Winter

by Andrew Boyd

A look into the mind of a dead boy named Adam: a young teenager born a few months after an incident that created a worldwide plague of the walking dead. Adam's soul has been trapped inside of his frozen body for countless years, and while he is physically dead, his mind is very much alive.

He can only think and relive on his past life experiences. In his mind, he recalls the winter that led to the breaking up of his family. He and his mom, Ashley, separate from the power of his violent and isolationist father George, to go live in a newly established military compound during the warmer months. However, the years of no human contact takes its toll on Adam as he struggles to learn and fit into the social norms of a civilization desperately grasping onto a dead world.

With no end in sight, Adam has slipped into a deep level of insanity while being frozen as a member of the walking dead. He longs for the day he will finally be set free from the ice and into the warm embrace of the afterlife.

Genres: Zombies, Fiction, Horror, Ebooks

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2013

Reviews

[John Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were moments of Andrew Boyd's WINTER that I genuinely enjoyed. I think he offers one of the freshest takes on the Zombie novel that I've read in a long time. Unfortunately for me, the book didn't quite live up to its potential. The main character Adam was very difficult to relate to. We are told that he was 13 years-old when he became a zombie and was subsequently frozen in ice. This is where is 'life' experience should have essentially ended. Yet his narration at times reads as if it were being delivered by someone much older and more experienced. It just doesn't ring true that someone so young with little to no formal education would grasp the highly evolved philosophical concepts that he offers throughout the book. And this is a problem, considering the fact that this is a first-person narrative told strictly from his point of view. It was also difficult to connect to the world in which Adam inhabited. I understand the author's idea of wanting to relate the events of the zombie apocalypse through the prism of one person, and on a certain level it works. But some of the ideas presented beg for a MUCH larger treatment.

Mr. Boyd is a talented writer and WINTER offers some wonderful ideas. I would read his work in the future. Unfortunately, this one didn't come together for me the way I hoped it would.

[diane lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, excellent, fantastic and impressive read!!

Fantastic book!! I was hooked from page one! Winter has a captivating plot filled with beautifully, tragically flawed characters: the book's protagonist can go from entertaining and funny one minute to a state of almost heartbreaking self awareness the next, keeping me curious and engaged until the very last sentence. It's written extremely well, in an almost prose-like style, and flows easily between the past and present. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this coming of age (with some twists!) novel, and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone interested in a well written book that is sure to make you question the way you perceive reality and existence. Outstanding job!

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

"When it happens, don't end it. I want to see what it's like."

This was just....odd.
The father/son relationship was twisted. The mother we even more odd.

and I could never tell what was real and what was in his twisted mind (the vampire like guys...what the heck was THAT?!) as he was losing it.

but by far, the above quote was the weirdest to me. and the fact that he faked being bitten and was almost shot in the head by his dad because he thought it was....funny??

just odd.....

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too Many Nonsensical Contradictions A rather long-winded little book, with characters that seemed more like a bunch of bad actors than real people. Some characters are so wooden in their mannerisms and reactions (Adam's Mum, for example) that they are not at all believable. Adam, the main character, is alternately wise for his years and stupidly naive, incredibly bratty and misunderstood saint.
There were a few examples of bad spelling and wonky grammar, but it wasn't as bad as some, and didn't really pull me out of the story since I was never fully immersed in it.

[Jane Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt really in tune with this book, and saw a lot of myself in Adam which is always good for the connection.
I got lost and confused in certain parts though unfortunately, but that is the only reason it didn't make 5 stars.
well written and a good, thorough and deep story.
awesome :)

[Bookishme_lisamarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4⭐️ because the concept was a very unique take on zombies. It posed questions like: what if people's souls could exist, and in essence, be trapped inside the dead until released by the living? What if there were memories, thoughts, feelings but only a lack of physical control and cravings? What if the only way someone would know any of this, was to turn, and have no way of communicating any of it?

This book also dealt with child abuse and a truly messed up family dynamic in apocalyptic times. If all a child knew was death, isolation,survival,fear and pain, how would that shape the teenager they were to become? How would they handle dealing with other humans, should they find them?

The MC, a 13 year old, was both relatable and hard to comprehend. Some of his actions seemed disjointed from who he was. Yet, the reader is reminded of the conditions he grew up in and how all of that could create confusing thoughts and actions.

While I could appreciate this book, the ideas, concepts and writing, I found this to be all together heartbreaking and painful. Only good writing could evoke such a powerful reaction from me. Still, it seemed like a story that needed a few more revisions and outside guidance to truly reach it's potential.

My heart still hurts from reading this and I think this one will stick with me for awhile.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to be fair. It's an interesting story, told from the POV of a young man who was (for want of a better word) zombified at age 14, some time after the fact. In this imagining, the dead "freeze" in winter and are relatively harmless to the living, so our protagonist, Adam, has a lot of time on his hands to think and reminisce.

To put it bluntly, Adam's life sucked from the moment he was conscious of it. He was born into a world that had already fallen. His parents, sticking mostly to the mountains around the I-25 corridor in north-east Colorado, largely steered clear of other people, moving between a cabin and a cave depending on the seasons, making do with the most meagre of rations. They named their son Adam - a name with possible biblical significance, but perhaps not - and his life is one of privation, isolation, and physical abuse. Adam's options are rather bleak: death by zombie, or death by "tough love." Eventually, his mother escapes with him to an encampment of survivors they learn of near Colorado Springs.

By the time Adam arrives, he's close to 14 years old and not used to being around others. His only male role model was his abusive father, and his mother was not exactly his protector, and in the new environment he's largely left to fend for himself. He starts to get some friends, and someone to care about, though these concepts are alien to him; he acquires an enemy in short order, which comes a bit more naturally, and quickly learns how much he had learned from his father...and how fortunate his father likely was to have stayed behind. He learns that frontier justice can be swift, comprehensive, and vicious.

I won't give it all away. The book it titled Winter, and has chapters listing various seasons. The child ages in the course of about a year, and his experiences show an evolution from childhood to - if not puberty, the start of maturity. He discovers girls, and his first kiss. He learns to stand up for himself. He leaves his home - twice. He asks some big questions. And when he's bitten, he makes the choice to ride it out, to see what he becomes; he yearns to understand what lies beyond the dead eyes and snapping jaws.

Pros: I read the whole thing. That's not always a given these days. It reminded me a little of WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion, which I quite enjoyed. (The movie was fun; the book was darker and more serious but also excellent.)

Cons: I'll say this as compassionately as I can: the editing sucked. As in, I question whether an editor even touched the manuscript, or if the author bothered to do a second draft. There are too many basic grammar errors and clunky phrases to count. Unpolished is putting it mildly. The writing kept pulling me out of the story, and I worry that I missed some key pieces of thought the author wants the book to convey because of the sloppiness of the writing. I can tell he's aiming for profound ideas. Those ideas deserve a clear presentation.

I tend to be hard on books with interesting stories but bad editing because THEY WEE SO CLOSE TO GREATNESS. A book that's well edited but boring is just meh. A story that's compelling, AND doesn't get in its own way, is something truly special. I found many of the scenes in Winter interesting, but I was missing the thread that wove them together. I see pieces there that would have worked marvelously, but the completed puzzle remains a mystery.

The ending is ambiguous. If there is a sequel, I'd give it a chance. As it is, I end this one feeling mostly frustration and more questions than insights. And while I am often frustrated by Orson Scott Card's inability to let certain of his stories go - how many times has he rewritten Ender's Game? - in this case I wouldn't mind seeing the author take a crack at a revised and updated version of the story.

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

WINTER (HEAVEN AND HELL BOOK 1)

By

ANDREW BOYD

Rating:5/5

Review:

📚 "Winter" is a compelling post-apocalyptic novel that plunges readers into the emotional turmoil of a young teenager named Adam, who finds himself trapped in a frozen body in a world overrun by the walking dead. The author's adept storytelling skillfully navigates the boundaries of life and death, crafting a tale where survival takes on a new meaning.

🌍 The novel's unique premise offers a fresh take on the zombie genre, focusing on Adam's conscious mind trapped within a lifeless shell. This unusual perspective generates deep empathy and curiosity, drawing readers into Adam's plight. The narrative cleverly shifts between his past memories and current situation, slowly unveiling the events that led to his frozen state. This narrative structure not only enhances the plot's complexity but also maintains reader engagement as they unravel Adam's enigmatic journey.

🤯 The exploration of intricate emotional themes is a highlight of the novel. Adam's isolation and his yearning for human connection resonate strongly throughout the story. The strained dynamic between his parents, Ashley and George, adds another layer of tension and depth. The depiction of Adam's struggle to maintain his sanity and adapt to a shattered society, after years of isolation, showcases the profound psychological impact of his circumstances. These emotional depths lend authenticity to the characters and their experiences, forging a personal connection with readers.

🖌️ The author's descriptive prose masterfully crafts a vivid depiction of the frozen world, effectively conveying the unforgiving environment and the eerie ambiance that pervades the narrative. The juxtaposition between Adam's memories of warmth and his current frozen state serves as a poignant metaphor for the fragility of human existence and the enduring yearning for a brighter future.

👉In summary, "Winter" is a captivating exploration of humanity's struggle for survival and connection in a chilling post-apocalyptic world.

Highly recommended book

Happy reading!
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[Bookaddictz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Winter" by Andrew Boyd is an enamoring and genuinely charged dystopian novel that dives profound into the mind of a youthful youngster named Adam, who winds up caught in a frozen body in the midst of a world overwhelm by the strolling dead. Writer's breathtaking narrating transports perusers into a hopeless and chilling reality where the limits among life and passing haze, and the human battle for endurance becomes the overwhelming focus.

The clever's reason is both fascinating and special, offering a new point of view on the zombie classification. Adam's quandary as a cognizant psyche caught inside a dead body makes a significant feeling of compassion and interest. Writer handily directs the peruser through Adam's excursion, shifting back and forth between his past recollections and current conditions, step by step uncovering the occasions that prompted his frozen state. This account structure adds profundity to the story and keeps perusers connected as they piece together the riddle of Adam's life.

One of the clever's assets lies in its investigation of mind boggling close to home subjects. Adam's confinement and it are obvious all through the account to yearning for human association. The stressed connection between his folks, Ashley and George, adds one more layer of strain and profundity to the story. The creator capably depicts the mental cost of years without human contact, as Adam wrestles with his own mental stability and battles to adjust to the leftovers of a broke society. These close to home subtleties provide the characters with a feeling of genuineness and cause their encounters to resound on a profoundly private level.

[Chris Wells · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came to this book excited by the premise of seeing a zombie from ‘the other side’. Of course the author added much more to the story than just that. We see Adam’s life as he grows up in a ruined world. We see the abuse he suffers at the hands of his father and experience his feelings of rejection by his mother. Overall, the story is more about the evils that humans can inflict on each other and Adam’s understandable deep depression. Unfortunately, this wasn’t conveyed particularly well and Adam came across as whiny at times. Too many of the characters felt hollow to me with us learning very little about them. Most notably Adam’s mother who is more background decoration to begin with. Then she basically emotionally abandons her son later on. There’s some scenes of terrible crimes taking place that felt glossed over. It’s difficult to explain without giving away any spoilers. I got to the end feeling like I’d read a much longer book and in this case I don’t think that’s a good thing. A lot of people will be put off by the number of typos and grammatical errors. I assume some of these are deliberate to show how Adam has not always grasped how language works but most clearly were not. I was also left confused by just what was happening to Adam right at the end. Was I supposed to understand from what was inferred earlier? If so, I never really got that impression and what I did think could just be my imagination filling in the gaps and not what the author intended.

[Joan Guy]

Unknown

UNUSUAL and different somewhat enjoyable but not so much. ODD story and you don't want to put it down but find it hard to read on.

[M Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Was surprised at they way you switched and told the story from another prospective. I loved the character development. Keep you the good work