What do you think?
Rate this book
In Hell
When Paul first hears of the South American flu, he disregards it as just another health scare on par with swine or bird flu. However, when news reports show video footage of large-scale riots and unprecedented violence, he knows that something is wrong. As the outbreak hits home, Paul is forced to confront the realities of the world around him, as well as the fact that he wasn't as prepared as he thought.
In daydreams, he had envisioned himself fighting through the chaos and horror of the zombie apocalypse to emerge unscathed among the ashes. He thought he’d be a hero who saved the good, destroyed the evil, and rebuilt what was left of the world into something better than it was before.
He was wrong. There are no heroes in hell.
In daydreams, he had envisioned himself fighting through the chaos and horror of the zombie apocalypse to emerge unscathed among the ashes. He thought he’d be a hero who saved the good, destroyed the evil, and rebuilt what was left of the world into something better than it was before.
He was wrong. There are no heroes in hell.
- GenresZombies
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2013
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
L. Marshall James
8 books7 followersL. Marshall James hails from northwest rural Pennsylvania, where he ran around barefoot and played 8-bit Nintendo when he wasn't playing with tar in the middle of the road. After a subpar high school performance, he obtained an associate's degree in information technology before realizing a powerful disdain for office jobs. Nonetheless, he worked in the IT field for over six years before calling it quits and joining his girlfriend in Southeast Asia for a traveling foray that lasted almost two years. He returned home just in time for Thanksgiving. Surprisingly enough, his family still loved him. At the time of publication, L. Marshall James is essentially a bum with no job and no permanent home. He would like to have both, but the wheres and hows of either are uncertain, as is much of his future.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 26, 2015
This is not your mama’s zombie apocalypse book. While it does have some of the same key elements, ie: sickness of some sort resulting in zombies, guns, and religious people, there is something very different about it.
What starts as the South American Flu, turns into an outbreak of unique proportions. Marshall’s zombies aren’t your typical mindless corpses, wandering the earth in search of their next meal of brains or entrails. Nope. They are so much scarier than that. They still have cognitive functions, at least to some degree. They are more likely to assault you than to just start tearing into your stomach and ripping out your guts. These zombies are fast. I’ve never read about a zombie that could not only think, but could also track and chase you down just to kick your ass or give you the middle finger. Don’t get me wrong, they will still try to kill you, but they are much more creative about it than just the usual biting. They have other “special skills” but I’ll leave you to figure out that one on your own.
One of the main things I enjoyed about In Hell is that it’s all about the violence and survival of Paul, the main character. There’s no romance here. Just a lot of action and violence, with plenty of humor to keep the tone fun-ish. I found it very easy to relate to Paul based on his personality and sense of humor. There are several moments in this book that had me cracking up. Of course, there are sad moments as well, but Paul is focused more on his survival than his emotions, which I can really appreciate.
This was really a great book. It had plenty of unique ideas that I had never read in any zombie book before. The twist at the end was INSANE. I couldn’t believe it. It was a great ending though. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys zombie books that have something different to offer the reader than what is commonplace, and isn’t interested in any kind of romantic elements. There was a very sick moment that reminded me a little bit of Armand Rosamillia’s zombies, I would say in a more consensual manner, but I’m not really sure if that’s the case. This is definitely a book worth checking out and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
What starts as the South American Flu, turns into an outbreak of unique proportions. Marshall’s zombies aren’t your typical mindless corpses, wandering the earth in search of their next meal of brains or entrails. Nope. They are so much scarier than that. They still have cognitive functions, at least to some degree. They are more likely to assault you than to just start tearing into your stomach and ripping out your guts. These zombies are fast. I’ve never read about a zombie that could not only think, but could also track and chase you down just to kick your ass or give you the middle finger. Don’t get me wrong, they will still try to kill you, but they are much more creative about it than just the usual biting. They have other “special skills” but I’ll leave you to figure out that one on your own.
One of the main things I enjoyed about In Hell is that it’s all about the violence and survival of Paul, the main character. There’s no romance here. Just a lot of action and violence, with plenty of humor to keep the tone fun-ish. I found it very easy to relate to Paul based on his personality and sense of humor. There are several moments in this book that had me cracking up. Of course, there are sad moments as well, but Paul is focused more on his survival than his emotions, which I can really appreciate.
This was really a great book. It had plenty of unique ideas that I had never read in any zombie book before. The twist at the end was INSANE. I couldn’t believe it. It was a great ending though. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys zombie books that have something different to offer the reader than what is commonplace, and isn’t interested in any kind of romantic elements. There was a very sick moment that reminded me a little bit of Armand Rosamillia’s zombies, I would say in a more consensual manner, but I’m not really sure if that’s the case. This is definitely a book worth checking out and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
July 6, 2014
In Hell follows one man through the ravages of the zombie apocalypse and his attempt to reconcile his fanatical obsession with preparing for the apocalypse with how things actually pan out.
Firstly, the writing and pacing are excellent. The main character is entertaining and strikes the right balance to feel like a real person. The dialogue in the book is believable and interesting beyond what I would expect and it enriches the story well. My only complaint would be that there is a bit too much description of how the character moves through the environment. Given that he spends parts of the book all by himself though, I can understand this to a degree. What the author does spectacularly though is create a character who is both flawed and clearly no outsized hero, but still makes him likeable and someone you can admire and root for.
The zombies are a mixture of traditional and unique, so should you be a zombie purist, I would suggest looking elsewhere. I enjoyed the tweaks to the lore that the author made, however, and they injected something fresh into the proceedings. The descent of people into zombiedom was also interesting for me.
My main objections with the book are that the ancillary characters are not quite as well drawn as the main character, though this partially due to the constraints of the first-person narrative I think. Furthermore, none of them are so badly characterized that I had trouble believing them. Beyond this, there were a few plot points that could have used some more explaining. It's never quite clear why the main character dislikes the government so much, and the final revelation about the virus felt a bit contrived for shock value, but to the author's credit he pulls it off better than many could.
Overall, if you're looking for a good zombie read, you just found one.
Firstly, the writing and pacing are excellent. The main character is entertaining and strikes the right balance to feel like a real person. The dialogue in the book is believable and interesting beyond what I would expect and it enriches the story well. My only complaint would be that there is a bit too much description of how the character moves through the environment. Given that he spends parts of the book all by himself though, I can understand this to a degree. What the author does spectacularly though is create a character who is both flawed and clearly no outsized hero, but still makes him likeable and someone you can admire and root for.
The zombies are a mixture of traditional and unique, so should you be a zombie purist, I would suggest looking elsewhere. I enjoyed the tweaks to the lore that the author made, however, and they injected something fresh into the proceedings. The descent of people into zombiedom was also interesting for me.
My main objections with the book are that the ancillary characters are not quite as well drawn as the main character, though this partially due to the constraints of the first-person narrative I think. Furthermore, none of them are so badly characterized that I had trouble believing them. Beyond this, there were a few plot points that could have used some more explaining. It's never quite clear why the main character dislikes the government so much, and the final revelation about the virus felt a bit contrived for shock value, but to the author's credit he pulls it off better than many could.
Overall, if you're looking for a good zombie read, you just found one.
September 2, 2013
This book definitely offers a new take on the zombie apocalypse. However it's not one that I personally found that entertaining. The beginning was promising but the plot really stalled in the middle and by the end I felt the author was reaching beyond his story and the world he created in order to attempt a philosophical conversation. However the ending needed to be more drawn out than what the reader is given in order to actually accomplish that goal.
The middle of the book was quite repetitive and I am sure that some will find it an entertaining read full of moral end of world ponderings. I, however, felt that the characters assimilation into the religious group as well as his advance into "Crusader" was flat and boring. Maybe if the ending had been longer and the author had delved deeper into the repercussions of the plague, the origins, the fate of the citizens and the religious group this book could have packed more of the punch I believe the author was going for. With the short and not fully developed ending the reader is simply left feeling let down.
The middle of the book was quite repetitive and I am sure that some will find it an entertaining read full of moral end of world ponderings. I, however, felt that the characters assimilation into the religious group as well as his advance into "Crusader" was flat and boring. Maybe if the ending had been longer and the author had delved deeper into the repercussions of the plague, the origins, the fate of the citizens and the religious group this book could have packed more of the punch I believe the author was going for. With the short and not fully developed ending the reader is simply left feeling let down.
September 2, 2013
Being a first time reader of the author, I came in expecting a generic zombie filled apocalyptic read, but what I got was a gut-wrenching tale filled with emotion and brilliant characters.
Paul is a normal guy that loves preparing for a zombie apocalypse that he knows will never happen. The character of Paul could be me. I often think what would i do if zombies roamed the earth; preparing scenarios of securing food water,weapons and a means of escape. Granted I don't delve deeper into it as the character does, but still the similarities are there.
I will not divulge much more of the plot. "In Hell" is a novel readers must experience for themselves. Prepare yourself for the pinnacle of post apocalyptic fiction filled with realistic characters and gritty action splattered with drama.
If I could rate it higher I would. This is the ultimate read for zombie and post apocalyptic fans.
Paul is a normal guy that loves preparing for a zombie apocalypse that he knows will never happen. The character of Paul could be me. I often think what would i do if zombies roamed the earth; preparing scenarios of securing food water,weapons and a means of escape. Granted I don't delve deeper into it as the character does, but still the similarities are there.
I will not divulge much more of the plot. "In Hell" is a novel readers must experience for themselves. Prepare yourself for the pinnacle of post apocalyptic fiction filled with realistic characters and gritty action splattered with drama.
If I could rate it higher I would. This is the ultimate read for zombie and post apocalyptic fans.
January 22, 2015
You might also enjoy:
The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Religious Zombie Dystopia set in the time after a zombie apocalypse.
This violent zombie-dystopia is self-published by a local Pittsburgh author, and not for the faint of heart. Local Pittsburghers may appreciate the direct connection to the local geography. It deals with the current trend of "Zombie Preparedness" and throws into sharp relief the violence inherent in such a catastrophe. The descent of the main character into a kind of insanity managing the situation is interesting.
Overall an interesting showing of a new author, but I would wait a few books before giving him another try-- some of the dialogue is a little stunted and the pacing could use some work.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Religious Zombie Dystopia set in the time after a zombie apocalypse.
This violent zombie-dystopia is self-published by a local Pittsburgh author, and not for the faint of heart. Local Pittsburghers may appreciate the direct connection to the local geography. It deals with the current trend of "Zombie Preparedness" and throws into sharp relief the violence inherent in such a catastrophe. The descent of the main character into a kind of insanity managing the situation is interesting.
Overall an interesting showing of a new author, but I would wait a few books before giving him another try-- some of the dialogue is a little stunted and the pacing could use some work.
July 27, 2013
In Hell is a raw and emotional story of triumph and sacrifice. This is not your typical zombie thriller. With a fresh new twist on the zombie genre this book does not disappoint. It will have you on edge wanting to read as quickly as possible to reveal more story. This is a must read for any zombie enthusiast or readers in general. Loved it!
October 3, 2019
I want to give it a four but can't because I never felt much of the book was particularly notable. Despite the book taking an even more heartbreaking turn than a zombie invasion would usually entail I didn't find myself thinking about this book after I finished it. If you can buy it cheap, borrow a copy or get it free than you should read it if you are a zombie fan.
August 20, 2013
Nice read interesting take on the zombie genre!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews