The Plague of the Undead

Deadlands #1

by Joe McKinney

Excellent Book

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Fiction, Audiobook, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published October 7, 2014

About the author

Joe McKinney has been a patrol officer for the San Antonio Police Department, a homicide detective, a disaster mitigation specialist, a patrol commander, and a successful novelist. His books include the four part Dead World series, Quarantined and Dodging Bullets. His short fiction has been collected in The Red Empire and Other Stories and Dating in Dead World and Other Stories. For more information go to http://joemckinney.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[RM(Alwaysdaddygirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I give this book three stars is because of the cover. The cover is amazing for horror fans! The book is a disappointment. Many things were just way impossible even for a fiction book.

After the novel is finished, it has a small section of Four Tales from the Living Dead. The first one was not original. The second was okay. At this point, I had no interest to read the other two tales tales.

This is my first book of this author. I will try another book of this author. Hopefully, the second book of this series is better.

🐾🇺🇸

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover of "Plague of the Undead" sure looks exciting doesn't it? It appears that there will be a ton of zombie action and a town set to defend themselves against an undead horde. I mean, really, it looks so compelling and awesome!

Too bad it's not.

In fact, I would wager that this is by far McKinney's worst zombie novel to date. I thought he couldn't do much worse than "Mutated", but boy was I wrong. You see, I think the zombie genre is, once again, starting to get old and stale. Everything that can be done with them has been done and there aren't any new ideas to make the undead scary, or exciting. And that is exactly why "Plague of the Undead" is so slow and laborious, and boring to the point of tears.

There's not a single thing new here in way of the zombie apocalypse. Instead, this one reads more along the lines of a post apocalyptic world with a few undead people wandering around. They are supposed to be a central part of the story, but we get some pointlessly long and drawn out story about Jacob and his people of Arbella. That might not have been all that bad had the characters been interesting or likable. None of them were. As each one was killed off, I actually felt a little bit better because I just honestly couldn't stand them.

Maybe, just maybe, I could have seen past the weak characters and unoriginal plot and thought the book was just so-so, but then McKinney had to throw in this whole advanced society thing and that was the final straw. Someone please tell me how there can be an advanced settlement with flying ships and electric cars and medical care that is far beyond even what we have now. Oh, and don't even get me started on the zombie robot thing. I thought this was a zombie survival story? C'mon McKinney, I'm all for a little suspension of belief (it's zombie afterall, for crying out loud) but this was just ridiculous and really, quite stupid. And at only 304 pages, I was actually glad the main story was so short.

Finally there were the 4 short stories in the back of the book. Not counting "Resurrecting Mindy" (which was quite enjoyable and had a very good example of ironic horror) they were beyond silly, and, to be perfectly honest, pretty stupid. "Jimmy Finder and the Rise of the Templenauts" was far and above one of the worst short stories I have ever read. Robots, zombies and this whole telekinetic thing between all 3 made for a god-awful and totally ludicrous tale. I don't know how I finished it.

I guess I decided to give this book 2 stars in the end for the aforementioned short and McKinney's original idea for how the apocalypse started. It was a nice twist on the genre and, in this day and age, something that is actually believable.

I get the feeling McKinney rushed this one out because he was under contract with Pinnacle. It seems all of their authors pump out at least a book a year, and it seems like they really put a fire under him to get this one out. It's too bad too, because McKinney does have some talent. The first 3 books in this zombie serious were very good and held my interest. This one, however, did not.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of Joe's work this book was a giant let down. There were some great ideas that could have been expanded on but were not. It was a drawn out story about a grand expedition that never really happened. The caravan portion seemed to take forever but other ideas like the technologically advanced people and exploring the U.S. got no time at all. The story ends abruptly. After the main novel there are four short stories. It felt like they were just there to fill pages. I know authors can't have perfect stories everytime and I am going to assume that is what happened here. Joe writes the best zombie fiction I have ever read and have high hopes for his future works.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mel 🖤🐺🐾🎃

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me just say Joe Mckinney is a powerhouse in the ZPAC genre. With that said, I found Plague of The Undead just ok. It was well written, had some interesting characters and some good action scenes, but it could have been so much more. Specifically if he expanded on the group expedition (that never really took place) and the advanced society.

[S. K. Pentecost · Rating 4 out of 5]

a grown ups zombietale. I will be looking for more McKinney.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new version of the zombie apocalypse, separate from the previous Dead World series. Just a heads up. It's still a zombie novel, but independent from what you may have already read. Same with Savage Dead. He's creating different time lines.
I enjoyed the first book of this new time line, but admittedly not as much as the Dead World series. Plague begins thirty years after the worst of everything has already happened, and follows a group of people from a town wanting to explore beyond the insulated world they've created for themselves. After that, there's a clear dystopia theme that reminds me of The Stand, Mad Max II, and The Road. But with zombies. It gets stranger towards the end, in my opinion. I never like to give things away, so I'll leave it at that. After the main section of the story is over, there are a few short stories that fill out the rest of the book. With the exception of the first one, the rest have no real connection to the narrative or plot of the main body. I think they're in just to be in. Still a worthy read. Just, different.

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there was an opportunity to write a gripping, exciting zombie novel but JM totally dropped the ball. The book reads like a Walmart Walking Dead story. I mean, the setting is about 30 years into the ZA and his characters behave like it’s their first rodeo—all noobs and fuckups. The only person with a spine was an old black sheriff dude and he gets ganked right away...what a Hollywood trope - the black guy always dies right away... And with all the advanced tech some of the survivors have...how have they NOT rebuilt a new world order? Don’t let me forget the roaming band of slavers with mommy issues...cliche much? The zombie battles were tedious and seriously, while reading through them, I found myself saying WTF more than being horrified or alarmed. Like i said, there was an opportunity and this book just did not live up to potential. Give it a miss as there are other, better zombie/dystopian books out there...

[Brandon lentscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down for the life of me. There better be a sequel to this book that's all I have to say mr. Mckinney because that ending left me feeling a little empty!!!! What another fantastic adventure this was. The twists on this zombie plagued world were actually very refreshing but left me with so many questions about Temple and their technology advancements.

[Severina · Rating 3 out of 5]

30+ years after the zombie apocalypse, the community of Arbella has grown from 1000 survivors to 10,000 inhabitants and is outgrowing its boundaries, so a small group gets permission to scout the outlying areas in advance of expansion. I thought this sounded like a pretty unique take on the genre. So much could be done with sending “innocents” out into a changed world with the knowledge of what had happened but no real experience. Unfortunately, the expedition aspect quickly gets squashed by the ol’ marauding band of bad guys. And then there’s this whole weird subplot involving an advanced civilization, which makes absolutely zero sense in this universe. None of the characters are particularly interesting and an abrupt ending leaves a lot of dangling plot points, presumably so the author could write a sequel (which I won’t be picking up.) The book includes four unconnected short stories at the end to pad out the volume.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being on my zombie obsession lately has finally lead me to buy my first Joe McKinney book and after reading In it two days I can tell you this is a must read for zombie fans.
I love that this is from a post - apocalypse standpoint, years later and a small pocket of civilization thats lived on and created there own small town and now setting off to see what the world has become and if others have created anything. I also enjoy the explanation for how the zombie's began and it was a new way that I actually really enjoy! I enjoyed the group of people that were in the group, and the characters met along the way. Near the end was an anger fueled read due to how well the characters and issues were written I could feel the drama.
Hope to read the next in the series soon!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better zombie apocalyptic novels but not the best. One small town has managed to survive and adapt to the circumstances they find themselves in. A group sets out to see what has happened in the thirty years since civilisation pretty much collapsed. If you like zombie novels then this is a good addition to your collection. Added bonus of short stories from the early days of the zombie uprising.

Ray Smillie

[Charles Chlipala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy I got from the Library said "Winner of the Beam Stoked Award". Such a misnomer. The author won that award for a different novel. This one is okay, but nothing special. What was aggravating for me, this dystopian novel set a generation after the zombie outbreak was read by me two books after reading another dystopian novel that took into account the people growing up post-apocalypse would not be familiar with things from before the apocalypse. This one did not.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Putting short stories (especially short stories with uncompelling people that I couldn’t work up care about) was... not cool. And while I enjoyed the initial story throughout most of it, there are sci-fi elements that sort of take over the ending that make it seem like he got tired of writing it and decided to pass it arouns a party as a mad-lib. Disappointing to say the least. Dunno if I’ll try any of his other books.

[Suzette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am always looking for good sci fi/fantasy/horror to read. I have eclectic tastes and can get pulled in to fast action, good storytelling or just well written prose. Unfotunately this had none of those. McKinney’s writing is not bad, but it is not good enough to overcome this plodding story though it would undoubtedly be fantastic in a fast moving thriller.

This just didn’t work for me.

[Matt Littrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the worst thing I've ever read, but far from the best. It feels like something I could have written in high school. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that, but after hearing good things about McKinney, I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. If you want a quick, odd zombie story though, give it a try.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I started reading this book and then DNF.
It wasn't as horrible as it could be. But it wasn't Jo McKinney's usual thrill ride.
A group from a settlement head out to try and find resources. But, they are kidnapped by the worst kind of people to run into during an apocalypse.
There were a few good fight and zombie scenes.
2.5 stars.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Joe McKinney and this is another awesome book from him. I've been listening to the audiobooks instead of just reading these books and the narrator is really a great voice for Jacob.
I recommend all his books that I have read to others.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an incredibly fun book to read. I thought it was paced well and gave many details. I enjoyed most of the characters and really felt that Jacob was a good leader, until he wasn't. Overall I read this book over the course of a weekend and enjoyed every bit of it.

[Kilgallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am amazed at the pace of this book! It is fast , dirty, violent and gross...just what is expected from a zombie story. What was unexpected, but much appreciated, was the well rounded characters and some rather unique world building. I will certainly be reading the rest of the Deadlands series!

[Jonathan Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd conclusion to the main story then starts some other spin-off stories - would have rather run the main plot to ground and voided the two or three other unrelated stories. Was curious up until the end if the multiple plots would tie together. Lost opportunities but a page turner.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love zombie anything and thought this was a good story. Didn't read the short stories though....should have been at the beginning of the book. But i might one day

[Chase Bowyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but, also not at all what I expected and, I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing

[Michael McGlinsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good addition to the zombie world with a few interesting "new world" twists. Cheers, Joe!

[James M Gilchrist Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting read

This book kept me at the edge of my seat. I felt like I was part of the characters in the story

[Jeff Fuller]

Quick read. Pretty good zombie story. Not quite the normal zombie story which was a nice mix.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first installment of a new series and it's pretty good. I actually preferred the three short stories included at the end.

[Benjamin Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Post Zombie Apocalypse meets steampunk . Well written

[Carrie Slager · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the blurb of this book, I was absolutely fascinated. It’s rare that you get a surviving, almost thriving community 30 years after the apocalypse but it’s even rarer that they’re eager to explore and that zombies are still out there. How did the zombies not rot away? Is Arbella the only community still out there? What happens when the next generation of survivors, the ones that have only known a post-apocalyptic world, encounter the rest of the people that have survived? Answer: nothing good.

In the beginning of Plague of the Undead, our main character Jacob has a huge moral dilemma: he’s the sheriff of the town and a man has committed a crime. Now normally that would not be a big deal but the problem is that crime was theft and that’s against the Code. It means death for the man who stole because trust is the most important thing you can have post-apocalypse. So poor Jacob has to kill his first man in cold blood, looking him right in the face to make sure he doesn’t miss his shot. With a beginning like that, you’d expect the book to keep being pretty awesome. Unfortunately, that wasn’t really the case. The book starts out pretty exciting as Jacob shoots a man, gets promoted, gets approval to take an expedition out into the dead lands and sets out on said expedition. The problem is that once the group is actually out and about, things get boring pretty quickly.

The main problem in this book is the middle: it drags on and on in one place. Long story short, the survivors get ambushed by some bad guys and the survivors of the attack are forced into slavery. Then a huge chunk of the book is devoted to how Jacob and the survivors cope during the slavery and how they try to escape. In a lot of cases I wouldn’t find this boring because it would be interesting from a psychology perspective or even just from a character development perspective. But it really wasn’t. The lack of pacing just dragged the whole plot down to the point where I really wasn’t even interested in the mysterious flying saucers and finding out how much of civilization was really left. I just wanted the book to be over.

In the beginning, Jacob shows a lot of promise as a character. He doesn’t want to kill the man convicted of theft but at the same time he has to in order to maintain the Code and therefore maintain law and order in Arbella. And when he finally gets approval for the wasteland scavenging/information gathering mission, he’s ecstatic and has to plan like mad. From personal experience I completely understand the frustration he faces as every single person criticizes how he’s going about the mission but he sticks to his guns and sets out with a great plan and a good team. Then when things go south, Jacob as a character sort of goes downhill. He becomes more of a walking stereotype. He pines after Kelly (the woman he used to love as a teenager), becomes colder as the slavery takes its toll and tries to ignore just how skeevy his best friend/enemy is. It’s like that fascinating, well-rounded character we meet in the beginning was thrown out the window and replaced with a total wimp that lacks the psychological depth of the first character.

The world-building was decent in comparison to the pacing and the characterization. I liked the explanation Joe McKinney gave for why the zombies weren’t rotting even thirty years later and I liked the way he set up Arbella as a good model of what people can do during the apocalypse. There are some horrible communities like you’d expect, but he shows that not only the bad people survive and thrive during the apocalypse. That’s quite a bit different from your typical zombie apocalypse tropes. I also love how he explained the ammunition problem and how he solved some of the problems with guns during the apocalypse, like the sound issue. I think a lot of research went into Plague of the Undead but the problem is that the actual story itself was rather boring.

In the end, I don’t know whether or not I can recommend this book. It won a Bram Stoker award so clearly some people didn’t think it was rubbish or disappointing but at the same time I just can’t say that I enjoyed it. I guess you just have to do your own research, read a couple of reviews from different sides of the issue and make a decision.

I give this book 2/5 stars.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended by personnel in a bookstore. So after much thought I chose this book, my first read by Joe McKinney.
It was hard to get into the first few pages but I finally got into it and was enjoying the Zombie apocalypse and the venture the characters take on.
Then basically a flying saucer is introduced with the storyline of an advanced society. Which this seems quite out of place and unrealistic in the midst of a world in chaos.
But I did find it interesting and wanted to see where the storyline would go. The story then jumps to the beginning of it all and I'm interested. However, the story just ends and there are about 3 or 4 short stories introduced and I'm like, what the hell? So, the book ends and I'm thoroughly disappointed, no ending to the main storyline at all. I thought it was a series, as there are five pictures on the back of the cover. All of the pics are of zombies, so my bad for assuming. I then checked on goodreads and nope it's a standalone disappointment. I saw reviews that some of his other novels are very good. But at this point I'm just left with a bad taste in my mouth.