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Slow Burn #6
Bleed
Survive the infection! Survive the Infected!
Zed and Murphy are trying to find their surviving friends to finally get out of Austin and head west to safety, away from the zombie hordes. But trouble, their perpetual companion, dogs them at every turn as they discover that infected humans aren’t the only source of mortal danger.
Zed and Murphy are trying to find their surviving friends to finally get out of Austin and head west to safety, away from the zombie hordes. But trouble, their perpetual companion, dogs them at every turn as they discover that infected humans aren’t the only source of mortal danger.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2014
272 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Bobby Adair
71 books699 followersA bio is a weird thing to write.
Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?
When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.
It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.
Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.
And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.
On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.
I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.
Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.
I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.
I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.
I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.
Find out more:
http://www.bobbyadair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyAdairAu...
Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?
When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.
It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.
Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.
And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.
On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.
I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.
Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.
I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.
I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.
I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.
Find out more:
http://www.bobbyadair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyAdairAu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
November 14, 2022
Book 9 in my Zombie-a-thon 2022!
3.5 Stars
Zed and Murphy have really grown on me and it was fun to watch them interact with a new bunch of characters. This is definitely like GOT though in that you shouldn't get attached to any characters! On to the next!
3.5 Stars
Zed and Murphy have really grown on me and it was fun to watch them interact with a new bunch of characters. This is definitely like GOT though in that you shouldn't get attached to any characters! On to the next!
January 19, 2019
Another book done in a day! Another one I couldn’t put down!
This book was definitely not humorous like the last book. Don’t get me wrong there is a little of Zed and Murphy’s humor throughout but this one had me on my toes and tugged at my heartstrings! The heartbreak that honestly would break anyone! Zed and Murphy sees how people look at them. They don’t understand and of course they’re scared.
Like Paul says “Ignorance. Nothing ever changes.”
Honestly in my opinion they’re willing to go out scavenging for food and ammo with no problem, they know the whites don’t immediately see them as food. I would keep them around. They have come up lucky on many runs! Which who does it benefit...any survivors they’re with. Their normal group is close and has stuck together. I would say they care for one another like family!
We get to see more people this time around which is a nice change. Zed and Murphy were getting worried with how many survivors they have seen in their recent travels.
They observe new behaviors with the whites, which changes their safety dramatically!
The ending throws you for a twist.
I wonder where the last three books will take us.
This book was definitely not humorous like the last book. Don’t get me wrong there is a little of Zed and Murphy’s humor throughout but this one had me on my toes and tugged at my heartstrings! The heartbreak that honestly would break anyone! Zed and Murphy sees how people look at them. They don’t understand and of course they’re scared.
Like Paul says “Ignorance. Nothing ever changes.”
Honestly in my opinion they’re willing to go out scavenging for food and ammo with no problem, they know the whites don’t immediately see them as food. I would keep them around. They have come up lucky on many runs! Which who does it benefit...any survivors they’re with. Their normal group is close and has stuck together. I would say they care for one another like family!
We get to see more people this time around which is a nice change. Zed and Murphy were getting worried with how many survivors they have seen in their recent travels.
They observe new behaviors with the whites, which changes their safety dramatically!
The ending throws you for a twist.
I wonder where the last three books will take us.
November 9, 2014
I waiting and waited for this book! And I was not disappointed! As always Bobby Adair does it again! I absolutely loved this one so much action heartbreak and just plain Zed and Murphy style.Zed and Murphy always seem lucky to get out of almost impossible situations Zed gets them into. Zed always the hero tries to save his friends from the normal people on the monk island. I will give no spoilers but let's just say I can't wait for book 7!
November 10, 2014
I have enjoyed all 6 of the books in this series, I'm really glad the saga will continue. Thanks to the author for all the good times.
April 16, 2023
My Thoughts:
As usual, just another chapter of a bigger book. But I am happy to read on because the books in this series is already published. If I was reading this book when it first came out and had to wait a year for the next book, that would have broken my following of this series, I think. That would really annoy me. Enough to shun this author no matter how good the story arc is or how good the story telling quality is.
Sixth book down the line and there is one thing I noticed about this series. The titles has something to do with the events in the book. With that particular chapter of the story. Like Torrent has the hurricane event in it. Dead Fire has Zed's gas bomb. In Destroyer, that chapter has a big chunk of it revolving around Zed's feeling like the Null Spot he is. Things like that. To me, that is a plus, because there are a lot of urban fantasy books out there where I could not find any relation of the title of the book to the story, and I find that annoying! So, kudos to the titles of the books in this series!
Just like the previous books, no beginning. Cliffhanger ending. Thin plot.
Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 3.5
Writing Style = 3.5
Ending = 2
World building = 5
Cover art = 3
Pace = 3.5
Plot = 2
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
As usual, just another chapter of a bigger book. But I am happy to read on because the books in this series is already published. If I was reading this book when it first came out and had to wait a year for the next book, that would have broken my following of this series, I think. That would really annoy me. Enough to shun this author no matter how good the story arc is or how good the story telling quality is.
Sixth book down the line and there is one thing I noticed about this series. The titles has something to do with the events in the book. With that particular chapter of the story. Like Torrent has the hurricane event in it. Dead Fire has Zed's gas bomb. In Destroyer, that chapter has a big chunk of it revolving around Zed's feeling like the Null Spot he is. Things like that. To me, that is a plus, because there are a lot of urban fantasy books out there where I could not find any relation of the title of the book to the story, and I find that annoying! So, kudos to the titles of the books in this series!
Just like the previous books, no beginning. Cliffhanger ending. Thin plot.
Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 3.5
Writing Style = 3.5
Ending = 2
World building = 5
Cover art = 3
Pace = 3.5
Plot = 2
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
April 25, 2017
Holy hell this is a bleak series. This author is great at giving you hope and then ripping out your heart and pissing in your chest cavity. I was so, so pissed off near the end of this book, but after a moment of reflection I have to say great job with this one.
Excellent series so far. I'm really rooting for the characters and every bloody time something is going their way I'm ecstatic, THEN Adair goes and messes it all up and I get so damn pissed off, I just sit there seeing red or I get really bummed out, then I remember this is just a work of fiction. I read a lot of messed up books but I normally don't get such a feeling of frustration, hopelessness and borderline rage.
Screw it, in an apocalypse I'm going it alone, screw everyone, it just isn't worth the pain.
Excellent series so far. I'm really rooting for the characters and every bloody time something is going their way I'm ecstatic, THEN Adair goes and messes it all up and I get so damn pissed off, I just sit there seeing red or I get really bummed out, then I remember this is just a work of fiction. I read a lot of messed up books but I normally don't get such a feeling of frustration, hopelessness and borderline rage.
Screw it, in an apocalypse I'm going it alone, screw everyone, it just isn't worth the pain.
October 10, 2020
I read this as part of Slow Burn Box Set: The Complete Post Apocalyptic Series
Some people are just evil no matter what. I loved how Zed saved the day. 4 stars.
Some people are just evil no matter what. I loved how Zed saved the day. 4 stars.
July 8, 2024
This one got into my feels.....
August 19, 2020
Oh no, Bobby Adair... you did not do that!
Ugh! On to book #7!
Ugh! On to book #7!
January 18, 2016
"Fight the dead, fear the living."
The slogan for season 3 of The Walking Dead fits BLEED perfectly. In the sixth installment of Slow Burn, the zombies are almost window dressing. Zed's real enemies are a group of bigoted survivors holed up on an island who see Zed, Murphy, and other "slow burns" as a threat.
Adair deserves kudos: he matured significantly as a writer over the course of writing the Slow Burn books, and BLEED, the sixth in the series, is by far his strongest. He cooked up an evenly proportioned serving of drama, violence, introspection, character development, a little romance for his leading man, and a bubble of dread that built up as I neared the climax, and burst in a way that I hope will cause ripple effects throughout the rest of the series.
But the most gripping parts of the book were the ones showing the depravity of the human antagonists, who not only mistreat slow burns due to the color of their skin, but commit atrocities toward fellow humans. Ultimately, zombies are brain-dead animals incapable of forming a thought beyond "I want food." Humans, creatures capable of overwhelming compassion and overwhelming evil, are much, much worse.
My only concern going forward is that Adair has closed the loop on the series. Without giving away any spoilers, arriving at the ending left me feeling like I'd spent six books walking in a circle. It would be easy for Adair to follow the template of Slow Burn's first six books and continue cashing checks from his fans who will eat up (pun intended) anything he dishes out. And he deserves those checks. He's made great strides as a writer, and I have fallen in love with Zed, Murphy, and their post-apocalyptic world. Yet I do worry that Adair played it too safe with the ending.
Book 7 of Slow Burn will mark a new beginning for Adair's characters. Whether that beginning will feel fresh or well-trodden remains to be seen. Will I continue reading? Yes, but like Zed, I need a rest from his adventures.
The slogan for season 3 of The Walking Dead fits BLEED perfectly. In the sixth installment of Slow Burn, the zombies are almost window dressing. Zed's real enemies are a group of bigoted survivors holed up on an island who see Zed, Murphy, and other "slow burns" as a threat.
Adair deserves kudos: he matured significantly as a writer over the course of writing the Slow Burn books, and BLEED, the sixth in the series, is by far his strongest. He cooked up an evenly proportioned serving of drama, violence, introspection, character development, a little romance for his leading man, and a bubble of dread that built up as I neared the climax, and burst in a way that I hope will cause ripple effects throughout the rest of the series.
But the most gripping parts of the book were the ones showing the depravity of the human antagonists, who not only mistreat slow burns due to the color of their skin, but commit atrocities toward fellow humans. Ultimately, zombies are brain-dead animals incapable of forming a thought beyond "I want food." Humans, creatures capable of overwhelming compassion and overwhelming evil, are much, much worse.
My only concern going forward is that Adair has closed the loop on the series. Without giving away any spoilers, arriving at the ending left me feeling like I'd spent six books walking in a circle. It would be easy for Adair to follow the template of Slow Burn's first six books and continue cashing checks from his fans who will eat up (pun intended) anything he dishes out. And he deserves those checks. He's made great strides as a writer, and I have fallen in love with Zed, Murphy, and their post-apocalyptic world. Yet I do worry that Adair played it too safe with the ending.
Book 7 of Slow Burn will mark a new beginning for Adair's characters. Whether that beginning will feel fresh or well-trodden remains to be seen. Will I continue reading? Yes, but like Zed, I need a rest from his adventures.
May 20, 2024
**Another perfectly apt title**
This book has surpassed book 3 as the most DEPRESSING of the books so far. I don't know if my heart can take this anymore after this entry. This one gutted me. GUTTED. Too much misery. Too much death. Too much ugliness among normal people. That's what I get for trying to cling to hope or get attached to characters. Why the author made the decisions he made in this book is beyond me, and I'll be lying if I said many of them pissed me way the hell off. So much death and for frickin' what? Can no one catch at least a couple days' worth of even just breathing?
I couldn't even wallow in the budding romance between Steph and Zed because he went and killed her off. I was honestly shocked. SHOCKED. Thought for SURE Zed was simply hallucinating, that he had lost blood and imagined Steph being eaten alive. And after everything, (EVERYTHIIIIING!!!) he went through to find her, she dies? I can't believe how saddened and pissy this made me. Such potential, such promise, such INTRIGUE, and it all goes POOF. Why kill off one of a main character who honestly brought out a side to Zed that I appreciated? And so now what?
I hated this entry. And I loved it, yes. But I so hated it. Hated to love it, loved to hate it. All that jazz. At the end of the day, though, that's what makes these stories feel real. You can't give ALL main characters impenetrable plot armor, after all. This entry did a wonderful job of making my heart bleed, hence the perfect title. I dunno how I'm gonna do, but I'm gonna proceed onward. I must.
This book has surpassed book 3 as the most DEPRESSING of the books so far. I don't know if my heart can take this anymore after this entry. This one gutted me. GUTTED. Too much misery. Too much death. Too much ugliness among normal people. That's what I get for trying to cling to hope or get attached to characters. Why the author made the decisions he made in this book is beyond me, and I'll be lying if I said many of them pissed me way the hell off. So much death and for frickin' what? Can no one catch at least a couple days' worth of even just breathing?
I couldn't even wallow in the budding romance between Steph and Zed because he went and killed her off. I was honestly shocked. SHOCKED. Thought for SURE Zed was simply hallucinating, that he had lost blood and imagined Steph being eaten alive. And after everything, (EVERYTHIIIIING!!!) he went through to find her, she dies? I can't believe how saddened and pissy this made me. Such potential, such promise, such INTRIGUE, and it all goes POOF. Why kill off one of a main character who honestly brought out a side to Zed that I appreciated? And so now what?
I hated this entry. And I loved it, yes. But I so hated it. Hated to love it, loved to hate it. All that jazz. At the end of the day, though, that's what makes these stories feel real. You can't give ALL main characters impenetrable plot armor, after all. This entry did a wonderful job of making my heart bleed, hence the perfect title. I dunno how I'm gonna do, but I'm gonna proceed onward. I must.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2020
I said, “I was born to live in a world of whites, I just never knew it.
Zed and Murphy once again find the struggles of mundane life becoming harder and harder to sustain from. Haunted by the Hoard just beyond reach, and the cruelty of survivors towards others still with a heart beating in their chests, it’s no wonder the blood can soon run as cold as ice in those left in such a tormented world. Following the deaths of Mandi and Russel, neither man knew how to proceed, taking in a newly shattered world with few less people they loved and trusted.
Murphy was right. Other people's fears would haunt us forever.
Torn between his loyalties to those he trusted with every beat of his heart, and looking into the shadows to reclaim the lands from the Smart Ones and Whites, Zed Zane is losing his grips on his very sanity. Once so vibrant and strong, now withered away into the shell of who he was before the virus overtook everything he ever knew as normal. Bound into their lives, he couldn't merely stumble away, as his thoughts and his heart were beginning to circle back to Steph, someone with the immunity running through her veins. Where his skin was an ashen pale, sickly in the lights, hers' was tanned into a healthy glow and his feelings were far jumbled to recognize what he had while it still had a heartbeat.
I was drowning in numbness, and when I came up for air, all I felt was hurt.
As the group stumbled to survive, they mange a chance encounter with Steve and Angie, leaving Murphy, Zed, and Dallhover once more staring into the emptiness of the barrel. Then I got mad. "God damnit. I fucking knocked. Why'd you let me come in if you were going to put a gun to my neck when I got inside. His temper flaring, he felt fearless for the first time in a long while, meeting others' who held to a natural hue while infections ran rampant throughout the cities. Austin was under fire,raging down every city block and tranquil neighborhood while a hoard thousands strong of hairless naked Whites were scavenging out those still living. "What, so you can shoot them too? Well fuck you, I don't like this world anymore, anyway. I need a rest." Coming to shattered terms with those around him could hardly be counted as trustworthy,the trio were fighting every odd to make it back to the girls, and nobody would stand in the way. Then, without turning, I hollered, "Don't come in. Fucktard has a gun on me.' Those that found the rarity of loyalties and friendship in the post apocalyptic world, better hold to their treasures, because such a thing was so far removed anymore.
Murphy laughed again, "Zed the cockroach. This is some funny shit." "A cockroach?" I was offended.
Finding new survivors was supposed to be a blessing, not a curse so drowned out in misery and hatred. It should of shined a light onto the possibility of rebuilding the world, but instead only furthered the outline of destruction in ways the Whites never could replicate. As they stumbled upon a group hidden in clear view on an island, it was only the before understanding of the terror the Whites held for the water that was keeping them safe, but among them held secrets and a man with an evil burning through his heart. This would emerge Gretchen and Paul, two survivors without the shared agenda of Jay Booth, a man who took Megan, Rachel, and Steph away from Zed, and that was simply too far to be pushed. Raiding their island was easy, bringing Jay to his knees all the sweeter, but the pain would bring him to his knees as the White's grabbed a hold of Steph, and drug her beneath them before him with nothing he could do to save her. Now, the possibility of living was such a short cry, and he looked as those non infected and saw the same betrayal on their faces as he saw on Jay's, the idea they'll never fully trust or accept him and Murphy. As they both were still monsters with flesh. As they separated form the group, Murphy spend days nursing the frail Zed back to a stand-able health, leaving behind everyone else for his best friend in such a tattered world.
Stomping again, Murphy came up to me, raised his fist, and though I saw it coming from ten steps away, I didn't do anything to avoid it. He punched me in the face so hard that I didn't even feel it.
Just get to the water. Just get to the water.
"Me too, I haven't had to run for my life in over twenty-four hours."
Zed and Murphy once again find the struggles of mundane life becoming harder and harder to sustain from. Haunted by the Hoard just beyond reach, and the cruelty of survivors towards others still with a heart beating in their chests, it’s no wonder the blood can soon run as cold as ice in those left in such a tormented world. Following the deaths of Mandi and Russel, neither man knew how to proceed, taking in a newly shattered world with few less people they loved and trusted.
Murphy was right. Other people's fears would haunt us forever.
Torn between his loyalties to those he trusted with every beat of his heart, and looking into the shadows to reclaim the lands from the Smart Ones and Whites, Zed Zane is losing his grips on his very sanity. Once so vibrant and strong, now withered away into the shell of who he was before the virus overtook everything he ever knew as normal. Bound into their lives, he couldn't merely stumble away, as his thoughts and his heart were beginning to circle back to Steph, someone with the immunity running through her veins. Where his skin was an ashen pale, sickly in the lights, hers' was tanned into a healthy glow and his feelings were far jumbled to recognize what he had while it still had a heartbeat.
I was drowning in numbness, and when I came up for air, all I felt was hurt.
As the group stumbled to survive, they mange a chance encounter with Steve and Angie, leaving Murphy, Zed, and Dallhover once more staring into the emptiness of the barrel. Then I got mad. "God damnit. I fucking knocked. Why'd you let me come in if you were going to put a gun to my neck when I got inside. His temper flaring, he felt fearless for the first time in a long while, meeting others' who held to a natural hue while infections ran rampant throughout the cities. Austin was under fire,raging down every city block and tranquil neighborhood while a hoard thousands strong of hairless naked Whites were scavenging out those still living. "What, so you can shoot them too? Well fuck you, I don't like this world anymore, anyway. I need a rest." Coming to shattered terms with those around him could hardly be counted as trustworthy,the trio were fighting every odd to make it back to the girls, and nobody would stand in the way. Then, without turning, I hollered, "Don't come in. Fucktard has a gun on me.' Those that found the rarity of loyalties and friendship in the post apocalyptic world, better hold to their treasures, because such a thing was so far removed anymore.
Murphy laughed again, "Zed the cockroach. This is some funny shit." "A cockroach?" I was offended.
Finding new survivors was supposed to be a blessing, not a curse so drowned out in misery and hatred. It should of shined a light onto the possibility of rebuilding the world, but instead only furthered the outline of destruction in ways the Whites never could replicate. As they stumbled upon a group hidden in clear view on an island, it was only the before understanding of the terror the Whites held for the water that was keeping them safe, but among them held secrets and a man with an evil burning through his heart. This would emerge Gretchen and Paul, two survivors without the shared agenda of Jay Booth, a man who took Megan, Rachel, and Steph away from Zed, and that was simply too far to be pushed. Raiding their island was easy, bringing Jay to his knees all the sweeter, but the pain would bring him to his knees as the White's grabbed a hold of Steph, and drug her beneath them before him with nothing he could do to save her. Now, the possibility of living was such a short cry, and he looked as those non infected and saw the same betrayal on their faces as he saw on Jay's, the idea they'll never fully trust or accept him and Murphy. As they both were still monsters with flesh. As they separated form the group, Murphy spend days nursing the frail Zed back to a stand-able health, leaving behind everyone else for his best friend in such a tattered world.
Stomping again, Murphy came up to me, raised his fist, and though I saw it coming from ten steps away, I didn't do anything to avoid it. He punched me in the face so hard that I didn't even feel it.
Just get to the water. Just get to the water.
"Me too, I haven't had to run for my life in over twenty-four hours."
September 9, 2018
I'm a shameless fan of the "zombie apocalypse" genre. It really has nothing to do with horror, but I enjoy reading stories about people overcoming adversity and surviving in a world that has been radically affected by a massive catastrophe.
I've read a LOT of books in the genre, and I consider myself a bit of an aficionado. Therefore, when I say that this is one of the best series I've read in the genre, I'm not kidding.
This book is one of a series of books, and I'm leaving the same review for ALL of the books, because I read them all in a back-to-back binge on my Kindle. In my mind, it's all one lengthy well-told story, and I don't see any point in trying to isolate each book for a review. The series is awesome. By them all, read them in order, and you will enjoy them!
So WHY is this series so good? Well, for one thing, Bobby Adair is a very good writer, and the books are well-written with interesting characters and lots of action.
In this series, the "zombies" are people infected with a virus that essentially fries their brain with fever, leaving them more or less mindless and violent. The interesting twist is that not all "zombies" are equally infected. Some zombies retain some of their intellect, and some remain essentially ALL of their intellect, although they cosmetically appear just as infected as the others. I'd never read a zombie story told from the perspective of someone infected, yet not fully mindless, and what it's like to experience persecution from all sides. The other zombies want to eat you, and the "normal" immune survivors don't trust you since you have the pale skin of the infected.
I also REALLY like the fact that the story is set in Austin, Texas. I'm a native Texan myself, and for a while I in Austin, so it was very interesting to me to read a story that's set in a familiar setting. Bobby Adair knows what he's talking about when he writes about what it would be like to experience the collapse of civilization in central Texas in the blazing summer heat of August.
I also really like the fact that the main characters are interesting. For instance, the character "Zed" isn't a bad ass who was a Green Beret, and he wasn't a prepper before the apocalypse. He's a bit of a loser, who graduated from UT with a philosophy degree yet works at Starbucks, and probably drinks too much and smokes too much weed, and is drifting through life thanks to a lack of motivation from his shitty childhood. He's not an angel, and he makes mistakes, and that makes him very easy to relate to.
I might also add that the book is laugh-out-loud funny in many places. The banter back and forth between Zed and Murphy is hilarious and very believable, and really made the characters come alive in my mind.
Read these books! You will thank me!
I've read a LOT of books in the genre, and I consider myself a bit of an aficionado. Therefore, when I say that this is one of the best series I've read in the genre, I'm not kidding.
This book is one of a series of books, and I'm leaving the same review for ALL of the books, because I read them all in a back-to-back binge on my Kindle. In my mind, it's all one lengthy well-told story, and I don't see any point in trying to isolate each book for a review. The series is awesome. By them all, read them in order, and you will enjoy them!
So WHY is this series so good? Well, for one thing, Bobby Adair is a very good writer, and the books are well-written with interesting characters and lots of action.
In this series, the "zombies" are people infected with a virus that essentially fries their brain with fever, leaving them more or less mindless and violent. The interesting twist is that not all "zombies" are equally infected. Some zombies retain some of their intellect, and some remain essentially ALL of their intellect, although they cosmetically appear just as infected as the others. I'd never read a zombie story told from the perspective of someone infected, yet not fully mindless, and what it's like to experience persecution from all sides. The other zombies want to eat you, and the "normal" immune survivors don't trust you since you have the pale skin of the infected.
I also REALLY like the fact that the story is set in Austin, Texas. I'm a native Texan myself, and for a while I in Austin, so it was very interesting to me to read a story that's set in a familiar setting. Bobby Adair knows what he's talking about when he writes about what it would be like to experience the collapse of civilization in central Texas in the blazing summer heat of August.
I also really like the fact that the main characters are interesting. For instance, the character "Zed" isn't a bad ass who was a Green Beret, and he wasn't a prepper before the apocalypse. He's a bit of a loser, who graduated from UT with a philosophy degree yet works at Starbucks, and probably drinks too much and smokes too much weed, and is drifting through life thanks to a lack of motivation from his shitty childhood. He's not an angel, and he makes mistakes, and that makes him very easy to relate to.
I might also add that the book is laugh-out-loud funny in many places. The banter back and forth between Zed and Murphy is hilarious and very believable, and really made the characters come alive in my mind.
Read these books! You will thank me!
June 7, 2024
This book was less zombies and more drama between humans than the other books, but it was still bloody good, though we do get some more zombie evolution.
The human vs human battles were highly entertaining and well written, with the author’s usual realistic story telling.
We had a few unexpected reunions that I was so here for.
I am still convinced, that Zed is one if the greatest main characters ever and I enjoyed very much, that he got even more busy than usual as Null Spot. This book had some of the best Null Spot action in the series so far.
I also loved how there was a lot of emphasis on sneaking around in this story, it heightened the tension greatly.
The characters dynamics are still as stunning as ever and Murphy and Zed are definitely one of the best duos ever. I feel like this book especially brought out just how beautiful their friendship is.
Overall another hit by Bobby Adair.
The human vs human battles were highly entertaining and well written, with the author’s usual realistic story telling.
We had a few unexpected reunions that I was so here for.
I am still convinced, that Zed is one if the greatest main characters ever and I enjoyed very much, that he got even more busy than usual as Null Spot. This book had some of the best Null Spot action in the series so far.
I also loved how there was a lot of emphasis on sneaking around in this story, it heightened the tension greatly.
The characters dynamics are still as stunning as ever and Murphy and Zed are definitely one of the best duos ever. I feel like this book especially brought out just how beautiful their friendship is.
Overall another hit by Bobby Adair.
January 24, 2019
Best zombie apocalypse series
I just read this in one sitting. I dont usually review Zombie Apocalypse books because I believe if you can say something nice dont say anything at all. I dont have a problem reviewing this series. I cant put these books down. Seriously. I usually reas 12 books at a time. I read 2 chapters of one and then go to the next. I get so caught up in this story that I find myself reading on after 2 chapters. This time I just sat and read the whole book. The characters are wonderfully real, the action is non=stop, and the story grabs your attention and won't let go.
I just read this in one sitting. I dont usually review Zombie Apocalypse books because I believe if you can say something nice dont say anything at all. I dont have a problem reviewing this series. I cant put these books down. Seriously. I usually reas 12 books at a time. I read 2 chapters of one and then go to the next. I get so caught up in this story that I find myself reading on after 2 chapters. This time I just sat and read the whole book. The characters are wonderfully real, the action is non=stop, and the story grabs your attention and won't let go.
August 14, 2019
I never would have thought......
Book 6 is tough. Each book throws you a curve ball you don't expect. Everyone that has made it through and has lived knows what loss feels like and it hurts a lot. No one forgets what they have lived through. Each one learns something about themselves, they learn who they can trust, from judgment or lack of. It's not easy to trust especially when you second guess yourself.
Murphy and Zed have become best friends because they have learned what the other person is capable of. They know they have each other's back when the sh*t hits the fan. Now is no different, it's just the two of them again. The others have moved on.
Book 6 is tough. Each book throws you a curve ball you don't expect. Everyone that has made it through and has lived knows what loss feels like and it hurts a lot. No one forgets what they have lived through. Each one learns something about themselves, they learn who they can trust, from judgment or lack of. It's not easy to trust especially when you second guess yourself.
Murphy and Zed have become best friends because they have learned what the other person is capable of. They know they have each other's back when the sh*t hits the fan. Now is no different, it's just the two of them again. The others have moved on.
September 3, 2019
I have the omnibus edition of this series so just wanted to say phew, it was exhausting following the all-action events and I was only reading about them...no wonder Zed and Murphy need a rest.
I thought this installment was poignant on more than one level - Zed's emotional state, the way ignorance and fear cause unjust reactions and how human behaviour, in the main, falls into the realm of beasts when things are tough. It also highlights the stupidity of racism and its effects - lessons to be learned (though probably not). I can certainly understand Zed's anger.
Well-written and highly recommended.
I thought this installment was poignant on more than one level - Zed's emotional state, the way ignorance and fear cause unjust reactions and how human behaviour, in the main, falls into the realm of beasts when things are tough. It also highlights the stupidity of racism and its effects - lessons to be learned (though probably not). I can certainly understand Zed's anger.
Well-written and highly recommended.
July 26, 2021
In a world where a moment of inattention could cost a life, it's not the immediate threat of the horde that causes the most emotional and physical distress.
No, it's those that a person has put their life on the line, only to be rejected because of skin color.
Although behavior characteristics were vastly different, fear caused rational reasoning to be over written.
Then there's those that no matter what's happening in the world, they believe they are the elite of any group. They are the real enemy of mankind.
No, it's those that a person has put their life on the line, only to be rejected because of skin color.
Although behavior characteristics were vastly different, fear caused rational reasoning to be over written.
Then there's those that no matter what's happening in the world, they believe they are the elite of any group. They are the real enemy of mankind.
December 15, 2025
This one hit a little diffrent then the novels before. Even though I did laugh couple of times do to Zed and Murphy's banter it felt hollow most of the time when reading. I cannot see how further from humanity these stories can go down.
Still a fantastic read that leaves you wondering.
Also after finishing the novel I can't stop imagining the line "He can't keep getting away with this!" which I'm aiming it at the author (you know what you did!)
Only four left and I cannot wait for how this will wrap up!
Still a fantastic read that leaves you wondering.
Also after finishing the novel I can't stop imagining the line "He can't keep getting away with this!" which I'm aiming it at the author (you know what you did!)
Only four left and I cannot wait for how this will wrap up!
June 21, 2019
I can’t get enough of Zed and Murphy!!
Slow Burn 6 is another amazing book in this series!! As Murphy heals from losing Mandi and Zed is trying to find Steph they run up on a group of survivors. Once again nothing goes as planned and things get interesting when the island survivors don’t like having slow burners around. I really enjoyed reading this book but I the ending hurt my heart. I can’t wait to see what Bobby Adair has in store for us in book 7.
Slow Burn 6 is another amazing book in this series!! As Murphy heals from losing Mandi and Zed is trying to find Steph they run up on a group of survivors. Once again nothing goes as planned and things get interesting when the island survivors don’t like having slow burners around. I really enjoyed reading this book but I the ending hurt my heart. I can’t wait to see what Bobby Adair has in store for us in book 7.
June 19, 2023
If you like the Slow Burn books, then you'll like this one. To me, I find it's becoming a little bit stale. I still like the characters, the premise, etc... But I feel like the series needs some kind of major shift to change it up a bit. Even just a different locale would do the trick. Seems like they've been doing the same things in/around this lake for most of the books now. Still 4 stars, since I really like the series.
May 17, 2024
I am writing this review to cover books 6-8. While I enjoyed every book, I can for the life of me figure out why he separated this into eight separate books. And while he was preparing eight different books why didn’t he do a better job at ending each of the books properly.
Each of the books really just dumps you off on the side of the road. Not even calling this a serial series works because with serials you look for a cliffhanger
Book for all of the books I give an average of three stars..
Each of the books really just dumps you off on the side of the road. Not even calling this a serial series works because with serials you look for a cliffhanger
Book for all of the books I give an average of three stars..
June 5, 2018
Darn you, Adair! I can't believe you killed that character! That's why I'm only a mild fan of the zombie genre, because too often someone I've come to like dies.
I like the different take of this whole series, seeing it from the viewpoint of one of the infected, and I'll keep reading, but not soon.
I like the different take of this whole series, seeing it from the viewpoint of one of the infected, and I'll keep reading, but not soon.
January 29, 2019
Another great
This is my second reread of this series and. I still love it. Highly recommend to any zombie. Lovers.. Spoiler ahead...
The end kills me. Like. Breaks my heart even though I know how the series ends. Murphy staying behind, Steph.. All of it.
This is one of my fave of the series.
This is my second reread of this series and. I still love it. Highly recommend to any zombie. Lovers.. Spoiler ahead...
The end kills me. Like. Breaks my heart even though I know how the series ends. Murphy staying behind, Steph.. All of it.
This is one of my fave of the series.
June 6, 2019
I drifted over to Slow Burn after reading the diary series. Before I knew it I am 2/3rds of the way through, finishing one and looking forward to the next. I am enjoying the writing, the storylines and the characters. I am hoping the series will be at double figures, keep up the good work BA, if it doesn't make it I will still move over to another of your creations.
June 15, 2022
Absolutely loved this installment of the Slow Burn series, great story lots of hope and thrills, also some terrible tragedy and complete insanity leading to a high octane ending. I love the main character Zed and the fact he's a bit of an A**hole, also love that he's worried about losing his humanity and isnt just a cut and dried hero. This is probably my favourite book in the series so far.
December 12, 2023
This book was a little bit slower than the others thus far, but that's to be expected. There is still plenty of excitement but this looks to be a plot tangent book. Hoping the next book picks up the pace more and characters continue developing. I would like to know more about some of the new characters that were introduced this book as well.
November 10, 2017
Another Great Continuing Story
Book 6 is full of action and adventure just like all the previous ones. I seem to not be able to put down the story of Zeb and his friends fighting for survival in a zombie ridden world.
Book 6 is full of action and adventure just like all the previous ones. I seem to not be able to put down the story of Zeb and his friends fighting for survival in a zombie ridden world.
April 26, 2018
Suffice it to say that this book was every bit as good as the previous books in the series. As I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in the series, I will hold off any major reviewing til the end of the entire series. I am enjoying the reading.
April 4, 2019
Adventure continues
Adventure continues with Zed and Murphy as they look for people they lost. Trouble is never far, not only are the infected dangerous but uninflected as well.
Plenty of action packed adventure lies ahead.
Adventure continues with Zed and Murphy as they look for people they lost. Trouble is never far, not only are the infected dangerous but uninflected as well.
Plenty of action packed adventure lies ahead.
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