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Deadlocked #1-4

Deadlocked

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This is a collection of the entire first series of Deadlocked, books 1 - 4.

Deadlocked: David is forced to travel home to his family through the zombie apocalypse. In his struggle, he will put into motion events that will eventually help to reveal the secret to how the plague began.

Deadlocked 2: Laura struggles to protect her daughters with the help of a young boat captain. She will be forced to endure unthinkable ordeals in her journey to protect those who are most important to her.

Deadlocked 3: Billy heads into the zombie infested city to search for his mother. Along the way, he encounters a member of the military and two new friends to help him learn the truth about what happened to the last living member of his family.

Deadlocked 4: The characters of the series are faced with their greatest challenge yet as the most innocent among them are in mortal danger. The plague's origin is uncovered, and the people responsible reveal themselves in this final story of the Deadlocked series.

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2012

29 people are currently reading
119 people want to read

About the author

A.R. Wise

38 books281 followers

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5 stars
117 (43%)
4 stars
77 (28%)
3 stars
54 (20%)
2 stars
12 (4%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Rin McKenzie.
231 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2014
This was good but not Joshua Guess. I enjoyed some of the characters. I heard there will be more to this series. I may give it a shot.
Profile Image for Tom Farrelly.
22 reviews
June 16, 2023
Really enjoyed the book but certain aspects (The Character Kim) to me was just to unrealistic on what she does and handles situations in book 4 I just couldn't see a 5 year old doing most of the things she does.

Is somewhat of a different take on a Zombie apocalypse which I enjoyed will be getting the next set of books to carry ont he story and see were it goes.
Profile Image for John Podlaski.
Author 11 books68 followers
February 7, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Deadlocked series by A.R. Wise. The first three books are written in a first-person style, each continuing the story from a different main character's point of view. The fourth book is written in the third person and brings it all together...answering many of the questions posed during the first three books - and some, even from the beginning of the fourth. New characters are added throughout the story line, some good and some bad. The main characters find themselves fighting zombies, the military, government officials, fellow survivors and even a rogue band of police officers; it is virtually impossible to trust anyone, but readers soon learn who to hate!

The series is easy to read, each book ends with an author's note where Mr. Wise explains some of the twists and turns of the story and why he chose to do what he did. I found this refreshing and even picked up on some things missed while reading that part of the series. This author is great at crafting his story, carrying readers along on these individual quests to locate family members. Portions are outright terrifying and extremely graphic, the scenes described paint a vivid picture for readers, making it seem like we are right there with the characters. If "scratch and sniff" technology were available, it would very likely confirm how I thought it smelled at that time. Readers will be surprised when they learn about the origin of of this virus and why it suddenly began infecting humans around the world. Then again, maybe not! This is, indeed a conspiracy theory that I would never have guessed was responsible.

This book also includes a preview chapter of Book 5, which supposedly is a new series of its own, but does include characters from the first series. I also enjoyed it and plan to follow through on this next adventure. Great job Mr. Wise!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
Profile Image for Shana Festa.
Author 8 books147 followers
October 7, 2014
Deadlocked describes the infection as a sting. Inflamed bumps...urban legend theories on the spread, a throwback to some of those annoying chain mail warnings sent over the years. I really enjoy the way the author builds up steam with the infection. It feels realistic with its wild speculation and populous reaction.

Once again, my lack of maturity astounds me and I had a full belly laugh when reading the second book in the collection that revolved around poop and farts. The witty banter between brothers, Hero and Mark, is a nice bit of comic relief in the story.

Normally, a series with new main characters each release goes over like a fart in church for me, but the way Wise tied in each character, and continued to build connections with new characters, without leaving previous characters behind, is impressive.

The only time I was pulled out of the story was a few reactions of Billy. Billy's character comes off a lot more mature than the average teenage boy and several times I had to remind myself of this fact. It could just be the consequences of being forced into an extraordinary situation, or it may have been a bit of over-estimation of the boy's capacity to rise to the occasion.

This is the second time I've read the series, and it was just as enjoyable as the first. Definitely worth picking up.
Profile Image for AudioBookReviewer.
949 reviews167 followers
March 13, 2014
My full Deadlocked 1 audiobook review can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

For a free audio book Deadlocked 1 wasn't a bad story. Sure it was short, but it laid the ground work for a series that I will pursue, because I was able to be pulled in, identifying and caring for the characters. Here we are introduced to the beginning or the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse. Following one man, David, as he discovers what is happening to the world around him and somehow out smarts the living dead that wants him for lunch, while trying to save the ones he loves. Full of the demented people that always seem to emerge withing apocalyptic scenarios, scenes that could have been more tense than they were. Hordes of blood thirsty shambling "cannibals" as they were once referred to. Nothing stood out as a unique take on the genre, entertaining none the less. Then there was the ending that was a bit of a surprise but also helped everything make sense, along with the free preview of the next book in the series. Now I have to know what happens.

Audiobook purchased by me.
Profile Image for Shay.
69 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2013
I have read the first Deadlocked and I am hooked. I saw that some readers are Reviewing the other books on this page but honestly, I do not care if the rest of the books suck (I have not read them yet). This first book was completely worth it, I will be happy with this one no matter what. It was one of the best zombie books I have read. People die from killing people, people die from zombies killing, people dying everywhere! Which is what a reader wants in a Zombie book no?

And what makes this book so good, was probably there was no stupid characters, you know the ones who are making you scream because they are just so stupid and clueless. The ones that you actually hope die because they cause the rest of the survivors to be put at risk, yeah, thankfully everyone in the book has a good survivor techniques.

Zombie lovers, a must read!
Profile Image for Christine E Butler.
74 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2014
Deadlocked

Deadlocked

Zombies and criminals and (fake) cops! Oh my!

I'm all for a good zombie novel, or a bad one, even. The first four stories of Deadlocked definitely qualifies as good.

Part 1 brought me nearly to tears with the sacrifice of the fathers.
Part 2 had me cheering Laura on to protect her kids.
Part 3 was tough to read. I was heart broken by Billy's discovery and Hero's loss.
But part 4. Part 4 resonated with me. The loss of innocence that Kim (and Annie to a much lesser extent) was heartbreaking and gut wrenching for me. I wanted to reach into the book and protect them.

I definitely recommend this series (and 314!)

Can't wait to read part 5!
73 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2014
This was a great series I loved it.

Zombies and criminals and (fake) cops! Oh my!
The first four stories of Deadlocked definitely qualifies as very good.

Part 1 brought me nearly to tears with the sacrifice of the fathers.
Part 2 had me cheering Laura on to protect her kids.
Part 3 was tough to read. I was heart broken by Billy's discovery and Hero's loss.
But part 4 The loss of innocence that Kim (and Annie to a much lesser extent) was heartbreaking and g

I definitely recommend this series.

Can't wait to read part 5!
Profile Image for Rosann.
302 reviews
October 5, 2014
Cant remember if this set was free or I paid .99 cents through BookBub.com. Either way was well worth the price.

I like how the author gave a book to each main character that was in the first series...and I especially liked how he DID NOT repeat much of the storyline as other books I have read... a lot of wasted pages and story line when authors do this.

Book 5, I"ll have to look up and see if I might want to read... I know it will be about how the virus strain has changed and super zombies are being created when bit.
Still looks good though .. so who knows
Profile Image for Sylvia.
25 reviews
November 2, 2012
I really enjoyed the first book, despite the desperate need for an editor. The second book was a big waste of time. The third was a chore and the fourth left me rolling my eyes. I only read past the second book because I had purchased this bundle. I will not be reading any further.

Also - what's up with the author's notes? They're as long as the books themselves...
Profile Image for Rosanne.
47 reviews
January 6, 2013
I got the first book free from Amazon and couldn't wait to read the rest! LOVED these books and could not put them down. I am now reading the sequel (20 years later) and have also purchased the short stories that go along with Deadlocked and tell the stories of characters from the books.
I love the way the Author writes and plan on reading anything of his that I can find!
12 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2013
Note to self: This author isn't worth reading. His story had promise, but the ten pages of author's notes at the end of each novella is a huge turn off. He thinks he can get away with author notes explaining scenes instead of writing his scenes so the audience understands intent. It's laughable and pathetic.
161 reviews
April 29, 2014
Good stuff

I'm a big lover of the zombie genre, and I've read my fair share, some decent, some horrid, and some that suck you in, this falls under the category of sucking you in...this one sucked me in from the first chapter. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who's a fan of this particular genre.
Profile Image for Kathy.
221 reviews26 followers
November 18, 2014
This book grabs you from the outset and continues until the last page. I usually don't do series books, but this one hooked me from the excerpt I read. I didn't know this would be such a short story, and I was kind of let down when it ended, hence the three stars. It's worth a read if you like series books.
Profile Image for Tanya.
21 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2013
I've been riveted since I picked this up and I'm now just starting a different series, 314. I've read all the other Deadlocked and Broken Pieces. I find this author very easy to read and love his character development. I can't put his books down they are that good!
2 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2013
AWESOME, AWESOME, if you like the tv series "Walking Dead" you will TRUELY like this book. Characters believable, plot good, couldn't put it down running out of eye drops so I can keep reading. AAAAAAAAAA, 15 stars i'd give it if I could :-)
Profile Image for Jessica Kong.
Author 4 books120 followers
December 28, 2013
Deadlocked by A. R. Wise is a fantastic start to a great series. Wise has the imagination and the skills to break all the rules and come out winning. Definitely worth the read and the price is a steal.
Profile Image for Luke.
117 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2013
A very worthy addition to TEOTWAWKI fiction, although I must confess that I did tire a bit at the almost super-human survivability of the various protagonists, including 2 preschool-aged kids, from a variety of perils, both physical & mental.
14 reviews
Read
January 25, 2014
Great lot!

I started off reading these books with expectations, because I had just read World War Z, and didn't think another end of days zombie book could stack up to it, but I'm glad to say I was wrong, very exciting and worth while read! I'm a new A.R. Wise fan.
Profile Image for Peter.
38 reviews2 followers
May 26, 2014
Just not that great. Interesting story idea and fast paced. Unfortunately the characters motivations and actions just don't make sense and seem forced. Author seems like a cool guy though reading his author notes.
Profile Image for L.J. Baker.
Author 21 books208 followers
March 2, 2014
I got the first one free and I have to say, it was a good move by the author. I might not have bought the first, but once I read that, I had to read them all. Great books. Love it.
5 reviews
September 3, 2014
Deadlocked books 1-4

I liked the conspiracy theories that were tested and brought to life in these first four novellas. Strong characters each build upon the others strengths.
Profile Image for Leighah.
327 reviews4 followers
January 12, 2015
should be interesting to see where the story goes from here.
Profile Image for Natalie.
288 reviews9 followers
February 24, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh spin on the zombie apocalypse. Characters were funny and well rounded, plot was solid..execution overall great.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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