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Monsters within Men
London, 2053. One of the last remaining civilisations in the world.
A decade on from the first wave of human-flesh-craving monsters that wiped out most of society, Noah finds himself stepping up to lead Squad E, part of London’s East Regiment, fighting back against the creatures that threaten mankind. But between battling monsters, struggling with grief, and his rivalry with another lieutenant, Noah is sinking, fast. The last thing he needs is a young, weak conscript with an attitude problem to add to his issues. Especially when he can’t seem to get him out of his head.
Zeke, Squad E’s newest recruit, would rather do anything else than be conscripted into the dwindling military force battling to save humanity. But when his research assistant job abruptly ends after his boss is arrested under mysterious circumstances, he must learn to embrace his new life as a soldier. But perhaps his attractive commanding officer—whom he is forbidden from dating—might offer the silver lining he never knew he wanted?
As the crisis escalates, London’s time begins to run out. Food shortages, riots, and secrets buried by leadership all push the city towards its boiling point. The ten members of Squad E, along with their faithful dog, Wolf, must band together if they’re going to make it out of this alive.
Monsters within Men is a slow burn, post-apocalyptic fantasy MM romance, suitable for adult readers. It is a standalone book of around 110k words.
Content warnings: explicit sexual scenes, grief, self-harm, non-graphically described suicide attempts, on-page death of side characters, mild gore
A decade on from the first wave of human-flesh-craving monsters that wiped out most of society, Noah finds himself stepping up to lead Squad E, part of London’s East Regiment, fighting back against the creatures that threaten mankind. But between battling monsters, struggling with grief, and his rivalry with another lieutenant, Noah is sinking, fast. The last thing he needs is a young, weak conscript with an attitude problem to add to his issues. Especially when he can’t seem to get him out of his head.
Zeke, Squad E’s newest recruit, would rather do anything else than be conscripted into the dwindling military force battling to save humanity. But when his research assistant job abruptly ends after his boss is arrested under mysterious circumstances, he must learn to embrace his new life as a soldier. But perhaps his attractive commanding officer—whom he is forbidden from dating—might offer the silver lining he never knew he wanted?
As the crisis escalates, London’s time begins to run out. Food shortages, riots, and secrets buried by leadership all push the city towards its boiling point. The ten members of Squad E, along with their faithful dog, Wolf, must band together if they’re going to make it out of this alive.
Monsters within Men is a slow burn, post-apocalyptic fantasy MM romance, suitable for adult readers. It is a standalone book of around 110k words.
Content warnings: explicit sexual scenes, grief, self-harm, non-graphically described suicide attempts, on-page death of side characters, mild gore
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2023
252 people are currently reading
1789 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Rose
9 books298 followersTJ Rose is steadily turning her wild imagination into alternate universes, one happily-ever-after at a time.
By day, she weaves action-packed queer romances packed with vivid worlds and characters who dance between sugar, spice, and pure chaos. By night, she's either plotting doomsday scenarios or binging horror movies—sometimes simultaneously.
When not writing or daydreaming, you'll find her wandering through the British wilderness, coffee in hand, sunlight optional but strongly preferred.
Visit her website www.tjrosebooks.com to join her mailing list to stay up-to-date!
By day, she weaves action-packed queer romances packed with vivid worlds and characters who dance between sugar, spice, and pure chaos. By night, she's either plotting doomsday scenarios or binging horror movies—sometimes simultaneously.
When not writing or daydreaming, you'll find her wandering through the British wilderness, coffee in hand, sunlight optional but strongly preferred.
Visit her website www.tjrosebooks.com to join her mailing list to stay up-to-date!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
February 10, 2025
I’ll do whatever you want me to / Like Armageddon is gettin’ together with me and you (Want Me to – Dom Fera).
Yeah, well that was something alright, and it can’t be denied that reading this was certainly an experience. I’m waffling, thinking about waffles or whatever, but the truth is that I really don't have any strong opinions about this book either which way. Mostly just bemused annoyances. Don’t get me wrong, I think that this was a well-written novel, but I took issue with the vibes… in that they were a little off. Before I get to that, it’s important to know that the zombies are called “types” (not even capitalized?) in this universe, but for the purpose of convenience, I’m just going to call them zombies. Anyway, I think my main thing was that the story was a little too militaristic for my tastes. All the main characters are in an elite squad tasked to quell the zombie threat and they are pretty much always portrayed as a force for good. If they don’t kill the zombie threat, who will, right? Yeah, well my favorite zombie movies are Train to Busan and 28 Days Later, both of which follow “average Joe” types that are given the opportunity to become something more. Given the circumstances, not despite them. Instead, the characters in this book aren’t all that different on the last page as they are on the first. It doesn’t help that a huge chunk of the book is an extended training montage where Zeke learns to appreciate his new friends and his military training, despite the fact that he was forcefully conscripted into fighting an unwinnable battle (also, there’s a reason why training montages last one song at most, because otherwise they get really boring). The whole thing felt backwards at points. By the time any character starts questioning the suspicious nature of their assignments, there were only a couple chapters left! At that point we’re given barely enough time to ponder what this book’s message even is! Sorry, but that hardly counts as a satisfying conclusion in my opinion.
I think I’m probably being too critical, because I didn’t even dislike this. What little action we do get is done incredibly well, and the deaths aren’t lingered on, giving the book a terrible sense of dread seeped into every page. Maybe I’m just annoyed because I thought the plot was doing one thing when actually just ended up doing another. For example, I probably would have liked this a lot better if the plot was structured similarly to 10 Cloverfield Lane, a movie where a woman wakes up in an underground bunker with a creep played by John Goodman telling her that the world ended. The tension being that both the woman and the audience don’t really know whether or not the guy is telling the truth. Because most of this book takes place inside the military compound, without a zombie in sight, there could have been an element of paranoia and mystery to a story which is otherwise played completely straight. From page one, we know that the zombies are a threat, and everybody is on board with the mission. Which leads me to my other annoyance in that… man, for a book about zombies, there are surprisingly few actual scenes with zombies in them. Yes, zombie stories are more about the human drama and that humans are the real monsters, yada yada yada. I KNOW! I know. But if you put a couple of cool dudes on a cover, where one of the guys has a big ass crossbow, I’m going to expect a more action-oriented book, rather than something more akin to a summer camp book, where the new kid has to learn how to fit in. I mean, yeah, there are certainly monsters within men, but like, most the evil acts in this book are done by the zombies, so I think a more apt title would be, Monsters Within Men… But Damn Those Zombies Are Pretty Evil Too. Not as catchy, unfortunately.
“Try not to worry yourself. You seem fine to me.”
“Apart from being a hopeless mess?”
“Well, yes, that.”
Yeah, well that was something alright, and it can’t be denied that reading this was certainly an experience. I’m waffling, thinking about waffles or whatever, but the truth is that I really don't have any strong opinions about this book either which way. Mostly just bemused annoyances. Don’t get me wrong, I think that this was a well-written novel, but I took issue with the vibes… in that they were a little off. Before I get to that, it’s important to know that the zombies are called “types” (not even capitalized?) in this universe, but for the purpose of convenience, I’m just going to call them zombies. Anyway, I think my main thing was that the story was a little too militaristic for my tastes. All the main characters are in an elite squad tasked to quell the zombie threat and they are pretty much always portrayed as a force for good. If they don’t kill the zombie threat, who will, right? Yeah, well my favorite zombie movies are Train to Busan and 28 Days Later, both of which follow “average Joe” types that are given the opportunity to become something more. Given the circumstances, not despite them. Instead, the characters in this book aren’t all that different on the last page as they are on the first. It doesn’t help that a huge chunk of the book is an extended training montage where Zeke learns to appreciate his new friends and his military training, despite the fact that he was forcefully conscripted into fighting an unwinnable battle (also, there’s a reason why training montages last one song at most, because otherwise they get really boring). The whole thing felt backwards at points. By the time any character starts questioning the suspicious nature of their assignments, there were only a couple chapters left! At that point we’re given barely enough time to ponder what this book’s message even is! Sorry, but that hardly counts as a satisfying conclusion in my opinion.
I think I’m probably being too critical, because I didn’t even dislike this. What little action we do get is done incredibly well, and the deaths aren’t lingered on, giving the book a terrible sense of dread seeped into every page. Maybe I’m just annoyed because I thought the plot was doing one thing when actually just ended up doing another. For example, I probably would have liked this a lot better if the plot was structured similarly to 10 Cloverfield Lane, a movie where a woman wakes up in an underground bunker with a creep played by John Goodman telling her that the world ended. The tension being that both the woman and the audience don’t really know whether or not the guy is telling the truth. Because most of this book takes place inside the military compound, without a zombie in sight, there could have been an element of paranoia and mystery to a story which is otherwise played completely straight. From page one, we know that the zombies are a threat, and everybody is on board with the mission. Which leads me to my other annoyance in that… man, for a book about zombies, there are surprisingly few actual scenes with zombies in them. Yes, zombie stories are more about the human drama and that humans are the real monsters, yada yada yada. I KNOW! I know. But if you put a couple of cool dudes on a cover, where one of the guys has a big ass crossbow, I’m going to expect a more action-oriented book, rather than something more akin to a summer camp book, where the new kid has to learn how to fit in. I mean, yeah, there are certainly monsters within men, but like, most the evil acts in this book are done by the zombies, so I think a more apt title would be, Monsters Within Men… But Damn Those Zombies Are Pretty Evil Too. Not as catchy, unfortunately.
“Try not to worry yourself. You seem fine to me.”
“Apart from being a hopeless mess?”
“Well, yes, that.”
April 14, 2025
I have felt more sexual chemistry and connection with an unwashed potato at the supermarket, than I felt between any of these characters.
There are so many FLAT plot points.
There are TOO MANY fucking characters to try to care about… and shock horror, not a single fucking care was given to ANY of these characters.
The lore/atmosphere in this “dystopian world” are not clear… so there is like zombies and walls and death and destruction and food shortages, but also a city with a night club? And some people get conscripted to the army/fight for the world against zombies, but others just don’t? And are just living life? Going to the park with their dogs and shit??? Tehe…. But fr, what the fuck is going on here?
They only seem to wear army clothes the whole book, so I’m unsure of who the cuties on the cover are.
There are straight up mistakes. (Like counteracting sentences that will give you a stroke when you’re trying to understand if the sentence makes sense or you’re just dumb)
Spice was underwhelming. DON’T EAT ASS AFTER A WHOLE DAY OF ACTIVITIES KIDS, UNSANITARY MY DUDES
Plot underwhelming.
I hate when authors really STRESS A PLOT POINT AT YOU….… example: “oh there’s a man who’s been conscripted, and he’s really unhappy, he will give you trouble and be hard to work with”
And instead of him being very difficult, and making life hell like it was implying….he literally is just standoffish and lowkey rude for one day….? Okay then….?
/insert that sound that says… “I hope you’re hungry… FOR NOTHING”
One mc cries a lot and the other is supposed to be a captain but does nothing captain-y towards mr cry baby, because ✨feelings✨
I’m sorry, this book was ridiculous.
The writing was pretty good, I feel like if the book got some proper work done, it could have been a good story.
There were parts during the ending I was interested momentarily… and then something fucking dumb would happen, like everyone would seemingly forget how their friends just died horrifically and start making jokes about swimming pools on yachts. Weird but okay.
Yawn. Sorry about it x
There are so many FLAT plot points.
There are TOO MANY fucking characters to try to care about… and shock horror, not a single fucking care was given to ANY of these characters.
The lore/atmosphere in this “dystopian world” are not clear… so there is like zombies and walls and death and destruction and food shortages, but also a city with a night club? And some people get conscripted to the army/fight for the world against zombies, but others just don’t? And are just living life? Going to the park with their dogs and shit??? Tehe…. But fr, what the fuck is going on here?
They only seem to wear army clothes the whole book, so I’m unsure of who the cuties on the cover are.
There are straight up mistakes. (Like counteracting sentences that will give you a stroke when you’re trying to understand if the sentence makes sense or you’re just dumb)
Spice was underwhelming. DON’T EAT ASS AFTER A WHOLE DAY OF ACTIVITIES KIDS, UNSANITARY MY DUDES
Plot underwhelming.
I hate when authors really STRESS A PLOT POINT AT YOU….… example: “oh there’s a man who’s been conscripted, and he’s really unhappy, he will give you trouble and be hard to work with”
And instead of him being very difficult, and making life hell like it was implying….he literally is just standoffish and lowkey rude for one day….? Okay then….?
/insert that sound that says… “I hope you’re hungry… FOR NOTHING”
One mc cries a lot and the other is supposed to be a captain but does nothing captain-y towards mr cry baby, because ✨feelings✨
I’m sorry, this book was ridiculous.
The writing was pretty good, I feel like if the book got some proper work done, it could have been a good story.
There were parts during the ending I was interested momentarily… and then something fucking dumb would happen, like everyone would seemingly forget how their friends just died horrifically and start making jokes about swimming pools on yachts. Weird but okay.
Yawn. Sorry about it x
October 4, 2023
This book was absolutely amazingly written!
I'll be honest, at first I felt a bit overwhelmed with everything that was happening. We're introduced the main squad right away, a cast of 10 characters all at once. Felt like a lot with trying to remember, but even though we SEE them right in the beginning, throughout the story we gradually learn more and more about them, and also we tend to focus on a more select few - the side characters closest to the main. Now that I've finished the book, I actually don't think I would have the plot any other way! Such a large squad is kinda needed when facing giant hordes of zombies! 😅😅 Especially when they all support each other in different ways.
And the main characters, Zeke and Noah, are so dang lovable. I adored their slow burn, their secret forbidden romance and how it all unfolded. I felt so much of Noah's grief with how well the author portrayed it. Seriously, these two and their push and pull had me in a chokehold, I just wanted them to be okay and forever in each other's arms! 😭💕
The action was DAMN good too! High-stakes drama like this is always some of my favorite stories to read. And a society on the verge of collapse, what's more to love? Overall this was a great story, and I'm excited to read whatever TJ Rose writes next! 💖
I'll be honest, at first I felt a bit overwhelmed with everything that was happening. We're introduced the main squad right away, a cast of 10 characters all at once. Felt like a lot with trying to remember, but even though we SEE them right in the beginning, throughout the story we gradually learn more and more about them, and also we tend to focus on a more select few - the side characters closest to the main. Now that I've finished the book, I actually don't think I would have the plot any other way! Such a large squad is kinda needed when facing giant hordes of zombies! 😅😅 Especially when they all support each other in different ways.
And the main characters, Zeke and Noah, are so dang lovable. I adored their slow burn, their secret forbidden romance and how it all unfolded. I felt so much of Noah's grief with how well the author portrayed it. Seriously, these two and their push and pull had me in a chokehold, I just wanted them to be okay and forever in each other's arms! 😭💕
The action was DAMN good too! High-stakes drama like this is always some of my favorite stories to read. And a society on the verge of collapse, what's more to love? Overall this was a great story, and I'm excited to read whatever TJ Rose writes next! 💖
May 14, 2024
How do I even review this book? Like I don't want to be unnecessarily mean but oh boy, this was a complete shitshow. So like maybe spoilers below?
For starters, I added this book to my TBR because I LOVE dystopian/ post-apocalyptic books so after reading the blurb and seeing the cover I was sold on it, but oh man, this was a disappointment from the start, so now a list of things I hated:
- Why are the guys on the cover wearing historical-type attires when the actual clothes they wear in the book are regular military camo?
- Why is it implied that there is "tension and bad attitude" when this literary last less than a chapter? Like of course Zeke was gonna be angry he was forced to join the military, so his being rude makes sense, and yet, one chapter later he is having all this remorse and guilt of not having been his best, lol, that makes no sense?
- Noah spends 35% of the book being sad about his dead boyfriend, 35% having complicated feelings about how much he already feels for Zeke and the rest of the book whining and being a bad CO.
- There are like 8789 characters just in Squad E and like I don't care about them? I kept forgetting the names and I only remember Habib because *for reasons* he decided to bully Zeke all the time.
- Zeke was always either crying or complaining about anything, from "No my ex-boss evil Dr guy could not possibly be evil even if I have all this evidence" to Oh no! I kind of like Noah but does he like me?
- Noah was oblivious about everything even though his persecuted uncle managed to send him messages and the Captain Lady kept asking him if he had heard from his uncle, honestly, how is it that Noah never got something weird was happening?
- The group of people spent the majority of the time making cringy comments and "chuckling" in the most random situations, like not always you have to make a joke you know? it's weird, this is a zombie/vampire apocalypse, you can be serious from time to time.
- So many more things to complain about but I will just end with saying that the sex scenes were weird and not in a fun way, the MCs have no chemistry at all and somehow they always decided to smash in the most ludicrous of places, and like for the love of god! a rimming scene after being out and about all day fighting zombies/Vampyres is not sexy its sort of EW!
so to conclude, sorry in advance but this was a waste of time.
Read
October 15, 2023My debut novel is out now!
🧟 post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world
⚔️ action-packed
🧟 forbidden, slow burn romance
⚔️ dual POV
🧟 found family
⚔️ the cutest dog named Wolf 🐺 ***
🔥 spice
*** Yes, Wolf is safe. But he's the ONLY safe one...
🧟 post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world
⚔️ action-packed
🧟 forbidden, slow burn romance
⚔️ dual POV
🧟 found family
⚔️ the cutest dog named Wolf 🐺 ***
🔥 spice
*** Yes, Wolf is safe. But he's the ONLY safe one...
October 13, 2023
I'm not one to watch horror movies or read horror books, so when I saw this book was set in a post apocalyptic world that is overrun by zombie-like creatures, I was a bit scared. Scared that I wouldn't enjoy it. Well, I did enjoy it. Quite a lot!
This is a solid debut novel, action packed, nicely structured and beautifully written. The story follows Zeke and Noah, two very different individuals that are thrown together by difficult times and pressing circumstances.
In a world where a horrible virus has turned most people into feral, flesh eating creatures (called types, not zombies), these two young men develop a beautiful relationship that thrives despite all the obstacles they are constantly facing.
Set in the year 2053, with an intriguing plot, and dangerous twists and turns, this book will take you on a crazy adventure filled with betrayal, conspiracies, loss and a lot of adrenaline.
I liked how the story progressed, but I could have easily read 100 more pages. I'd love a sequel! Because I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I wish we got a bit more world building. Additional character growth would have been good too.
Nevertheless, a very enjoyable read, smart, engaging and so damn plausible. Who's to say we won't be facing this kind of mayhem in 30 years time?
Thank you to the author for providing a digital ARC. ❤️
This is a solid debut novel, action packed, nicely structured and beautifully written. The story follows Zeke and Noah, two very different individuals that are thrown together by difficult times and pressing circumstances.
In a world where a horrible virus has turned most people into feral, flesh eating creatures (called types, not zombies), these two young men develop a beautiful relationship that thrives despite all the obstacles they are constantly facing.
Set in the year 2053, with an intriguing plot, and dangerous twists and turns, this book will take you on a crazy adventure filled with betrayal, conspiracies, loss and a lot of adrenaline.
I liked how the story progressed, but I could have easily read 100 more pages. I'd love a sequel! Because I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I wish we got a bit more world building. Additional character growth would have been good too.
Nevertheless, a very enjoyable read, smart, engaging and so damn plausible. Who's to say we won't be facing this kind of mayhem in 30 years time?
Thank you to the author for providing a digital ARC. ❤️
February 12, 2024
Set in a post-apocalyptic London, where a zombie-type virus has turned most of the population into monsters, while the survivors are trying to make a life inside the wall. Here we meet our MCs, Zeke and Noah. Noah is a lieutenant in the army, which consists of mostly conscripts, and Zeke is one such conscript - a terrified young man forced into a violent situation he really doesn't want to be in. We see Zeke and Noah develop a bond during training, very slow-burn vibes, set against a backdrop of increasing threat and danger. There's a cast of diverse and interesting secondary characters, but the perspective alternates between the MCs.
In theory, this was an excellent début. It had all the elements of a good book - a solid plot, good world-building, well-developed characters, a compelling romance; but in reality it really, really dragged for me and I can't quite put my finger on why. I found the pacing weird, and except for a few cool action sequences, I found it really unsatisfying for some reason. Maybe it's because no fictional horror can live up to real life at the moment, but this one fell a little flat for me.
In theory, this was an excellent début. It had all the elements of a good book - a solid plot, good world-building, well-developed characters, a compelling romance; but in reality it really, really dragged for me and I can't quite put my finger on why. I found the pacing weird, and except for a few cool action sequences, I found it really unsatisfying for some reason. Maybe it's because no fictional horror can live up to real life at the moment, but this one fell a little flat for me.
October 15, 2024
I took my time and really immersed myself in this story and it did not disappoint. The world building, the story, the crying at 85%ish. Omg…. This story’s phenomenal. I hope TJ writes a book 2
January 7, 2024
3.5 Stars. This was a very impressive debut novel with gorgeous cover art!
I really enjoyed the plot, the writing was pretty solid (a few grammatical errors but not many), and I actually really liked the main characters. Other readers might find Zeke “whiny” but I’d be pretty fucking whiny too if I was an academic unwillingly conscripted to become a soldier in a un-winnable war. He knows he will be a terrible soldier, and he tries his best but he is who he is.
To rate higher, I needed more relationship development, and I honestly didn’t love how the mains talked to each other often. It often came across as unsupportive and lacking, not how you’d speak to someone you’re falling in love with. More world building also would’ve been nice, as I was a bit confused and nothing stood out as being futuristic for me.
I loved Wolf as part of the story!
I would definitely read more from this author.
I really enjoyed the plot, the writing was pretty solid (a few grammatical errors but not many), and I actually really liked the main characters. Other readers might find Zeke “whiny” but I’d be pretty fucking whiny too if I was an academic unwillingly conscripted to become a soldier in a un-winnable war. He knows he will be a terrible soldier, and he tries his best but he is who he is.
To rate higher, I needed more relationship development, and I honestly didn’t love how the mains talked to each other often. It often came across as unsupportive and lacking, not how you’d speak to someone you’re falling in love with. More world building also would’ve been nice, as I was a bit confused and nothing stood out as being futuristic for me.
I loved Wolf as part of the story!
I would definitely read more from this author.
October 16, 2023
4.5* rounded up to 5*. I'm always looking for post apocalypse/dystopian/end of the world kind of books but they never seem to be balanced enough. Either they are all world building and very little relationship/romance or they are a sex fest all the way through with nothing else. This one gets the balance just right, so I enjoyed it immensely. For a debut book it was also very well written and that's rare these days.
I wish it had a nice epilogue further down the line though as I needed more from these characters and it felt like they had so much more to say. I have hopes that there will be more books after this (please!).
I also did not enjoy the bad guy that much because he was just that, a bad guy - not enough layers there. I could see more or less what he was going to do from the beginning even if I did not know the details. That did not stop me enjoying it anyway.
As someone else already pointed out, I could totally see this as a movie in my head and that was really amazing as it's rare we get writing that creates such vivid images. Honestly, this should totally become a movie in like 4/5 years (again, please someone!).
Last, but surely not least: Wolf. What a good boy <3
I wish it had a nice epilogue further down the line though as I needed more from these characters and it felt like they had so much more to say. I have hopes that there will be more books after this (please!).
I also did not enjoy the bad guy that much because he was just that, a bad guy - not enough layers there. I could see more or less what he was going to do from the beginning even if I did not know the details. That did not stop me enjoying it anyway.
As someone else already pointed out, I could totally see this as a movie in my head and that was really amazing as it's rare we get writing that creates such vivid images. Honestly, this should totally become a movie in like 4/5 years (again, please someone!).
Last, but surely not least: Wolf. What a good boy <3
October 30, 2024
тιтℓє: Monsters Within Men
αυтнσя(ѕ): TJ Rose
ηαяяαтσя(ѕ): Dan Calley
ℓєηgтн: 11h 29m
яαтιηg: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
му тнσυgнтѕ:
Noah is the leader of Squad E and tired of all the death.
He’s 28, which is pretty old in their world.
Zeke was a research assistant but soon finds himself in Squad E and fighting to survive.
He’s a bumbling, scared man but Noah is pulled to him.
There’s a LOT of characters.
It was a bit difficult to remember them listening to the audio.
And with this being a zombie-inspired tale, quite a few die.
But the plot was pretty good and the romance was super sweet.
And the spice was a spicin’, which I’m kinda surprised by because I thought it would be more fade to black.
Nope.
I mean an MM romance set in a dystopian world full of smart zombies, gore, and death?
I really friggin enjoyed it.
BUT I wanted more in the end.
ηαяяαтιση:
Dan Calley has a pleasant voice but it was so hard for me to follow sometimes.
Call it my lack of experience listening to foreign accents or whatever.
But I felt like he did a good job with both MCs!
αυтнσя(ѕ): TJ Rose
ηαяяαтσя(ѕ): Dan Calley
ℓєηgтн: 11h 29m
яαтιηg: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
му тнσυgнтѕ:
Noah is the leader of Squad E and tired of all the death.
He’s 28, which is pretty old in their world.
Zeke was a research assistant but soon finds himself in Squad E and fighting to survive.
He’s a bumbling, scared man but Noah is pulled to him.
There’s a LOT of characters.
It was a bit difficult to remember them listening to the audio.
And with this being a zombie-inspired tale, quite a few die.
But the plot was pretty good and the romance was super sweet.
And the spice was a spicin’, which I’m kinda surprised by because I thought it would be more fade to black.
Nope.
I mean an MM romance set in a dystopian world full of smart zombies, gore, and death?
I really friggin enjoyed it.
BUT I wanted more in the end.
ηαяяαтιση:
Dan Calley has a pleasant voice but it was so hard for me to follow sometimes.
Call it my lack of experience listening to foreign accents or whatever.
But I felt like he did a good job with both MCs!
February 14, 2025
1.5 stars- Zombie post-apocalypse story set in England. The actual zombie stuff was interesting but I really disliked both the romance and the main characters. There was a lot of low self-esteem ballooning into suicidal melodrama and making poor choices under pressure. I would’ve hated to be on a team with either of the MCs, they’d get me killed lol. The ending feels like the setup for a sequel since there are a ton of unresolved plot points but I think it’s a standalone which is annoying.
CWs : death, bullying, violence and gore, war, grief, suicide attempt, self-harm, pandemic, medical content, drug overdose, mention of police brutality
CWs : death, bullying, violence and gore, war, grief, suicide attempt, self-harm, pandemic, medical content, drug overdose, mention of police brutality
October 2, 2023
I loved this novel! I'm not typically a fan of apocalypse settings but this one was wonderfully done imo. I loved the subtle advances in technology while still keeping everything really grounded in reality. Nothing was so far off it was unbelievable or incomprehensible. The forbidden romance between Noah and Zeke was so worth the initial slow burn.
Thank you for the ARC, I'll be picking up a physical copy ASAP <3
Thank you for the ARC, I'll be picking up a physical copy ASAP <3
November 1, 2023
Me gustooo.
El romance lento, toda la historia detrás, si hubieron momentos(muy poco) que me aburrían pero más que nada me mantuvo enganchada, eso si, porque es final abierto 😭. Yo desde el principio ya pensaba lo de Zeke, hubiera estado bueno que ahondaran más en eso.
Pd: COMO ME VAS A DEJAR CON ESE FINALLL, EXPLÍCAME QUE PASO DESPUESSSSS
El romance lento, toda la historia detrás, si hubieron momentos(muy poco) que me aburrían pero más que nada me mantuvo enganchada, eso si, porque es final abierto 😭. Yo desde el principio ya pensaba lo de Zeke, hubiera estado bueno que ahondaran más en eso.
Pd: COMO ME VAS A DEJAR CON ESE FINALLL, EXPLÍCAME QUE PASO DESPUESSSSS
June 7, 2024
Loved this! I've been looking for a good dystopian romance and this had everything I was searching for!
✅ Compelling plot
✅ Really lovable characters
✅ A supporting cast that actually feels fleshed out and real
It ended on a bit of a cliff hanger (admittedly I wouldn't have read this if I had known it was an unfinished series) so here is hoping this author plans to continue on!
✅ Compelling plot
✅ Really lovable characters
✅ A supporting cast that actually feels fleshed out and real
It ended on a bit of a cliff hanger (admittedly I wouldn't have read this if I had known it was an unfinished series) so here is hoping this author plans to continue on!
March 18, 2024
this one took me aaaages. i don't know what i've expected but it wasn't this. zeke was such an obnoxious character and once noah fell for him, he went from okayish to unlikable as well. actually no one in this one was likable, except for wolf (the dog) obv and maybe frankie.
May 18, 2024
I can't say I didn't like this story because I did to some level. I was really excited to read it as post-apocalyptic thames are big yes to me. But unfortunately, there were things that slightly disappointed me.
Firstly, I really think the cover is beautiful but it's misleading. The characters in the book are in the modern military, and what we see on the cover doesn't match it. It might only be my opinion, so I'm sorry for being a bit picky.
I would say this was more of an action book sparkled with some very slow burn romance. The plot and storyline were good. The story is based in London, one of the last standing cities.
We have Noah, leader of Squad E, part of East Regiment, group who fight against zombies like creatures, which took out the most of the human population. Zake is the newest recruit who definitely doesn't want to be in the front line on the fighting field. He is more of a nerdy type. But after losing his job at the lab, he doesn't have much of a choice.
They were both likeable characters. One trying to deal with a grief the other trying to fit in. I liked how Zake was pushing himself at the training to prove he wasn't completely useless, but he often doubts himself no matter what others were telling him. It was nice to see their romance bloom, but I was thirsty for a bit more on the relationship aspect.
There is also this plot with a doctor Zake was working for, and i think it was a nice little twist.
Overall, if you enjoy a slow burn with action, plot it might be an interesting book to read.
It was a good debut, in my opinion, and I'll see what other books the author will share 🖤
Firstly, I really think the cover is beautiful but it's misleading. The characters in the book are in the modern military, and what we see on the cover doesn't match it. It might only be my opinion, so I'm sorry for being a bit picky.
I would say this was more of an action book sparkled with some very slow burn romance. The plot and storyline were good. The story is based in London, one of the last standing cities.
We have Noah, leader of Squad E, part of East Regiment, group who fight against zombies like creatures, which took out the most of the human population. Zake is the newest recruit who definitely doesn't want to be in the front line on the fighting field. He is more of a nerdy type. But after losing his job at the lab, he doesn't have much of a choice.
They were both likeable characters. One trying to deal with a grief the other trying to fit in. I liked how Zake was pushing himself at the training to prove he wasn't completely useless, but he often doubts himself no matter what others were telling him. It was nice to see their romance bloom, but I was thirsty for a bit more on the relationship aspect.
There is also this plot with a doctor Zake was working for, and i think it was a nice little twist.
Overall, if you enjoy a slow burn with action, plot it might be an interesting book to read.
It was a good debut, in my opinion, and I'll see what other books the author will share 🖤
May 29, 2025
This was wonderful. I had some issues with it - felt a bit like an early work of a promising author, where the bones and the heart of the story are there but the pacing has some issues. But the setting! The MC's! The satisfying slow burn, which was slow but not glacial. I am not a slow burn reader, I'm too impatient, but this worked for me. The slow glances and build up of the relationship combined with the character development and fascinating apocalyptic plot really worked.
Tags: Post apocalyptic, zombies, military, opposites attract
Tags: Post apocalyptic, zombies, military, opposites attract
November 9, 2024
Note: I'm adding to my review after my second read. I have since purchased a special edition copy of this book to grace my shelves that includes the extended epilogue and I highly recommend reading it as well, because it truly completes the novel.
Brilliant debut novel from this author. This post-apocalyptic world is gritty and dark, yet also hyper-realistic, which isn’t easy to pull off. The incredibly diverse set of characters have unique backgrounds and backstories and the stakes are high enough to keep the tension oozing off the page. With a slower beginning, the plot picks up into a whirlwind of a ride, surrounded by a monster mystery and culminating in a brilliant flash of fulfillment as the heroes fight tooth and nail to succeed.
Would I go back in time and still read this book, knowing what I know now?
Absolutely!!! I have, in fact, read this book a second time now.
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: We have dual 3rd-person POV (My favorite!), alternating between Zeke and Noah. It’s not hard at all to feel for Noah. As a young CO of a military unit with ties to the high command via his uncle (re: whispers of nepotism vs talent), he's put in some truly difficult situations where he's unable to truly 'emote', focusing instead on his team. At the same time, the situations are so tense and difficult that he's unable to contain his emotions and those momenst are some of the purest of pure gold in the book. I adored that he's still vulnerable, even with the newest member of his team and LI, Zeke. He’s dynamic and vulnerable in ways that really bring out his strengths as he grows throughout the plot.
Zeke is fascinating, not only with his history and where he’s from (which feels realistic to the setting) but also how he navigates being conscripted as a soldier when he's very much not soldier material. He begins the novel in a position of relative 'weakness' because it's such a brand new world he's stuck in. But his drive and determination are so organic as he grapples with this new life and how he can make himself work in it, as well as his surprising developing feelings not only for another man, something he wasn't fully cognizant of before, but that said man is his CO.
Given their positions, the potential for a power imbalance within and without their relationship and bedroom is high and would be easy to fall into. And yet TJ Rose gives us a refreshingly raw, honest, vulnerable, and equal balance between the two of them. I utterly adore the give and take, the strengths they can share, the way they mold into each other's spaces. Their relationship also occurs so naturally and feels wonderfully in tune with the events of the story as well as their characters. They are truly one of my favorite pairings in fiction!
And let's not forget a huge shoutout to Wolf, the (very safe!) army canine that is essentially the best member of the family (don't even try to fight me on this).
PLOT: Moderate- to fast-paced as the story progresses. The world itself builds upon some beautiful tension coupled with a bit mystery that kept me guessing throughout the novel. We have a scary post-apocalyptic world. The majority of the population is either dead or hideously and terrifyingly deformed into a monster that takes characteristics from several common supernatural types (re: vampire, zombie, etc.). We follow Squad E, a military unit as they attempt to both protect what's left of London and their found family. Questions arise over whether this is the world forever, or if there is still hope. The relationship that develops between Zeke and Noah is wonderfully organic and very linked to their world and lifestyle. I found the balance of romance to action/adventure to be perfect for this plot.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 out of 5. High. The stakes are high in this one from the beginning and deal with adult themes that keep this way out of beach read territory. And at one point, there is a definite shock moment that had me on the edge of my seat!
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
95%. The extended epilogue is absolutely integral, in my opinion, so I consider it as part of the main book. Although I wished for that final 5% in terms of aftermath in that climactic event, I utterly adore this book. It's impressive for a standalone that so much was packed into it and then wrapped up so well. I am happy!
Brilliant debut novel from this author. This post-apocalyptic world is gritty and dark, yet also hyper-realistic, which isn’t easy to pull off. The incredibly diverse set of characters have unique backgrounds and backstories and the stakes are high enough to keep the tension oozing off the page. With a slower beginning, the plot picks up into a whirlwind of a ride, surrounded by a monster mystery and culminating in a brilliant flash of fulfillment as the heroes fight tooth and nail to succeed.
Would I go back in time and still read this book, knowing what I know now?
Absolutely!!! I have, in fact, read this book a second time now.
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: We have dual 3rd-person POV (My favorite!), alternating between Zeke and Noah. It’s not hard at all to feel for Noah. As a young CO of a military unit with ties to the high command via his uncle (re: whispers of nepotism vs talent), he's put in some truly difficult situations where he's unable to truly 'emote', focusing instead on his team. At the same time, the situations are so tense and difficult that he's unable to contain his emotions and those momenst are some of the purest of pure gold in the book. I adored that he's still vulnerable, even with the newest member of his team and LI, Zeke. He’s dynamic and vulnerable in ways that really bring out his strengths as he grows throughout the plot.
Zeke is fascinating, not only with his history and where he’s from (which feels realistic to the setting) but also how he navigates being conscripted as a soldier when he's very much not soldier material. He begins the novel in a position of relative 'weakness' because it's such a brand new world he's stuck in. But his drive and determination are so organic as he grapples with this new life and how he can make himself work in it, as well as his surprising developing feelings not only for another man, something he wasn't fully cognizant of before, but that said man is his CO.
Given their positions, the potential for a power imbalance within and without their relationship and bedroom is high and would be easy to fall into. And yet TJ Rose gives us a refreshingly raw, honest, vulnerable, and equal balance between the two of them. I utterly adore the give and take, the strengths they can share, the way they mold into each other's spaces. Their relationship also occurs so naturally and feels wonderfully in tune with the events of the story as well as their characters. They are truly one of my favorite pairings in fiction!
And let's not forget a huge shoutout to Wolf, the (very safe!) army canine that is essentially the best member of the family (don't even try to fight me on this).
PLOT: Moderate- to fast-paced as the story progresses. The world itself builds upon some beautiful tension coupled with a bit mystery that kept me guessing throughout the novel. We have a scary post-apocalyptic world. The majority of the population is either dead or hideously and terrifyingly deformed into a monster that takes characteristics from several common supernatural types (re: vampire, zombie, etc.). We follow Squad E, a military unit as they attempt to both protect what's left of London and their found family. Questions arise over whether this is the world forever, or if there is still hope. The relationship that develops between Zeke and Noah is wonderfully organic and very linked to their world and lifestyle. I found the balance of romance to action/adventure to be perfect for this plot.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 out of 5. High. The stakes are high in this one from the beginning and deal with adult themes that keep this way out of beach read territory. And at one point, there is a definite shock moment that had me on the edge of my seat!
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
95%. The extended epilogue is absolutely integral, in my opinion, so I consider it as part of the main book. Although I wished for that final 5% in terms of aftermath in that climactic event, I utterly adore this book. It's impressive for a standalone that so much was packed into it and then wrapped up so well. I am happy!
February 21, 2025
The premise of this book had me excited. A post-apocalyptic military romance with mutated monsters ticks a lot of boxes for me.
I'd say for the most part that it lived up to what I was expecting. The quality of the writing was good(especially for a debut) and the action scenes were great.
I think Noah and Zeke were well done as characters. Frankie, Habib, and Splat were also pretty memorable.
My one issue (that kind of feeds into a few other things) is that the story felt constrained by its length. There were A LOT of characters, 3 or 4 important subplots in addition to the romance, and the relatively lengthy boot camp/training setup. I think with some breathing room by making this a duology or trilogy all of the various elements could've shined.
Ultimately, though, I did like this book because I think what was there was all interesting and engaging.
I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
I'd say for the most part that it lived up to what I was expecting. The quality of the writing was good(especially for a debut) and the action scenes were great.
I think Noah and Zeke were well done as characters. Frankie, Habib, and Splat were also pretty memorable.
My one issue (that kind of feeds into a few other things) is that the story felt constrained by its length. There were A LOT of characters, 3 or 4 important subplots in addition to the romance, and the relatively lengthy boot camp/training setup. I think with some breathing room by making this a duology or trilogy all of the various elements could've shined.
Ultimately, though, I did like this book because I think what was there was all interesting and engaging.
I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
May 27, 2024
MONSTERS WITHIN MEN was such an intense read and I loved every second of it! I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic romance and I liked that this one was set 10 years after the emergence of the RONS virus that turned people into zombies or "types" as they're called in the book. Set in London, Noah leads Squad E, a team of 10 soldiers who patrol the wall and fight against the types. He's seen a lot of loss in his life and the weight of responsibility hangs heavy on his shoulders but he's also secretly a softie. I really appreciated that Noah wasn't a hard ass and instead of trying to break his new recruits, Zeke and Frankie, he builds them up and encourages them.
Zeke was nerdy, didn't have many friends, and he faints at the sight of blood so he's not the ideal candidate for fighting types but the military is running out of bodies and he gets conscripted after losing his job as a research assistant. Zeke was resistant at first but also determined to prove his worth and I enjoyed seeing him grow in confidence and skills as the book went on. He truly became a part of the Squad E family and found a place where he belonged.
Zeke and Noah's romance was a slow burn but it felt so natural in the way it progressed. Noah was still dealing with some grief over losing his boyfriend a year ago and feeling guilty about being Zeke's commanding officer. While Zeke was battling his own fear of having to fight the types as well as being attracted to a guy for the first time. They develop a friendship first that easily shifted into something more as they found comfort in each other. While things burn slowly at first there was plenty of spice and no third act breakup for these two.
The other members of Squad E were a lot of fun too, especially Frankie, Splat, and their dog unit Wolf and there were great elements of found family woven throughout the book. Of course, this is a zombie book so be prepared to be emotionally devastated a few times before it's all said and done (don't worry the dog lives). I thoroughly enjoyed MONSTERS WITHIN MEN and I can't wait to read more by this debut author!
Content Warning: past death of a partner; on page death and grief; drug overdose; brief mentions of attempting suicide; self-harm; gore
Zeke was nerdy, didn't have many friends, and he faints at the sight of blood so he's not the ideal candidate for fighting types but the military is running out of bodies and he gets conscripted after losing his job as a research assistant. Zeke was resistant at first but also determined to prove his worth and I enjoyed seeing him grow in confidence and skills as the book went on. He truly became a part of the Squad E family and found a place where he belonged.
Zeke and Noah's romance was a slow burn but it felt so natural in the way it progressed. Noah was still dealing with some grief over losing his boyfriend a year ago and feeling guilty about being Zeke's commanding officer. While Zeke was battling his own fear of having to fight the types as well as being attracted to a guy for the first time. They develop a friendship first that easily shifted into something more as they found comfort in each other. While things burn slowly at first there was plenty of spice and no third act breakup for these two.
The other members of Squad E were a lot of fun too, especially Frankie, Splat, and their dog unit Wolf and there were great elements of found family woven throughout the book. Of course, this is a zombie book so be prepared to be emotionally devastated a few times before it's all said and done (don't worry the dog lives). I thoroughly enjoyed MONSTERS WITHIN MEN and I can't wait to read more by this debut author!
Content Warning: past death of a partner; on page death and grief; drug overdose; brief mentions of attempting suicide; self-harm; gore
October 15, 2023
This book will easily be in my Top 3 Reads this year.
There are so many things I liked about it. The writing was really good and perfectly smooth which (along with other signs) leads me to believe that the author was actually seeing and living with the characters and the action.
I never got bored even for a second, which is exceptional for a over 100k book.
I loved both Noah and Zeke because there is nothing perfect or sugary about them - on the contrary - they are so real in their imperfection, battles, decisions and feelings that you can’t help but root for them. Their slow-burn, slightly questionable (CO and a new recruit) relationship, with Zeke coming to terms with the nuances in his sexuality and Noah getting over the fear of a new loss, is like those flowers finding their way among concrete and rocks to bloom against all odds.
Lots of secondary characters - something that I’m often not a fan of because many times they are just inserted there like cardboard cutouts for no reason at all. Not here, though. All of the characters TJ Rose crafts in this book are well-rounded and even if it’s overwhelming at first to “meet” so many of them, a few pages in there’s no trouble at all distinguishing them and picking out favourites.
No remarks for the world building of this post-apocalyptic world on the verge between desperation and hope. It is described through conversation and action, without boring info dumps. Honestly, I’d love to watch this in a series format - it did feel like a movie.
I love how the book ends! I’m not sure if this is “To be continued” or “The End” here, but it is perfect as it is.
Five stars from me and I’m looking forward to the next TJ Rose book.
I was given an ARC of Monsters Within Men and this is my honest review.
There are so many things I liked about it. The writing was really good and perfectly smooth which (along with other signs) leads me to believe that the author was actually seeing and living with the characters and the action.
I never got bored even for a second, which is exceptional for a over 100k book.
I loved both Noah and Zeke because there is nothing perfect or sugary about them - on the contrary - they are so real in their imperfection, battles, decisions and feelings that you can’t help but root for them. Their slow-burn, slightly questionable (CO and a new recruit) relationship, with Zeke coming to terms with the nuances in his sexuality and Noah getting over the fear of a new loss, is like those flowers finding their way among concrete and rocks to bloom against all odds.
Lots of secondary characters - something that I’m often not a fan of because many times they are just inserted there like cardboard cutouts for no reason at all. Not here, though. All of the characters TJ Rose crafts in this book are well-rounded and even if it’s overwhelming at first to “meet” so many of them, a few pages in there’s no trouble at all distinguishing them and picking out favourites.
No remarks for the world building of this post-apocalyptic world on the verge between desperation and hope. It is described through conversation and action, without boring info dumps. Honestly, I’d love to watch this in a series format - it did feel like a movie.
I love how the book ends! I’m not sure if this is “To be continued” or “The End” here, but it is perfect as it is.
Five stars from me and I’m looking forward to the next TJ Rose book.
I was given an ARC of Monsters Within Men and this is my honest review.
October 8, 2024
This book!!! Did it give me chronic low-level anxiety? Yes. Yes, it did. Did I love every moment of it? 100%. I have a penchant for MM dystopia with an unfortunate track record of being sorely disappointed, but this transcended all of my expectations. Monster stories work best when they're more than just monster stories, we all know that, and I'm usually a firm believer in my dystopia having some kind of philosophical/political subtext, but I found myself not caring one jot about my usual requisites because this book is a hidden gem, centralising around these incredibly brave, multi-layered characters that go above and beyond the call of duty for one another. And it is more than a monster story, because it's a story about these fiercely loyal fire-forged friends and this forbidden, slow-burn romance! We've probably all imagined how we would react to the world as we know it drastically changing. Right? Any teen dystopia lover has envisaged themselves as a protagonist at one point or another. How would we survive? Would we be brave or cowardly? This book is perfect for those 'what if' readers! It's plot-driven and action-packed. What's not to love?
September 12, 2024
This is such a great book. Full of fun and adventure. I love Noah's capability to be able to love in a heartbreaking world. And how Zeke is so strong and able to hold Noah together.
I haven't cried for side characters as much as I have for this book before. Each person was so special and their back stories were incredible. A wonderful book about a found family that will never abandon each other.
I haven't cried for side characters as much as I have for this book before. Each person was so special and their back stories were incredible. A wonderful book about a found family that will never abandon each other.
October 11, 2023
Interesting
I was hooked by the blurb for this one and I'm so glad that I read it. It is an interesting and entertaining story. It was well.worth reading.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I was hooked by the blurb for this one and I'm so glad that I read it. It is an interesting and entertaining story. It was well.worth reading.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
November 18, 2023
It was slow at the start, but then it feels like your being chased by zombies and I like it. You get attached to all the characters. The found family trope was well-done. The pace too. Noah and Zeke are just cuties really!
October 9, 2025
At the start I was hoping for more monsters but by the end I was very happy with the story and the bond built between all the characters. The setting of this was done very well and the futuristic vibe was fun. The twists and reveals weren’t all that shocking and somewhat predictable but seemed thought out well and didn’t come across as “forced”. The spice was spicy and I loooved it. 🤭🤭. The cast was very likable and each person played a part. Would love to see this story continue in a sequel.
October 15, 2023
Wow. Just wow. This book has left me a bit speechless. It was so good. It was unique, intense, intriguing and full of so many different emotions. The utter heartbreak these characters face as the world pretty much burns around them is so hard to swallow. You feel their hopelessness with them. Their struggles. The aching and loss. Every single loss was a gut punch (okay maybe not every single loss, the types and some of the jerks, can take a hike obviously), but the loss of human life, it’s hard to stomach. It sends a pang to your heart. First off, poor Noah. He just keeps suffering, keeps getting knocked down, but he trudges on. He is a bright spot. He’s brave, relentless, and has such a wonderful soul. Zeke…poor Zeke really didn’t belong in the military. He struggled so hard and so much, but he didn’t give up either. He kept working hard to improve, so he wasn’t a liability. Once he got over his initial tantrum and focused on his new life, he showed so much bravery and determination to be better. And the love that these two men found for each other in such a harsh world was beautiful. The side characters were all amazing. I loved them all so very much, which just made some parts of the books just hard to stomach. My eyes stung, tears welled up, so many times. This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster of amazing highs and awful lows. The author did a stunning job writing this book. It is a very slow burn, about 2/3rds of the way in, but the sex wasn’t a huge part of the story and it wasn’t a big miss. The connection and bond between these two men and the entire squad was the important part. The story and plot were the focus. A lot of action happens. It might be a slow burn but the pace of the story is not. A lot happens to our squad during this book and it is intense and emotionally taxing, heed the trigger warnings. This book will put you through the wringer and you will love it.
February 29, 2024
This book is such a beautiful and emotional ride. I felt anxiety, excitement, and all five stages of grief by the time I finished it, and loved every minute. Both leading characters are compelling and interesting but Zeke was a show stealer. Compassionate without being overly soft, struggling without seeming weak, smart and driven, every moment from his POV is perfection. He's impossible not to root for. His developing attraction for Noah was not only believable but also extremely sweet, and the same can be said for Noah's feelings for Zeke.
Habib can literally go jump off a cliff. I know he was probably just trying to protect Noah/his team, but dude was straight up just a bully. Just because he has a family and is pRoTeCtIvE doesn't excuse how he treated my baby Zeke for the vast majority of the book. God I wanted him to get eaten. But hating him just added another layer to the emotional journey of the story and the strength of my feelings towards him, even negative, is a testament to the writing.
Zombies is usually an immediate "nope" for me. I just don't find stories about them enjoyable, and don't think they're interesting enemies to read about. Monsters Within Men didn't change my mind about zombies but it definitely stands as an exception. The types were an original and unique take on an old tale, and were a much more intimidating presence than traditionally depicted zombies.
One of the most standout things about this book is the delightful subversion of expectations with the roles Zeke and Noah take in their physical relationship. No spoilers, but trust me when I say it's great and just adds another layer of my love for this couple. They're sweet and sexy and everything in between.
I read most of this book in one night and I would do it again. 10/10
Habib can literally go jump off a cliff. I know he was probably just trying to protect Noah/his team, but dude was straight up just a bully. Just because he has a family and is pRoTeCtIvE doesn't excuse how he treated my baby Zeke for the vast majority of the book. God I wanted him to get eaten. But hating him just added another layer to the emotional journey of the story and the strength of my feelings towards him, even negative, is a testament to the writing.
Zombies is usually an immediate "nope" for me. I just don't find stories about them enjoyable, and don't think they're interesting enemies to read about. Monsters Within Men didn't change my mind about zombies but it definitely stands as an exception. The types were an original and unique take on an old tale, and were a much more intimidating presence than traditionally depicted zombies.
One of the most standout things about this book is the delightful subversion of expectations with the roles Zeke and Noah take in their physical relationship. No spoilers, but trust me when I say it's great and just adds another layer of my love for this couple. They're sweet and sexy and everything in between.
I read most of this book in one night and I would do it again. 10/10
October 3, 2023
If you’re looking for an action packed monster hunting read, in a setting heading into post apocalyptic despair, with a pinch of love and hope then you’re going to want to check this one out!
I’ve watched a few of zombie shows/movies, but I don’t think I’d ever read a book about them before now - following the general rule they aren’t called zombies here either though, they’re called types.
Type a is stronger but more feral, and type b is more intelligent but not quite as strong. Both are more than dangerous enough though.
It’s been a decade, and with staff and supplies both dwindling and infrastructure failing, tensions are rising. Especially as it comes to light the higher ups have not been entirely honest and forthcoming.
Unlike some who signed up for the fight/defense, Frankie and Zeke were ‘drafted’ and put into squad E when their employment exemptions ended. The squad, like many others, is dealing with losses and their uncertain future, and being led by CO Noah who is hanging by a thread but doing his best to keep them safe.
In the midst of all the training and then fighting, CO Noah and new ‘recruit’ Zeke have an initially reluctant but gradually building attraction leading to some mutual pining and then more. This is made all the more difficult in that it has to be secret because fraternization is Not Allowed.
Love after loss on one side, Bi awakening on the other, slow burn to fire, and the tension of a hidden relationship keeps this all interesting in between the sections of action and searching for answers to the government secrets.
Check your CWs - *know* there’s going to be a deal of violence and gore here - and buckle up for a wild ride
I thought this was an excellent read for spooky season!
Thanks to the author for the arc!
I’ve watched a few of zombie shows/movies, but I don’t think I’d ever read a book about them before now - following the general rule they aren’t called zombies here either though, they’re called types.
Type a is stronger but more feral, and type b is more intelligent but not quite as strong. Both are more than dangerous enough though.
It’s been a decade, and with staff and supplies both dwindling and infrastructure failing, tensions are rising. Especially as it comes to light the higher ups have not been entirely honest and forthcoming.
Unlike some who signed up for the fight/defense, Frankie and Zeke were ‘drafted’ and put into squad E when their employment exemptions ended. The squad, like many others, is dealing with losses and their uncertain future, and being led by CO Noah who is hanging by a thread but doing his best to keep them safe.
In the midst of all the training and then fighting, CO Noah and new ‘recruit’ Zeke have an initially reluctant but gradually building attraction leading to some mutual pining and then more. This is made all the more difficult in that it has to be secret because fraternization is Not Allowed.
Love after loss on one side, Bi awakening on the other, slow burn to fire, and the tension of a hidden relationship keeps this all interesting in between the sections of action and searching for answers to the government secrets.
Check your CWs - *know* there’s going to be a deal of violence and gore here - and buckle up for a wild ride
I thought this was an excellent read for spooky season!
Thanks to the author for the arc!
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