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The Phoenix Curse #1
After - Part One
The world is no longer safe, no longer thriving. It has been inherited by the diseased.
The red mist spread and humanity was infected. There was no stopping the curse once it started and the world's population was reduced to mindless beasts. Creatures that hungered and raged for the taste of pure, uninfected flesh.
Few of those remain.
Ali is not one of them.
The red mist spread and humanity was infected. There was no stopping the curse once it started and the world's population was reduced to mindless beasts. Creatures that hungered and raged for the taste of pure, uninfected flesh.
Few of those remain.
Ali is not one of them.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 27, 2018
I really loved this zombie story about a young girl who was bitten by zombies and survived.
June 11, 2013
This was a very good read.
The things I liked were:
Fresh, original characters, not the stereotypical "man on a mission" that so often leads this genre.
The story is told by two characters, Ali who is an independent, capable young female, and Joss who is a 14 year old male.
A fair amount of time was spent world building and explaining the characters back-stories. So much so that I felt connected to them by the time I finished the read.
Although this is a zombie book with kick butt action, it was not heavy on the gore.
It contains a wide range of emotions for the characters and readers a like. I'll be honest, I teared up a time or two.
The plot has a clear direction with a steady pace.
It comes in at 163 pages so it's not too short.
The (singular) thing that I did not like was:
It is a major cliffhanger.
I wanted to scream when I reached the last words which left them all hanging.
So do I recommend this book, Yes! I have already told all my zombie reading friends to grab this one, and if you love to read action packed, zombie reads with strong characters, then you may wish to grab this one too.
This was more then 'just' a zombie book, it's a story of survival. It has hooked me in big time.
The things I liked were:
Fresh, original characters, not the stereotypical "man on a mission" that so often leads this genre.
The story is told by two characters, Ali who is an independent, capable young female, and Joss who is a 14 year old male.
A fair amount of time was spent world building and explaining the characters back-stories. So much so that I felt connected to them by the time I finished the read.
Although this is a zombie book with kick butt action, it was not heavy on the gore.
It contains a wide range of emotions for the characters and readers a like. I'll be honest, I teared up a time or two.
The plot has a clear direction with a steady pace.
It comes in at 163 pages so it's not too short.
The (singular) thing that I did not like was:
It is a major cliffhanger.
I wanted to scream when I reached the last words which left them all hanging.
So do I recommend this book, Yes! I have already told all my zombie reading friends to grab this one, and if you love to read action packed, zombie reads with strong characters, then you may wish to grab this one too.
This was more then 'just' a zombie book, it's a story of survival. It has hooked me in big time.
June 19, 2013
What a great read!! I could not put this book down; read the whole thing in a day. After–Part 1 is an incredibly well-written story of two survivors in a changed world, after an unknown (yet) event caused humans to lose their mind and act zombie-like. The "monsters" aren't undead; they're people who are infected with a disease and just happen to feel the need to eat humans. Ali is an impressive heroine with a special trait: she was bitten by one of the monsters but did not turn into one herself, like everyone else did. Because of that, she is able to survive on her own, in ways that the few remaining uninfected humans cannot. However, after wandering by herself for a while, living in relative safety, she decides to go looking for answers.
This is part one of a three-part book, so there are many unexplained things, which I didn't mind. Can't wait for part 2!
This is part one of a three-part book, so there are many unexplained things, which I didn't mind. Can't wait for part 2!
October 31, 2013
I loved this book! Can't wait for the sequels. Great female protagonist, slight spin on standard ZA affair, and clean, rapid writing. Well edited, smooth structure and sensical plot inhabited by believable and likeable characters.
August 20, 2013
Interesting new take on the Zombie genre. Too short...wanted more!!! Can't wait for Part 2!
September 2, 2013
This was a good read with strong character. I really enjoy this thriller.
November 13, 2013
A very good zombie novel. Great characters and a good plot. There were a few errors I noticed while I was reading, but nothing major. Looking forward to the next in the series.
February 27, 2024
A somewhat bleak dystopian novel, but an intriguing start to a series.
I am not a lover of dystopian stories, usually, but I must say that I found After: Book One of The Phoenix Curse an intriguing read. There are definite parallels to I Am Legend, the film, but there are only so many variations on the disease-born zombie apocalypse narratives. This is a short book and we follow the story of Ali a teenage survivor.
Debra Rose writes well, and this short novel is fast-paced and full of tension. Somewhat bleak and violent, but If you like this genre then I would thoroughly recommend this first book of a series.
I am not a lover of dystopian stories, usually, but I must say that I found After: Book One of The Phoenix Curse an intriguing read. There are definite parallels to I Am Legend, the film, but there are only so many variations on the disease-born zombie apocalypse narratives. This is a short book and we follow the story of Ali a teenage survivor.
Debra Rose writes well, and this short novel is fast-paced and full of tension. Somewhat bleak and violent, but If you like this genre then I would thoroughly recommend this first book of a series.
August 2, 2022
4.5 Rounded up.
This book had an almost nostalgic feel to it. It's not a typical action-packed zombie novel but something of a more tender nature with zombie-like people in the mix. After really has a charm that is all of its own.
Ali and Joss are precious and it's hard not to root for them. There's quite a bit of world building and character exposition in this but it is, in my opinion, well crafted enough that it doesn't come across as too much.
Will I come back to read the next installment? Most likely.
This book had an almost nostalgic feel to it. It's not a typical action-packed zombie novel but something of a more tender nature with zombie-like people in the mix. After really has a charm that is all of its own.
Ali and Joss are precious and it's hard not to root for them. There's quite a bit of world building and character exposition in this but it is, in my opinion, well crafted enough that it doesn't come across as too much.
Will I come back to read the next installment? Most likely.
September 8, 2022
INFECTED
I enjoyed the book. It has the feels, grief, anxiety, and would make a good movie 🍿 Worth the read!
I enjoyed the book. It has the feels, grief, anxiety, and would make a good movie 🍿 Worth the read!
July 30, 2013
I found this story to be pretty dull with very little in the way of zombie action. The description of the book mentions the horror of the zombie conflict and that Ali was bitten but not infected-so I was expecting lots of zombies and Ali trying to find out why she was immune. Instead, it seemed to be featuring more about Ali and her insta-love with Joss or whatever his name was. I can't remember and my notes are covered in chocolate so I can't read them. We get all the stuff about Ali on the farm, what she thinks of everyone, her love life and it goes on endlessly as we wait for some zombies to liven things up. The zombie action is so short that there was no excitement about it when it happened.
I found this to be over descriptive, lacking in action and tension and more of a YA romance than a zombie novel. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
I found this to be over descriptive, lacking in action and tension and more of a YA romance than a zombie novel. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
December 25, 2013
trep·i·da·tion (trepiˈdāSHən)
noun 1. a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen
I felt like this word was on one of those "Today's Word" calendars and the author tried to use it wherever she could.
Other than that, I loved this book! Solid story line! And loved the views from the two main characters. I also enjoyed the spin on the zombie genre. I started this book yesterday and finished it last night. I cannot wait to get home and start pt. 2 tonight.
I will not go into details about the plot, but just know - if you're a fan of zombies, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this book.
noun 1. a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen
I felt like this word was on one of those "Today's Word" calendars and the author tried to use it wherever she could.
Other than that, I loved this book! Solid story line! And loved the views from the two main characters. I also enjoyed the spin on the zombie genre. I started this book yesterday and finished it last night. I cannot wait to get home and start pt. 2 tonight.
I will not go into details about the plot, but just know - if you're a fan of zombies, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this book.
December 18, 2013
It made me want to buy part two
A lot of these zombie apocalypse type books all sorta seem the same after a while. When I first started reading I felt the reading level was a little too low. It almost seemed boring to read but only a few pages in, the action and plot really picked up. It's definitely a little different than other zombie type stories. I read it in 2 days and the story of the characters ended up being good enough to make me wanna buy part two just to find out what happens. it's fun and good read overall.
A lot of these zombie apocalypse type books all sorta seem the same after a while. When I first started reading I felt the reading level was a little too low. It almost seemed boring to read but only a few pages in, the action and plot really picked up. It's definitely a little different than other zombie type stories. I read it in 2 days and the story of the characters ended up being good enough to make me wanna buy part two just to find out what happens. it's fun and good read overall.
September 17, 2014
Loved the new twist to zombies. Ali has been bitten. She is infected...... But she has not turned. The zombies do not bother her. They believe she is one of them. But when one of them attacks her she fears it is not permanent, and decides it is time to leave. I will not give anything away, but I will say this. It is well worth the read and the only reason I subtracted a star is because it ended way too abruptly.
November 29, 2016
More of a 3.5 stars. It started out fantastic, then it slowed down to a crawl. It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but not much going on really. I plan to check out the next book. I'd like to read more about Ali's time with Joss and Seth.
I really liked Ali as the protagonist. She is a strong character, and I hope to see her develop more.
There is an interesting take on zombies in the story, but again would like to know more about them. Great start to the series.
I really liked Ali as the protagonist. She is a strong character, and I hope to see her develop more.
There is an interesting take on zombies in the story, but again would like to know more about them. Great start to the series.
October 24, 2013
Lookin forward to the next book.
January 11, 2014
Better than most plague/zombies stories. Started of good and ended good. The in between was just bonus. A quick easy read for young teens and up.
May 13, 2014
Fantastic book. I got very emotional with Becky, it was so sad I felt like crying.
May 14, 2014
Surviving in world filled with zombies. This book surprised me by drawing me into the world Ali must now live in. Much better read than I expected it to be. I'm planning to read part 2.
May 26, 2014
Not to bad.
really got me into the story and I really like the bath salt reference. would like to see more books soon.
really got me into the story and I really like the bath salt reference. would like to see more books soon.
February 4, 2015
I wish it had been longer
November 7, 2016
great book, one of the few I'm looking forward to revisiting at some point.
December 22, 2013
going on to next book and will review them together.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews