What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hitchhiker Strain #0.5
End Dayz
It's month after the dead first began to walk. The miracle vaccine that was supposed to save us all has failed.
Now, four teens fight to stay alive as a stronger, smarter breed of zombie begins to appear, threatening to end humanity for good.
Four short stories, 11,000 words total.
Prequel to Mortality (March, 2013).
Now, four teens fight to stay alive as a stronger, smarter breed of zombie begins to appear, threatening to end humanity for good.
Four short stories, 11,000 words total.
Prequel to Mortality (March, 2013).
36 pages, ebook
First published January 4, 2013
17 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
Kellie Sheridan
27 books201 followersKellie has been in love with stories in all of their forms for as long as she can remember. Admittedly, sometimes that means falling into places like Stars Hollow and Sunnydale, but books have always been her true love.
Kellie spent part of her twenties living in Galway, Ireland and swooning after various lilting accents but is now back home in Ontario, Canada.
Kellie spent part of her twenties living in Galway, Ireland and swooning after various lilting accents but is now back home in Ontario, Canada.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 7, 2014
DNF at 49%
Even I have to admit that this is well written, but it's all tell, tell, tell, tell. Letter after letter, diary entry after diary entry.
I do not care.
How can you make zombies boring? Give me a play by play of the boring crap in life afterwards. There's no sense of urgency, no worry from the characters, no action, nothing going on.
I started skimming at about 39% and gave up finally when I hit Alex's chapter and realized it was (surprise!) more of the same.
Even I have to admit that this is well written, but it's all tell, tell, tell, tell. Letter after letter, diary entry after diary entry.
I do not care.
How can you make zombies boring? Give me a play by play of the boring crap in life afterwards. There's no sense of urgency, no worry from the characters, no action, nothing going on.
I started skimming at about 39% and gave up finally when I hit Alex's chapter and realized it was (surprise!) more of the same.
August 4, 2016
Disclaimer: I received an arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Our first Christmas after the end of the world and I'm hanging out with a chicken.
I dunno, I'm actually kind of happy. (ebook, 39%)
End Dayz is the prequel to Mortality. If you were wondering about the peculiar spelling, I assume it's because this is a series about zombies.
Twist: these are not just your everyday apocalyptic zombies. Well, there are the regular, in-need-of-brains zombies, but there is also another type called the "Z". They are mutations that came to life (again) after being bitten while they were inoculated with an anti-zombifying virus and somehow this created a race of Superzombies. Sure, the science is sketchy, but this series is so fun and action-packed that I don't even care about that.
So I guess that the "z" in "Dayz" also refers to these nasty creatures. I dunno, I actually kind of like it. I'm sure that with many other books this would make me roll my eyes, but it fits with Sheridan's narrative style. This is light, fluffy fun and it doesn't pretend to be more.
This prequel is written from the perspective of Savannah's clan and takes place before any of them knew each other. Pierce is making his way from England to the United States, Belle is learning to survive through the first zombie attacks, Alex is on the road with his family, trying to get as far away from highly infested areas as quickly as possible, and Zack is in the early days of his training.
All of them communicate their stories through letters (Pierce and Alex), diary entries (Belle) or mission reports (Zack). With this device, it's often even harder to distinguish the different voices, but Sheridan managed to do this quite successfully. Some of them are very casual with their language, others complete grammar nazis and I think her choice of formats fits with the characters.
What I liked is that this zombie infestation isn't limited to the US. In many (post)apocalyptic stories, the rest of the world is conveniently forgotten or mentioned offhandedly. This trend bothers me, because I would like to have some frame of reference as to what might happen to me and the people I know in these fictional futures. Surely that isn't too much to ask.
What irked me is that the one girl who has a POV needs to fight off a rape attempt. I know it's realistic, but I was still dreading it. It just happens way too often as a tool to create sympathy for a character? However, it wasn't used as a sympathy shortcut here. It was one of those shitty things that happens in a world gone (more) dysfunctional. The thing that made me like Belle was her sarcastic voice. You guessed it, she's the one hanging out with poultry in December.
All in all, this is a very limited look into the lives of some secondary characters from Mortality. It answers the question of what happened to them that they ended up the way they did, but nothing more. Hints of their stories were already present in Mortality and most characters weren't fleshed out enough for me to especially feel for them. The one I am rooting for is Belle, because she has this general attitude of shit happens and then you die, so who cares and let's hang out with chickens, which let's face it, is exactly how you should handle the end of the world.
Our first Christmas after the end of the world and I'm hanging out with a chicken.
I dunno, I'm actually kind of happy. (ebook, 39%)
End Dayz is the prequel to Mortality. If you were wondering about the peculiar spelling, I assume it's because this is a series about zombies.
Twist: these are not just your everyday apocalyptic zombies. Well, there are the regular, in-need-of-brains zombies, but there is also another type called the "Z". They are mutations that came to life (again) after being bitten while they were inoculated with an anti-zombifying virus and somehow this created a race of Superzombies. Sure, the science is sketchy, but this series is so fun and action-packed that I don't even care about that.
So I guess that the "z" in "Dayz" also refers to these nasty creatures. I dunno, I actually kind of like it. I'm sure that with many other books this would make me roll my eyes, but it fits with Sheridan's narrative style. This is light, fluffy fun and it doesn't pretend to be more.
This prequel is written from the perspective of Savannah's clan and takes place before any of them knew each other. Pierce is making his way from England to the United States, Belle is learning to survive through the first zombie attacks, Alex is on the road with his family, trying to get as far away from highly infested areas as quickly as possible, and Zack is in the early days of his training.
All of them communicate their stories through letters (Pierce and Alex), diary entries (Belle) or mission reports (Zack). With this device, it's often even harder to distinguish the different voices, but Sheridan managed to do this quite successfully. Some of them are very casual with their language, others complete grammar nazis and I think her choice of formats fits with the characters.
What I liked is that this zombie infestation isn't limited to the US. In many (post)apocalyptic stories, the rest of the world is conveniently forgotten or mentioned offhandedly. This trend bothers me, because I would like to have some frame of reference as to what might happen to me and the people I know in these fictional futures. Surely that isn't too much to ask.
What irked me is that the one girl who has a POV needs to fight off a rape attempt. I know it's realistic, but I was still dreading it. It just happens way too often as a tool to create sympathy for a character? However, it wasn't used as a sympathy shortcut here. It was one of those shitty things that happens in a world gone (more) dysfunctional. The thing that made me like Belle was her sarcastic voice. You guessed it, she's the one hanging out with poultry in December.
All in all, this is a very limited look into the lives of some secondary characters from Mortality. It answers the question of what happened to them that they ended up the way they did, but nothing more. Hints of their stories were already present in Mortality and most characters weren't fleshed out enough for me to especially feel for them. The one I am rooting for is Belle, because she has this general attitude of shit happens and then you die, so who cares and let's hang out with chickens, which let's face it, is exactly how you should handle the end of the world.
September 17, 2013
Word count: (???) short (I don't trust my estimates)
Rating: “Not dying is a pretty epic feeling. “
Work on your zombie killing skills.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
It tickled my new found love of dystopia and curiosity about mechanics of stabbing people in the brain.
I don’t particularly love any of those four characters, but neither do I vehemently hate them. I think Zack's a wuss, the way he talks about ‘not wanting to shoot them’. If you see a zombie you kill it. Period. Next case. Next fucking case.
As I haven’t read Mortality I’m not in a best position to speak in depth about the prequels. But I will. HA!
Thebook short story is divided into 4 parts – each told from a different point of view and using a different medium. What we actually get to see are letters, diary entries, notes and reports written by characters.
First one up: Pierce
He writes letters to his girlfriend (?) Quite sensible guy. He seaz (ha ha) zombiez (he he), or rather hears them in the middle of a night and has an immediate, correct reaction. Get your shit together, get some weapons and run for your life. It’s a guy that Which made me think a lot about how that would feel (as in what that compares to – doing stabbing, not getting stabbed).
Second: Belle
Poor girl, what a stupid name parents gave you. I always wonder how awkward it is if a girl is exceptionally ugly. Or just gets old. What a shitty name for an old lady. But there are worse, imagine grandma Jessica… Lacks certain gravitas, wouldn’t you agree?
Anyway, I digress. From what I understood she’s young (haven’t gone to high school yet) and pretty dim. Yes, it’s a great idea to let your thoughts wander aimlessly when you’re outside. Alone. And totally forget to fight or scream. Ellis, the chicken quote might be the only sensible thing that girl have said. But to be fair she’s young, so a lot can be forgiven. Ha ha. Not really, but at least it explains a lot. She just hangs around her father and complains about food, ‘cause she’s picky.
Thrid: Alex
Now that’s a joker. The boy is on the run with his sister, mother and some chick. Along the way they live notes, so father can follow them and (eventually) find them. Ha ha. Very funny. Imagine that – you get home and bam! There’s only a note. And then you’re supposed to go on some freakish trip praying you’ll find all the damned clues. Great plan. I don’t suppose people are rational during such times, but the idea seems funny, especially for the father. What if rain destroyed a note? Or someone ate it? That’s just sad.
Also Alex, you little shit, “But I’d like to think that if any government is going to get it together and find a solution it will be us.” You’re deluded. America (despite what you’ve been repeatedly told) isn’t “the bestest, smartest, richest, grates country evaaaa”. I know you’d like to think it, but majority of your scientists is imported, not ‘home grown’ so no, it won’t be Americans coming up with anything. Gee, what is wrong with people? Why not Canadians? Or Japanese? Or Russians? *mutters*
Four: Zack the chicken that is far too sensitive for all the violence.
They have guns. I’d use them. Also crossbows? Really? Where exactly did you get them? Guns are far easier to find and user friendly. You really need to become a better planner and get your act together.
In the end I did have a good time with it and it put me in a mood for a nice dystopian story.
Rating: “Not dying is a pretty epic feeling. “
Work on your zombie killing skills.
*ARC provided by NetGalley
It tickled my new found love of dystopia and curiosity about mechanics of stabbing people in the brain.
I don’t particularly love any of those four characters, but neither do I vehemently hate them. I think Zack's a wuss, the way he talks about ‘not wanting to shoot them’. If you see a zombie you kill it. Period. Next case. Next fucking case.
As I haven’t read Mortality I’m not in a best position to speak in depth about the prequels. But I will. HA!
The
First one up: Pierce
He writes letters to his girlfriend (?) Quite sensible guy. He seaz (ha ha) zombiez (he he), or rather hears them in the middle of a night and has an immediate, correct reaction. Get your shit together, get some weapons and run for your life. It’s a guy that Which made me think a lot about how that would feel (as in what that compares to – doing stabbing, not getting stabbed).
Second: Belle
Poor girl, what a stupid name parents gave you. I always wonder how awkward it is if a girl is exceptionally ugly. Or just gets old. What a shitty name for an old lady. But there are worse, imagine grandma Jessica… Lacks certain gravitas, wouldn’t you agree?
Anyway, I digress. From what I understood she’s young (haven’t gone to high school yet) and pretty dim. Yes, it’s a great idea to let your thoughts wander aimlessly when you’re outside. Alone. And totally forget to fight or scream. Ellis, the chicken quote might be the only sensible thing that girl have said. But to be fair she’s young, so a lot can be forgiven. Ha ha. Not really, but at least it explains a lot. She just hangs around her father and complains about food, ‘cause she’s picky.
Thrid: Alex
Now that’s a joker. The boy is on the run with his sister, mother and some chick. Along the way they live notes, so father can follow them and (eventually) find them. Ha ha. Very funny. Imagine that – you get home and bam! There’s only a note. And then you’re supposed to go on some freakish trip praying you’ll find all the damned clues. Great plan. I don’t suppose people are rational during such times, but the idea seems funny, especially for the father. What if rain destroyed a note? Or someone ate it? That’s just sad.
Also Alex, you little shit, “But I’d like to think that if any government is going to get it together and find a solution it will be us.” You’re deluded. America (despite what you’ve been repeatedly told) isn’t “the bestest, smartest, richest, grates country evaaaa”. I know you’d like to think it, but majority of your scientists is imported, not ‘home grown’ so no, it won’t be Americans coming up with anything. Gee, what is wrong with people? Why not Canadians? Or Japanese? Or Russians? *mutters*
Four: Zack the chicken that is far too sensitive for all the violence.
They have guns. I’d use them. Also crossbows? Really? Where exactly did you get them? Guns are far easier to find and user friendly. You really need to become a better planner and get your act together.
In the end I did have a good time with it and it put me in a mood for a nice dystopian story.
November 12, 2018
"Even the walk there was miserable. I hate the cold, and I tripped over my third grade teacher on the way to the store. How ridiculous does that sound?"
I really liked this intro to a series. It was interesting, broken in to sections to learn about each area. The zombie apocalypse has happened and the world is trying to cope. The main characters are all in different areas trying to understand what has happened and just trying to live. It was interesting, the conversations felt real and I'm intrigued. I definitely plan to read more!
I really liked this intro to a series. It was interesting, broken in to sections to learn about each area. The zombie apocalypse has happened and the world is trying to cope. The main characters are all in different areas trying to understand what has happened and just trying to live. It was interesting, the conversations felt real and I'm intrigued. I definitely plan to read more!
March 25, 2017
Originally posted @ Black Lilies Are Deadly
End Dayz is a great prequel to Mortality. Through this short story, we get to know a little more about the guys, and girls, we will learn to love, and hate, in the first book.
If the main reason why you can’t wait to sink your teeth into this story is because you want to know more about Savannah, you will be disappointed. She is only mentioned in passing. On the other hand if you want to want to know more about Pierce, Belle, Alex, and Zack, you will be in for a treat. We get to know more about them and how they got to where they were in Mortality. We also get more detailed accounts of some events that had already happened by the time the first book started, but were vaguely looked back on.
The same air of suspense, desperation, and frustration the characters emanated in Mortality is also present in End Dayz, which is only natural if zombies are trying to eat your flesh. The sensory and zombie descriptions are still vivid and shudder worthy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story and can’t wait for Duality to come out.
End Dayz is a great prequel to Mortality. Through this short story, we get to know a little more about the guys, and girls, we will learn to love, and hate, in the first book.
If the main reason why you can’t wait to sink your teeth into this story is because you want to know more about Savannah, you will be disappointed. She is only mentioned in passing. On the other hand if you want to want to know more about Pierce, Belle, Alex, and Zack, you will be in for a treat. We get to know more about them and how they got to where they were in Mortality. We also get more detailed accounts of some events that had already happened by the time the first book started, but were vaguely looked back on.
The same air of suspense, desperation, and frustration the characters emanated in Mortality is also present in End Dayz, which is only natural if zombies are trying to eat your flesh. The sensory and zombie descriptions are still vivid and shudder worthy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story and can’t wait for Duality to come out.
February 14, 2013
Great little short story! This is the Prequel to "Mortality" a zombie apocalypse book. It kinda gives us the back story of what happened when the first and second wave hit United States. This short story it is divided up into 4 little stories about different people and their struggles through the zombie apocalypse. We get to see the back story off what's to come in "Mortality". I'm pretty sure that the 4 people we read about will be in "Mortality". We get to see how they cleared the zombies out of the High School that they will be staying at in the next book. We get the feel of what these people went through and how hard it was for them to survive.
I really enjoyed this short story very much and I know that "Mortality" will be amazing. "Mortality" releases March 19, 2013. Just right around the corner and I can't wait!
I really enjoyed this short story very much and I know that "Mortality" will be amazing. "Mortality" releases March 19, 2013. Just right around the corner and I can't wait!
Read
March 7, 2013I really enjoyed this one! I know this merely started out as a character building exercise and Kellie Sheridan liked it enough to publish it as a prequel novella to the highly anticipated Mortality. I just wish there were more and I'm really hoping that we'll get to meet Alex again! I enjoyed his story best of all! If anything this has me jonesing to start Mortality straight away!
Real review to come soon!
Real review to come soon!
February 10, 2014
[Full disclosure: I received a free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
After reading Kellie Sheridan’s first book in The Hitchhiker Strain and seeing that there was a prequel anthology to it, I just had to read it. After all, Mortality was pretty awesome and I was interested in learning about the characters lives during the apocalypse itself. But did End Dayz add to my overall enjoyment of Kellie Sheridan’s world?
Absolutely! Learning more about Pierce, Belle, Alex and Zack was awesome. Not only did I get to learn more about the characters themselves, but also about the zombie apocalypse and what it was like to live in that chaos. Not only that, I learned a little about how Savannah was orphaned but I won’t go into detail about that because it’s a spoiler. Unlike so many anthology collections by the same author, each character in End Dayz had an unique voice in their writing. Some of them were chronicling the apocalypse through letters to their family, diary entries or mission reports. But in the end, everyone sounded different and that allowed me to get a real sense of their personality.
Belle is the bubbly young woman we meet in Mortality, Pierce is slightly stuck-up, Alex is the underdog and Zack is the serious team leader. That may sound like they’re all one dimensional characters, but they’re not. There are unique spins on each of the archetypal characters, which I was so thankful for. Kellie Sheridan is one of those writers that seems to stay away from clichés as much as possible and that’s what makes The Hitchhiker Strain one of my top series to follow into the future.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
After reading Kellie Sheridan’s first book in The Hitchhiker Strain and seeing that there was a prequel anthology to it, I just had to read it. After all, Mortality was pretty awesome and I was interested in learning about the characters lives during the apocalypse itself. But did End Dayz add to my overall enjoyment of Kellie Sheridan’s world?
Absolutely! Learning more about Pierce, Belle, Alex and Zack was awesome. Not only did I get to learn more about the characters themselves, but also about the zombie apocalypse and what it was like to live in that chaos. Not only that, I learned a little about how Savannah was orphaned but I won’t go into detail about that because it’s a spoiler. Unlike so many anthology collections by the same author, each character in End Dayz had an unique voice in their writing. Some of them were chronicling the apocalypse through letters to their family, diary entries or mission reports. But in the end, everyone sounded different and that allowed me to get a real sense of their personality.
Belle is the bubbly young woman we meet in Mortality, Pierce is slightly stuck-up, Alex is the underdog and Zack is the serious team leader. That may sound like they’re all one dimensional characters, but they’re not. There are unique spins on each of the archetypal characters, which I was so thankful for. Kellie Sheridan is one of those writers that seems to stay away from clichés as much as possible and that’s what makes The Hitchhiker Strain one of my top series to follow into the future.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
July 8, 2013
The Cover:
This cover drew my attention the second I saw it, simply perfect for the theme of these stories. I see a post apocalyptic world in the background, and a person (maybe zombie) walking on this barren landscape. The best part is that you can't tell if the person on the cover is a good guy or one of the bad ones! The text font is perfect and the best part for me is that the authors name is actually smaller than the title, I hate when you can't tell the two apart.
First Thoughts:
My first zombie book! I can't wait!
I do not normally write reviews for short stories like this book, but this was such a wonderful lead into a series that I had to write about it. I was captivated the second I started this "book". The story is broken into four different parts which each read like their own little background story for each person who (I'm guessing) will be in the books to come. Some read like letters while others were more like a section out of a diary and some were more like watching the action out in front of you. The world building was wonderful in this short story which must be a feat in itself. Such a short "book", but so much character and content.
Final Thoughts:
I am so happy I took the chance and read this short story because it did not disappoint. It was a riveting tale which shocked my imagination the second I lifted it to my eyes! I can not wait to read the next in The Hitchhiker Strain series. Yea for zombies!
Free E-Book provided by Patchwork Press via Net Galley for an honest review. Thank you so much for a chance to read these stories!
Review also on Paperback Lass my blog!
This cover drew my attention the second I saw it, simply perfect for the theme of these stories. I see a post apocalyptic world in the background, and a person (maybe zombie) walking on this barren landscape. The best part is that you can't tell if the person on the cover is a good guy or one of the bad ones! The text font is perfect and the best part for me is that the authors name is actually smaller than the title, I hate when you can't tell the two apart.
First Thoughts:
My first zombie book! I can't wait!
I do not normally write reviews for short stories like this book, but this was such a wonderful lead into a series that I had to write about it. I was captivated the second I started this "book". The story is broken into four different parts which each read like their own little background story for each person who (I'm guessing) will be in the books to come. Some read like letters while others were more like a section out of a diary and some were more like watching the action out in front of you. The world building was wonderful in this short story which must be a feat in itself. Such a short "book", but so much character and content.
Final Thoughts:
I am so happy I took the chance and read this short story because it did not disappoint. It was a riveting tale which shocked my imagination the second I lifted it to my eyes! I can not wait to read the next in The Hitchhiker Strain series. Yea for zombies!
Free E-Book provided by Patchwork Press via Net Galley for an honest review. Thank you so much for a chance to read these stories!
Review also on Paperback Lass my blog!
July 8, 2013
It’s not hard to find a zombie book these days. They’re everywhere, and it’s not an easy task to find the right one. I feel that End Dayz was a great choice for me to grab, though. It turned out to be one of the more enjoyable reads in recent weeks.
What makes End Dayz stand out to me is was that it showed the reader the lives of four different youths as they were living through troubling times in the world. In addition to that, the events of this collection take place during a second wave of a zombie virus, not during an initial outbreak. This caught my attention because the characters already went through the crazy initial outbreak, and had the chance to return to a (very new and different) normal way of living. That brings into play a new element to the human condition that I haven’t witnessed in zombie fiction so far.
I think the use of 4 different stories/characters to show what’s going on in the world of the Hitchhiker Strain series instead of in just one area with one group. Authors can bring a wider world view into books through showing the news reports or something along those lines, but I like when there is a variety of storylines to follow, as long as they don’t get jumbled and confusing, which these don’t’.
I think, overall, this was a great collection for fans of the zombie genre or someone looking for a quick entertaining page-turner. It’s made me want to go out and buy Mortality, the first novel that this is a prequel to. I don’t want to be away from the Hitchhiker Strain world for too long.
What makes End Dayz stand out to me is was that it showed the reader the lives of four different youths as they were living through troubling times in the world. In addition to that, the events of this collection take place during a second wave of a zombie virus, not during an initial outbreak. This caught my attention because the characters already went through the crazy initial outbreak, and had the chance to return to a (very new and different) normal way of living. That brings into play a new element to the human condition that I haven’t witnessed in zombie fiction so far.
I think the use of 4 different stories/characters to show what’s going on in the world of the Hitchhiker Strain series instead of in just one area with one group. Authors can bring a wider world view into books through showing the news reports or something along those lines, but I like when there is a variety of storylines to follow, as long as they don’t get jumbled and confusing, which these don’t’.
I think, overall, this was a great collection for fans of the zombie genre or someone looking for a quick entertaining page-turner. It’s made me want to go out and buy Mortality, the first novel that this is a prequel to. I don’t want to be away from the Hitchhiker Strain world for too long.
July 9, 2013
MY REVIEW
I was accepted to receive an e-copy of this prequel novella from Netgalley.
This prequel takes the form of four mini novellas concentrating on four main characters. Pierre, a young man from the UK over in America checking out different universities/colleges such as Yale and Harvard.
Then there's Belle, the daughter of Mayor Paulson, protected from the awful incidents as much as possible by her father but it really hits home one day when one of her friends is literally orphaned by the infected killing both her parents.
Next is Alex, and finally Zack.
The mini novellas are either done in a letter from to a loved one or in a "keeping a diary" format talking about the horror's of the virus and those that become infected by it.
The mini novellas are like little individual stories setting the scene for the main novel Mortality, The Hitchhiker Strain BK#1.
So did I enjoy the novella? I totally loved it, what a fantastic introduction ans scene setting for the main book. Would I recommend the novella? Yes, as it sets the scene perfectly and you learn about just four of the amazing characters from the main book. I'd recommend reading it before Bk#1, that way you have the background knowledge of those four characters going into BK#1. Will I go on to read BK#1? I started it as soon as I finished the novella, I was seriously desperate to know much more! Would I read other books by this Author? I do have another book by Kellie sheridan on my kindle so I guess the answer is yes!
I was accepted to receive an e-copy of this prequel novella from Netgalley.
This prequel takes the form of four mini novellas concentrating on four main characters. Pierre, a young man from the UK over in America checking out different universities/colleges such as Yale and Harvard.
Then there's Belle, the daughter of Mayor Paulson, protected from the awful incidents as much as possible by her father but it really hits home one day when one of her friends is literally orphaned by the infected killing both her parents.
Next is Alex, and finally Zack.
The mini novellas are either done in a letter from to a loved one or in a "keeping a diary" format talking about the horror's of the virus and those that become infected by it.
The mini novellas are like little individual stories setting the scene for the main novel Mortality, The Hitchhiker Strain BK#1.
So did I enjoy the novella? I totally loved it, what a fantastic introduction ans scene setting for the main book. Would I recommend the novella? Yes, as it sets the scene perfectly and you learn about just four of the amazing characters from the main book. I'd recommend reading it before Bk#1, that way you have the background knowledge of those four characters going into BK#1. Will I go on to read BK#1? I started it as soon as I finished the novella, I was seriously desperate to know much more! Would I read other books by this Author? I do have another book by Kellie sheridan on my kindle so I guess the answer is yes!
March 9, 2013
Review:
Normally I don't take the time to formally review short stories on the blog preferring short reviews on the site I purchased instead. However, since I planned on reading the main storyline I figured I'd break habit this time. End Dayz comes in at barely 30 pages but it was sooo good I didn't actually feel I was reading a short story. The story is broken up into 4 parts each following what I assume will be a main character in the first book Mortality.
I was hooked from the first page. The writing was smooth and just flowed across the page. I never expected a short story to have world building but this one did! I am in love, I tell you. I don't want to give away to much but its interesting that the characters have already survived the plague once and now have to again but under much different and more terrifying circumstances. I also enjoyed the diary/journal format of this short story. I felt I saw inside each character thoughts more than if it was just told in traditional format.
Overall, this was a great short story and I cannot wait to start in on Mortality. I definitely recommend picking this one up. I doubt you'll be disappointed. In the end I will be rating End Dayz by Kellie Sheridan ★★★★.
Normally I don't take the time to formally review short stories on the blog preferring short reviews on the site I purchased instead. However, since I planned on reading the main storyline I figured I'd break habit this time. End Dayz comes in at barely 30 pages but it was sooo good I didn't actually feel I was reading a short story. The story is broken up into 4 parts each following what I assume will be a main character in the first book Mortality.
I was hooked from the first page. The writing was smooth and just flowed across the page. I never expected a short story to have world building but this one did! I am in love, I tell you. I don't want to give away to much but its interesting that the characters have already survived the plague once and now have to again but under much different and more terrifying circumstances. I also enjoyed the diary/journal format of this short story. I felt I saw inside each character thoughts more than if it was just told in traditional format.
Overall, this was a great short story and I cannot wait to start in on Mortality. I definitely recommend picking this one up. I doubt you'll be disappointed. In the end I will be rating End Dayz by Kellie Sheridan ★★★★.
September 28, 2015
I am an avid fan of Zombie books. This one however I simply cannot recommend.
I have plenty of pet peeves and this novella covered most of them in one go. First of it is a very short novella that I received via Netgalley thinking I was signed up for a book not a short story.
Secondly the novella ends off as if this is a sample not a novella which is really disconcerting but for me was a also a bit of a positive.
This book is written from multiple pov of thus far, four characters. The head hopping had me scrambling to figure out who is who in the zoo.
Then....
The head hopping made that I could not be bothered to care even a bit over any character and what worsened this sense of disconnect was the fact that the story is mostly told via letter writing. Making and giving the author an easy out in oh so many aspects.
Now I know letter, texting, email and live chat room chats is taking over the all unseen but all knowing voice but to have 95 % of a story told via letter writing totally disconnects the reader from the characters and thus the book as a whole.
Sorry, some might like this but it is not for me.
I have plenty of pet peeves and this novella covered most of them in one go. First of it is a very short novella that I received via Netgalley thinking I was signed up for a book not a short story.
Secondly the novella ends off as if this is a sample not a novella which is really disconcerting but for me was a also a bit of a positive.
This book is written from multiple pov of thus far, four characters. The head hopping had me scrambling to figure out who is who in the zoo.
Then....
The head hopping made that I could not be bothered to care even a bit over any character and what worsened this sense of disconnect was the fact that the story is mostly told via letter writing. Making and giving the author an easy out in oh so many aspects.
Now I know letter, texting, email and live chat room chats is taking over the all unseen but all knowing voice but to have 95 % of a story told via letter writing totally disconnects the reader from the characters and thus the book as a whole.
Sorry, some might like this but it is not for me.
August 1, 2013
I really wish I had read End Dayz closer to finishing Mortality. I read Mortality a LONG time ago and really needed a bit of a memory jogger to have enjoyed this book more.
End Dayz is a prequel to Mortality. Each chapter is told from the point of view of a different character. There's Zack, Pierce, Alex and Belle. Each little story is told in letter form which was really interesting because it gave insight into what the characters were thinking.
I have to say, I probably enjoyed Pierce's section most. He was one of the characters I remembered most fondly from Mortality and I just generally like him as a character. That being said, I really liked the way the letters gave me more background information. All of the stories were very interesting.
I felt that this was a little short and I would have liked a couple of stories to have been drawn out a little. However, I really enjoyed End Dayz and am really looking forward to the sequel to Mortality.
3/5 stars.
End Dayz is a prequel to Mortality. Each chapter is told from the point of view of a different character. There's Zack, Pierce, Alex and Belle. Each little story is told in letter form which was really interesting because it gave insight into what the characters were thinking.
I have to say, I probably enjoyed Pierce's section most. He was one of the characters I remembered most fondly from Mortality and I just generally like him as a character. That being said, I really liked the way the letters gave me more background information. All of the stories were very interesting.
I felt that this was a little short and I would have liked a couple of stories to have been drawn out a little. However, I really enjoyed End Dayz and am really looking forward to the sequel to Mortality.
3/5 stars.
March 4, 2015
3.5 stars
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
End dayz is the prequel to the Hitchhiker's Strain series that I recently read (reviews to come). In four very short stories the main characters are introduced in the early days of the zombie-apocalypse.
I read this one first (as it came first in the omnibus) so at first I didn't really understood what was going on, but after reading the other books I think it's a nice extra bit of this series. It definitely made me curious to read the rest of the story, even though normally I'm not even that much in to zombies, but this is an interesting tale.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
End dayz is the prequel to the Hitchhiker's Strain series that I recently read (reviews to come). In four very short stories the main characters are introduced in the early days of the zombie-apocalypse.
I read this one first (as it came first in the omnibus) so at first I didn't really understood what was going on, but after reading the other books I think it's a nice extra bit of this series. It definitely made me curious to read the rest of the story, even though normally I'm not even that much in to zombies, but this is an interesting tale.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 25, 2017
I did not enjoy the format of this book. It was just a pile of diary entries and letters one after the other in a long and boring narrative. Using this format allows the author to skip info dumps but it also limits them to all tell and no show. In a zombie novel, the most important thing is building up the tension as you wait for that zombie attack-well, writing it THIS way removes all of the drama from the story and leaves it somewhat dull. The constantly switching POV prevents the reader from connecting with any of the characters and it further disrupts the story. Not greatly impressed.
March 9, 2013
Following four of the characters from Mortality, End Dayz gives the reader a glimpse of what happened to Pierce, Belle, Alex and Zack directly following the second zombie outbreak. Just some really solid character development, as well as some important backstory that feeds right into where the story starts in Mortality.
December 26, 2015
I wasn't a huge fan of the letter/diary format, but this is a great little teaser/back story intro to the Hitchhiker Strain series. It did it's job and I've picked up book 1 through NetGalley.
While this is or seems YA, there is one slight sexual assault scare (doesn't happen, but the recalling of it is a bit intense).
While this is or seems YA, there is one slight sexual assault scare (doesn't happen, but the recalling of it is a bit intense).
March 27, 2013
Cute lil preview of the first book in the series
January 25, 2015
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. Review originally posted to Author Unpublished.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about End Dayz by Kellie Sheridan. I came upon this book as part of a larger series on NetGalley—in fact, the Hitchhiker Strain series in its entirety. Going into it, all I knew was that it was a three-book set. It wasn’t until I started reading End Dayz that I discovered that it wasn’t so much the first book in the series, as a prequel set of letters and diary entries. I wasn’t aware that it was a set of four short stories to begin with, so take that into context as you read this review. I kept waiting for the actual story to begin, and instead I was reading abandoned letters and diary entries from a bunch of kids trying to survive the apocalypse. The narrative I was expecting never came, and the longer the letters went on, the more I was starting to think that this “prologue” was going on way too long.
That’s okay though. To be honest, the letters were really interesting. It was entertaining to see how the different teens dealt with the horrors of a zombie apocalypse and how they conveyed those horrors to the reader. It managed to keep my interest despite being about something entirely different than I expected, and I would have given it five stars… except, the letters and diary entries weren’t written like letters and diary entries. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking to myself, “No one writes letters like this.” The amount of detail and blow-by-blow accounts of zombie battles that the author put in weren’t true to the format of letters. I can’t think of a single person who would write their dad a letter that gives a blow-by-blow account of what a person was thinking, feeling, and what actions they took while some survivor tries to kidnap her. It just isn’t going to happen. That doesn’t make it any less interesting… but it didn’t stick to the format in which it was meant to be written. It was a problem for me.
Does that mean I didn’t like it? No. I liked it tremendously—even more so once I started reading the actual first book, Mortality, and realized that the letters tied into the greater story. Had this series of four short stories been about separate, random survivors, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. Overall, I gave this four stars. The stories are good, but it’s hard for me to give them full credit when they didn’t stick to the format in which they were presented. Had they actually sounded like letters and diary entries I probably would have liked them more. Still, it was a good read, and if you plan on reading further into the series, I’d recommend you have a go at End Dayz first. It helps to bring some context to what’s going on as Mortality starts.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about End Dayz by Kellie Sheridan. I came upon this book as part of a larger series on NetGalley—in fact, the Hitchhiker Strain series in its entirety. Going into it, all I knew was that it was a three-book set. It wasn’t until I started reading End Dayz that I discovered that it wasn’t so much the first book in the series, as a prequel set of letters and diary entries. I wasn’t aware that it was a set of four short stories to begin with, so take that into context as you read this review. I kept waiting for the actual story to begin, and instead I was reading abandoned letters and diary entries from a bunch of kids trying to survive the apocalypse. The narrative I was expecting never came, and the longer the letters went on, the more I was starting to think that this “prologue” was going on way too long.
