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Cryonic
"Sometimes you're better off dead. . . ."
When Royce Bruyere chose to be cryogenically frozen upon death, he figured coming back to life would be exciting. Neat. Bonus time. The world he awakes to is nothing of the sort.
A Chinese invasion has crippled the United States, dividing the country in a decade-long stalemate along the Mississippi. Royce's successful reanimation is unprecedented, making him the Chinese regime's most prized possession--but not for long. Eager to control life and death, the Chinese reanimate other "cryonics," until something goes horribly wrong.
Royce travels through a future wrought with violence and despair, only to discover the cure for the disease lies within him. It's a race against time as he flees the Chinese and the bloodthirsty victims of a terrifying epidemic in the hope of saving the country from apocalypse and creating a life worth living.
When Royce Bruyere chose to be cryogenically frozen upon death, he figured coming back to life would be exciting. Neat. Bonus time. The world he awakes to is nothing of the sort.
A Chinese invasion has crippled the United States, dividing the country in a decade-long stalemate along the Mississippi. Royce's successful reanimation is unprecedented, making him the Chinese regime's most prized possession--but not for long. Eager to control life and death, the Chinese reanimate other "cryonics," until something goes horribly wrong.
Royce travels through a future wrought with violence and despair, only to discover the cure for the disease lies within him. It's a race against time as he flees the Chinese and the bloodthirsty victims of a terrifying epidemic in the hope of saving the country from apocalypse and creating a life worth living.
261 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
18 people are currently reading
6069 people want to read
About the author
Travis Bradberry
14 books1,516 followersDr. Travis Bradberry is the award-winning author of the #1 bestselling book, THE NEW EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. He is a world-renowned expert in emotional intelligence whose books have sold more than 5 million copies.
Dr. Bradberry is a LinkedIn Top Voice with 2.5 million followers on the platform. He has written for, or been covered by, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, The Washington Post, and The Harvard Business Review.
Dr. Bradberry is a LinkedIn Top Voice with 2.5 million followers on the platform. He has written for, or been covered by, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, The Washington Post, and The Harvard Business Review.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 30, 2013
Full disclosure, I only read the first 16 chapters provided free on Amazon. But I feel like I was given a fairly good sample of Bradberry's writing style and plot direction. Especially since that is the whole point of the sample - it's supposed to make you want to buy the book. If you have a kindle, save yourself some risk and check out the sample first. :)
In short, this book is terrible if A) you like original, interesting characters B) you like plot plausibility. The protagonist is a stereotypical good looking guy with a perfect life until things go terribly wrong. The characterization of him doesn't develop much past that, and therefore it is really hard to care for him as a real person because really, he's just a cardboard cutout. As are most of the other characters.
Also, as an international relations grad student, I find the whole concept, especially Bradberry's concept, of a Chinese invasion and occupation completely implausible, ridiculous and distracting. The way Bradberry explains the occupation made me laugh in a sad sort of way. There is just little grasp of military strategy, and a whole slew of base Chinese stereotypes that have been propagated by the worst Sino-alarmists. It's offensive to the sensibilities of anyone who knows anything about China. In short, people don't live or act the way Bradberry writes them.
Of course, this is a zombie novel, and the handling of zombies should be able to save the day. Too bad there is nothing new here either. I'm being unduly harsh I'm sure, but I could barely get through the first 16 chapters and there is no way I would pay for this book. World War Z all the way.
In short, this book is terrible if A) you like original, interesting characters B) you like plot plausibility. The protagonist is a stereotypical good looking guy with a perfect life until things go terribly wrong. The characterization of him doesn't develop much past that, and therefore it is really hard to care for him as a real person because really, he's just a cardboard cutout. As are most of the other characters.
Also, as an international relations grad student, I find the whole concept, especially Bradberry's concept, of a Chinese invasion and occupation completely implausible, ridiculous and distracting. The way Bradberry explains the occupation made me laugh in a sad sort of way. There is just little grasp of military strategy, and a whole slew of base Chinese stereotypes that have been propagated by the worst Sino-alarmists. It's offensive to the sensibilities of anyone who knows anything about China. In short, people don't live or act the way Bradberry writes them.
Of course, this is a zombie novel, and the handling of zombies should be able to save the day. Too bad there is nothing new here either. I'm being unduly harsh I'm sure, but I could barely get through the first 16 chapters and there is no way I would pay for this book. World War Z all the way.
July 26, 2016
DNF on page 90/34% (30/05/14)
So far, Cryonic didn't start off zombiefying their features instantly, it took a good part of a night. But for the zombies to spread into the thousands the very next day,
“There were hundreds, maybe thousands, of them moving in every direction.”
Which could be possible to have thousands, but a huge proportion of them would of hidden in safety inside a building. They would therefore still be in a building, and not wandering aimlessly in the streets. Which means that the disease must have overtaken them really quickly in order for them to still be in the streets.
Which takes me nicely onto my second faux pa- Arterial spray,
“His arms were still moving so I hit him a couple of more times for good measure. Each stroke of the bat splattered Alex and Celeste with blood.”
He has no hearbeat, and yet, they still get covered in blood when he's hit with a bat. Huh.
Although, I can usually ignore those things, as actually, my favourite zombie book; Rain by Shaun Harbinger had pretty much instant zombie features, but I overlooked it because the writing was awesome (they got a blue hue after a couple minutes of being bitten).
Page 90. I'm not paying much care to my survival, I have learnt nothing about self preservation,
“I could tell Celeste was on board, but Alex sat down and put his head in his hands. He couldn't be convinced, but I wasn't going to leave without him.”
Let's just stay in the apartment until he changes his mind huh? You just said it yourself the zombies are going to break in and you're all going to die.
I started reading Cryonic real excited about reading a good zombie novel, although the average rating is low, the written reviews made it sound pretty good.
Although it started off pretty slow, with he and his son, Colt, going on a last minute surfing trip. But then Royce crashes the plane and dies,
“Tears streaked down Colt’s blood streaked cheeks as he struggled to perform chest compressions on me. A thin smile washed upon my lips as I slipped away.”
So, we're starting to get into the nitty gritty of the zombie world, right? Hells yeah we are!
“I awoke to an intense burning and itching as nerve endings sprang to life violently beneath my leather dry skin.”
So, we're still good, a nice intro to his rebirth. Then
I received a copy of Cryonic in exchange for an honest review
1 “Her figure made it hard to concentrate.” starI really enjoy a good zombie flick, whether it be a movie, a series, or a book. But I have a few things that zombies must/must not have in order to make it into my good books. They can be fast or slow, that doesn't bother me. They can take their time turning into a zombie, or take very little time at all, as long as it is consistent. But they cannot be able to produce blood sprays- they have no heartbeat, so, no arterial spray! And they cannot zombiefy their features instantly, for example those The Walking Dead fans out there, can you think of an example? Yup. Merle. He was dead- just as dead as those bodies lying on the ground, and yet, they did not have the same level of decay as him.
So far, Cryonic didn't start off zombiefying their features instantly, it took a good part of a night. But for the zombies to spread into the thousands the very next day,
“There were hundreds, maybe thousands, of them moving in every direction.”
Which could be possible to have thousands, but a huge proportion of them would of hidden in safety inside a building. They would therefore still be in a building, and not wandering aimlessly in the streets. Which means that the disease must have overtaken them really quickly in order for them to still be in the streets.
Which takes me nicely onto my second faux pa- Arterial spray,
“His arms were still moving so I hit him a couple of more times for good measure. Each stroke of the bat splattered Alex and Celeste with blood.”
He has no hearbeat, and yet, they still get covered in blood when he's hit with a bat. Huh.
Although, I can usually ignore those things, as actually, my favourite zombie book; Rain by Shaun Harbinger had pretty much instant zombie features, but I overlooked it because the writing was awesome (they got a blue hue after a couple minutes of being bitten).
Page 90. I'm not paying much care to my survival, I have learnt nothing about self preservation,
“I could tell Celeste was on board, but Alex sat down and put his head in his hands. He couldn't be convinced, but I wasn't going to leave without him.”
Let's just stay in the apartment until he changes his mind huh? You just said it yourself the zombies are going to break in and you're all going to die.
I started reading Cryonic real excited about reading a good zombie novel, although the average rating is low, the written reviews made it sound pretty good.
Although it started off pretty slow, with he and his son, Colt, going on a last minute surfing trip. But then Royce crashes the plane and dies,
“Tears streaked down Colt’s blood streaked cheeks as he struggled to perform chest compressions on me. A thin smile washed upon my lips as I slipped away.”
So, we're starting to get into the nitty gritty of the zombie world, right? Hells yeah we are!
“I awoke to an intense burning and itching as nerve endings sprang to life violently beneath my leather dry skin.”
So, we're still good, a nice intro to his rebirth. Then
I received a copy of Cryonic in exchange for an honest review
July 18, 2013
Well, I wanted to like this novel, I read the Amazon reviews, the Goodreads reviews, and I wanted to like it.
I didn't like it.
I thought the characters were impossible to care about, there was absolutely no sympathetic persons in this book. None. The main character killed zombie children and used their dead bodies to provide traction for his car to get out of mud. And showed no remorse, no emotion, just did it because I'm sure the author thought it would shock his readers. Well, it did shock me, and make me wish the main dude would get his brains eaten by the zombies.
Perhaps it was just me, but the writing seemed forced and trite, the plot a bit to easy to guess, the zombies to easy to kill, the list goes on and on.
I really wanted to like this book, I did not.
I didn't like it.
I thought the characters were impossible to care about, there was absolutely no sympathetic persons in this book. None. The main character killed zombie children and used their dead bodies to provide traction for his car to get out of mud. And showed no remorse, no emotion, just did it because I'm sure the author thought it would shock his readers. Well, it did shock me, and make me wish the main dude would get his brains eaten by the zombies.
Perhaps it was just me, but the writing seemed forced and trite, the plot a bit to easy to guess, the zombies to easy to kill, the list goes on and on.
I really wanted to like this book, I did not.
August 5, 2013
Who doesn't love a good zombie novel? Travis Bradberry's Cryonic brings out the best elements on a story about the undead. In this particular tale, he explores the scientifically possible "re-animation" of people - when they are frozen when they die, and brought back to life after a period of time.
Unfortunately for our protagonist, Royce Bruyere, the world he woke up to was not the same as the one he left. A different governing power is now in control, and regards him as a possession rather than a person.
It was well-written, full of action and adventure, and not a dull moment whatsoever. I am seriously looking forward to the end of the novel, but those first 16 chapters were a genuine treat to read!
Unfortunately for our protagonist, Royce Bruyere, the world he woke up to was not the same as the one he left. A different governing power is now in control, and regards him as a possession rather than a person.
It was well-written, full of action and adventure, and not a dull moment whatsoever. I am seriously looking forward to the end of the novel, but those first 16 chapters were a genuine treat to read!
August 4, 2013
I thought the book was a fantastic read. I'm not sure why there is so much hate for the characters. I found them all pretty interesting. This book was a real page turner for me especially with the short chapters. I couldn't stop reading it. The scenes in the book described the zombies and action perfectly. I feel like this would make a good movie. Everything I read played out in my head like I was seeing it in person. Easy to follow and understand the situation that the protagonist was put in.
August 6, 2013
This novel had me gripped from the word go. Cryonic is a brilliantly spun, futuristic tale which begins with the death and subsequent re-animation of Royce Bruyere by the means of cryogenics. When he is brought to life, several decades later, he arises to find that the world is not a friendly place. China is the ruling super power and half of the U.S. has been enslaved.
The Chinese are experimenting with dead bodies, in the hopes to revive their dead soldiers and continue with their plan for world domination - but there is a flaw in their design. Those that are being brought back to life are contracting a virus with sinister implications.
Travis Bradberry will appeal to lovers of the genres Sci-Fi and Horror, and he writes with a superbly realistic style. The characters are well defined and the plot writhes like a snake - plenty of twists and turns to get excited about.
Loved it. 5 Stars all the way.
The Chinese are experimenting with dead bodies, in the hopes to revive their dead soldiers and continue with their plan for world domination - but there is a flaw in their design. Those that are being brought back to life are contracting a virus with sinister implications.
Travis Bradberry will appeal to lovers of the genres Sci-Fi and Horror, and he writes with a superbly realistic style. The characters are well defined and the plot writhes like a snake - plenty of twists and turns to get excited about.
Loved it. 5 Stars all the way.
April 18, 2014
So.....
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The first few chapters were great and had me hooked. Too bad that didn't last long!
If I can make an honest assessment of this book, it would be this: It read like a comic book, I'm sure my little brother would have loved it. Stereotypical, strong, suave, arrogant protagonist. Inferior secondary characters who only served to highlight the superiority of the main "he-man". Gory zombie violence. I think the author dreamed up a story for himself where he could live out his masculine fantasies. The prose was lacking, vocabulary was simple, and the conversations were repetitive. Disappointing!
Thanks to Goodreads First Reads for the free copy.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The first few chapters were great and had me hooked. Too bad that didn't last long!
If I can make an honest assessment of this book, it would be this: It read like a comic book, I'm sure my little brother would have loved it. Stereotypical, strong, suave, arrogant protagonist. Inferior secondary characters who only served to highlight the superiority of the main "he-man". Gory zombie violence. I think the author dreamed up a story for himself where he could live out his masculine fantasies. The prose was lacking, vocabulary was simple, and the conversations were repetitive. Disappointing!
Thanks to Goodreads First Reads for the free copy.
September 5, 2013
What an utter pile of pants. Please, don't read this book.
To qualify, I love zombie books, and sci fi. World War Z is one of my all time favourite books. But not all zombie books are good, and this one really isn't. Having read some other reviews I felt I should edit my own, I'm not sure who's reading this and seeing a good writing style - it reads like a children's book, very basic easy reading, little characterisation, no in depth descriptions. The main character starts out likeable and becomes a complete cliche. Move along, pick another book, don't waste your time on this one.
To qualify, I love zombie books, and sci fi. World War Z is one of my all time favourite books. But not all zombie books are good, and this one really isn't. Having read some other reviews I felt I should edit my own, I'm not sure who's reading this and seeing a good writing style - it reads like a children's book, very basic easy reading, little characterisation, no in depth descriptions. The main character starts out likeable and becomes a complete cliche. Move along, pick another book, don't waste your time on this one.
October 8, 2013
This was actually one of the worst books I have ever read. Horrible HORRIBLE dialog, flat characters, a plot that could have been intriguing if the author had actually spent any time with it, and the most ridiculous ending ever.
Also, the author totally used the "future" setting to explain away pesky problems he didn't want to deal with. I'm sorry, but this book sucked. No redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Also, the author totally used the "future" setting to explain away pesky problems he didn't want to deal with. I'm sorry, but this book sucked. No redeeming qualities whatsoever.
August 5, 2013
If you want an excellent Zombie book I recommend Day by Day Armageddon Origin to Exile
ISBN 978-1-4516-3303-0
As for this book, I barely made it through the free chapters I typically get to see if a book is interesting. this was a great disappointment from go.
I felt the writing very elementary and, as another person posted, the characters were extremely difficult to root for. Carson was the only one I (barely) cared about and he became lunch fairly quickly.
I took the advice that this was THE only Zombie book in a post on World War Z but quickly decided the latter is a better book even though it was difficult for me to finish.
ISBN 978-1-4516-3303-0
As for this book, I barely made it through the free chapters I typically get to see if a book is interesting. this was a great disappointment from go.
I felt the writing very elementary and, as another person posted, the characters were extremely difficult to root for. Carson was the only one I (barely) cared about and he became lunch fairly quickly.
I took the advice that this was THE only Zombie book in a post on World War Z but quickly decided the latter is a better book even though it was difficult for me to finish.
February 11, 2021
First off, the quality of writing is excellent. Technical grammar is nigh on perfect and the dialogue believable and fresh. I loved the character voices.
Recently, there’s been a glut of zombie based stories, movies etc – they’re almost the new vampires! But I think Bradberry does a good job of making the genre his own. There’s darkness, tension, excitement and, at times, a real visceral horror as the craziness explodes around the main character, Royce.
If you enjoy fast paced story-telling, with style and class – go for it. You won’t regret it!
Recently, there’s been a glut of zombie based stories, movies etc – they’re almost the new vampires! But I think Bradberry does a good job of making the genre his own. There’s darkness, tension, excitement and, at times, a real visceral horror as the craziness explodes around the main character, Royce.
If you enjoy fast paced story-telling, with style and class – go for it. You won’t regret it!
August 7, 2013
Definitely a fast-paced read. I couldn’t put it down for my curiosity was constantly peaked and I wanted to know what would happen next.
I’m not typically a fan Zombie books or movies, but when I do partake, I am always interested in how the storyteller creates the Zombie epidemic. In other words, Zombies don’t just appear out of nowhere, what event caused human beings to turn into Zombies in the first place? This book offers a brilliant explanation and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s not just another Zombie book, it’s a futuristic adventure. Well done.
I’m not typically a fan Zombie books or movies, but when I do partake, I am always interested in how the storyteller creates the Zombie epidemic. In other words, Zombies don’t just appear out of nowhere, what event caused human beings to turn into Zombies in the first place? This book offers a brilliant explanation and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s not just another Zombie book, it’s a futuristic adventure. Well done.
August 5, 2013
Pretty interesting read. Never thought that if you signed up for being re animated in the future you would become a zombie. The novel is placed in 2047 where the Chinese have taken over the US and need soldiers. The plan of action is to bring back the dead alive and for some strange reason all except Royce are turning up as flesh devouring zombies. Wow, very interested to know what the future of either Royce or the nation would be
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August 1, 2013I'm a zombie story fan, & although I already had a hard copy of this book "in the mail", I thought what the heck, read the preview… BIG mistake… Now, I'm chomping at the bit for my book to get here!
August 16, 2013
Imagine waking up in after an accident. You ask to see the people you love, but you find out it’s 35 years later. You also find out that the Chinese now run the country. There has been a horrible environmental event that has changed the world. And the Chinese now run the country. That’s exactly what happens to Royce.
Royce is the first person that is brought back from a cryogenic state. And since his reawakening was successful the doctors decide to bring back other individuals who are in a cryogenic state. But something goes wrong when the other individuals awaken. And the result is zombies!
If you’re a fan of sci-fi and zombies, then you’ll like this book. This book is what science fiction is all about. It combines real life science with something kind of far-fetched. The science includes a world- wide catastrophe that has geo-political ramifications. The far-fetched is the zombies. But hey who doesn’t love zombies? Sci-fi fans should read these books.
Royce is the first person that is brought back from a cryogenic state. And since his reawakening was successful the doctors decide to bring back other individuals who are in a cryogenic state. But something goes wrong when the other individuals awaken. And the result is zombies!
If you’re a fan of sci-fi and zombies, then you’ll like this book. This book is what science fiction is all about. It combines real life science with something kind of far-fetched. The science includes a world- wide catastrophe that has geo-political ramifications. The far-fetched is the zombies. But hey who doesn’t love zombies? Sci-fi fans should read these books.
August 20, 2013
Cryonic is The Walking Dead with a Chinese twist. When Royce Bruyere dies, he is cryogenically preserved per his last wishes. When he is revived, he finds the Chinese have invaded and brought their miracle medicines with them. Unfortunately, not everyone they bring out of cryonics fares as well as Royce. With bloodthirsty victims literally nipping at his feet, Royce races across America to save his country and his family. This is a fun zombie novel if you can get past the science and geology that is ignored by the author. People are running for their lives; zombies are on constant attack; the question, will the world succumb or will it prevail is always at the fore front of the reader’s mind. Cryonic is written with a fast pace that allows a reader to finish in a day. A great Halloween read.
August 10, 2013
I was actually hesitant to read zombie-genre books since most of the books I've read so far couldn’t enable me to envision the terror like on screen. But Cryonic really changed that for me. Aside from the fast-paced and action packed sequences in almost every page, the author's superb writing makes you feel like you are actually right in the middle of it all.
The way it was presented was highly researched, especially on the subject of cryogenics and the aftermath of a possible natural disaster. It also diverges from the common setup on almost all zombie related books and films by using cryogenics as the basis of the zombie apocalypse. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wanted a new taste of the undead.
This will keep you awake for hours.
The way it was presented was highly researched, especially on the subject of cryogenics and the aftermath of a possible natural disaster. It also diverges from the common setup on almost all zombie related books and films by using cryogenics as the basis of the zombie apocalypse. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wanted a new taste of the undead.
This will keep you awake for hours.
August 10, 2013
Bradberry has a twisted mind, in a good way of course. As fans of horror, sci-fi and zombies move through this book at a fast pace, they will imagine it's almost like watching a movie, instead of reading a book. His descriptions are so exact and precise, and everyone will find Royce, our hero in this novel, to be a fantastic character. The author has clearly done extensive research on the Chinese culture as well, which is an added bonus because it makes Cryonic all the more relevant, and believable. The one-of-a-kind storyline will keep book lovers glued to their seats, and will anticipate what could possibly happen next with each flip of the page. It's terrifying, contemporary, and could really happen! How does will it end???
August 16, 2013
Cryonic: A Zombie Novel is a high-concept blend of the tried and tested zombie genre – think the Walking Dead – with a splash of Buck Rogers about it, as the hero is a cryogenically frozen survivor woken up in a dark future where a natural disaster-devastated USA has been over-run by the Chinese. It’s a fascinating fusion of the two forms, with the wholly believable Chinese takeover of America being blended with the zombie idea… interestingly, the outbreak is caused by cryogenic sleepers going bad. It’s very fast paced, carried off with a dry and irreverent wit, and will keep you turning those pages as you rush to find out what happens to Royce Bruyere. The best literary fun I’ve had for a long time.
May 16, 2015
That was BAD. This "author" needs a lesson in grammar. If you're going to write a novel, please learn the difference between lay and lie or further and farther... I have no tolerance for poor grammar when reading a published author.
Further, if it wasn't for the swear words, I would have guessed this book was written for children. My 11 year old likely would have enjoyed the simplicity of the writing, me...not so much.
With that being said, I really don't expect a lot from zombie novels, I read them (or similar books) when I want something light and fast to read. However, with the poor writing, lack of character development and the overall juvenile feel of this book, I am left feeling like I went with my first instinct and didn't read this.
Further, if it wasn't for the swear words, I would have guessed this book was written for children. My 11 year old likely would have enjoyed the simplicity of the writing, me...not so much.
With that being said, I really don't expect a lot from zombie novels, I read them (or similar books) when I want something light and fast to read. However, with the poor writing, lack of character development and the overall juvenile feel of this book, I am left feeling like I went with my first instinct and didn't read this.
August 3, 2016
I forced myself to finish this book since I paid for it. In just about every chapter, I found myself rolling my eyes. The writing is choppy and the dialogue is silly. When a character has to tell the reader that his wife says he's handsome? Eye roll. When Royce switches back and forth with "Alex" and "Al" and "Jason" and "Jace"? Eye roll. Saying "um" all time? Eye Roll. And of course Celeste is beautiful and Royce has the hots for her.
This book is one cliche after another.
World War Z is a far superior Zombie novel and the writers of "Walking Dead" run circles around the writing in this book.
This book is one cliche after another.
World War Z is a far superior Zombie novel and the writers of "Walking Dead" run circles around the writing in this book.
July 28, 2013
2.5 This book was okay. The writing was easy to follow, but I think the length did not allow enough time for character development. The reason for the story was interesting, but the main theme - zombies - has been done so much and there wasn't anything new to make it interesting. I didn't care for the coddling of one of the main characters, it seemed out of place. I didn't think this book was awful, but I honestly do not understand the 5 star rating that is was given by most people.
October 12, 2013
I only continued to read this book past the first chapter to justify writing a review to counterpoint the hopelessly positive reviews of so many. Aside from the apalling ethnocentric american nationalism running through the book, I found the basic premise was unoriginal, the novel badly written, the charcters clumsy stereotypes and the end predictable. If you want to read a book written at a reader age of 8 go for it - otherwise don't touch this book.
June 26, 2013
Very creative story that happens to have some really freaky zombies in it. I would guess this book will appeal to people who are zombophiles as well as those that don't tend to devour every zombie book around.
April 12, 2014
I was excite to get Travis Bradberry's new novel "Cryonic: A Zombie Novel." I'm not one who normally reads zombie novels, but his take on it that a man named Royce Bruyere was cryogenically frozen and is reanimated into a different United States then he remembers. He wakes up to be surrounded by Chinese people and finds out that the United States was invaded by China. He is the first person to be successfully reanimated, but through Chinese greediness, the others that are reanimated after he was turn out to become zombies. Interesting, huh? Definitely. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the book. I felt that the main character was a little unbelievable and completely unlikable. The dialogue seems forced. Perhaps I had higher expectations since it was written by an award-winning author who has sold more than a million copies of his books. I really like the premise and there is a good story there, but not in this version of the book.
Although I was disappointed in this book, it would not stop me from reading other books by this author. Clearly he has a vivid imagination and perhaps it comes through clearer in other works.
**I received this book from the Goodreads Members Giveaways. It did not influence my review.**
Although I was disappointed in this book, it would not stop me from reading other books by this author. Clearly he has a vivid imagination and perhaps it comes through clearer in other works.
**I received this book from the Goodreads Members Giveaways. It did not influence my review.**
June 10, 2015
I think this novel got a bum wrap from previous reviewers this novel was full of hilarity. Who doesn't like a novel where the hero uses zombie corpse of a little person and a boy scout as a wedge to get their escape vehicle unstuck from the mud!!
My only criticism is that from the moment Royce started talking after being unthawed, I heard myself singing Hulk Hogan's theme song under my breath:
I am a REAL AMERICAN
But I still enjoyed it, although I found the ending a forced and a bit of a let down but overall a good read
My only criticism is that from the moment Royce started talking after being unthawed, I heard myself singing Hulk Hogan's theme song under my breath:
I am a REAL AMERICAN
But I still enjoyed it, although I found the ending a forced and a bit of a let down but overall a good read
July 19, 2013
A pretty short read. The premise was interesting but I can't say I liked any of the characters, particularly the protagonist. As a result, I didn't feel particularly interested in him escaping the zombie invasion.
February 9, 2025
I enjoyed this when I read it in high-school as I was still in the grips of the zombie fever sweeping through media in the early 2010s. Cryonic was relatively short, had action, zombies, an invasion plot, and for my teenage mind what was not to love? As a more well-read adult, however, there are too many glaring issues in this book. For example, just how implausible a Chinese invasion is from the East coast, not even the west which would be geographically closer to China is stupid, not to mention how negatively they are portrayed. The main characters never made themselves out to be people I really came to care about and I didn't feel much by the end. I don't hate this book but i think its better off for a more impressionable and younger audience then it is for an adult looking for a grounded zombie novel.
May 29, 2019
Poor writing, a thin story and a hero who's dedicated to being an ignorant jerk. I bailed after chapter 13 of 68.
August 15, 2020
Pacing was odd. Language was odd. I didn’t like the main character and the way he talked, it was super cringy. The story overall was just okay.
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