This Plague of Days, Season Two

This Plague of Days #Season 2

by Robert Chazz Chute

"Unique, smart, thought provoking, multi-layered and intensely terrifying." Alex Kimmell, author of The Key to Everything This Plague of Days began with bio-terrorists launching the war for the future. The Sutr-X virus killed billions in the world flu pandemic that ended the world as we knew it. But the virus wasn't done with us: it mutated into Sutr-Z and turned ordinary people into rabid bio-weapons. The virus is still evolving and those infected by the new strain are more terrifying than ever. The only thing that stands between these dark, destructive forces and the annihilation of the human race is one strange, autistic boy. Caught in a cataclysm he doesn't understand, Jaimie Spencer is merely a messenger. Soon, the boy must lead an army. Season One of This Plague of Days was the siege. Season Two is the journey. Jaimie and his family flee the Midwest for a hoped-for haven in Maine. The European conflict with the infected escalates and spreads. A new, cannibalistic species appears and New York is the terrorists' next target. No one is safe, not even in their dreams. A former journalist and columnist, Robert Chazz Chute is a multi-award-winning writer. He hosts the All That Chazz podcast and the Cool People Podcast. Learn more at AllThatChazz.com and ThisPlagueOfDays.com.

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Apocalyptic

318 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

After escaping retail hell, I trained as a journalist and worked in newspapers and magazines before becoming a drone in the book publishing hive. I worked for Harlequin, The Canadian Book Information Centre, Lester & Orpen Dennys and Cannon Books in various capacities in editorial, publicity and sales. I learned a lot about what not to do. (All of the above companies are dead and gone except, of course, for Harlequin. I didn't kill them. It was suicide.)

I went over the wall again and worked a few miracles in the field of alternative medicine. Then "they sentenced me to 20 years of boredom, for trying to change the system from within." (Identify that quote and we are inextricably, irrevocably friends.)

Writing full-time now, I tell everyone I'm "in Suspense." I hope you read, review and enjoy my books.

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

between silly vain egotistical Shiva and egotistical "Misericordia" (wtf is with these names) I really want to call it quits. Jamie's character development and Theo's weird me out too. What are the changes that two people living across each other live through a disease that wipes almost everyone else out. Moreover what were the chances that Theo's family continues to congregate around him, yet they don't contract the virus at all? (I know I'm talking Season One stuff here). Also, the Latin is just very random.

Plus the virus, did it just mutate? from deadly Sutr, to Sutr-X (that made zombies), to Sutr-A (which makes "vampires"?)

Either way, I plan to ride this series out. Hopefully it will be finished because I fucking hate a series and I hate to wait to finish reading books. I finished Season one and two on a Friday and Saturday, respectively, and since then I have read 3 books, working on some Joyce Carol Oates right now (The Tattooed Girl I'm 2/3 finished with, then My Fair Maiden). I worry by the time Mr, Chute releases Season Three, I will have forgotten what was going on.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILERS




I loved the first book in this series and thought. The author created interesting and realistic characters. I also appreciated how well he seemed to merge two very different apocalyptic scenarios. The beginning is very much a thoughtful exploration of how an average family might weather a global pandemic.

When the story began to introduce a zombie/infected cannibals apocalypse plot, I thought it was not as successful as the pandemic story but it was still compelling (except when focused on the scenery chewing "Shiva").

But now we have a new mutation and the formerly mindless cannibals are now self proclaimed vampires ( with all the tiresome rules and hierarchies that make vampire apocalypse tales fairly tedious, in my opinion)

On top of all of this we have the interwoven shared dreams and aura reading and Carron pointlessly stalking the Spencers and...it is just too much.

I wish the author had just stuck to the zombie strain and pandemic story. From a character perspective, The first book was one of my favorite apocalypse tales. But after the sequel, I think I might be too disappointed to continue.

[Rody · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first book starts out with a plague. In this book the virus has mutated and there is the plague, Zombies, and vampires. The Book is all over the place and it lacked consistency. Would not recommend to anyone.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first one and this second entry is not bad at all and, like its predecessor, is very well-written. It is just that Season 2 is so dark and most of the characters are not easy to like. For some reason, though this is original in its own right when it comes to apocalyptic novels, I could not help but think of "Fear the Walking Dead," especially when I mentally compare the mother in the tv series with the mother in This Plague of Days.

Dark books (like this one) can be superb in style and substance and yet I still can want to run for the hills. I used to consider myself a fiendish zombie fan, but these days I find myself wanting much more light in my fiction reading. Real life is scary enough. I definitely like to be challenged in my reading, but I am not so sure I want to be terrified like I used to when it comes to books.

[Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story gets a bit esoteric as the virus mutates and spreads. The Spencer family attempt to travel to Maine.

[Alaa Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go from " potentially great" to "meh"

This is my honest opinion of the 2nd book of This Plague of Days.
The short version with no spoilers: this book felt completely different from the previous one and kind of took a different approach to the whole apocalypse/zombie thing. For more details, keep reading - spoilers below.
The following contains major spoilers. You have been warned.
This book continues the story of survivors of the zombie infection. The first book was very good and felt different from your typical zombie stories in that it told the events through an autistic kid perspective. The drama and emotions felt genuine with no superhero stuff going on.
HOWEVER, this all changed in this book. It starts with the zombie virus "evolving" into a vampire virus so now we have vampires in their classical "super human super fast ...etc". In the other hand, the autistic kid possesses super powers as he can communicate with "supernatural" forces that the author calls " The way of things". He visits different characters In their dreams. So we have vampires, zombies, supernatural...all things to turn a possibly different zombie and apocalypse book into a mush of cliches. The book actually felt like the author completely changed their idea after the first book. Usually, the first book would build on the specific mythology of vampires or whatever creatures exist in the book's universe. Instead it felt like the author suddenly decided to go that way and was building and sometimes quickly getting characters killed in the fly.
I am not overly excited to read the third book and will only do so if it's free in Prime reading.

[Constance Guillory · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a Road Trip

In this second book everyone was on the move by car, by boat, or by military ships. Keeping up with all the groups was easy because it all came down to autistic Jamie who visits them in their dreams. He also seems to have developed some supernatural powers since the plague started. Let's not forget the zombies/vampires who are really smart. Oh, I can't wait to see what Shiva's baby will come out to be. Shiva is a force to be reckoned with. I can't wait to read the 3rd and final series and see how this will turn out. I will read more of Robert's books. He is a good author!

[David Van Dreal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author is extremely talented. I do have a complaint though: The action takes place in AMERICA! When Jack slips in an attempt to siphon gas it is described as "falling on her bum". We fall on our ass in America, or behind in polite company. Falling on a bum in America is landing on a panhandling homeless guy.

It's a wonderful series and I highly recommend it. Almost as much fun as King "The Stand".

David

[Bill Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why do non-afflicted people have to act like assholes during the apocalypse?

[jacqueline tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding a home

Really enjoying this one the family's on the run and will they fins
D a new home or will they have to keep on running

[Debra Omiatek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombie to Vampire via Virus

The second book in this series follows the Spencer family travelling to Maine, the Vampires arriving in America and Craig trying to reach America. The transformation of the virus to make zombies into vampires is unexpected. Th perils of the Spencer Family andCraig's band in their journeys is fast paced and chilling. A world with so much insecurity and danger appears almost without hope. Danger in small groups and in large groups doesn't seem to bode well for a future. The ending this time really paves the way to anticipate the final book in the series to see the outcome. This book is highly recommended. Characters are developed and that provides the reader with a vested interest in their story.

[Lou Canning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you think you have read every brilliant apocalyptic book out there to do with zombies. Along comes an author (you haven’t heard of) and proves you oh so wrong!

This is the second instalment of the trilogy and man did it take an even darker (if at all possible!) turn. What a twist

If you haven’t read the first go for it and enjoy! You got your baddies, goodies, oh so odd but I feel important dreams, with certain important people in! You got your zombies and then there is the…… No I’m not telling you! You’ll have to read the books! I guarantee you you’ll enjoy it!
Just brilliant 10/10! 👏👏👍

[April Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not horrible however, sometimes the story is hard to follow with so many internal stories going on at once. Also...vampires and zombies? While this is obviously a fantasy book, even thats a stretch and and boy who can transmit messages in his sleep? I didn't hate it but this one was harder to read than the first.

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the first book, and wanted the second one but was very disappointed.

Adding vampires did me in. And the characters in this one were not appealing, I wished a few times that they would all just die so the book would end.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent wordplay

I have no idea how the author writes like this but, his writing is superb. It seems he gets better with each book.

[Evil Witchery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flored

Probably the best Zombie series I've read in a long time. Entertaining, funny, and thought provoking. Well worth the price.

[Danielle Vandehaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The apocalypse part and the family working together is great, but I’m still not 100% sold on the mysticism and telepathy part. Why do we need to add magic to the apocalypse to make it interesting?

[Gerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Another thrilling installment in this series. Great characters and a good storyline. This book really keeps your brain working to figure everything out.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I LOVED this "Season" just as much as the last. Chazz has a very gripping story line here. We don't have a bunch of mindless zombies like every other story. You have a couple of different evolving species none the less. And both like fresh meat, or us as the case may be. We follow the Spencer family still on their trek to Main and to Theo's fathers farm. I love that he has this somewhat abnormal family still surviving and holding on through the craziness. I do hope they continue to all make it but I have a bad feeling for the next half of the story. They have a unique family member in the form of a teenage boy with Aspergers. Even though to the rest of the world he seems to be in his own little universe, Jamie is right with the times so to say. He knows what is going on and has his own way of giving little pushes to those who need it. I do worry though that this family has a horror that they know is around the corner but they have not had to go up against yet. I can not wait for the next installment in this story. It is my fav so far that I have found out of the TONS of Apocalyptic books that I now have in my TBR pile! One I felt worthy of a review! Good work Chazz! Keep the story line coming! I would so watch this in a movie or TV series also!!

[Jennifer Disario · Rating 5 out of 5]

the plague from the sutr virus has claimed millions and has changed those who have survived. now the survivors are in a race to the finish, preparing for the war that will save or condemn. make sure you choose the right side as it's no longer just a matter of life or death but also of what little humanity there is left. it's survival of the fittest and when it's humans against monsters it's important to put your best foot forward in the fight between good and evil (or is it bad against evil?) when you are trying to save the world sometimes the line between the two is very thin for sacrifices need to be made for the greater good. Jamie Spencer is struggling with choices such as this as he leads his armies to the final battle to see who will be left to lay claim to the earth.
excellent read! viruses, zombies, violence, love, gore, psychotic crazies, adorable kids, narcissists with God complexes, vampires, etc etc usually with this much thrown in the books can become confusing or the story is rushed and hard to get into but even though this is a lengthy read I had trouble putting it down! definitely recommended to people who love sci-fi, paranormal, post-apocalyptic, zombie stories! ***warning!!! violence and adult situations NOT for kiddos

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series of "This Plague of Days. At the end of the first season, Europe and the UK were totally overrun with the virus and Zombies. A small group leave from the UK in hopes of reaching America before the plague spreads that far. But, as the world is falling apart, they discover it has already reached America and it has mutated into something worse than Zombies!

In the story, we are following two groups trying to find a safe place to settle down and begin living a plague free life.
One group is the Spencer family and an older neighbor woman. They are leaving Kansas headed for Maine and the family farm. In their travels, they run into good people and some of the very worst imaginable. Jaimie Spencer, who is autistic, again plays a very important part in keeping the family from being completely destroyed by greedy humans and the mutated virus that causes..... Now you need to read TPoD, Season Two.

[Jordanna East · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceeded expectations! New characters, new twists and turns, and unforeseen developments that I don't want to ruin for prospective readers who have already read Season One of This Plague of Days. The pace of this season was a thrilling race to the end and I can't wait for Season Three. Robert Chazz Chute has created a dystopian setting where apparently anything can happen and, since I obviously can't guess what's next, I need more!

[Mark Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga of Jaimie and his now homeless family continues. Highly recommend this cerebral, character-driven novel which happens to contain zombies and a plague-fueled Apocalypse. And with characters like Shiva, there's never a dull moment. :)

[Lucas Hamasaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still good, but not as good as the first one. This season lost its focus and was all over the place. I get that it's all connected, and I'm enjoying the different POVs, but I wish this had been a bit more focused on the Spencers.

[Nooked · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOLIERS





Sigh first season was good, but introducing vampires? sigh :(

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agreat read with a new take on the walking Dead