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Self-Aware: A Zombie Series With A Fresh Twist!
In this original thriller about a zombie who wakes up Self Aware, Stephanie Bradford finds herself torn away from everything she's ever known and loved, only to be thrust into a harsh and unforgiving world where anything goes. Her one saving grace is that she has a mutated version of the zombie virus that stands her apart from the rest. Instead of death and decay, her mutation regenerates and heals, but at a cost that maybe to much. Praise For This "Romance, Companionship, Gore, Humor, Suspense, Betrayal, Violence...this book has it all!" "I'm giving Self-Aware five stars because I enjoyed the time I spent reading it. That's what I read a book for - enjoyment of the story. And Mr. Wolff told a GOOD story. It was compelling, it pulled me in, and he made me care about the characters. Sympathizing with a zombie, even! Who knew?!?!"
- GenresZombies
588 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2014
5 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 1, 2015
I received this book for an honest review.
This book gives new meaning to Zombies. The characters in this book Stephanie and Brittany were so flawlessly written. The ride was so intense that I was on a emotional roller coaster. Mr. Wolff breathes new life into the age old regular "Zombies" that we are used to. His writings put you into the skin of the characters and the smell of the surroundings. I was so drawn in on this storyline that when I put the book down I expected the surroundings from the book to be what I saw. I was very disappointed that it was just my house.! There is nothing old age about his writings. I will admit that some of the book was very descriptive and gory but it's what happens when you are writing realistic horror. Zombies and Gore go hand in hand. This was not a "stale" read and kept my interest at every turn of the page. I didn't feel like this was a seen it, read it before story. He kept the characters fresh, he kept the storyline going without "rest areas". His main character Stephanie could have been my neighbor she was so realistic. It is hard to get a writer these days that can keep you interested from start to finish. To keep you guessing all the way on who the bad guys are. Every scene was different than the last and every turn made your heart race. I am elated that this is a book series and I get to go on more roller coaster rides. This is one ride that is worth every penny and worth the wait. I would love to see this as a movie or a television series.
This book gives new meaning to Zombies. The characters in this book Stephanie and Brittany were so flawlessly written. The ride was so intense that I was on a emotional roller coaster. Mr. Wolff breathes new life into the age old regular "Zombies" that we are used to. His writings put you into the skin of the characters and the smell of the surroundings. I was so drawn in on this storyline that when I put the book down I expected the surroundings from the book to be what I saw. I was very disappointed that it was just my house.! There is nothing old age about his writings. I will admit that some of the book was very descriptive and gory but it's what happens when you are writing realistic horror. Zombies and Gore go hand in hand. This was not a "stale" read and kept my interest at every turn of the page. I didn't feel like this was a seen it, read it before story. He kept the characters fresh, he kept the storyline going without "rest areas". His main character Stephanie could have been my neighbor she was so realistic. It is hard to get a writer these days that can keep you interested from start to finish. To keep you guessing all the way on who the bad guys are. Every scene was different than the last and every turn made your heart race. I am elated that this is a book series and I get to go on more roller coaster rides. This is one ride that is worth every penny and worth the wait. I would love to see this as a movie or a television series.
January 13, 2015
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
I'm going to make this short and sweet, to save my stomach.
This is, perhaps, one of the goriest books I've read. Not because there is blood and guts everywhere, but because of the skill of Steven's writing and the way he integrates the reality and surrealism of the situations within this book.
I'm not normally squeamish. I'd rather read about gore than watch it on TV, but this one had my stomach turning. I think what made it so effective, was that the Re-Gen zombies were 'self aware' and therefore you had human emotions concerning cannibalism (if they'd been alive) and all the troubles, fear and uncertainty of a zombie apocalypse.
Stephanie was an interesting character, but I found myself more drawn towards Valerie. She was one tough cookie and she accepted her new life.
I won't go into spoilers or my favourite parts; you'll just have to read it, to pick some for yourself.
(P.S. The only reason I took so long to read it, was because I took ill over the Christmas holidays and this book made me nauseous enough that it wasn't a good idea to read it, especially while I had a fever.)
I'm going to make this short and sweet, to save my stomach.
This is, perhaps, one of the goriest books I've read. Not because there is blood and guts everywhere, but because of the skill of Steven's writing and the way he integrates the reality and surrealism of the situations within this book.
I'm not normally squeamish. I'd rather read about gore than watch it on TV, but this one had my stomach turning. I think what made it so effective, was that the Re-Gen zombies were 'self aware' and therefore you had human emotions concerning cannibalism (if they'd been alive) and all the troubles, fear and uncertainty of a zombie apocalypse.
Stephanie was an interesting character, but I found myself more drawn towards Valerie. She was one tough cookie and she accepted her new life.
I won't go into spoilers or my favourite parts; you'll just have to read it, to pick some for yourself.
(P.S. The only reason I took so long to read it, was because I took ill over the Christmas holidays and this book made me nauseous enough that it wasn't a good idea to read it, especially while I had a fever.)
January 31, 2015
This is the first book I have read with this theme. I can ignore grammar mistakes for a good story and this story is good. The major problem is that it is just too wordy. This is a long story that if properly edited, could be cut in half to make it tighter.
Heroines Stephanie and Britney are wacky but okay and Valerie is good. What is troublesome is things that happen that make no sense whatsoever even in apocalyptic times. For example, nasty marauders find them, kill them and then ponder over which of them they will fuck first. Wouldn't it make better sense to keep them alive if that's the purpose they serve? Yes, end times are twisted but I seriously doubt they would get that twisted. Also finding two victims you need to kill to live and killing them both at the same time instead of killing one and saving the other for a few days down the road. Stupid. So is burning alive the living for the hell of it. Makes no sense.
I liked the ending though it was highly unreal. I look forward to reading the next in the series and hope it will be sooner rather than the end of the year. Great story, great potential, keep writing.
Heroines Stephanie and Britney are wacky but okay and Valerie is good. What is troublesome is things that happen that make no sense whatsoever even in apocalyptic times. For example, nasty marauders find them, kill them and then ponder over which of them they will fuck first. Wouldn't it make better sense to keep them alive if that's the purpose they serve? Yes, end times are twisted but I seriously doubt they would get that twisted. Also finding two victims you need to kill to live and killing them both at the same time instead of killing one and saving the other for a few days down the road. Stupid. So is burning alive the living for the hell of it. Makes no sense.
I liked the ending though it was highly unreal. I look forward to reading the next in the series and hope it will be sooner rather than the end of the year. Great story, great potential, keep writing.
January 13, 2015
Zombies in Oregon, what more could you ask for? A great read full of adventure, humor, gore, and of course Zombies. The author, Steven Wolff, did a great job pulling me into this unique take on your traditional Zombie tale. Also, love that he writes a strong female lead. Anyone wanting to survive a zombie apocalypse just needs to recruit from the gals in Oregon. They'll get ya thru it laughing.
February 7, 2015
What an amazingly written book! You don't get many variations in the zombie genre so this was a welcomed change!
Well executed, well constructed, quite believable, out of the norm zombie book!
Thanks for the change up and congratulations!
Well executed, well constructed, quite believable, out of the norm zombie book!
Thanks for the change up and congratulations!
December 5, 2025
A sharp, fast-moving twist on the zombie genre. Stephanie’s regenerative mutation adds real tension, every advantage she gains comes with an unsettling cost. The story balances brutality with unexpected emotional depth, especially as you’re pushed to root for someone who shouldn’t even be alive. It’s grim, oddly hopeful, and surprisingly intimate, with enough betrayal and chaos to keep the stakes climbing. A quick, engaging read that earns its punch.
March 7, 2015
Thelma & Louis and a Big Bowl of Brains
What if the people sitting next to you were zombies – not the snarling, rotting, mindless brain-eating type, but a new, smart, sexy brain-eating type? What if, while you’re talking to a woman about current affairs, all she can think about is how good you would taste? Such is the world that author Steven Wolff takes the reader into.
Stephanie and Britney each have the pleasure (?) of waking up in a body bag to find that they are very dead, yet very alive. Unlike other zombies around them, they don’t wander aimlessly, looking for cranial Crème of Wheat while decaying flesh hangs from their bones. However, they do need fresh, human flesh in order to keep going. Self Aware tells their story about adapting to their new “life” and trying to figure out what happened to them, and what makes them such unique zombies. Along the way, they encounter friend, foe and the occasional nefarious government agent.
The plot is intriguing and exciting. Unfortunately, Wolff’s execution hinders the story. At times it is difficult to know if he intends the story to be a horror-comedy or a serious exploration of the two protagonists’ experience. In this reviewer’s opinion, his writing strength is in the direction of horror-comedy. (The scenes where the two women have to learn how to find food and eat it are LOL funny and really clever.) Additionally, there are some serious editorial issues with the writing: it needs quite a bit of editorial help.
Zombie fans will like the book. Some reviewers have mentioned the extensive level of gore found within. Wolff plainly warns readers in the front matter:
NOT SUITABLE FOR ANYONE UNDER 17 YRS OF AGE for descriptive-graphic scenes… found in typical zombie- apocalypse setting. In other words, “eek! Don’t eat me! Arghh! Nom, nom, nom.”
I thought this warning was an awesome start, and it sets the tone for the direction that Wolff should keep going with his series. I look forward to future installments as the author improves his skill as a writer.
What if the people sitting next to you were zombies – not the snarling, rotting, mindless brain-eating type, but a new, smart, sexy brain-eating type? What if, while you’re talking to a woman about current affairs, all she can think about is how good you would taste? Such is the world that author Steven Wolff takes the reader into.
Stephanie and Britney each have the pleasure (?) of waking up in a body bag to find that they are very dead, yet very alive. Unlike other zombies around them, they don’t wander aimlessly, looking for cranial Crème of Wheat while decaying flesh hangs from their bones. However, they do need fresh, human flesh in order to keep going. Self Aware tells their story about adapting to their new “life” and trying to figure out what happened to them, and what makes them such unique zombies. Along the way, they encounter friend, foe and the occasional nefarious government agent.
The plot is intriguing and exciting. Unfortunately, Wolff’s execution hinders the story. At times it is difficult to know if he intends the story to be a horror-comedy or a serious exploration of the two protagonists’ experience. In this reviewer’s opinion, his writing strength is in the direction of horror-comedy. (The scenes where the two women have to learn how to find food and eat it are LOL funny and really clever.) Additionally, there are some serious editorial issues with the writing: it needs quite a bit of editorial help.
Zombie fans will like the book. Some reviewers have mentioned the extensive level of gore found within. Wolff plainly warns readers in the front matter:
NOT SUITABLE FOR ANYONE UNDER 17 YRS OF AGE for descriptive-graphic scenes… found in typical zombie- apocalypse setting. In other words, “eek! Don’t eat me! Arghh! Nom, nom, nom.”
I thought this warning was an awesome start, and it sets the tone for the direction that Wolff should keep going with his series. I look forward to future installments as the author improves his skill as a writer.
March 3, 2015
Writing and grammar was amazing!
Characters were not cliched!
Everything that can go wrong, went wrong.
Every idiotic thought, was rewarded.
Every logical thought, was punished.
Character descriptions were bad, and "plot" was added just for filler.
I seriously regret wasting my time
P.s. every 4-5 star review here is b.s.
Characters were not cliched!
Everything that can go wrong, went wrong.
Every idiotic thought, was rewarded.
Every logical thought, was punished.
Character descriptions were bad, and "plot" was added just for filler.
I seriously regret wasting my time
P.s. every 4-5 star review here is b.s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews