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The Book of Riley #2
The Book of Riley 2
When the zombie apocalypse strikes without warning one dog will hold the fate of her pack in her paws. This is the story of Riley, an American Bulldog, follow along as she tries to keep her pack safe from a zombie apocalypse. Traveling with her are Ben-Ben the high strung Yorkie, her favorite two-legger Jessie, Jessie's younger brother Zachary and Riley's arch-enemy Patches the Cat. They are a rag-tag group of survivors who when pushed to the limit realize that they are all each other has.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 6, 2024
These books just show you that animals are smarter than you think. I love reading the zompoc genre and finding hidden gems that either have a different concept or are written from a different POV. I have read some of Mark Tufo's other series "Zombie Fallout" but I think this one remains my favorite between the 2. I rated this one 5 stars the last time I read it and it retained the same rating this time around (as I have noticed, some rereads don't retain the same rating they had with my first read of them). Rereading so I can finally finish the series.
February 2, 2016
A good read! Zombie tale from a dog's perspective, part 2! More violence this time, both dog and people!
June 14, 2024
I mean, it's a zombie book so of course it's going to have dark elements. I just didn't like the turn this book took. Still some funny parts but I did not enjoy the plot.
November 1, 2024
I love this pov from the dog. Parts of this one made me really sad though. If you have issues with animal abuse this is probably not the book for you.
June 24, 2014
My full The Book of Riley, Part 2 audiobook review can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
The Book of Riley, Part 2 picks up right after the conclusion of book one. With our group in dire need to get away from the zombies, even though they barely make an appearance, to find medicine or a doctor for the ailing baby. I love the different words Tufo has chosen to use instead of the "normal" ones. Foe example: Clear Viewer = Window; Two Legger = Human; Wheeler = Car; Boom Stick = Gun; Metal Bees = Bullets; and there are several more. Constantly making you think for a split second about what is really happening.
The groups finds their way to Las Vegas, where a band of survivors have settled. Although we find out that the citizens favorite past time is watching dog fights. Tufo was able to expand a grow all of the characters from the beginning of the series through this book. Each of them facing personal challenges and finding out what they are really willing to do for survival. If you want something a little different that is a quick listen filled with all the gore, action, suspense, that you would expect. Do yourself a favor and check this series out, I will be listening to more of this series for sure.
I cannot say enough good things about this performance of Sean Runnette. Let me rephrase that. I cannot state how lucky Tufo was to get Runnette as a narrator. Not sure who the genius was that made the decision. Hopefully they are aware of the magic that has been created with this pairing.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
The Book of Riley, Part 2 picks up right after the conclusion of book one. With our group in dire need to get away from the zombies, even though they barely make an appearance, to find medicine or a doctor for the ailing baby. I love the different words Tufo has chosen to use instead of the "normal" ones. Foe example: Clear Viewer = Window; Two Legger = Human; Wheeler = Car; Boom Stick = Gun; Metal Bees = Bullets; and there are several more. Constantly making you think for a split second about what is really happening.
The groups finds their way to Las Vegas, where a band of survivors have settled. Although we find out that the citizens favorite past time is watching dog fights. Tufo was able to expand a grow all of the characters from the beginning of the series through this book. Each of them facing personal challenges and finding out what they are really willing to do for survival. If you want something a little different that is a quick listen filled with all the gore, action, suspense, that you would expect. Do yourself a favor and check this series out, I will be listening to more of this series for sure.
I cannot say enough good things about this performance of Sean Runnette. Let me rephrase that. I cannot state how lucky Tufo was to get Runnette as a narrator. Not sure who the genius was that made the decision. Hopefully they are aware of the magic that has been created with this pairing.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
December 16, 2023
Witty and Creative
I latched onto Mark Tufo as an author- not because he writes zombie/post-apocalyptic stories- but because he's got an incredibly dry, sarcastic wit combined with some wicked creativity. This series, perhaps more than any other, displays just how creative he is. After all, who would take a break from writing zombie novels to try writing zombie novels from the POV of the loyal family pet??
I would hazard to guess that only Mark Tufo would try such a silly concept and succeed brilliantly with it. Told from the perspective of a mixed-breed American Bulldog named Riley, the tried and true genre of zombie hell takes on a pretty hilarious new look and feel. Riley helps her favorite two-legger Jessie escape with her baby brother when zombies over-run their home and destroy the rest of the family. Riley's quest is aided by Ben-Ben, a typical high-energy/low-IQ terrier, and the family feline with all of her... cattiness. Of course, that's Book 1.
This story continues with the new "pack" formed in Book 1 as they attempt to drive through Las Vegas on their way to the hope of a safer life with friends in Colorado. Unfortunately, what drives in Vegas stays in Vegas thanks to a group of modern-day Neanderthals who are happy to give our pals a place to stay. Whether they want it or not.
This is a great story for teens and young adults, as well as anyone who enjoys a slightly off-plumb version of the genre.
I latched onto Mark Tufo as an author- not because he writes zombie/post-apocalyptic stories- but because he's got an incredibly dry, sarcastic wit combined with some wicked creativity. This series, perhaps more than any other, displays just how creative he is. After all, who would take a break from writing zombie novels to try writing zombie novels from the POV of the loyal family pet??
I would hazard to guess that only Mark Tufo would try such a silly concept and succeed brilliantly with it. Told from the perspective of a mixed-breed American Bulldog named Riley, the tried and true genre of zombie hell takes on a pretty hilarious new look and feel. Riley helps her favorite two-legger Jessie escape with her baby brother when zombies over-run their home and destroy the rest of the family. Riley's quest is aided by Ben-Ben, a typical high-energy/low-IQ terrier, and the family feline with all of her... cattiness. Of course, that's Book 1.
This story continues with the new "pack" formed in Book 1 as they attempt to drive through Las Vegas on their way to the hope of a safer life with friends in Colorado. Unfortunately, what drives in Vegas stays in Vegas thanks to a group of modern-day Neanderthals who are happy to give our pals a place to stay. Whether they want it or not.
This is a great story for teens and young adults, as well as anyone who enjoys a slightly off-plumb version of the genre.
June 23, 2019
Worse than Zombies
In the second installment of the Book of Riley, Riley and her pack face a group of humans who are worse than zombies. The pack has made it as far as Las Vegas in their continuing journey to find help through the zombie apocalypse. Unfortunately in Las Vegas mankind’s cruelest desires for entertainment are realized in a group of survivors who bond as a community over dogfighting.
Just like the first book, the adventure moves quickly and kept me turning pages. The first book was stronger in terms of emotion. Very little can compare with the harrowing scenes of beginnings of the apocalypse, but this book had plenty of white-knuckle moments (especially for Riley!). The humor in the first book was also a bit stronger, perhaps because I was already attuned to snarky cat and lovably dumb Ben-Ben. But the baby’s development opened lots of interesting possibilities.
If you read and enjoyed book one, you’ll want to read book two. In true Walking Dead fashion each of these books tells a story arc within the larger framework of a post apocalyptic world
In the second installment of the Book of Riley, Riley and her pack face a group of humans who are worse than zombies. The pack has made it as far as Las Vegas in their continuing journey to find help through the zombie apocalypse. Unfortunately in Las Vegas mankind’s cruelest desires for entertainment are realized in a group of survivors who bond as a community over dogfighting.
Just like the first book, the adventure moves quickly and kept me turning pages. The first book was stronger in terms of emotion. Very little can compare with the harrowing scenes of beginnings of the apocalypse, but this book had plenty of white-knuckle moments (especially for Riley!). The humor in the first book was also a bit stronger, perhaps because I was already attuned to snarky cat and lovably dumb Ben-Ben. But the baby’s development opened lots of interesting possibilities.
If you read and enjoyed book one, you’ll want to read book two. In true Walking Dead fashion each of these books tells a story arc within the larger framework of a post apocalyptic world
January 5, 2025
The Book Of Riley - A Zombie Tale is split between 5 volumes on audible:
The Book Of Riley 1: 2hrs 58mins
The Book Of Riley 2: 2hrs 46mins
The Book Of Riley 3: 2hrs 41mins
The Book Of Riley 4: 3hrs 21mins
The Book Of Riley 5: 2hrs 41mins
The series describes the journey from the start of the zombie apocalypse to the eventual reunification with the Talbot clan in Maine. Jess and her baby brother Zach travel with Riley, Ben Ben and Patches to find Justin Talbot who Jess dated for a couple years as she believes him to still be alive due to his dad's survivalist ideals.
It isn't an easy journey and they run into some truely despicable people and also some very kind ones. I loved the perspective from the animals and tbh, if I didn't already know from the main story Zach survived it would have been much more difficult reading about the baby's multiple close calls.
This is a great side story to the main Zombie Fallout series and a reprieve from the dark current situation.
Author: Mark Tufo
374 pages
The Book Of Riley 1: 2hrs 58mins
The Book Of Riley 2: 2hrs 46mins
The Book Of Riley 3: 2hrs 41mins
The Book Of Riley 4: 3hrs 21mins
The Book Of Riley 5: 2hrs 41mins
The series describes the journey from the start of the zombie apocalypse to the eventual reunification with the Talbot clan in Maine. Jess and her baby brother Zach travel with Riley, Ben Ben and Patches to find Justin Talbot who Jess dated for a couple years as she believes him to still be alive due to his dad's survivalist ideals.
It isn't an easy journey and they run into some truely despicable people and also some very kind ones. I loved the perspective from the animals and tbh, if I didn't already know from the main story Zach survived it would have been much more difficult reading about the baby's multiple close calls.
This is a great side story to the main Zombie Fallout series and a reprieve from the dark current situation.
Author: Mark Tufo
374 pages
August 13, 2024
Riley and the remaining of the pack of two leggers and her short stack K9 companion are again on their way to find Mike Talbit and his family. They find themselves in the presence of not so good two leggers that have a very sick idea of what the new worlds life entails and separate the pack. Riley fights desperately to get back to her two legged humans and her dorky pup of a sidekick. The zombies are the least of their worries as these humans show just how ugly the human heart can be. Patches is alive and well … still an asshole but alive and has proven herself to be a much needed element to the pack. Again … Riley won’t admit it fully - but she knows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2018
Riley is such a hero and this installment shows just how awful some humans would be during the zombie apocalypse. Patches takes on a new light. Baby Zack’s change is an inspiration! Innocent BenBen. BACON!! I like adding a new character in MIA. And the French fries were funny. Gerald & Jerome’s final scene was sad.
November 15, 2019
I love Mark Tufo. I enjoy the humor, dark and otherwise. I enjoy the story lines. Tufo is one of my fun authors, I read him to relax, to laugh to be decadent. He may not ever be one of those authors whose writings will still be read as classical literature down the road, but I think, like a few other authors, he will be sticking around for awhile.
February 5, 2020
Something that irritates me about this book is that the ZA only started like a week ago, maybe even less? And there’s already a bad guy kingpin who has taken over a territory and has multiple wives and lots of minions ... seems too soon for that. People are usually still scrambling a week into things.
December 11, 2024
Listen to this book on audiotape and the first in the series wasn’t too bad as you experience a zombie apocalypse from a pets point of view. The second was tougher to get through partly due to the poor choices made by the humans in the pack. The perspective from the pets point of view started to get pretty old.
January 21, 2025
I hope all the “Book of Riley” entries are good as the first two. I did find the ending a bit frustrating because Riley and the gang just caused more trouble for themselves than they needed to, but I guess the story needs a main villain. I find zombies are more likely to be more of an inconvenience for the protagonist rather than the main villain in horror books/movies.
Though the big bad gives me The Governor vibes from The Walking Dead lol
Though the big bad gives me The Governor vibes from The Walking Dead lol
May 20, 2017
The saga continues, and it is as good as Book 1. Tufo always manages to throw a surprise or three at the reader. His stories are great. I love this one. Excellent character development, including the animals.
September 18, 2023
Sigh, Riley is the best! Even Ben-Ben is learning and Jess is still being an idiot. The gang gets caught by an evil man in Las Vegas, dog fights, a surprise helps the pack, though Jess as usual, ruins things. Riley proves to be a ferocious protector of her pack.
July 31, 2024
Even Better
I absolutely love this POV from Riley and the trail they are blazing to get to the Talbots. If you haven't listened to or read Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout series I suggest you do. IMO one of the best zombie apocalypse series there is.
I absolutely love this POV from Riley and the trail they are blazing to get to the Talbots. If you haven't listened to or read Mark Tufo's Zombie Fallout series I suggest you do. IMO one of the best zombie apocalypse series there is.
October 7, 2017
Okay the bad guy tropes are wearing thin and no longer believable...but patches is such a delight and the developing pack mindset is still holding my interest. Let’s see what #3 is about.
December 1, 2017
Great series continues....
April 13, 2018
Exciting sequel to the first story. It is fast paced and to the point, which I prefer.
The sequel continues the travels of the pack and some of the bad people that they encounter along the way.
The sequel continues the travels of the pack and some of the bad people that they encounter along the way.
June 5, 2018
Unexpected
This series is turning out much better than I thought it would. I find myself unable to put it down.
This series is turning out much better than I thought it would. I find myself unable to put it down.
May 27, 2019
Great take on Zombie Apocalypse stories, as told from Riley the dog's POV...the cat and little dog are hilarious.
December 12, 2019
I love that little pup. Great read!
December 29, 2019
I had read book 1 a couple of years ago and loved it. As I was looking for something else to read I ran across the rest of the series. So glad I did! Such a different view of the apocalypse!
May 20, 2020
Original and fun
August 20, 2020
I love these "pets"! but can't stand the stereotypical survivors types turned insane warlords. I don't think these people are real outside of books. I can't see them living very long.
September 22, 2022
Patches is awesome!
Lots of action in this installment! Riley, Ben Ben, and Patches make a great team and really kick butt together ❤️ I am enjoying this very much.
Lots of action in this installment! Riley, Ben Ben, and Patches make a great team and really kick butt together ❤️ I am enjoying this very much.
December 1, 2022
Book 2 is another five star read! Love how this story flows.
Want to Read
December 7, 2022I don't like this genre too much and I hardly read many books like this but this seems to be the exception because I liked it
January 17, 2024
Loved it! I finished book one this morning and immediately purchased book 2 and finished it before I got home from work lol. I love this series. Starting book 3 tomorrow!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews