they run test on Annie. Laura is on the brink of death but that still does not stop her from getting up out of the hospital bed and dragging herself down the hall to find her daughter and getting her out of there alive.
Laura is one woman that is not going to give up or even die until she has both of her daughters safe. The people in this place undoubtly does not know anything about what a mother will go through or endure to save her children.
Kim, Laura's oldest daughter has been taken hostage and taken to an island. Billy and Levon go after her. Guess what they take with them to help them on their rescue mission to save Kim? You guessed it zombies. Kim is a very smart little girl for a five year old but will it help her to stay alive long enough for Billy and Levon to get to the island and save her?
Meanwhile Laura and her other daughter Annie are taken to a military hospital. Laura is fighting for her life while they run test on Annie. Laura is on the brink of death but that still does not stop her from getting up out of the hospital bed and dragging herself down the hall to find her daughter and getting her out of there alive.
Laura is one woman that is not going to give up or even die until she has both of her daughters safe. The people in this place undoubtly does not know anything about what a mother will go through or endure to save her children.
March 16, 2013
This was my favorite of the series, so far. technically this is a conclusion to the "outbreak" story arc. He plans to continue the story years in the future, which I feel few ZA stories prefer to focus on apart from maybe World War Z. I'm not sure whether the change to third person from first person played a role in my enjoyment of this book but if it did, it was for the better. While Wise might not be the most complex writer in terms of being ultra wordy and descriptive, he doesn't need to be because he puts realistic characters into high intensity situations that are a ton of fun to read about. Overall, this is an epic conclusion to an adventure started in Deadlocked, and I can't wait to see where the world goes in subsequent stories.
July 14, 2012
This was a thrilling read. I love horror and am a huge fan of 'The Walking Dead'. I have to say that if Deadlocked were a movie, The Walking Dead would get a serious run for it's money. The action in this book is constant and the author keeps you surprised through the entire story. My favorite part of the book was at the end when Mr. Wise wrote about his motivation for this series and what the journey writing this book was like for him. He explained what he wanted to accomplish with his writing technique and that, I believe, made the story even better. If you are a horror fan, you should definitely give this a try. You won't regret it.
July 23, 2015
Not as good as the first three books in the series, but most definitely a satisfying end to the story. I think my enjoyment of the tale was lessened a bit in that the narration here is told in standard third-person, and doesn't follow the device of following particular characters, as the first three books did with David, Laura, and Billy.
I was a little shocked at how grown up the 5-year-old Annie was, with her adult language and sarcasm and ability to gouge out a man's eyeball with a knife. How far she's come since the first book, eating chocolate candies in the back of the boat and not wanting to share.
Very recommended series.
I was a little shocked at how grown up the 5-year-old Annie was, with her adult language and sarcasm and ability to gouge out a man's eyeball with a knife. How far she's come since the first book, eating chocolate candies in the back of the boat and not wanting to share.
Very recommended series.
July 26, 2014
Nice zombie stories, plenty of gory detail, yet having enough emotional side and character development. To stereotype away, if Zombie Fallout and Day By Day Armageddon are very "manly" series and As The World Dies very "feminine", Deadlocked is nicely somewhere in between, which is refreshing. Though I bet zombies don´t care.
Ehk: jeeee, selle suve kaheksateistkümnes zombiraamat. Tunnen kiusatust õppida laskmist ja ehitada endale keset võimalikult paksu metsa konservipurkidega täidetud kindlus.
Ehk: jeeee, selle suve kaheksateistkümnes zombiraamat. Tunnen kiusatust õppida laskmist ja ehitada endale keset võimalikult paksu metsa konservipurkidega täidetud kindlus.
September 30, 2012
This was a great series, until the fourth book. I'm not going to get into too much detail, but I got a little annoyed hearing the words " I'm one of the good guys". Too repetitive! Maybe it's just me that wasn't a fan of the (pages long) author's note at the end of each book...but it came off as a bit desperate, a little cocky and unnecessary. I read the books, you don't need to recap in full detail.
July 2, 2014
This is one of the best zombie series I`ve ever read. The outbreak of the virus and the reasons for releasing it are plausible and believable. I really loved the characters, they were well developed and had a certain depth. The plot and the writing style are great, sometimes brutal and bloody, but excellent. I hope to read part 5 soon.
Update: Read the series for the second time and it is still amazing.
Update: Read the series for the second time and it is still amazing.
March 27, 2014
Deadlocked 4 is, you guessed it, the 4th book in the Deadlocked zombie series by A.R. Wise. This is a popular zombie series with readers. There's a lot of zombie blood and guts and, unfortunately, human as well. Wise manages to keep the action going at a frenetic pace while also showing the depth of his characters. It's not a long story, but very intense. I think it would have benefited from a few breaks in that intensity. If you love zombies, give this series a try.
March 1, 2016
There was so much going on in this book. I may have to re read to make sure I can absorb all of its greatness. I feel so bad for everyone involved. It has been days since everything went bad. Laura and her girls are real troopers and have to grow up and see things that no child should ever see, Kim especially when the man tries to molest her and what she goes through to stop him. This is a must read!!!
April 28, 2016
Books 1 to 4 tell a complete story of what it means to be a family, survival, good versus evil (to name a few). It is evident that Wise put forth a great deal of effort and creativity into sharing this story. I loved following each character's journey into the trenches of a post-apocalyptic world filled with so many obstacles. Will some of the bad guys get what they deserve, or is all lost? I highly recommend this series for any zombie lover!
May 25, 2012
LOVED LOVED LOVED this series. It was such a great story that finally pulled all the characters together. I couldn't put the book down I just needed to know what happened. It was also exciting to find out there is going to be a fifth book. Cant wait to read that. If you like a good zombie story you will love all four of the Deadlocked Series. Highly recommend!!!!
August 3, 2013
A really good "ending" to the first 4 books of this series. Really liked the characters and the Author was quite right to state in his Author's Note "I don't think I'm the only one that gets inexorably drawn into a good book". I was so drawn to those people that it left a bittersweet feeling of loss when I finished it. How am I supposed to live without them now?
March 8, 2014
Strange books indeed. Each one seems like a separate novel only slightly related. This one focused on a cure to the infection involving young children, especially one little girl saved by a couple guys from a prior book.These books are somewhat interesting, but there are much better. Not sure if I'll spend any more credits on this series.
March 5, 2023
I read 1, 2 and 3 and enjoyed them so much much I felt I needed to finish this book too! Ended well and I felt like I was complete reading it, not left on a cliffhanger which can be so annoying!
I am aware there is more books in this series but they lead down a very different path and I struggled to get into new characters so just finished this one off and left it at that.
(Kindle)
I am aware there is more books in this series but they lead down a very different path and I struggled to get into new characters so just finished this one off and left it at that.
(Kindle)
February 1, 2013
End of an awesome story. They are quick reads, but all add up to a pretty decent sized novel. I am planning on finishing this story with Broken Pieces Vo 2, and then on to the next books (5 and 6), set in the same world, but not a continuation of thie previous story.
September 13, 2013
I loved this first four books in this series and can't wait to read more. I do believe I will be waiting for 8 to be released so I can read the last four books straight through. I don't think I could finish 7 and then have to wait!!! Keep writing Mr. Wise!!! You are a great talent!
November 23, 2013
Family...that's what it's about and not necessarily family related by blood, this was what A. R. Wise said was a main point for this installment...that's why I liked this one. I love Levon and Reagan!
January 12, 2014
Awesome
5 stars for this one too..I.really enjoyed reading this book..it goes straight to the heart and reminds you of family loyalties..blood doesn't always define family. Thank you Mr Wise..
5 stars for this one too..I.really enjoyed reading this book..it goes straight to the heart and reminds you of family loyalties..blood doesn't always define family. Thank you Mr Wise..
November 12, 2014
These books are so. darn. good!!!!!! I cannot stop going from one right into the other! Very intriguing story line and I'm a sucker for a good consipiracy theory. I very much recommend these books and cannot wait to see what lies ahead in book 5!!!
November 30, 2012
One of the best Zombie series I've read, hands down!
January 18, 2015
good ending to the series. i wish they were longer.
January 5, 2013
Amazing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews