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Convoy 19
A zombie novel
Faced with an overwhelming infestation of living dead upon the U.S. mainland, the U.S. Pacific Fleet manages a strategic withdrawal of civilians and supplies. Aboard the USS Ronald Regan, Dr. Henry Damico advises the remnants of the civilian government and military leadership on how to survive in a world overrun with zombies. Meanwhile, Henry’s wife Kelly has spent the apocalypse on the front lines caring for desperate civilians within a clinic defended by the military. When the military network of convoys tasked with retrieving refugees scattered throughout the city begins to break down, Sergeant First Class Carl Harvey must lead the last convoy into San Diego. Sergeant Harvey battles through a city of death to reunite Kelly with her husband aboard the U.S.S Boxer, but an unexpected outbreak transforms Sergeant Harvey’s last mission into a desperate fight for survival against the ravenous dead.
Faced with an overwhelming infestation of living dead upon the U.S. mainland, the U.S. Pacific Fleet manages a strategic withdrawal of civilians and supplies. Aboard the USS Ronald Regan, Dr. Henry Damico advises the remnants of the civilian government and military leadership on how to survive in a world overrun with zombies. Meanwhile, Henry’s wife Kelly has spent the apocalypse on the front lines caring for desperate civilians within a clinic defended by the military. When the military network of convoys tasked with retrieving refugees scattered throughout the city begins to break down, Sergeant First Class Carl Harvey must lead the last convoy into San Diego. Sergeant Harvey battles through a city of death to reunite Kelly with her husband aboard the U.S.S Boxer, but an unexpected outbreak transforms Sergeant Harvey’s last mission into a desperate fight for survival against the ravenous dead.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2014
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61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 26, 2015
ABR's original Convoy 19 audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Convoy 19: A Zombie novel by Mark Reviett starts out with a letter from the current Secretary of Health. In it he tells about the start of the undead and how the government was so wrapped up in themselves that it got out of hand. When the government finally woke up, it was too late. The letter ends with the naming of his successor, Dr. Henry DeMiko.
Sargent First Class, Karl Harvey, was in charge of Convoy 19. Each convoy consisted of six Hummers. They lasted until parts ran out or they couldn’t be repaired. Convoy 19 working Hummers began to dwindle as result making rescues of civilians and survivors more and more difficult.
Dr. Kelly DeMiko was at one of the DDC locations in San Diego that was still safe. She had injured and terminal patients to take care of but the situation was becoming dangerous. Not only from the overwhelming numbers of the undead but from human elements that also wanted in.
Henry DeMiko, doctor, advisor to the military, and the new Secretary of Health and Human services was on board the USS Ronald Regan as advisor to Admiral Nordstrome. The USS Ronald Regan battle group was off the coast of San Diego. The navy flotilla was charged with protecting the mass of private ships and boats that had gathered around them. Mainly from the Mexicans who were raiding the ships and boats.
I really liked this version of the walking dead. There was one main story with smaller stories that joined together to make the story one tremendous ride. The main storyline was about Karl Harvey. His Convoy 19 team is whittled away until there are only 3 left. The horror he has seen, the devastation of the city, and the loss of his team mates, all of it eats at his soul.
When you start this story you will not want to stop. The audio version is about eight and a half hours.
Steven R. Thorn is the narrator and he does a splendid job of it. He brings the characters to life and adds to the telling. A wonderful narrator.
Audiobook provided for review by the publisher.
Convoy 19: A Zombie novel by Mark Reviett starts out with a letter from the current Secretary of Health. In it he tells about the start of the undead and how the government was so wrapped up in themselves that it got out of hand. When the government finally woke up, it was too late. The letter ends with the naming of his successor, Dr. Henry DeMiko.
Sargent First Class, Karl Harvey, was in charge of Convoy 19. Each convoy consisted of six Hummers. They lasted until parts ran out or they couldn’t be repaired. Convoy 19 working Hummers began to dwindle as result making rescues of civilians and survivors more and more difficult.
Dr. Kelly DeMiko was at one of the DDC locations in San Diego that was still safe. She had injured and terminal patients to take care of but the situation was becoming dangerous. Not only from the overwhelming numbers of the undead but from human elements that also wanted in.
Henry DeMiko, doctor, advisor to the military, and the new Secretary of Health and Human services was on board the USS Ronald Regan as advisor to Admiral Nordstrome. The USS Ronald Regan battle group was off the coast of San Diego. The navy flotilla was charged with protecting the mass of private ships and boats that had gathered around them. Mainly from the Mexicans who were raiding the ships and boats.
I really liked this version of the walking dead. There was one main story with smaller stories that joined together to make the story one tremendous ride. The main storyline was about Karl Harvey. His Convoy 19 team is whittled away until there are only 3 left. The horror he has seen, the devastation of the city, and the loss of his team mates, all of it eats at his soul.
When you start this story you will not want to stop. The audio version is about eight and a half hours.
Steven R. Thorn is the narrator and he does a splendid job of it. He brings the characters to life and adds to the telling. A wonderful narrator.
Audiobook provided for review by the publisher.
July 26, 2015
Convoy 19 sounds like your average zombie book – military convoy is set up to do “one last run” before abandoning zombie infested San Diego. Cue the zombies and a cookie cutter trek through zombie land. I've read plenty of variations on Escape from Zombietown over the years – some good, some bad. But like any idea ripe with possibility – it suckers me back in even though I think I know what I'm getting. So I picked it up for 99 cents for the hell of it and decided to give the book a try.
I'm happy to say that I was wrong about this book. While the basic premise of the story is as it sounds, but the details of this story make it stand out. What you get is a mix of Day of the Dead and Black Hawk Down.
Firstly, this story takes place mid-apocalypse. Society knows the horrors of the living dead, but they have not succumb to it completely. There's pockets of humanity scattered around in various rescue stations, on a navy flotilla, and rampaging gangs of survivors mixed with healthy amounts of the dead. Thankfully, the author shies away from the typical evil biker gang out other obviously evil example of the fall of man or as a display of man and not the zombies as the "real" enemy. Instead, the author makes a clear, but not overreaching our bludgeoning example of government incompetence as the major enemy.
The writing is good, but not perfect. There's not a ton of character development, but in a story like this, I'm okay with that fact. Dialogue, pacing, and so on are decent, but the real winner I'd the level of detail. The author provides fully realized view of the apocalypse not always seen in books like this. A lot of times there's the sense that the buildings are all locked up like for a long weekend, but everything seems basically intact. Not so here. The city feels properly ruined, gutted, and smashed but not totally abandoned. There's a lot of little details present, from the propaganda posts inside an abandoned school to descriptions of the wrecked streets of the city.
While there are a few issues - some of the action seems a bit too over the top given the high body count, the military lingo isn't always 100% spot on, and the story goes on about 20 pages to long - but all in all, this is one of the best zombie books I've read in years.
I'm happy to say that I was wrong about this book. While the basic premise of the story is as it sounds, but the details of this story make it stand out. What you get is a mix of Day of the Dead and Black Hawk Down.
Firstly, this story takes place mid-apocalypse. Society knows the horrors of the living dead, but they have not succumb to it completely. There's pockets of humanity scattered around in various rescue stations, on a navy flotilla, and rampaging gangs of survivors mixed with healthy amounts of the dead. Thankfully, the author shies away from the typical evil biker gang out other obviously evil example of the fall of man or as a display of man and not the zombies as the "real" enemy. Instead, the author makes a clear, but not overreaching our bludgeoning example of government incompetence as the major enemy.
The writing is good, but not perfect. There's not a ton of character development, but in a story like this, I'm okay with that fact. Dialogue, pacing, and so on are decent, but the real winner I'd the level of detail. The author provides fully realized view of the apocalypse not always seen in books like this. A lot of times there's the sense that the buildings are all locked up like for a long weekend, but everything seems basically intact. Not so here. The city feels properly ruined, gutted, and smashed but not totally abandoned. There's a lot of little details present, from the propaganda posts inside an abandoned school to descriptions of the wrecked streets of the city.
While there are a few issues - some of the action seems a bit too over the top given the high body count, the military lingo isn't always 100% spot on, and the story goes on about 20 pages to long - but all in all, this is one of the best zombie books I've read in years.
November 29, 2017
Decent stand alone zombie novel would work as start of a series. Throws in a stab to the guts at the end for no reason and spoils whole story.
July 14, 2017
Twenty four years ago I started dating a guy who loves zombie films. We've spent the intervening years reading, watching and listening to tales about just about every type of zombie imaginable, every type of remaining society you can think of. Some have been awful, others great. This one, I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed listening to.
First off, I think that Mark Rivett has written an interesting and entertaining novel. Like all my favourite zombie novels, it focuses far more intensely on how the living deal with the situation than the living dead eating people. I particularly enjoyed the characters of Sgt Harvey & Pam and both Dr. Dimarcos. One particular scene is something I can picture happening very easily in this type of situation - people trying mob a convoy to grab a ride to somewhere they think will be safer, shouting, abusive, even asking why young children are getting rides ahead of them. The scene is uncomfortable and left me feeling sad and slightly ashamed of the human race because it is so true to how things would be.
I have listened to some truly dire narrations of novels, this is not one of them. I enjoyed Stephen R. Thorne's narration; he put effort into making voices somewhat distinctive, giving personality to each character. This greatly added to my enjoyment of the novel.
There are thousands, perhaps millions, of zombie novels out there by now. This one is worth reading/listening to.
First off, I think that Mark Rivett has written an interesting and entertaining novel. Like all my favourite zombie novels, it focuses far more intensely on how the living deal with the situation than the living dead eating people. I particularly enjoyed the characters of Sgt Harvey & Pam and both Dr. Dimarcos. One particular scene is something I can picture happening very easily in this type of situation - people trying mob a convoy to grab a ride to somewhere they think will be safer, shouting, abusive, even asking why young children are getting rides ahead of them. The scene is uncomfortable and left me feeling sad and slightly ashamed of the human race because it is so true to how things would be.
I have listened to some truly dire narrations of novels, this is not one of them. I enjoyed Stephen R. Thorne's narration; he put effort into making voices somewhat distinctive, giving personality to each character. This greatly added to my enjoyment of the novel.
There are thousands, perhaps millions, of zombie novels out there by now. This one is worth reading/listening to.
June 19, 2017
Excellent
This book is filled with hardcore action. A group of men and women working a rescue convoy during the zombie Apocolypse fight their way into hell and back out every day saving as many people as they can.
This book is filled with hardcore action. A group of men and women working a rescue convoy during the zombie Apocolypse fight their way into hell and back out every day saving as many people as they can.
November 12, 2023
Fast read
I was impressed with the use of proper grammar, the use of intelligent descriptive words, and the use of the English language. I felt the sad loss of each character. The author truly drew me "into" the story. Thank you
I was impressed with the use of proper grammar, the use of intelligent descriptive words, and the use of the English language. I felt the sad loss of each character. The author truly drew me "into" the story. Thank you
May 1, 2020
This is a great zombie book. If you are a fan of the genre, you should pick it up for sure.
January 10, 2021
Read : January 10, 2021
Rating : 3,5 Stars
Not bad at all, good zombies, good mix of characters, enough action and a nice crew of competent men and women.
Rating : 3,5 Stars
Not bad at all, good zombies, good mix of characters, enough action and a nice crew of competent men and women.
July 9, 2021
Look folks, a zombie book I love and have nothing I feel the need to bitch about! Be amazed! Be shocked!
Fast paced, lots of action, excellent read.
Fast paced, lots of action, excellent read.
March 15, 2022
Zombie action, plenty of gore.
January 22, 2024
It was a bit redundant when compared to other zombie apocalypse books out there but it wasn't awful. I actually listened to this through the Audible Plus program.
October 21, 2015
I found Mr. Rivett's Convoy 19: A Zombie Novel to be diverting enough, and despite a few stumbles was engaging from start to finish. I found the main characters overall to be well developed and likable. I also found the plot to be straightforward, linear and easy to follow, without a lot of exposition to bog the story down. The world building was fine, I found the crumbling ruins of San Diego one-year after the end of the world via Zombie's interesting enough (I'd have liked to hear more about the rest of the world, maybe that is to come in subsequent books). For once the overall treatment of Faith was fair and not objectionable. My only real complaints were two. First, maybe it's me, but I don't, and never have, blamed political figures for all the world's problems, and so, easy target as they are, I prefer to spread the blame around about in light of our fallen human nature (concupiscence). Therefore, I found Mr. Rivett's characterizations and attacks on politicians to be tiresome. Second, I found Mr. Rivett's treatment of the military to be lacking, but easy fixed. Obviously, in a scenario as he lays out a combined joint (task) force would be created and all command authority subsumed in the remaining highest ranking officer. In such a setting, we'd see more integration and effectiveness (especially one year on). Anyhow, small complaints, a very good effort, I would read a follow-on story.
April 12, 2015
I've given this book 5 stars because while it was not perfect and there were some spelling mistakes (Ronal Reagan instead of Ronald Reagan), I have read a lot of zombie novels on amazon and this is one really stands out against the rest.
It's well-written, suspenseful and balances story line, characterisation and gore very well. The writer is male yet did not focus only on gore and the weapons/killing side of things - characterisation and relationships all received sufficient attention and I found myself caring about the characters.
As with many zombie novels, there are a large number of characters and it can be hard to keep track of them let alone care about them, but I found myself becoming quite invested in the fate of minor characters like Private Stenson, Specialist Pam Grace ... With other characters, ordinarily it's very frustrating when they hide a zombie bite but in this story, the writer was able to write in a way that I could really understand the 'foolishness' of the character in wanting to hide a bite. I hope he writes more in this Universe - he should definitely be encouraged. There are a lot of badly written zombie novels out there and this is good writing.
It's well-written, suspenseful and balances story line, characterisation and gore very well. The writer is male yet did not focus only on gore and the weapons/killing side of things - characterisation and relationships all received sufficient attention and I found myself caring about the characters.
As with many zombie novels, there are a large number of characters and it can be hard to keep track of them let alone care about them, but I found myself becoming quite invested in the fate of minor characters like Private Stenson, Specialist Pam Grace ... With other characters, ordinarily it's very frustrating when they hide a zombie bite but in this story, the writer was able to write in a way that I could really understand the 'foolishness' of the character in wanting to hide a bite. I hope he writes more in this Universe - he should definitely be encouraged. There are a lot of badly written zombie novels out there and this is good writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2015
A lengthy zombie tale chronicling the efforts of our government to save as many citizens as possible from not only the zombie plague, but the Chinese (once again...what's up with that?) nuking our aircraft carrier fleets one at a time. Convoy 19 is the last surviving convoy used to transport survivors from infected areas to safe zones. The characters didn't impress me and the action was less than exciting. I'll go three.point.five for the effort.
May 6, 2016
If ever I wanted a zombie story made into a movie - this would be it. Some of the battle scenes would be truly epic on the big screen.
Aside from the great battles, I really liked how this book portrayed the changes the world would inevitability go through as the apocalypse unfolds.
This book is a great zombie ride from start to finish.
Aside from the great battles, I really liked how this book portrayed the changes the world would inevitability go through as the apocalypse unfolds.
This book is a great zombie ride from start to finish.
August 16, 2016
Great boom!
Excellent story. Not so much the zombie Apocalypse but rather the character's actions in an apocalyptic event. Military giving their all for others, civilian leaders making decisions that may or may not be good, individuals thinking of their own needs and not caring the impact it has on others. Great book!
Excellent story. Not so much the zombie Apocalypse but rather the character's actions in an apocalyptic event. Military giving their all for others, civilian leaders making decisions that may or may not be good, individuals thinking of their own needs and not caring the impact it has on others. Great book!
April 17, 2015
Outstanding
As usual Jake Bible writes with intensity and passion. He creates believable characters in easily imagined scenes. There is nothing like a Jake Bible book.
As usual Jake Bible writes with intensity and passion. He creates believable characters in easily imagined scenes. There is nothing like a Jake Bible book.
July 12, 2015
I think my opinion may be biased, but if you like zombie stuff (movies, tv, etc), I think you'll like this.
November 8, 2015
Not bad at all
A novel take on. The method of infection, as well as genuinely likeable characters, combine to create a perfectly decent zombie novel. Good job.
A novel take on. The method of infection, as well as genuinely likeable characters, combine to create a perfectly decent zombie novel. Good job.
May 16, 2016
it was ok but there was nothing that set it apart from other hundred zombie fiction books with military MCs
July 15, 2016
Very interesting, and at times nail biting read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews