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Zombie Botnet #1
#zombie
A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Novel for the Digital Age.
Some blamed Twitter, others Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and even MySpace. The zombie botnet infiltrated them all, and the world was changed forever.
#zombie was the biggest trend on Twitter ever, and zombie 'selfies' as much a cause for the destruction of mankind as the original zombie botnet itself.
A press of a button and flesh was the currency of choice, and there was only one person to blame: Sarah. Known to her friends (1) as Ven.
She didn't do it on purpose though, let's get that straight from the get-go.
Ven just wanted to steal your money, not your humanity...
Suitable for adults only. Contains not only humor but strong language and scenes of zombies doing what they do best: eating your BRAINS!
Some blamed Twitter, others Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and even MySpace. The zombie botnet infiltrated them all, and the world was changed forever.
#zombie was the biggest trend on Twitter ever, and zombie 'selfies' as much a cause for the destruction of mankind as the original zombie botnet itself.
A press of a button and flesh was the currency of choice, and there was only one person to blame: Sarah. Known to her friends (1) as Ven.
She didn't do it on purpose though, let's get that straight from the get-go.
Ven just wanted to steal your money, not your humanity...
Suitable for adults only. Contains not only humor but strong language and scenes of zombies doing what they do best: eating your BRAINS!
238 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2014
129 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
About the author
Al K. Line
84 books185 followersAl K. Line is a British author who lives in rural England with his wife, son, and dogs.
When asked to describe himself for this bio all we got was the following:
"Who am I? Degrees, jobs, living in other countries, fighting squirrels, cuddling monkeys, amused by penguins, all the usual stuff."
When asked to describe himself for this bio all we got was the following:
"Who am I? Degrees, jobs, living in other countries, fighting squirrels, cuddling monkeys, amused by penguins, all the usual stuff."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 17, 2014
Tweets to die for in '#zombie' by Al K. line, When hashtags fight back
Designed to turn viewers catatonic and follow a subliminal command allowing hacker, Ven, to access their personal data brings about an unexpected side effect. '#zombie' is trending, and those unlucky enough to be accessing the internet and other visual media become mindless, ravenous zombies. Those affected go into a food coma much like after a big Thanksgiving dinner; satiated and content, with their distended abdomens bulging to max capacity.
As described in '#zombie', the internet is a frightening beast. Add zombie kids snapping selfies, ordinary people feasting on the flesh of anyone in sight, and the world becomes an odd and scary place to survive.
Ven and twenty-one year old Kyle are an unlikely pair to survive the ordeal, but survive they do. With Ven's infant Tomas and cheese-loving Labrador Boscoe in tow, a plan is hatched to traverse the unruly U.K. Streets with the only logical destination in mind. Ven's sister, Cassie, having elected to forego societal luxuries resides in a Wales commune, yurt style. If Ven's group can make it to Cassie, they just may make it through...well, that's the plan anyway.
'#zombie' is an original take on the zombie genre. Set in the United Kingdom, American readers aren't hit in the face by a barrage of British terms. Unfamiliar lexicons are an easy way to pull a reader right out of the story, and let's face it, no one wants to stop and Google in the middle of a book. The author appears to be keen on that fact and it allows '#zombie' to appeal to a broader audience.
For a gruesome topic, the book remains a light and easy read. It's short length allows it to be read in a single sitting and ends in one heck of a cliffhanger with promises of a sequel. While the ingenuity of it's plot is worthy of a five star rating, the characterization lacks some depth and development. Emotions feel unrealistic at times, and while the two main characters are likable, they aren't always believable. There are some minor editing issues that could use another pass through editing, but overall the writing is solid and the story very entertaining.
Designed to turn viewers catatonic and follow a subliminal command allowing hacker, Ven, to access their personal data brings about an unexpected side effect. '#zombie' is trending, and those unlucky enough to be accessing the internet and other visual media become mindless, ravenous zombies. Those affected go into a food coma much like after a big Thanksgiving dinner; satiated and content, with their distended abdomens bulging to max capacity.
As described in '#zombie', the internet is a frightening beast. Add zombie kids snapping selfies, ordinary people feasting on the flesh of anyone in sight, and the world becomes an odd and scary place to survive.
Ven and twenty-one year old Kyle are an unlikely pair to survive the ordeal, but survive they do. With Ven's infant Tomas and cheese-loving Labrador Boscoe in tow, a plan is hatched to traverse the unruly U.K. Streets with the only logical destination in mind. Ven's sister, Cassie, having elected to forego societal luxuries resides in a Wales commune, yurt style. If Ven's group can make it to Cassie, they just may make it through...well, that's the plan anyway.
'#zombie' is an original take on the zombie genre. Set in the United Kingdom, American readers aren't hit in the face by a barrage of British terms. Unfamiliar lexicons are an easy way to pull a reader right out of the story, and let's face it, no one wants to stop and Google in the middle of a book. The author appears to be keen on that fact and it allows '#zombie' to appeal to a broader audience.
For a gruesome topic, the book remains a light and easy read. It's short length allows it to be read in a single sitting and ends in one heck of a cliffhanger with promises of a sequel. While the ingenuity of it's plot is worthy of a five star rating, the characterization lacks some depth and development. Emotions feel unrealistic at times, and while the two main characters are likable, they aren't always believable. There are some minor editing issues that could use another pass through editing, but overall the writing is solid and the story very entertaining.
May 16, 2014
This was not the worst zombie book that I have ever read, but there are quite a few issues that I had with this book. If I had paid for this book I would have been very disappointed but since it was free on Amazon I gave it a little more leeway.
Firstly, for some reason the author feels that he has to beat you over the head with certain points. How many times do we need to be reminded that Ven and Kyle are unlikely friends? According to the author COUNTLESS times!
Secondly, there is a point in this book where the autjor breaks down the wall between writer and reader and actually ackonwledges the reader...wth? There are novels where the author speaks to the reader, which is fine, but in those books it is an ongoing theme, not an isolated incident out of nowhere. This is, in my opinion, is a HUGE mistake.
Thirdly, We get how connected we all are to the internet from the get go as the author cites many examples of our dependency and addiction to technology...and then proceeds to repeat the same points again and again and again *sigh*.
Lastly, the characters in this book partake in FAR too much conjecture. They go off on legnthy tangents about things that have just happened and why it happened and what they should have done. The frequent internal recaps of things that have just happened brings whole chunks of the book to a stagnant and repetitive place. Show us, through action and reactions how the characters are reacting to the environment, do not tirelessly explain their feelings!
On a positive note, the idea is a fresh and interesting take on the whole zombie nation thing and has much potential. I particularly enjoyed Ven's sister as a character.I think that in a few years when the autjor has gained some more experience these errors will correct themselves.
Firstly, for some reason the author feels that he has to beat you over the head with certain points. How many times do we need to be reminded that Ven and Kyle are unlikely friends? According to the author COUNTLESS times!
Secondly, there is a point in this book where the autjor breaks down the wall between writer and reader and actually ackonwledges the reader...wth? There are novels where the author speaks to the reader, which is fine, but in those books it is an ongoing theme, not an isolated incident out of nowhere. This is, in my opinion, is a HUGE mistake.
Thirdly, We get how connected we all are to the internet from the get go as the author cites many examples of our dependency and addiction to technology...and then proceeds to repeat the same points again and again and again *sigh*.
Lastly, the characters in this book partake in FAR too much conjecture. They go off on legnthy tangents about things that have just happened and why it happened and what they should have done. The frequent internal recaps of things that have just happened brings whole chunks of the book to a stagnant and repetitive place. Show us, through action and reactions how the characters are reacting to the environment, do not tirelessly explain their feelings!
On a positive note, the idea is a fresh and interesting take on the whole zombie nation thing and has much potential. I particularly enjoyed Ven's sister as a character.I think that in a few years when the autjor has gained some more experience these errors will correct themselves.
February 24, 2014
The Twittering Dead
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Member Giveaway program.)
"Ven hit enter and Armageddon was unleashed."
Ven - short for ven.GEANCE, her online hacker tag; Sarah to the tax collector - just wanted to make an obscene amount of cash. And, perhaps more importantly, build the best botnet the world had ever seen. And she did. Build a virtually indestructible bot, that is. The cash? Well, as it turns out, cash is less than useless in the zombie apocalypse.
After a decade plus spent carefully nurturing and cultivating her notorious zombie bot, Ven was finally ready for the end game. Using stolen bits of psychological research, she created a virus loaded with "data packets" of information - images, text, and videos, all transmitted from device to user quickly enough to elude conscious awareness - designed to manipulate internet users into opening a Bitcoin account...which Ven would then hijack and drain of funds. (Bitcoin? Really?) The plan was flawless, or so she though. Then she hit enter and accidentally unleashed Armageddon.
As you might have already guessed, those exposed to Ven's subliminal mind manipulation didn't open Bitcoin accounts. Instead, they either became hopelessly locked onto their machines, unable to look away from the devolving gibberish that flashed across the screen (Zombies love to tweet and take selfies, dontchaknow.), while those who failed to maintain steady eye contact went on a murderous rampage. They became zombies of a sort, although it remains a matter of some debate whether they died and were resurrected, or are still alive (and thus potentially curable). Either way, they want brains. In the absence of such, any other body part will do.
Ven's husband Paul is one of the first victims of her zombie bot; while checking Twitter on his way up the landing, he's infected with the virus, goes into anaphylactic shock, and then attempts to devour his wife and newborn son. Luckily, she and her hacker friend Kyle are able to dispatch of Zombie Paul using his own decorative samurai sword - right though the eyeball.
The rest of the story sees Ven, Kyle, three-month-old Tomas, and six-year-old adopted Black Lab Boscoe (Bos Bos) fleeing their neighborhood in the UK for the safety of her sister Cassie's commune in North Wales. All the while, Ven struggles with her unwitting role in ending the world. Convinced that she can't be solely to blame - after all, she viewed the same data as everyone else during the testing stage, with no ill results - she vows to find the person responsible. By story's end this hasn't happened, but the author's note suggests that this is the first installment in a series.
#zombie is a different kind of zombie story, relating the infection to social media rather than a biological virus or environmental pollutant. Line has a rather cheeky sense of humor, and the blood and gore in the early zombie scenes is rather fun. I also adore Bos Bos, and appreciate that the author imparted a nonhuman with his own personality and voice. And - spoiler alert - the dog doesn't get it. (I hate it when the dog dies. The dog ALWAYS dies!)
While the story has potential, the writing could stand to be tightened up a bit. The author tends to rehash the same points ad naseum, resulting in quite a few redundancies. For example, Line includes a lengthy "aside" explaining to the reader the construction of the internet, and why its web-like nature makes it so difficult to shut down. Later on the characters discuss this same material a second time. Likewise, the book (especially the opening chapters) is filled with descriptions of how awesome Ven and her unstoppable bot are. Show, don't tell!
If I hadn't been obligated to review this book, I probably would have bailed 30% in; it just didn't hold my interest, and there are plenty of other books in my pile that I'm itching to get to. As it was, I skimmed over a number of passages in the second half of the book. Line has an interesting concept here, but way too many words. I'd love to see this as a novella or short story. 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2 on Amazon.
In conclusion: "Well, fuck Twitter, that was no real loss. It would be a shame to lose Instagram though."
http://www.easyvegan.info/2014/03/03/...
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Member Giveaway program.)
"Ven hit enter and Armageddon was unleashed."
Ven - short for ven.GEANCE, her online hacker tag; Sarah to the tax collector - just wanted to make an obscene amount of cash. And, perhaps more importantly, build the best botnet the world had ever seen. And she did. Build a virtually indestructible bot, that is. The cash? Well, as it turns out, cash is less than useless in the zombie apocalypse.
After a decade plus spent carefully nurturing and cultivating her notorious zombie bot, Ven was finally ready for the end game. Using stolen bits of psychological research, she created a virus loaded with "data packets" of information - images, text, and videos, all transmitted from device to user quickly enough to elude conscious awareness - designed to manipulate internet users into opening a Bitcoin account...which Ven would then hijack and drain of funds. (Bitcoin? Really?) The plan was flawless, or so she though. Then she hit enter and accidentally unleashed Armageddon.
As you might have already guessed, those exposed to Ven's subliminal mind manipulation didn't open Bitcoin accounts. Instead, they either became hopelessly locked onto their machines, unable to look away from the devolving gibberish that flashed across the screen (Zombies love to tweet and take selfies, dontchaknow.), while those who failed to maintain steady eye contact went on a murderous rampage. They became zombies of a sort, although it remains a matter of some debate whether they died and were resurrected, or are still alive (and thus potentially curable). Either way, they want brains. In the absence of such, any other body part will do.
Ven's husband Paul is one of the first victims of her zombie bot; while checking Twitter on his way up the landing, he's infected with the virus, goes into anaphylactic shock, and then attempts to devour his wife and newborn son. Luckily, she and her hacker friend Kyle are able to dispatch of Zombie Paul using his own decorative samurai sword - right though the eyeball.
The rest of the story sees Ven, Kyle, three-month-old Tomas, and six-year-old adopted Black Lab Boscoe (Bos Bos) fleeing their neighborhood in the UK for the safety of her sister Cassie's commune in North Wales. All the while, Ven struggles with her unwitting role in ending the world. Convinced that she can't be solely to blame - after all, she viewed the same data as everyone else during the testing stage, with no ill results - she vows to find the person responsible. By story's end this hasn't happened, but the author's note suggests that this is the first installment in a series.
#zombie is a different kind of zombie story, relating the infection to social media rather than a biological virus or environmental pollutant. Line has a rather cheeky sense of humor, and the blood and gore in the early zombie scenes is rather fun. I also adore Bos Bos, and appreciate that the author imparted a nonhuman with his own personality and voice. And - spoiler alert - the dog doesn't get it. (I hate it when the dog dies. The dog ALWAYS dies!)
While the story has potential, the writing could stand to be tightened up a bit. The author tends to rehash the same points ad naseum, resulting in quite a few redundancies. For example, Line includes a lengthy "aside" explaining to the reader the construction of the internet, and why its web-like nature makes it so difficult to shut down. Later on the characters discuss this same material a second time. Likewise, the book (especially the opening chapters) is filled with descriptions of how awesome Ven and her unstoppable bot are. Show, don't tell!
If I hadn't been obligated to review this book, I probably would have bailed 30% in; it just didn't hold my interest, and there are plenty of other books in my pile that I'm itching to get to. As it was, I skimmed over a number of passages in the second half of the book. Line has an interesting concept here, but way too many words. I'd love to see this as a novella or short story. 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2 on Amazon.
In conclusion: "Well, fuck Twitter, that was no real loss. It would be a shame to lose Instagram though."
http://www.easyvegan.info/2014/03/03/...
March 7, 2014
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-copy of this book for review through Booklikes Giveaway program.)
Written by Al K. Line, #zombie, follows two hackers, an infant, and an overweight dog as they navigate a new world overrun by zombies. The twist is that Ven (the pre-imminent hacker extraordinaire) is the CAUSE of the zombie catastrophe. Line has come up with a unique scenario of how a zombie apocalypse could begin. What if it all started with a computer hack that perpetuated itself through links on Facebook, hashtags on Twitter, and ads on YouTube? Could it be stopped? How could you avoid becoming infected?
I loved the concept for this story. A zombie invasion that began because a computer hacker unleashed a subroutine through every available avenue on the Internet? BRILLIANT. As someone who uses social media on a daily basis (who doesn't these days?), it was a chilling thought that by clicking on what first appears as an innocuous link on Twitter I could become a mindless destroyer of humanity.
However, it didn't hold my attention as I had hoped it would. Line has a tendency to drift and focus on minutiae that has no bearing on the tale. Re-telling of information previously stated is also another issue. Also, I didn't really feel connected to the protagonist, Ven. I didn't especially care if she made it through the apocalypse or not. Your main character needs to at least be somewhat relatable/likeable (at least I think so) to keep the interest of the reader. If I hadn't felt obligated to review I probably would have given up despite the fascination of the story's concept.
In conclusion: great concept and some really great wit but could stand a bit of tightening up on storyline and characterization.
Written by Al K. Line, #zombie, follows two hackers, an infant, and an overweight dog as they navigate a new world overrun by zombies. The twist is that Ven (the pre-imminent hacker extraordinaire) is the CAUSE of the zombie catastrophe. Line has come up with a unique scenario of how a zombie apocalypse could begin. What if it all started with a computer hack that perpetuated itself through links on Facebook, hashtags on Twitter, and ads on YouTube? Could it be stopped? How could you avoid becoming infected?
I loved the concept for this story. A zombie invasion that began because a computer hacker unleashed a subroutine through every available avenue on the Internet? BRILLIANT. As someone who uses social media on a daily basis (who doesn't these days?), it was a chilling thought that by clicking on what first appears as an innocuous link on Twitter I could become a mindless destroyer of humanity.
However, it didn't hold my attention as I had hoped it would. Line has a tendency to drift and focus on minutiae that has no bearing on the tale. Re-telling of information previously stated is also another issue. Also, I didn't really feel connected to the protagonist, Ven. I didn't especially care if she made it through the apocalypse or not. Your main character needs to at least be somewhat relatable/likeable (at least I think so) to keep the interest of the reader. If I hadn't felt obligated to review I probably would have given up despite the fascination of the story's concept.
In conclusion: great concept and some really great wit but could stand a bit of tightening up on storyline and characterization.
July 20, 2016
I received this book from Goodreads First Look in exchange for an honest review.
I admit I'm a fan of zombie novels, and I was excited when I won this book. The premise is interesting: a zombie virus is activated through the internet. I'm a bit of a Luddite when it comes to cell phones (I still have an old fashioned "dumb phone" in lieu of a smartphone), so I got a kick out of the virus being spread through people using Facebook and Twitter on their iphones.
#Zombie is graphic at parts, but it's not constant blood and guts. I thought the book quite repetitive: how many times does it need to be said how connected to the internet everyone is? Mentioning it once would be enough. I also thought the writing a bit too dry, and the punctuation could have been better. It's a quick read, and the plot good enough that I feel it's a 2 star book ("okay").
I don't think I'll be interested in reading the next book in the series.
I admit I'm a fan of zombie novels, and I was excited when I won this book. The premise is interesting: a zombie virus is activated through the internet. I'm a bit of a Luddite when it comes to cell phones (I still have an old fashioned "dumb phone" in lieu of a smartphone), so I got a kick out of the virus being spread through people using Facebook and Twitter on their iphones.
#Zombie is graphic at parts, but it's not constant blood and guts. I thought the book quite repetitive: how many times does it need to be said how connected to the internet everyone is? Mentioning it once would be enough. I also thought the writing a bit too dry, and the punctuation could have been better. It's a quick read, and the plot good enough that I feel it's a 2 star book ("okay").
I don't think I'll be interested in reading the next book in the series.
April 9, 2015
#crap
#zombie is a story about a computer hacker named Ven that unleashes a virus into a computer program that turns people into zombies. They become infected through social media sites such a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The story jumps around with no steady flow making it hard to follow. New characters introduced at the end of the book with no development and no building of a climax. There was no purpose really. Then the story just abruptly ends. I understand there are two more books in this series, but #yougottabekiddingme. This was a waste of time.
#zombie is a story about a computer hacker named Ven that unleashes a virus into a computer program that turns people into zombies. They become infected through social media sites such a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The story jumps around with no steady flow making it hard to follow. New characters introduced at the end of the book with no development and no building of a climax. There was no purpose really. Then the story just abruptly ends. I understand there are two more books in this series, but #yougottabekiddingme. This was a waste of time.
June 17, 2014
Alright. I have to admit that "zombie" WILL catch my attention. Add to that fact the horrifically successful trend to hashtag EVERYTHING and, yeah, I'm going to take a look. Not to mention that the cover for this is pretty sweet in its simplicity.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website:http://jenpaul13.wix.com/makinggoodst....
#zombie by Al K. Line (and if this isn't an awesome battery-related pen name, I will be slightly disappointed) is an intriguing zombie tale whose outbreak stems from cyber origins, something I've not seen done much before. While reading it, I found myself constantly thinking of it as a cautionary tale of our growing dependence on, and in some cases addiction to, social media; yet I'm oddly compelled to check Facebook or Twitter right now anyway…
The story itself was captivating, as evidenced by the fact that I was reading it and barely even noticed that it had gone from a sunny day to darkened dusk around me. Ven.genence, aka Ven aka Sarah, her infant son, her hacker cohort Kyle, and her well-loved dog Boscoe traverse a world infected by the zombiebot she unleashed. It's a dangerous world, but she manages to think to get to her hippie sister who is a technophobe in Wales in an effort to survive.
As for the characterization and grammatical mechanics of the story, there were some concerns I had and I feel like there are many opportunities for revision. I'm aware that this is in British English and not American English that I'm inundated with every day, but I'm well-versed in both and I found that there were areas that could use a second look from an editor. I also wasn't too keen on the characters, apart from Bos Bos. For a main character, I should feel some connection to them, but with Ven, I was struggling to stick with her. She was static and dynamic at the same time, if that makes any sense; she would go back and forth on different actions or thoughts, but there wasn't really any discernable or appreciable growth in her character (apart from shedding her many pairs of shoes for the necessities, such as sustenance and weapons).
The ending of the story was a good surprise that had me uttering, "oh shit." It leaves it open for the subsequent books in the series, but I'm not sure if I'm personally inclined to continue reading on. Maybe Ven will have character growth with the *spoiler* turning of her son, but, then again, maybe not.
Overall, I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website:http://jenpaul13.wix.com/makinggoodst....
#zombie by Al K. Line (and if this isn't an awesome battery-related pen name, I will be slightly disappointed) is an intriguing zombie tale whose outbreak stems from cyber origins, something I've not seen done much before. While reading it, I found myself constantly thinking of it as a cautionary tale of our growing dependence on, and in some cases addiction to, social media; yet I'm oddly compelled to check Facebook or Twitter right now anyway…
The story itself was captivating, as evidenced by the fact that I was reading it and barely even noticed that it had gone from a sunny day to darkened dusk around me. Ven.genence, aka Ven aka Sarah, her infant son, her hacker cohort Kyle, and her well-loved dog Boscoe traverse a world infected by the zombiebot she unleashed. It's a dangerous world, but she manages to think to get to her hippie sister who is a technophobe in Wales in an effort to survive.
As for the characterization and grammatical mechanics of the story, there were some concerns I had and I feel like there are many opportunities for revision. I'm aware that this is in British English and not American English that I'm inundated with every day, but I'm well-versed in both and I found that there were areas that could use a second look from an editor. I also wasn't too keen on the characters, apart from Bos Bos. For a main character, I should feel some connection to them, but with Ven, I was struggling to stick with her. She was static and dynamic at the same time, if that makes any sense; she would go back and forth on different actions or thoughts, but there wasn't really any discernable or appreciable growth in her character (apart from shedding her many pairs of shoes for the necessities, such as sustenance and weapons).
The ending of the story was a good surprise that had me uttering, "oh shit." It leaves it open for the subsequent books in the series, but I'm not sure if I'm personally inclined to continue reading on. Maybe Ven will have character growth with the *spoiler* turning of her son, but, then again, maybe not.
Overall, I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
February 7, 2016
You can call me Al
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a different type of zombie Apocalypse, one that you imagine could actually happen. No mysterious disease caused by the accidental release of a biological virus, or an Apocalyptic scenario brought on by an angry God, simply the widespread madness introduced into a world infatuated with the world wide web. Just a click on your smartphone, or the viewing of an impossibly cute cat meme brings on an insatiable desire to kill and consume anyone unlucky enough to be close. We all have become so accustomed to the convenience of our internet devices, they've integrated themselves into every facet of our lives, but we never think of the possibility that subliminal imagery could be inserted into those seemingly innocent devices and rewire our brains to turn us into flesh eating killing machines. We've all been exposed to it in one form or another each time we log on, and the thought that this type of mind control could actually happen is absolutely terrifying and very real. I'm reading on a Kindle and this story makes me want to turn it off and never use it again, except that the book is so good, and pulls you in so deep, you just have to find out what happens. Maybe the author All K. Line is using a bit of subliminal programming himself! If so, it's working, because I cannot wait to buy the next book in this awesome series! Kudos to the author for a fascinating read...or some amazing computer programming, I don't know which, lol...whichever it is, it has me hooked. I really love this storyline, so excuse me while I go buy the next Zombie Botnet book...must buy the book...must buy them ALL...AND YOU SHOULD TOO!!!
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I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a different type of zombie Apocalypse, one that you imagine could actually happen. No mysterious disease caused by the accidental release of a biological virus, or an Apocalyptic scenario brought on by an angry God, simply the widespread madness introduced into a world infatuated with the world wide web. Just a click on your smartphone, or the viewing of an impossibly cute cat meme brings on an insatiable desire to kill and consume anyone unlucky enough to be close. We all have become so accustomed to the convenience of our internet devices, they've integrated themselves into every facet of our lives, but we never think of the possibility that subliminal imagery could be inserted into those seemingly innocent devices and rewire our brains to turn us into flesh eating killing machines. We've all been exposed to it in one form or another each time we log on, and the thought that this type of mind control could actually happen is absolutely terrifying and very real. I'm reading on a Kindle and this story makes me want to turn it off and never use it again, except that the book is so good, and pulls you in so deep, you just have to find out what happens. Maybe the author All K. Line is using a bit of subliminal programming himself! If so, it's working, because I cannot wait to buy the next book in this awesome series! Kudos to the author for a fascinating read...or some amazing computer programming, I don't know which, lol...whichever it is, it has me hooked. I really love this storyline, so excuse me while I go buy the next Zombie Botnet book...must buy the book...must buy them ALL...AND YOU SHOULD TOO!!!
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Read Zombie Botnet...
August 31, 2014
I picked this up just thinking it would be a nice in between read before I could start a book I really wanted to read. It surprised me by being a a fairly decent zombie novel with a little something different. We are so used to there being a virus that starts everything that it's a no brainer. This is a hacker induced zombie apocalypse, though not intentional the results are still the same. It took me a while to warm up to the characters even though I liked the idea immediately. The characters just seemed kind of boring at first, but as they went on I could see who they were and start to feel like they were more real. There are some issues with mixing up names of two male characters but as long as you know who they are referring to it's not so bad.
Ven has been a hacker since she was a young girl and things did not change when she got married and had a child. She has never really cared much for people and does not see how what she does affects others. Ven is planning the biggest botnet attack in history, one that will make her enough money to live on the rest of her life. But when she finally launches it things do not happen the way she had planned them and instead she brings on the end of the world. Now she must try to survive in a world of zombies with her infant son and best friend, because she also caused the demise of her husband. What will become of a women with social deficiencies and her goth friend in a world gone cannibal?
Definitely better than the cover would lead you to believe. I would recommend this to anyone who likes zombie tales and is looking for something with a twist.
Ven has been a hacker since she was a young girl and things did not change when she got married and had a child. She has never really cared much for people and does not see how what she does affects others. Ven is planning the biggest botnet attack in history, one that will make her enough money to live on the rest of her life. But when she finally launches it things do not happen the way she had planned them and instead she brings on the end of the world. Now she must try to survive in a world of zombies with her infant son and best friend, because she also caused the demise of her husband. What will become of a women with social deficiencies and her goth friend in a world gone cannibal?
Definitely better than the cover would lead you to believe. I would recommend this to anyone who likes zombie tales and is looking for something with a twist.
December 9, 2016
Original idea.
Though Zombies have been done-to-death in recent years, this is an original take on the idea; especially in the Zombie creation. It's this that I gave the extra star for.
Without that nice twist it would've been just another Zombie book.
That said the author is very conscientious over characterisations, because you'll find different characters within these pages than you're expecting. This is a very good thing as it makes enjoyable reading, principally as the author does such a good job in writing them. Even the dog has a voice in this tale.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks. The first is the authors style of writing, this may not be for everyone as they go in and out of third person to first person. It kinda works, but hey, this wasn't really my style.
Secondly; be aware this is NOT a stand alone story and leaves you at a cliffhanger ending. Very nicely done, so you are tantalised to get the he t book. Luckily enough, there's an offer at the end of this installment to get the second, and a couple of Zombie stand alone stories, for free. THAT is a mega bonus, and I've already downloaded them.
On the whole, this is a pretty good book, though the pace, at times, seems to slow to a quagmire pace, it is still wort the read, due to the characters and the twist.
Though Zombies have been done-to-death in recent years, this is an original take on the idea; especially in the Zombie creation. It's this that I gave the extra star for.
Without that nice twist it would've been just another Zombie book.
That said the author is very conscientious over characterisations, because you'll find different characters within these pages than you're expecting. This is a very good thing as it makes enjoyable reading, principally as the author does such a good job in writing them. Even the dog has a voice in this tale.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks. The first is the authors style of writing, this may not be for everyone as they go in and out of third person to first person. It kinda works, but hey, this wasn't really my style.
Secondly; be aware this is NOT a stand alone story and leaves you at a cliffhanger ending. Very nicely done, so you are tantalised to get the he t book. Luckily enough, there's an offer at the end of this installment to get the second, and a couple of Zombie stand alone stories, for free. THAT is a mega bonus, and I've already downloaded them.
On the whole, this is a pretty good book, though the pace, at times, seems to slow to a quagmire pace, it is still wort the read, due to the characters and the twist.
December 10, 2016
Another take on the zombie apocalypse. This really pushed the envelope so to speak. I get putting subliminal messages into social media to steal random stuff, but turning people into zombies is just too far-stretched. As far as the writing, it was well written. Character development was also reasonably done well. Personally I just think this took a not so believable take on the zombie apocalypse. Now if the author was going for symbolism, he was spot on. In today's society, we are definitely zombified (not a real word, but it works). You can't go anywhere without seeing a majority of the people around you staring at their phones. It doesn't matter where you go they're all around you. People walking mindlessly and some driving (scary thought) while staring at their phones. Although this book wasn't my cup of tea from the beginning, I was determined to finish it, because I can't not finish a book once I start. My point being someone else may enjoy this, but I won't be continuing the series.
May 20, 2022
Read : May 20, 2022
Rating : 2 Stars (DNF)
Ugh, I can't deal with this anymore.
Lately I've been having a hard time finding good books and /or finishing them.
This belong to that category of ehh, why did I think this would be for me.
It's not for me, even though I love zombies but honestly the premise was too weird for me and the characters are annoying and completely fucking idiotic at best.
I was rooting for the zombies to eat our mc's with in the first couple of scenes already.
Very, very much info dump/telling in the beginning and slow to get going.
I did like that it took place somewhere other than the USA, usually I enjoy those more since most taking place in the USA have the easy access to guns everywhere.
Rating : 2 Stars (DNF)
Ugh, I can't deal with this anymore.
Lately I've been having a hard time finding good books and /or finishing them.
This belong to that category of ehh, why did I think this would be for me.
It's not for me, even though I love zombies but honestly the premise was too weird for me and the characters are annoying and completely fucking idiotic at best.
I was rooting for the zombies to eat our mc's with in the first couple of scenes already.
Very, very much info dump/telling in the beginning and slow to get going.
I did like that it took place somewhere other than the USA, usually I enjoy those more since most taking place in the USA have the easy access to guns everywhere.
August 18, 2023
I liked the idea of how the zombies came to be in this book. Getting infected by technology, awesome idea! Very interesting and that got my attention but the writing still really threw me off, it's like she couldn't choose how to tell the story. But it was readable.
The characters could have used a bit more development, it felt rushed and I didn't really had a connection with any of them except for the dog to tell the truth.
The chapters are very choppy and do not flow well, sometimes I felt that I skipped a whole chapter but hadn't. There is a villain in here but it is thrown at you like wham bamn. I am curious to see what happends next but not enough to buy the next book. We will see.
The characters could have used a bit more development, it felt rushed and I didn't really had a connection with any of them except for the dog to tell the truth.
The chapters are very choppy and do not flow well, sometimes I felt that I skipped a whole chapter but hadn't. There is a villain in here but it is thrown at you like wham bamn. I am curious to see what happends next but not enough to buy the next book. We will see.
September 28, 2023
The world collapsed in a Zombie Apocalypse, this time not caused by a virus, alien technology or witchcraft - the infection came from the internet and everyone connected to a computer, smartphone, modern car, smart-tv, smart-refrigerator, smart-whatever became instantly transformed in a brain and guts craving killing machine.
Ven is a computer hacker trying to develop a way to leech bitcoins from every people on the planet - could she and her trojan be the responsible for this Armageddon? The only thing she knows is that she has to run now if she wants to save herself, her baby son and her dog (that doesn't understand why nobody wants to play anymore...)
This was a fun read, really loved the base idea, but I don't think I'll follow the series...
Ven is a computer hacker trying to develop a way to leech bitcoins from every people on the planet - could she and her trojan be the responsible for this Armageddon? The only thing she knows is that she has to run now if she wants to save herself, her baby son and her dog (that doesn't understand why nobody wants to play anymore...)
This was a fun read, really loved the base idea, but I don't think I'll follow the series...
May 27, 2022
Another one. Another one that I just cannot finish. I cannot go through with this. I had already skipped a whole chapter on ‘how to build a botnet’, I do not need to know how to do that. Now, I found myself skipping over all the fluff just to get to the meat of the plot and I just felt like there was so much padding.
This felt like a half-baked notion…There were so many jumps between third and second person, a few jumps from the humans POV to the dogs POV to the zombie’s POV.
If you'd like to read the rest of my review, please visit my blog!
This felt like a half-baked notion…There were so many jumps between third and second person, a few jumps from the humans POV to the dogs POV to the zombie’s POV.
If you'd like to read the rest of my review, please visit my blog!
June 4, 2014
I couldn't finish the book. 34% through and that was forcing myself that far. The characters we have been introduced to so far are dull, and I have no interest in seeing them survive or not.
The next 2 books in the trilogy have very good reviews, so I am hoping I can catch up with the storyline and read them, as the premise behind this zombie apocalypse story is great. Fingers crossed for books 2 & 3 !
The next 2 books in the trilogy have very good reviews, so I am hoping I can catch up with the storyline and read them, as the premise behind this zombie apocalypse story is great. Fingers crossed for books 2 & 3 !
December 17, 2021
An enjoyable short story. The person who is thought to have initially started the spread of the infection off has seen her husband dying and dying again. She is trying to think where she has went wrong and all the time it wasn’t her after all. I loved Tomas the baby and of course
Bos Bos the overweight Labrador. The great thing about short stories is that you can start them and finish them on the same day. Brilliant read.
Bos Bos the overweight Labrador. The great thing about short stories is that you can start them and finish them on the same day. Brilliant read.
July 1, 2014
Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from the LibraryThing website.
A botnet infiltration, running rampant on social media, causes mind-melt to FBers, Tweeters, and Gramers.
The Zombie Apocalypse has arrived, triggered by a greedy hacker who unleashes a virus which she can not control.
This is not your average Zombie book ... I loved it !!!
Highly recommended.
A botnet infiltration, running rampant on social media, causes mind-melt to FBers, Tweeters, and Gramers.
The Zombie Apocalypse has arrived, triggered by a greedy hacker who unleashes a virus which she can not control.
This is not your average Zombie book ... I loved it !!!
Highly recommended.
June 17, 2014
I found this book really hard to get through, it didn't really hold my attention. I found that the author repeated things a lot and I didn't really enjoy reading about the computers and technology, a little bit would have been ok but not in so much detail. I thought that it was a really good concept and there was really good and intense parts of the book but most of it I found boring.
August 21, 2014
Badly edited, with more missing commas than make for comfortable reading, this tale none the less kept me flipping pages. The two protagonists are not likable, and not meant to be. The zombie apocalypse via hacker is the best description. I'm hesitant to read the second book because of the author's propensity for talking directly to the reader and failure to punctuate.
November 30, 2021
Botnet 1
Not being a computer geek and unaware of botnets, I found it both interesting and informative. The end of book 1 indicated how it all began, I hadn't the experience to work out the connection between botnets and zombie tendences. Interesting characters and I wait for Miles former life to be exposed. All in all keeps you interested.
Not being a computer geek and unaware of botnets, I found it both interesting and informative. The end of book 1 indicated how it all began, I hadn't the experience to work out the connection between botnets and zombie tendences. Interesting characters and I wait for Miles former life to be exposed. All in all keeps you interested.
March 14, 2014
I was given the opportunity to read this for free in exchange for an honest review from librarything.com.
Awesome!!! Loved it! Would recommend! Gets you thinking about how scary a situation like that is a possibility!
Awesome!!! Loved it! Would recommend! Gets you thinking about how scary a situation like that is a possibility!
September 30, 2014
A bit slow in the beginning. At first I wasn't enjoying it at all and almost stopped reading it. Glad I stuck it out. Some parts the proof reader must have dozed off because I was like "what?". The ending is a little hard to believe and I didn't much care for it. Hope 2.0 I better.
December 10, 2017
Weird "zombie"
Novel based on technology... love a good zombie novel but this didn't do this for me. It strikes me as somewhat grasping for a new idea on zombie origins and not quite pulling it off. Very sad and unrealistic. The writing was not bad though.
Novel based on technology... love a good zombie novel but this didn't do this for me. It strikes me as somewhat grasping for a new idea on zombie origins and not quite pulling it off. Very sad and unrealistic. The writing was not bad though.
April 3, 2014
Just couldn't get into this one.
June 9, 2014
Scary. This story makes me want to give up the internet. I even had to peek at my computer to make sure I wasn't turning into a Zombie myself.
April 26, 2016
Very interesting concept and execution. It is a scary scenario and actually quite plausible in my humble opinion. I certainly will not be clicking random links any time soon.
November 27, 2022
Different
I found the story premise different and interesting. The characters could do with a bit more fleshing out. Over all I enjoyed reading the story.
I found the story premise different and interesting. The characters could do with a bit more fleshing out. Over all I enjoyed reading the story.
February 21, 2023
A computer expert releases a deadly botnet meme that turns people into zombies
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