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Paradise: A Zombie Apocalypse Saga, Volume 2
A sudden outbreak at a military installation, followed by a media blackout, and the end of normalcy as you know it!
PARADISE thrusts you into a world at the onset of the zombie apocalypse. Survival horror at its most visceral, an experience that takes hold and doesn’t let go. Join the small group led by Christian and his brother as they navigate the savaged landscape in search of their haven. Loyalties are tested as survivors desperately search for loved ones and struggle to hold on to their humanity.
What will you do when your “normal” life is ripped away? Where will you go? How will you feed and protect your loved ones? Where will you be when the end begins?
PARADISE perfectly blends chilling tension, intense family dynamics, and the ever-present threat of something worse around every corner. If you enjoy The Walking Dead, World War Z, the works of Ambrose Bierce, Richard Matheson, and the films of George A. Romero, this is a series you can’t afford to miss!
PARADISE thrusts you into a world at the onset of the zombie apocalypse. Survival horror at its most visceral, an experience that takes hold and doesn’t let go. Join the small group led by Christian and his brother as they navigate the savaged landscape in search of their haven. Loyalties are tested as survivors desperately search for loved ones and struggle to hold on to their humanity.
What will you do when your “normal” life is ripped away? Where will you go? How will you feed and protect your loved ones? Where will you be when the end begins?
PARADISE perfectly blends chilling tension, intense family dynamics, and the ever-present threat of something worse around every corner. If you enjoy The Walking Dead, World War Z, the works of Ambrose Bierce, Richard Matheson, and the films of George A. Romero, this is a series you can’t afford to miss!
544 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2025
33 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Stracco
2 books130 followersMatthew M. Stracco has always had a passion for storytelling. He participated in the creation of several short films as writer and director with Horsemen Productions and later in a supporting role with Kill Switch Productions.
His literary works have appeared in The Mind Carpenter Literary Magazine, Weird New Jersey Magazine, and the Federal Manager Magazine.
The PARADISE Saga is his first foray into longform storytelling and world building. He currently lives somewhere in the Garden State but is ready to move to a more defendable location should the dead rise.
His literary works have appeared in The Mind Carpenter Literary Magazine, Weird New Jersey Magazine, and the Federal Manager Magazine.
The PARADISE Saga is his first foray into longform storytelling and world building. He currently lives somewhere in the Garden State but is ready to move to a more defendable location should the dead rise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
September 9, 2025
A good fast paced read
A good fast paced read. I enjoyed the characters there are a few loose ends that might hopefully be tied up in a future book .
A good fast paced read. I enjoyed the characters there are a few loose ends that might hopefully be tied up in a future book .
October 26, 2025
I have no words. Truly a great read. We really need this series to continue!!! What a ride this was!!!
July 30, 2025
Good story
The story is great, lots of action and likeable characters. It follows a lot of other stories where the main characters end up dying but that adds to the realness of it. My only complaint is the formatting, it jumps from situation to situation without any kind of knowledge you're reading about someone else until it mentions the names, and there are a TON of typos, where if you're like me it will drive you a little crazy. Otherwise good job!
The story is great, lots of action and likeable characters. It follows a lot of other stories where the main characters end up dying but that adds to the realness of it. My only complaint is the formatting, it jumps from situation to situation without any kind of knowledge you're reading about someone else until it mentions the names, and there are a TON of typos, where if you're like me it will drive you a little crazy. Otherwise good job!
August 1, 2025
The writing made this story difficult to read.
I mostly liked the stories (Christian and Matt were way over the top and it would been a more enjoyable read without them completely or if they were toned down). There were so many errors, spelling, formatting, etc, that it got in the way of trying to enjoy it. The worst part, though, was how there would be two different situations with different characters at different locations and all of the dialogue between the two different situations were placed together. Like a few sentences of one situation and then it just goes right to the other one; no break to indicate it was switching. It made those parts annoying to read so I just skipped it. You could skip entire pages of this book and still know what’s going on. I think future books could be a lot better by avoiding the many errors, making a transition between different situations, and cleaning up the characters.
I mostly liked the stories (Christian and Matt were way over the top and it would been a more enjoyable read without them completely or if they were toned down). There were so many errors, spelling, formatting, etc, that it got in the way of trying to enjoy it. The worst part, though, was how there would be two different situations with different characters at different locations and all of the dialogue between the two different situations were placed together. Like a few sentences of one situation and then it just goes right to the other one; no break to indicate it was switching. It made those parts annoying to read so I just skipped it. You could skip entire pages of this book and still know what’s going on. I think future books could be a lot better by avoiding the many errors, making a transition between different situations, and cleaning up the characters.
August 17, 2025
Wow, just wow. Volume 2 brought me to tears. The author did an excellent job of not giving the twists away. I thought the story was going in one direction and it went in the completely opposite direction. There was no hero who arrived to save the day. No coward who returned to redeem himself. I wept openly during the last six chapters. There was a lot for me to process. I will say that I appreciate how the author wrote his female characters. They are strong and capable. They are not girl bosses who need weak male characters to dominate. It was refreshing to see such developed females, especially Kim and Rebecca. I can't wait to see what the sequel book does with their characters. Recommended!
August 17, 2025
No one is coming to save you... I found the first book to be intense and by that measure the second book in the series was the proverbial shirt over the head punch in the gut. In book 2, the author raises the stakes. There is more threats, more danger, and more action. I couldn't put the book down during the last two chapters. I could not have imagined the twist at the end. As someone who served and who had a father who also served, without giving anything away, I got emotional when the son saluted his father. Not sure where the author is going to go with this series, but I am really looking forward to it. Excellent first outing!
September 4, 2025
The ladies came into their own. These are some strong women. Mrs. S, is the matriarch and she looks after everyone. She is also helping her husband as he struggles with PTSD. Dr. S, makes sure everyone stays alive. I felt for her at the end as she and Doc were working to repair Paul's wounds. It was Kim and Rebecca though, that literally save everyone. They mix it up with zombies and marauders. They don't care, they have each others back. I really hope the author features them in the sequel. Excellent series!
September 11, 2025
I finished volume 2 yesterday and I was floored...in a good way. Where do I begin? First, it was a quick and intense read. I loved the brief moments of perceived safety the main characters enjoy. I found the interaction between the brothers and the father and son to be genuine. The author does an excellent job of turning of the intensity and body count. I didn't expect most of the deaths. Some of the characters I was happy to see go but some left me admittedly sad. There are so many story threads left open I can't wait to see what the sequel brings. Oh, and the Tamara character returns!!!
September 19, 2025
I finished volume 2 a few days ago. The author did a good job writing competent characters who make well thought out decisions, especially considering the circumstances. That being said, good decisions don't prevent catastrophic events from continuing. That approach really grounded the story with an element of realism. This also kept the tension palpable throughout. There were twists I wasn't expecting and one of the deaths actually had me put the book down. All in all an exhilarating journey through a fallen world. Recommended!
October 19, 2025
Twists and turns through an undead world
First, kudos to the author for creating this series and putting it out to the world. It was clearly a very personal journey and I for one applaud his efforts.
Volume 2 raises the stakes for the reader and characters. It only took three days without gas stations during sandy in 2012 for folks devolve to fist fights and worse, so the dark turn that some of the characters take rang true for me. I enjoyed both volumes and am looking forward to where the story may go. Recommended!
First, kudos to the author for creating this series and putting it out to the world. It was clearly a very personal journey and I for one applaud his efforts.
Volume 2 raises the stakes for the reader and characters. It only took three days without gas stations during sandy in 2012 for folks devolve to fist fights and worse, so the dark turn that some of the characters take rang true for me. I enjoyed both volumes and am looking forward to where the story may go. Recommended!
August 4, 2025
I finished volume 2 yesterday and was pleasantly surprised when the Dr. Singer character returned in the story. The author did a nice job at establishing a love story without being graphic in its depiction. There were a lot of story threads left open and I'm curious to see where the story goes. The action was kinetic and is written that way. It was exciting and even though I'm not used to that style it kept me turning pages. I enjoyed the series and recommend both volumes!
August 4, 2025
I liked the first book, but volume 2 didn't let up. The story does a good job of moving between different characters and different settings. I like how the author starts with 2 characters that are only discussed in volume 1. The pace is faster than volume 1, the action is more intense and the ending... No spoilers here just saying, I didn't expect it. I really hope the author keeps the series going. Really good read!
September 3, 2025
More threats than I can count. There are zombies a plenty and other groups fighting for the last of the resources. It was intense. There were a lot of twists I didn't expect. Volume 2 shattered my expectations. There was more action and more tension. Some of the characters rose to the occasion and some didn't make it. I'm curious to see where the author goes with the prequel and sequel. Excellent series!
September 4, 2025
Wasn't sure how long things were going to remain "normal" once the group got to their destination, but man the author did not disappoint. I enjoyed how loyal the core group are to each other. You can tell the author is drawing off personal experience. Volume 2 raises the stakes and body count. I loved the way the two women drove off at the end to find Kurt. The author did a good job of writing strong capable women without having to write the male characters as weak. More please!
September 8, 2025
Just finished volume 2 over the weekend and it was far more intense than volume 1. Don't get me wrong, the first book was excellent, but the second book didn't let up. The author introduces to characters that are mentioned in volume 1 and they are thrown right into the thick of things. I liked the way the book takes you right to the edge and the next chapter picks up with a different set of characters. I had no idea what was coming at the end, but it kept me turning pages. Recommended!
September 15, 2025
I finished the second book yesterday. As a prepper, there are some things I may have done differently, but all told the second book was a great read. The story is fast paced and intense. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming. Despite the best efforts of the main characters things still go wrong and the author doesn't pull any punches. Great series, looking forward to the next installments. Now back to my preps!
September 23, 2025
Intense, fast paced and more plot threads to explore in future installments.
This volume takes hold and doesn't let go. More threats and fewer survivors. The group struggles to reclaim their lives on the farm but zombies and dangerous survivors won't allow it. The only choices are to fight or run. The author's visual storytelling style makes the action jump off the page. I highly recommend this series!
This volume takes hold and doesn't let go. More threats and fewer survivors. The group struggles to reclaim their lives on the farm but zombies and dangerous survivors won't allow it. The only choices are to fight or run. The author's visual storytelling style makes the action jump off the page. I highly recommend this series!
September 24, 2025
Volume 2 jumped off the page and never let go.
The visual storytelling style grabbed me from the very first chapter. The author does an effective job of switching between story threads. The chapters provide a pause from the primary storyline. This is effective as threats faced by the primary group rise. I found chapters 49 and 50 particularly effective.
Looking forward to more in this series. Recommended!
The visual storytelling style grabbed me from the very first chapter. The author does an effective job of switching between story threads. The chapters provide a pause from the primary storyline. This is effective as threats faced by the primary group rise. I found chapters 49 and 50 particularly effective.
Looking forward to more in this series. Recommended!
September 28, 2025
Just when you think it's safe to take a breath...
The fallen world is a scary place. The pressure never lets up for these characters. Even when it looks like they may have a moment to catch their breath a quick twist finds them back in harms way. The pace of the last two chapters is unreal. I didn't expect the author to take it where he did. I really enjoy this series and hope to see more from this author.
The fallen world is a scary place. The pressure never lets up for these characters. Even when it looks like they may have a moment to catch their breath a quick twist finds them back in harms way. The pace of the last two chapters is unreal. I didn't expect the author to take it where he did. I really enjoy this series and hope to see more from this author.
July 4, 2025
A tale of love and loss, not so concluded…
It took me a weekend to finish volume 2. The author really ramped up the pace. I had to put it down after I finished chapter 47. There was a lot to unpack and even though I only know these characters from the page, each loss had an impact. I hope these books act as a healing journey and look forward to seeing where the author takes this story.
It took me a weekend to finish volume 2. The author really ramped up the pace. I had to put it down after I finished chapter 47. There was a lot to unpack and even though I only know these characters from the page, each loss had an impact. I hope these books act as a healing journey and look forward to seeing where the author takes this story.
August 5, 2025
Unexpected! Volume 2 is faster paced. The action, danger and violence are constant. The characters are in constant peril. I actually had to put it down a few times. It made me wonder how prepared my family and I really are if something catastrophic happened. I recommend you give it a read and then join me at the local army/navy store to stock up on supplies. Enjoy!
September 3, 2025
This second book really got intense. It had a few moments of calm in between some unexpected twists. I didn't expect to see some characters die. The author left more story lines open than he concluded. I didn't want to finish the last page. I need to know what happens next! I hope the sequel comes sooner than later.
September 3, 2025
Without giving any spoilers away, this second book went in directions I wasn't expecting. Things got intense and never let up. The finale, which wasn't final because of how open ended most of the story lines were, was so action packed. The Kim and Rebecca characters really came into their own and I hope they are featured more in the sequel. Tension, action, zombies, recommended!
September 11, 2025
I finished volume 2 this morning. The first thing I did when I closed the book was call my brothers and tell them that I loved them. For all the intensity, gun fights and zombies, my big take away from volume 2 was don't miss an opportunity to tell the people important to you that you love them. Thank you for an excellent ride. I will be on the lookout for the sequel!
September 14, 2025
I saved volume 2 until I returned from vacation and I'm glad I did. This second book hooked me from the first chapter. The characters really came into their own. I appreciated how the Kim and Rebecca characters are given room to develop and ultimately become warriors. I was totally into that. Great, fast paced read.
September 16, 2025
I finished volume 2 with my first cup of coffee this morning. It was a real page turner with twists I didn't see coming. The author did a great job of subverting expectations and delivering a literary gut punch I didn't expect but was appreciative of. A lot of plot threads to explore in future installments. Great first outing sir!
September 16, 2025
I finished volume 2 earlier today. It was an intense read. The author did a great job building the tension and intensity until the main characters are seemingly trapped. I won't give the end away, but I did find a lot of subtle references (easter eggs) throughout the books. It gave an interesting spin on a really cool story. Glad I gave it a read!
September 27, 2025
All the makings of a limited series!
Finished book 2 last week and let me just say it was a fast paced intense read throughout. The author did a good job of establishing the world and rules in the first book. Book 2 turns the danger, tension and action all the way up. Hey Hollywood, here is your next limited series. Recommended!
Finished book 2 last week and let me just say it was a fast paced intense read throughout. The author did a good job of establishing the world and rules in the first book. Book 2 turns the danger, tension and action all the way up. Hey Hollywood, here is your next limited series. Recommended!
October 4, 2025
Action packed and intense!
Okay, I updated my preps before I started reading volume 2 and I'm glad I did. The first book establishes the world and the second ups the stakes with more zombies, more action and more danger. Not sure where the author will take it but I'm excited for the next installment.
Okay, I updated my preps before I started reading volume 2 and I'm glad I did. The first book establishes the world and the second ups the stakes with more zombies, more action and more danger. Not sure where the author will take it but I'm excited for the next installment.
October 11, 2025
Intense on every level
It's clear to me there's a lot going on below the surface of the text. The author combats some very heavy topics and does so through the lens of the zombie apocalypse. There are several emotions beats readers with siblings will really feel. I enjoyed both books and hope for more from this author.
It's clear to me there's a lot going on below the surface of the text. The author combats some very heavy topics and does so through the lens of the zombie apocalypse. There are several emotions beats readers with siblings will really feel. I enjoyed both books and hope for more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews