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Z Plan #2
Red Tides
After barely escaping the Middle East alive in Z PLAN:BLOOD ON THE SAND, Cale finds himself on a journey not many men could endure. When he deployed to Iraq he never could have known the world would soon be overrun by a deadly virus, turning the human race into a walking nightmare. His story picks up right where it left off in BLOOD ON THE SAND. After days of drifting alone in the open sea, he is sure the chance of rescue is hopeless. His thoughts nearly drive him mad until finally a voice crackles over the boat radio. Only his rescue isn't quite what he imagined it would be. Cale will have to trust his instincts, and let his wits aid him as he continues his grueling mission to make it home. Follow Cale as he travels land and sea in book two of the Z PLAN series.
Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2014
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Mikhail Lerma
6 books67 followersMikhail Lerma was raised in the small town of Holdrege Nebraska. In the third grade he wrote his first short story, in which the main character was a monkey. Not taking his career as a writer too seriously after that, he finished his high school years by joining the army when he was only 17.He spent 10 years in the army starting as a truck driver and eventually becoming a combat medic.
While deployed to Iraq in 2007 he spent missions in a turret as gunner. In his free time he began writing a story having nothing to do with monkeys. Only time will tell if this was a good career move. With encouragement from his friends and family he decided to start taking his writing seriously. Storytelling has become a passion of his, with a strong interest in horror and science fiction.He is currently going to school to become a paramedic, and finishing his first series for Permuted Press.
He lives in Iowa with his wife and three daughters. He does not have a pet, but if anyone would like to donate a male dog to level out the hormones in his house that would be much appreciated..
http://www.facebook.com/ZPlanBloodont...
http://www.zplanbook.wordpress.com
While deployed to Iraq in 2007 he spent missions in a turret as gunner. In his free time he began writing a story having nothing to do with monkeys. Only time will tell if this was a good career move. With encouragement from his friends and family he decided to start taking his writing seriously. Storytelling has become a passion of his, with a strong interest in horror and science fiction.He is currently going to school to become a paramedic, and finishing his first series for Permuted Press.
He lives in Iowa with his wife and three daughters. He does not have a pet, but if anyone would like to donate a male dog to level out the hormones in his house that would be much appreciated..
http://www.facebook.com/ZPlanBloodont...
http://www.zplanbook.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 2, 2014
Red Tides is the second novel of Mikhail's exciting Z Plan series and the sequel to Blood on the Sand. It remains a riveting hybrid between zombie thriller and military novel. The main character, American soldier Cale, has experienced the beginning of a zombie holocaust while in Iraq and is now headed on a journey through the Middle East and Europe to find a way home to his family in the States. When we left him in Blood on the Sand he was stranded in a boat on the Mediterranean Sea and waiting for a possible rescue by an unknown ship. Not surprisingly that unknown ship, actually a submarine from what is left of the Egyptian Navy, is not good news. In the beginning of Red Tides, it start right where the first book left off and we find that Cale has been taken prisoner and forced into slave labor, chained to another prisoner and is scavenging supplies in the midst of rampaging zombies. This epic of a apocalyptic journey continues in high fashion as we wonder if Cale will ever be able to resume his quest to go home.
I don't think it is too much of a spoiler to say Cale's imprisonment is only a small part of the journey in this second installment. More importantly though, it helps us know more about Cale and how he copes with crisis and with others. His interaction with the person he is chained to reveal much about his humanness and will to persevere. In Red Tides, Cale becomes more than just a soldier trying to get home.
The author continues to use his military experience to write believable scenarios and excellent action scenes. One surprise is that Lerma chooses an alternating narrative to take the story "home", so to speak, and let us know what is going on in the States and specifically with Gale's family. At first it was a bit disorienting. However it does help us know about his family, their own ordeal, and what Cale has to look forward to. It also assists us in knowing a little of what to expect in book 3. Another part I liked is how Gail's vision of his dead friend Zach lets us know about Gail's own doubts and fears. It should probably be mentioned that the zombies for the most part take a back seat to other issues in this novel. This is actually expected since we all know, in a zombie apocalypse, the biggest monster becomes each other.
Overall I was just as happy with the second book as I was the first one. In many ways, I think it trumps the first book in both plot and character development. This is a series that will please both the action adventure fan and zombies lover.
I don't think it is too much of a spoiler to say Cale's imprisonment is only a small part of the journey in this second installment. More importantly though, it helps us know more about Cale and how he copes with crisis and with others. His interaction with the person he is chained to reveal much about his humanness and will to persevere. In Red Tides, Cale becomes more than just a soldier trying to get home.
The author continues to use his military experience to write believable scenarios and excellent action scenes. One surprise is that Lerma chooses an alternating narrative to take the story "home", so to speak, and let us know what is going on in the States and specifically with Gale's family. At first it was a bit disorienting. However it does help us know about his family, their own ordeal, and what Cale has to look forward to. It also assists us in knowing a little of what to expect in book 3. Another part I liked is how Gail's vision of his dead friend Zach lets us know about Gail's own doubts and fears. It should probably be mentioned that the zombies for the most part take a back seat to other issues in this novel. This is actually expected since we all know, in a zombie apocalypse, the biggest monster becomes each other.
Overall I was just as happy with the second book as I was the first one. In many ways, I think it trumps the first book in both plot and character development. This is a series that will please both the action adventure fan and zombies lover.
April 25, 2015
If the first has left you hanging, this one will leave you hanging and haunted.
Not because of the horrors of the infected (which is already very scary)
but also of what's happening to Cale.
Cale is now facing more than just the undead. Having witnessed not only the deaths of those whom he came to know personally or even for a short time, he now also faces his own guilt. He believes to have been the one to cause the deaths of those he had been responsible for.
"Then why am I the only one here?" Cale sobbed. "You guys trusted me, and it was my ideas that got you killed."
And the same cycle of hope and hopelessness goes again. One does not overpower the other, giving the readers a reason to cheer Cale on to his mission of going home to his family at all costs.
The thing that I like in this book is that it now gave more details as to how Lauren is coping, along with her daughter, Marie. On her side, she battles the advances of another survivor, Ben.
"Lauren just stood there awkwardly. She knew how he felt, but now he'd said it. He'd done so much for them, and if things had been different; if she'd never met Cale, then maybe. But she was married, and committed to Cale."
Not because of the horrors of the infected (which is already very scary)
but also of what's happening to Cale.
Cale is now facing more than just the undead. Having witnessed not only the deaths of those whom he came to know personally or even for a short time, he now also faces his own guilt. He believes to have been the one to cause the deaths of those he had been responsible for.
"Then why am I the only one here?" Cale sobbed. "You guys trusted me, and it was my ideas that got you killed."
And the same cycle of hope and hopelessness goes again. One does not overpower the other, giving the readers a reason to cheer Cale on to his mission of going home to his family at all costs.
The thing that I like in this book is that it now gave more details as to how Lauren is coping, along with her daughter, Marie. On her side, she battles the advances of another survivor, Ben.
"Lauren just stood there awkwardly. She knew how he felt, but now he'd said it. He'd done so much for them, and if things had been different; if she'd never met Cale, then maybe. But she was married, and committed to Cale."
August 26, 2014
Red Tides, the second book in Mikhail Lerma's Z Plan Series, picks up right where the first book left off.
We find our main character, Cale, being "rescued" (if you wanna call it that) by what's left of the Egyptian Navy. Cale is taken aboard their submarine rather than left for dead in the middle of the sea, and he soon becomes sort of "enlisted" with them....which basically means that he's forced into making scavenger runs for them because his captors are too afraid to do it themselves. Bound by chains to a fellow captor by the name of Naeem, the beginning of Red Tides follows these two in their troubles as they fight the dead on their forced scavenging trips and manage to escape at the last moment when things take a turn for the worst.
I found that Lerma's decision to pair our main character with someone that spoke absolutely no English was very interesting. Cale and his companion Naeem have no trouble communicating using everything but words. In the apocalypse, survival is a universal language and Lerma does this well, never over-complicating the communication between the American and the African.
After the two part ways, Cale continues his journey, through France this time, on a quest to return to America and make it home to his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Marie. A huge part of Cale's driving force is not only getting home to Lauren and Marie, but the constant reminder that his best friend Zach is dead, and Cale still blames himself for it. It also doesn't help Cale out that Zach has now become sort of a "ghost" and appears from time to time to keep Cale company or give him some sh*t. Zach's appearance is more of a manifestation from Cale's ever increasing mental instability than a ghost, but I like to pretend that Cale isn't crazy.
What Lerma does with the second book that I really enjoyed was switching perspectives between Cale and his wife. We jump from time to time from Cale's adventures across the world to Lauren's experiences State Side. Lauren has managed to survive, holding on, day by day and pushing forward; unwilling to let go of her husband and somewhere deep inside, she knows he's coming back to her. She's with a whole "colony" and together they all work together to make it in the apocalypse. There are dangers lurking for Lauren, and I'm not just talking about the undead. Without giving away any important plot points, let's just say I was extremely satisfied when those dangers were laid to rest...
All in all, Red Tides was a fantastic follow up to the first novel, which I absolutely loved! I'm always nervous when I read follow up novels to books that I adored because they've really gotta prove themselves to me, but Lerma has done it again with Red Tides; a non-stop zombie adventure that any horror fan will enjoy.
Please find this complete review and many others at bookie-monster [dot] com
[If this review helped, please press YES. Thanks!]
We find our main character, Cale, being "rescued" (if you wanna call it that) by what's left of the Egyptian Navy. Cale is taken aboard their submarine rather than left for dead in the middle of the sea, and he soon becomes sort of "enlisted" with them....which basically means that he's forced into making scavenger runs for them because his captors are too afraid to do it themselves. Bound by chains to a fellow captor by the name of Naeem, the beginning of Red Tides follows these two in their troubles as they fight the dead on their forced scavenging trips and manage to escape at the last moment when things take a turn for the worst.
I found that Lerma's decision to pair our main character with someone that spoke absolutely no English was very interesting. Cale and his companion Naeem have no trouble communicating using everything but words. In the apocalypse, survival is a universal language and Lerma does this well, never over-complicating the communication between the American and the African.
After the two part ways, Cale continues his journey, through France this time, on a quest to return to America and make it home to his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Marie. A huge part of Cale's driving force is not only getting home to Lauren and Marie, but the constant reminder that his best friend Zach is dead, and Cale still blames himself for it. It also doesn't help Cale out that Zach has now become sort of a "ghost" and appears from time to time to keep Cale company or give him some sh*t. Zach's appearance is more of a manifestation from Cale's ever increasing mental instability than a ghost, but I like to pretend that Cale isn't crazy.
What Lerma does with the second book that I really enjoyed was switching perspectives between Cale and his wife. We jump from time to time from Cale's adventures across the world to Lauren's experiences State Side. Lauren has managed to survive, holding on, day by day and pushing forward; unwilling to let go of her husband and somewhere deep inside, she knows he's coming back to her. She's with a whole "colony" and together they all work together to make it in the apocalypse. There are dangers lurking for Lauren, and I'm not just talking about the undead. Without giving away any important plot points, let's just say I was extremely satisfied when those dangers were laid to rest...
All in all, Red Tides was a fantastic follow up to the first novel, which I absolutely loved! I'm always nervous when I read follow up novels to books that I adored because they've really gotta prove themselves to me, but Lerma has done it again with Red Tides; a non-stop zombie adventure that any horror fan will enjoy.
Please find this complete review and many others at bookie-monster [dot] com
[If this review helped, please press YES. Thanks!]
March 20, 2015
So good that had me dreaming about it.
I am an obsessive reader, when a book gets my full attention I obsess about it. It happened with this book and I dreamed about Lauren and Mary, I was there running for my life with them. Yeah, woke up screaming and that is amazing. I love this series, it is well written with a lot of characters that have their own part of the plot. I'm amaze of how the writer is able to put the plot together without holes. Everyone is important and even when they have a tiny involvement, they matter.
Cale, main character, is trying to fulfill his promise to go back to his wife and daughter in a world that has gone to hell. The zombies are there to try to stop him with their hunger and the human nature gets its own front seat in the world's development. When the resources are diminished, Darwin said that the strongest will adapt and survive. That's what the human race is doing, surviving and adapting no matter who they have to kill in order to do it.
In this second book we get to know what's happening in Europe and America and it isn't pretty. Zombies are all around the world and now it's time for survivors to try their best and get the world back. One of the things that I liked/hated the most were the tiny cliffhangers I was left at the end of each chapter. The POV changes so much I had to wait to see what happened when I got another character in the next chapter. So, why did I love/hate it? It had me stressing about the characters and I couldn't stop reading, I had to know when the doubt of another character was creeping in. Yes, I got involved like that and I love it.
I'm so looking forward keep reading about this series and this author. I like his writing style, characters' development (they grow so much in this book and the consequences of what they've been through is so well developed) and I just have to know what happens.
I am an obsessive reader, when a book gets my full attention I obsess about it. It happened with this book and I dreamed about Lauren and Mary, I was there running for my life with them. Yeah, woke up screaming and that is amazing. I love this series, it is well written with a lot of characters that have their own part of the plot. I'm amaze of how the writer is able to put the plot together without holes. Everyone is important and even when they have a tiny involvement, they matter.
Cale, main character, is trying to fulfill his promise to go back to his wife and daughter in a world that has gone to hell. The zombies are there to try to stop him with their hunger and the human nature gets its own front seat in the world's development. When the resources are diminished, Darwin said that the strongest will adapt and survive. That's what the human race is doing, surviving and adapting no matter who they have to kill in order to do it.
In this second book we get to know what's happening in Europe and America and it isn't pretty. Zombies are all around the world and now it's time for survivors to try their best and get the world back. One of the things that I liked/hated the most were the tiny cliffhangers I was left at the end of each chapter. The POV changes so much I had to wait to see what happened when I got another character in the next chapter. So, why did I love/hate it? It had me stressing about the characters and I couldn't stop reading, I had to know when the doubt of another character was creeping in. Yes, I got involved like that and I love it.
I'm so looking forward keep reading about this series and this author. I like his writing style, characters' development (they grow so much in this book and the consequences of what they've been through is so well developed) and I just have to know what happens.
March 8, 2015
I love it when an author ups the excitement and action as a series moves forward. Red Tides is a fast paced, edge of your seat book. Cale has survived the initial outbreak only to find out that the survivors are more dangerous than the zombies. The story follows Cale as he continues his quest to go home.
Mikhail Lerma keeps his story well-grounded and believable. He really adds an element of relatability as he goes back and forth between Cale and his wife, Lauren. As we know from book #1, both have survived…so far. It was great to see the challenges that husband and wife faced in their attempts to survive and reunite. Neither one knows for certain that the other is still among the living, but they both refuse to give up on the one they love.
The plot is filled with non-stop thrilling action. I often found myself having to slow down so that I wouldn’t miss an important turn in the story. Even the subplots of the secondary characters were well developed, giving the reader an understanding of who they are, and how they too survived.
Most importantly, are the characters. Cale and Lauren are normal people, thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Any couple should be able to relate to them and their refusal to give up on one another. The secondary characters are well done, each one gives us further insight into Cale and Lauren.
With Red Tides, Mikhail Lerma has pushed the boundaries of what you would expect from the “soldier vs zombie” genre. I will have to wait patiently for the release of book #3.
Mikhail Lerma keeps his story well-grounded and believable. He really adds an element of relatability as he goes back and forth between Cale and his wife, Lauren. As we know from book #1, both have survived…so far. It was great to see the challenges that husband and wife faced in their attempts to survive and reunite. Neither one knows for certain that the other is still among the living, but they both refuse to give up on the one they love.
The plot is filled with non-stop thrilling action. I often found myself having to slow down so that I wouldn’t miss an important turn in the story. Even the subplots of the secondary characters were well developed, giving the reader an understanding of who they are, and how they too survived.
Most importantly, are the characters. Cale and Lauren are normal people, thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Any couple should be able to relate to them and their refusal to give up on one another. The secondary characters are well done, each one gives us further insight into Cale and Lauren.
With Red Tides, Mikhail Lerma has pushed the boundaries of what you would expect from the “soldier vs zombie” genre. I will have to wait patiently for the release of book #3.
April 13, 2016
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Red Tides picks up right where Blood on the Sand left off with Cale floating along in a boat in the water. He is trying to stay alive, beat the zombies and survive the virus that caused the world to go to h3ll and back. All Cale wants is to make it home to America to find his wife and baby. Ever since the attack of the zombies Cale has been on along journey fighting zombies and humans alike just trying to make it back to his home land.
Just as Cale is just about to give up all hope while he is on the boat. He is running out of food, supplies, fuel and ammunition. A big ship, a submarine comes out of the water right next to his little old boat. The people on the submarine take Cale on board ship with them and keep him quarantine from the other soldiers for a while so that they can make sure that he is not infected. Cale soon learns that he wasn't saved by these people because they are great people with big hearts and are only trying to stay alive themselves but have actually taken him along with others that they have come across as slaves to do all of their work for them. They have also taken all of these men so that they can take them out with them on land when they go to look for more supplies in order to have someone that they can throw between them and a zombie if the need arises.
Cale goes along with what they tell him to do up to a point. He is smart enough to know that the only way for him to stay alive and make it back to his family is just to go along with them at the moment and wait for his opportunity to escape or they let him go. At the moment the smartest thing for him to do is do exactly what they tell him to do. Make them think that they are in charge and have the upper hand but just as soon as his window of opportunity opens up then he will high tail it out of there. If they don't let him go before that is. Not all of the men that are on the submarine are bad men some are good just like Cale.
I love dystopian and zombie books and I can honestly say that I have loved reading the Z Plan series and can't wait to read more. I can't wait to find out what Cale and his new buddies find on American soil after the zombie apocalypses. If you like zombie books then you are going to love the Z Plan books. Mikhail knows how to suck you right into Cale's life and make you think that you are right there with him fighting the zombies and the humans too.
Red Tides picks up right where Blood on the Sand left off with Cale floating along in a boat in the water. He is trying to stay alive, beat the zombies and survive the virus that caused the world to go to h3ll and back. All Cale wants is to make it home to America to find his wife and baby. Ever since the attack of the zombies Cale has been on along journey fighting zombies and humans alike just trying to make it back to his home land.
Just as Cale is just about to give up all hope while he is on the boat. He is running out of food, supplies, fuel and ammunition. A big ship, a submarine comes out of the water right next to his little old boat. The people on the submarine take Cale on board ship with them and keep him quarantine from the other soldiers for a while so that they can make sure that he is not infected. Cale soon learns that he wasn't saved by these people because they are great people with big hearts and are only trying to stay alive themselves but have actually taken him along with others that they have come across as slaves to do all of their work for them. They have also taken all of these men so that they can take them out with them on land when they go to look for more supplies in order to have someone that they can throw between them and a zombie if the need arises.
Cale goes along with what they tell him to do up to a point. He is smart enough to know that the only way for him to stay alive and make it back to his family is just to go along with them at the moment and wait for his opportunity to escape or they let him go. At the moment the smartest thing for him to do is do exactly what they tell him to do. Make them think that they are in charge and have the upper hand but just as soon as his window of opportunity opens up then he will high tail it out of there. If they don't let him go before that is. Not all of the men that are on the submarine are bad men some are good just like Cale.
I love dystopian and zombie books and I can honestly say that I have loved reading the Z Plan series and can't wait to read more. I can't wait to find out what Cale and his new buddies find on American soil after the zombie apocalypses. If you like zombie books then you are going to love the Z Plan books. Mikhail knows how to suck you right into Cale's life and make you think that you are right there with him fighting the zombies and the humans too.
January 29, 2015
Okay, so I’m pretty sure this is the strangest review I have done to date! Let me say, right of the bat, I REALLY disliked Book #1 but completely LOVED Book #2. But, at the end of the day, even though I didn’t like Book #1, I am still going to recommend you read it because it will enhance your experience with Book #2.
AWESOME STUFF:
*After reading Book #2, Book #1 felt like a hastily tacked together prequel. Book #2 is rich with story, character development and overall feels in general. Seriously, I thought it was written by two different people! Honestly though, this is what happens when authors are made aware of their faults with previous novels and love what they do so much they refrain from lashing out at readers and actually fix the problems – I wish so bad there were more authors out there like this!
*Women get a say in this book whereas in the first book, they are just there to get killed. Also, the author spends some time from the main character’s wife’s perspective and I am happy to say the author has gotten a grasp of writing from the female perspective just nicely. While I loved Cale’s story, reading about the struggles his wife and child are going through enriched the story immensely.
*Having chapters from the zombie perspective. LOVED THIS! LOVED THIS! LOVED THIS! There was just enough of it to intrigue the reader but not too much that you get over the fact that zombies don’t have a lot going on in their heads. I really wished more authors would include the zombie perspective in their books.
*The author actually made me feel physically ill with some of his descriptions – nice work Mikhail! :-D
NOT SO AWESOME STUFF:
*There were a few moments in this novel when I wasn’t sure I really believed the protocol.
*Still some POV issues but nothing like in Book #1
I would probably only give Book #1 2-2.5 stars – and this doesn’t sit well with me for a book I am actively asking people to read. As for Book #2, if I hadn’t read the first book, I probably would have given it 3.5 stars. Having read the first one though, I would be inclined, based on the vast improvement, to give it 4.5 stars. So, in the end, I settled on 4 stars for Book #2.
AWESOME STUFF:
*After reading Book #2, Book #1 felt like a hastily tacked together prequel. Book #2 is rich with story, character development and overall feels in general. Seriously, I thought it was written by two different people! Honestly though, this is what happens when authors are made aware of their faults with previous novels and love what they do so much they refrain from lashing out at readers and actually fix the problems – I wish so bad there were more authors out there like this!
*Women get a say in this book whereas in the first book, they are just there to get killed. Also, the author spends some time from the main character’s wife’s perspective and I am happy to say the author has gotten a grasp of writing from the female perspective just nicely. While I loved Cale’s story, reading about the struggles his wife and child are going through enriched the story immensely.
*Having chapters from the zombie perspective. LOVED THIS! LOVED THIS! LOVED THIS! There was just enough of it to intrigue the reader but not too much that you get over the fact that zombies don’t have a lot going on in their heads. I really wished more authors would include the zombie perspective in their books.
*The author actually made me feel physically ill with some of his descriptions – nice work Mikhail! :-D
NOT SO AWESOME STUFF:
*There were a few moments in this novel when I wasn’t sure I really believed the protocol.
*Still some POV issues but nothing like in Book #1
I would probably only give Book #1 2-2.5 stars – and this doesn’t sit well with me for a book I am actively asking people to read. As for Book #2, if I hadn’t read the first book, I probably would have given it 3.5 stars. Having read the first one though, I would be inclined, based on the vast improvement, to give it 4.5 stars. So, in the end, I settled on 4 stars for Book #2.
September 2, 2014
Reviewed by A Simple Taste for Reading:
The story picks up right where it left us in “Z Plan (Blood on the Sand)“. Cale is still battling in the world full of a new deadly or “undead” disease. When the last book ended, Cale had boarded a boat and set out to sea and is seriously about ready to lose his mind from everything that is happening until he hears someone on the boats radio.
Cale is hopeful that he is being rescued but it turns out he might have been better off on his own. He will do anything to make his way home, even if that includes being a supply runner for his ‘rescuers’. Cale is smart and escapes while out on a scavenge along with another ‘rescued’ person.
How strong does a person have to be to face an apocalyptic world? You will brave through Cale’s trials right along side him in this second installment to the Z Plan Series.
Z Plan (Red Tides) is just a great as the first, if not better! Mikhail’s way of writing throws you into a world that you cannot escape, unless you close the book, which you won’t be able to until you are hanging on the last word! Bravo on your release of Z Plan, Red Tides!
The story picks up right where it left us in “Z Plan (Blood on the Sand)“. Cale is still battling in the world full of a new deadly or “undead” disease. When the last book ended, Cale had boarded a boat and set out to sea and is seriously about ready to lose his mind from everything that is happening until he hears someone on the boats radio.
Cale is hopeful that he is being rescued but it turns out he might have been better off on his own. He will do anything to make his way home, even if that includes being a supply runner for his ‘rescuers’. Cale is smart and escapes while out on a scavenge along with another ‘rescued’ person.
How strong does a person have to be to face an apocalyptic world? You will brave through Cale’s trials right along side him in this second installment to the Z Plan Series.
Z Plan (Red Tides) is just a great as the first, if not better! Mikhail’s way of writing throws you into a world that you cannot escape, unless you close the book, which you won’t be able to until you are hanging on the last word! Bravo on your release of Z Plan, Red Tides!
September 23, 2015
I've been putting off writing this for a couple of days because I'm not sure what to say. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. It actually took me a couple of days to read because while I found it interesting it didn't captivate me.
It jumps around in pov's which I know bothers some people but it never has me. Also I liked knowing what was happening to Cale's wife and daughter. But there's times when it didn't seem necessary or was just for a thought. Then occasionally there's something written that's just out of place or didn't matter. It's like the author thought we needed to know it but wasn't sure how to add it. It makes the writing come off as juvenile.
The story did pick up right where Blood on the Sand ended. At times though I had to wonder what Cale and Lauren was thinking. Their decisions didn't make sense. Especially Lauren at the end, I don't get why she wouldn't tell the truth.
It ends on a cliffhanger (as series tend to do) making me wonder what's going to happen to Cale next? That man is going through some serious crap trying to get home and I don't mean the zombies.
I was given an ecopy by the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
It jumps around in pov's which I know bothers some people but it never has me. Also I liked knowing what was happening to Cale's wife and daughter. But there's times when it didn't seem necessary or was just for a thought. Then occasionally there's something written that's just out of place or didn't matter. It's like the author thought we needed to know it but wasn't sure how to add it. It makes the writing come off as juvenile.
The story did pick up right where Blood on the Sand ended. At times though I had to wonder what Cale and Lauren was thinking. Their decisions didn't make sense. Especially Lauren at the end, I don't get why she wouldn't tell the truth.
It ends on a cliffhanger (as series tend to do) making me wonder what's going to happen to Cale next? That man is going through some serious crap trying to get home and I don't mean the zombies.
I was given an ecopy by the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
August 21, 2015
Red Tides (Z Plan #2) by Mikhail Lerma
Ride tides picks up right where Blood on the Sand left off. Cale is at sea drifting alone. Ready to go crazy with only his thoughts, and hope of rescue. When help does arrive it is not what he had in mind.
Cale goes through a rough time in this installment. Not only is he facing zombies, he has a group of people not knowing who to trust. His mission is to get back to the States to find his wife and daughter.
A fantastic zombie story with a military twist. Cale is a soldier and very likable. He faces some inner turmoil over what has happened to him, and the recent events with zombies. I don't do spoilers so I won't say much more. Red Tides is a fantastic story, I highly recommend to those who love a great zombie story.
Ride tides picks up right where Blood on the Sand left off. Cale is at sea drifting alone. Ready to go crazy with only his thoughts, and hope of rescue. When help does arrive it is not what he had in mind.
Cale goes through a rough time in this installment. Not only is he facing zombies, he has a group of people not knowing who to trust. His mission is to get back to the States to find his wife and daughter.
A fantastic zombie story with a military twist. Cale is a soldier and very likable. He faces some inner turmoil over what has happened to him, and the recent events with zombies. I don't do spoilers so I won't say much more. Red Tides is a fantastic story, I highly recommend to those who love a great zombie story.
August 9, 2015
Excellent. Disclaimer: I won this book in a competition.
I do love zombie fiction but I always rate the books on their merits, not all of the genre is great, but, saying that......
Excellent sequel! Cale's journey home continues, escaping one horrific situation and running into the unknown, fighting off the infected as he goes. He really mans up in this book, while still showing his emotional side. We also find out more about his wife, Lauren and what she is having to go through to survive.
They are both really good characters, easy to relate to and I could feel myself rooting for them at every hurdle.
There's the usual typo here and there, but absolutely no complaints about this book, I loved it and couldn't wait to start on the third book in the series. If I hadn't won these books I'd have bought them anyway because they are so hard to put down once you start reading
I do love zombie fiction but I always rate the books on their merits, not all of the genre is great, but, saying that......
Excellent sequel! Cale's journey home continues, escaping one horrific situation and running into the unknown, fighting off the infected as he goes. He really mans up in this book, while still showing his emotional side. We also find out more about his wife, Lauren and what she is having to go through to survive.
They are both really good characters, easy to relate to and I could feel myself rooting for them at every hurdle.
There's the usual typo here and there, but absolutely no complaints about this book, I loved it and couldn't wait to start on the third book in the series. If I hadn't won these books I'd have bought them anyway because they are so hard to put down once you start reading
December 22, 2014
Good job, better than the last book
This writer has a great story going on. If you are in the mood for a military zombie apocalyptic book, this is a good one too read. This is book two of what appears to be a series of books about our hero named Cale who finds himself trapped in Iraq when the world ends. His quest is to get home to his wife and daughter and he goes through all sorts of adventures as he works his way towards home. This book is well editted, reads well, and the characters are definitely improving where you either like them or hate them. I'm looking forward to the next book. Great job!
This writer has a great story going on. If you are in the mood for a military zombie apocalyptic book, this is a good one too read. This is book two of what appears to be a series of books about our hero named Cale who finds himself trapped in Iraq when the world ends. His quest is to get home to his wife and daughter and he goes through all sorts of adventures as he works his way towards home. This book is well editted, reads well, and the characters are definitely improving where you either like them or hate them. I'm looking forward to the next book. Great job!
February 25, 2015
What I love about this series is that it is so much more than just a zombie story, it has many crafty layers. It truly is a modern day Odyssey, but instead of Odysseus we are given Cale. My favourite part of book two was the dual narrative. We get a glimpse into Cale's world as well as Lauren's. Cale and Lauren may be far away from one another, but they share a dream of being reunited, even though neither knows the other is still alive. This second book doesn't scale back on the action, nor does it give your heart time to heal. It is a perfect balance of entertaining horror and thought provoking human experiences.
May 24, 2015
I loved this book! To be honest the first one was a little depressing because he is alone most of the time....now that there's more characters involved I am totally hooked!I cannot wait to see what happens next *hint hint Mikhail* I'm dying to see what happens next!
January 3, 2015
SPOILER WARNING...
Z Plan: Red Tides is the sequel to Z Plan: Blood in the Sand and picks right up where the first story ends. Cale is rescued from death by an Egyptian Navy submarine and then forced with other prisoners to scavenge for the boat and crew; small teams are dispatched to board derelict vessels at sea and also sent ashore to locate survivors (more slaves) and gather needed supplies. These teams are on a timetable and their failure to return by the designated time results in their being left behind. Cale and his partner find themselves out of time and miss their pick-up, now they are stranded on a large container ship full of zombies.
Cale is certain that his wife and child are still alive in the U.S. and does everything in his power to reunite with them. Along the way, there are plenty of zombies and Cale sometimes finds himself in impossible situations - thinking to himself that this is where his life will end. He is also visited periodically by either a ghost or his imagination - Zach was his best friend and fellow squad member in the previous book (killed by Cale when he became infected) and seems to show himself periodically - making observations and offering Cale advice and encouragement to keep him moving in the right direction.
The author also includes chapters following Cale's wife, Lauren, while she and her daughter continue in their own quest to survive in the U.S. She, too, believes that Cale is still alive and uses that to keep herself motivated.
The story has a few slow spots where there is more repetition than action, but all in all, it's a good zombie story!! The ending of Red Tides leaves readers hanging on a cliff...Cale is not home yet, but getting closer! I look forward to Mr. Lema's next installment to see how the series continues.
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
Z Plan: Red Tides is the sequel to Z Plan: Blood in the Sand and picks right up where the first story ends. Cale is rescued from death by an Egyptian Navy submarine and then forced with other prisoners to scavenge for the boat and crew; small teams are dispatched to board derelict vessels at sea and also sent ashore to locate survivors (more slaves) and gather needed supplies. These teams are on a timetable and their failure to return by the designated time results in their being left behind. Cale and his partner find themselves out of time and miss their pick-up, now they are stranded on a large container ship full of zombies.
Cale is certain that his wife and child are still alive in the U.S. and does everything in his power to reunite with them. Along the way, there are plenty of zombies and Cale sometimes finds himself in impossible situations - thinking to himself that this is where his life will end. He is also visited periodically by either a ghost or his imagination - Zach was his best friend and fellow squad member in the previous book (killed by Cale when he became infected) and seems to show himself periodically - making observations and offering Cale advice and encouragement to keep him moving in the right direction.
The author also includes chapters following Cale's wife, Lauren, while she and her daughter continue in their own quest to survive in the U.S. She, too, believes that Cale is still alive and uses that to keep herself motivated.
The story has a few slow spots where there is more repetition than action, but all in all, it's a good zombie story!! The ending of Red Tides leaves readers hanging on a cliff...Cale is not home yet, but getting closer! I look forward to Mr. Lema's next installment to see how the series continues.
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
February 12, 2016
Spoilers, tons of spoilers!
I have to admit my first impression was that I should lower the rating I had given to ‘Blood on the Sand’ because I felt like the second book was waaaay much better. There were submarines, there were hordes of zombies, there were the Egyptian slavers (great character development!) and there was Naeem, whose character I liked a lot. Cale was still devoted to his wife and that was ok – I even liked his subliminal version of Zack and I saw him as a kind of guardian angel. I guess Cale should have been called ‘Jinx’ from the beginning of the book – almost everyone he bonded with was MIA, dead or presumed dead at the end of the book. I am sure when he gets home all hell will break loose (poor Lauren, again ;))
I have to be honest with the readers - sometimes I had this feeling like there was too much of everything. I get that zombies ruled the cities, but I really don’t feel like reading about every single rotting face that crossed Cale’s path. We also started to meet hordes of characters that were merely names and I hated it, really. I also noticed that some characters, even if they had their own storylines (Michael, Naeem, Russo), tended to disappear. That was disturbing and imho unnecessary. I also couldn’t get the point of some of the events – why torpedoing the fleet when it has got supplies and no infected? Why opening the gates and risk the infection just to get closer to a girl you like? Why risking the safety of the plane when you know the US coast is being guarded – wouldn’t it be easier to try Canada or Mexico?
But what made me give this book only 3 stars was the ending – come on, Mr. Lerma, really?! I liked these guys, for God’s sake!
I have to admit my first impression was that I should lower the rating I had given to ‘Blood on the Sand’ because I felt like the second book was waaaay much better. There were submarines, there were hordes of zombies, there were the Egyptian slavers (great character development!) and there was Naeem, whose character I liked a lot. Cale was still devoted to his wife and that was ok – I even liked his subliminal version of Zack and I saw him as a kind of guardian angel. I guess Cale should have been called ‘Jinx’ from the beginning of the book – almost everyone he bonded with was MIA, dead or presumed dead at the end of the book. I am sure when he gets home all hell will break loose (poor Lauren, again ;))
I have to be honest with the readers - sometimes I had this feeling like there was too much of everything. I get that zombies ruled the cities, but I really don’t feel like reading about every single rotting face that crossed Cale’s path. We also started to meet hordes of characters that were merely names and I hated it, really. I also noticed that some characters, even if they had their own storylines (Michael, Naeem, Russo), tended to disappear. That was disturbing and imho unnecessary. I also couldn’t get the point of some of the events – why torpedoing the fleet when it has got supplies and no infected? Why opening the gates and risk the infection just to get closer to a girl you like? Why risking the safety of the plane when you know the US coast is being guarded – wouldn’t it be easier to try Canada or Mexico?
But what made me give this book only 3 stars was the ending – come on, Mr. Lerma, really?! I liked these guys, for God’s sake!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2014
In all honesty, I didn't love the first book in this series. It wasn't super well written and I struggled with some of it grammatically and with the choices the main character made. That being said, I thought this second novel was a huge improvement. The pace was better, the action was more exciting, and I genuinely began to care about the main character (whereas in the first novel there were moments I felt like I was rooting more for the zombies than the good guy). I think the author really made great strides in his writing ability, and it looks like maybe had a better editor or at least more people giving him honest feedback on how to improve his book.
There were still moments where I shook my head about the choices the main character made, but I feel like that's okay given that it's an apocalypse so maybe making the best decisions isn't always easy. I felt like Cale's struggle to get home to his wife was more believable and sincere, although I think this has more to do with the fact that the author chose to put in some of his wife's story throughout the book. Honestly, I think I might have enjoyed her scenes more than I did Cale's at times! Granted, the super villain guy in her part of the story was a little hard to swallow (does an apocalypse really turn a normal-ish guy into a murderous, rapey stalker dude?) but it amped up the drama and made me root a little more for Cale to hurry home.
Overall, this was a really good book and I finished reading it under a day. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the zombie genre, especially those who enjoy the military aspect as well. I look forward to reading the next installment and hope it comes out soon.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There were still moments where I shook my head about the choices the main character made, but I feel like that's okay given that it's an apocalypse so maybe making the best decisions isn't always easy. I felt like Cale's struggle to get home to his wife was more believable and sincere, although I think this has more to do with the fact that the author chose to put in some of his wife's story throughout the book. Honestly, I think I might have enjoyed her scenes more than I did Cale's at times! Granted, the super villain guy in her part of the story was a little hard to swallow (does an apocalypse really turn a normal-ish guy into a murderous, rapey stalker dude?) but it amped up the drama and made me root a little more for Cale to hurry home.
Overall, this was a really good book and I finished reading it under a day. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the zombie genre, especially those who enjoy the military aspect as well. I look forward to reading the next installment and hope it comes out soon.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2014
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a new to me author, and I answered a call for reviewers for books 1 and 2 from FB. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this romp of a z tale. The main character Cale was very likable and an average Joe. He wasn't Spec Ops or anything, just a good shot, so that made things more believable and real. Books 1 and 2 just continue the story of Cale, and even have some parts of his wife's trial back in the States. I really liked this series and cannot wait to continue!
This is a new to me author, and I answered a call for reviewers for books 1 and 2 from FB. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this romp of a z tale. The main character Cale was very likable and an average Joe. He wasn't Spec Ops or anything, just a good shot, so that made things more believable and real. Books 1 and 2 just continue the story of Cale, and even have some parts of his wife's trial back in the States. I really liked this series and cannot wait to continue!
January 3, 2016
Book two picks up with Cale being rescued by a submarine.He finds himself fighting not only zombies but the selfish cruelty of other humans.I like that the author includes Cale's family and the story of their plight at home in the USA.I appreciated that the author doesn't overload the book with repetitive and detailed descriptions of weapons and gear.Overall I really enjoyed this book.I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2015
Loved how it picked up where the first book left off, the flipping back and forth between characters never once confused me.
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