That’s okay though. To be honest, the letters were really interesting. It was entertaining to see how the different teens dealt with the horrors of a zombie apocalypse and how they conveyed those horrors to the reader. It managed to keep my interest despite being about something entirely different than I expected, and I would have given it five stars… except, the letters and diary entries weren’t written like letters and diary entries. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking to myself, “No one writes letters like this.” The amount of detail and blow-by-blow accounts of zombie battles that the author put in weren’t true to the format of letters. I can’t think of a single person who would write their dad a letter that gives a blow-by-blow account of what a person was thinking, feeling, and what actions they took while some survivor tries to kidnap her. It just isn’t going to happen. That doesn’t make it any less interesting… but it didn’t stick to the format in which it was meant to be written. It was a problem for me.
Does that mean I didn’t like it? No. I liked it tremendously—even more so once I started reading the actual first book, Mortality, and realized that the letters tied into the greater story. Had this series of four short stories been about separate, random survivors, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. Overall, I gave this four stars. The stories are good, but it’s hard for me to give them full credit when they didn’t stick to the format in which they were presented. Had they actually sounded like letters and diary entries I probably would have liked them more. Still, it was a good read, and if you plan on reading further into the series, I’d recommend you have a go at End Dayz first. It helps to bring some context to what’s going on as Mortality starts.
October 31, 2014
Zombie novels are like crack to me. I just can't read enough of them. I can usually read them in one sitting because I get so emotionally involved, no matter what the length of the book is. When I found out that one of my favorite YA fantasy authors, Kellie Sheridan, wrote a zombie novel, I knew that I had to read it. Sadly, I was a little disappointed.
The book takes place through four different character points of view, which kind of reminded me of T.W. Brown's Dead series. I liked seeing how all the characters coped with the zombie apocalypse in different ways. End Dayz starts after the zombie apocalypse has already begun, which I find interesting. Most zombie books start before the apocalypse. I thought it was a nice change of pace.
I have mixed feelings on the characters. I thought Pierce was boring, and didn't really care whether he lived or not. The only time he impressed me was when he didn't stop to check on the voices he heard in another apartment. That was smart thinking. Speaking of smart thinking, I liked that Alex decided to leave notes for his dad at all the places they stopped. It's debatable if his dad would find them with all the different situations that could arise, but it's still a cool idea. Alex's story saddened me, but it was definitely my favorite in the book.
I hated Belle and her father. They annoyed me so much. Actually, I disliked most of her chapter. Most of it was confusing. For being a leader, her father didn't have proper survival skills. There was no character intro for Grace. At first I couldn't tell if she was Belle's dad's girlfriend, or Belle's sister. Later in the chapter, it becomes clear though. Sometimes Belle seemed like a teenager, and other times she seemed like a child.
I did enjoy Kellie Sheridan's take on zombies, and how they were starting to evolve differently based on region. I thought it was original. I also like how she made two characters stories intersect at the end. I'm hoping that all the characters will end up together eventually. Even though some parts of the book fell flat for me, I am looking forward to reading Morality, the first full length book in the series. I want to know whether the characters survive the zombie apocalypse or not. There are some that I hope do, and some that I hope get bitten.
The book takes place through four different character points of view, which kind of reminded me of T.W. Brown's Dead series. I liked seeing how all the characters coped with the zombie apocalypse in different ways. End Dayz starts after the zombie apocalypse has already begun, which I find interesting. Most zombie books start before the apocalypse. I thought it was a nice change of pace.
I have mixed feelings on the characters. I thought Pierce was boring, and didn't really care whether he lived or not. The only time he impressed me was when he didn't stop to check on the voices he heard in another apartment. That was smart thinking. Speaking of smart thinking, I liked that Alex decided to leave notes for his dad at all the places they stopped. It's debatable if his dad would find them with all the different situations that could arise, but it's still a cool idea. Alex's story saddened me, but it was definitely my favorite in the book.
I hated Belle and her father. They annoyed me so much. Actually, I disliked most of her chapter. Most of it was confusing. For being a leader, her father didn't have proper survival skills. There was no character intro for Grace. At first I couldn't tell if she was Belle's dad's girlfriend, or Belle's sister. Later in the chapter, it becomes clear though. Sometimes Belle seemed like a teenager, and other times she seemed like a child.
I did enjoy Kellie Sheridan's take on zombies, and how they were starting to evolve differently based on region. I thought it was original. I also like how she made two characters stories intersect at the end. I'm hoping that all the characters will end up together eventually. Even though some parts of the book fell flat for me, I am looking forward to reading Morality, the first full length book in the series. I want to know whether the characters survive the zombie apocalypse or not. There are some that I hope do, and some that I hope get bitten.
September 15, 2013
I received this novella through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I started reading End Dayz, I had no idea what I was getting into. I think I probably read the synopsis when I downloaded it from Netgalley, but I'd promptly forgotten all about it until a few days ago. Sometimes it's better to go into a book with no expectations whatsoever, but I think in the case of End Dayz, I probably would have read it differently had I known first off that it's a novella, and second of all that it's a prequel to Mortality.
There are four different narrators telling four different versions of events in differing styles. Pierce is visiting America from the UK, and he writes letters back to his girlfriend describing the situation across the Atlantic. Belle's story is told through a series of diary entries. Alex, again, is a letter writer, only he's writing letters to his father, whom his family has been separated from, and leaving the letters in symbolic places. And finally, Zack's story is told in a Mission Report. This style of storytelling is where Kellie Sheridan excels, as it is very unique and each voice is distinguishable from the others.
I think the author does a satisfactory job of world building in a post-apocalyptic setting, but I would have liked to see more embellishment, more description of the zombies and explanation of the vaccine created by the American government. That being said, my interest is piqued, and although I was not interested in starting any zombie series at the moment, I might be compelled to pick up Mortality in the future.
When I started reading End Dayz, I had no idea what I was getting into. I think I probably read the synopsis when I downloaded it from Netgalley, but I'd promptly forgotten all about it until a few days ago. Sometimes it's better to go into a book with no expectations whatsoever, but I think in the case of End Dayz, I probably would have read it differently had I known first off that it's a novella, and second of all that it's a prequel to Mortality.
There are four different narrators telling four different versions of events in differing styles. Pierce is visiting America from the UK, and he writes letters back to his girlfriend describing the situation across the Atlantic. Belle's story is told through a series of diary entries. Alex, again, is a letter writer, only he's writing letters to his father, whom his family has been separated from, and leaving the letters in symbolic places. And finally, Zack's story is told in a Mission Report. This style of storytelling is where Kellie Sheridan excels, as it is very unique and each voice is distinguishable from the others.
I think the author does a satisfactory job of world building in a post-apocalyptic setting, but I would have liked to see more embellishment, more description of the zombies and explanation of the vaccine created by the American government. That being said, my interest is piqued, and although I was not interested in starting any zombie series at the moment, I might be compelled to pick up Mortality in the future.
February 11, 2016
First, I want to say that this is not a full fledge book in the strictest of senses. It's a short (like I read it in maybe an hour) collection of letters, diary entries, and mission reports of people after a second zombie outbreak sweeps the USA. Which is still awesome, I just want you to be prepared for what you're reading.
Second, the main reasons this did not get five stars is a) it was so very short and b) there were some pretty noticeable editing mistakes (but not to the point where I just couldn't make it through).
Finally, the review.
There were three main things that I liked about this novella. First the zombies. I won't spoil it for you about what got them to be "special" though you'll probably guess before the end. I liked that they were a littke different (okay, maybe just a little more 28 Days Later) and that there's something that made them that way. They were deadlike and gruesome, though most of the letters don't go into deep detail on this.
The second thing I really liked was the different characters. Normally I am not a fan of a rotating or shifting POV in a story, but this worked well, mostly due to formatting I think. There was never a question about who was talking, because the voices were distinct (and signed at the end) not to mention each character was announced before we even started the new section. What I also liked about these characters was that I *didnt* like all of them. There were those that annoyed me and I wanted to yell at, which is important' cause when the world ends, you're not gonna like everyone that's left, right?
Third, I liked tge writing. Mostly. Sometimes I needed it to be a little more casual, but it was easy to read and I appreciate that given that it's a bunch of terrified teenagers. The plot follows most of the same tropes of a zombie novel, but I liked that this was a second outbreak and that people were more prepared, more broken, and had already tried and failed to start rebuilding.
I would recommend this if you don't mind a quick read and like zombie novels, but keep in mind that the storytelling is in letter format.
Second, the main reasons this did not get five stars is a) it was so very short and b) there were some pretty noticeable editing mistakes (but not to the point where I just couldn't make it through).
Finally, the review.
There were three main things that I liked about this novella. First the zombies. I won't spoil it for you about what got them to be "special" though you'll probably guess before the end. I liked that they were a littke different (okay, maybe just a little more 28 Days Later) and that there's something that made them that way. They were deadlike and gruesome, though most of the letters don't go into deep detail on this.
The second thing I really liked was the different characters. Normally I am not a fan of a rotating or shifting POV in a story, but this worked well, mostly due to formatting I think. There was never a question about who was talking, because the voices were distinct (and signed at the end) not to mention each character was announced before we even started the new section. What I also liked about these characters was that I *didnt* like all of them. There were those that annoyed me and I wanted to yell at, which is important' cause when the world ends, you're not gonna like everyone that's left, right?
Third, I liked tge writing. Mostly. Sometimes I needed it to be a little more casual, but it was easy to read and I appreciate that given that it's a bunch of terrified teenagers. The plot follows most of the same tropes of a zombie novel, but I liked that this was a second outbreak and that people were more prepared, more broken, and had already tried and failed to start rebuilding.
I would recommend this if you don't mind a quick read and like zombie novels, but keep in mind that the storytelling is in letter format.
July 29, 2013
This review can also be found at The AP Book Club
I was really excited when I saw that there was a prequel short story collection for Sheridan's Hitchiker Strain series. The zombies were different and interesting, and I have been wanting to learn more about the world she created. I also absolutely love seeing things from minor characters perspectives, so this collection was absolutely fantastic for me.
There's a little bit of background that's hinted at in Mortality but never really explained that really makes everything come together so much more cohesively. We get to see things that happen to Alex before he even meets Savannah and her friends, and we see how Pierce ends up in the US in the first place. And then there's Zach and his adventures in the high school when it was being cleared, and Belle before her father took charge of the remaining survivors. I really enjoyed seeing things through their eyes, since they're all so radically different from Savannah and Zarah, and even each other.
The plot isn't really anything terribly exciting, but the expansion of the world and the characters makes this a must read for anyone who was read and loved Mortality. It's almost enough to tide me over until the next book in the series is released! I would give this collection a 3/5, although I do hope that we get more like this as the story progresses. Anyone who loves zombies and zombie culture should definitely check out this series!
I was really excited when I saw that there was a prequel short story collection for Sheridan's Hitchiker Strain series. The zombies were different and interesting, and I have been wanting to learn more about the world she created. I also absolutely love seeing things from minor characters perspectives, so this collection was absolutely fantastic for me.
There's a little bit of background that's hinted at in Mortality but never really explained that really makes everything come together so much more cohesively. We get to see things that happen to Alex before he even meets Savannah and her friends, and we see how Pierce ends up in the US in the first place. And then there's Zach and his adventures in the high school when it was being cleared, and Belle before her father took charge of the remaining survivors. I really enjoyed seeing things through their eyes, since they're all so radically different from Savannah and Zarah, and even each other.
The plot isn't really anything terribly exciting, but the expansion of the world and the characters makes this a must read for anyone who was read and loved Mortality. It's almost enough to tide me over until the next book in the series is released! I would give this collection a 3/5, although I do hope that we get more like this as the story progresses. Anyone who loves zombies and zombie culture should definitely check out this series!
August 19, 2013
This was a fascinating collection of short stories taking place in the post-apocalyptic world during, not the first, but the second wave of infection, where people turn into flesh eating zombies and transfer the bug by biting others. Told in letters and diary style by four different characters, I loved to read about these people’s thoughts during what I could imagine, is a horrifying time and place. I looked up the series and read that this is a prequel to the book ‘Mortality’ by Kellie Sheridan and the characters in these short stories have minor parts in that book. I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m planning to. I enjoy any kind of dystopian and zombie focused stories and this one was no exception.
A short read with only 11,000, it’s a perfect morsel of a dismal world on the brink of total annihilation of the human race. My favorite view point was Alex’s. It left me wondering what happened to him (or her? It could be a ‘her’ but it didn’t specify gender in this chapter) and his family who were on the road searching for sanctuary. The stories do have gore and bloody scenes in it and I love how it doesn’t sugar coat the horror of it all, but maintains realism of the situations and emotions of the characters. This makes for an excellent, more terrifying read, though this is not inherently scary. I highly recommend reading, this, but maybe read the novel first to get a better handle of the two zombie breakouts. I did enjoy this as a standalone and will be reading the main novel shortly.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley.
A short read with only 11,000, it’s a perfect morsel of a dismal world on the brink of total annihilation of the human race. My favorite view point was Alex’s. It left me wondering what happened to him (or her? It could be a ‘her’ but it didn’t specify gender in this chapter) and his family who were on the road searching for sanctuary. The stories do have gore and bloody scenes in it and I love how it doesn’t sugar coat the horror of it all, but maintains realism of the situations and emotions of the characters. This makes for an excellent, more terrifying read, though this is not inherently scary. I highly recommend reading, this, but maybe read the novel first to get a better handle of the two zombie breakouts. I did enjoy this as a standalone and will be reading the main novel shortly.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley.
June 1, 2015
ARC provided by Patchwork Press via Net Galley.
In this prequel to Kellie Sheridan's Mortality, readers gain an insight into how four characters of The Hitchhiker Strain world deal with the rise of the new breed of zombies.
I liked this prequel novella, and how each chapter focussed on a different character.
Chapter One was Pierce, in which he is writing letters to a girl named Beth. I don't remember her being mentioned in Mortality, so maybe we will find out more about this Beth character in Duality.
Chapter Two included diary entries from Belle; Mayor Paulson's daughter. This chapter gave more insight into Savannah's state of mind after the death of her parents, which was interesting. I remember Savannah describing how much she had changed since the death of her parents in Mortality, and it was eery to see how she really reacted.
Chapter Three was from Alex's perspective, and written in the form of notes that he was leaving his father. I am really interested in finding out whether or not his father is alive; even though I am not Alex's greatest fan.
Chapter Four was a report written by Zack, and was my favourite chapter of this novella. I really liked Zack's character in Mortality, so it was nice to gain a little more background information on him.
I felt as if each chapter in End Dayz was better than the last. This novella is a nice addition to The Hitchhiker Strain series.
In this prequel to Kellie Sheridan's Mortality, readers gain an insight into how four characters of The Hitchhiker Strain world deal with the rise of the new breed of zombies.
I liked this prequel novella, and how each chapter focussed on a different character.
Chapter One was Pierce, in which he is writing letters to a girl named Beth. I don't remember her being mentioned in Mortality, so maybe we will find out more about this Beth character in Duality.
Chapter Two included diary entries from Belle; Mayor Paulson's daughter. This chapter gave more insight into Savannah's state of mind after the death of her parents, which was interesting. I remember Savannah describing how much she had changed since the death of her parents in Mortality, and it was eery to see how she really reacted.
Chapter Three was from Alex's perspective, and written in the form of notes that he was leaving his father. I am really interested in finding out whether or not his father is alive; even though I am not Alex's greatest fan.
Chapter Four was a report written by Zack, and was my favourite chapter of this novella. I really liked Zack's character in Mortality, so it was nice to gain a little more background information on him.
I felt as if each chapter in End Dayz was better than the last. This novella is a nice addition to The Hitchhiker Strain series.
October 4, 2013
End Dayz by Kellie Sheridan is a dystopian delight. Set in a post apocalyptic future, we follow four unique characters as their journey is recanted to us in the form of letters or journal entries. Kellie did a fantastic job allowing the reader to see into this unique world, while staying away from telling the audience everything. Not an easy thing to do when the story is written in the form of a letter, with little dialogue.
The story, End Dayz is a novella and is the prequel to Mortality that is definitely on my To Be Read list. Although it's short, my attention was immediately captured and I'm looking forward to reading the first full length novel in the series. Of the four short stories in End Dayz, my favorite would be Zach's. I am curious to learn more about all four characters and if they become introduced to one another in Mortality.
Recommend? You bet! It's a short read and a nice introduction for Mortality. It makes me want to pick up the next book.
Perfect for ages thirteen and up. I think boys will love this novella as much as girls. I mean we're talking zombies, who doesn't love zombie books?
The story, End Dayz is a novella and is the prequel to Mortality that is definitely on my To Be Read list. Although it's short, my attention was immediately captured and I'm looking forward to reading the first full length novel in the series. Of the four short stories in End Dayz, my favorite would be Zach's. I am curious to learn more about all four characters and if they become introduced to one another in Mortality.
Recommend? You bet! It's a short read and a nice introduction for Mortality. It makes me want to pick up the next book.
Perfect for ages thirteen and up. I think boys will love this novella as much as girls. I mean we're talking zombies, who doesn't love zombie books?
September 5, 2013
End Dayz is an interesting look into the lives of the secondary characters in Mortality (book one of The Hitchhiker Strain series) just as everything starts going to hell. I enjoyed the four short stories written in letter and journal format from each character as they reached out to their loved ones amidst the chaos. While it was sad and their fear was evident, it was still nice to gain a few answers and learn what led the different groups to the setting they are in at the beginning of Mortality. I enjoyed Zack’s perspective the most, as he is a favorite of mine. All in all, I don’t think this is a must-read, and it was not as enjoyable for me as Mortality. I’d much rather have the next book, Duality, and pick up where we left off in book one.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review originally published at A Belle's Tales
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review originally published at A Belle's Tales
July 9, 2013
Mortality was an interesting piece, not perfect, but it left me with a positive impression and a definite interest in its author. Shortly after completing the book I discovered Kellie Sheridan had released a prequel of sorts and from that moment End Dayz nagged at me. I'm not a die hard zombie fan, far from it, but even I couldn't help wondering what this short had to offer.
In all honesty, this piece is best appreciated after reading Mortality, when you have an idea of who these characters are, but that being said, I must admit that Sheridan once again surprised me. All of 11,000 words in length she manages to explore several themes - the viral nature of fear, human reaction to disaster and devastation, post traumatic stress disorder, what it means to sacrifice for the greater good...
It is a short piece, an addendum of sorts to book one of The Hitchhiker Strain, but all the same, End Dayz confirms Sheridan's ability to introduce new ideas to this increasingly popular genre.
In all honesty, this piece is best appreciated after reading Mortality, when you have an idea of who these characters are, but that being said, I must admit that Sheridan once again surprised me. All of 11,000 words in length she manages to explore several themes - the viral nature of fear, human reaction to disaster and devastation, post traumatic stress disorder, what it means to sacrifice for the greater good...
It is a short piece, an addendum of sorts to book one of The Hitchhiker Strain, but all the same, End Dayz confirms Sheridan's ability to introduce new ideas to this increasingly popular genre.
July 15, 2013
You know I'm a zombie fan and I've read Mortality, so I was excited to see this short story prequel. And the cover is absolutely killer - it caught my eye immediately. If you haven't read Mortality, I highly recommend you do before reading End Dayz.
This novella gave me more information and background on some secondary characters from Mortality, but also a little about Savannah. Some of what I learned was expected, but I was surprised about the actions of a few characters. I enjoyed the journal style of writing in some of the chapters, allowing the reader a more introspective view of the characters' thought processes. Alex's story was especially heartbreaking.
Overall, this was a great companion piece to Mortality, giving me a broader perspective of events that happened before that book and I'd definitely recommend reading it.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley.
This novella gave me more information and background on some secondary characters from Mortality, but also a little about Savannah. Some of what I learned was expected, but I was surprised about the actions of a few characters. I enjoyed the journal style of writing in some of the chapters, allowing the reader a more introspective view of the characters' thought processes. Alex's story was especially heartbreaking.
Overall, this was a great companion piece to Mortality, giving me a broader perspective of events that happened before that book and I'd definitely recommend reading it.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews