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The Seventh Day #1

The Seventh Day

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From the window I can see her.
She looks like she did yesterday.

Same Clothes.
Same Hair.

But today her face is calm, dead calm.
All their faces are dead calm until one of us makes a noise.

The noise wakes them and then it starts.
Their heads jerk to the right three times rapidly as they stand in the most awkward way.

That's when we run.
That's when we hide.

That's how we stay alive until The Seventh Day!

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

628 people are currently reading
506 people want to read

About the author

A.E. Watson

39 books83 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Pen name of Tara Brown


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5 stars
608 (39%)
4 stars
535 (35%)
3 stars
292 (19%)
2 stars
71 (4%)
1 star
21 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
Profile Image for Kelli W.
621 reviews173 followers
August 27, 2019
Closer to 2.5

This one, unfortunately, got the 'Y' but not the 'A', in YA. I love zombie novels, especially by female authors. This one has great promise. However it was over saturated with long monologues that added no substance. It felt like a watered down version of a PG-13 book. Perhaps it's just, but I prefer YA to be PG-13 and nothing lower.

Context: I've read over 10 books by this author. I've generally loved or enjoyed almost all of them.... Until this one. For that reason only, I'm going to continue series and give her the benefit of the doubt
Profile Image for JennyWithThe📚.
163 reviews
January 4, 2016
5 Biting Stars!

This book isn't your typical Zombie apocalypse book. It's so much more! This book takes you on a journey of fear, inner strength, loss, gain, determination, growing up (fast), love of family, friends and a young man (It is YA) with 17 yr. old female Lou.
Profile Image for Abi.
1,997 reviews664 followers
May 15, 2015
Lou was a strong character, but I couldn't warm to her enough to love her.

This started out pretty good, but I lost interest a bit as the story progressed.

This was an okay read overall, though, I prefer the authors other apocalyptic series, Born.
Profile Image for M.
369 reviews34 followers
April 30, 2021
2 stars ⭐️
I debated the rating quite a bit because there was a lot I enjoyed, but a lot I really didn’t like about the book. I made up a pros and cons list so I can lay out all the reasons in a clear and concise way. One thing I don’t want to put in the pros and cons list is that it was a bit cheesy/hokey. It didn’t retract from the story for me, really, but it may for some people.

Pros:

-over all storyline was good
-strong main character
-good story flow
-characters are rarely this smart especially in the beginning. It’s refreshing.
-the zombies and the storyline around them was some of the most well put together and complete I’ve seen
-the zombies were different from other zombies I’ve seen

Cons:

-plot hole/inconsistencies
Ex. Calling zombies undead when they were presumed to only be sick, then going back to saying “cure the illness”
-unhealthy/possessive love triangle brothers friend is possessive, age difference (17, 20+), made a huge speech about being the love of her life seemed borderline/full on emotionally manipulative, stalker behavior using the best friend’s brother to get to her
-a little rambling at times
-heteronormative

Based on reviews I’ve read the series improves in the 2nd and 3rd books so I’m going to see how it goes with the 2nd book!
Profile Image for Jessica Fether.
232 reviews25 followers
March 15, 2018
Maybe more like 3.5 stars. This book had an intense and breathtaking beginning, then things slowed down a bit. There were some minor plot twists that seemed a bit random, but overall this was a very fun-to-read and enjoyable “zombie”/dystopian book. On to book 2!
Profile Image for XR.
1,979 reviews106 followers
February 17, 2020
It ain’t bad! It’s an interesting take on a virus/zombie apocalypse for sure. Who knew getting electrified could be a good thing, eh?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily Eck.
Author 8 books114 followers
February 6, 2020
Overall Series: strong 4 stars

I initially was not overly impressed with this series. The Born Series by Tara Brown is better. But I'm on book 3 and I am finding myself more and more invested. The Born Series still is reins supreme, but I'm finding myself invested in this story and characters. I'm impressed T Brown was able to create such a different story than the Born Series. I went into this unsure, but the whole vibe was different. Different character traits, different zombies, different obstacles. I give this series two thumbs up because I've been reading book three in the bathroom at work today... because I need to know what happens!!! If you start out feeling a bit eh, I would recommend you keep going. Things pop off in book two.

I just finished book three and was crying. I stick with my three stars on book one. I'd say it got really good in the last 10%-15%. Book two and three even were a bit slow for me in terms of getting into the story from the gate. I gave book 3 five stars, so that tells you it gets really damn good.
Profile Image for Beverly Delong.
5 reviews
September 12, 2019
Always been a fan

I love Tara's books and series, and most I can get so emotionally involved in. Love the story line and the wonderful characters. However parts of the book left holes in my head. Nonetheless it was a great read and hopefully I will find answers in the 2nd book. Pretty much if Tara Brown has written it, it's a must read!
Profile Image for Michelle Monroe.
559 reviews51 followers
March 27, 2015
Run. Hide. Be quiet. Pull the trigger.
What would you do if you woke up and the world around you has become a living nightmare? Where would you go? How would you survive? Can you make it to the seventh day?

'According to the Bible, it took seven days to create the world. According to the zombie apocalypse I witnessed, it took less to destroy it'

'The smoke becomes one with the low hanging clouds and it's as if there is no light left in the world. I fear we broke it all, even the light inside of us. I don't feel any in me. I feel disparity and anguish. I feel broken and hollow, like the good stuff has fallen out and what's left is the husk or shell'

Follow Lou, a seventeen year old girl, that is left in the wake of the zombie apocalypse. Her mother is dead, her dad is missing and she is left to take care of her little sister and her friends, her job is to keep them alive in a world that is no longer what they knew it to be. There is chaos and danger lurking at every corner, those left alive are just as dangerous as those that have become infected.

In spite of the fact that the world has just gone to shit, Lou finds new friends on her journey. Ones, that she comes to rely on. They have not only helped her survive, but have ultamitely become her family.

This story is a unique twist on the Zombie apocalypse that I am sure you will enjoy. There is danger, mystery, suspense that will keep you reading till the very last page, and there is love.

'Her answer makes him laugh. When he smiles, genuinely and not like a jerk, he's cute. His brown hair and green eyes are a pretty deadly combination. Not that it matters now. Nothing matters. It dawns on my then, staring at that perfectly cute boy with a crazy sense of humor, that it won't be a matter of living life and wanting simple things like falling in love or going to college. I have a terrible feeling it will always be a matter of survival'

p.s. I bet you wont expect this kind of ending...
Profile Image for Charlie.
303 reviews44 followers
March 10, 2016
4/5 Stars

It's not often you can find a decent book about the world coming to an end as the world turns on one another i.e. the whole world goes mad via virus and a teenager is able to tell their side of the story well. But this one did.
The execution of the storyline and how real it felt to be on Lou's side of things was brilliant. I don't often use this word because I think something must be that good to achieve that sort of description. But this book was able to show me what it was like to be inside a seventeen year olds mind when the world is going to utter shit and not only do you have yourself to look after, but also a younger sibling and their friends and everyone else that joins them.
I instantly had a connection to the main character which was great because I could really feel for her and the situation that got handed to her and to make things even better, she was no saint. As the story develops and we see how the virus works, her history begins to be shown to us, to let us know that she hasn't always been such a good character at times in her life. She is flawed. Simply as. She has the mind of a seventeen year old but she must also act and behave much older because she simply has no other choice otherwise she dies in this new world.

What I also liked was there was romance towards the end of the book but it wasn't insta-love. This again allowed me to connect much more to the character in the fact that she was sensible in terms of how things were going to go relationship wise considering the world is practically gone.

Overall, a really enjoyable read and now I'm desperate to get my hands on the next book to find out what happens next!
14 reviews
July 16, 2016
Different

There wasn't a thing to dislike about this book. Another zombie story, but different and original. Love her style of writing, the things her characters say and feel curl my toes and warm my heart!
3 reviews
October 23, 2016
Thanks to the reviewer!! The" The Seventh Day" book got me hook up and I really loved it. I REALLY look forward to book 2, The Last Hour. I didn't realized it was 2 years ago. I wonder, when will book 2 come out???

Profile Image for Mandy Reads Indie.
1,978 reviews91 followers
March 5, 2018
He lifts a hand to my arm, brushing against my jacket. “ Hey, even if your dad isn’t there, I just want you to know everything will be okay, Lou. I’ll always keep you safe. The rest of the world might fall away into chaos but as long as we stay together, we’ll be safe.”
***

I was on the hunt for another great zombie read. I had already delved into another one, even made it nearly halfway in and I just had to quit. It just wasn't what I was needing or wanting. So I needed something to remove all that I had just read and remind me why I love the zombie genre. I definitely found that in THE SEVENTH DAY.

This book was just what my little zombie loving heart was in search of. It held suspense, a little romance, and uniqueness. For a majority of the book I was on the edge of my seat (figuratively speaking of course) gripped with fear of the biters. I seriously bit what little I had left of my nails down to the quick due to the intensity of the story. It was fantastic being a constant state of fear through most of the book.

I loved what romance there was. Sure there was some pining away at one of the male characters. You know, the bff’s older brother that she had been in love with for years with hopes that he would see her more than a sister or young girl. But towards the end is where the romance picks up and takes off. Sweet, adoring romance. I loved it. Will Lou get her man?

But the best part was the zombies, the biters. They did this crazy 3 tick of the head at the slightest sound and then would take off for their next victim. Then they would do more stuff that I will not go into. They just get more and more interesting as the story unfolds leaving everyone with questions they may not get the answers to.

I look forward to reading the next one in the series to see what happens next. With the way it all ended, we get a false sense of safety so anything could happen. 5 Stars!
1 review1 follower
August 26, 2017
This is the first time I have wrote a review and I feel obliged to write it as the current review of 4.11 with 800+ reviews is bullshit. I don't normally read books below a 4.00 unless it's highly recommended and its served me well so far. This book is an ok read, a 3 star rating I would say. The beginning is amazing; its fast, its tense, it's interesting but it seems to just fizzles out after that. There are also far to many coincidences, everything seems to go right for this girl despite lacking basic common sense. She's running around the country for the seven days straight making friends and discovering military secrets. WTF, THATS NOT HOW REAL LIFE WORKS!!!

Additionally this book describes every single adolescent male, apart from the protagonists love interests, as raping machines. In an apocalyptic situation I imagine some young males would rape but I can safely say that the vast majority wouldn't. Pisses me off when authors describe humans as monsters in end of the world situations. Humans are pack animals, they tend to group together when in danger, its how we have became the most successful animals on Earth. Additionally it irks me that all the teens are shown to be instantly partying and getting drunk throughout the book. Yes, some teens would get drunk but I imagine that the vast majority would be looking for/mourning their families or trying to survive. They aren't stupid for fucks sake. Don't even get me started on the love interest, it came out of nowhere. Unbelievable!

This is quite ranty but it annoys me when a books rated so highly and doesn't deliver what that rating promises. Overall a ok book but not an excellent one.
Profile Image for Kat Brownell.
393 reviews13 followers
September 14, 2017
This woman is a terrible writer. She doesn't understand a thing about commas or grammar, and her word choices are so clunky that half the time I think she means one thing and then realize later she meant something completely different.
I do really like zombie books, and this was about a 2.5 for me. I was going to be generous and give it a 3, but the last 2 chapters were so terrible and boring I went with a 2. They just never ended. I guess she was setting us up for book 2, but as I don't ever plan to read this author again, I really couldn't care less. It's weird to say this about a zombie book, but it got really unbelievable at the end. Also, the entire book could have been avoided if the dumb girl would have just stayed in her damn house like she was told!
I can't recommend this book.
Profile Image for Jen.
660 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2022
Better than the second one which I accidentally ready first.
This is the start of the story and the people in it mostly still have standard morals and ethics. This of course becomes a struggle between doing what is right and surviving with self-respect.

Lou is the main character and her dad is away for work as a military scientist at the start of the apocalypse. He of course knows exactly what has happened but can't really tell his family, especially his irresponsible wife (who turns out to be a tad misjudged) in time to help much. He does warn Lou to go shopping and board up windows in time.

There are several unpleasant idiots who take advantage of the situation but there are many more decent people who try to figure things out together and help each other survive.
1 review
September 22, 2017
I read this very much prepared to hate it for just being a zombie book but that didn't happen at all. It's a nice refreshing different take on zombies. The main character was more relatable to me in her actions and motives more so that a lot of the heroines out there. It wasn't just that she had to save her family or the world but that she had the same doubts and fears and I feel like people would having during something like that, rather than the selfless sacrificing for the whole world type character. She does all those things too but in a more real sense.

I couldn't put it down once I started. Best read I've had in a while.
Profile Image for Lady.
1,185 reviews11 followers
October 12, 2020
Is This The End?

This series must be read in order. This is the first book. I can't wait to read "The Last Hour"!



Lou and her sister Joey are not having a great day with their mother when everything falls apart. Actually they are having a really bad day to be honest but it gets worse. Seeing the bloody man at Joey's school has them freaking out. What is wrong with the man? What are no cells or OnStar working? What happened to 911? Will they be safe at home? Will anyone ever be safe again?


***This series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers who enjoy zombies in their modern apocalyptal fiction :)
2 reviews
November 3, 2017
Interesting read

I liked the fact that the zombie cliche was different than others. The manually imputed nanobots could kill someone based on their moral deeds, or just skip over them. After transferring the bots to another host the latter one died. I would recommend this to anyone who liked World War Z, I am Legend, or The Walking Dead. I give it 1 star short of 5 because I felt it had too much emphasis on Louis personal life and feelings, instead of the actual apocalypse. All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to the second. - Book Lover.
Profile Image for Rae Nebola.
20 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2017
Tara Brown does it again!

I don't usually review books unless they suck...it's just one of my flaws...lol
However, I believe that this author deserves all the kudos she gets. This book is one more in a LONG LIST of amazing books she's written.
I just want to say thank you Tara for sharing your amazing gift and all of your "worlds" with us. You have a lifetime reader in me.
READ THE SEVENTH DAY - YOU WON'T REGRET IT. AMAZING BOOK, REALISTIC, RELATABLE CHARACTERS. You are pulled into their lives easily and ravenous for the next book.
Profile Image for Allie Rashkow.
208 reviews12 followers
July 15, 2018
Well, not much of a surprise that this book was amazing. Tara Brown never ceases in the amazing that is her writing. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I started "The Seventh Day" but what I got was so much better than I could have imagined. Like many others have said, this is not your typical zombie book. I won't spoil the reason the "zombie-ness" of it is different, just know it is shocking and explosive! The second book was read immediately after and was just as great. Can't wait for more!
104 reviews7 followers
August 21, 2017
Very Nice Read

You know, I'm 60 years old, been married 37 years and I still don't understand women all that well.

And teenage girls? I really have no clue what goes on in their brains.

But this very nice book provides a few insights and even includes advice on how to survive an extremely unique zombie apocalypse.

Great writing and interesting plot points. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and recommend it.
Profile Image for Wulfwyn .
1,172 reviews108 followers
June 3, 2018
It was okay. Time flow was an issue for me. I would have like some consistency there. The heroine was another issue. She came out strong but became weaker and weaker. This, though, could have been done on purpose. The author might have been trying to show us how the mind alters thing in a crisis. If you don’t go in expecting The Hunger Games or The Walking Dead you will enjoy the book more. It was different enough to grab my attention. I will read the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Sara Nelson.
Author 1 book13 followers
August 31, 2019
At first, Lou's character got on my nerves, acting like she can't do anything by herself. I get it, she is scared but dang you got to do what you got to do. It took some time for her to come to the realization that she doesn't need anyone but her little sister Jo and a very cocky and handsome guy to make her stronger. She finds love and family and thinks she is finally safe with her so-called happy ending, but in true Tara Brown fashion, there is no happy ever after. This is a must-read!!!!
8 reviews
January 9, 2018
Definitely binge worthy

I'd give it ten stars if it allowed me too!!! Loved! Loved This zombie apocalypse concept. There were a few problems with spelling but it was easy to correct while you read it. I love the fact that there was a sort of kind of a cure maybe for the infected. Can not wait for the next book! Definitely leaves you wanting more for sure!
Profile Image for Mary Chaney.
1 review
September 28, 2017
Chose this book on a whim but was absolutely delighted with it. Couldn't put it down. It gets and holds on to you from the first page. Highly recommended

Chose this book on a whim but was absolutely delighted with it. Couldn't put it down. Gets and holds you from the first page. Highly recommend it for all.
43 reviews
September 28, 2017
Good read

Story is engaging and well written. Plot was a new take on the Zombie Apocalypse. I liked that there is a back story for the infection and not just a drop in your lap here it is story line.
Has the tween romance yet even that was secondary and not over done.
Look forward to discovering more of her books.
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